...likes to dance.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Hey, I'm gonna start a blog!
(and then neglect it entirely)
The story of my life.
We are slowly healing from our Big Move, and getting a basic running routine to be a daily event. Jeremiah started a blog. It is currently dictated, but hopefully it will be self-written at some point as his fluency continues to develop.
I did not post eloquently about his birthday, which passed quietly on January 3rd. He is a fierce, nimble, bright five year old. At one moment, I am startled by the sudden sophistication of his mind, and reminded, in the next of how very young he is, and how much he needs and struggles to express. He takes karate lessons at a wonderful neighborhood school. He is enthusiastic, active, but seems to have inherited my lack of grace and overabundance of self-consciousness. He is unhurried to pursue his stripes at his own pace.
We are undecided about school. I have thrown around the idea of homeschooling (unschooling, really) for probably four years now, and now that his first school year looms closer, I find myself less certain than ever. I think I mostly feel that it is right to keep him close for another year, at least, but I fear those who feel it would be best for him to get 'practice' at school (and away from Mama) as soon as possible.
I see the value in waiting to let him be socialized until he's old enough to understand the value of being socialized. Chris simply dislikes our school options here, and to that end we are searching a quieter, greener situation north of the MD/PA line.
The story of my life.
We are slowly healing from our Big Move, and getting a basic running routine to be a daily event. Jeremiah started a blog. It is currently dictated, but hopefully it will be self-written at some point as his fluency continues to develop.
I did not post eloquently about his birthday, which passed quietly on January 3rd. He is a fierce, nimble, bright five year old. At one moment, I am startled by the sudden sophistication of his mind, and reminded, in the next of how very young he is, and how much he needs and struggles to express. He takes karate lessons at a wonderful neighborhood school. He is enthusiastic, active, but seems to have inherited my lack of grace and overabundance of self-consciousness. He is unhurried to pursue his stripes at his own pace.
We are undecided about school. I have thrown around the idea of homeschooling (unschooling, really) for probably four years now, and now that his first school year looms closer, I find myself less certain than ever. I think I mostly feel that it is right to keep him close for another year, at least, but I fear those who feel it would be best for him to get 'practice' at school (and away from Mama) as soon as possible.
I see the value in waiting to let him be socialized until he's old enough to understand the value of being socialized. Chris simply dislikes our school options here, and to that end we are searching a quieter, greener situation north of the MD/PA line.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Infantino SlingRider is (quite literally) a death trap.
Infantino killed another baby.
Consumer Reports blames 'slings' and wants to see some kind of safety regulations in place for them. Given that many wonderful slings are indistinguishable from blankets, scarves, shawls, or table linens, this is useless. They are (unknowingly) advocating against a practice, not a product. You can't regulate what people *do* with what they buy, find, or make.
As an avid babywearer, sling hobbyist, and educator, this is infuriating. Infantino's negligence is being called a 'sling death' not a 'large corporation ignores known problems' death. But they knew, and did nothing. M'Lis's work predicted the death of baby Derrik. My heart goes out to her, as it does to his family.
I find myself in an untenable position, thanks to Infantino. I am not going to stop using slings, which are not a luxury, fad, or accessory to me, but a vital feature of my parenting/lifestyle. And I won't stop answering questions about my slings, or helping others use find them and use them correctly. I am going to trust the centuries of 'testing' that cloth slings have undergone rather than the clearly limited impressions of Consumer Reports.
Slings can be used incorrectly. Some slings are easier to use incorrectly than others. That's the reason that I won't gift a pouch sling to a newborn. It is the easiest type of sling to use poorly, in my experience. Some slings, when used incorrectly, expose babies to increased risk of positional asphyxiation. Infant carseats can also increase this risk. This is why I gently forbid the parents of newborns from using the cradle position, even in an adjustable sling.
Some 'slings,' like the Infantino SlingRider, are impossible to use safely because of their design. There's the rub -- all slings can be used incorrectly, and some slings, when used incorrectly, are more dangerous than others. But a sling that is impossible to use safely should not exist.
It horrifies me that a well-meaning parent, seeing someone like me using a sling, might log on to Amazon, find the SlingRider, and think, "well, that looks even better/easier/cheaper/cooler!" It can kill their baby. And Infantino doesn't seem to care.
My opposing fear is that if Infantino does go down, it will take many well-designed, well-intentioned slings with it. From makers who are passionate about safety.
As unfair as it would be for responsible sling makers lose their livelihoods over Infantino's negligence, it seems a small price in comparison to that paid by Derrik's family. Nothing will return him to their arms, though, and no sacrificial scapegoats can turn back the clock.
