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Levi – A Birth Story
It wasn’t my idea to get pregnant. We were on vacation, taking a walk along the beach, when my husband nonchalantly said he had had a dream the previous night that we had a little boy. “I was throwing him up in the air and catching up, and everyone loved him,” he said. I wasn’t sure how to receive this information, and am not sure what I said in response, but I saw a vision of the scene playing out before me, my husband tossing up a small child in the air, laughing and smiling. I smiled for a moment, too, until Kevin said, “Let’s have a baby.” An…
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Attachment Parenting: Nurturing a Secure Attachment with your Baby
That tiny little hand wrapped around your thumb. That indescribable scent of that downy-soft head. That feeling of warm, sweet breath against your skin. The sound of the little sighs and coos. As a first time mother, I couldn't get enough of holding my baby. I was amazed at how how deeply connected I felt to my child, how powerful my maternal instinct was, how strongly I desired to be near and nurture my little one.
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Attachment Theory: An Introduction
Have you heard that old advice: "It doesn't really matter, a baby won't remember that anyway"? It's ok, the baby won't remember being separated from you after birth. Don't fret, a baby won't remember crying alone in the crib for an hour or two. Don't worry, the baby won't remember that you left for that weekend getaway. Well, research has shown that while the baby may not consciously remember those moments of separation, they will affect her. How we interact with our newborns does matter, and, in fact, it matters a great deal.
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Attachment Parenting: How We Got There
These are some things I believed about myself and my children before I became a mom: I would breastfeed on a schedule, for my children needed to adhere to my routines and schedule. My children would sleep in our room for a short time, then sleep in their own room, and we would sleep-train them to sleep through the night. My children would never be allowed in on our bed, for our bed was sacred. I would discipline my children firmly and physically when needed. Then, I became a mom. My children were breastfed on demand their first year of life and well beyond. My children slept in our…
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The 1st Birthday Party – 10 Tips for Hosting a Memorable Event without Breaking the Bank (or Losing your Mind)
When I turned one, my birthday party consisted of family coming over to enjoy some snacks and a homemade chocolate cake my mom lovingly decorated with Big Bird. There were some gifts, maybe a few balloons. It was not a big deal, just a time to celebrate with loved ones. But in this day and age, especially under the influence of social media, there’s an expectation of hosting an elaborate, themed birthday party for your little one. Spend five minutes on Pinterest, and you will become either inspired or discouraged by the intensity with which people plan for baby’s first birthday. A beautiful party is all well and good, but…
