I am always hunting for this, so I'm posting it here. I assume it's ok to repost.
This is from an article titled "What if I want to Wean?" by Diane Wiessinger.
©2000 Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC 136 Ellis Hollow Creek Road Ithaca, NY 14850
Breastfeeding your baby for even a day is the best baby gift you can give. Breastfeeding is almost always the best choice for your baby. If it doesn't seem like the best choice for you right now, these guidelines may help.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR JUST A FEW DAYS, he will have received your colostrum, or early milk. By providing antibodies and the food his brand-new body expects, nursing gives your baby his first - and easiest - "immunization" and helps get his digestive system going smoothly. Breastfeeding is how your baby expects to start, and helps your own body recover from the birth. Given how very much your baby stands to gain, and how little you stand to lose, it just makes good sense to breastfeed for at least a day or two, even if you plan to bottle-feed after that.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR FOUR TO SIX WEEKS, you will have eased him through the most critical part of his infancy. Newborns who are not breastfed are much more likely to get sick or be hospitalized, and have many more digestive problems than breastfed babies. After 4 to 6 weeks, you'll probably have worked through any early nursing concerns, too. Make a serious goal of nursing for a month, call La Leche League or a certified lactation consultant if you have any questions, and you'll be in a better position to decide whether continued breastfeeding is for you.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR 3 OR 4 MONTHS, her digestive system will have matured a great deal, and she will be much better able to tolerate the foreign substances in commercial formulas. If there is a family history of allergies, though, you will greatly reduce her risk by waiting a few more months before adding anything at all to her diet of breastmilk. And giving nothing but your milk for the first four months gives strong protection against ear infections for a whole year.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR 6 MONTHS without adding any other food or drink, she will be much less likely to suffer an allergic reaction to formula or other foods later on; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until about 6 months to offer solid foods. Nursing for at least 6 months helps ensure better health throughout your baby's first year of life, reduces your little one's risk of ear infections and childhood cancers, and reduces your own risk of breast cancer. And exclusive, frequent breastfeeding during the first 6 months, if your periods have not returned, provides 98% effective contraception.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR 9 MONTHS, you will have seen him through the fastest and most important brain and body development of his life on the food that was designed for him - your milk. Nursing for at least this long will help ensure better performance all through his school years. Weaning may be fairly easy at this age... but then, so is nursing! If you want to avoid weaning this early, be sure you've been available to nurse for comfort as well as just for food.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR A YEAR, you can avoid the expense and bother of formula. Her one-year-old body can probably handle most of the table foods your family enjoys. Many of the health benefits this year of nursing has given your child will last her whole life. She will have a stronger immune system, for instance, and will be much less likely to need orthodontia or speech therapy. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing for at least a year, because it helps ensure normal nutrition and health for your baby.
IF YOU NURSE YOUR BABY FOR 18 MONTHS, you will have continued to provide the nutrition, comfort, and illness protection your baby expects, at a time when illness is common in formula-fed babies. Your baby is probably well started on table foods, too. He has had time to form a solid bond with you - a healthy starting point for his growing independence. And he is old enough that you and he can work together on the weaning process, at a pace that he can handle. A former U.S. Surgeon General said, "it is the lucky baby... that nurses to age two."
IF YOUR CHILD WEANS WHEN SHE IS READY, you can feel confident that you have met your baby's physical and emotional needs in a very normal, healthy way. In cultures where there is no pressure to wean, children tend to nurse for at least two years. The World Health Organization and UNICEF strongly encourage breastfeeding through toddlerhood: "Breastmilk is an important source of energy and protein, and helps to protect against disease during the child's second year of life." Our biology seems geared to a weaning age of between 2 1/2 and 7 years, and it just makes sense to build our children's bones from the milk that was designed for them. Your milk provides antibodies and other protective substances for as long as you continue nursing, and families of nursing toddlers often find that their medical bills are lower than their neighbors' for years to come. Research indicates that the longer a child nurses, the higher his intelligence. Mothers who nurse longterm have a still lower risk of developing breast cancer. Children who were nursed longterm tend to be very secure, and are less likely to suck their thumbs or carry a blanket. Nursing can help ease both of you through the tears, tantrums, and tumbles that come with early childhood, and helps ensure that any illnesses are milder and easier to deal with. It's an all-purpose mothering tool you won't want to be without! Don't worry that your child will nurse forever. All children stop on their own, no matter what you do, and there are more nursing toddlers around than you might guess.
