A Good Dose of Vitamin D

A happy, smiley boy!

I heard recently that the population most prone to Vitamin D deficienceis are breast fed babies. One easy way to get Vitamin D is to be out in the sun (without suntan lotion) for as little as 10 minutes. Our bodies synthesis vitamin D. I know this because when I was in high school I did a presentation on skin cancer, and one of the judges asked me if I knew which vitamin we got from the sun, I didn't know then, but after she told me, I've never forgotten. All that to say, we went for a walk today. So that Reid gets the vit. D that he needs, and it can't hurt me either! It felt a little bit like a traveling circus, not that I'm exagerating or anything! Picture Amy with Reid in the Baby Bjorn and a wild and crazy Denali dragging us behind. . . It actually worked out pretty good. Denali isn't the best dog on a leash, but we long ago learned to manage and Reid was great in the Bjorn, he took the whole thing in, he even figured out that if he turned his head the sun wouldn't be in his eyes. Before when we've got out on short walks he's gotten a bit fussy, today was just a peaceful fun walk. . . So we'll probably go for more Vitamin D strolls soon!

No. .

I heard something today (two things really), which I find fascinating. . .

1. When men say "No", it's the end of discussion. When women say "No" it's the beginning of negotiation. hmmm. .

2. No, always means "No", so when someone starts trying to tell you why your "no" isn't, or shouldn't be "no", the question is why is this person trying to control me?

hmmm. . .

Much to think about the simple word "no". . .

Sleepy Boy

Oh the life of a sleepy little baby. . .

Seventh Generation

This weekend I bought "Seventh Generation" disposable diapers. . . the quote on the bag I find thought provoking and generally challenging. .

"In our deliberations, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations"

The Great Law of the Iroguois Confederation

Giggles & Coos

Reid & Ned. . I really want Reid to Love Ned, because he's so funny looking, (Ned, not Reid). He DOES love Ned, because of the big eyes. This morning he was cooing at Ned and grabbing for him.



Is it too unbelievable if I say that I was reading an article about savoring and learning from each moment, when I looked down (in an effort to seize and learn from this present moment), saw my sleeping son in the crook of my arm, smile and giggle (his first giggle, or what I think was a giggle). . . It was the most precious of moments. It must have been some funny dream, I've had my eyes and ears on him all day waiting for another giggle. . . so far nothing, but lots and lots of coos. He is so fun right now, Todd and I have "conversations" with him. . . he tells us lots of stories. . about what, we're not sure, but he loves to coo.

Yesterday we got him a "Giddy Up and Go Gym". . it's a floor mat with toys that arch over his head. . he LOVES it. For some reason it got him all fired up to roll over on his own. He hasn't done it yet, but it was so fun to watch him throw his arm over his head and lift up his legs and bottom in an effort to roll. . he gets about half way, and then doesn't know what to do. Any day now, he's going to get it figured out. He also was lifting his head and upper body up more during tummy time. What a joy!

Daddy's Hands

This afternoon Todd was telling Reid all about Gumball Car Races. . (Relates to some book he is reading) It was so precious, as Todd talked, Ried STUDIED his daddy's hands. . . these pictures don't really do justice to how precious a moment it was as Reid ran his hands along Todds, pulled his fingers, placed his little hands on his daddy's big hands. . ."maybe my hands will be this big someday. . . "

Not what I thought

About week 30 of my pregnancy I started to believe I'd be pregnant forever, that having a baby was just some sort of myth. . . I thought I would NEVER see my ankles again, and for sure the ankels that people told me were "pretty" were some distant memory because of the "puffiness" that had invaded. It's hard to believe that it DID all come to an end. . I marvel daily that I can move easily and freely, I can sleep on my tummy, the thin "pretty" ankels I remember are back (I love my ankels like never before these days, they got really "puffy" at the end and for a couple weeks after Reid was born. . . I'm SO glad to have them back!), all those "cute" freckles have disappeared, and I can go a whole hour or two, (or three) without visiting the little girls room. In short, Reid "live and in person" is much better than his "pre-show".