Consumer Reports blames 'slings' and wants to see some kind of safety regulations in place for them. Given that many wonderful slings are indistinguishable from blankets, scarves, shawls, or table linens, this is useless. They are (unknowingly) advocating against a practice, not a product. You can't regulate what people *do* with what they buy, find, or make.
As an avid babywearer, sling hobbyist, and educator, this is infuriating. Infantino's negligence is being called a 'sling death' not a 'large corporation ignores known problems' death. But they knew, and did nothing. M'Lis's work predicted the death of baby Derrik. My heart goes out to her, as it does to his family.
I find myself in an untenable position, thanks to Infantino. I am not going to stop using slings, which are not a luxury, fad, or accessory to me, but a vital feature of my parenting/lifestyle. And I won't stop answering questions about my slings, or helping others use find them and use them correctly. I am going to trust the centuries of 'testing' that cloth slings have undergone rather than the clearly limited impressions of Consumer Reports.
Slings can be used incorrectly. Some slings are easier to use incorrectly than others. That's the reason that I won't gift a pouch sling to a newborn. It is the easiest type of sling to use poorly, in my experience. Some slings, when used incorrectly, expose babies to increased risk of positional asphyxiation. Infant carseats can also increase this risk. This is why I gently forbid the parents of newborns from using the cradle position, even in an adjustable sling.
Some 'slings,' like the Infantino SlingRider, are impossible to use safely because of their design. There's the rub -- all slings can be used incorrectly, and some slings, when used incorrectly, are more dangerous than others. But a sling that is impossible to use safely should not exist.
It horrifies me that a well-meaning parent, seeing someone like me using a sling, might log on to Amazon, find the SlingRider, and think, "well, that looks even better/easier/cheaper/cooler!" It can kill their baby. And Infantino doesn't seem to care.
My opposing fear is that if Infantino does go down, it will take many well-designed, well-intentioned slings with it. From makers who are passionate about safety.
As unfair as it would be for responsible sling makers lose their livelihoods over Infantino's negligence, it seems a small price in comparison to that paid by Derrik's family. Nothing will return him to their arms, though, and no sacrificial scapegoats can turn back the clock.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Baby Turns One
Today, Caleb fed me the last strawberry from his tray. Not before he sneezed on it, twice. Then he was angry with me for eating his last strawberry. He stacked two blocks, and then carefully put them away and closed the drawer.
He rocks his 80's hair to 90's alternative music, and takes every opportunity possible to beat my laptop into submission. He climbs like a monkey and sings like a small pink elephant.
Last year, at this time, he was doing whatever mysterious thing it is that babies do to terminate their uterine tenancy.
Happy birthday, little(r) man.
He rocks his 80's hair to 90's alternative music, and takes every opportunity possible to beat my laptop into submission. He climbs like a monkey and sings like a small pink elephant.
Last year, at this time, he was doing whatever mysterious thing it is that babies do to terminate their uterine tenancy.
Happy birthday, little(r) man.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Newborn (or Tummy) Hip Cross Carry
Probably my favorite newborn front carry. It is called the Newborn HCC because it evolved from the HCC. It's essentially the same carry -- just in a slightly different orientation.
There are doubtlessly other (and better) videos of this carry on the 'net, but this one is mine. ^_^
I like this carry for a number of reasons...
1) It's pretied. If mama (or daddy) is coming from a stretchy wrap background, this is familiar ground.
2) It uses a short wrap. I can eek it out with a 2.7m, and I'm not wee.
3) It's comfy under a coat, and good to tie in wet, muddy parking lots. Both of these relate strongly to #2.
4) The same carry allows for the baby to be a number of positions: upright, cradled, and even facing out (legs in)
I didn't imagine this to be my first *real* blog post, but I am happy to share it.
There are doubtlessly other (and better) videos of this carry on the 'net, but this one is mine. ^_^
I like this carry for a number of reasons...
1) It's pretied. If mama (or daddy) is coming from a stretchy wrap background, this is familiar ground.
2) It uses a short wrap. I can eek it out with a 2.7m, and I'm not wee.
3) It's comfy under a coat, and good to tie in wet, muddy parking lots. Both of these relate strongly to #2.
4) The same carry allows for the baby to be a number of positions: upright, cradled, and even facing out (legs in)
I didn't imagine this to be my first *real* blog post, but I am happy to share it.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
In the beginning, there was Chaos...
...and into the Chaos, she brought forth two Sons. And the Chaos multiplied, and spread over her life.
So she decided to start a blog.
So she decided to start a blog.
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