WHETHER YOU NURSE FOR A DAY OR FOR SEVERAL YEARS, the decision to nurse your child is one you need never regret. And whenever weaning takes place, remember that it is a big step for both of you. If you choose to wean before your child is ready, be sure to do it gradually, and with love.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
One year
Yesterday, my baby girl turned a year old. As I laid down to nurse her to sleep for her nap, it dawned on me that a year ago we nursed for the first time. My teeny tiny little 7lb baby girl is now a boisterous 24lb toddler. She walks, she talks, she eats table food - but one thing has remained the same... she LOVES her mama's milk.
"The Problem with Breastfeeding"
This is an absolutely excellent article about the forces that are at play in the pathetically low breastfeeding rates in the United States. Please read it and give it a thought. If we care about the future and health of our children, we will regulate formula companies, provide paid maternity leave for all mothers and provide the proper support needed for breastfeeding success.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Woo! ABC Nightly News gets it right!
After many media snafus in the coverage of the Ban the Bags success in NYC, finally, someone got it right! Click here to see the story played again. Finally, fair and reasonable coverage with accurate information (and several babies NIP). It's too bad though that the spokesperson who pointed out that some moms "have" to formula feed to return to work and shouldn't be made to feel guilty couldn't have pointed out instead that if the US had reasonable maternity leave laws (6 months-1 year), then the vast majority of women would be able to breastfeed their babies and the need for formula would be drastically reduced.
I mean, obviously - breastfeeding Moms are like the Gestapo (sigh)
This article by Andrea Peyser was published in the NY Post. It is a sad little rant about NYC hospitals success at "Banning the Bags". Her rabid misinformation made me just angry enough to write a letter, which I will post below...
Dear Andrea,
I was so sad to read your editorial in the NY Post on the "banning" of free formula samples in NYC hospitals. After reading your article, two things seemed clear to me: 1) you seem very misinformed on the intent of the Ban the Bags campaign; and 2) you seem misinformed about breastfeeding period.
It has been well documented that breastfeeding is the natural, normal way to feed an infant/toddler. Breastfeeding is protective against many diseases and gives an infant a foundation for a healthy life. Formula feeding is inferior. There is no debate about this. The campaign to Ban the Bags is founded on the fact that women who have formula pushed upon them are much more likely to fail at breastfeeding. Ban the Bags does not prevent a mother who is set on formula feeding from doing so. Mothers may still ask for a formula sample bag if they so choose. However, formula sample bags are no longer FORCED upon mothers who do not want/need them. And instead, these mothers are provided with helpful information and support in breastfeeding their infants.
I cannot for the life of me figure out what about this campaign is so offensive that you would choose to equate breastfeeding advocates with the Nazis, a group of people who killed millions of innocent people out of pure hatred. To the contrary, breastfeeding SAVES LIVES. It is just that simple. This analogy is inappropriate and disrespectful in so many ways.
In your article, there are several statements that seem poorly researched and or misinformed. You cite that a friend of yours, a shrink, suggests that some of this data may be "made up". I'll be happy to pass along a list of peer reviewed studies demonstrating the benefits of breastfeeding to you or your shrink friend. I do not believe that shrinks are considered to be among the foremost experts on infant nutrition. Next you quote the chief of obstetrics, who notes that the idea of the Ban the Bags campaign is to help educate women on breastfeeding. This is, indeed one of the goals of this campaign. Women in hospitals should be provided with information on how to give their babies the right start in life. A hospital is about marketing health, not products. If a mother chooses insted to formula feed, she may simply ask for a formula bag or go to her local market and buy a can of infant formula. Ban the Bags is not trying to make formula illegal, it is again, simply trying to help women get off on the right foot with breastfeeding. Your next statement that "renegade docs making stuff up is exactly what may be happening" again seems unresearched to me. This goes back to the studies on breastfeeding. It seems like you are relying on some hearsay from a few easily accessible sources, rather than referring to some of the highly respected peer-reviewed studies currently available on this subject. And finally, your last comment about "killing ourselves" is simply confusing to me. This is another place where some research would help you build a stronger article - breastfeeding actually helps to reduce the indicidence of post-partum depression, and releases hormones that help new mothers to feel more relaxed.
