Being one is fun!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."

- Henry David Thoreau

Today is our daughter's first birthday, and she had her first bite of sugar this weekend - yum. Seems like just yesterday she was born.

My hope for Brijin Joy on her first birthday is that she learns she can follow her dreams and can make them happen! Life is your oyster, kiddo, and it's just waiting for you to find it's precious pearls!

We love you baby girl! Thank you for bringing so much joy and blessings into our lives. We've had an amazing first year with you and are eagerly anticipating watching you grow and bloom right where you're planted, just like your daisy birthday cake. ;)

Almost ONE and having FUN

I can't believe Brijin will turn ONE at the end of next month! We've enjoyed this last year and are so grateful for her in our lives.

Watch the short video to see how much she's grown.

Listen to top yoga instructors

Yoga Peeps is a podcast featuring interviews with some of the leading yoga instructors of our time. One of the most recent I enjoyed was an interview with Seane Corn. Good way to squeeze a little yoga in while working or taking care of baby. Being a new mom is all about multitasking!

Speaking of being a new mom, thought I'd supplement this brief post with a recent pic of baby girl, who will turn 10 months in a day. Time flies when you're having fun!

Frustrated over Stork Craft crib recall

I remember how excited I was when I first made my crib choice, but now I'm starting to regret purchasing a Stork Craft crib due to the company being unresponsive to its recall.

In mid January, our Stork Craft crib was recalled. I actually received e-mail notice from Target since I ordered it online from the retailer, which I'm so grateful for since I don't really seek recall info. Figure it's better not to seek the negative, right? So kudos to Target! On Jan. 16, I sent an e-mail to Stork Craft due to its 800 number being busy, and I still have not received a confirmation response or the metal brackets to fix the crib.

Several times I called the Stork Craft's 800#, and even two weeks ago I kept receiving a busy signal. I ended up calling U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the man helping me couldn't get through the number either so I did file a report, but I still haven't received the replacement brackets. Apparently I have to give them up to 30 days after filing this complaint, even though I had already waited four weeks.

Anyone else out there having this issue? My baby hasn't been able to sleep in her crib for over six weeks now, and I'm becoming impatient and frustrated.

Please link or forward this to anyone you think may be having the same issue; the recall included ALL Stork Craft cribs over eight years so it's affecting a ton of people.

I want my baby back in her crib! At least acknowledge that my request for the replacement brackets have been received, Stork Craft. Let me know you're listening. I am truly looking for a solution.

The end of a nursing mother's journey

It's been terribly long since my last post! Balancing everything as a new mom is not easy and unfortunately my blogging has taken a hit. However, today I felt I had a good enough topic to make the time to write.

My breastfeeding days are numbered, and it saddens me more than I ever thought it would. For some reason, I already had it in my head to stop nursing at six months. Well, first it was let's just make the first month. Then it was three months and once I made this goal I thought, what the heck, let's make it to six months!

Now six months is almost here and coincidentally my hubby and I are going on our first trip around the same time frame. This will be our first vacation without baby, which I know will be a little trying, but it's also my first time to New York City! I'm so excited not only due to it being my first time in the Big Apple, but we're also attending the You Can Heal Your Life Conference ~ New York City. A ton of Hay House authors will be there, including the founder of the publishing house, Louise L. Hay! Going to this one-day conference was my "push present" (get it?) from the hub because he knows how important this area of learning is to me. Plus he is somewhat open to the idea of affirmations and using your thoughts to create your life so it will be a great learning experience for both of us. Attending this event will bring such a huge lift!

But back to nursing!

Since I don't want to bring my huge, pump bag with me on our trip to NYC, and I was already planning on stopping nursing around the same time, it makes sense to stop breastfeeding. I'm more saddened by this than I realized, and maybe it's because nursing definitely didn't start out easy for either one of us. In fact the lactation consultant at the hospital said Brijin was the "worst kid on the block" in terms of her catching onto the whole thing. The kid just wouldn't suck, and it was so frustrating!! For some reason though, I wanted to persevere, so we tried every trick in the book. Once we arrived home, my husband assisted me in using the tricks - think syringe, tubes and nipple shields. Not easy stuff, but we persisted and within two weeks, Brijin and I finally figured out the "choreography" of nursing.