One thing that I did enjoy about pregnancy was all the learning and research I did about "birthing". . . Ina May Gartner and Marie Mongan were my hero's. Here's a confession, I sort of like taking the road less traveled. . (I know, SHOCKING isn't it!) I loved telling people we were preparing for a birth at the birthing center, with mid-wives in a bathtub! I had hoped (and authentically believed) that I would be one of those women who were advocates for natural birth, who shared great stories of giving birth natural, who would be an encouragment for other women. That's why is was a sad moment for me this weekend when a women in her last weeks of pregnancy, eager with anticiaption about her upcoming birth,started asking me questions about my birth, and I had to tell her, "You really don't want to talk with me about my birth expereince. . " (and maybe by choosing NOT to share my story with her, I was an ecouragment and advocate. . .?) I assured her that it was ALL worth it, but it wasn't how I pictured it would be. A few weeks after Reid was born I was talking to a woman at church who had a similar birth experince as I did, and she said, "I was laying there after my C-Section, and I saw a Lamaze class walk by, before I could stop myself I sat up in bed and yelled, "SUCKERS" This story I love, not that I believe I was a sucker in all my research. . I've actually making peace with my expereince. . . I talked to the OB/GYN who did my C-Section a couple of weeks ago and asked him why the Pitocin didn't work. . his answer was the BEST answer I've gotten, he said that Reid was too big and probably, after all the hours of labor, still wasn't engaged in the birth canal when I went on Pitocin, so he wasn't in position to be pushing down on my cervix to help the Pitocin work. . So basically I might never had had Reid any other way. I find a strange sense of comfort in this, not that I question my effort or committment to a natural birth, I know that I gave it all that I had, but sometimes you have to know when to step back and say, "I can't do this" . . and that after all, maybe ONE of the lessons that I take from this whole experience. . you give it your best, for as long as you can, but them sometimes you have to know when to change directions. . . .hmmm.

Things you can only do while they are young

Yesterday Reid and I went to a baby shower. . . a totally "Chick" event. . so I figured that Reid, being the token male, should wear his "Chicks dig me" shirt. It was a hit. . everyone (of course) loved him, and the shirt made for lots of fun chatter. (And I think Reid LOVED all the attention. . he "digs Chicks" :)


I have sort of gotten out of the habit of "wearing" Reid in our Baby Bjorn. Today, out of desperation, (he was having a little bit of a rough day). I put him in the Bjorn so I could make lunch. We're getting back into the Bjorn habit. Making lunch was such a great event for us both. He is a very sensory little guy and he loved seeing all that I was doing, and just watching me open the fridge, close the fridge etc. Plus, I realized as I was slicing and apple and peeling an orange, what great opportunities to introduce him to smells. . . So I held the apple slice, orange slice, and even salami slice up to his nose and told him about each. (not that he'll remember anything. . .but, he seemed to enjoy all of the experiences.) He experience so much more of the world when he's "worn" rather than laying in his crib watching his fish (which he does love!), or bouncing in his chair watching his zebras (which he does love too!) But it seems to ME that might be a bit boring after a while, so we're going to mix it up and bit and learn about the pantry, refrigerator and doing laundry! Right now as I type this, he's still on me, only now, he sound asleep. . too many adventures for a little guy!



Mommy & Reid enjoying the Baby Bjorn!



Sometimes a guy just needs a little nap when it's all said and done!

Hands

Before Reid was born, Todd made one of his famous "mix" CD about, "Amy, Reid & I". .it is a great mix of songs. . one song was Jewel's song, "Hands". . some of my favorite lyrics are below. . .

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own . . . . .
. . . . We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are God's hands

It had so much meaning for me thinking about our little boy and his HANDS. . "They aren't yours, they are my own". . . I hear that song as Reid's message to us, 'These are my hands. . . " and how I hope and pray HIS little hands will be used for mercy and justice, kindness and compassion in the world. I was reminded of that the other day when I noticed Reid studing his hands. He was laying is his small play pen and wiggling his fingers, bringing his hands into his face and away. . making a fist and opening it. . it was like, "Wow, are these mine? How exactly do this things work? MMM, they taste good too!"

Hands. . . .

Reid & Daddy hanging out, watching some "Letterman"

MORE. . .Reid Pictures. . .

Someday when he sticks out his tongue, it won't be so cute, but for now, it's picture worthy!



Here we have Reid sporting a "cute friends" (6-9 Month) outfit, from the Smiths of Fairfield! (Thanks Smith family!) And he's enjoying a "fishmobile" from the Frostensons of Fairfield. The other day I spotted him studing one fish that has an "O" expression, he was cooing at it and his mouth was in an "O" shape. . it was pretty cute.



