ePregnancy.com

Mom Tip/Tool - FREE - Photo Manipulation Site

Mommy Milestones — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:01:00 GMT

As a mom I am constantly taking photos, copying them to my computer and never looking at them again. It is not that I don’t want to share my photos but I am Photoshop illiterate not to mention that some of my photos are not as great as I thought they were when I took them. Some of them are dark, the colors are off, there is too much background, the kids or dogs have red eye, etc. and the last thing that I want to do is send a photo of the devil dog with red eyes to my family and friends.

Resizing my photos has also been an issue for me. I don’t know how to get them to fit into an email, onto my blogs or small enough to send as attachments to friends and family through my email server without the help of Photoshop.

Not anymore, I was recently introduced to the web site www.picnik.com. I now have the confidence to manipulate my photos and share them, plus, it is easy and free.

I know that moms like me don’t have a lot of time to deal with photo manipulation, may not have Photoshop, and need to be able to fix and save their photo as quickly and easily as possible.

With that in mind, I am happy to share my Cool Mom Find with all of the other busy, technology adverse moms like me.

So, what is Picnik? Picnik is a photo manipulation site that eliminates the need for Photoshop. Being a photo manipulation novice, I did not know where to start and with the help of Picnik I can walk through all of the steps from uploading my photos to saving and sending them in a matter of minutes. I can resize them to fit any format with the click of my mouse and I can save them anywhere -my computer, facebook, myspace, Flickr, Picasa and more.

Here is what they have to say on their home page:

* Fix your photos in just one click

* Use advanced controls to fine-tune your results

* Crop, resize, and rotate in real-time

* Tons of special effects, from artsy to fun

* Astoundingly fast, right in your browser

* Awesome fonts and top-quality type tool

* Basketfuls of shapes from hand-picked designers

* Works on Mac, Windows, and Linux

* No download required, nothing to install

The site has become a staple in my photo world and I wanted to share it with other moms who love taking photos, need a little help with photo manipuliation, but love to share them with friends and family.

Here are some before and after shots that took me literally 5 minutes or less to create.

Before Manipulation After Picnik

(all photos were resized to 250 x 190 - Picnik)

My photos are by no means professional quality but now I can at least send them without total embarrassment! I hope that this site helps you as it did me. Good luck with your photos and have some fun!

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

AGH! Airborne Assault at the Airshow!

MicroCosmicMama — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:31:00 GMT

Nothing, but nothing, can get this mama running out of a public place faster than the sight of someone who is cuhhhhh-lear-ly sick, nonchalantly gracing us all with nasal droplets of disgustingness. Hypochondriac? Call me that if you'd like, but I call it common sense.

The air show -- in all of its military muscle-flexing grandiosity, albeit -- was actually quite amazing, and I was so proud of my big boy for his ability to stomach the abject fear of being obliterated by a stealth aircraft gone awry by simply clutching on to Daddy and kicking his legs while the craft in question was directly overhead, only to release the death grip immediately thereafter just in time to get a good clap in. Wait. Maybe that was me ...

Then I spotted him: drenched in a sick sweat, on who appeared to be his grandma's lap, covered from head to toe in red spots. Chicken pox? Nope. I know chicken pox, and might have even gone over there to introduce he and Kai for a little impromptu pox party in the park, but these were no chicken pox. These were measles!

Just that morning, I had heard a piece on NPR regarding an outbreak in the Midwest, and so my awareness was heightened ... even more so than normal.

Something you know about me if you saw my first few posts: I am a non-vaccinating mama, for now, at least. And before you go tsk-tsking me, talking about how I wouldn't have had to worry should I have chosen to get Kai injected with this pathogen "on schedule," why don't you go ahead and read my next post.

I did my best to alert Gage surreptitiously, but it always seems the slicker I am trying to be, the less likely he is to understand that I am actually trying to communicate to him in a clandestine fashion. I finally mustered the ability to convey my dire desire to get out of Dodge, and we did ... boy, did we. We sure did lap that park in all of its vast entirety, only to find ourselves directly downwind from the would-be bubble boy, at which point I conceded to fate. "Would-be" if he were mine, that is -- it's simply not fair to the rest of the world or to your kid to parade around in public like that ... quarantine that kid, please!

Measles or Mystery Rash

Mommy Milestones — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:29:00 GMT

AJ broke out in a horrible rash over his face and neck. At first I thought that it was a heat rash but then began to wonder if it might be something more serious.

I noticed that AJ had tiny red bumps on his face and neck while we were outside playing. He was hot and sweaty and it looked like the rash that he had gotten in Florida from the heat, sunscreen, and salt water. My neighbor had been outside with us and asked if the rash might be measles. I was sure that it was just a heat rash and I took him inside to cool off and wash up.

Then, as we began to wash his body I noticed that he had small bumps on his arms and legs. They looked different because they were not red but more like tiny pimples. He didn’t seem to be bothered by the bumps but his neck seemed itchy.

