Weekend Wellness

This Giant Map Pillow really cheered me up. Isn't it awesome?

By My Bearded Pigeon, via Bloesem Kids,

Oh, my. Posts have been light around here as the whole family fights what is hopefully the last nasty bug of the season. Poor Taro missed an entire week of work, which says a lot about how miserable he's been -- he never takes sick days :( The kiddos are recovering, but still hacking and dripping and generally looking wan. I have fared best, perhaps aided by sheer force of will not to succumb to the germs. Hopefully over the weekend we can all shake this thing and move forward with our newly buffered immune systems.

Meanwhile, I wanted to wish you a happy, healthy weekend! Be well.

a pretty chair for your thursday

Isn't that just the sweetest thing?

Vintage chair at Little Vintage, Paris, via the littlest.

the manifesto of encouragement

Photo found here.

Needing a little mid-week boost, I am reminded of this lovely piece forwarded to me several days ago by my good friend, Nancy. Originally posted on White Hot Truth, The Manifesto of Encouragement was written by Danielle LaPorte. It totally made my day better, so I had to share:

Right now:
There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.
Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.
Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.
Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.
A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."
Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.
Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.
The next great song is being rehearsed.
Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.
Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.
Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.
Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."
Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche -- this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.
Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.
Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.
Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.
Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

Perry on Breastfeeding

Mother and Child by Enoch Wood Perry, Jr. (1831 – 1915)

We Have a Winner!

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Philippe Halsman, via The Aesthetics of Joy

Congratulations to Molly! Your entry was picked at random, so you are the lucky winner of the Boba baby carrier giveaway.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Monday Loves

Since I didn't give you any Friday links,

I thought I'd share some clicks of awesomeness

to kick off your week. Happy Monday!

This dude, via The Colorful Living Project.

The best Ikea hack ever, via Table Tonic.

Rummey Bears on cosleeping.

Her nubby-hat-pink-suit-woven-bracelet-dark-sunnies perfection,

via The Sartorialist.

Blanket fort inspiration, via Flux Capacitor:

Weekend Wonderful

Friday was shockingly, unbelievably warm here in NYC. After months of being cooped up inside the apartment while blizzards descend, I celebrated this first hint of (dare I say it?) Spring by taking the kiddos waaay down-and-across-town to East 14th Street to attend a toddler meeting of the La Leche League. I enjoyed communing with other breastfeeding moms while the boys made some new friends. In the months between my visits to La Leche League meetings I always forget how restorative and empowering and energizing it is to be in the same room with a bunch of moms who are committed to nursing their older babies and children. It just feels so nice to be able to laugh and question and share challenges in a safe, encouraging environment of like-minded mamas. It does the soul good.

Afterwards, we headed to lunch at Angelica Kitchen where we devoured some delicious vegan vittles, followed by a quick pop into Stogo for desert, and then we were off to the playground at Tompkins Square Park, where it seemed that every single resident of the East Village had converged with their offspring to revel in the unseasonably balmy weather. The swings were in such demand that when we finally got our chance at one, we had to double up (see above photo)!

Once the guys were zonked, we took a stroll around the neighborhood. With two sleeping kids, I couldn't resist grabbing a snack at Momofuku Milk Bar. I figured a little splurge on one of their insanely decadent, salty-sweet Compost Cookies was somewhat justifiable after my super-healthy lunch ;) Of course, I had to ask for a sample of their French Toast soft serve ice cream while I was paying for the cookie, eeps!

By the time Walker was waking up from his luxurious nap in the Boba, it was time for Taro to be off work, so he came downtown and met all of us for dinner at Cafe Orlin, on Saint Mark's Place.

After our meal we took a circuitous route home, walking west through Washington Square Park and jumping on the C train to return to the UWS. Once home, everyone except for yours truly promptly passed out from blissful, NYC-induced exhaustion. I would've gone to sleep too, but someone has to blog about our adventures for posterity!

With such a fun start to the weekend, and other good times in store, I'm looking forward to the next couple of days.

What manner of fun things are YOU up to this weekend? I'd love to know.

