Penelope's 6 Month Portraits

I am having an AWFUL day today. Actually, the last few weeks have been rough. So this is a lazy post today.

These are Penelope's six month portraits. She is so beautiful I just had to share. And I figured that looking at her pretty face would put me in a better mood.

Is she not the fattest, most beautiful baby you have ever seen? Except, of course, your very own babies!

Enjoy!

Baby Yoga: Corkscrew!

This is another pose that is great for digestion. If baby is constipated or gassy, this will make them much happier. You are moving their legs clockwise, in the same direction their digestion moves.




















You start by pressing their thighs into their tummy, like In and Out. Then moves their legs in a circle.




















As you are moving their legs, you say/sing Corkscrew. You make one rotation each time to you sing the word corkscrew, so draw it out a bit. Of course, make eye contact and smile. And give lots of praise after you have finished this pose!

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!

Carnival of Nursing In Public Post: The First Time I Nursed in Public

Welcome to the July 2010 Carnival of Nursing in Public


This post was written for inclusion in the Carnival of Nursing in Public hosted by Dionna and Paige at NursingFreedom.org. All week, July 5-9, we will be featuring articles and posts about nursing in public ("NIP"). See the bottom of this post for more information.


***



My nursing in public experience is a bit different than most breastfeeding moms I'm sure. My daughter was born with some physical problems that made nursing impossible for us. She had severe tongue tie and TMJ. On top of all that, she had a weak sucking reflex and I have flat nipples. It was like a perfect storm. I refused to give her formula. So I pumped. And pumped. And pumped. She is almost 8 months old now.

Even though I was pumping and giving her bottles, I did not give up on the possibility that she could at least comfort nurse, if not fully nurse one day. We did EVERYTHING! And finally at 5 months, she latched on and nursed to sleep. And we haven't looked back. She still prefers a bottle for a full feeding. But from me she gets snacks and comfort and I get to nurse her to sleep. I can not even describe in words how thankful I am to have those nursing moments with her.

The first time I nursed in public. I almost cried I was so happy. I have always wanted to be a mother and to nurse my baby, so to finally be able to nurse my baby like a normal mother was overwhelming. We were at a park with two of my friends and their babies. It had been a couple of weeks since Penelope started comfort nursing. She was fussy and tired, so I offered my breast. To my surprise she latched on and stayed latched on for several minutes. I had to stop talking and rock her a bit to keep her calm and focused, but still it was impressive, because normally if she is not nursing to sleep, she gets too distracted and frustrated that the milk is not flowing fast enough to stay latched on. It was a beautiful spring day, the weather was perfect. There were other moms with older kids running around near by. I am not sure if anyone looked at us, because I was entrained on Penelope. I was worried that she would pop off and expose my nipple to everyone, but I didn't really care. I was so happy to nurse in public, like a normal breastfeeding mother.

About a month after that experience, I nursed in a restaurant and again, I was nervous of the distractions and her popping on and off. I would never not nurse my baby in public because of my nervousness, and if anyone ever said anything to me, I have the type of personality, that I would give them a piece of mind and some. But because I know how people view breastfeeding in public, I do not whip out my boob as readily. I try to calm her another way first and only try to nurse as a last resort. If she was a better nurser, then maybe this wouldn't be my tactic, but because getting her to latch and stay latched is still a production, I prefer not to have to do it public.

Recently, I also nursed her at the beach. And even there, I felt self conscious and felt everyone eyes on me as they were staring at us. You would think that at the beach people are half naked, so who would care if you saw a bit more cleavage?

I so wish more people breastfed in general and that they nursed in public, uncovered, more often. To send the message to everyone, but especially young girls, that nursing is the way you are supposed to feed babies.








Welcome to the Carnival of Nursing in Public


Please join us all week, July 5-9, as we celebrate and support breastfeeding mothers. And visit NursingFreedom.org any time to connect with other breastfeeding supporters, learn more about your legal right to nurse in public, and read (and contribute!) articles about breastfeeding and N.I.P.


Do you support breastfeeding in public? Grab this badge for your blog or website to show your support and encourage others to educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding and the rights of breastfeeding mothers and children.