I ran to my computer and quickly began to search for the symptoms of measles. He was acting normal, did not have a fever and was eating so his symptoms did not match those described on the website. I was a little relieved but still not sure what to do for AJ and his slightly itchy bumps.

I decided to call his doctor rather than risk misdiagnosing his problem. The nurse was very little help and said that he needed to be seen. The only problem was that they were booked and I would have to take him to urgent care.

I reluctantly took him to urgent care for a diagnosis. The doctor checked him out and determined that eczema was the culprit and prescribed a strong hydrocortisone to put all over his body.

I was relieved that it was not measles and yet was confused as to how a drastic case of eczema could come on over night. Again, I resorted to the internet for answers and found that a change in laundry detergent could cause the outbreak of a rash.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

A bell went off in my head and I remembered that I had just washed 2 loads of laundry in our old detergent because I had run out of our eco friendly, chemical and dye free laundry detergent.

AJ slept in his nice clean sheets and pajamas 1 night before he was covered in a red itchy rash. I quickly threw out the detergent, ran to the store and bought my old faithful eco friendly, chemical and dye free laundry detergent, gathered up all of the laundry that I had just washed and re-washed everything.

I will never again wash anything in our house in a chemical laden detergent. I do not want to spend another day in urgent care only to find out that because of being lazy and using my old detergent rather than going to the store I had caused the problem.

I have since changed out all of my cleaning supplies with organic, green, eco friendly products. Based on the severe reaction that AJ had it can’t hurt, besides, I am willing to do anything to avoid that situation again.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Cheating (a little) on Dylan's school questionaire

Oh Mama! — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:53:00 GMT

Dylan starts school next week, but I have homework.

My assignment: To share Dylan's "general behavioral characteristics" so his teacher will better understand what makes him tick, and in some cases, explode.

I'm not sure if I should be brutally honest or consider this an exercise in creative writing.

The first one is easy-- Is your child very active, moderately active or inactive? I added some exclamation points after "very active" and was left wondering if there is such a thing as an inactive 5-year old.

Question 2: What circumstances commonly cause conflict between parent and child? What is hilarious about this is that they give me two lines to write a response. I mean, he's 5 for goodness sakes! I could fill the front and back with a 24-hour period -- beginning with addressing why ice cream is not appropriate for breakfast. We progress to putting on clothes, and if he has slept in his shirt from the day before (it happens a lot) sometimes he wants to wear it AGAIN particularly if it has gigantic stains on it from the day before. Don't even get me started on brushing teeth, which might as well be like pulling them. All of this before 8:00 a.m.! Let the fun begin!

I figure they don't want this level of detail, so I give a safe, far-reaching answer of, "When he doesn't get his way, or if he is asked to do something he doesn't want to do!" Yeah, that pretty much covers the bases. But perhaps that makes him sound really bratty, which he isn't. How honest do they want me to be anyway? I've already put down my registration fee, can they kick me out now?

Question 3: How is conflict handled? My safe answer-- I actually give myself some credit for using "creative cajoling" which I figure the teacher will appreciate. I also drop terms like "positive reinforcment" and "redirection." I do attempt these at times in my daily life. The answer that does not make the cut is that I consider locking MYSELF in permanent timeout with my computer, a good bottle of zinfandel (that would be of the red, NOT white variety), cheese, crackers and some chocolate. There are also times I dream of simply being in a quiet car, or one with music of my choice, and just taking a nice long drive. Final destination--nowhere. Not swimming lessons, not a play date, not a birthday party... just let me go MIA for a few hours. Needless to say, I self-edited that one, too.

Question 4: How do you feel about your child coming to school? This one is easy. I truly am thrilled for Dylan to be back in school, he's a curious little guy who loves learning. However, I didn't add HOW MANY HOURS UNTIL THIS STARTS???

It's in the Stars

MicroCosmicMama — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:33:00 GMT

Sometimes, I have to gauge the audience to determine whether (or not at all) the sitch might make for an appropriate one to come forth with my seemingly contradictory -- albeit totally based on love and goodness -- ideologies, but this is my blog, and I will cosmicize if I want to! (I am, afterall, The MicroCosmic Mama!)

I say: Evolutionism v. Creationism? Why not both?

Astrology v. ... God?

For the believers among us (yours truly included), God clearly made stars, and if the moon can have a major effect on something as vast as an ocean, then who are we to surmise that planets and stars have absolutely no effect on us? They don't call 'em lunatics without reason, you know.

I am a believer of cosmic circumstance.

I maintain that an individual's natal chart has the power to serve as a veritable roadmap for an individual's soul, and that God intended the stars to serve as such. I do, however, believe that He is not hip to our attempt use the stars to divinate about the future -- that's His call.

If either of these beliefs tick you off, then either stop reading or provide a valid counterpoint. Both are more than welcome by me.