Reid, just hanging around in his own, personalized "Reid" bag. . . we don't really carry him around in the bag. . :)

Last night Todd said, 'maybe we should put him in commericals". . He wasn't serious. (at least I hope not). . .

Our cloth diap(red) baby!!


We decieded before Reid was born that we didn't want his mark on the earth to be thousands of pounds of diapers from his first years of life that will outlive him for 300-400 years (or so "they" estimate). He is leaving a disposable diaper mark, we do use them when we are "out and about" (carring around poopy diapers just isn't my idea of fun at this point!)(and at nights we use disposable because he is so sensative to wet diapers, he was waking up because of his diaper, and we need all the sleep we (read AMY) can get!) Still a better part of each day, we use cloth, and we LOVE them. . really! Todd is in charge of washing the diapers, which he does every evening. We recently got some "AIO" (All-in-one) diapers, which are the greatest things. . . they are easy to wash, protect his little bottom from some of the wetness of cloth diapers, and are a bit easier to use. . no fancy folding etc. There is a whole WORLD of cloth diapering (mostly found on the internet. . . wool, hemp, cotton, organic cotton, AIO, chinese pre-fold, pro-wrap covers, diaper pails, wipes. .. it's sort of amazing.)

In addition to cloth diapers, we use our own cotton wipes (why throw away disposable wipes, when we are doing loads of laundry anyway?) Wipes are the best part of the whole system. . one wipe always does the trick and really works SOOOOOO much better than the disposable wipes.. .

And I just wrote a whole lot more than anyone really wanted to know about diapers. . Sorry for that. . . and I'm told the best part is when we are done with diapers, I'll have dusting rags for life (lucky me!)

peace and diapers!

Chicks Dig Me

"Chicks Dig Me".. . Thanks "uncle" Mark!!

Reid is doing great. I hesitate to write this, because as soon as I do, something will change. . Reid the past TWO NIGHTS in a ROW has slept 4 1/2 hours at a time! This is a first, and it's amazing how good (what turns out for me) 3 1/2 to 4 hours of uninterupped sleep can be! He is such a delight. I was telling Todd the other day, that as diffcult as nights are sometime, they truly are blessed times. . . Reid eats and then cuddles into my arms, sometimes it's all I can do to lay him down, he is so peaceful in my arms, I hate to interupt his sleep. . . I've started having him sleep with me after his last feeding, which is usally around 4:30. When I don't do that, he tends to wake up and fuss, but when he sleeps in my arms. . we can get anouther 2-3 hours of sleep, which makes for a pleased mommy. . and Reid, our little cuddle boy, seems to love the "in arms" time too. I was reading somewhere that, "You can't spoil a baby by holding too much, which is good, because Reid gets held an awfully lot! But the main point of this article was, even if you hold a baby 12 hours a day, it's still a 50% decrease from what they are used to, having spent 9 months listening to the heartbeat and voice of mommy up-close-and-personal. . .

I don't know how many chicks really dig him, but THIS chick, totally digs him! :)

Some Thoughts I like. . (2)

The Hoppock Ranch, Ola Idaho 2006

I have too many notebooks to count with different quotes, thoughts, ideas etc. from things I've read. . . in our "CLEANING" I've found another one . . some thoughts. .

. . . I have come to realize that in every human encounter there are not only gifts to be given, but gifts to be recieved." (Ken Gire)

. . Our highest activity must be response, not initative. (C.S. Lewis)

. . . Telling secrets because I have come to believe that by and large the human family all has the same secrets, which are both very telling and very important to tell. They are telling in the sense that they tell what is prehaps the central paradoz of our condition-that we are hungry for perhaps more than anything else to be known in our full humanness, and yet that is often just what we also fear more than anythign else. . (Fredrick Buechner)

Detachment: Being free from wanting certain things to happen, and remaining to trsuting of God that what is happenng will be the thing you want and you will be at peace with all. (Dorothus of Gaza, from Kathleen Norris's book Amazing Grace)

In reality, our lack of fulfillment is the most precious gift we have. It is the source of our passion, our creativity, our search for God. All the best of life comes out of our human yearning-our not being satisfied. (Gerald May)

Ahh. .

Isn't he cute?