<center><a href="http://www.nursingfreedom.org/p/carnival-of-nursing-in-public.html" title="Carnival of Nursing in Public"><img src="http://www.babydustdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/inip1.png" alt="Art by Erika Hastings at http://mudspice.wordpress.com/" border="0"></a></center>

This post is just one of many being featured as part of the Carnival of Nursing in Public. Please visit our other writers each day of the Carnival. Click on the links below to see each day’s posts - new articles will be posted on the following days:

July 5 - Making Breastfeeding the Norm: Creating a Culture of Breastfeeding in a Hyper-Sexualized World

July 6 – Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers: the New, the Experienced, and the Mothers of More Than One Nursing Child

July 7 – Creating a Supportive Network: Your Stories and Celebrations of N.I.P.

July 8 – Breastfeeding: International and Religious Perspectives

July 9 – Your Legal Right to Nurse in Public, and How to Respond to Anyone Who Questions It

Baby Finger Painting Art Project: Part 2

When Penelope was done finger painting, I cut out the prettiest section of her art and framed it up for Peter's gift.

Pretty cool, huh?

Here is Miss P giving her Papa his present, which he loved! Baby-finger-painting-art-project success!

Baby Finger Painting Art Project: Part 1

For Peter's first Father's Day, I wanted to make him something special and handmade. I set up the kitchen floor for Penelope to go crazy with the finger paints. It was her very first art session! I taped a plastic tarp down, and then taped several pieces white art paper to the tarp. Then I put four plastic paint containers out, each with a different color. I added a paint brush to each container.
























We used eco-friendly, non-toxic paints and Penelope went to town!























She managed to get as much on her body as she did on the paper.

Cleaning up! I will show you guys the finished product on Tuesday.

Giveaway: Mimi the Sardine, Messy Baby Bib!

I am so excited about this giveaway!  About two months ago, before I started experimenting with solids for Penelope, I ordered this bib in Dots Blue.  I LOVE it!  I like that it is long sleeved, because Penelope likes to paint her body with food more than putting it in her mouth, and the pocket in the front catches pieces that don't make it in her mouth (and 80% does not make it in!).  It can double as an art smock as well.  AND it's made by an American company, and the fabric is organic!  Couldn't ask for a better product.

Mimi the Sardine sent me the Messy Baby Bib, in the Jungle print, great for a boy or girl.  So to enter, tell me your favorite baby eating memory so far, in the comment section. Share the giveaway on facebook by clicking "like" below, or tweet the giveaway, then leave another comment each time letting us know for an additional entry. Entries will close at midnight July 11th (Penelope's 8 month birthday!) and a winner will be randomly selected.

I'll start: My favorite memory so far, is the very first time Penelope tasted a food.  She was about 5 months old and was grabing and holding onto everything she could get her little hands on.  I was chopping up vegetables for dinner and she was in her bumbo on the counter, watching.  She started to get fussy, but I wasn't done chopping vegetables, so I gave her a big slice of red pepper to keep her entertained.  She immediatly put it in her mouth.  Then, she looked up at me, her eyes wide in amazement.  Her face was priceless!  It was if she was saying, "Oh. My. God.  There are other tastes in the world other than breast milk!"  She was in shock!

Starting Solids: Blackberries are a Hit!

I intended for this to be a post about eating local, farm-fresh foods, but today is turning out to be pretty insane for me. So instead, its just a show and tell of a cutie patootie picture of Penelope eating her new favorite: blackberries!

Baby/Tot Yoga: I Love You

This pose is a Penelope favorite. She soaks up all the eye contact and love. For babies that still don't mind being on their back, lay them down with their feet going towards your body. Take their hands and bring them into the middle of their chest. This simple action of bringing their hands to the midline of their body, helps them with crawling and clapping. And then you say Iiiiiii!




















Next, bring their arms out wide, give them a big stretch, but be gentle. Remember, the younger the baby, the slower your movements should be, so they can process what you are doing. As their arms are out wide, you say Llllloooooovvveeee!

Then bring their arms back to the midline of their chest, but cross one hand over the other and sort of rock them back and forth and say Yyyyooooouuuuu!
Do this several times. For older babies and toddlers, who don't want to lay down, you can do this with them sitting in your lap, facing out to be able to look around.

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!

DIY: Toy Storage Bag

 
I made a bag with a zipper to house some of Penelope's wooden blocks the other week. I used scrap fabric I had left over from when I reupholstered a chair when I was pregnant. I also recycled and used the pink zipper I tore out of the Lilly Pultizer skirt I made into a Pillow Case dress. So it doesn't really match but I figured reusing the zipper was more important.
 
