Guest Post: Melissa from So About What I Said on Theme Parties

As the story goes, one of my first birthday parties had a Smurf theme. This was back in the '80s when those cute little blue creatures captured all kids' hearts. I, obviously, was no exception to that rule. I've loved my birthday ever since, so when I came across these theme parties, those warm, happy memories of childhood returned once again. Aren't they whimsical, carefree and happy? Just how childhood should be.
What was the theme of your first party? xoxo

In a sea of pretty blogs, Melissa's blog is not just another pretty blog. Yes, I read So About What I Said for the eye candy, man candy, inspiration, shopping, beauty, and all-round dreaminess, but what really keeps me coming back is Melissa's own story. Her explorations of life, love, and what it is like to have a physical disability are truly profound and wise. Check it out and you'll be hooked on one of the sweetest, most soulful spots in the blogosphere! Thanks for contributing, Melissa!

-- Leigh

Guest Post: Anne from Tralalère on Happy Boobs

This is a promotional video for Boobs’n Burps, a store specialised in breastfeeding, located in Brussels. Its owner had worked for The Upper Breast Side in New York before she decided to export the concept to Belgium. What a brilliant idea… and such a lovely and funny video!

Anne blogs at the enormously popular and incredibly joyous Tralalère, which is one of my favorite places on the internet. Thanks, Anne! -- Leigh

Guest Post: Jen from Real Art Real Food on Babywearing

At about 2 months old, in a Hotsling*, in a cradle hold position.

Labor began during the first snowfall of the winter of 2005 in New York City. It was five weeks early, and my husband was away on business in Florida. I had the beautiful, natural birth I was hoping and preparing for, and my husband made it back in plenty of time. But those early days and weeks were challenging. Our son was healthy, but tiny at 4 lbs, 1 oz. There was a brief NICU stay, and lots of "experts" were suddenly part of our lives, well-intentioned but nipping away at my confidence and internal wisdom. Our baby seemed like a fragile, bird-like creature when we brought him home. I felt awkward holding him in my arms, and, as is common with many preemies, breastfeeding did not come easily. I was in a constant cycle of nursing, pumping, bottle-feeding, repeat. I was one stressed-out new mama.

Babywearing is what turned the tide, renewed my power as a mother, and helped me bond with my son. Fortunately, I had researching babywearing during my pregnancy, and knew about the world of slings and carriers, even made contact with our local babywearing group. It was led by Bianca, now co-owner of MetroMinis. I sent a desperate email out to them after the birth, and a member - Marina - was dispatched to my home (her then 3-year-old in tow), to show me carriers and watch me nurse. She offered gentle help, guidance, and friendship, and I could feel a shift begin.

In a tummy-to-tummy position in a Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch

The first carrier that really worked for us was a Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch.* I put my tiny baby in an upright, tummy-to-tummy position, and we were both snuggly and comfortable. I had felt ridiculous pushing him in a big stroller contraption; he seemed too small and I was too anxious to want much physical distance from him in those early days. In the fleece pouch, I didn't even have to bundle him in the oversized outerwear we had on hand. I simply zipped a down parka over the two of us.

Freedom. Mobility. I was thrilled to realize I could travel all over New York City on subways and buses with my son in slings. And I did.

Around six weeks, I attended my first gathering of the babywearing group. I remember watching the other moms nursing, seeing how comfortable and easy it was ... and another shift began for us. I held my baby the same way. We were exclusively breastfeeding - no more pumps and bottles.

Then I started using a stretchy wrap carrier (mine was a Cuddly Wrap, which is similar to the Moby Wrap). I had initially shied away from it, thinking it was too complicated or unwieldy. Turns out it was easy to tie. I was even more comfortable with this two-shouldered carry. I could do anything while wearing it - prepare dinners, comfort him, put him to sleep, and go about my business at home and out.

I didn't worry about my baby anymore; I felt his every breath. I knew what I wanted for him, myself, and our family.

There were more carriers to come. I was in love with this way of living. And they are still a big part of our lives now: five years and another child later. But I hold those early days very close to my heart, and I am grateful for them.

Thank you, Leigh, for inviting me to write this story, and for inspiring so many mothers to babywear!

