Mommy, you have a big booty shack!!!
This is my son's favourite thing to say to me these days! He is at that 'oh, so wonderful' age of 3.5 years old when he is REALLY discovering his world and all the sights, sounds and smells that go along with it. And because he is 3.5 years old, he also talks about whatever it is he is thinking or seeing or smelling or discovering incessantly. It is an amazing time for him and for us, but can also be a very embarrassing time for us as well--like at Starbucks a few weeks ago, when he LOUDLY pointed out that another mommy had a VERY big booty shack, as I slowly tried to slide under the table and avoid all eye contact with anyone! All this brings me to the reason for this post. In another of his very observatory moments, this morning as I was getting dressed he pointed out that my underwear did not cover my bum, aka, the booty shack. I was wearing a pair of Hanky Panky underwear and he wanted to know why it did not cover my bum? Well, YOU try to explain thong underwear to a 3.5 year old!!
So this whole situation got me thinking about underwear and how my needs, likes, and general comfort level have changed since having kids. Pre-babies I was a Hanky Panky only girl--damn the $24/pair price tag, I needed to have them and in every color too! And why not, they are one size fits all, NEVER show a panty line and are THE most comfortable thong panty out there. And if you believe that the picture to the right is my bum.....then yes, it absolutely is.
And then I got pregnant with my son. And for the most part Hanky Panky's are a great maternity panty. Because of the stretchy lace, they easily accommodate the changing and growing body (and bum!) of a pregnant woman. So for baby number one, I managed to avoid going the route of the ridiculously HUGE maternity underwear and risk losing ANY and all sex appeal I could still muster up during that time.
Fast forward to 35 weeks pregnant and for some reason, NO ONE told me about the whole lochia thing until about a day or two before my son was born (we had a weekend to prepare for an early induction on a Monday), so there I was at Zellers on a Sunday afternoon looking for some cheap granny panties that I could just scrap after the 'after' stuff was all done. I found a nice 6 pack of Fruit of the Looms that served their purpose for a good six weeks and then were summarily trashed!! And it was right back to the Hanky Panky's thank you very much.
I was pregnant with my daughter 14 months later and again wore them throughout most of my pregnancy--now I say most because, again, unbeknown to me at the time, having 2 babies in less than 22 months can do things to your body that you were not expecting! I am talking about HEMORRHOIDS here people!!! Those darn little grape like protrusions that were not there before! And let me tell you, hemorrhoids and Hanky Panky's (or any thong underwear for that matter) DO NOT mix!! So I gave in and got me some not so huge Bravado panties that were not too ugly. Around that time I also discovered a line of Jockey underwear that has become a new staple in my undies drawer. The NO Panty Line Promise, Modern Brief. These do all the things I like about Hanky Panky's (stretchy, no lines, sit low on the waist) AND they cover my bum.
So skip forward a year and a half later. The hemorrhoids are no longer a problem (and for those of you who are pregnant and reading this and have this particular issue, all I can say is - TUCK's wipes my friends!!). Sadly, I have to admit that the days of my exclusivity to the Hanky Panky's thong are over. I wear a mix of underwear these days and some days a nice pair of cotton hipster undies is what a girl needs. If only to keep the 'big booty shack' comments to a minimum.....
How about you? How do you cover (or not) your booty shack?
Natasha~
P.S. I have in no way received any compensation from Hanky Panky, Jockey or Fruit of the Loom for the above mentions. Although if anyone knows someone who works for them and thinks that they would like to compensate me, then please pass this on!! :)
Words to live by.....
Last week was a sad one for me. A friend and former colleague (from my pharma days) went missing on July 3rd and was found dead on July 5th (although not reported, she had taken her own life). I will admit that it had been more than a few years since we had last talked and I would hear about her life from other friends and sometimes through Facebook. Last year around this same time, I attended the funeral of another friend and special soul who had also decided to end her life. Both of these women, in my opinion had something in common--they were GIVERS. They constantly gave of themselves, they were incredibly generous of spirit, and would wholeheartedly give their time, their love and laughter, their talents, and their souls. So, I can only guess (because I don't think anyone ever knows for sure) that they were both just fully spent - physically, emotionally and mentally - and had nothing more to give. I can only hope that the end that they chose for themselves gave them both the peace and freedom that they needed and could not find on this earth.
At the memorial service this week, the family came across a memo and list that had been left by my friend in her room and they put it in the program. I would like to share this list with you now. I think that her words are extremely powerful and meaningful and yet so simple. If ever there where words to live by, I think these might be them. What do you think?
My TOP 5 Tips for Safe Babywearing.
It’s a fact mamas: babies who are held cry less, are more calm and content, sleep more peacefully, nurse and gain weight better, they enjoy better digestion and physically and mentally develop better. (1, 2, 3)
The reality is, that holding your baby all day long can get cumbersome and tiring, UNLESS you are doing it with the help of a baby carrier. "Babywearing" simply means holding or carrying a baby or young child using a baby carrier. Holding babies close is natural and universal; baby carriers just make it easier and more comfortable. "Babywearing" is the art of wearing your baby in a variety of different carriers, wraps, Mei Tais, or soft-structured carriers (SSC).
With all the recent news regarding consumer recalls of certain kinds of slings and carriers (4), it is more important than ever to understand how to choose the right carrier for you and your baby and how to use it properly.
