Coast to Coast with Lyn & Leigh

I just got back home after a weekend in San Francisco - grew up in the gorgeous Bay Area but had never really enjoyed SF like a tourist before! I was there for my MOMS Club’s Regional Luncheon. MOMS Club stands for Moms Offering Moms Support, and let me tell you, finding my chapter and joining changed my life.

I live away from family, I was the first of my friends in the area to have a baby, and I have a traveling husband. I knew I wanted to stay home with my babies - nothing against daycare, it was just something I felt in my gut and heart that was right for OUR family. But let me tell you, those can be lonely days! That first MOMS Club playgroup I went to was like opening a window to another world. 

Before I knew it, I had met the girls that would become my best friends, my mentors, my community. And my kids now had a community, too - of little friends and other Mommies. I quickly became active on the board (a good way to keep your brain and skills in tact!), and enjoyed the community service as well as just getting out of the house.

At this luncheon, the founder of MOMS Club Mary James spoke and reflected on MOMS Club, now celebrating its 25th year (it now has 2,000+ chapters and over 100,000 members). She brought us all to tears when she spoke about driving her daughter to college - the same daughter who was just 3 when MOMS Club began. She talked about how it goes by in a flash, and to really be in the moment with your kids (the good and the bad).  Just like seeing that school bus come for Alyssa, and turning around and wondering what happened to nursing and baby proofing and naptime.

Whether you choose to continue working, work part-time, work at home, or be a stay at home mom - find that support - that group of Moms you can turn to for advice, for venting, and for most of all - fun and friendship! It is such a gift to be surrounded by people who know what you’re going through, and who are here to enjoy the ride…

p.s. I won a super cool gift basket at the luncheon. I’m just still so excited about it!

Lyn and I were chatting today and she was telling me that she’s got to do something about Grant’s afternoon nap - he has been getting woken up by Malia playing. She’s at the stage of ’sometimes she naps and sometimes she just plays,’ and up until now it’s been in the late morning.

I like to call it Quiet Time. Both my girls (6 and 4) have 1 hour in their rooms, where they just play by themselves or lay down if they’re tired. I love to walk by and hear them chattering about all their imaginary ’stories’ and games. If we miss it, I can tell! They get cranky.

Anyway, I think it’s time Lyn shifts Malia’s Quiet Time to coincide with Grant’s big nap. This way, after lunch, she’ll put Little G down at 1pm and do an activity with Malia - some kind of coloring/painting/cutting/etc. where she can somewhat control the noise level. Then at 2pm Malia will go to Quiet Time until 3pm, at which time Grant will be waking up. And with an activity in the afternoon, dinner and bath, they’ll both be ready for a nice 7 or 7:30 bedtime. Perfect for allowing Lyn and Michael a chance to breathe (or work!).

The key to Quiet Time? It takes simple rules and practice. You might start with a timer and go for 20 minutes. I also like to have a special tub of Quiet Time toys, books, Leap Pads and Learn Through Music. Be prepared to redirect them many times. But it’ll be worth it, and they’ll soon love that time they have all to themselves…

Little G is FOUR months today and I cannot BELIEVE it! Anyway, if you read our blog, you know that Leigh and I are big believers in routine for babies. It keeps them happy and predictable. One thing that I’d forgotten from when Malia was little is how much bath time seals the deal on letting baby know nighttime is coming. Honestly, if I miss G’s bath time one night, because I am too tired or just not in the mood, I have a dreadful time getting him to go down. I really feel like the bath time let’s him know nighttime is here and it’s time to wind down. Anyway, here is a cute picture of Grant in the New For Baby Yoga Pant.

If you have your babies pretty close together, time wise, it’s smart to invest in a double stroller (especially if they are like mine, who are of the ‘run off’ variety). I wish I would’ve have the choices that are available these days! Mine was bulky, heavy, and a long front/back, which was awkward to steer. I did think about the side-by-side, but was afraid toddler would be grabbing at baby, and had friends who couldn’t go into any store without whacking into all the clothing racks.