But if you are intrigued, you should totally check out www.astro.com, create an account, and just go to town doing people's natal charts ... the only kicker is that you have to know the person's minute of birth, barring you from attempting to chart up, say, your butcher or Barack Obama, but for those near and dear, from whom you could procure such information, the insights are ... breathtaking, and cuhhhhh-LEARLY not false attributions based on blanket concepts that could apply to virtually anyone.

Know your time of birth? Do your own chart ... you'll likely be both enthralled and horrified all at the same time, because it's not all pretty. After all, none of us are all rainbows and butterflies within, right?

I know it's long, but here's what my chart looks like. Yikes. I know it's long (and, no, I will not caveat with that on a postly basis), but I'm including it to show you just how much information can be gleaned.

Also, I have included the "houses" and the precise calculations (bottom) -- just look at the precisitude with which these numbers are generated. It's a science that's been studied for thousands of years. (And regardless of whether speaking astrologicallly or astronomically, don't you just marvel at the way people so long ago were able to accurately decipher planetary placements? I mean, how?

Lastly, remember that each house is independent from the others, and that the further down you get, the less of an influence that house has on your persona.

Sun in Taurus, Moon in Virgo

You were born with the Sun in Taurus and the Moon in Virgo. This combination makes you a pragmatic, positive, down-to-earth person. The influence of Taurus gives fixity of purpose, self-reliance, strong determination, and will. Once you decide upon a goal, you pursue it with tremendous determination. You are firm, even obstinate, and yet patient. This combination is very advantageous for acquiring wealth. Although you are warm-hearted and kind, at times you tend to give practical matters priority over love. Your keen memory and intellectual abilities are in keeping with your desires to possess and retain. You are viewed as a person who is a trustworthy and efficient employee. You disguise your ambition, for you feel that showing it overtly would hinder your possible success. The key to a better integration of yourself is to channel your attention into interests out of the practical realm, so that you become more varied and relaxed as an individual.

Ascendant in Aries, Mars in the Fifth House

At the time of your birth the zodiacal sign of Aries was ascending in the horizon. Its ruler Mars is located in the fifth house. Aries is the first sign of the zodiacal belt and its natives seem also desirous of being "first" in all activities with which they happen to be involved. The cardinality of the sign makes you extremely active and capable of displaying ambition, impulsiveness, courage, and boldness in order to satisfy your desire for prominence in the world. The general course of your life will be filled with many 'ups' and 'downs' and changes conforming very much with the psychological nature of your temperament. Whether you triumph or not in life depends on your ability to develop your most positive inborn qualities and, simultaneously, exert some control over your less favorable characteristics, such as a lack of prudence, and a certain disregard for the feelings and opinions of others. Aries gives a tendency for its natives to be inclined to politics and public work. You should be successful (or at least attempt to be so) in any work or activity that necessitates pioneering ideas and/or a militant disposition. You also appear to have an ardent attitude in any project that somehow or another involves new concepts or original work and in which you are given a position of leadership. One of your problems is that in your love for achievement in novel projects you tend to destroy old concepts and former contributions which would, perhaps, have been useful for your endeavors. Impulsive, critical, despising mean or dubious acts, you will create many excellent friendships but also important enemies. Your life is rich in passion and ardent love. In sexual matters you are quick, aggressive, and to the point. You also are a lover of pleasures, which you feel with a bright, open, and sparkling character. Mars, the ruler of your life events, is found located in the fifth house. This combined astrological position denotes a person whose fate will be much influenced by impulsiveness and persistence and also by a bold enterprising and a progressive spirit. Mars' position in the fifth house denotes love of pleasure and a rich emotional life.

Sun in the First House The Sun is in the first house.

You are by nature energetic, proud and self-assertive. You project yourself enthusiastically and energetically into all situations. Your naturally outgoing disposition and personable manner usually make a good impression on people. Your heightened self-perception puts you in touch with a strong sense of will, and you can manipulate your will to suit your aims and desires in life. This position of the Sun gives the capacity for leadership, for you tend to attract people and to have a strong influence on them when they are with you. You do not like to depend on others, but you hold on to your friends, for they are usually pleased to help you when you need it. You are willing to help close friends who are deserving, but only if you know that your efforts will be appreciated. You often prefer to work alone. However, this is not your only choice, for you adapt well to working with people as long as you are free to express yourself. With a first-house Sun, there is a tendency to overestimate your own worth, but through repeated contacts with others you will inevitably come to a more realistic appraisal of your abilities and potential.

Venus in the Second House Venus is found in the second house at the time of your birth. Intrinsically, this is an ideal astrological position as it promises easy means of livelihood. Money will stream in regularly and readily without excessive effort or preoccupation.