As a reader, this type of seemingly unresearched editorial makes me question the integrity of the paper that it is published in. I would love to see a future article from you that offers an apology for equating pro-breastfeeding mothers with the Nazis - an analogy that is simply inappropriate and that many of us take GREAT offense to.
Sincerely,
Theresa
A mother who has been breastfeeding her daughter for 10 months, and hopes to continue to do so for much time to come.
Dear Andrea,
I was so sad to read your editorial in the NY Post on the "banning" of free formula samples in NYC hospitals. After reading your article, two things seemed clear to me: 1) you seem very misinformed on the intent of the Ban the Bags campaign; and 2) you seem misinformed about breastfeeding period.
It has been well documented that breastfeeding is the natural, normal way to feed an infant/toddler. Breastfeeding is protective against many diseases and gives an infant a foundation for a healthy life. Formula feeding is inferior. There is no debate about this. The campaign to Ban the Bags is founded on the fact that women who have formula pushed upon them are much more likely to fail at breastfeeding. Ban the Bags does not prevent a mother who is set on formula feeding from doing so. Mothers may still ask for a formula sample bag if they so choose. However, formula sample bags are no longer FORCED upon mothers who do not want/need them. And instead, these mothers are provided with helpful information and support in breastfeeding their infants.
I cannot for the life of me figure out what about this campaign is so offensive that you would choose to equate breastfeeding advocates with the Nazis, a group of people who killed millions of innocent people out of pure hatred. To the contrary, breastfeeding SAVES LIVES. It is just that simple. This analogy is inappropriate and disrespectful in so many ways.
In your article, there are several statements that seem poorly researched and or misinformed. You cite that a friend of yours, a shrink, suggests that some of this data may be "made up". I'll be happy to pass along a list of peer reviewed studies demonstrating the benefits of breastfeeding to you or your shrink friend. I do not believe that shrinks are considered to be among the foremost experts on infant nutrition. Next you quote the chief of obstetrics, who notes that the idea of the Ban the Bags campaign is to help educate women on breastfeeding. This is, indeed one of the goals of this campaign. Women in hospitals should be provided with information on how to give their babies the right start in life. A hospital is about marketing health, not products. If a mother chooses insted to formula feed, she may simply ask for a formula bag or go to her local market and buy a can of infant formula. Ban the Bags is not trying to make formula illegal, it is again, simply trying to help women get off on the right foot with breastfeeding. Your next statement that "renegade docs making stuff up is exactly what may be happening" again seems unresearched to me. This goes back to the studies on breastfeeding. It seems like you are relying on some hearsay from a few easily accessible sources, rather than referring to some of the highly respected peer-reviewed studies currently available on this subject. And finally, your last comment about "killing ourselves" is simply confusing to me. This is another place where some research would help you build a stronger article - breastfeeding actually helps to reduce the indicidence of post-partum depression, and releases hormones that help new mothers to feel more relaxed.
As a reader, this type of seemingly unresearched editorial makes me question the integrity of the paper that it is published in. I would love to see a future article from you that offers an apology for equating pro-breastfeeding mothers with the Nazis - an analogy that is simply inappropriate and that many of us take GREAT offense to.
Sincerely,
Theresa
A mother who has been breastfeeding her daughter for 10 months, and hopes to continue to do so for much time to come.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Semi-crunchy recipes from a semi-crunchy mama.
My new fun quick cooking obsession is granola. Go figure.
Anyways, as everyone knows, aside from being tasty, oats are great for boosting milk supply. And a yummy way to eat oats is in granola!
Here are two recipes that I really like!
2tbsp butter
1/3 cup organic smooth almond butter
1/3 cup local honey
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup organic dried berries
Melt butter and almond butter together in a pan until mixed. Add honey, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Add rolled oats and stir thoroughly. Add berries. Transfer mixture to baking sheet and bake at 375 for 12-20 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Store in air-tight container (or eat straight off baking sheet).
Slight variation... follow same mixing directions, for the most part.
