Baby journal and a word or two about nursing.

My high school girlfriends were here in Philly this week, and they asked me if I was going to make Singer a baby book. I've already started journaling about only him in this simple leather-bound notebook, so I decided to include photos and scraps in the book and make a "baby journal". It's a little more personal than a baby scrapbook because I'm including my thoughts about mommyhood. John and I were talking last night, and we think that maybe we'll give it to Singer when he is older...maybe when he is about to be a Daddy?

Also, my girlfriends asked me about nursing. I got to thinking about me and Singer's breastfeeding journey, and I totally understand why so many women give up on nursing after only a few weeks. It's sooooooooo hard, and it definitely does not come naturally as one would expect. You and your baby have to figure out what to do, and it literally took Singer and I TWO MONTHS to get nursing down solid. What I told my friends, and what I'm telling the blog world is this: you have to really want to nurse, fight through the frustrations, and in the end--it's so worth it. Nursing is absolutely amazing, and I wouldn't trade the frustration for anything in the world. But, you DO have to work at it.

With warmth (Philly 103 degree-style),
Jess

Post for Luke

When I think of God, or when I think of my "idea" of God, I have this beautiful picture in my mind of billions of people lifting up their faces to the sky. The best way I can explain what God means to me is this: when human spirit comes together and puts energy out into the universe as a collective, peaceful body...that is God.

I've always believed that if you really need God to hear you, ask others to pray with you. I've personally experienced the power of prayer when more than one voice reaches out. I wanted to share a special example of recent prayer power.

My friend, Jane emailed me on Thursday and said that she really needed my prayers. Her brother Luke, while living in China, was diagnosed with a rare malformation in the capillaries in his brain when he was brought to the hospital after having a seizure. It turns out that he had been hemorrhaging, and he was rushed into emergency brain surgery.

Jane was devastated, as well as her family, because her brother was so far away and in such a critical state. Luke survived surgery, and he was awake, but the doctors (who spoke only Chinese) were saying that Luke wouldn't be able to come home for months because flying was too dangerous. Jane's parents flew over to China, but they had little idea of what to expect.

Thankfully, Luke has been getting stronger and stronger every day, and it looks like he will be able to come home much sooner than everyone anticipated. Today, Jane told me about several "miracles" that happened because of prayer chains all over the world. There was a pastor who did not know Jane's family, but he heard about Luke through a prayer chain. He spoke Chinese, and he was able to contact Jane's family and help them get in touch with the hospital. Isn't that amazing?! A stranger was praying for Luke.

People all over the world have been putting their energy out into the universe in the name of Luke. God has responded with swift healing and nurturing, and Luke will rejoin his family in the US next week.

There have been several times in my life when I needed a prayer. Instead of baring the load alone, I turned to friends and family for their energy and strength. Their prayers combined with mine yielded peace, safety, health, and happiness. For this, I am truly thankful every day.

Keep Luke and Jane's family in your thoughts and prayers, please.

Strength in numbers,
Jess

While he sleeps...

I'm a Libra, and balance is an important part of my daily life. Trying to balance anything with motherhood is hard. On one hand, you want to give your child 100% of your energy. But, on the other hand, you want to give energy to your self and the things you love.

So...I'm really digging nap time :)
Ahh, my dusty uke still makes my heart skip a beat when I strum.

Our sweet-smelling basil forest is taking over the front window. I had to feature a pic! We're so proud. I've been making a lot of pesto lately. It's pretty much the most delicious thing I cook.

Also, I'm taking a weekly ballet class while John watches Singer. It's hard to tear myself away from my baby boy, but this is very necessary to my sanity! As John says, class makes me a happy person. Happy mommy = happy baby.

Figuring it out,
Jess

We're readers...

With an infant, no matter how hard you try, you don't get out much. It's cool. Singer and I have discovered the wide world of reading. I've always enjoyed books, but while I was preggers, I took a break from reading fiction/fun books and read only pregnancy books. Now, I've passed the pregnancy books on to one of my girlfriends who just found out she's expecting.

Singer and I venture to the library at least once a week. And we are really turning into a couple of book worms. I know what you're thinking. "Your baby is two and a half months old. He doesn't read!" But I'm telling you, Singer really does enjoy book time.

His favorites:
Good Night Moon
Each Peach Pear Plum
Harold and the Purple Crayon
The Wheels on the Bus
The Big Hungry Bear

My favorites:
Time Traveler's Wife
Water for Elephants (about to finish)
and I'm starting my Cormac McCarthy craze. My friend Tobi told me to read them all, so we're off to the library to start.

Also, I'd like to mention that it's been 103 degrees in Philly this week. Reading it is, then!

Books, books, books,
Jess