Photo dump, April 20 -- invisible mama mentor, healthy bebeh, and the men

I got back late last night from my weekend up by in the Gifford Pinchot forest, helping a friend with her (very scarily wired) cabin. It's a bit safer now, yikes. Bad wiring plus live propane lines gives one pause.

So the photos span from Friday through the weekend, through today.

It was a big weekend for a few reasons -- it was the first time I had been gone over-night since the birth, and our dear friend Brianna came down from Washington to be with the new baby and babymama. Briana is an expert at this, having 6 kids of her own, spanning from 14 years on down. I was gone most of the time, but I heard lots of comments about the new, slick holds and swaying positions, and burping positions that Tait and Katye learned while she was here. Brianna, you rock. I'm sorry to tell the blog audience that she remains unphotographed with the bebeh -- a crying shame. We endeavor to do better in the future.

Having been gone for 2 days in a row really showed me how much the Bebeh is changing, and how quickly. Her eyes aren't as dark as they were when I left, looking much more blue and much less darkbluemaybebrownishgrey like they were before.

Her face continues to change as her weight rebounds and her skull reshapes after the squoosh of birth.

And today -- she's been fussy. This is new, she had one brief jag of fussiness early on and then it went away. Generally, as long as she gets fed and held, she's good. But today, when the feeding stopped (by her own prompting), soon after she'd start fussing. We'd try to burp her, sometimes hitting pay dirt, but even then she would cry.

I'll not post the multitudes of lay speculations that Katye and I have been running as to why she's fussy, or what "symptoms" we can see as we try to figure out her signals. I will post when the BBDR gets back to us if there's anything we find out for real.

Honestly, she could just be getting her lungs on and dumping some cortisol.

Right now, the baby is sleeping next to mama and not crying, so all's well.

Now to the pictures:

Here is my Qi Gong training partner and friend Leslie holding the baby on Friday the 17th.



Here is our friend Kate, who has knit some astoundingly cute socks and caps, holding the baby on Saturday the 18th.



What's there not to love about a Bebeh with its tongue out and its beautiful mother (taken today).



Close up of Ms. Vivian for admirers to note the subtle yet persistent changes happening, also taken today.



Tait and I trying to make the experience of putting on a pull-over style onsie less onerous for little Viv (she pretty much hates the whole pull-over maneuver).



Enjoy keeping up to date,

Bp

Week 34!! And the Sugar Terrorists

It's been a busy week in the Maxson-Landis household. This last week marked the beginning of overtime at work so tax season has officially bitten. We also went to the first "what to expect at a home birth" class, given by the rock star BBdr, Dr. Sara. Then yesterday was a BBdr visit.

Whew!

I fully attribute my spunkiness and alertness to the addition iron supplement that I am rubbing on my feet (in paste form-gooey!). So overtime hasn't been that terrible, yet. I am still recovering when I sleep (since I'm sleeping pretty well) but I am going to bed at about 8pm. E-A-R-L-Y!

In other news, the home birth class was a real hoot. We were there with 7 other couples (one we even knew from other circles but didn't know they were coming!). We had an informal chat about what labor looks like (or doesn't as the case maybe), the progression of labor through the stages (the biggest being dilating from 1-10ish centimeters, which is a really BIG hole to think about making) and the final "ok PUSH!" phase (the shortest).

Very enlightening and not too terrifying. Both BP and I feel like all life events leading up to the big day have really been a good precursor for this kind of trial/experience/marathon.

We then watched a video (with terrible new-age music! /shiver) of 7 home births. It's pretty amazing to watch a little dude come out of someone. What's *really* amazing is that the little dude's head looks HUGE while coming out but mere seconds after the total package is popped out the whole thing looks incredibly tiny. Baby's as superhero's with morphing powers straight out of the birth canal, dang!

The BBdr visit was easy-peasy. With the exception of my glucose being a *wee* bit high due to consumption of 5 (a MERE 5!) red vines at work (it's not my fault!), the Sugar Terrorists (ST, tm) came out in full force! Sweet (no pun intended), innocent processed sugar was torn away from me and is currently being held captive by the Sugar Terrorist's (the BBdr and BP) who refuse to allow its free consumption to roam about unmitigated.

