[LiminalOne]

Hey all<br><br>
Just wondering what everyone's up to.<br><br>
Finn's working on some molars so is a sad, sad boy. Took two steps to Dada this morning as well. Words and signs are appearing. Damn, it seems like so much is going on developmentally right now that at least the teeth could give him a break, but alas no.<br><br>
I'm trying to get ready to start back to school (a tiny bit) in the Fall and am waffling. Anyone have tips on how to find a "good" mothers' helper or maybe more of an adult babysitter in the portland area. I'm so ambivalent about hiring someone as I've only left Finn with dp but I'm getting nothing done. I did write a poem today (first postpartum writing at 13 months, can you believe it?).<br><br>
So, that's my update. What's going on with you and yours?<br><br>
We might try to make it to the childrens' concert at deering oaks on thursday. anyone want to join us? Sadly I've met most of you but only one at a time and only once. It wasn't that bad, was it?<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

 

[NewMa]

Hi again Maine mamas!<br><br>
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful summer. Natasha's first summer has been an exciting one thus far. We've been swimming a lot and went camping at Acadia last weekend. It was a lot of fun. Natasha loved sitting around the campfire, and I think she slept better in the tent than she does at home. Dp and I have been commenting on how having a child is such a great excuse to do all kinds of cool stuff that we'd otherwise probably miss out on.<br>
LiminalOne, I PM'ed you about the possibility of meeting up in the park for the children's concert tomorrow. I'm going to try my best to get down there and it would be great to meet up with anyone else who can make it.<br>
If anyone else is going tomorrow, you can keep an eye out for Natasha and me. If you see a short 28 yr old woman with short, dark brown hair, wearing a black OTSBH, accompanied by a giggling, bald, chubby 7 month old, then chances are you have spotted us. Come over and say hi!

 

[MamaMae]

Hey (southern) Maine Mamas! Glad to hear you and babes are enjoying summer!<br><br>
We're doing well up here in the woods. Cal is completely and totally obsessed with boats. Which is cool, since we seem to be spending the majority of our day in the kayak on the lake. As much as I dragged my feet getting up here...I must admit that I'm now having a great time...the water, the mountain, my garden! Yeah!<br><br>
Cal turned 1.5 yesterday...and is becoming a little guy right before our eyes. Not talking much at all...but signing like a mad man. And running and climbing and running and climbing everywhere. Did I mention that he's climbing all over? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> I'm petrified...bring on the full face helmet!<br><br>
We're coming back down to Portland by October 1st and are very much looking forward to reconnecting with the community...re-meeting some of you...and meeting others for the first time. Just started the search for a rental (man, that sucks). If you hear of anything that's baby-friendly, dog-friendly and a cool place to live let us know!<br><br>
Okay, it's late at night and I'm rambling. Enough from me.<br><br>
Take care everyone!!<br><br>
Amanda<br><br>
Edited to add: Angie, have you thought about posting something at the Whole G or One Fifty Ate to seek someone out that could help you? That would be my first thought. Also, Portland Nannies has a list of pre-screened "babysitters" available, but I think the list costs like $100 or something ridiculous like that. On the other hand, some of my friends have found amazingly cool nannies/sitters from them. Hmnn...the challenge.

 

[LiminalOne]

Just ran into NewMa and Bink'sMom at finger fun in Portland and wondering how the hell all our Portland area mamas are doing?<br><br>
Finn's cut three molars and had some illness called herpengina (sp?). Not quite walking but definitely talking.<br><br>
How is your babe? Should we try for a last summer gathering, maybe a potluck at the beach or at Fort Williams? I'd love to get together with some folks before I bury my head in the schoolbooks, which I should be doing right now... (don't tell dh)

 

[noahsmum]

Hello everyone,<br><br>
It's too bad this summer has flown by without any get togethers, but I'm all for one. This summer has been a good one for us. We planted a garden and have veggies coming out our ears. We can never seem to plan quite right, and I've run out of people to give the abundance to. Decided against canning because it's so hot in our place.<br>
My ds, Noah, is almost 7 months and is doing very well. Talking more and more everyday. No teeth yet, but assume it could be any day now as his gums are quite swollen.<br>
Camping in Acadia sounds like so much fun. We talked so much about getting out hiking and camping with ds once he was old enough and we STILL haven't done it. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
Well, i'm all for a get together.<br><br>
liminal one(or anyone)...that finger fun thing sounds cool. Where and when does that take place and what exactly is it?<br><br>
Hope to catch up with people before the winter hits.

