Introducing Hip Baby!

I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be thinking about diapers and breastfeeding and baby names and pink or blue clothes again, but it’s official. Mr. Right and I are expecting a baby in early 2011.

My son has been asking for a baby brother for quite some time now. He was thrilled when I told him the news. He has talked of nothing else since then and was still excited, even after we told him that the baby could be a girl! The baby’s due date is just three days after his birthday so (for now) he wants just the baby brother or sister as his birthday present!

He’s already been such a great big brother, making sure I eat growing foods only (no junk food for this healthy mama), and letting me and the baby rest since he knows how important it is for us both. I couldn’t be more proud of him and only hope his helpfulness continues. He did mention that he won’t be doing poop patrol, though.

As for me, I feel like I’m starting from scratch when it comes to this whole pregnancy thing. I didn’t even see the signs when they first appeared.

I was exhausted last month, one of the reasons why I didn’t write very much, and was extremely emotional. I would burst into tears at the cheesiest commercials, but I didn’t put all the pieces together until I started noticing my round little belly that wasn’t going away after a month of boxing classes.

This will be Mr. Right’s first child and already I know he’s going to make an amazing father. He has created such a great bond with my son that he’s already a part of our family and once he finally moves out here to be with us, it’ll all be complete. I couldn’t have gotten more lucky.

Our families are excited too and were eager to see the first ultrasound photo that we were able to share with them last week.

Technology, and everything else baby-related has changed since I first became a mom nearly seven years ago, so I am studying up on new products, maternity brands and would love some suggestions along the way.

We’re excited for this new adventure!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

A controversial look at breastfeeding

When it comes to breastfeeding, most people have a pretty strong opinion, one way or the other, on whether or not breastfeeding is right for them and what rights a breastfeeding woman has. Most of us are well aware of the benefits breastfeeding provides, both to the mom and the baby, but I don’t think many people are aware of the implications that Rabbi Schmuley brings up in his highly controversial article where he claims that breastfeeding can hurt marriages.

I’ll let you read the original article yourself (dating back to 2006) which was recently re-printed, no doubt in order to stir up controversy and to increase traffic to the site which published it. Rabbi Schmuley has since written a rebuttal about the original article and claims that his views and beliefs were misrepresented. I highly recommend that you read both articles before forming an opinion on the Rabbi, or what the original article claims.

What I took from the article though, what stood out to me, was the idea that breastfeeding could, possibly, may have a detrimental affect on one’s adult relationship.

I don’t think this happens in many relationships and certainly not with the women and men who I know, who communicate with one another and would never let something like this interfere with their marriage or intimate relationship, but it’s not to say that this hasn’t been an issue in some families.

I also know that when it comes to having a successful marriage or relationship, putting your child first is not part of the equation.

Recently, at the She’s Having a Baby event in Beverly Hills, I had the pleasure of attending the seminar with Tisha Campbell Martin, where I wanted to stand up and applaud when she shared with the audience the discussion she had with her husband before they ever became parents.

He wanted to make sure that they continued to put themselves first, and then the two of them as a couple, before their children. He was convinced that this would ensure a successful and happy marriage. They’ve been together for over twenty years and have two beautiful children.

I cannot agree more with this idea that putting ourselves first and our relationship as a couple next provides the root system that children grow from. It’s when we lose sight of who we are as individuals and as a couple that issues and challenges start to break down a relationship rather than being a cause to rally together and overcome it as a team.

Date nights might be hard to come by, especially when your children are young, but setting aside 15 minutes of alone time with your partner every day (morning and night) is a simple way to offer your daily undivided attention to one another and give each other that intimacy that you each deserve.

Finding time for yourself might be just as tricky, but if you share the same beliefs with your partner, letting each other have a night off from time to time (or an hour or two on the weekends) provides you with a great deal of breathing room that you also deserve.

Your family is important. Your child’s health is important as well, but what could be more special than cuddling up with your partner on the couch after 20 years and still feeling that same sense of intimacy that once brought you together. I hope we can all experience that someday and I believe our children will benefit from that even more.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Are you an Opinionated Mama?

The O-mama ladies sure know how to treat a lady!

I was so excited to be invited to the Tribute to Mommy Bloggers sponsored by the O-mama mamas (Debbie and Michelle). As soon as I walked in to their headquarters (the private home of one of the founders), I was greeted by lovely, smiling ladies who welcomed me and ushered me into the peaceful setting in the backyard where I was promptly offered a manicure. Immediately, I sat down, overlooking the pool and the area designated for a pilates class and sipped on some lovely Mocktails while I was treated to a manicure and pedicure (provided by Spa-Go’s).

Pedicure Time

My son wasn’t able to skip school to attend, the kids that were there were sequestered to the opposite side of the backyard where they were equally pampered. Face painting, crafts and a bouncy house kept them occupied while the mamas sat back and relaxed, sipping on Mocktails and enjoying the lovely cooking demonstration by Wade Williams of Picnic of L.A.

Besides all the pampering, we got to discuss some pretty hot topics with some hot moms – hot because they aren’t afraid to say what’s on their mind and hot because they’re beautiful (smart women usually are)!

I joined O-mama and selected the topics that are of interest to me. You can head over there, join groups that you belong to (divorced mamas, stay-at-home mamas, Republican mamas, Democratic mamas, etc.) and share your opinion. Every discussion is respectful, thoughtful and inspiring, so head over to discuss, debate and share some insight with some other hot mamas!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home