Happy 4th of July

Today is the 4th of July when my home country, the United States of America, celebrates a pretty nifty document that led to our independence from the British monarchy. But considering how many people woke up insanely early to watch Kate Middleton and Prince William tie the knot ... I'm not completely sure everyone got that whole "down with the crown" message.

And, yes, I did record it. Just to see the dress. Really. Okay, not really. I watched some of it, pausing frequently at shots of the dress.

Anywho...today was PJ's first 4th of July. Last year I was still desperately awaiting him to give notice on his one-room apartment. This year, as an outside baby and as a little American, we had to make sure that he learned the purpose of the 4th of July as early as possible: HAMBURGERS and FIREWORKS and FLAG WAVING.

Sadly, PJ is a little too young to stay up for the last ever American firework celebration in our area before the soldiers move on to greener pastures. (insert sad face here) But the Mr. made sure that PJ enjoyed some very yummy, homemade, grilled hamburgers with all the toppings. And I made sure he got the chance to wave his flag.

The Mr. getting ready to make magic happen on our deck.

Little man getting friendly with his flag.

Soon the flag was waving away.

"More hamburger! More hamburger!"

"I said, more!"

This was our first meal on our new house's deck - which kinda means it is OUR deck, but I'm still working on that mindshift - and it was fabulous. On a warm day, we were cool, surrounded by green, and part of a symphony of neighbourly sounds.

The American-German family celebrating the 4th of July.

Life. Its good.



xo

Improving the World

So we've moved house! Last weekend we were blessed with a number of helpers who managed to move all of our belongings from our beautiful apartment, down three flights of stairs, into borrowed vans and cars, across 10 or so kilometers, and then into our new house...all in about six hours.

Totally impressive!

And then helped unpack, arrange, cook, and play with PJ. All while smiling. Incredible, incredible.

The day made me realize just how lucky we are: we are healthy, have a wonderful support system all over the world, and so much more.

But not everyone is so lucky. So, while we continue to unpack our house (pictures are coming, I promise), I wanted to share two opportunities for us all to help improve the world. I hope you'll take a few minutes to read these two blogs and be inspired to support these channels or one closer to your home and heart.

1. A good friend of mine supports a charity very close to his heart by bicycling - with no little motor to support him - something like 1,200km through the South Australian bush. The goal this year is $75,000. Interested? Inspiring? Read more at Deuxpistolets.
2. A blogger that pushes me, inspires me, and makes me dream bigger is Glennon over at Momastery. There are always projects going on that anyone can become a part of (and then watch miracles happen). Here is an overview under Monkee See - Monkee Do.

Have others that you want to share? Post them here! 

xo

3 Generations

Think they might be related?

xo

Happily Married: House Rules Edition

I'm a pretty relaxed house keeper. So is the Mr.

That's a nice way of saying our apartment is (and soon our house) usually pretty darn not clean. Lord knows when the windows were cleaned last and there is no regularity in when or how we clean. In fact, while typing this a collection of dust went rolling past my toe.

But it drives me nuts when people put their shoes on the furniture. I'm good with bare feet but not shoes, even house shoes. Does it make sense? Maybe, maybe not but there you go: I don't like shoes on furniture.

We've talked it through and we've agreed no shoes on the furniture.

That's a nice way of saying I get pissy when shoes are on the furniture and the Mr. doesn't put his shoes on the furniture anymore....when I'm around.

I recently came home and I found the following pattern on our sofa.

What could that pattern possibly be from?

Hum....?

Can you believe that?! The Mr. has been stepping onto the sofa with his shoes for who knows how long to close the windows! Can you believe it!?! Yes, you've got to get up on the sofa to close the window, but with shoes? When I've made it very clear I hate shoes on the furniture?

I just can't believe it. Just. can't. believe. it.

Big, fat frustrated sigh.

On the other hand, the Mr. who is also a 'relaxed housekeeper,' goes nuts when anyone eats in their beds. Even in movies, he sighs and shakes his head, because that is "disgusting" and "who wants to sleep in crumbs?"


We've talked it through and we've agreed no eating in bed.

That's a nice way of saying he gets pissy when I eat in bed and I don't eat in bed anymore...when he's around.

But then I got caught red-handed.

Thank God one of us has a sense of humor.

May we still be laughing this often when we're 35, 45, 55, 80.



xo

First Time to the Zoo

This weekend we had our first family trip to the local zoo. It is small but the space is used well, including a nice range of animal habitats and playing areas for children of different ages. It was a great afternoon out.

The entrance

We got to rent a little wagon for PJ to ride in. It was quite comfortable...

 ...but far more fun to push!

We saw gorillas and seals and turtles and camels and so many other animals but the highlight were the goats. Most likely because they were PJ's size and their area was set up like a petting zoo.

Goats Galore!

PJ checking out the goats.

PJ was interested in the little animals but rather cautious at the same time. He never did touch one; there is plenty of time for that next time.