 

[bink's mom]

liminalone, it was great to meet you and Finn at finger fun<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> ds and I have been going a couple of weeks now and Sage really enjoys seeing all the other kids, though it seems he could care less about the songs at this point.<br><br>
I would be all for a mothering get togther! a great summer send off!<br><br>
also if anyone would like to go hiking before winter hits I would love to go. I really dont know if there is anywhere close, I was up in Acadia eirlier this summer which was great fun but that is pretty far. I love hiking and it is best when you have someone to do it with. if anyone is interested let me know<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wave.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wave"> miranda & sage

 

[noahsmum]

Hello Bink's mom,<br><br>
We've never met, but maybe we should since I've been wanting to hike as well. We just received a backpack for Noah (7 months) and he loves it. I would prefer to wait until this horrible heat passes. The only place I know around here is Douglas Mtn and it's only a short hike. I was thinking a good 2 hour hike. My dh says Burnt Cole Mtn (sp?) is a good afternoon hike, about an hour drive from Portland.<br><br>
So, just some thoughts. Of course anyone who likes to hike could come as well.

 

[LiminalOne]

Hey noahsmum and bink's mom!<br><br>
We're also slacking off on our hiking plans, so would be interested in giving it a go if we could get it together with naptime, etc.<br><br>
I'm supposed to be doing schoolwork so I'll come back later and list a few options that I can think of.<br><br>
As for the end of summer (boo hoo!) gathering, let's see if we can drum up some more interest among the masses and then pick a date/activity. Sounds like noahsmum needs some help eating veggies...<br><br>
BTW, finger fun is portland library's storytime for the 0-24 month set with lots of rhymes and hand motions for the rhymes that the parents do while the kids (especially if you're my kid) have a glazed over look, thinking what the heck is she doing??? It's at 9:30 am on Wednesday mornings (same day as the monument square farmer's market), but it's on vacation until after the beginning of September.<br><br>
Cheers

 

[noahsmum]

Yes, please come and pick if anybody would like some veggies. Got boodles of yellow zuchini (or squash; always get them confused), green beans, peppers and tomatoes(not quite ripe yet, but more than welcome to take some anyway; they'll ripen well in a brown bag.)<br><br>
If anyone is wondering the seeds were organic and the plants are still organic<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> Thankfully no insects got to them.<br><br>
PM me if you want to come out and pick.<br><br>
Julie

 

[LiminalOne]

Hey you hikers<br><br>
Should we try to make a plan assuming that it ever cools off? I'll send pm to other Maine mamas with the link to this page so that if they're interested they can join us. Maybe plan for first or second week of september??? (just a weather guess)<br><br>
Same goes for the end of summer get-together. what days/times work for you guys.<br><br>
noahsmum, I can't remember how far from portland you are to find a reasonable location. hope you're enjoying those veggies.<br><br>
angie

 

[noahsmum]

Liminal one- I'm about 30 minutes out of Portland on the outskirts of Gorham. Anywhere is fine. I'm used to driving.<br><br>
My schedule is open for whenever. Since Noah doesn't sleep long naps we could get together whenever is convenient for you and others.<br><br>
I want to connect at the library for finger fun next time. Do you know when they start up again?<br><br>
Would anyone still like to hike?<br><br>
Julie

 

[NewMa]

Finger fun starts again not next week, but the week after. I don't have a calender right in front of me and dd is nursing. We should all plan to meet up when it reconvenes!