I didn't take a super great picture of the bag, because Penelope was being so cute with her blocks. The girl makes some funny faces.
 

Here is where I learned to make this type of bag. I didn't double line it like the tutorial, because this was my first time using a zipper and honestly I just couldn't figure it out, maybe next time.

Oh and if anyone is wondering her dress is organic and from Sage Creek Organics. Pretty cute, right?

Yoga for Mama and Child: Down Dog

Oh, how I love this pose! It's one of my favorite yoga poses. It is a great all over body stretch and you are giving lots of muscles in your arms, back and legs a bit of work out too. Now, its been awhile since I have been in a regular yoga routine for myself, so don't laugh at my technique! And besides, you are doing yoga no matter what the pose looks like, as long as you are breathing. In through your nose and out through you nose!

Start on your hands and knees. Any yoga I do these days, involves Penelope. She loves to be underneath me with this pose. She giggles so much when I do Down Dog! Then you lift your tail bone in the air and put your body into an upside down V. Your hands and feet should be equal distance apart. Try to balance your body's weight equally between your hands and your feet. You are trying to get your heals on the ground and your back flat at the same time. If that is not possible, bend your knees to get your back flat and then slowly work on your flexibility, so that you can straighten your legs and then get your heals down. Come in and out of the pose as you need to rest. A pregnant variation of this pose, would be to place your hands on a wall and to make a 90 degree angle with your body.


Even babies can do Down Dog! This is Miss Ava at about 10 months old. She had been doing Down Dog about a month at this point. Babies will naturally do Down Dog as they are learning to crawl and walk, but at about 9 or 10 months, you can teach them to do it when you say Down Dog!! Anytime you see your baby naturally do it, say "Yay!!! Down Dog!!! Good job!!! Then do it yourself and say again Down Dog!! Similar to the concept of how you would teach them sign language by repeating the word and showing the sign over and over again. Eventually, they put the word recognition and the body movement together and ta da! They can do Down Dog! Let me tell you it's the best feeling in the world when they do their first yoga pose on their own! Ava's self esteem sky rocketed, she was so proud of herself. And that continued all through her toddler hood. Yoga is something all babies and toddlers can excel at. So not only is it good for their health it is great for their self esteem.

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!

The Fanatical Breastfeeder: Part 2

I, surprisingly, was not mad or offended when she called me fanatical for choosing to breastfeed, because I could see straight through her. She told me she didn't breastfeed, so for her to mentally and emotionally acknowledge that a mother would rationally choose to breastfeed, because it is the superior health option, in her mind, that would some how mean that she was a bad mother. Note, I said in her mind. I do not think that mother's who bottle feed with formula are less of a mother than me. I do, however, know that breast milk is better than formula as far as nutrition goes. Its a simple fact these days, with so much research, its not even a question anymore. Breast milk is better than formula. Period. Formula is not poison, and its a perfectly acceptable substitution for breast milk. But it is not the same. It is second best. But this woman, obviously felt that breastfeeding women think they are better mothers than formula feeding women, and in response to that misunderstanding, she needed to put me down in order to make herself feel better. And under anger, is always sadness. So I felt bad for her, because somewhere deep inside her, she knows that breastfeeding is better for babies and she chose not to give her babies the better option out her own need for her life to be easier. She was not willing to sacrifice personal time or rest or whatever for the sake of her children's health.

Now, again, let me be very clear here, I have nothing against mothers who bottle feed with formula (I do have an issue with formula companies and how they go into third world countries, including the US, and make it very easy for women to give up on breastfeeding.) I know for a fact, that you can meet all an infants emotional needs through bottle feeding. I was a nanny, long before I was a mother, and I continue to bottle fed Penelope my breast milk because of our situation. I call it bottle nursing. Her cheek touches my breast, so she is getting skin to skin. I did not do this with Ava and Ella (the girls I was a nanny to for 3 years), but I always held them in a cradle position when they got their bottles, and looked into their eyes. And I wore them in a wrap or sling for large portions of the day, just like I do with Penelope and they got lots of eye contact and touch through yoga and massage. I would lay down and cuddle with Ava and Ella to get them to sleep, just like I do with Penelope (but I am nursing Penelope to sleep.) So I know mothers can be just as attached to their babies and babies can feel just as loved and comforted, even if they bottle feed.

