Comments for Stars, Camouflage, a Dash of Sparkle

Comment on September Update by Darlene

Darlene — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:11:27 +0000

It’s great to hear you’ve chosen Hypnobabies. With regard to your birth preferences, the nice thing about the exercise of preparing a plan is to help you examine what is really important to you for your birthing time. Once you learn about the benefits and risks of various choices you have at the hospital, it can help you think about what matters most, and it can open communication between you and your care providers, and you’ll be able to see just how compatible your place of birth and care provider are with you.

It’s certainly true that you will not know until you’re in it what you will *really* want during your birthing time. Your birth plan is not set in stone, and you can always change your mind. Perhaps seeing them as a list of wishes or preferences rather might help.

Comment on Mmmmm. More Fiber Tips by Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:11:45 +0000

I would love to have those black bean recipes.

Comment on miracle of life by Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:26:41 +0000

Hey, that’s a good point re: rough healing – you might be right. I hadn’t thought of that.

3D to 4D took me awhile. L and I didn’t *really* ‘click’ until she called me mama at 4 1/2 months – I’ve sometimes wondered if God saw how hard it was for me and gave her some words early so it would be easier for me.

I was startled to find that a relationship with even a newborn is still a relationship, with all the awkwardness and uncertainty that new relationships bring. Some moms talk about how amazing the delivery day was for them, how magical it is to hold the baby for the first time, etc. For me it just kind of all sucked after the labor was over. :-P My ‘magic moment’ came when she called me mama for the first time. It was one of the most amazing and life changing experiences I’ve ever had. All at once it was like I knew she understood and appreciated all the hard relational work I’d been doing for the past months…. at least, that’s what it felt like. That’s still what it feels like – she drives me crazy sometimes, but I do genuinely enjoy her company, and she enjoys mine.

Comment on miracle of life by Mircat

Mircat — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:35:59 +0000

Thanks so much for the input, Rachel–we’ve tended to think alike on several issues in the past, so I’m very intrigued to see if my experience mirrors yours. Looking back, how long do you think it took you to move from the “3D to 4D” love experience? In a way, I can sort of see what you mean b/c as my marriage deepened and grew, my definition of love grew and changed in (good!) ways that I never anticipated. I’m intrigued to see what parenting does for my categories too!

That IS an interesting pregnancy experience….I wonder if your rough post-pregnancy physical healing had anything to do with coloring the rest of your memories? :-/

Comment on September Update by Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:40:46 +0000

Oh, and the relaxation techniques are truly wonderful during labor, especially the breathing.

Comment on September Update by Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:39:02 +0000

I lost all the baby weight (!) in something like two weeks. It was so fast that I was really clumsy for awhile until I got used to my new skinny body. :) I also lost some pre-baby weight in the following months and have mostly kept it off for the past 3 years.

Nursing is hard work, but boy, there’s nothing like it for weight loss! So cool!

Comment on miracle of life by Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:35:37 +0000

On another note, I LOVED being pregnant. LOVED it, nearly every single uncomfortable minute of it.

Until it was over. Then every memory became repugnant to me, and I’m still not sure I ever want to do that again. ;-P So now I really enjoy not being pregnant… weird, eh?

Comment on miracle of life by Rachel M.

Rachel M. — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:33:03 +0000

“But EVERY child is miraculous,” was my response. I don’t need to be pregnant to better appreciate how miraculous it is for a child to be born. Every time I see a friend’s child, or even a passing infant, my heart leaps at how extraordinary it is to see a brand new human.”

It IS very different when it’s your own child, though. Very, very, very different.

I know everyone talks about how they didn’t realize how much they could love someone until they had a child, etc. I heard my share of that, but didn’t take it seriously enough. When my daughter was born, I had to come up with completely new categories for… everything. I still feel like I need to re-read every great book I ever read, re-experience every great work of art I’ve ever seen or heard, etc. because EVERYTHING is so very different now. It’s like moving from 3-D to 4-D or something – everything is different now, deeper, but in a way there are no words for.

I thought I knew how to love deeply before. I see now that, compared to the way I love my daughter, I was wrong… the love a mom feels for a child is a whole new animal entirely.

I had no idea.

It’s as if my very ability to love has been stretched beyond what I knew existed. Amazing!

(I’ve no experience with adoption, but I’ve no doubt the same applies.)

Comment on September Update by Mindy

Mindy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:15:51 +0000

I am very glad you chose to share all that. I feel like it is a way that I can keep in touch with you in real life.

Comment on South Beach, phase 1 update by Christie

Christie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:04:14 +0000

I’m about to complete phase OCT 2nd and feel like i’ve been dieting for months. The no caffeine and bread has been an absolute nightmare but it is doable. So far i’ve lost 12lbs. I think if you can get through two weeks phase 2 will be so much easier. good luck