Cool article and screams, screams and more screams!

For those that are interested, here is a neat article on breastfeeding, detailing one woman's determination to keep nursing even though her baby was having problems (the problem was solved, and nursing was not the problem).

Doctors and pediatricians really don't know that much about breastfeeding, so sometimes its pointless to even come to some of them with problems. Lactation consultants are better equipped, but not all of them are equal. One thing I wished I have known with Gabe, which I figured out on my own, was to nurse them as often as they wanted it and not put them on a schedule. Not only to they digest human milk faster than formula, but nursing often helps establish supply and prevent engorgement.

Ok, Gabe is into this thing where he just screams. I might tell him not to do something: screams. I tell him something he doesn't like: screams. I say, please stop screaming: screams. Now, this doesn't happen all day 24/7, but a few times a day. How have parents out there dealt with this? He is going though some changes lately; weaned from nursing a few weeks ago, mom can't play like before because of carrying baby in tummy. Could be a communication thing, or just a behavior phase. I don't know. I just know that all toddlers do it, so he is not alone. Fortunately, he does not do this in public. Crosses fingers.

Book recommends

Sorry to inundate you all with two whole blog posts in one day, but just wanted to point out that I posted new books that we've read lately, down here on the right side of the blog. Raising Boys and The Culture of Make Believe are particularly notable. Craig is half way done with Raising Boys, but he has read some parts to me that were good. The Culture of Make Believe is truly eye opening, but is a large book. However, I read through it pretty quickly because, in my opinion, Jensen is a excellent writer. Just click on the links to read more about the books.

Interesting article about interracial dating

I just read this article from the Atlantic about interracial dating that focuses on the black/white variety and how blacks have historically responded to it. Honestly, it's just not on my radar how deep it is for blacks, especially some black women, who even to this day are truly affronted when they see a black man with a non-black woman. My personal opinion has always been that unless you are THE most attractive person in the world, with the most perfect personality known to man, you need to be happy to find love where ever you can find it.

Another aspect I found interesting was that the reasons, past and present, for some black people's antipathy for interracial pairings. The reasons and feelings attached are, frankly, almost the same as white racists. A strange contradiction, but I think it's just one of many undesirable effects of our (the U.S.) racial past.

New Cafe´Post

Just wrote a post on my Cafe´blog about weaning. I really need to post to that blog at least once a week! Especially if I am going to be freelancing.

First freelance assignment: DONE

I turned in my article to Portland Family Magazine on Tuesday. It was kind of stressful. I had everything ready and prepped, emailed the article and it didn't get sent! It took an hour of me trying to figure out if there was something wrong with my gmail account, or something wrong on their end. Turned out, the editor had moved on, and the publisher was supposed have those emails forwarded to her. But it did not work. So she sent a email out to all the freelancers letting them know to send their stories directly to her email…*wipes brow*. I was actually more concerned about Gabe needing some attention while I was in the midst of all that…fortunately, he was okay.

The article will be in the January issue. I'll let you all know if it can accessed online, too.

In other news, I think most of you know that we are having another baby! We had our ultrasound yesterday and we're having another boy. We were kind of hoping for a girl, but you just get what you get when it comes to babies. He moved around a lot, opening his mouth, stretching, and gave the "hang loose" sign with his hand! Maybe this means he will be ultra laid back? Who knows.

I'm 18 weeks and right now he is breech, which concerned me. But the midwife said that at this stage they have plenty of time to turn. She outlined the steps they take if the baby is still breech at 37 weeks, but stressed for me not to worry about it because most babies end up turning by that time. I actually saw another midwife at the practice because mine was off that day. She was really nice. Their policy is for people to see all 7 midwives, just in case your regular one is not available at the time of delivery, so that you are not faced with a total stranger.

So, that's about it for now. Hope everyone is having a good week.