But nursing is different. It almost like it takes bonding to the next level. Not only does it meet her needs, but it meets mine. Bottle nursing, left me out of the picture. My milk would let down, but it had no where to go, and it was not a pleasant feeling to be holding a baby, have breasts full of milk but not be able to do anything about it. I remember the second day Penelope started comfort nursing. The first day was actually stressful, because I was holding my breath and afraid to move, not wanting to mess up her groove. I was also stressed that is was just a fluke and she would go back to not wanting to latch the very next day. So the second day I had relaxed. We were laying down and she was nursing to sleep. I felt my milk let down and for the first time it had somewhere to go other than to stain my shirt. I felt her pick up her sucking and swallowing. I could actually feel my milk going into her mouth and then I pictured it going into her belly. It was like I was literally, physically, giving her all my love through my warm, perfect milk. I knew she felt perfectly loved and at peace, which I know she feels when she is bottle fed my milk, but this time so was I.

Saturday Link Love: 6.19.10

This is an article about one of my local hospitals and the steps they are taking to reduce their cesarean birth rate. I applaud them for doing something, anything, but man they (as do ALL hospitals) have a long way to go to get birth back to normalcy.


This is a blog post review of another article, written by Janet Lansbury, that said the term “babywearing” is an outrage. The term is disrespectful to babies because it objectifies them."

The Fanatical Breastfeeder: Part 1

 

I have to break this up into two posts, because the subject is just too big!

This week I have been on vacation in Atlantic Beach, near Jacksonville. Penelope has received lots of attention from the other guests. One woman, struck up a conversation with me by saying how beautiful Penelope was. She went on to say that the reason she was here at the hotel, was because her daughter-in-law had just given birth six days ago and they were visiting their new grand baby. Me, being me, I responded with: "Congratulations! How is Mama and baby doing? How is breastfeeding going?" To which she replies with: "Oh, breastfeeding has been a nightmare, she can't get the baby to latch and now she is pumping all day and all night, getting no rest and she is having a hard time with her supply." I say, "I am so sorry to hear that, I know exactly how she feels, I had to pump, and in fact, I still pump 3 times a day for Penelope even though she can comfort nurse now. I remember how tired I was and how I thought, I hate all those people who say sleep when the baby sleeps, because I never could, I was always pumping." She then says, "I just don't understand why she is putting herself through all that, my daughter recently had a baby as well and she is giving her baby formula and her life is so much easier." And I replied, very casually, with not a fanatical tone in my voice, "Oh, because breastfeeding so good for the babies, what it does for their health it makes it worth it." She then says, super nasty, "Yeah, that is what all you breastfeeders say, you all are so fanatical about it. Women in my generation (she was in her mid-fifties, I'd say) didn't breastfeed and our kids turned out fine." I didn't really process quick enough that she just called me fanatical for choosing to breastfeed, so I didn't give her the response I should have. I simply switched the subject and started talking about things her daughter-in-law could do to increase her supply and left it at that.

I have thought about this poor mom all day, hoping to run into her mother-in-law again so I could offer her my left over milk stash, since I don't have a freezer here and it will go to waste. I am so mad at myself for not thinking quick enough to offer it right then and there, then she would have really thought I was a fanatical breast feeder!

While I do consider myself pretty fanatical about my determination and dedication to keep pumping in order to give Penelope my breast milk. I choose to breast feed to give Penelope breast milk for its health benefits (and for bonding, but more about that in the next post). Health benefits, discovered by massive amount of scientific research. I made an educated and informed decision to breast feed, i.e. not a fanatical one. I also don't get in people's face about it. I like to vent and share my joys about my breastfeeding experience on Facebook, but I am not wildly waving my hands in the air and yelling on a street corner to get people to breastfeed. One of the reasons I was so sad that Penelope couldn't nurse at first, is because I was excited to nurse in public. It was going to be my quiet, peaceful demonstration to the world. Part of the reason I am who I am today, is because of the positive women/mama role models I have come across in the last 10 years, not fanatics in the least. Before I even became a Doula, I was dating a guy in college, who's older sister was a total AP, BF'ing, co-sleeping mama. I saw her quietly sling her baby and breastfeed on demand. I saw how peaceful she and her baby were. I made the decision then and there, not even 20 years old then, that I was going to mother like that. She was not fanatical. She was just going on about her business and being a mother. And yet she made a huge impact on me.

