I've started contributing to The Mom Renewal Project, a blog run by fellow Chicago Moms Blogger, Stacey Hoffer Weckstein. Here's the tagline: Recharge Yourself – Body, Mind, and Spirit – so You can Live Your Best Live as a Woman, Mom, and Partner.
Cool, right? I've really been focusing on being better in every way (cheesy, but true), so it seems like a good fit for where I am now. I can't tell people how to be renewed, but I can show someone what it looks like to be trying to get there.
Here's my first post about working from home. Check it out.
5.10.2010
5.07.2010
Why I Can't Be Trusted With Pregnancy Bra Questions
I'm like an open book when it comes to new mom and pregnancy questions. (Bring it on!) But, here's the thing... I can't promise to give the best possible answers.
Exhibit A: the below question from a newly pregnant and obviously very nice (she likes my little guy and saw him a really good day) lady I know:
Fair Question for an expectant mom to ask:
Hey Lisa! I meant to ask you this earlier but didn't get the chance. Do you have any bra suggestions? I'm shopping around for new ones but am not sure if I'm supposed to buy regular bras in the bigger size, or if I should look at nursing bras and hope I can wear them after the birth and when the size goes back down. What do you suggest? Do you have any store suggestions?
By the way, William is sooo smart and cute! I hope my kid is like him. :)
My Answer (or why I can't be trusted with bra questions):
I wish I had better suggestions... But, here's the truth: my sister has really big boobs and had some bras that she didn't wear much and didn't like. I know, it's crazy, but I didn't want to waste money and they worked fine. Kinda cheap, but whatever, I'm over it. (I also may not be the best person to ask since I'm not too picky about my bras in general.)
Once I hit my last trimester I went out and bought a few nursing bras. There is a store in Wilmette near Old Orchard that was really helpful. I'll check the name when I drive by this weekend. But, be ready for full-on no privacy boobs show with the ladies who work there. I think one brand was Medela. Can't remember and they're all packed away. You'll know which ones are the most comfortable. I would stay away from any sort of underwire. Yuck.
Let me know if you want more advice and I'll ask my friends who might be a little more helpful.
So, I probably should not be surprised if she never comes to me for advice ever again. And this is the perfect opportunity to introduce my friend Lara, who has her own spanking new blog, Ask Me. I bet she might have come up with something a little more useful.
P.S. Please continue to ask questions of me. I really do like to answer them, even if I leave you more stumped that you were before...
Exhibit A: the below question from a newly pregnant and obviously very nice (she likes my little guy and saw him a really good day) lady I know:
Fair Question for an expectant mom to ask:
Hey Lisa! I meant to ask you this earlier but didn't get the chance. Do you have any bra suggestions? I'm shopping around for new ones but am not sure if I'm supposed to buy regular bras in the bigger size, or if I should look at nursing bras and hope I can wear them after the birth and when the size goes back down. What do you suggest? Do you have any store suggestions?
By the way, William is sooo smart and cute! I hope my kid is like him. :)
My Answer (or why I can't be trusted with bra questions):
I wish I had better suggestions... But, here's the truth: my sister has really big boobs and had some bras that she didn't wear much and didn't like. I know, it's crazy, but I didn't want to waste money and they worked fine. Kinda cheap, but whatever, I'm over it. (I also may not be the best person to ask since I'm not too picky about my bras in general.)
Once I hit my last trimester I went out and bought a few nursing bras. There is a store in Wilmette near Old Orchard that was really helpful. I'll check the name when I drive by this weekend. But, be ready for full-on no privacy boobs show with the ladies who work there. I think one brand was Medela. Can't remember and they're all packed away. You'll know which ones are the most comfortable. I would stay away from any sort of underwire. Yuck.
Let me know if you want more advice and I'll ask my friends who might be a little more helpful.
So, I probably should not be surprised if she never comes to me for advice ever again. And this is the perfect opportunity to introduce my friend Lara, who has her own spanking new blog, Ask Me. I bet she might have come up with something a little more useful.
P.S. Please continue to ask questions of me. I really do like to answer them, even if I leave you more stumped that you were before...
5.05.2010
... And Then I Rethink This Whole Working Thing
Setting: William's room, Wednesday morning, 6:30 am
William has just woken up and we go in to greet him. The following is the conversation I had with him (yes, he's 20 months old):
"Good morning, baby! Did you have a good sleep?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"Did you have good dreams?"
"Yeah."
"What did you dream about?"
"Papa."
"What was he doing?"
"Cleaning leaves."
"Did you dream of anything else?"
"Nana."
"What was she doing?"
"Cleaning bushes."
"Did you dream about Mommy and Daddy?"
"Yeah."
"What were we doing?"
"Hiding."
And just like that my working mom heart shed a tear.
William has just woken up and we go in to greet him. The following is the conversation I had with him (yes, he's 20 months old):
"Good morning, baby! Did you have a good sleep?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"Did you have good dreams?"
"Yeah."
"What did you dream about?"
"Papa."
"What was he doing?"