Moon in the Fifth House The Moon was found in the fifth house at the time of your birth. This indicates that you will participate actively in business speculations with many changes occurring in this respect. You were born with a knack for dealing with people and with the ability to communicate with them, particularly in connection with business enterprises. Your emotional nature is very much geared to your love of pleasure, and you possess a very curious aptitude which may bring you financial gains as well as pleasures in business. In spite of the positive qualities you have, the fact of the matter is that in love you are very changeable, unstable, or too preoccupied with trivialities. Your love feelings are very well developed and lead to strong drives for sensations and passionate tendencies which unfortunately are not directed to one object alone. It is possible that throughout life you may be connected with small and numerous business investments with a fairly good return.

Saturn in the Sixth House Saturn was found in your sixth house at the time of birth. This is a very faithful position. It indicates that your destiny will be fulfilled by overcoming obstacles in achieving success in your work. In general, your work orientation and general health may be difficult at times, but you have enough willpower and stamina to make the best of them. Even if you find problems in working and you may also be distressed by your relationships with subordinates or fellow employees, you can prove your reliability by doing your duty and taking responsibility for the general work process. Most of the more unfortunate circumstances should be regarded as tests of your character and viewed in this manner, you may obtain much enrichment in your psychic life from this knowledge and experience of pain.

Pluto Opposition Ascendant Pluto opposition the Ascendant shows that you attract people with powerful egos and strong temperaments. You have a strong desire for close, intimate contact with many of the people you associate with. You make extensive demands of the people you deal with, but you resent it when similar demands are made of you. Such problems can ruin otherwise fascinating relationships. Your talents lie in your ability to direct people, so public relations is a field you should apply yourself to. You generally get what you want when you want it, and you do not tolerate refusal of your demands. If you are motivated to change people's attitudes about their social obligations, you can accomplish miracles.

Astrological Data used for Short Report - Personal Portrait

for Ali (female)

born on 24 April 1980	local time	5:06 am
in Kansas City, MO (US)	U.T.	11:06
94w35, 39n06	sid. time	18:58:11

Planetary positions

planet	sign	degree		motion
Sun	Taurus	4°25'01	in house 1	direct
Moon	Virgo	0°26'47	in house 5	direct
Mercury	Aries	15°23'55	in house 12	direct
Venus	Gemini	18°37'20	in house 2	direct
Mars	Leo	27°43'27	in house 5	direct
Jupiter	Virgo	0°14'48	in house 5	stationary (D)
Saturn	Virgo	20°51'13	in house 6	retrograde
Uranus	Scorpio	24°21'53	in house 7	retrograde
Neptune	Sagittarius	22°25'34	in house 9	retrograde
Pluto	Libra	19°59'59	in house 6	retrograde
True Node	Leo	27°00'18	in house 5	retrograde

House positions (Placidus)

Ascendant	Aries	23°58'34
2nd House	Taurus	28°06'13
3rd House	Gemini	22°02'51
Imum Coeli	Cancer	13°23'31
5th House	Leo	6°52'34
6th House	Virgo	8°16'11
Descendant	Libra	23°58'34
8th House	Scorpio	28°06'13
9th House	Sagittarius	22°02'51
Medium Coeli	Capricorn	13°23'31
11th House	Aquarius	6°52'34
12th House	Pisces	8°16'11

Major aspects

Sun	Trine	Moon	3°58
Sun	Trine	Mars	6°42
Sun	Trine	Jupiter	4°10
Moon	Conjunction	Mars	2°43
Moon	Conjunction	Jupiter	0°12
Moon	Square	Uranus	6°05
Moon	Trine	Ascendant	6°28
Mercury	Sextile	Venus	3°13
Mercury	Opposition	Pluto	4°36
Venus	Square	Saturn	2°14
Venus	Opposition	Neptune	3°48
Venus	Trine	Pluto	1°23
Venus	Sextile	Ascendant	5°21
Mars	Conjunction	Jupiter	2°31
Mars	Square	Uranus	3°22
Mars	Trine	Neptune	5°18
Mars	Trine	Ascendant	3°45
Jupiter	Square	Uranus	5°53
Saturn	Sextile	Uranus	3°31
Saturn	Square	Neptune	1°34
Uranus	Quincunx	Ascendant	0°23
Neptune	Sextile	Pluto	2°26
Neptune	Trine	Ascendant	1°33
Pluto	Opposition	Ascendant	3°59
Numbers indicate orb (deviation from the exact aspect angle).

Why Entertainment Tonight is Not Entertaining

Pregnant Pause — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:47:00 GMT

Part of my nightly ritual involves watching Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Extra! and every other inane, equally salacious excuse for half-an-hour well spent ever to hit a major network.

It’s true – in my capacity as a contributor to US Weekly Magazine’s "Fashion Police" column, it’s my job... nay, my duty... to report and comment upon the abhorrent apostasy that is the fallen state of art in America.

Or rather, that’s the lie I tell myself when I’m facing down the 3212^th picture this year of an Olsen Twin dressed like an ass.