For her first three months, we only nursed or used expressed breastmilk. Even though we've been slowly moving to supplementing more and more to formula due to my supply, I know it's not going to be easy to not nurse her in the middle of the night when she wakes up. Or not do so first thing in the morning. Nursing has been our alone time together: our time to cuddle, to provide security in the middle of the night, and our time to bond. Let alone all the nutritional value.

Change is inevitable, I know, but I think it's good to acknowledge that I will miss this time with my daughter.

Brijin at three months

A quick hello from Yoga Mama and Yoga Baby - aka Brijin Joy! Thought all of you would like to see how much she's growing. This is one of her three-month photos, which is already three-weeks old (without cropping - sorry).

I can't believe she will turn four months this Friday. When people say, "Enjoy your baby while you can because it goes so fast," I didn't even fathom how quickly it would fly. I do believe we are truly enjoying each moment of our time with her; although my hubby would probably disagree with this statement had he been asked at 5:15 a.m. today. Seriously though, it's fairly simple cherishing the now with Brijin since she's such a happy, little soul!

Guess names do help shape a person. ;) I definitely see Faith or Hope as a future middle name, if Brijin has a little sister. I've heard of Noble for a boy - bet my parents will love that one!

I'll try to be better about posting weekly from now on. Until the next time, namaste!

Exercise tips for New Moms

As a new mom with a three-month-old baby (I can't believe she's already so big!), I'm finding it quite hard to find the time to work out. Somehow I found this blog post, "Fitting In Fitness: Exercise Tips for New (and not so New) Moms, and it has some good suggestions.

I think the best thing I have going is I returned to teaching yoga a few weeks ago. Not that it's for my own workout, but I obviously benefit physically from demonstrating while teaching. Also walking the dog is a great excuse and something we have to do. If only I could figure out the Baby Bjorn so I could bring baby girl along - I tried the stroller while walking Charlie, our lab, and it was just a little too much to handle!

Speaking of shortage of time, I must run! Have a great week.

Survey says...

I received this via e-mail from one of my best friends - a questionnaire about one's first pregnancy. Thought it might be interesting to share on my blog.

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's
all about you and your first baby.

1. Were you married at the time? Yes

2. What were your reactions when you found out you were pregnant? shocked, surprised, scared, nervous BUT excited

3. How old were you? 30

4. How did you find out you were pregnant? I ate breakfast and felt like I was going to throw up all day so I thought, hmmm, when was my last period?

5. Who did you tell first? the hub

6. Did you want to find out the sex? I did, but then my hubby and several friends who kept it a secret convinced me to wait until the delivery. It was amazing, although I thought for sure she was a he!

7. Due date? May 25

8. Did you deliver early or late? late by one day

9. Did you have morning sickness? I think I threw up only once, but I did feel quesy a lot that first trimester

10. What did you crave? spicy foods but what's new?

11. Who irritated you the most? no one in particular; just people who acted like I was MUCH farther along than I was

12. What was your first child's sex? girl

13. How many pounds did you gain throughout the pregn ancy? 35

14. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy? I actually became preeclampsic either right before I went into labor or thereafter! Felt really weird the first few weeks after birth.

15. Where did you give birth? Overland Park Medical Regional Center

16. How many hours were you in labor? I started feeling the contractions at 8 a.m. at home, left for the hospital around 1 p.m. and delivered minutes after 9 p.m.

17. Who drove you to the hospital? Brady

18. Who watched? Brady, my midwife, a midwife in training and a cheerleader nurse.

19. Was it natural or c-section? natural

20. Did you take medicine to ease the pain? epidural - it's my new best friend

21. How much did your child weigh? 7 lbs .01 oz

22. Did your child have any complications? no, thank GOD!

23. What did you name him/her? Brijin Joy

24. How old is your first born today? almost 10 weeks old so that's why I remember all this stuff

25. What was your baby's first word? can't wait to hear it!

Daddy Daycare

Daddy put little Brijin to work today on their first day together while Mommy went back to work. When I received this via e-mail today from my husband, I almost cried it was so cute!