The time flew too fast and we had to leave before we could check out all the animals. PJ definitely had a good time

And so did the Mr. and Mrs.

xo
ps. Remember me at 40weeks? I had it so much easier than this poor, very pregnant goat. Good lord.

Freddie 2.0

While we were in the US, PJ built a friendship with my friends' little puppy dog Freddie Fourpaws. Everyone was pretty sad when we the relationship went on hold because we flew back to Germany, especially since hardly anyone we know here has a puppy.

But no fear: solutions will always be found!

At the American baby shower way back when, we were gifted a toy from Sweetheart's dad's own childhood. (Yeah, how freaking cool is that!?!) It is a dog that makes a really loud 'barking' noise when pulled along the floor. I'm pretty sure that most of us had one when we were young. It also has a bunch of metal and floppy ears and other pieces that most likely led it to being pulled off the market but, hey, we are all still alive and kicking.*

As little man has grown in confidence walking - no more crawling in these parts - he has started to befriend this dog toy, even starting to pull it behind him. For some reason I started calling it Freddie, even petting it and pulling it along too. PJ gleefully picked up on that and there we go: certainly not an upgrade, but the continuation of a lovely friendship.

Just don't tell Freddie Fourpaws.



PJ and Freddie 2.0



PJ making Freddie 'bark'.





xo
*I'm not sure yet how, but I'm positive that statement will come back to haunt me.

By Request: Update 3"The Ugly: Breast Feeding and Mother Guilt"

I have been contacted again by a few readers for an update about breastfeeding.

Holy freaking cool is that? People are reading this blog! Remembering this blog! Asking for updates! My ego rejoices!!

Yes, two exclamation points.

And ... back to the point of this blog. Back in July 2011, I posted a blog about my struggles with early breastfeeding. Then in August, I posted an update. Followed by another one in December based on request. Then I sorta let it die. I thought I had covered the topic and frankly, I don't really think about nursing that often any more. But it turns out there are people out there that want an update from a "normal" mom, especially after the whole TIME thing (link does not go to the original story, but a commentary on Huffington Post). So, here ya go, dear readers.

I'm still nursing my little boy who is now 11 months old. All those things that I was told back in the day and did not believe - easy, natural - have become totally true. Nursing is super, super easy. It is natural. It is awesome. Yes, I just wrote that, nursing is awesome. I truly enjoy breastfeeding my little boy and I know that he truly enjoys breastfeeding. Two very happy people. Neither of us are planning on stopping any time soon.

We finally meet the expectations set by the medical community and society in general. So, we are all happy, right?

Wrong. Because, strangely, once a baby hits six months old and then as the big, first birthday gets ever closer, the expectations change and the pressure to stop builds and builds and builds. Suddenly all that hard work and all that dedication isn't wanted any more: it is time to wean. Now. There is some sort of invisible (to me) boundary in which nursing is about the best for both mommy and child and into a strange, slightly incestuous world in which a nursing mother is forcing her child to remain reliant upon nursing because (whispered in heavy voice) "it feels good for her."

Yet, this ignores a massive and growing amount of research supported by leading organizations around the world that clearly and repeatedly states that a nursing relationship should continue for at least 12 months (the current majority) or 2 years (the largest growing group right now). And, more importantly, to me, the expectation to wean doesn't come from the fact that the baby needs to stop or the mom needs to stop or because that's how nature needs it to be. But because you, or they, are not comfortable with my baby nursing when he can eat other food, crawl, walk, or (god forbid!) talk.

Notice that the verbs are different: you, or they, want us to stop; nothing needs us to do so. I'm happy. PJ is happy. So, frankly and with love in my words: please respect that I am doing the best for my child. If you don't agree, I grant you full permission to complain about it to someone else that will never tell me about it. And we will all win.

But vent aside, the nature of our nursing relationship is changing. Now that I am working and PJ is snacking more, our nursing sessions are slowly reducing during the day. Thankfully we are able to gently reduce and the Mr. is supportive of helping us through the transition. For example, this past week I was in a full-day workshop from Wednesday to Friday that cut out our late morning session. To help ease the transition, the Mr. brought little man to the workshop at lunch time for the afternoon nursing session. That's support. Additionally, when we are out-and-about PJ is offered a snack before nursing and many times that's enough. But when its not, its not and we nurse.

Although many people with no experience in being a working and nursing mother have told me that continuing our nursing will be "impossible" - I know that it is possible: I have found role models in strong, confident, professional women who even travel and still nurse their children far past the one year mark. To them I look and to them I am thankful.

To those readers that asked for an update: Thank you. I hope I met your expectations. In the end, my key message for you is: if you want to breastfeed your baby, it will most likely start out really tough. Growth spurts will be tough. But stick it out. Ask for help from people who have not only breastfed but support your hopes (whatever they are). It gets better; actually it gets great. Natural. Easy. Real.

For everyone else: thanks for reading.

Happy mommy and happy baby

xo

Oh, and I still fucking hate that damn pump. I doubt that will ever get better.