But in order to come up with snarky one-liners on-point enough to prove that I actually follow what’s happening in Hollywood, I do need to know which Nicole lost her baby weight the fastest (Kidman), which Jonas Brother is the cutest (Joe), and how much crank Amy Winehouse can mainline without killing herself (infinite, as of 10:49 PM Eastern Standard Time on August 26, 2008).

At this point, these shows are practically parodies of themselves. The funhouse graphics, the oblivious redundancy, the endless assault of three-second blurbs and clips under the guise of "breaking news"... why, it’s enough to make a girl want to start reading The Economist. And the smarmy slop they pass off as newsworthy... I swear, the amount of airtime they’ve devoted to Marie Osmond and Barry Manilow this year alone has me thinking someone’s great-grandma is in charge of programming. So unless you’re sincerely interested in re-watching last night’s Dancing With the Stars in real time or guessing which actor turning 87 today once appeared alongside Conway Twitty on The Lawrence Welk Show in the Crest Whitestrips Birthday Challenge, do yourself a favor and spend the night drinking borax instead.

The ET-ification of TV in general has left me so soured of "news" that I have slowly forsaken it all – the bloodlusting local feeds, the bombast and sanctimony of the networks, the ticker-mad cable news shows, even that pretentious but generally reliable old standby PBS – in favor of quieter online purveyors instead. While I would like to say that I seek out a balanced and fair reportage of all current and cultural goings-on via an assortment of reputable outlets, I don’t. All I can stomach is pure satire at this point.

And so, I glean most of my knowledge of world events from What Would Tyler Durden Do? I have sunk so low that I knew about the demise of Sienna Miller’s latest extramarital fling before I knew who Obama picked as his running mate.

Yes, I should be ashamed of myself, but for some reason, I’m not. I’m too busy munching on the hand that feeds me. (Good thing Mary Hart keeps her nails short.)

Labor Research

Asteria — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:48:00 GMT

My mother sent me a fascinating article from the American Academy of Physician called "Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery." Only the abstract is online but if you happen to be near a library that carries it, it's an interesting read. I was particularly surprised to hear epidurals slow labor down (338). From the anecdotal stories I've heard, I had received the impression that epidurals sped up the process of labor, not slowed it down. I suppose this is yet another reason it's important to make decisions based on research rather than assumptions :)

New Favorite Thing – Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Mommy Milestones — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:49:00 GMT

Our neighborhood block party brings out some great food and I look forward to it every year. Each family brings something to share and this year the favorite was the Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake.

Boo was the first one to eye the cake. It was on the outside edge of the table, right at eye level and he saw the chocolate chips sprinkled on top. His eyes got big, he began to reach for the cake and chant "chocate".

I have to admit, if you are a chocolate fan like I am the cake looks inviting, it is a chocolate cake with chocolate chips throughout and sprinkled on top – a chocolate lovers dream.

After a little convincing, Boo ate some real food before heading for the chocolate decadence. The cake was so moist that he wore as much as he ate and he was in heaven.

AJ, seeing his brother with chocolate cake, stopped playing to check it out. AJ, being vegetable adverse, believes that they are the worst thing on the planet. It has been a struggle for the past year but he has been getting better with vegetable that are not green. I did not tell AJ that the cake was made with a green vegetable becasue he thinks that green means gross.

He ate his dinner in anticipation of the delicious looking cake. Then he took a piece, ate it all and asked for seconds. He had no idea that there was zucchini in the cake and honestly neither did I when I first tasted it. It was wonderful, moist and did not have any zucchini taste or visible pieces. I am sure that you could find some if you took the time to stop eating and look for them but who is going to stop eating when the cake is so good?

After watching my kids devour the cake I asked for the recipe. The cake was made without any frosting and was full of nutritious zucchini, a double win for a mom with a picky kid who likes frosting more than cake.

From now on I will be making a homemade cake for holidays and special occasions. I am not sure where my neighbor Debbie got the recipe but here it is for you to enjoy.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cup grated zucchini
6 oz chocolate chips – or more ; )

Combine flour, cocoa, soda, and salt. Cream butter and sugar; beat in oil, eggs and vanilla. Add the milk while alternating with dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Fold in half of the chocolate chips.

Pour into greased 9x13 baking pan and sprinkle remaining chips over top.

Bake at 325 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes.

Imperfect timing: When to start Kindergarten?

Oh Mama! — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:02:00 GMT

In sports lingo, “redshirting” is holding college athletes out of competition for a year (usually their freshman year) to extend their eligibility.

In mom-speak, “redshirting” is all about the choice to send, or not send a child to kindergarten.

I’ve elected to “redshirt” Dylan, at least for now.

