Baby questions. Part one

PArt one, because clearly I won't get this all written with my own 4 babes....


Last week I had a long time client come into my salon. I have been doing N's hair since shortly before my oldest was born. While clearly with her eye on her impending nuptials, her soon to be DH and N have been having the serious baby chat. She will be a fantastic momma. No doubt about that. And I was honored that she felt she could ask me some questions that had been on her mind. The main topic centred around breast feeding. I am a huge breast feeding advocate. But I totally get that some people are not At all comfortable with the idea. And you know what, thinking back 10 years go when I was reading everything I could., I wasn't 100% into the idea either. But I gave myself a goal if 6 weeks to see if I could do it. As it turned out, it took me that long to get the hang of it and I am so glad for the time I put into it. To be totally honest, and I know this sounds wrong, but I questioned if I would be comfortable nursing a baby girl up until I held her in my arms. I'm not sure why I thought it would be any different then the boys. M.J. was the one that had a perfect latch right from birth.
Anyway, I've been thinking about what N and I talked about. And I got to thinking, if she had these questions and I had these questions and thoughts, how many others did too? I'm sure this has been covered, but here is my version of events.

I don't know if I will be comfortable with a baby attached to my boob.
There Is a chance that you may not. But there is a chance that it won't be weird at all. I think part of the "weird" is the sexualization of breast. And hey, they are there for that too. But you can give yourself the time and chance to get out of that mind set by getting lots of information. I know that was a huge help for me. The info is out there waiting for you. Read as much a you can. Talk to and seek out those who have had success and ask lots of questions.

What about hubby/partner?
So my original answer to this was there are lots of things a partner can do. Bring baby to you ( if you don't co-sleep. We do so Todd missed out on this one ;) ), change diapers, take the babe for a walk when your about to pull out your hair, give snuggles, get you a glass o water or snack, make supper. I can think of a ton of things dad can do when momma is nursing the sweet babe. Later I thought about our convo and asked Todd what he thought. I needed to know if he thought he missed out or I had taken anything away from him by being a breast feeding mom. So for the record. He says no. He loved that the babies were nursed. He enjoyed making sure we were comfortable. And, last week, while I was Working, M.J. Fell asleep on his arms twice. Todd says that more then made up for all the time she needed only me. It was so cute to come up and see them. My perfect healthy breast fed baby. All my kids have gone through stages where they want to be with momma more then dad and then stages where they want nothing to do with Momma and everything is Dad,Dad, Dad. I was glad to know Todd had been ok with the babies needing me. And Happy with his role as my support and baby snuggler during their momma time.

Colour fun!!

What better way to learn about mixing colours them to fingerprint!!! I mean, really, messy, sloppy and a learning experience. School doesn't get much better then that!! The kids mixed some paint colours up themselves and then we made a colour wheel using only the three primary colours so they could see how it really works. I think it turned our rather well. What do you think?

crock pot mushroom barley soup

This is a quickie for the lovely Ms. Melly!!
Based on the recipe found here.

I am completely trying to fall back in love with my crock pot.  Here is the Mushroom barley soup I made a full crock of today. Love that I can start it and have it ready when I am. Tonight is a busy one with C.J. and J.T. off to their scouting groups. above web site is filled with vegan crock pot recipies. I am so happy to have found it. The whole cooking one meal for Todd and the kids and then something for me with enough for all the kids to try, is getting a bit exhausting to think about. Most often then not I end up losing out and eating something that maybe I would rather not. So, I'm trying to make mine the main meal and then a little bit of something for Todd. Mostly since chances are the kids will eat what I make for me anyways. so, enjoy, and stick around. I will eventually keep this up a bit more.  ;)

MM MM Mushroom Barley soup in a crock.

• 10 ounces mushrooms ,
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, 
• 1/4 Med onion 
• 2 stalks celery,
• 1/2 cup barley
• 5 cups veggie stock. (I use home made. YUMM!)
• 1 teaspoon thyme (or 2 sprigs fresh thyme)
• salt and pepper to taste

So I like quick and easy for supper. So toss all this in a crock pot. set on low for 6-8 hours. A great filling meal ready when you are. (inexpensive too!!!)

I should add, this came out pretty thick and a bit starchy for me this first go round. so, I would also highly recommend properly soaking and rinsing your barley before hand if you think a head. I made this on a whim today. And upping the stock or adding water. I added about 8 oz of water when I was about ready to serve and let it get good and hot again!