Introduction & Signing with Ryann: ALL DONE

by LCW on February 23, 2011

in Mini Series,Parenting

I have always had an interest in sign language.  Did you know I chose the college I graduated from specifically for it’s Deaf Education program?  Did you know I studied ASL (American Sign Language) and Deaf Culture in college?  I did, and I loved it.  Sadly I changed my major to focus only on Elementary Education or I would have been in college for 6 years.  But I have always been interested in everything ASL.

I didn’t study up on baby signs, I went with my instincts and background knowledge and started signing to Ryann when she was about six months.  I thought with the introduction of solid food would come the introduction of baby signs.  It seemed natural to me.  Some of you may choose to do it at other times, that’s awesome too!

I will tell you I got very discouraged when six months went by and Ryann still didn’t sign, at all.  But one day it came to her, she was mimicking my words and baby signs. I’m glad I didn’t give up.

I introduce to you: Signing with Ryann.   Her signs are not perfect, with new words comes less sign language (for her personally) BUT that’s ok, it has helped Ryann communicate with us and helps her with words she has not yet learned to verbalize.  From our personal experience it has not stifled her language development, in fact she spoke before she signed.  But let me tell you, it’s amazing when she can sign “more” instead of whining.  And with learning “all done”  it has stopped food being thrown on the floor.  Win, win in my book.

Learn a sign a week and practice with your kiddos.

All Done:

“The sign for “finish” is made by placing both of your open hands in front of you.  Each hand should face you, with your fingers pointing upward.  Twist both hands quickly a couple times ending with the palms pointing (somewhat) forward.”{Source}

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First annual beach trip.

by LCW on February 20, 2011

in Family

Today was our first official beach trip of the year. Complete with bathing suits and beach toys.  I mean, obviously a beach trip isn’t complete without them.  JPW and I feared the worst, I’m not going to lie, the screams from last year’s beach trip were still resonating in our ears.  But we ventured on, pushed aside our fears and hoped for a fun day with minimal tears.

I am hear to tell you, and shout from the rooftops that it was one of the best beach trips we’ve had in a while.  And for a couple who spent at least four days a week at the beach that says a lot!   We made friends, whom, ironically enough, just moved to our old hometown.  Happy for them, sad for us… because they were so awesome I considered dating them.  What? Yup, I said it.

Ryann made friends with their son and it was relaxing and stress free.  I think the pictures say it all.

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The only thing hip are my hips.

by LCW on February 19, 2011

in all about me

I rarely get out alone.  JPW rarely gets out alone.  It’s just not “in the cards” right now.  After my minor breakdown the other day JPW told me to do something, anything.  So,  I headed out to meet up with a local photography group to work on a photo challenge.  I was really excited about the time away from the chores, and familiar faces.  I knew JPW and Ryann would be just fine without me.

I put on a cute-ish outfit.  I applied makeup.  I didn’t carry a large bag and all my personal contents fit in a wristlet.  Definitely makings for a good night, right?

The photo challenge was fun, and by fun I mean the kind of fun that made my brain think, looking for beauty in otherwise not so beautiful things….like a restroom door. The weather down by the river was GOR.GEOUS.  Other than making my mind sweat a little, I just didn’t have FUN fun.  Know what I mean?

I felt like a third wheel, which doesn’t even make sense because this wasn’t a couples event, nor were their couples doing couple things.  I was the youngest by at least fifteen years…maybe more.  I can’t talk “shop” because sometimes I actually forget the name of my camera.  Ridiculous?  Yes I’d say so.  At dinner, which was way over priced just a little sidenote, I was laughed at by the bartender when I asked for a drink.  Folks, it wasn’t a fancy or complicated drink, but he insisted they didn’t have it.  So I ordered something else.  I dropped part of my dinner on the ground, sad, and annoying since it was too expensive {and I’m too cheap broke} to be wasting food.

BUT, I stuck it out, I chatted, I snapped pictures and occasionally sent text messages to JPW just to look busy and important.  Upon returning home,  a small blond greeted me with a huge hello AT 9PM.  {Ahem, me thinks someone was taking advantage of Daddy and his willingness to give in too easily.}  I cuddled Ryann, told JPW about my night and realized maybe I’m not just as hip as I thought.