Bump + Fruit

I LOVE this series of self-portraits that photographer Carolee Beckham is making to document her pregnant belly. In each installment, she features the piece of fruit that is comparable to the size of her growing baby. Above are weeks 14 (baby's the size of a lemon), 15 (baby's the size of an apple), and 16 (baby's the size of an avocado). What a simple yet inventive twist on the typical bump update concept! I look forward to following along through the coming months.

Also, she has such cute style, don't you think?

Marimekko for Converse

I am weary of snow boots. With Spring approaching (Spring is approaching, right?), I wouldn't mind rocking a fresh new pair of canvas sneakers. I think these Marimekko for Converse would do the trick quite nicely!

Marvelous Giveaway: Boba Baby Carrier

Image via Boba Carrier

How fun: Boba is offering one of their Classic buckle carriers to a lucky Marvelous Kiddo reader (winner's choice of any in-stock colorway)!

Boba was kind enough to send me a Classic carrier in Twilight for review, so I can tell you firsthand that this is a terrific product. I love the wide seat, high back, and removable stirrups, and I feel that it is as comfortable and easy-to-use as any soft-structured buckle carrier I have tried. I look forward to getting much more use out of mine in the months and years to come.

SO, without further ado, here's what you need to do to enter to win:

1. "Like" Boba Carrier on Facebook
2. Check out the entire line of carriers on the Boba website
3. Leave a relevant comment on this post

4. Be sure to leave your email address

EXTRA ENTRIES:
You may get one additional entry per day by Tweeting or Sharing this giveaway on Facebook. Just be sure to leave separate comments for each additional entry to count and you must include the URL of each Tweet/Share.

The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Sunday, February 20.

Good Luck!

RIP Mothering Magazine

Dear Mothering,

I have been heartsick since hearing the news yesterday.

Not because I am to miss out on the remainder of my pre-paid subscription, but because Mothering is no longer in print.

Each issue is such a rare and beautiful gem of information, celebration, support, community. I have been inspired by it since I was a girl (I used to read my mother’s copies, back in the 80’s and 90’s) and I can attest to the fact that it influenced me positively in countless ways. As soon as I found out I was pregnant with my first child, over four years ago, the first thing I did was run out and order my own subscription. I have never thrown out a single copy, and I’m so glad I saved them. Each issue was a great resource that I return to again and again. I feel so grateful that this publication ever existed, and I feel privileged to have benefited from the wisdom within its pages for so long.

Rather than feeling slighted right now, I have to say that I am filled with regret that I didn’t order gift subscriptions for all my expecting friends when I still had a chance. I can’t imagine a better value: $30 for a priceless gift that keeps on giving through the years, even if only in the form of dusty old dogeared copies! A true treasure.

Thank you, Mothering.

Love,

Leigh

Andrejević-Kun on Breastfeeding

"The Mother" by Djordje Andrejević-Kun (1904 - 1964).

Via Art Inconnu.

The Kitchn

Today I am featured on Apartment Therapy's amazing food and cooking blog, The Kitchn! It is one of my favorite daily reads, so I was beside myself when Leela Cyd Ross invited me to participate in her wonderful Breakfast With a Blogger series. What a fun honor :)

Jump over there right now to see Leela's beautiful post about my recipe for old-fashioned buttermilk biscuits. Enjoy!

Movie Magic

A few days ago Our Time hosted it's first-ever film festival, during which they screened the amazing films that its young company members have created over the last two years! The event was held at the gorgeous and esteemed Director's Guild of America Theater (which was generously donated to Our Time for the day 100% free of charge).

The glamorous atmosphere was heightened by the exciting greeting awaiting each kid filmmaker as they arrived in all their red-carpet finery...

There was a throng of press and paparazzi clamoring near the entrance (or were they well-rehearsed Our Time Volunteers?)...

...who rushed out to 57th street to snap shots of each Star as they arrived.

Then there was the parade of glitterati posing in front of the step-and-repeat...

Quite the bunch of style-setters, wouldn't you say?

Of course, our little fam was there to join in the fun...

After the grand entrance, and a few words from the hosts, all the kids and an audience of adoring fans (their friends, families, and the Our Time staff), took their seats and settled in to enjoy the festival...

