Stocked up on the basics...

I may be out of shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant all at the same time, but, BY GOD, there are three 1 lb. packages of bacon in my freezer because there are some staples you just don't want to risk running out of. :P A girl's gotta keep her priorities straight!

Chrissi, Cyber School Mom

Avoiding the Booby Traps: Preparing to Succeed at Breastfeeding

A friend asked me to be her doula (a labor and birth support person) and I've been doing a little research on the pitfalls of exclusive breastfeeding and how to overcome them. I found an amazing site and ALL these links are from the same site! I thought they were worth sharing:

Booby Traps 101

Prepare: How to Overcome the Booby Traps 

Ultimate Breastfeeding Preparation Checklist

Prepare: The Learning Curve of Breastfeeding

GAME ON 

Booby Traps Series: Does your OB follow Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocols?

Fast Facts: How to Deal with Common Breastfeeding Issues

If you only have time to read one list about how to prepare to breastfeed, read this one.

The one piece of advice that can't be overlooked is going to a mother-to-mother support group to actually see other mothers nursing and learn by example. EVERY mother should attend at least one or two mom support group meetings related to breastfeeding before giving birth. Learning by example is how mothers learned to nurse for millions of years. Millions of years of evolutionary success can't be wrong!

Chrissi, Cyber School Mom

P.S. A poem I found that my nursing friends may enjoy:

"Suess" for Nursing Mothers 

from The Compleat Mother Magazine

Mother's milk is just the thing!
Would you nurse her at the park?
Would you nurse him in the dark?
Would you nurse him with a Boppy?
And when your boobs are feeling floppy?
I would nurse him in the park,
I would nurse her in the dark.
I'd nurse with or without a Boppy.
Floppy boobs will never stop me.

Can you nurse
with your seat belt on?
Can you nurse from dusk till dawn?
Though she may pinch me, bite me, pull,
I will nurse her 'till she's full!

Can you nurse and make some soup?
Can you nurse and feed the group?
It makes her healthy strong and smart,
Mommy's milk is the best start!

Would you nurse him at the game?
Would  you nurse her in the rain?
In front of those who dare to complain?
I would nurse him at the game.
I would nurse her in the rain.

As for those who protest lactation,
I have a perfect explanation.
Mommy milk is tailor made
It's perfect food, you need no aid.

Some may scoff and some may wriggle,
Avert their eyes or even giggle.
To those who can be cruel and rude,
Remind them breast's the perfect food!

I would never scoff or giggle,
Roll my eyes or even wiggle!
I would not be so crass or crude,
I KNOW that this milk's the perfect food!

We make the right amount we need,
The perfect temp for every feed.
There's no compare to milk from breast-
The perfect food, above the rest. 

Those nursing smiles are oh so sweet,
Mommy milk is such a treat.
Human milk just can't be beat. 

I will nurse, in any case,
On the street or in your face.
I will not let my baby cry,
I'll meet her needs, I'll always try.
It's not about what's good for you,
It's best for babies, through and through.

I will nurse her in my home,
I will nurse her when I roam.
Leave me be lads, leave me be ma'am.
I will nurse her, Mom I am.

It's SNOT the most wonderful time of the year...

If it weren't so aggravating, it would be funny. Allergy season hit the CSMD Ranch today. Every single one of us has been sneezing every 3 - 5 minutes all day. It's almost funny...except that it' snot. :P

I know how much you guys enjoy a snot joke for allergy season. ;)

Chrissi, (the sniffly) Cyber School Mom

Merry Saturnalia!!!

Saturnas Caravaggio

Our Saturnalia tree is bedecked, beribboned, and gaily festooned with sun and star symbols in honor of this day. (Next, year, I have every intention of throwing a Merry Saturnalia Bowling Toga Party in honor of the Roman god, Saturn, but as one of my nearest and dearest friends is newly pregnant and spewing her guts out most of the day, I think we'll wait until she can join in without the threat of unexpected vomit. ;))

Spawn has been duly crowned the tiny Lord of Misrule for the season and Fat Nugga, crowned Lady of Misrule. Saturn help us all. ;) 

We haven't taken pictures of our tree yet because it won't be finished until the evening before the third feast day. (We celebrate Saturnalia, Yule, and Christmas...because 3 holidays are better than 1! =D) On Christmas Eve, Santa will send out PJ the Elf, his location scout, to get the lay of the land, and deliver pajamas to all the good girls and boys for them to sleep in after they get home from their big family dinner. When the coast is clear and everyone's tucked in for the night, Santa will arrive to deliver gifts, stuff stockings, put the star on top of the tree and, unbeknownst to Spawn, he'll also be setting up Spawn's Polar Express O-Guage Train Set that Poppy gave him last Christmas. =D I think I'm more excited than Spawn! =D 

I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures to share. In the mean time, have fun making merry and please chime in below in the comments to share your family's holiday plans and traditions!

Chrissi, Cyber School Mom

Happy 10/10/10!!!

Ordinarily, I would ignore celebrations like 9/02/10 Day, but I do love numbers and it made me a special kind of giddy when Spawn asked what today's date was and I got to say "Ten, ten, ten." =D

So... 

Happy 10/10/10 Day!

I took tons of great pictures this weekend from Spawn's two buddies' birthday parties. Of course, the camera flashed "Memory Car Full" just as birthday boy #2 started to open OUR gift. :p CS Dad has to cajole the camera to give those pix up, so I'll have them up in a few days. =D

Chrissi, Cyber School Mom