Baby Yoga: Kicky Cobra

This pose is a great way to sneak in some tummy time for those babies that want nothing to do with laying on the floor, stomach down. The words for this pose are: kick, kick, kick-ey co-bra.




















Every time you lift up a leg, say one word. So you are moving their legs and singing on the same beat. Hold their legs gently. If they squirm away, just keep singing and smiling and try again in a minute. You always want to keep their knees on the floor, to protect their low back.

Mama's can do Cobra pose too! Lay on your belly, with your legs together, and your hands underneath your shoulders. Then lift your chest up off the ground as far as is comfortable. Its a nice ab and low back stretch and strengthens your arms as well. You can keep your elbows on the ground if your low back doesn't like too much of a stretch.

The more you do yoga in front of your child, the more they are going to want to do it!

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!

Diaper Changing Pad Cover

I think this is my best project so far, as far as satisfaction goes. Dresses are awesome, but to make something useful was pretty great. When I was done and put it on the diaper changing pad, I was totally surprised. I couldn't believe it actually worked and turned out! It fit perfectly. This pad was given to us, as a hand me down, and before Penelope it had already been through 4 babies, so the cover was in a bad, bad place. Now, I get to look at these pretty flowers every time I change Miss P's diapers. And since our diaper changing station is in our bedroom, it matches much better.

This is what the underneath looks like. It was the first time I have ever done a project with elastic. Elastic used to scare the crap out of me, but it is very simple! Here is the tutorial.

Saturday Link Love

I am trying to get into the habit of getting my posts on a general schedule. Saturday's posts will be a round up of cool and interesting links I have come across that week.

This is a neat article that is about extended breastfeeding but it also has some great explanations of attachment parenting.


This is a news article about a mother who was asked to stop breast feeding in public at a mall. In protest, she later organized a nurse in. It caught my eye, because just the week before my youngest brother Eric, was at the mall with one of his army friends and they came across a mother nursing without a cover. His friend, actually said something to this mother and asked her to stop breastfeeding and got in her face about it. My brother, then made a scene and told his friend off and protected the mother's right to feed in public. When he told me, he said he just got so upset because in his mind, he pictured me nursing Penelope and having some jerk come up to me and say something. The mother was also very shocked to see this young, single male stand up for her, but was so grateful. I was SO proud of him!


Cool article about the age of natural weaning in humans. Hmmmm, it seems all these links are about breast feeding this week, not intentional!


This last one, is blog post about what to do to help ease teething pain. I liked it because I could have written it myself, it's exactly the things we did to cope with Penelope's first two teefers she got this month.

Baby Yoga: Rolio!

This is such a fun yoga pose for babies! It almost always gets me a big grin and giggles.

To get your baby in position, you sort of "hog-tie" them, by taking your first finger and thumb and clasping their feet. Then use the other three fingers to grab their hands. Then bring their hands and their feet to the center of their bodies. If you can't get their hands and feet to touch in the middle, that's OK. And if they aren't in the mood to have their hands grasped, you can just do their feet.




















Then you roll them to one said and say Rrrrooolll.




















And then bring them to the center and say LLLiiiii.

And then bring them to the other side and side and say Oooooooo!

Go back and forth saying, Rol. li. O!!!! When they are a bit older, or just get used to the pose, you can go back and forth more seamlessly and pick up the pace! If you are doing this on a tiny baby, you need to go pretty slowly or they can get overstimulated.

If anyone ever has any questions about a pose, you can ask me in the comments section or shoot me an email. I am always happy to help!

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!

Ten Minute Onesie Dress

This took a little bit longer than 10 minutes, but it was still super quick and easy. This could also be categorized under a refashion, because the fabric is from an old GAP halter dress that doesn't fit my mommy boobs anymore. I cut a piece from the bottom of the dress and didn't even have to hem it.

I got inspired to sew this dress from this tutorial. Instead of using a onesie I used a tank top that I bought at Old Navy for $5. I also made her dress have an empire waist for added cuteness. Here is the tutorial I used to make the headbands. For mine, I used the straps of the halter dress instead of elastic.

I am LOVING headbands right now because I never have time to blow dry my hair anymore. AND it covers up all the stupid, wispy hairs that are growing back in from when I lost fistfuls of hair everyday during my early post partum days. Those same stupid, wispy hairs are also growing back in white. Can thank my mother for those. She was completely white by her mid thirties. Awesome. Can't wait.