23 short films later, everyone filed back out onto the street,

happy, inspired, celebratory...

and most of all,

triumphant.

All photos by C. Bay Milin.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your day involves chocolate ;)

Happy Weekend

Photo via The Colorful Living Project.

I am sooo glad it's Friday, friends! I have a fun night ahead of me, as I will be meeting up with a blog buddy for the first time -- the fabulous Raina from If the Lampshade Fits! I can't wait.

Sorry if my posting has been off its rhythm of late. This week has been a bit of a whirlwind for me -- I've been working on a new project that I'm excited to tell you about soon...stay tuned ;)

Meanwhile I've collected a few links that I think you'll enjoy:

Inspired gift-wrapping

Beautiful, antique images of babywearing! (Thanks, Stephanie)

The Original Pooh and Co.

The Surgeon General on Breastfeeding

Beautiful and amazing Katherine

The perfect shirt to rock on Monday :)

A great Birth Plan

Have a safe and lovely weekend!

Texting While Birthing + Birth Story of the Week

Cartoon by Mick Stevens, originally published in The New Yorker Magazine, 03/15/2010

I was delighted to run across a piece in this week's issue of New York Magazine, exploring the growing phenomenon of parents using technology to document/communicate the birth of their children in real time. It's practically de rigueur these days to Tweet one's labor or blog one's birth story -- now it seems people are going so far as to text their next of kin even as they give birth via c-section! I find all of this fascinating, and I think you will too, so check out the article.

Fittingly, the piece was written by Tina Cassidy, author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We are Born, a book that came out in 2006 and that I devoured months ago and have been meaning to post about ever since. I loved this fantastically researched and imminently readable title and I know it would appeal to anyone who has even a passing interest in how we all arrive here on Planet Earth. As much as I've read and investigated books in the birth + pregnancy + labor genre, I had never gotten my hands on a straight-up scholarly analysis of the history of birth customs and practices. It was a very illuminating and often entertaining read that certainly put a lot of perspective on the current state of affairs and the culture of birth that we inhabit right now. I highly recommend it.

After I tore through the book I gave my copy to my friend Jen, who also enjoyed it and consequently discovered that Cassidy maintains a blog, on which she posted her own remarkable story of the birth of her second child ( a home VBAC that occurred in 2007). The amazing thing is that Cassidy wrote her birth story on her blog in serial form over the course of weeks, posting a series of 36 short posts that go into exciting, interesting, and just downright compelling detail about her pregnancy and birth journey so the whole thing reads like bit of a cliffhanger for birth junkies. It is brilliant. Compounding the awesomeness is the comment thread attached to the posts, which include juicy feedback from friends, fans, and most endearingly Cassidy's own mother, who, shall we say was not very keen on the whole idea of home birth throughout her daughter's pregnancy. Their back-and-forth is priceless, and actually very moving.

I thought you would enjoy it so much that I decided to link to Cassidy's epic birth chronicle as Birth Story of the Week. The format is a little unconventional, but you will thank me if you read it :)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12

Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18

Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24

Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30

Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36

3 Years

Today is the three-year anniversary of Taro's dad's passing. We always like to spend February 10th honoring Bobby by listening to jazz, scatting, playing, making art, and celebrating our imaginations.

Bobby Alexander lived a monumental life of artistry and passion and devotion to helping others. It wasn't until his death, in 2008, that Taro and I became aware of a surprising aspect of his past: as a handsome young man in New York in the 1940's and 50's Bobby was a rather prolific model, and appeared on the covers of many books and magazines. The most amazing of these was the First Edition of The Catcher in the Rye, where Bobby was cast as the original Holden Caulfield!

How cool is that?

Corot on Breastfeeding

Mother and Child, by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot.

Probably circa 1860's.

Oil on wood, 32.4 x 22.5 cm, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Real

The Rabbit looked up at her, and it seemed to him that he had seen her face before, but he couldn't think where.

"I am the nursery magic Fairy," she said. "I take care of all the playthings that the children have loved. When they are old and worn out and the children don't need them any more, then I come and take them away with me and turn them into Real."