Have a great weekend! ;)

Back to work - waaaaa (that's me crying; not the baby)

Started back to work after eight weeks of maternity leave. The moment I've been dreading since I had baby, I must admit. Although I will say, after three weeks I said to myself, "Self, you gotta stop thinking about the future and focus on the present moment." It really did help me to enjoy my time with Brijin so much more and let go, which I couldn't do anything about at that point. It's not like I want to be a stay-at-home mom, but I wish I had the flexibility to have the choice. Oh well!

Luckily my manager is allowing me to work from home part of the mornings for the first three weeks I'm back, which has really helped. Plus Brijin continues to sleep through the night, and I began Tuesday so it's been a short week. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday because even with Brijin sleeping, I'm still exhausted. Took a "nap" at 7:30 p.m. last night when baby did, and Daddy had to shake me awake to feed her. I think all I'll do this weekend is sleep and play with Brijin!

How do working moms do it? Tell me your secrets. My yoga practice is definitely taking a backseat, although I've been trying to take advantage of breast pump time at work by meditating. I must be a mom - I'm multitasking! Supposed to resume teaching yoga in about a week. Not sure if I'm ready, but I can't find a substitute. I'd hate to give it up, but I don't want to be away from my daughter from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at night two days per week. Guess I'll have to just see how it goes; I do miss my students and they seem to miss me so I should at least give it a try.

Well, I better go check and make sure baby girl is still sleeping. Almost time for her last feeding and then night night.

"The soul is healed by being with children."

Fyodor Dostoevsky

True. True. Now that I have my own baby, this quote resonates so deeply. Ironically, I have been receiving in my daily quote e-mail a ton of ones centered around children and how they affect us. Thank you God for our beautiful baby girl! She's exactly what we needed in our lives and in our family.

Have a great weekend!

My peace of mind - Baby Wise

Sorry I've been slacking on my blog posts. It just seems like when I get a free moment from the baby, I either want to

a.) Veg out
b.) Nap
c.) Eat

Maybe not all in that order but you get the point. Usually I end up cleaning or doing other household chores and by the time little missy wakes up, I haven't really had time to relax. Guess I'm not following my own advice to sleep when baby sleeps.

So I'm returning to my corporate day-job next week and have been nervous about leaving Brijin. However, I'm also concerned about being AWAKE during the day and being on top of my game. My manager was very fair in allowing me to work from home a few hours so I can transition a little more easily back to the job so I'm very grateful for that. Yet, I still began thinking I needed to get Brijin on a better schedule if that's possible for a seven to eight week old baby.

Lo and behold, GRACE happened. (I just finished reading Cheryl Richardson's book My best friend from college Gretchen called me up two days ago. We hadn't spoken for a few weeks (and really we keep up more on e-mail than telephone typically). For some reason after a few minutes of speaking, I asked my friends with two small children if she ever got her babies on a schedule. First words out of her mouth, "Baby Wise. You need to get this book." Apparently it helped get her kids plus both of her sister-in-laws' children on a sleep schedule where they slept seven to nine hours nonstop at night.

Tell me more, my dear!

I ended up reserving the book at the library, which would take at least a few days to receive. Since at the time I was returning to work in exactly one week, I began to think if this method really works, I need to buy it ASAP!

Thus the hubby went out and bought the book that evening and we devoured it. Not that it's been THAT rough. However, sleeping through the night sounded so great for our family. And that's the point of the book. It's more about melding the baby's schedule to the family's schedule PLUS it's healthy for the baby since she'll be getting better sleep.

The key to the baby's schedule is to get her to FEED / WAKE / SLEEP. Most parents seem to switch the order of waking and sleeping and allow their newborn to sleep right after feeding. In this book, that's a big NO NO. I actually had read this somewhere else to try to keep baby up for at least 15 minutes after feeding during the day just so she'll get used to being awake during the day. The part I was missing was making her take a nap. I had read you shouldn't let the baby cry, but this book says it's okay for a baby to cry. Not the easiest thing in the world to get used to, but it doesn't seem to hurt her. What also makes me feel better is the book quotes the American Academy of Pediatrics saying it's okay for a baby to cry for even 15 to 20 minutes.