Harrumph!

So, Ixnay on the Ugarshay. The gauntlet has been thrown. Sheesh! All hell breaks loose over 5 red vines. Did you know those things are like 3 tablespoons of white sugar each? Here I thought they were just cherry flavored wax! Humbug.

All things considered, a pretty full week.


In other news, I'm taking suggestions for the perfect rocking chair. I don't think it's legal to HAVE a child without a rocking chair, but I'm a little late in the game picking one up or asking for one at the baby shower (2 weeks! Feb 28, come come!) I'm wondering what folks like (wooden, Amish, glider, etc) and where you might find such a gem?

Bring on the rocking chair stories! And the suggestions! Thanks!

Swimmingly,

KT & Tenant

In case anyone's curious why we are using glass baby bottles

Here is a documentary called "The Disappearing Male" by the CBC. I'll post their own write-up below:

The Disappearing Male is a CBC documentary about one of the most important, and least publicized, issues facing the human species: the toxic threat to the male reproductive system. The last few decades have seen steady and dramatic increases in the incidence of boys and young men suffering from genital deformities, low sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular cancer. At the same time, boys are now far more at risk of suffering from ADHD, autism, Tourette's syndrome, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia. The Disappearing Male takes a close and disturbing look at what many doctors and researchers now suspect are responsible for many of these problems: a class of common chemicals that are ubiquitous in our world. Found in everything from shampoo, sunglasses, meat and dairy products, carpet, cosmetics and baby bottles, they are called "hormone mimicking" or "endocrine disrupting" chemicals and they may be starting to damage the most basic building blocks of human development.

Here is an online petition supporting the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act. It will only take a second.


Bp

Month 6 Letter

Dear Tenant,

Today you have cooked "exactly" 6 months, according to the crazy method the medical folks use to determine due dates. It's been an important last 4 weeks in our world. I have been meditating on the idea of Gestation, not just as something you are going through but as a crucial requirement for your Papa and I to actually get our heads around this parenting concept.

It's been kind of a hard month. Papa and I have had lots of unsolicited advice, stories and fearful things poured into our ears (from ourselves or others)lately. I can't imagine that being pregnant or dealing with becoming parents has gotten any harder in the last 37 years since I was born but I don't remember there being such a high degree of people willing / able to try and freak out newly expectant parents with horror stories. Perhaps, since it never applied to me, I just simply didn't pay attention. This is a trait that I can only hope you acquire, even if you use it against Papa and I often.

It's been a month where your Papa has been a little bit under the weather and we have both been looking at the expectations we have placed on ourselves to "provide" for you. I think that everyone goes through this stage and it's hard for me to watch Papa not have the same hormonal deluge I have that keeps on telling me "it's going to be ok...it's all going to work out". Despite the labor horror stories, terrible economy, fear of being on maternity leave and making the bills and large amount of weirdo's in the world, I can only assume that you wouldn't be cooking in there unless everything was going to be provided for your care AS IT'S NEEDED. What I think trips both Papa and I up is that we are trying to be responsible and PLAN, but most things come when they are needed and not a moment before. Hence the need for more gestation, for both you and us.

The reason for so much more attention in the pregnancy realm had to have come from your excellent construction skills and the fine addition you have been adding on to the existing apartment. I bet it's getting a bit snug in there and a good amount of expansion was in order. From the increase in kicking I can only assume you are a) exploring the boundaries of every enclosing quarters, b) trying to send me a message in morse code or c) preparing for tryouts for a European soccer team.

Either way, keep on kicking there toots! About 2 weeks ago, your Papa and I were laying in bed reading and you were kicking up a storm and I had him feel the belly. His eyes got all big and wide when you gave him (what I can only expect was) a good shot to the palm. It was seriously cute. It was the first time he had felt you moving around. I expect this to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, at least until the teen years hit.