He turned five 3 weeks ago, and while he is eligible to go to Kindergarten – children must be 5 by Sept. 1 in Texas— he would be one of the youngest in his class. Granted, someone has to be the youngest, but do you really want it to be your child? Part of me says that's just the way his birthday worked out, yet I can see that Dylan does act younger than some of his would-be classmates. Plus, his fine motor skills aren't as advanced as others. So, for now, I’ve decided not to simply “hold him back” but I’m giving him “the gift of time” – I wonder what marketing genius came up with that one?

So while many of his friends started kindergarten today, next week, Dylan will go to “junior kindergarten.” This class is specially geared for children with summer birthdays who aren’t yet ready to enter full-day kindergarten (about 2 hours less time spent in the classroom per day). At the end of this school year, he could go to kindergarten, or, if we decide he’s ready, jump straight to first grade.

So I’ve bought myself a year… for now.

This decision is the one I’ve questioned more than any in my parenting career. Do I send him down a slippery slope of social development if he’s intellectually ready but socially not as mature? Or do I risk that he’ll be bored out of his ever-developing skull in kindergarten NEXT year since he can read words like “lifeguard” and knows all of his states and capitals?

As I investigated, I started asking directors of these pre-kindergarten programs when parents elected to hold kids back. I was FLOORED to learn that some parents who have children born as early in the year as February or March elect to hold them out of school. The other thing I quickly learned is that boys are held back more often than girls, especially because they can be slower to mature.

I would be naïve to think that in football-crazy Texas, athletic considerations don’t play any part in the decision of to enroll or not to enroll, and some parents have flat out told me so much, which floors me again.

It would help if there a national guideline. If we were still living in Missouri, Dylan would NOT go to Kindergarten – the cutoff is August 1. If we eventually move to, say, California, Dylan will be old man of the class as the cutoff there is December 2. So I’m left to make these decisions and hope they are the best ones. Get back to me when he’s 18, and perhaps I can tell you if it was the right one…

Bra Buying Nightmare and Post Breastfeeding Boobs

Mommy Milestones — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:12:00 GMT

Over the past 5 years I have been in and out of various bra sizes, types and styles. I went to the mall determined to find the right bra, not an easy or fun task at this point.

During pregnancy I went up 2 cups sizes, moved into the breastfeeding bra, and then back to my regular bra. Now 2 kids and 2 rounds of breastfeeding later my bras have had enough and no longer choose to do their job.

(Not me but a nice breastfeeding bra.)

I blamed the bras at first and went to a bra fitter to determine why my comfortable old favorites were no longer doing the trick of holding up my girls. Much to my dismay it was my boobs that took a big hit after breastfeeding.

It seems that my bra was not to blame and Mother Nature had played a cruel trick on me. My perky C cup had regressed to a not so perky B cup and to add insult to injury I am lopsided.

(Obviously not me - she is still perky and not lopsided! Or it is the bra??)

I stood in the dressing room while she found the right bra for "my situation" and began to curse Mother Nature. I had gone through 2 pregnancies and provided milk for my boys who are now incredibly healthy and strong. I did my job and am somehow still being punished with lopsided, not so perky, smaller boobs.

I was a bit miffed at the entire bra situation and decided to call my friends to commiserate. The first friend that I called said that she went up a cup size after breastfeeding and that even though they are not as perky they are visibly bigger.

That did not help and I was getting mad! I called one more friend and she was my saving grace. She too went down a cup size and mentioned being less than perky. She does not have my lopsided issue but at least we can complain together and curse our big breasted friend!

I did give in to the bra fitter and bought the right bra for "my situation". Unfortunately my situation requires a pricey bra with an insert. It does appear to have solved my bra fitting issue; it only took a few hundred dollars, a hit to my ego and a call to a friend to get through the post breastfeeding boob blues.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.

First Article of Clothing

Asteria — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:46:00 GMT

Our baby received its first article of clothing yesterday. My mother sent a "Don't Ask, Don't Smell" onesie along with a board book. Hm, I wonder if I should start thinking of storage for baby stuff. I'm only 9 weeks pregnant so it seems a little premature to be worrying about this stuff but maybe it isn't . . .

The Olympics: Love them

My Daughter's Father — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:26:00 GMT

I absolutely love the Olympics. There's nothing like watching the world's greatest athletes pushing themselves to perform better than anyone ever has, and possibly ever will.

I could chalk it up to being an intense sports fanatic and competitive soul, but it's more than that. The Olympics transcend sport and geography and time. These events make children of even the fiercest competitors, men and women who have been at it for most of their lives yet crumble and weep in their finest moments — usually taking us with them.

It's a little embarrassing to admit this, but of all the amazing Olympic feats, wins, and records I've witnessed, there's one that will always be special to me.

Well, there's two, though the amazing grit shown by the diminutive yet determined Kerry Strug obviously stands out to anyone swayed by the undeniable will of humanity.