"Wasn't I Real before?" asked the little Rabbit.

"You were Real to the Boy," the Fairy said, "because he loved you. Now you shall be Real to every one."

--Page 42 of The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams, which totally destroyed me today.

Photo by bird_flew

Wonderful Clara

I am in awe of the fashion stylings of mama-to-be, Clara Lidström, of the delightful and inspiring Swedish blog, Underbara Clara (which translates to Wonderful Clara in English). It has been fun to watch her bump grow as the seasons change around her, ever since Joanna tipped me off back in October. You just have to check out Clara's blog to see all of her darling ensembles for yourself ;)

PS: That reminds me...speaking of pregnant belly loveliness, I wanted to let you know that Samantha Hahn's Full Bloom print that I blogged about last month is now available for sale! I have one and it is now officially one of my favorite things.

Breastfeeding in LIFE

April 1950: Bantu mother of the Bamangwato tribe, breastfeeding her newborn.

Photo: MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE

1964: Israeli mother breast feeding her baby.

Photo: PAUL SCHUTZER

See more incredible images of breastfeeding through the decades and around the world here, in the photo archives of LIFE Magazine.

Birth Story of the Week: Dear Avery Dale

My friend Fran just gave birth to her first child, and her story is just so joyful and full of love that I had to ask her to share it here. Fran did a ton of reading and research about birth during her pregnancy and was incredibly focused and positive going into labor. She was determined not to let fear rule her. I think her knowledge and confidence definitely paid off, because the experience turned out to be powerfully rewarding and blissfull. You can also read this story (and see a ton more adorable photos of the happy family) on Fran's blog. Thank you, Fran and Mike and Avery!

--Leigh

Dear Avery Dale,

Here you squirm next to me, a warm baby bun who less than three weeks ago was snuggled up inside me, and we couldn't be happier. You have been a pleasant surprise to us from the very beginning, so we should have expected nothing less for your birthday.

Since I had been dilated 2 cm for a month, Dr. K didn't think that you would come on your own. He offered to induce me the week before you came in case I was sick of being pregnant, but I still felt great, so we scheduled another appointment with him on the 21st. He said that if I hadn't had you by then, we would need to schedule an induction for the week after that.

Around midnight on the morning Saturday, the 15th, I had a few intermittent contractions. One every hour or two - nothing to produce any level of alarm or excitement. They went away during the day but started back up when we went to bed that night. We didn't manage a lot of sleep Saturday night and Sunday morning, but once again they stalled out Sunday morning. Your dad had the idea to load Dante and me up and fill my car with gas, just in case.

Contractions came and went all day Sunday. We started timing them, but nothing was really consistent: 30 minutes here, 20 minutes there, 40 minutes, 12. I'm not sure when exactly we could consider that I officially went into labor with you, but I need to decide soon so that when you're older and we're fighting, I can say something like, "I was in labor with you for 36 hours!"

Your dad and I curled up in front of the fire on the couch and watched movies. The last one we watched before we went to bed was Chicago. Mike didn't really want to watch it, but since the only position I found comfortable at the time was on my left side with my head in his lap, and every now and then I'd squeeze his hand, signaling the beginning of another contraction, I guess he figured he's let me watch whatever I wanted to. He actually liked it more than he expected he would.

Since you are our first, we thought I could go on like that for DAYS. So your dad turned down the lights and drew me a luxurious warm bath with Chamomile Epsom salts. I floated around in that for an hour and still had six contractions. He sat on the edge of the bath and rubbed my back. We laughed a lot.

Statistics say that less than 15% of women's water will break before they're in the hospital and in active labor. We will just have to add that to your growing list of surprises. At midnight on the morning of January 17th, a contraction rocked me out of bed. You did not mess around, Baby Girl. I jumped up and sprinted to the bathroom yelling, "MY WATER BROKE!" Mike was right after me, timing that contraction which lasted a good three minutes. When it was over, I realized I was sitting on the potty, panting, leaning my head against your dad's waist for support. The fact that I didn't care that he saw me in that position told me it was time to head to the hospital.