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A fresh, old memory.

by LCW on February 15, 2011

in all about me,Ryann

It’s hard to remember those first few weeks and, sometimes months, with a newborn.  Although, there are moments that I’ll never forget. A breastfeeding memory that is still so fresh…

I drove up to the class hesitantly, lugged Ryann, my over sized diaper bag and insecurities into the room. I sat near my friend Haley.  I introduced myself and Ryann to the group.  Ryann was only 3 weeks old at the time.  I remember the onesie she was wearing, and the maternity clothes I was still sporting.  All the other moms seemed so put together, their babies far more advanced and insecurities a thing of the past.

I thought to myself, I must be doing something wrong. Surely this is hard for everyone. What if Ryann wakes up? She’ll need to eat, and I’ll have to keep my gasps and toe-curling hidden from the group.  I was at a group breastfeeding class; where support and encouragement and breastfeeding would be the only conversation.   I was relieved to have a group of moms and lactation consultants to support me and help me when JPW didn’t know what more to do.  But what on Earth was making this so painful and difficult for me?

I managed to latch Ryann on by myself, literally biting my lip as she began to nosh. After a few minutes {which seemed like an eternity} the burning subsided and I was able to relax my shoulders.  I felt the tension melt.  I peered around the room, observing the other moms.

How do they do that so discreetly?  Some don’t even wear breast pads! They’re talking and relaxed and enjoying this…what am I doing wrong??

I finally got the courage to speak up and ask the group…”How is this so easy for all of you? Am I doing something wrong?”

A muffled  laughter filled the room, the lactation consultant walked over and insisted on checking Ryann’s latch and my hold.  She patted me on the back and said I was doing everything right.  The other moms chimed in and said they had been at it a few months longer and they felt for me, because breastfeeding is difficult and they too, felt the same way I did in those first few weeks.  I was so happy to hear those words: right, difficult, easier.  I knew that with each passing week and month breastfeeding would become easier, I could be one of those moms…in time.

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Spreading the love with a Mod Tots Giveaway

by LCW on February 14, 2011

in Giveaway,Product Review,Reviews

***Giveaway closed***

congrats Amanda H.

Do you remember the swoon-worthy Modern Bird Studios piece I shared with you back in November?  Well the creators of Modern Bird Studios have spread their proverbial wings {pun intended} and created a line of  “…clean, modern, and minimalist art for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers…” I present to you  Mod Tots by MBS. 

Mod Tots has created a line of animals, robots, monsters and dinosaurs {coming soon}.  They take ordinary nursery art and punch it up a few, several, ok  A LOT of notches and turn your child’s space from drab to fab.  Gregg creates each piece on oak composite, using a combination of digital and hand sketching. With a choice of sizes, background colors and the opportunity to have a piece named after YOUR child, this art is truly one of kind.

Oh, so you want your child to have a Mod Tots animal named after him or her? Join the bunch along with Ryann the Duck, Harrison the Fox, or Pierce the Giraffe {just to name a few}; be the first to purchase an unnamed animal and BOOM, it’s name after your child.  So very cool!!

These are currently hanging in Ryann’s room and well I think it’s a pretty snazzy group. These pictures just don’t exemplify the richness of each piece. The color, smell and weight of each piece is far better in person.

Mod Tots is classy and fun, would you love to own one?  It’s quite simple {we like it that way around here} enter below for a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate to spend at Mod Tots.

Head over to their site, tell me how you’d spend your winnings. Come back and leave a comment!

Want additional chances to win? {duh, obviously you do!} Don’t forget to come back and leave a comment for each.

Giveaway is open to both US and Canada, and closes on February 18th.  Winner will be notified and subsequently have a rockin’ weekend.

Want to own one now?!  Use the code WILLIAMS at checkout for 10% off, code expires February 25th.

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It’s only a phase.

by LCW on February 11, 2011

in Parenting,Ryann

In the early hours of the morning, when no one else was awake and Ryann was screaming JPW and I would bounce, shush and sway, I’d tell myself… “it’s only a phase.”

When I needed to be pressed up against her so she would sleep more than twenty minutes, I’d tell myself…“it’s only a phase.”

When a nursing strike sent me scouring the internet for help, only to last a day or two, I’d tell myself….”it’s only a phase.”

When teething tablets, frozen washcloths and Sophie weren’t enough, I’d tell myself….“it’s only a phase.”

When the carseat was a torture device and driving was near intolerable, I’d tell myself…“it’s only a phase.”

When Daddy couldn’t soothe, feed, or cuddle her I know it hurt his heart and I’d tell him…”it’s only a phase.”