Around 5 months old, in our Cuddly Wrap

*Unfortunately, both Kangaroo Korner and Hotsling are no longer in business.

Jen blogs at Real Art Real Food. Read her earlier Marvelous Kiddo Guest Post, here. Thank's Jen! -- Leigh

Guest Post: Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing on Babywearing Stories

What’s Your Babywearing Story?

Five years ago today, I became a “babywearer.”

During my pregnancy with my third son, I attended a La Leche League meeting to brush up and meet some Moms. Our lives and parenting views had changed a lot since having our first two children, so I was hungry for anything and everything au naturel.

I will never forget seeing one of the LLL leaders working the room in this fabulous contraption (a ring sling) and where could I get one I wanted it NOW.

I found a simple black ring sling on ebay for fifteen dollars. I practiced with it, and took it to our local natural parenting group’s meeting the night before Gray was born. I asked one of the midwives to show me “how to work it” and she grabbed her grandson and showed me right there.

(That midwife- Lynda- would become my homebirth midwife for my fourth baby, and later pass away suddenly soon after.)

I packed the sling in my hospital bag, and that night went into labor. I wore him the day he was born. (Five years ago, today.)

Eventually I decided to write a whole blog about my babywearing and mothering adventure.

And I haven’t stopped babywearing (or blogging) since.

Do tell me, what’s your babywearing story?

Be sure to visit Adventures in Babywearing and read Stephanie's past MK guest post here. Thanks, Steph! -- Leigh

Guest Post: Julia from The Boo and The Boy on Rainbows

Note from Leigh: Due to the popularity of the recent posts by my bevy of amazing guest bloggers, I decided to start regularly featuring friends here on Marvelous Kiddo! SO, without further ado, please welcome back Julia from The Boo and The Boy:

Life can be hard sometimes. For my family and I, life has been hard since March of this year. March is when my husband got sick.

My husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor - a grade II benign meningioma. That day everything changed.

My husband had surgery to remove the tumor, 10 days after its discovery. Unfortunately, my husband underwent 37 radiation treatments because the surgery didn't remove everything. September 27 marked his last treatment. YAY!

Life has been unbelievably stressful but we've made it this far. We have two small children (4 and 2) who have helped keep us sane and in positive spirits through all this. We enjoy every day that we have together as a family and we try not to sweat the small stuff because life's just too damn short.

On my blog, I post about my two biggest passions - my family and interior design (mainly kid's rooms). In this post for Leigh, I've written a bit about my family and now I'd like to show you some kid's rooms. I chose a 'rainbow' theme for the photos below since my husband and kids are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Photo sources, top to bottom: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Guest Post: Georgia from Gregarious Peach on Letting Go

Late last night I was whispering sweet nothings to my Theo. This is not a rare occurrence; while he nurses I generally like to pour my adoration on him. I am making the most of the time I have before he’ll get embarrassed by such nonsense and say “Muuuuum!” instead of gazing back at me lovingly.

As he started to fuss and cry, I patted his head and pulled him in close, whispering my promises to him;

“I’ve got you baby boy, I’m holding you.

I will be here holding you always.

Always”.


As he settled back down into a sleepy nursing session, the word ‘always’ was ringing in my ears. As I heard myself saying it again and again, I realised; always is something I cannot promise my Theo. I could feel a lump forming in my throat. As I watched him nurse and my body filled with motherly hormones, I tried to rephrase my statement in my mind.

Aside from the unpredictable, I thought –

‘Always, unless I die’.

Yep, that sounded better.

No wait - a more horrifying thought which I could barely let myself think surfaced,

“Always, unless you die”.

Yep, unless either of us die, I would be here holding him always.

Thinking a little more, I added for good measure,

‘Always, unless the world explodes’.

Yep, all bases covered. I was glad to have that sorted in my mind. Unforeseeable aside, I would be here holding him always.

As I pondered that more, I began to realise - I could promise to be here, but Theo was returning no such promise to me.

In fact as I gazed at my sweet little man, I knew that it will probably not be something unpredictable or unforeseeable that would bring an end to me holding my sweet boy, it was in fact the most constant, predictable and unchanging, it was time. It will start slowly at first, and for that one grace, I am thankful. Time will fool me into almost not noticing it’s happening.

