So you think you can blog

So I imagine most people think they can write.  If they can put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and get the spelling close enough that spell checker corrects it, then writing happens.  I suppose I am one of those people.  But I don’t have any illusions of grandeur.  I don’t suppose that my meandering thoughts or observations are going to change the world nor lead to a stunning novel or anything of the sort.

I just want to have a forum to discuss things of interest to me, and things that I hope might sometimes strike a chord with others.  Being a new Mom, I am learning so much all the time and I know that what other Moms have shared with me has had such a positive impact on me.  They have provided me with ideas for sleep, feeding, where to buy things, and how to handle different and new situations.  Most importantly, they have provided immeasurable support, and I just want to pass some of that along to others if I can.  To that end, I am going to share a little bit of myself with the world (and lucky for you, there is no one who is going to force you to read this if you don’t want to – certainly not me!).

Breastfeeding is one of those things I have learned quite a bit about over the past 9 months.  I have been SO lucky to have a daughter who latched on that first day and although we went through that rough first 2 weeks together (hello painfully sore nipples!), we came out the other side with a strong breastfeeding relationship.  The more I read about how good it is for our babies, I can’t help but want to share what I know and the things that helped me.  If more Moms who may want to breastfeed can be encouraged to do so, and provided with ideas that may help them, I’d be thrilled.  Sometimes all it takes is just plain inspiration and a goal to get over “the hump” that is the beginning of breastfeeding.  I was blessed to have a friend with a baby 7 months older than mine and she gave me the straight goods.  Knowing what to expect I had a goal in mind that kept me focused.  It ain’t easy, and certainly is no place for sissies.  But oh it is worth it!

I have also gotten in touch with my inner granola.  Being a professional accountant for the last 15 years has not exactly prepared me for motherhood.  The budgeting aspect, perhaps.  But the rest of it?  Not so much.  My previous desk job was not nearly as physically demanding as what I am doing now, and at 39 years old I am not exactly a spring chicken any more.  Luckily for me, somewhere deep inside lurked the heart of a “natural Mom”.  I have started making dinners “from scratch” (and they are shockingly healthy for the most part).  It surprised both me and my husband that I could actually do this!

When I was a single working girl living by myself with my cat, take-out was a staple of my diet.  My life was filled with working (and lots of overtime), shopping, sailing, changing my hairstyle and color practically every month, riding my cruiser bike along the seawall, more shopping, TV watching, reading fashion magazines, eating out, and going for drinks.  That was not so long ago (September 2008).

Now, just 2 years later I have grown my hair out to its natural color, I might have a tiny bit of wine every 2 weeks or so, I haven’t been on my bicycle nor a sailboat since I became pregnant in April of 2009, and suddenly I am a co-sleeping, baby-wearing, breastfeeding, baby-led-weaning, cloth-diapering Mama and wife (with a dog and a cat to boot).

Now don’t go getting the wrong idea about me.  I won’t wear socks and Birkenstocks.  If I could get away with wearing my prettier clothes without fear of spit up and other disasters, I know I would be a much more fashionable Mom today.  It does sadden me a bit when I think of all that time and money spent shopping and now my nicer clothes hang lonely in the closet.  Alas, I have been relegated to mostly jeans and t-shirts, but at least I still have my cool shoes (hello Fluevogs!).

What is more granola about me, however, is my desire to improve the world in whatever way I can, starting with myself:

• Eating healthier (did you know cauliflower is delicious when sharp cheddar is grated on top?  It also makes for great finger food for my little baby-led-weaning eater.)
• Breastfeeding (so that’s what they’re for!  I am SO becoming a lactivist, albeit I don’t want to be a pushy one)
• Co-sleeping (ok, so it may not initially sound like it would make the world a better place, but if I get more sleep it means I will be less grumpy and a less grumpy Mom is… well… you get the idea)
• Responding quickly to my baby’s cries (I know the people in the grocery store don’t like hearing it… neither do I)
• Reducing my consumerism (although that one is tough… have you seen the adorable baby shoes and hats?)
• Reading more and watching TV less (it is all relative – I still can’t give up Grey’s Anatomy, I’m sorry I’m a lesser person for this)
• Reducing, reusing and recycling more (hello re-usable grocery bags, Tupperware, and blue boxes)
• Cloth diapering to reduce the disposables and their nasty chemicals going into landfills (plus fluffy bums are so stinkin’ cute – have you seen today’s cloth diapers?  If not, you really must.)
• Baby Wearing (a weird term, I know, but you will often find me with baby on my hip in her sling while I pathetically try and push the empty stroller which has become the world’s largest rolling purse instead)
• Cleaning up my language 🙂  (I’m trying to remember that I need to set a good example in all I do)

That is quite a lot of change in 2 short years.  But I am used to change.  In fact, I embrace change.  I always have, especially when I feel the change is for the better.

I am THAT person who has moved 10 times in 15 years (one was to move from Calgary to Vancouver, somewhat on a whim that I “needed to live by the ocean”).  I have changed jobs 8 times in 15 years.  Within that time I have also been married and divorced quickly, followed by 6 different boyfriends, and then finally met the man of my dreams who is now my husband.  Since that point on, we have been on what we refer to as “The Fast Forward Plan”.  Moved in together within 3 months.  Started trying to have a baby.  Got pregnant.  Got married.  Had our baby.

It has been a bit of a blur, but a ride I have very much enjoyed with all of its ups and downs.  As Bryan Adams would say, however, I still believe “The best is yet to come” and look forward to whatever the future holds.

I also look forward to hearing whatever you may wish to share with me… your comments, questions and debates.  I still have much to learn!