When breakfast, lunch and dinner end up on the floor I tell myself…“it’s only a phase.”

And when she doesn’t want to be cuddled when she’s hurt, or sad or sick and she’d rather whimper alone in the corner I tell myself…“it’s only a phase.”

Last night’s tears, kicks and cuddles that kept me up for over three hours, well that too, is only a phase.

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All you need is love.

by LCW on February 10, 2011

in Ryann

It’s high time we started crafting (more) around here, and by we, I mean the toddler and I.  She rarely sits still but I’m determined to steal a few minutes of her time to create meaningful gifts for family.

I cut out the hearts…

I provided her with some adhesive tape…

I helped her position the paper…

I showed her how to glue the hearts…

I took pictures to capture memories…

I added the finishing touches…

But all of this?  This right here?  This is all Ryann…made with love {and paper and glitter}.

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Unspoken Grief.

by LCW on February 7, 2011

in Family

I can’t imagine the loss of a child.  I can’t imagine not having an outlet for my pain.  I can’t imagine that women, today, are still grieving in silence.  I introduce to you, Unspoken Grief.   Devan, the founder behind Unspoken Grief started this site to share her stories, and welcome you to share yours.  Her mission:

“to create a safe space for individuals & families touched directly or indirectly by miscarriage, stillbirth & neonatal loss to share their stories, feelings and thoughts about grief, loss, hope or society. Our society has a lack of understanding and a level of discomfort with the grieving process surrounding the loss of a pregnancy and it is our hope that we bring these topics out into the open and create a community where families are supported, understood and honor our children who left too soon.”

This site is for YOU, the mother, father, relative or friend who needs an outlet, a safe haven to share your story free from judgement.  It’s a place that will welcome you and support you. It’s a place to grieve and no longer feel silenced.   One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage.  I don’t know how to reach out to the mother, friend, who is left with an empty womb, Unspoken Grief is for all who are directly and indirectly effected with child loss. You don’t have to sit in silence.

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What happened to meeting friends the old fashioned way?

by LCW on February 4, 2011

in Parenting,Ryann,Uncategorized

So I mentioned last week that I joined Stroller Strides and was starting to make some friends. Most of the women keep telling me to join the meet up group and check out the other “mom meet ups”. I finally get around to checking out the meet up groups that are age appropriate for Ryann and close to home.

This is what I come up with:

“Join our meet up, we’re a group of fun loving moms to babies born between May 2009 and December 2009, we welcome all moms”. Followed by MEETUP CLOSED TO NEW MEMBERS.

Hmm, really, you’re welcoming and fun loving?? So how do moms who are new to the area, or recently have time in their schedule join your group? I guess they don’t. Moving on I find another group with a similar description.

“Our meet up is open to all moms, working or stay at home, breast or bottle, cloth or disposable, tall or short, skinny or fat…” Ok well they didn’t say that exactly, but you get the idea. I click, join the group, I’m directed to a questionnaire, quickly type my introduction and then, YOU’LL HEAR BACK FROM US SOON IF YOU’RE ACCEPTED INTO THE GROUP. Um, so this was an audition? I didn’t put on makeup, I didn’t proofread my introduction and I certainly didn’t expect to have to “try out” for the group. I thought it was open to all. I thought you mentioned you were welcoming…

I tried one more time, certainly third times a charm, right? Well I didn’t get very far because I was immediately hit with, “This group is closed unless you have specific circumstances or have been recommended by a current group member”. Ok, then I DEFINITELY don’t want to join your group. I considered writing a sweet email to the organizer briefly explaining my situation and how I’ve recently become a stay at home mom, then I realized it’s not worth my time if I have to jump through all those hoops only to be considered.

What I learned is Meetup.com mother’s groups are for the select few and it made me feel like I was trying out for a sorority, auditioning for the lead part in the play…only to be REJECTED!

I think I’ll just find moms at the playground and meet friends the old fashioned way, I’m not cut out for meetup.com mom meet-ups.

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All under fifteen minutes.

by LCW on February 3, 2011

in Parenting

Butter the toast (times two)

Slice the peach

Pour the milk

Pour the coffee

Wheel highchair to table

Bring plates (times two) to the table

Take a bite of toast

Watch Ryann’s toast fall overboard

Hear dog indulging in floor toast

Observe Ryann stare at her plate.

And watch and listen as she signs, “All Done” while waving her arms.

::Sigh:: Breakfast is over.

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