Guess how long she slept last night? Seven FREAKING hours. Actually fed her a little more often during the day because she was waking up after 45 minutes of naptime, which apparently happens about this age due to growth spurt and being more hungry. (Called the 45-minute intruder in the book.)

If you're a new mom and desire having your baby on a sleep schedule, I highly recommend "On Becoming Baby Wise" by Ezzo and Bucknam (an M.D.). So far so good for this family, minus much more crying than we were used to. Plus the book speaks about how much calmer and happier it makes the baby so it's good for EVERYONE.

Has anyone else ever tried this method? If so, what are your thoughts, experiences, etc? Love to hear them.

The Patriotism of Yoga

Obam-asana: Three Essential Yoga Poses for Michelle Obama is an interesting blog post about how Michelle Obama should try some yoga. I'm always a fan of ANYONE trying yoga, but this blogger is suggesting it to Mrs. Obama to allow the world to stop seeing her in a negative light.

As a big Obama fan and a yogini, I was drawn to this post, although I totally disagree that she has a negative image. She's a strong, intelligent and vibrant woman... isn't this what we want in a First Lady? My husband and I (and baby in belly) actually had the opportunity last November to see him speak in my hometown in Iowa right before the state's caucus, which he ended up winning and helped put him on the path to being the Democratic party's nominee. At the time I was a Hillary fan (and still am), but he impressed me immensely and made the decision much more difficult than I thought. I can't believe people who loved Hillary will vote for McCain because they are bitter - that's just PLAIN IDIOTIC! What the United States right now needs is a change agent and someone who cares about the common man; not just the billionaires like W. This is what Barack Obama is - please Lord allow Barack to win. He is what our nation, and the world, needs.

I digress ... this isn't a political blog, yet I am definitely rooting for Obama, and I'm greatly impressed by his wife. These days, I don't have much time to read things, but in my scan of the post, it doesn't actually sound very complimentary of her, which I totally disagree. However, I thought it was a clever way to tie in a yoga sequence.

Speaking of patriotism, the Fourth of July was baby's first big outing to the local zoo. KC had a gorgeous day - it was wonderful to walk around, but my dogs were barking towards the end. Today is my first official day that I can exercise (can't believe it's been six weeks) so I didn't think it would be too much.

Posted are a few shots from the day. Mommy and baby survived, thank goodness. We had our first public changing and during it a line formed of two other mommies and babies. Although the audience didn't deter us! Thank goodness.

Back to Brijin.

Here's BRIJIN!

This is a little video my hubby put together of our little baby girl.

Lullabies I sing

I grew up singing in the church choir and am so glad I did now so I have songs to sing to my baby as she falls asleep or when she's fussy.

I believe this is a kyrie that our pastor used to sing at the end of the service - I really love the lyrics. I even said this one day at the end of my yoga class, although I totally spaced out on the words for a moment because I spoke the words instead of singing them.

I'll share more lullabies in future posts.

As you go on your way

As you go on your way, may God go with you
May God go before you to show you the way
May He go behind you to encourage you
beside you to befriend you
above you to watch over
within you to give you peace

Namaste!

Happy belated Father's Day

My online time has obviously been limited if you've noticed my lack of posts. I know I wasn't on a computer once this weekend, and I believe I wasn't on for a few days before that... not really by choice but limited by time. :) Which is fine by me but don't be expecting blog posts as frequently. I guess I'll be lucky to do one or two a week, at least for a while. The only reason I'm on now is because Daddy is holding her, and I'm awake enough to type a few lines.

I'm too lazy to look for the camera to post new photos of Brijin, but here's one from last week I thought was cute of her and Daddy, in honor of Father's Day. Still working on my labor post - I've written a lot, but it's not quite ready yet.

By the way, we had a lot of issues breastfeeding at first. However after Brijin turned two weeks, we're old pros. I can't believe today is her three-week birthday.