2tbsp butter
1/3 cup organic smooth cashew butter
1/3 cup local honey
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup 60% cocoa chocolate chips (don't add until after mixture has baked and cooled)
Anyways, as everyone knows, aside from being tasty, oats are great for boosting milk supply. And a yummy way to eat oats is in granola!
Here are two recipes that I really like!
2tbsp butter
1/3 cup organic smooth almond butter
1/3 cup local honey
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup organic dried berries
Melt butter and almond butter together in a pan until mixed. Add honey, vanilla, and salt. Mix well. Add rolled oats and stir thoroughly. Add berries. Transfer mixture to baking sheet and bake at 375 for 12-20 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Store in air-tight container (or eat straight off baking sheet).
Slight variation... follow same mixing directions, for the most part.
2tbsp butter
1/3 cup organic smooth cashew butter
1/3 cup local honey
1tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups organic rolled oats
1 cup 60% cocoa chocolate chips (don't add until after mixture has baked and cooled)
Where have I been...?
Ok, I've been doing a crappy job of keeping up with my blog. Boo on me. Since the end of April we have been to Fort Lauderdale, FL, Albemarle, NC, Fleetwood, PA, Pittsburgh, PA and all the states in between that it takes to drive there. Oh yeah, and with a 7 month-old in tow. Crazyness.
To make things even more exciting, Hannah has been crawling since 6 months and is now pulling-up and cruising on EVERYTHING. She now requires constant supervision (not that she required much less before). Her newfound mobility makes anything other than wearing her around or following closely behind her virtually impossible.
For my first mother's day with a baby in the world, Hannah and Matt got me a Beco in the pink paisley pattern. It finally came today and I wore it at the grocery store. LOVE IT! Hannah is a not-so-small 21lbs and I wore her around for at least an hour with no fatigue. Can't wait to use it for a walk tonight!
Next week we continue our adventures to head off to Dallas to visit my mom and some of my childhood friends! Fun times...
To make things even more exciting, Hannah has been crawling since 6 months and is now pulling-up and cruising on EVERYTHING. She now requires constant supervision (not that she required much less before). Her newfound mobility makes anything other than wearing her around or following closely behind her virtually impossible.
For my first mother's day with a baby in the world, Hannah and Matt got me a Beco in the pink paisley pattern. It finally came today and I wore it at the grocery store. LOVE IT! Hannah is a not-so-small 21lbs and I wore her around for at least an hour with no fatigue. Can't wait to use it for a walk tonight!
Next week we continue our adventures to head off to Dallas to visit my mom and some of my childhood friends! Fun times...
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Five for Fighting and Austism videos
We all know that Autism has become an epidemic among children in this nation. For something that impacts the lives of so many people, we know so very little about it. Please take the time to watch this video (and other Autism videos) at the Five for Fighting website. Just watching the video will send a portion of the profits from the advertising on the site to the charity affiliated with the video. Keep a tissue handy, it's a tear-jerker.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Adventures in self-feeding
So, Hannah is 6 months old now, and we decided to let her start self-feeding a little. This morning, I cut some graspable slices of avacado and plopped them in front of her in her high chair. She immediately made a HUGE mess. She did taste the avacado a teensy bit, but didn't really eat any. I gave her another slice when we ate dinner, since I thought she might be encouraged to eat "with" us. The second time she got some avacado in her mouth, acted like she was chewing it, and swallowed a bit. She seemed to like it, and didn't make any upset faces. She seemed to have a good time.
Here are some pictures from the avacado sessions :) Note that the avacado was originally in hand sized spears. I just didn't get the camera there before Hannah had a chance to mush it all up!
Here are some pictures from the avacado sessions :) Note that the avacado was originally in hand sized spears. I just didn't get the camera there before Hannah had a chance to mush it all up!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Supernanny calls BFing a 14-month old "crazy"
Here it is! Another thoughtful Mama has tivo'd the commercial for tonight's episode of Supernanny and has saved me from having to watch anymore of ABC's daytime programming.
So, now that I've watched it, I'm way more offended than I thought I'd be. I mean, God fobid a woman be breastfeeding her 14-month old. (rolling eyes) This is clearly the cause of all evil in the world. (rolling eyes again)
I'll be watching tonight's episode and then writing a letter to ABC telling them that they've lost my viewership. Period. I cannot believe that they would construe such ridiculousness as solid parenting advice.