First; he’ll grow too big for my lap. Too big for nursing, too big to listen to me smother him in love. These changes will all be softened with the delight at watching him grow and change but it doesn’t negate the fact that one day, he’ll leave and I won’t know when he’s coming back.

I pulled my boy as close as I could. The lump in my throat was a full-blown knot and I could feel tears starting to prick my eyes. I repositioned myself and stroked his head with my spare hand. As I ran my hand back and forth through his soft baby fuzz I tried to rephrase my promise. It took me a while to whisper what I knew I must.

“I will be here loving you always, and then, then.... I will let you go”.

And only after I’d said it aloud did I realise just how much I loved him.

Photo by Hailey Bartholomew

P.S. (From Leigh): Read more of Georgia's reflections on motherhood at her heart-stoppingly beautiful blog, Gregarious Peach. Oh, and have a kleenex handy. The photos of sweet Theo and his sister Priya are enough to put a lump in your throat, but it is Georgia's way with words and her introspective yet joyous way of parenting that will really get to you.

Guest Post: Elita from Blacktating on Scevole de Sainte-Marthe

And I, for suckling, no fix'd hour prescribe;

This Nature teaches best the nursing tribe:

Let her your mistress be; and when, with cries

The hungry child demand his due supplies,

Forbear not you the wish'd relief to bring

But, for his use, unlock the sacred spring:

Nor then be loath your snowy breast to bare,

That he may suck, and streaming fragrance share.

--Scevole de Sainte-Marthe, Paedotrophia, 1584

Scevole de Sainte-Marthe was a French poet who was born in 1536. This stanza is from Paedotrophia, a Latin poem in three books on pregnancy, childbirth and the caring of infants. Sainte-Marthe became interested in the care of infants after two of his own children died of small pox in infancy. He doled out what most of us today would believe to be commonsense good advice: breastfeed your baby, on demand, nurse him when he cries, keep him warm and close to you, and even once you start on solid food, remember that he still needs lots of his mother's milk.

Interestingly, Sainte-Marthe strongly disliked the use of wet nurses, which was a popular practice at the time. He asked, "What tenderness can o'er from her be known, Who, for another's child, neglects her own?"

Painting by Kate Hansen

P.S. (From Leigh): Check out Elita's wonderful blog, Blacktating, for a wealth of information and inspiration, along with thought provoking-posts that really speak to women who are passionate about breastfeeding, natural and green living and attachment parenting!

Guest Post: Jodi from Ché and Fidel on Australian Blog Love

While we may be half a world away, there are a few Australian bloggers who are not unlike the lovely Leigh in her beloved NY. I've been surprised at the community created by blogging, the opportunity to connect and chat. To comfort and encourage.

These Australian writers are on my list of daily visits. Go visit and say hi

Rummey Bears
Anna and I first met when she attended one of my birth workshops. She's an absolute delight and the tales of her little family are inspiring. Rosie bear is one of those babies that you just want to squeeze.

PottyMouthMama
Lexi is quick witted and laugh-out-loud hilarious. She's good with words too - poetic, even.

Giggles Down Under
Kristi moved form Maui to Melbourne. Her photos and observations are beyond beautiful.

Ecomilf
Meagan is a yogini and muma on a mission to make the world a greener place. Her blog is a complete inspiration and she's always posting great ideas for making your own household cleaners, birthday gifts and yummy vegetarian meals.

P.S. (From Leigh): Jodi lives on the East Coast of Australia with her darling family. Her blog, Ché and Fidel, has a poetic, philosophical bent that always gives me something to think about. She also teaches pre-natal yoga and birth preparation classes, guiding women through blissful pregnancy and preparing them for a conscious birth experience.

Guest Post: Julia from The Boo and The Boy on Vintage-Inspired Children's Spaces

Nothing says vintage like some splashes of yellow, sheepskin rugs, flowered wallpaper and furniture from grandma's house. These rooms are cozy, creative and fun and are some of my favorite kids' rooms:

www.ikeafamilylive.com

www.littlebigmagazine.com

www.skonahem.com

www.dosfamily.com

www.husohem.se

www.husohem.se

www.husohem.se

www.cookiemag.com

www.familyliving.se

www.cookiemag.com

www.cookiemag.com

P.S.(From Leigh): I just love Julia's blog, The Boo and The Boy. I don't know of another website devoted exclusively to children's spaces, that does such an amazing job of aggregating beautiful decor photos. Julia has a fantastic eye, and always does an inspired job of sourcing images from all over. Warning: reading The Boo and The Boy may result in constantly wanting to redecorate your kid's room!