Here are my Top 5 Tips for Safe and Comfortable Babywearing.
1. Choose a carrier that is right for YOU, your baby and your lifestyle. Different carriers have different feature and benefits and are more appropriate for different ages and stages of your child. A carrier that is two-shouldered and has a waist tie or strap will allow you to carry your baby comfortably for a lot longer than a ring sling or pouch sling. On the other hand, if you need something for shorter periods, quick trips in and out of the car to run errands or for a special occasion, then a ring sling may be just the thing. Seek advice and education about different carriers and if you can, try out a few before you make your decision (your mama friends, natural parenting stores and your local La Leche League meetings are good places to start).
2. Consider who else will be wearing the baby--daddy, grandparents, older siblings, caregivers. An adjustable carrier (a wrap, a ring sling, Mei Tai or a SSC) may be a better idea than a sized carrier such as a pouch sling.
3. Positioning of the baby in ANY carrier is of the utmost importance and ensures the safety of your baby and your comfort. The following criteria should be met at all times in ALL carriers(5):
-
- Baby should be facing inwards (or on the back in a back carry)
-
- Baby is in an upright position and has a rounded spine**
-
- Knees are higher than the bum or hips in a frog-like position
-
- Legs are out of the carrier and splayed in an 'M' position (30-45' angle from hips)
-
- Baby is HIGH on the wearer’s body (baby's bum should never be lower than your belly button)
-
- The fabric of the carrier is carefully tightened around baby, spread from one knee to the other
-
- Baby’s head is tilted back, face uncovered, to ensure that there is no risk of the airway becoming blocked. You should be able to get two finger widths between baby’s chin and chest, if not-REPOSITION!
**The upright position is a safer choice for several reasons: Baby’s neck is in a straight line with the body and his face rests on the wearer’s chest, with free airflow on both sides. Babies rely on the rounded spine to properly support and distribute the weight of their head and upper body and when a wrap or sling is tightened properly, the immature rounded spine gets maximum support and the natural “frog-leg”-position promotes the development of baby’s cartilaginous hip joints.
4. Practice Makes Perfect. Babywearing is a learned skill and does take some practice. Use a doll or a stuffy to practice with your carrier before you put your child in it. When starting to use the carrier with the baby, always do so on a soft surface like a bed or a sofa (or better yet, on the floor) and if possible have a spotter (someone who will accept the responsibility of keeping your baby from falling).
5. Use common sense when wearing your baby and do not engage in activities that you would not do without the carrier. Avoid activities with risk of falling, like climbing a ladder, horseback riding, cycling or skating. Don't lean over a hot stove when you're babywearing. Be careful when drinking hot coffee or tea. Don't handle knives or other sharp objects. Don't lean out a window or over the stairs. The list could go on and on... in the end it is up to you to ensure that you are protecting your baby AND enjoying the joys of babywearing.
With all that being said--go out and find the right carrier for you and your baby and enjoy all the benefits of babywearing for both you and your precious cargo!!
Happy Babywearing Everyone! Natasha~
Happy New Year Everyone!
So, it's a new year, a new decade and yes, I am a year older (my birthday is January 1st). I am not sure how I feel yet about being two years away from 40, but so far it is OK. I mean, really, isn't 40 the new 20?? Or is that just in Hollywood? I have not made resolutions this year. I would call them more like life commitments. I started doing Bikram (hot) yoga a few months ago and have fallen madly, deeply in love with it! I have rheumatoid arthritis and had always assumed that I could not do yoga because of my joint limitations. Well, thanks to a friend who dragged me to a class, I am a complete convert. And the heat (it's between 95-105 degrees Farenheit) and 50% humidity just help to loosen up all my joints. I wish I had started doing this years ago!
Life commitment #1 - Bikram Yoga at least 2 and hopefully 3 times a week.
Now onto number 2. And this one involves baby #2 as well. I am sure a lot of you feel like this, that baby #2 just does not get the same level of well, pretty much everything that baby #1 did. I have been feeling like this lately with DD. With my son, I did so many mommy and me activities his first 2 years and he had quite a few friends all the same age as him. With my daughter, I feel like she is not getting the same level of exposure to these kinds of activities or to kids that are her age, and so I am going to change that. We started our library 'Fun for Ones' program today and we start swimming lessons for both kids in February. Our local community league also has a Tot time weekly and we are going to start attending this to--hopefully we can all make some new friends!
Life Commitment #2 - Increase the amount of activities geared towards my daughter and find some new friends for both of us!
I am finding that as I am getting older, I don't want the next best thing as much as I used to. I want to simplify my life, reduce my eco-footprint as much as I can and just find joy and peace in the simple things. I find that I am purging drawers, closets, storage rooms, toys, etc... constantly these days. We really just have too much 'stuff', which I am sure is the case for a lot of people. And in doing all of this, I hope to teach my kids a lesson about giving as well. Most of what is purged in our house goes to Goodwill or our local women's shelter.
Life Commitment #3 - Reduce the amount of excess 'stuff' in our house and our lives, re-use what we can and/or give to someone else to re-use and rejoice in the simple joys that everyday can bring.
I am sure that I will continue to add to this list, but I think it is a good start so far. I hope that everyone else has a chance to make their own life commitments and that each and every day is a good one (even for a few minutes)!
Cheers all, Natasha~