So, now that I've watched it, I'm way more offended than I thought I'd be. I mean, God fobid a woman be breastfeeding her 14-month old. (rolling eyes) This is clearly the cause of all evil in the world. (rolling eyes again)
I'll be watching tonight's episode and then writing a letter to ABC telling them that they've lost my viewership. Period. I cannot believe that they would construe such ridiculousness as solid parenting advice.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
More anti-BF ridiculousness
If you want to read something that will really make your stomach turn, check out Thomas Beach's column in the Delaware Online News. Post a comment, write the editor of the paper, but most of all, do *something* to stop the ridiculousness!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
ABC's Supernanny bashes BF in upcoming show...
I have to admit that I haven't yet seen this preview yet, but I'm certainly keeping an eye out for it. I've also got the show set to record.
However, here's what I've heard through the lactivist grapevine... previews for the show have a clip of Supernanny getting mad at the mom for nursing her 14-month old baby and saying "14-months old and STILL on the boob... crazy!". And then the announcer says "someone get that baby a bottle!". Um, excuse me while I go say some nasty things in another room. I'll be back when I've collected myself.
Ok, so, hopefully I can catch this nasty preview at some point. I've definitely got the DVR set to record. (BTW, the show airs Monday night, March 12th - check your local listings for time.) And after I've seen this nonesense, I'll be writing a letter to ABC and to the show's producers to let them know just how disgusted I am.
For anyone interested, I'll go ahead and post the contact information...
Los Angeles Office
Ricochet Television Inc.
3800 Barham Boulevard
Suite 210
Los Angeles
CA 90068
email: supernannyUSA@ricochet.co.uk
Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Craig Armstrong and Nick Emmerson are executive producers of the American version. Supernanny is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.
However, here's what I've heard through the lactivist grapevine... previews for the show have a clip of Supernanny getting mad at the mom for nursing her 14-month old baby and saying "14-months old and STILL on the boob... crazy!". And then the announcer says "someone get that baby a bottle!". Um, excuse me while I go say some nasty things in another room. I'll be back when I've collected myself.
Ok, so, hopefully I can catch this nasty preview at some point. I've definitely got the DVR set to record. (BTW, the show airs Monday night, March 12th - check your local listings for time.) And after I've seen this nonesense, I'll be writing a letter to ABC and to the show's producers to let them know just how disgusted I am.
For anyone interested, I'll go ahead and post the contact information...
Los Angeles Office
Ricochet Television Inc.
3800 Barham Boulevard
Suite 210
Los Angeles
CA 90068
email: supernannyUSA@ricochet.co.uk
Nick Powell is the creator and executive producer of both the American and British versions of the show. Craig Armstrong and Nick Emmerson are executive producers of the American version. Supernanny is produced by Ricochet, Ltd.
We're officially a CD family!
Well, we're officially a cloth diapering family now! Hannah wore cloth all day yesterday and I washed my first load of dirty cloth diapers last night. Go me! She seems happy and comfortable in them, and we haven't had any poopy leaks (amazing, since we normally have 2+/day! I have a nice stash of 17 Fuzzi Bunz and a variety of inserts. I even bought some raw silk liners in case we have any reappearance of that nasty yeast diaper rash that a pack of Pampers caused. I have 3 more slightly used Fuzzi Bunz in the mail to me right now to join our stash. I figure 20 diapers will do us really well. Matt is still a bit squeamish with the cloth, but I think he'll get used to it quickly.
Look at this cute cloth diapered butt... (the baby is pretty cute too, right?)
Look at this cute cloth diapered butt... (the baby is pretty cute too, right?)
Saturday, March 3, 2007
E-bay petition about cloth diapers
E-Bay is trying to prohibit members from selling used cloth diapers. I can attest that they're already in the process, because an auction I was bidding on today was removed. Apparently, people at E-Bay think that selling cloth diapers is akin to selling dirty adult underwear, which could apparently violates their adult/mature content policies. Um, insert rolling eyes smilie here.
If you think this is ridiculous (I hope you do), please feel free to sign the petition available to you here. Also, please pass this along to other like-minded friends!