Guest Post: Abbey from Abbey Goes Design Scouting on A Birth Story for Alex

One of my favorite (and I know many of your favorite) features on Marvelous Kiddo is the birth stories. So today I thought I’d share two stories today; my own, and that of my son, Alex. We were both delivered at New York Hospital (now Cornell Weill/New York Presbyterian) on the same floor, 30 years apart.

Every year on my birthday my mother and father would tell me the story of my birth – usually at dinner, after the cake. They would take turns, seamlessly switching the narrative of the story. It was something I looked forward to every year; I remember the story and how much I felt my parents love for each other and for me.

“You were a wonderful surprise,” my mother would begin. “We hadn’t planned on getting pregnant but you chose us and we were so glad you did.”

“Oh, we were such boobs,” my father would say, looking fondly at my mother. “We were living in New York City at the time, in a tiny apartment on Milligan Place in the Village.” He would continue. “We had just started Lamaze classes, and I had come straight from my favorite watering hole. I had booze on my breath and you can imagine how your mother felt about that.”

“You were six weeks early; and we were totally unprepared. I went into labor with one Lamaze class.” On the day of your birth a winter storm came through the city and the barometric pressure dropped,” my mother would say, “and every pregnant woman in the city went into labor at once! (I always loved this part the best – the idea of all the babies who shared my birthday). “We were lucky to get a room” she would add “There were women giving birth in the hallways! I labored for a while and then the doctors said it was time to push. Suddenly everyone left me alone; your father went to get his scrubs on and the doctors went to get ready. Then, you were here!” My father would say, “I remember how perfect you were in every way, but especially I remember how perfect your little heels were.”

Then they would talk nostalgically about their time in New York (they moved to Vermont shortly after I was born); how they had shopped at Jefferson Market; how my mother had eaten dinner at Joe Juniors every night she was pregnant; looking at the wood-burning grill they had and feeling cozy. How in the summers they would hear the lawn of the church being mowed across the street and feel that they were far away from the city.

When I was pregnant with Alex, I spent a lot of time thinking about how I would tell him the story of his birth. I wondered how labor and delivery would unfold.


My sweetest Alex,

You were a wonderful surprise. We hadn’t planned on getting pregnant but you chose us and we were so glad you did. Your father and I were living in New York City in a tiny light filled apartment with a terrace that I filled with container gardens every summer (and one year, a water garden with snails and goldfish!). The summer before you were born, your father and I had our first conversation about having children; maybe we thought, maybe we’re ready. And boy, did you take that opening! One week later we were pregnant.

I woke up one morning and felt different. I just knew you were inside me. I lay in bed while your father showered and watched the sunlight come through the window. I went to the bathroom and took a pregnancy test without saying anything. I remember the feeling of warmth that came over me when I saw the results. I got into the shower with your father and gave him the biggest hug and he knew too. He was so excited to be a father.

I spent the next nine months resting and thinking about you. I was a student and would make up late, eat a cheddar omelet from the bakery next door. Sometimes I’d wake up with your dad and make him a scrambled egg. But most days I slept in. Your father and I would go for walks in the park and sit on benches and read books, but mostly we’d talk about you.

You were due to be born on the 25th of May. The 25th came and we were so excited (and maybe a little be nervous). Nothing out of the ordinary happened; I felt you kicking in my belly. The next day came and went and then the next. I went on walks; I ate spicy Thai food; I spent hours walking up and down the 10 flights of our apartment building. All things that were supposed to help me go into labor. Friends called and asked if you were here yet. We went to the doctor for a check up and he said you were growing and perfect. Two days later, we went back to the hospital and the doctor told us that it was time. Your father was wonderful; rubbing my feet and bringing me food. I remember so clearly the first time I saw you and how perfect you were. Our room had a beautiful view of the East river. I remember holding you in the sunlight. That night, there was an amazing Memorial Day fireworks display out over the river and your father and I held you in our arms and looked at the fireworks together.