Your dad loaded up our bags and Dante and Kearney while I tried to gather myself in our bedroom. Contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes at that point, and he found me on my knees, resting my upper body on the chair of my dresser. He brought me a ginger ale and helped me to the car, where he had put towels down in the passenger seat. When he paused in the driveway to go turn out the garage light, I told him it was time to head out: when we returned a few days later, that light was still on. We dropped the pets off at Mom's house and headed for Woman's Hospital.

Once we were at the hospital, we were greeted at an admission desk by a nice nurse who wanted us to fill out paperwork. I said, "Mike I'm going to let you fill out these forms while I sit here in the floor and barf, OK?" The nurse decided it was a good time to put me in a room. I had to agree. It was 1:30 AM, and I was 4 cm dilated.

We labored on together until 4 AM. Your dad never left my side. We kissed and cuddled, and he and held my hand. Sometimes the only thing that made me feel better was reaching my left hand (the one with the IV in it) around behind his neck and leaning my forehead against his.

When a contraction came along, I would squeeze him, and he would start talking me through it. He had a wonderful analogy of the steps up to Prague Castle: he would describe our memories of Prague and say, "You are just taking another step up to a wonderful experience. I know it hurts now, but you never have to go up this step again. It won't last forever, and you are doing a fantastic job." After he'd used this analogy for 5-10 contractions, I snapped, "ENOUGH WITH THE STEPS. Shut up about the steps! I don't want to hear about a step ever again."

The epidural at 8 cm was lovely.

On the day we married, your dad and I met in the sanctuary for some quiet time with just the two of us. It was sacred and holy and unbelievably special. That's what the epidural did for us: it quieted the roar of contractions to a manageable level: I could still feel you coming, but I was more in control. Your dad and I talked and laughed. He helped me put on some makeup. Before we married I gave him one last chance to back out, but this time I let him know there was no way he could back out now. He assured me that there was no way he would ever want to.

Nurse Tina held my mother's leg when she delivered me, and she held my leg as I delivered you. Your dad held my right leg and supported my head. He and I pushed together for about an hour. Pushing you out is one of the best, most rewarding and satisfying feelings I've ever had in my life. Dr. K. caught you. The minute I saw you, I sat up and took you from Dr. K and brought you to my chest. Our world stopped turning and was completely absorbed in your hot, wet, slimy body grabbing at me and holding on tight, which I was happy to return. Your dad said you were a wriggle worm, which I'd known for months.

Dr. K. said I looked like I'd been in a fight.

You came at 9:03 in the morning of Monday, January 17th. You weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces (almost exactly in between your dad's and my birth weights) and were 19 3/4 inches long.

The days since have been happier and more exotic to me than our honeymoon was. I will cherish forever the sweet moments in a dimly lit hospital room. Your dad and I would lie side by side in my narrow bed with you in his arms. 9 PM was your witching hour when you were inutero – you were definitely the most active then, and you are the most alert for the day at 9 PM now that you’re here. You become so animated and excited about breastfeeding that you make me laugh out loud.

Even through the recovery of birth and sleep deprivation, the experience of you has been sheer bliss.

I believe that your birth is another happy succession in life: your daddy and I met, then we dated, then we fell in love and became engaged, and then we married. Each event was happier and more fulfilling.

And so far you are definitely the apex of our lives.

Post-Partum Document

Details from Post-Partum Document,

installation in six parts, by Mary Kelly, 1973-79.

See the entire piece, here.

"Initially the reader will be caught up in the mother's story. The first person narrative describes particular events in my own relationship with my son, from birth until age five. Events such as weaning from the breast, learning to speak, starting school, writing; but Post-Partum Document is not simply about child development. It is and effort to articulate the mother's fantasies, her desire, her stake in that project called "motherhood." In this sense, too, it is not a traditional narrative; a problem is continually posed but no resolution is reached. There is only a replay of moments of separation and loss, perhaps because desire has no end, resists normalization, ignores biology, disperses the body."

--Mary Kelly,

on Post-Partum Document

Discovered via Smarthistory.