Now, to post this before DD's feet erase it...
If you think this is ridiculous (I hope you do), please feel free to sign the petition available to you here. Also, please pass this along to other like-minded friends!
Now, to post this before DD's feet erase it...
Friday, March 2, 2007
Episcopalians (by Garrison Keillor)
I'm a cradle Episcopalian. I'm not hesitant to admit that. Here's a cute little article about Episcopalians by Prarie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor. He's particularly right about the singing, music, and praying.
Garrison Keillor on Episcopalians
(Adapted from an essay by Garrison Keillor)
We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively episcopalianless place, to sing along on the chorus of "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Episcopalians, they'd smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! ....And down the road!
Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison.
When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other.
I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
Episcopalians believe their rectors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
And finally, you know you are a Episcopalian when:
-It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the
service.
-You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as
you can.
-Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
- When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, "May the Force be with
you," and you respond, "and also with you."
And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye . . . .
Garrison Keillor on Episcopalians
(Adapted from an essay by Garrison Keillor)
We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them. If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively episcopalianless place, to sing along on the chorus of "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Episcopalians, they'd smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! ....And down the road!
Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person's rib cage. It's natural for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison.
When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other.
I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they'll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
Episcopalians believe their rectors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don't notify them that they are there.
Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
And finally, you know you are a Episcopalian when:
-It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the
service.
-You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as
you can.
-Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
- When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, "May the Force be with
you," and you respond, "and also with you."
And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye . . . .
March comes roaring in...
Along with the springing of spring (ha), comes the threat of severe weather. In Northwest GA, we lucked out. West of here, there were tornados. South of here, there were tornados. East of here, there were tornados. The worst of it for us was some marble/quarter sized hail.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Spring has sprung in north Georgia
Can I just say how glad I am that we don't live in northern Wisconsin anymore? Forecast for Rice Lake... cold with snow. Forecast for Rome, Georgia... sunny, 70s and breezy. I mean, don't get me wrong. Snow can be pretty. (Like, once a year. )
I love spring-time in the south. I love how it comes early and how the air smells sweet and alive. Daffodils have already started to bloom. Spring starts in February and lasts through May. I LOVE short winters. And I love taking my little girl out for daily walks.
I love spring-time in the south. I love how it comes early and how the air smells sweet and alive. Daffodils have already started to bloom. Spring starts in February and lasts through May. I LOVE short winters. And I love taking my little girl out for daily walks.
Yet another reason to breastfeed
CNN has an article out on a study which found that many popular baby bottles give off a chemical at levels that have been found to be dangerous to animals in laboratory studies. Obviously, all stories have two sides - but if chemicals like this have been found to be dangerous, shouldn't we be doing more research and/or trying to remove them?
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Breastfeeding attitude quiz
This is a great example of how attitudes about breastfeeding differ across the world.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Makin' the switch
I always wanted to start out with cloth diapers, but Matt was vehemently opposed. In many ways, I'm glad we started with 'sposies. I can't imgaine having to keep up with washing 12-15 poopy diapers a day in the beginning. Now that things have slowed down, so to speak, and I've realized that I do 95% of the diapering and 100% of the washing, I think we're ready to make the switch. I'd like to do cloth for several reasons: I think it's cost-effective, I think it's better for baby, and I think it's better for the environment. I'm going to start out by getting a 12-pack of Fuzzi Bunz and seeing how that works out. Then I'll add to it as needed/as we can afford.
Prayers for Lily
Whoever you are, wherever you are, say a little prayer for a little baby named Lily. No need to go into details that aren't mine to share. She simply needs your prayers.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Places I've NIP
Just a fun spot for me to keep a running list of places that I've nursed DD with no problems. I have to say, that despite being in a very conservative area, I have never been harassed by anyone!
McDonalds
Chick-Fil-A
JCPenney (Men's Department, none the less)
Outback Steakhouse
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (in the Sanctuary, in the choir room, in the meeting hall)
Buffalo's
Pizza Hut
Will add to this as our adventures increase!
McDonalds
Chick-Fil-A
JCPenney (Men's Department, none the less)
Outback Steakhouse
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (in the Sanctuary, in the choir room, in the meeting hall)
Buffalo's
Pizza Hut
Will add to this as our adventures increase!