Just to make our lives that much more complicated, me, uncle T. and Papa went to the pound and got a couple of little kitties to run amok in our world. They have been good training for me since one got instantly sick has had to be medicated 3 times a day and did a good deal of barfing on me in the early, snot filled stages. I looked at this as an opportunity to get prepared for small, hot mammals to expel different fluids on me. So far, I am un phased. I am sure you will be able to gross me out at some point and I am kind of looking forward to the challenge.

Over all, the month has gone faster than I expected and I am sure the time will continue to fly as the holiday's pass and the tax season begins. I told your Papa this morning I was writing the 6 month newsletter and we both had a moment of silence for the impending craziness that will ensue. I continue to be so grateful that you have a wild and crazy community of people to come out and join...all of whom are as excited to meet you and be in relationship with you as your Papa and I are. They are a continued solace during the times when it all seems like it's moving too fast. Thankfully, we both know that there is still a bit more cooking time ahead for you...and gestational time for both of us to be able to work through the wispy spiderwebs that cloud our brains. Not to worry, we'll get it figured out before you move out...or we won't but either way it's going to fun for all of us to be able to figure it out together.

Love,
Mama

Baby Sign language

Was doing a bit of research on Baby sign language classes yesterday and hit paydirt! This looks amazing! (We're super busy at work, can you tell?)

Portland Early Learning Center is one of many that offer classes in baby / toddler sign language. There are quite a few studies that indicate babies can understand what you are saying to them FAR earlier than they can articulate back to you. The development of the vocal cords and higher brain function that makes active language possible is a bit behind the passive understanding.

So! In order to facilitate kiddo being able to tell you what he/she wants or needs earlier than speaking, you teach 'em simple sign language! Genius! It's amazing how early you can start in with infant sign language that sets a good foundation for toddler comprehension.

We had a 2 yr. old in the office a month or so ago with his parents who were waiting to meet with a partner and the tyke starts to get a bit fussy. As I was walking downstairs the Mama asks kiddo "what do you want? Water? Outside? Snack?" and is doing signs for each of the items. ASTONISHINGLY, this little kid signs for snack and she hands over a bag of Cheerio's...end of tantrum. BANG! Just like that.

I was sold. Check out the link and if you are in Portland and want to join BP and I this time next year in class, let me know. I'll probably do some posting of a few of the simple signs so that others can learn them too...when the time comes. You can see a simple glossary of words at the Babies and Sign Language site.

FUN FUN!

Swimmingly,

KT and Tenant

Co-Sleeping

Rebecca over at Girl's Gone Child wrote a very interesting article on co-sleeping and why they didn't do it with their first and why they do with their second.

The Good Reverend's Family (our Rorschach test for parenting) are big co-sleepers. We've watched the family grown from 1 baby in the bed to 6 kids in the house in multiple beds on any given night. It has been awesome to see how organically the kids come to a point where they don't want to sleep in the "big bed" any longer.

All of these kids are extremely well adjusted, articulate, smart, creative. None exhibit signs of the horror stories I have heard with kids whining about not being able to sleep with their parents when they are 8 years old or kids who have separation anxiety in spades.

Overall, my impression of co-sleeping is favorable and, frankly, something I am looking forward to.

And yet, it's another thing to have discussions with the Husband about and to come to a joint decision about when (or what age) might be appropriate to have the Tenant sleeping sans Parental units.

I must admit, I am glad there are these "Mommy blogs" out there for us up and coming parents because I am not sure where I would be asked to think about or take part in discussions about robust parenting issues issues I have never even thought of (like working mom guilt, post childbirth sex, co-sleeping and diaper preferences). Unless you have scads of folks in your community you are accessible to that have kids, these are questions that don't get asked or answered without some digging. Not everyone is comfortable discussing myriad issues like these either.

I know co-sleeping used to be more common and is making a comeback (at least here on the Left Coast). It's seems reasonable to consider it at least for the breastfeeding portion of this marathon event. We'll see if the Tenant is into it or if their Aries tendencies demand a wing of the house be built specifically to house them.

Swimmingly,

KT and Tenant