Now, you must consider I had become the father of a baby girl only a year before the 2002 Winter games and my already bleeding heart turned to absolute mush anytime something sweet and adorable and remotely girly would occur. After Maddie came into my life, I began to relate everything to her, how I felt about her, what I wanted for her, how I wanted to raise her. And I'm sure my acutely emotional response to this stunning performance was in great part a soul-wrenching desire to help Maddie have that kind of moment for herself.

And, the games were less than six months after the attacks that left most of us seeking anything remotely beautiful in our fellow man.

I watched the women's figure skating competition — yes, I try to catch nearly everything Olympic — when 16-year-old Sarah Hughes took the ice in fourth place, clearly figuring to be out of the picture against veteran Michelle Kwan and Russian star Irina Slutskaya.

And that made all the difference.

I, too, didn't expect much from Hughes; the announcers had made her medal-less finish seem fait accompli. But it wasn't long into her routine that I knew I was witnessing something spectacular.

Sarah Hughes skated that night with a stunning beauty possible only in the rarest of moments by those who love their art, live for their moment, and perform with a youthful naiveté unencumbered by pressure and expectation.

"I skated for pure enjoyment," Hughes said later. "That's how I wanted my Olympic moment to be."

As she spun and leapt and danced her lithe frame across the ice, her serenity and grace belied her age — she could have been no more of a woman.

Tears dropped from my cheeks as I became overwhelmed by her singular performance. And as Hughes finished and the Salt Lake City crowd roared in approval for the perfection we all knew we had just seen, I wept like a little girl.

Peanuts

Asteria — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:42:00 GMT

I love peanut butter. Adam's Peanut Butter bought in Costco-sized jars permeated my life growing up. Our morning breakfasts almost always included peanut butter in some form. We often ate fruit toast* but sometimes we'd just have waffles with lots of peanut butter and syrup on top. During the Christmas season, my mother would always make "Christmas Candy" which inevitably included peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate.

Several years ago, when I started researching pregnancy, I was appalled to discover that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended atopic women avoid peanuts while pregnant and breastfeeding. The theory was that the baby could develop an allergy to peanuts from this early exposure. I'm atopic and my brother-in-law is allergic to peanuts. I glumly decided that for the happiness of my child later in life, I would have to abstain from consuming peanuts for several years.

However, just a couple months before I actually became pregnant, the American Academy of Pediatrics reversed their stance on peanuts! According to them, "At the present time, there is lack of evidence that maternal dietary restrictions during pregnancy play a significant role in the prevention of atopic disease in infants" (source). I'm excited and very relieved. This past week toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are one of the few lunch items I don't have any aversion to eating. I can't imagine what I would be eating if I had to avoid peanuts. Maybe almond butter and jelly sandwhiches? It just doesn't sound right.

Neither my husband nor I have food allergies but both of our immediate families do. When it comes to food tolerances, I'm really hoping our children take after us rather than our family.

* Fruit toast is toasted whole wheat bread slathered with peanut butter and topped with some sort of fruit sauce, often applesauce.

And This is What Happens When You Eat 10 Pastries for Breakfast...

Pregnant Pause — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:56:00 GMT

Is it just me or is the whole weigh-in thing for pregnant women a little bit archaic? It feels to me vaguely like being bled by leeches or having one’s feet bound... a bad idea in both theory and practice. I mean, come on – is it really necessary to know exactly how many pounds a mom-to-be is putting on in order to know whether she’s healthy or not?

So I had my 33-week check-up yesterday and it was loads of fun. Not only did I have no choice but to bring Asher with me – nary a sitter was to be found – but we waited there for almost three hours before I got to see the doctor. (Hey, it’s par for the course up here in Canada, but at least we get free universal health coverage and a full paid year of maternity leave, so quit your snickering!)

Fortunately, Asher was a very good boy; I bribed him with chips, chocolate and a suitcase full of fun stuff. I, on the other hand, didn’t have a very good time at all.

After my big ol’ blowout Bellagio buffet binge last week, I knew getting on the scale was going to be brutal, and it was. I won’t reveal a number – I’m far too ladylike to post my weight online, no matter how indiscreet I may be about holding my water – but suffice it to say that I have my own gravitational pull at this point.

In the end, I can only conclude one thing:

That

plus:

equals:

Homeland security (blankets)

Oh Mama! — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:41:00 GMT

Well, we are closing in on the first day of junior kindgergarten and we've hit a progress point that is a VERY big deal.

I think on the first day of school, Dylan will leave his two favorite companions in the car.

That would NOT be Mom and Dad, but his beloved hooded towels "Froggie" (who used to have a Frog attached to it) and "Blankie."

He has carried them everywhere a la Linus for the last four years, but we've progressed! Now we say "goodbye" after showering them with hugs and kisses before leaving the car. He will only leave them if I can PROMISE they will be in his booster seat upon his return.