I also dedicate this post to Tim Russert, one of my favorite journalists. He will be sorely missed by our nation because he asked the tough and necessary questions of our public servants. Watching people talk about his life this weekend also made me realize what a wonderful father, husband and human being he was as well. Watch Meet the Press's tribute posted on YouTube below.

Labor really isn't this bad...

This is too hilarious - take three minutes to listen.

My labor story is coming along and is definitely not as bad as this singer is painting it. In fact, it was really amazing how well it all went, minus the hour where I REALLY wanted that anestheologist to arrive. Hopefully I'll have the post written by tomorrow.

BTW, labor is doable, with the help of a beautiful epidural!

News alert - umbilical cord dropped and breastfeeding quandaries

Brijin's umbilical cord dropped off! Yippee! Now I don't have to worry about getting that thing wet anymore. YAY! Plus it kind of grossed me out. She is now completely untethered and on her own! Well, in theory, that is. ;) As her grandma still says to me to this day - and I'm 30-years old - she'll always be my baby girl. I guess she can take a real bath now versus a sponge bath, but I'll check with the doctor today at her weigh in.

Please pray she's put on weight. WARNING - about to talk about breastfeeding for those few men I have reading my blog... :)

At her last appointment on Monday, she had lost another 3/10 of a pound from Friday (I think that's right but math is not my forte!). The nurse said feed her often and until she practically pukes. So that's what I've been doing. Breastfeeding and pumping so that I can bottlefeed her my "juice" when she gets all fussy on the boob. We'll see if all the hard work paid off. Otherwise we may have to supplement with - gasp! - formula.

I know I have quite a few breastfeeding experts out there, so if you have any suggestions, PLEASE COMMENT. Our main issue is she just won't continue to suck. She gets a great latch and sucks for a while, but then either falls asleep or pushes off (she's a strong week-old chica). So I have to constantly relatch her, which she can do for about 10-13 minutes on the first side on a good day (maybe six or seven on an iffy one) before she gets all lazy with her latch. So then I burp and switch her. I'm lucky to get another good time on the other side - average is probably six minutes. And then I usually have to give her at least an ounce of pumped breast milk in a bottle.

Which brings me to another question. Does anyone have recommendations for good bottles/nipples if you're trying to continue breastfeeding while supplementing? I've been using Avent Naturally and nipples for 0+ since that was the only brand with nipples specified for newborns at Target.

Postpartum symptoms to be aware of

Thought this was interesting for new moms to read: 5 Unexpected Postpartum Symptoms.

Back to Brijin!

Welcome to the world Brijin Joy

I'm so sorry for keeping you all in suspense...

We returned home from a family of two to three from hospital with our new, baby girl Brijin Joy Wednesday night and have been tending to her needs since. I finally feel like I have a moment where I will choose five minutes of blogging over five minutes of sleep... Amazing.

She arrived at 9:04 p.m. on Memorial Day at a long and skinny 7.0 lbs and 20.5 in.

The first thing I noticed were her big lips. :) Later, with help from our friends and family who visited, we awed at her long fingers and gigantic feet! Not long after, my husband and I realized just how precious and scary taking care of this delicate, little life is and will be.

I have so much to catch you up on. I'd like to document so many things from the past week, if Brijin will let me sleep enough to think through it and have the time to type it out! LOL!

I want to share the following:

• My birth plan compared to my labor story - how meditation and presence helped me through it
  
• Naming our baby - Brijin is pronounced like Bridget but with a "jin" at the end (it's the Swedish version ... will tell you more about it later.
  
• My hospital stay
  
• My breastfeeding journey - boy, is it one! definitely a LEARNED experience and your first team effort with your child
• Bringing home baby
• Adapting our dog Charlie to our new bundle of Brijin Joy
• Continuing to learn and feel confident taking care of our daughter

Please comment (hit comment button beneath post) and let me know if I left anything out that you want to know, and I'll fill you in on the details.

I've truly enjoyed sharing my pregnancy through my blog and plan to continue Yoga Mama as I journey through motherhood. My yoga practice will have to focus on meditation and breath for several weeks as my body returns back to normal, and I will try to incorporate yoga into my posts. However I'll have to admit I may be very baby focused for a while. :) And particularly on one special lady.