 

[petitemama]

Hello Maine moms!<br><br>
I currently live in Mass but we sold our home today because we want to head to Maine to "live the good life"! I am so glad to see there are many other Mothering moms in Maine. We are not sure exactly what part of Maine we will be settling in but are looking at homes within a 30 mile radius of Westbrook. Any suggestions on great groups for toddlers and attachment parents would be appreciated. We are nursing so are also looking for lactation groups, especially one with toddlers!<br><br>
Thanks for any advice,<br>
Laurie <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[LiminalOne]

Hey petitemama<br><br>
The good life is here and I'm sure you'll find it. Don't know much about the Westbrook area, but there's Gorham Whole Health, that has AP playgroups and a support group. We like our LLL group in South Portland, where there are toddlers and more. I think that it's Westbrook that seems to have such great library programs for young kids. Is that right, anyone else?<br><br>
Mostly I just wanted to say welcome and if I think of more stuff I'll write more later.<br><br>
There's a bimonthly free publication called the Parent and Family newsletter which is a great source of info and can be found at a variety of bookstores and grocery stores and the children's museum.<br><br>
Good luck with the move

 

[petitemama]

Thanks Angie!<br><br>
I will definitely look into the groups and news letter you mentioned.<br><br>
I will hopefully be attending the Sept. 14 Walk for Breastfeeding in Portland. Is your lactation group attending?<br>
I have a longterm goal of one day being a midwife, and or supporting birthing and lactating woman. I am looking forward to hearing Penny Armstrong speak. It will also give dh time to go househunting while me and ds meet new friends!<br><br>
Thanks for the info!!!!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[LiminalOne]

We plan to be there as well. We'll have to find a way to hook up at the walk. Anyone else planning on going?<br><br>
petitemama - how old is your ds? Finn is 14 months and he just started walking for real yesterday. crazy.

 

[NewMa]

I am planning on going to the Walk for Breastfeeding too. It would be nice to hook up with a bunch of Mothering mamas!<br><br>
Angie- that is such exciting news about Finn taking his first steps!!! You must be so proud!

 

[MamaMae]

Hey Mamas! I think Cal and I will be down that weekend and had planned on attending the LLL walk. We'd love to hook up with those of you that are there.<br><br>
We're moving back down to Portland that following weekend. Yeah!!! And as you can see from my new signature...we're expecting again! Crazy!! So we're psyched to get back into the Portland baby circuit! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Angie...congrats on the steps! I remember feeling a huge milestone when Calvin was finally "upright"...much more so than his birthday. 14 months right? That's when C started walking too.<br><br>
Hope to see you all soon!<br><br>
Amanda

 

[LiminalOne]

Congratulations, MamaMae on the coming little one. Hope that you're feeling good and that Calvin's letting you rest (at least a little bit).<br><br>
Looking forward to meeting some folks at the Walk (anybody else want to join us???noahsmum, bink's mom?).<br><br>
This transition to walking is such a big shift, not just in his mobility, but also in his wants (more), his sleep (more), his nursing (lots and lots more). I'm curious to see where we'll end up when walking is old hat.<br><br>
Back to work,

 

[petitemama]

Hi everyone! I don't know the park's landmarks because I have never been there, but maybe someone who does can come up with a time and place to meet.<br><br>
Or we could pin a post- it note on our shirt reading--Mothering Mom.<br><br>
Angie--Congrats on the walking!! There is something so pure and touching about those first steps. I even remember-I think- being touched by such a scene in the movie Bambi, and I was only a child myself when I felt emotion over it.<br>
Where I live now the only lactation group I know of is put on by the hospitol. Me and my ds-David have attended, but it consists of mostly newborns and ds is 2 1/2, well actually he'll be 3 in december and I think a lot of the new moms were a little frieked that he is still nursing. I got a lot of- "how old is he?" and than wide eyes. I just didn't feel a kinship with the group.<br>
I can tell I am going to like Maine!!!!!<br><br>
Many blessings on the new pregnancy!!!! I am sorry I don't remember your name<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"><br><br>
Hope to meet you all at the walk!!