In Dylan's short life, Froggie and Blankie have gone everywhere, logged thousands of airline miles and even shown up in our Christmas family pic. They are the ONLY ones I have since I got them as a shower gift with no idea of the importance they would eventually hold, or else I would have bought 20 of them. They do get washed, but look old, filthy and are full of holes. (Dylan can put his head through Froggie!) At a hotel, I have to hide them in fear a maid will throw them away or think they are rags.

We've had plenty of close calls -- once he left them at a friend's house who showed up on my doorstep at 10 p.m. knowing how vital they were. Another time, I was taking Dylan to my folks in MO for five days. While packing that night, I could not find them. I knew I had taken Dylan running in the jogging stroller that day, so I wandered 3 miles with a flashlight looking for them. No luck. Thankfully around midnight, I realized he "helped" me and buried them in the suitcase.

But the worst experience was a normal day. We grabbed lunch, hit Target and then a hunting store. The hunting store is atypical, but I was running a 15K the next day and the temps were expected in the 20s, and I wanted some hand warming packets. We were almost home and I realized with nothing short of terror we did not have Froggie and Blankie. Visions of them sitting in the parking lot of Target danced in my head. I raced at a too-fast speed to Target, and appeared rather deranged crawling on my hands and knees looking for these blankets under rows of parked cars. Dylan had realized Froggie and Blankie were MIA but held out great hope in my ability to locate them.

So he started stopping random shoppers asking if they had seen his "friends" while I held back tears. A teenage cart retriever asks if I need a cart, and I try to explain that I'm looking for my son's blankets that I ... I choke on the word "lost" and tears well up in my eyes.

“Uh… OK, ma’am,” said the teenager, who was probably wondering if I was drugs.

We checked lost and found at all of our stops and had no luck. We end up at the hunting store, a maze with no aisles and stuff stashed everywhere. I am wondering how to explain to Dylan that his precious friends are forever gone. We retraced our steps through this maze and FINALLY wadded up in the corner under a counter in a dirty aisle were Froggie and Blankie. I almost wept for pure joy. I directed Dylan to them and he ran up, hugged them and said, “You guys were just playing hide and seek! Silly Froggie! Silly Blankie!”

Glad he could see the humor while I was almost in cardiac arrest. I better make sure I know where they are right now...

Olympic Moms Juggle Motherhood

Mommy Milestones — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:21:00 GMT

My fascination with the Olympics, the athletes, willpower, drive and determination to win has been taken to a deeper level with the introduction of the Olympic Mom.

20+ Olympic athletes have children and juggle practice, family, games and motherhood. They handle sleep deprivation, sickness, and manage their time while focusing on their life long dreams, their children and life as a mom.

Balance and juggling were cited on the Today Show as a key to having a family and a dream. These women have rigorous practice schedules, games and competitions, travel, and the responsibilities of motherhood.

They are a great role model for a mom like me. I have dreams, goals and a determination to be an individual and a mom. They have shown me, as many others do, that dreams can and should be achieved without the sacrifice of a family.

One swimmer, now 41, was back in the pool just 4 months after giving birth. Now 2 years later she is a mom and an Olympic medalist, with a story to tell her daughter about their trip.

A softball player had her baby and competed just 5 weeks later; that is drive and determination to have both a dream and a child.

Two soccer moms, Olympic athletes who are also moms, said that they play differently now. They are more composed, smarter and have calmed down since having a child.

A basketball mom says that it is all about balance. She gives 100% to her daughter when she is with her and she gives 100% to basketball when she is playing; the time is split differently each day but 100% is always given.

As I look at these moms, what they are able to accomplish and their commitment I think, what do I want to do? I am inspired to journal about my goals, dreams and aspirations and see if there is something that I am not doing that I could be.

I am inspired and in awe of these women. As a beach volleyball player myself, I watched the finals last night and heard the heart felt message that they have done what they set out to do, are not finished with their sport but want the experience of motherhood.

The emotion as Kerri Walsh said "it is time, I really want a baby!" made me smile and hope for her to she gets to experience motherhood. She has accomplished so much personally and now a baby, motherhood and volleyball are what she dreams about.

The support that these women have to compete is fundamental and the support that they require to be an Olympic Mom is even greater. Balance, love, determination and drive are all traits of an Olympic athlete and every mom that I know.

Motherhood is a blessing that has allowed me to stretch who I am, find balance in situations that seem insurmountable, and shown me that asking for support and allowing it to come to me is the only way to maintain my individuality, my quest to be a good mom and my determination to be a positive role model in the lives on my children.

Sports taught me a lot growing up and the dream of Olympic Gold was mine and Joe’s when we were kids. I think that it gave me a different level of respect for others accomplishments and an inner drive to be the best that I can be through the metaphor of a game.

I now translate those messages to my life; be the best that I can be and give 100% to what I am doing, I release the guilt from spending time for and with myself and know that giving 100% when I am with my children is more important than giving 100% of my time but not being present.

I may never be at the level of Olympic athlete but I can be my best and give 100% to myself, my family and my kids.

Off to make another Mommy Milestone.