The power of nursing Mamas
The first picture in this gallery is of a letter which explains the situtation which made a nurse-in necessary. So I won't go into detail here, rather, I just wanted to share the pictures from the nurse-in at the Berkshire Mall in Reading, PA. Matt grew up just outside of Reading and frequented that mall, so he said that the pictures really hit close to home. I wish we could've been there to take part!
Nurse-ins across America
Just wanted to share this great montage of some of the recent nurse-ins across America. It just takes a few minutes to watch. Enjoy and be inspired!
Yes, I'm wearing my baby...
Maybe it's because I live in the anti-crunchy south, or maybe it's because I'm in a small town - or maybe it's both... but whenever we go out somewhere people look at my baby-wearing self like I have just fallen in from outer space. I mean really, staring just isn't nice. And I get the STRANGEST questions.
For example, this morning I went to Wal-Mart for a mega grocery run. No fewer than 10 people made comments on the fact that I was wearing my baby in a wrap. One elderly man was actually so engaged in staring at us that he walked into a display. I'm not exaggerating.
Now I will answer just a few of said strange questions/comments as I wish I could in real life:
Question: "Is that a real baby?"
Answer: No. The sell them on aisle 9. They're surprisingly realistic. This one cries, smiles, poops, and sucks on my boob.
Comment: "Wow I wish they had something like that when I had my baby."
Answer: I'm pretty sure that women have been wearing their babies for thousands of years. And I'm also pretty sure that they weren't doing it with a Baby Bjorn.
Question: Is she happy in there?
Answer: No. I'm pretty sure she hates it. That's why she's smiling/sleeping/resting comfortably.
For example, this morning I went to Wal-Mart for a mega grocery run. No fewer than 10 people made comments on the fact that I was wearing my baby in a wrap. One elderly man was actually so engaged in staring at us that he walked into a display. I'm not exaggerating.
Now I will answer just a few of said strange questions/comments as I wish I could in real life:
Question: "Is that a real baby?"
Answer: No. The sell them on aisle 9. They're surprisingly realistic. This one cries, smiles, poops, and sucks on my boob.
Comment: "Wow I wish they had something like that when I had my baby."
Answer: I'm pretty sure that women have been wearing their babies for thousands of years. And I'm also pretty sure that they weren't doing it with a Baby Bjorn.
Question: Is she happy in there?
Answer: No. I'm pretty sure she hates it. That's why she's smiling/sleeping/resting comfortably.
Trying to give your baby the best? Fork over the $$
You'll find a common trend throughout my blog is lactivism. Here's an example of gross discrimination against breastfeeding mamas.
A day care in Ohio, City Kids Daycare, is charging a breastfeeding mama $50 extra per week because they consider her breastmilk to be a bio-hazard that requires special handling. Ohio laws state that breastmilk does not require any special handling. If this gets your panties all bunched up the way it does mine, check out The Lactivist's blog on the issue.
Or, if you're feeling really fiesty, you can simply send City Kids Daycare an e-mail letting them know what you think: citykidsdaycar@aol.com.
A day care in Ohio, City Kids Daycare, is charging a breastfeeding mama $50 extra per week because they consider her breastmilk to be a bio-hazard that requires special handling. Ohio laws state that breastmilk does not require any special handling. If this gets your panties all bunched up the way it does mine, check out The Lactivist's blog on the issue.
Or, if you're feeling really fiesty, you can simply send City Kids Daycare an e-mail letting them know what you think: citykidsdaycar@aol.com.
Friday, February 23, 2007
A little late is better than never...
I kept thinking when I got pregnant, that I needed to start a blog. I kept thinking that I'd certainly get it done before I had the baby. Well, anyways - I've had the baby for 4 months and I'm just now getting around to the blog. Welcome to the life of a semi-crunchy mama. I am Theresa, 26. I am married to a wonderful man, Matthew who is 31 and we have a beautiful baby girl, Hannah, who is - 4 months old. We are an AP, very selective/very delayed vax, baby-wearing family. Miss Hannah is exclusively breastfed and I fancy myself a bit of a lactivist. I am a stay at home mama and Matthew is an assistant professor of music, teaching voice and conducting a choir.