YOU put the baby to sleep!

Last week, after a full weekend of my parents visiting (which if you know me and know about my mom, you know that being around her for more than 30 minutes requires the patience of Zen Master), and then doing Penelope's six month photo session, I was stressed. 


 Her photo sessions always stress me out, because I have huge expectations of what they will come out like and I want everything to be perfect. I have anxiety almost a full week before, picking out the right outfit and making sure her nap and feeding schedule work out to whatever time we have picked for her session. 


 This time, everything was going great, except we were doing the pictures outside, and of course, 15 minutes into the session it starts to rain. 


Our photographer, Robin Adams, drives me crazy on delivery time of her product, but she is ROCK STAR with the actual photos. I know that she was able to get a bunch of beautiful pictures, even though our session was cut short. But by the end of the session, the entire family is soaking wet and Penelope is naked, and I am exhausted after running half a mile to the car, while holding my fatty-fat 20.5 pound baby.


Ok, so back to the main point, so after all that I was stressed. When we got home from the session, it was immediately time for bath. But it was lighting and raining and Peter said it wasn't safe to take a bath while its lightening. 


 Um, OK, Peter (aka Mr. Safety), whatever you say. 


So we skip bath and go straight to pjs and milk and listening to her lullaby cd. We usually do massage before bath and spend about 25 minutes in the bath. We have been doing this since she was 4 weeks old, so by skipping her bath, she was thrown all out of wack and it took an extra hour and half to go to sleep. Not to mention, I am sure she was stressed, because I was stressed.


After her full feeding, we lay down and nurse to sleep. Usually it takes 10 to 15 minutes and she is out. 


But not tonight.


Tonight she was doing her song and dance routine for almost an hour. 45 minutes into this, I think man it would be so much easier, if I just let her cry it out (never gonna happen, so don't worry), then I start getting super frustrated and then I remind myself to take deep breaths. 


 Now I am deep breathing. 


Still frustrated. 


I think to myself Ok, let's try some chants of OM (in my mind, because Penelope would fall off the bed laughing if I did it out loud).


That's not working either, because I can still feel my blood pressure rising. Oh and I forgot to mention, that I hadn't eaten lunch that day (can blame Peter for that one, he brought home mac and cheese from New Leaf when I am not eating dairy right now), so I am laying down STARVING. 


All I want, is for her to go to sleep, so I can eat something. By this point, I am praying, Our Father's and Hail Mary's and few "please God, I just want to eat something, is that too much to ask?!"


Penelope is wide awake. 


She is loudly practicing saying all her words (Mama, Bubba and Papa) and doing her kicks. So now I am crying and begging her to go too sleep for the love of God. To that, she replied with giggles and more kicks. Then I decided that enough was enough and I picked her up, stormed out the room and sobbed/yelled for Peter. 


 YOU PUT THE BABY TO SLEEP, I NEED TO EAT SOMETHING. 


Peter tried to comfort me, but I didn't want to be comforted. I wanted to eat and wanted to be away from Penelope. He takes her for a walk and I sit down to eat. 40 minutes later, I am fed and happy and he comes back with an awake child, mind you, but all is well with the world and I am ready for round two. 


As she falls asleep, ten minutes later, and I just watch her sleep for a few minutes. I feel guilty for getting so upset and being such an un-Zen yoga teacher and massage therapist. I also feel so thankful for having an awesome husband that is willing to take over the second I ask, even though he does bring home mac and cheese for lunch.

Baby Yoga: Padhahasta

This baby yoga pose is also great for little tummy's and aiding in digestion. It's a fun workout for their legs and helps them learn how to kick!

Hold your babies legs however is comfortable for you both and then just bring one knee up and into their tummies and say Paaadddhhaa!



















And then switch and do the other leg and say Haaasssttaaa! Continue going back and forth and switching legs, I usually do about 10 times. Remember to do it a fun sing-songy voice and spend lots of time smiling and making eye-contact with your baby.
Yoga is such a great bonding experience because of the skin to skin contact and the eye contact.

You can learn more about Itsy Bitsy Yoga here.

Just FYI, most of the baby yoga poses I post, I learned at my Itsy Bitsy Yoga training. The founder and creator, Helen Garabedian, has a great book and dvds that you can purchase to help your home practice. Or you can go to her website and try and find a class near you!