P.S. (From Leigh): I am so lucky to have Abbey as a dear friend and Upper West Side neighbor. Her unerring eye for great design and her wonderful talent for entertaining are a constant inspiration to me, to say nothing of her naturalness as a mother. Oh, yes, and she writes one of my favorite blogs!

Guest Post: P. from What Possessed Me on Waiting for Baby

Any day now - any hour, any minute - the call will come and the wagons will circle. My brother and sister-in-law, in an act of abounding love and staggering impracticality, are about to have a third baby in their tiny New York City apartment. It's been four years since their twins were born, ten and eight years since my eldest nieces came into the world, and we're all waiting with baited breath to meet this new addition to our expanding family.

The twins, however, are not so sure what to think. The adults are trying to pull a fast one - trying to convince them how fun it will be once the baby arrives - but they are wise to our little con. At night they caucus in their bunk beds, scheming and plotting in their private language.
"You're going to be a big brother!" I say to my nephew. "What are you going to do when the baby comes home?"
"Flush it down the terlet," he answers, reasonably.
Right. What big brother wouldn't?

In an atmosphere of anticipation and uncertainty, the twins root around my parents' toy chest for familiar, well loved things. Uncharacteristically, they skip over the shiny plastic gew gaws, pulling out Lamby (my beloved eyeless, partially crippled stuffed sheep) and cradling Ronkey (my cherished eyeless, partially hairless stuffed donkey) instead. They unearth my brother's old train set, my father's tin soldiers, a set of old moldy blocks, a forgotten slide rule. Perhaps it's the comfort of continuity that draws them to these unglamorous, down-at-heel vestiges of our childhood. Three generations of sticky fingers have pawed and cuddled and played with these toys. Now they are tried and tested companions through good times and bad. I like to think that old toys like the ones pictured here (available at the wonderful Topsy Design) have magical powers to soothe, comfort and inspire.

With love, anticipation and thanks,

P. from What Possessed Me

P.S. (From Leigh): What Possessed Me is one of my desert-island blogs. Like if I didn't have food and water and other essentials of life, P.'s gloriously humane and heartbreakingly hilarious insights would keep me going. She's that good.

Guest Post: Raina from If The Lampshade Fits on Her Favorite Rooms for Kids

My favorite children's spaces are unstudied and lacking a "theme." Easy, colorful, and kid-friendly:

Apartment Therapy

Cookie

Cookie

Apartment Therapy

LivingEtc.

P.S. (From Leigh): See more delicious eye candy over at Raina's blog, including the amazing transformation of her daughter's room! You might at first visit to get a hit of Raina's talent for posting gorgeous and chic inspiration photos, but you'll keep coming back for her saucy commentary and outrageous wit on all things decor-related. Luv huh.

Guest Post: Jen from Real Art Real Food on Jeannine Parvati Baker

Hello, I'm Jen from Real Art Real Food. I'm so honored to be here on Marvelous Kiddo, a blog which has inspired me in so many ways!

I discovered Jeannine Parvati Baker's book, Prenatal Yoga and Natural Childbirth, during my first pregnancy. It gave me the confidence to commit to a natural birth, and helped me tune in to my true instincts and desires for that day.

Jeannine, who sadly died in 2005, was a yogini, a mother, and a midwife. The book includes all of the amazing birth stories of her own six children, including the suspenseful birth of her twins, when she walked out of the hospital in the middle of labor. It also includes her guide for a prenatal yoga practice. The photographs, too, are beautiful and inspiring - snapshots of a joyous "hippie" life.

Jeannine was a true radical, and her opinions are extreme. She advocates for unassisted, free birth. While I had a (natural) hospital birth the first time, and a midwife-attended home birth the second time, I find the essence of her opinions and statements impossible to argue with. She speaks the truth. She says birth is inextricably entwined with sexuality, spirituality, and the self.

Jeannine has also written a great deal about what she calls "Conscious Conception." She encourages both parents to prepare for and knowingly enter into the conception of a child, listening to their hearts, minds, their sexual beings, and their unborn children. She encourages us to see the link between conception and birth, and says, "We give birth as we conceive."

