Nurshable

August 2012

  • Pulled Under

    There is a photograph of me that I absolutely love. It is not a flattering one, but it is from a time when I was under pressure to always look appealing, a task I seldom lived up to. I’m crouching… Continue reading

  • I Value Your Trust

    Dear I, A and K, When you were born you were placed in my arms and you trusted me. You had no reason not to. Your needs had been met absolutely and without fail for the nine months that were… Continue reading

  • The Baby Not The Person

    Dear Daughter, Someone once said to me that their son was “Not Arron*, but the baby that will become Arron”. At the time it sounded deep. After all we spend so little time in our babyhood and childhood compared to… Continue reading

  • The Place We Met

    Dear Daughter, Third of three, you came after fourteen hours of labor on my side in a bed while I bled from a partial abruption unable to dance through the pain the way I had done with your brothers. Standing… Continue reading

  • Why You Are Intact

    Dear Sons, Today the AAP released their analysis of the benefits and risks of circumcision. They have taken an odd hybrid stance where they say that the benefits outweigh the risks but that they cannot recommend routine infant circumcision. They… Continue reading

  • Your Body, Your Space

    Dear Kids, The oldest of you has already started being exposed to teasing. The younger two of you have yet to be. Let me tell you a secret. You will be teased no matter what. For attracting attention or for… Continue reading

  • Mine to Love

    Shh.. Just the two of us in a dim-lit room. No matter how small you’ve been you’re as small as you’re ever going to be. Sharply sweet with milky breath and chubby cheeks. Quiet calm even though you do not… Continue reading

  • Pumping Too Much Milk is Not Good

    This year I planted an experimental garden. Among the plants I chose were cherry tomatoes. These little tomatoes are very prolific. So prolific in fact that I cannot pick them all and handfulls of them fall to the ground to… Continue reading

  • You Are Not Crying to Manipulate Me

    Dear Daughter, You are not crying to manipulate me. You are crying because you are hungry and I missed your quieter cues. You are asking to nurse because your little belly tells you that it is time and because a… Continue reading

  • Wrap Baby (WIO)

    I love wraps and babywearing because they put so much sleep related stuff under baby’s control. A baby in a wrap has supported independence. They are able to make choices about their comfort and are actively involved in how and… Continue reading