"Cleaning leaves."
"Did you dream of anything else?"
"Nana."
"What was she doing?"
"Cleaning bushes."
"Did you dream about Mommy and Daddy?"
"Yeah."
"What were we doing?"
"Hiding."
And just like that my working mom heart shed a tear.
5.02.2010
Blind Date
I had a blind date today. We met each other online through a networking site. We e-mailed a couple of times, dealt with a few rescheduled dates, and then it finally worked out that we could meet at a park today.
I had to squeeze in a quick workout and threw my favorite weekend chicken into the crock pot, so that left me with about ten minutes to get ready. I pulled myself together, strapped W into his car seat, and we were off. I wondered if I would be recognized. We hadn't shared physical descriptions about ourselves. Just agreed to meet at the park at noon.
We pulled up and W insisted on walking across the field to the park by himself, which included multiple stops to pick dandelions and check out the random tree. As we got close, I saw a handsome guy walking through the sand in the park. Must be him, I figured.
His mom looked up and waved.
Ahhh, yes, the blind play date. (What did you think I was talking about, anyway?) Two moms new to an area looking for socialization for their sons and, more importantly, for themselves. That's how it starts, I guess. You take a leap of faith and figure worse case scenario might include an awkward and silent hour spent at a park with your kiddo. What's there to lose?
But, then, what if one mom walks away thinking "Wow, new friend!" and the other thinks she couldn't get out of there soon enough? Does a break up have to happen? An "It's not you, it's me"? Blame it on an already full social calendar and hope that you don't run into each other at the grocery store... But, then, you may potentially meet your new best friend, someone you'll click with instantly, finding a kindred spirit who also misses living in the city, feels new to the suburbs, and works full time.
The same way so many people do while they're dating, new moms are looking for a connection. So, blind play dates aren't too weird. Maybe we're not looking for a soul mate, but definitely for a new companion, for someone to travel down the motherhood road with, to call at the last minute and meet for a playdate or cocktail. Hoping for the chance that this will be the friend who takes in your kid when you can't find a sitter and calls when they drive by your house and notice the light in your car is on.
No matter where we are in life, we're always looking for connections. New moms are looking for someone to share their experiences with. It's what helps us learn about being a mom. For me, if it weren't for a very good mom friend in particular, I'm not sure I'd feel so confident in being a mom. We didn't necessarily meet on a blind date. Rather, we were set up by my best friend who wisely knew we were "right" for each other. It was the equivalent of sparks on our first date and we've been seeing each other on a regular basis since. Discussing all the mom things that most people are too scared to admit or feel stupid asking their doctor has been wonderful. And I'm positive I've found a true, life long friend.
As for today... I had a nice time. It went well. I won't get into specifics. After all, I don't play and tell.
I had to squeeze in a quick workout and threw my favorite weekend chicken into the crock pot, so that left me with about ten minutes to get ready. I pulled myself together, strapped W into his car seat, and we were off. I wondered if I would be recognized. We hadn't shared physical descriptions about ourselves. Just agreed to meet at the park at noon.
We pulled up and W insisted on walking across the field to the park by himself, which included multiple stops to pick dandelions and check out the random tree. As we got close, I saw a handsome guy walking through the sand in the park. Must be him, I figured.
His mom looked up and waved.
Ahhh, yes, the blind play date. (What did you think I was talking about, anyway?) Two moms new to an area looking for socialization for their sons and, more importantly, for themselves. That's how it starts, I guess. You take a leap of faith and figure worse case scenario might include an awkward and silent hour spent at a park with your kiddo. What's there to lose?
But, then, what if one mom walks away thinking "Wow, new friend!" and the other thinks she couldn't get out of there soon enough? Does a break up have to happen? An "It's not you, it's me"? Blame it on an already full social calendar and hope that you don't run into each other at the grocery store... But, then, you may potentially meet your new best friend, someone you'll click with instantly, finding a kindred spirit who also misses living in the city, feels new to the suburbs, and works full time.
The same way so many people do while they're dating, new moms are looking for a connection. So, blind play dates aren't too weird. Maybe we're not looking for a soul mate, but definitely for a new companion, for someone to travel down the motherhood road with, to call at the last minute and meet for a playdate or cocktail. Hoping for the chance that this will be the friend who takes in your kid when you can't find a sitter and calls when they drive by your house and notice the light in your car is on.
No matter where we are in life, we're always looking for connections. New moms are looking for someone to share their experiences with. It's what helps us learn about being a mom. For me, if it weren't for a very good mom friend in particular, I'm not sure I'd feel so confident in being a mom. We didn't necessarily meet on a blind date. Rather, we were set up by my best friend who wisely knew we were "right" for each other. It was the equivalent of sparks on our first date and we've been seeing each other on a regular basis since. Discussing all the mom things that most people are too scared to admit or feel stupid asking their doctor has been wonderful. And I'm positive I've found a true, life long friend.
As for today... I had a nice time. It went well. I won't get into specifics. After all, I don't play and tell.