Here's Jeannine on mothering:

"Mothering needn't be a duty. It is a preference and a pleasure if these few things are kept in mind and soul: be not afraid to touch, naked body to naked body, to sleep with your baby, to nurse very often and orgasmically, to feel your own pain, anger, and frustrations and express them as purely as your baby will."

Jeannine on turning within for knowledge:

"I have no fear of birth. That's a gift as well as an earned trust.... How did I know the deliveries would be graced? The same way I knew I was pregnant so early on. The brain-heart knows. And once the monkey-mind quiets down enough, all the information we need is right here, within."

Jeannine on freebirth and its connection to conception:

"If birth is a natural expression of sexuality, why hire a paid paranoid 'just in case?' In the words of Artemis, 'Birth is as safe as life gets.' We have now experienced the fullest expression of our sexuality and spirituality at once in freebirth and realize that if we needed no one present at the conception, we need no one present at the outcome of that loving ceremony, the birth."

On birth and peace:

"When shared in trust with our families, birth can bring an eternal bond between the mother and her loved ones. The more each mother reclaims her natural birthright the greater chance we will receive peace on our planet."

This book is full of gifts. I hope you have a chance to read it and treasure it as much as I do!

All photos from Prenatal Yoga and Natural Childbirth

P.S. (From Leigh): Jen and her family live here in NYC and are dear friends of ours. When I was first getting to know Jen she did not have a blog, and I thought, this lady really needs to write a blog! She is a walking wealth of information regarding birth, food, breastfeeding, art, and parenting. Fortunately for me and anyone with an interest in these topics, Jen recently started sharing her insights on Real Art, Real Food. She's only sixteen posts in, but already I'm hooked. Check it out, and you will be too!

Guest Post: Jora from Domestic Reflections on Health Food Store Beauty

Hi there! I’m Jora from Domestic Reflections. I’m so happy to be here at Marvelous Kiddo. It is truly one of my favorite blogs. I was thinking about all the products I love and use from Whole Foods (and other health food stores). I dare say I like it more than the makeup counter at Nordstrom or Sephora. Here are some of my favorites:

Egyptian Magic. This skin cream claims to heal just about every skin ailment. I can attest to that, but it is a wonderful moisturizer. You warm it up in your hands until it liquefies, and then spread it wherever you need a little hydration (or put it on scars, eczema, stretch marks, bug bites…the testimonials mention just about everything!). The ingredient list is awesome: Olive Oil, BeesWax, Honey Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Bee Propolis and Love.

Burt’s Bees Buttermilk Bath Soak. It’s not just for babies! True, you could make this at home, but I love the scent and who can resist the cute milk bottle packaging?

Nature’s Gate Herbal Shampoo. This is one of those nostalgia items for me. My mom used this for years when we were little. Then I “rediscovered” it during a brief hippie phase in high school. I miss the old packaging however.

Jojoba Oil. This stuff is a great all purpose moisturizer/makeup remover/hair conditioner/massage oil. I read somewhere that you can actually use it to cleanse your face as well. It’s sort of counter-intuitive to clean with oil, but somehow I don’t break out and my skin does feel, well, clean after I use it!

Sweet Orange and Ylang Ylang Essential Oils. I’m not much of a perfume person (although I’m still try to find my signature scent!). In the meantime, I love dabbing a bit of sweet orange or ylang ylang essential oil on. If you aren’t crazy about these scents, check out the essential oil section at your health food store. I promise you will find something you like!

Weleda Skin Food. I love this stuff for face, hands, feet, wherever. It has a really nice faint orange blossom scent that my husband always comments on, which is always a bonus in my book.

Rachel Perry lip gloss. This is another nostalgia item for me. I think it is the only “makeup” item I was allowed to have until junior high. I felt so grown up carrying it around in my Hello Kitty purse. I love the grape juice flavor.

What are your favorite beauty items from the health food store?

P.S. (From Leigh): Jora's blog, Domestic Reflections, inspires me to live more authentically and elegantly. She has so much style and an equal amount of substance, and she balances them perfectly on her blog. Go there!