Here’s a nice solution that can take you from toddler/baby to big kid/toddler. It’s a compact, lightweight front/back with a twist - the back portion has a harness/seat for sitting, and also a platform and handles for standing. It works with infant carriers as well. Check it out in further detail (it has a cool parent organizer and oversized canopy). Give eBay or Craig’s List a try if you want to save some coin (or ask your friends and scope garage sales).

What’s your pick?

Just got back from Kickboxing, and was thinking about how GOOD I feel now that exercise is a scheduled part of my life. I know it’s hard with babies/kids, but if you make the time, you will not only feel happier, but you’ll have more energy and more to give your family. I call it my ‘mental health hour.’ Now, little Haylie didn’t do gym childcare until she was about 2, so until then, I relied on brisk stroller walks and weekend aerobics classes when my husband was around. Now both girls love the gym, so I’m able to go more often. Even if it’s one hour a week that you can do - DO IT. If you must choose, try a Yoga class. It is so strengthening, relaxing and almost spiritual! You’ll feel taller, leaner, and more peaceful when you come home. If you love working out with others, check out your nearest Stroller Strides or Baby Boot Camp. You’ll make new friends and get fit. Whatever it is, just schedule it into your week and make it happen. It’s pretty cool when your daughters ‘flex’ their little arms and say, “I’m so strong, Mommy, just like you!” Show them how to be healthy. Talk about what you’re doing and how good it makes you feel. And as they say, ‘just do it.’

I can’t BELIEVE it that Little G is already three months! BUT… Take a peek at how well his 0-3 NFB Tracksuit is still fitting him! Actually, He is just starting to need the New For Baby 3-6 month size. I wish he could stay this small for a lot longer.

We had a big delivery yesterday at the New For Baby warehouse in Portland, Oregon. Included in the shipment was our hottest seller the Original One-Piece now in 10 colors and 3 sizes. I am so excited about this because I have been wearing the cocoa, sky & celery one on Grant since he was born and I love it. For this photo shoot I was not about to change Little G 10 times, so my awesome, profesh photographer friend, Jennifer Bearden took a ton of shots in her studio of him squirming around on a black back drop. Then, I changed all the colors in photoshop to match our 10 colors. Rubio and I are getting sick of shipping stuff across the country for photo shoots too, so this worked perfectly. My mom Bonnie and I both LOVE the pose where he is wearing the Ocean colored One-Piece, second in from bottom right. Just look how sweet he looks there!

Which is your favorite? Select your favorite and your name will be placed in a random drawing to win a New For Baby Original One-Piece in the color & size of your choice!

I am emotionally drained. Did not realize it would hit me THIS HARD. I’ve sobbed two nights in a row - once when I looked down at our sweet dog Milo and remembered bringing Alyssa’s hospital hat home for him to sniff when she was first born, and then next when I walked past her 1 year old handprint and photo.

She’s almost 6. She’s totally ready. She’s excited. I’m so happy for her. Why is my heart breaking? Maybe it’s because I’m realizing that MY motherhood has changed. I am no longer a Mommy to babies, with a couple mornings a week of preschool and playdates. This is the beginning of a new phase, and while I’m looking forward to parts of it, I am so, so sad to let the other parts go. 

As the bus was pulling away, little Haylie said it best: “I’m going to miss her.” 

So, those of you in the ‘baby’ phase of motherhood - don’t rush it. Don’t worry about having little to no time for yourself. Don’t add an extra day of preschool so you can run more errands. Just have fun being with these funny little people. I’m so glad I did.

Growth spurts can really seem to get a baby out of their routine. I am NOT kidding you - I nursed Grant like 8 times yesterday! He was at his fussiest at bedtime (7:30). Basically what he did was three feedings in a matter of 2 hours. He got himself all tanked up and then he slept for 6 hours. I love cluster feedings!