3 MONTHS! Dear Baby

Oh my little wonder baby.

You are 25 inches long. (That's over 2 feet!)
You are 16 pounds.
Your head is 15 inches around.
Measuring in the 95th percentile of babies, you are ahead of the game! Daddy says it's because he cooks us mega-breakfast every morning. Mmmm bacon...
Wearing 6 month clothes!

Your daddy can make you grin like the whole world has shut down and nothing exists but his silly face, singing and dancing with you.

Sleep is touch and go, but you love to get a lot of it! Just sometimes in 1 hour increments, and that makes a very tired mommy. But somehow, thanks to the rhythms of the day and the special chemical high you give me, its all ok. We recently moved the mega space-pod swing into the bedroom, and last night you went down at 7:30pm... up at 11pm... 1am... 4am.. 7am. Believe me, that is fantastic for us! Naps are a definite need, sometimes in one big 3 hour spurt, and other times in smaller chunks. We just go with the flow!

Bathtime is the BEST. We can't wait to get you in some infant swim classes. You love the water, kicking your legs and floating around. You used to cry when bathtime was over, but now you know it's oil massage time afterwards, and we listed to lullabies and sing together before bed.

A couple days ago you let me read to you for nearly 5 minutes straight! What a great attention span my love!

Tummy time is not your favorite. But we hangout on the floor everyday, practicing kicks, side rolls, hand eating and grunting noises.

We are getting over a little cold this week, Mama got sick last weekend, and now you are fighting the sniffles but it's so very minor.

Speaking of songs... you LOVE to sing! Whenever mama sings a song I'm rewarded with a HUGE grin and if I'm lucky some sweet coos.

We are so ready for some mega adventures with you! Mama is trying to convince Dada that a snow-shoe hike would be awesome! We'll bundle you up and hit the trails. With Daddy carrying you we can go for miles & miles.

Girl, we can tell you are going to be a handful. Fortunately we have four big hands to help you on your way to becoming a truly bright star in our lives. You have no fear of strangers (yet?) and are so interested in the world around you. Getting to know you has been the adventure of my life, and we have so much time ahead of us!

YinSights

The yin aspect of yoga brought me head over heels into my practice. My initial once-weekly yang practice introduced me to the transformative power of yoga, but when I found my first yin teacher, I truly fell in love with yoga. [hmmm i think i am overdue some yin yoga photos... pretty much all yang]

Dealing with friends/family/students with a variety of skeleto-muscular issues, I constantly strive for more comprehensive knowledge of anatomy. Yoga Therapy is the way of the future. In Portland, Yoga Centers almost rival the ubiquitous coffee shop on every corner. One day, that type of knowledge and self empowerment could be as easy as a daily cup of jo. I truly believe that health is the next aspect of social revolution. Jesus and Buddha initiated religious transformation with the concept that every individual is capable of self-enlightenment or realization. When every person has control, or at least comprehensive understanding of their own true health, insurance companies will not be able to continue the type of stranglehold they maintain today.

Rod Stryker's article in the Summer Yoga International magazine sits with me daily this month. His reflection on dharma, and the goal of bodilessness as true health is truly piercing. I shared a quote with my Street Yoga clients last week, and I took it as a good sign that one of the students pulled out his pocket notebook and jotted down notes after class. Whether is was regarding asana or philosophy, I don't know... but I hope I aided in some clarity.

Points of Practice
Destiny and Desire | The four aims of life offer each of us a blueprint for fulfilling our unique potential in this world.
By Rod Stryker

*the article isn't available online, but I plan to recap my thoughts soon....

I have been subbing for my friend and fellow yogi, Leigh Drake as she completes Paul Grilley's 100hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training

This article looks particularly helpful, as just sitting in vajrasana is quite difficult for me. I don't experience any discomfort in my daily life (yet) but when I sit in this posture, I experience very uncomfortable sensation. I love the final closing of the article, "Remember, no pain, no pain!"

Love & Light

Earth Hour

On March 26, 2011, pledge to turn out your lights at 8:30 pm for Earth Hour, a worldwide collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all--the planet.


This Earth Hour, when the lights go back on, we hope you go beyond the hour and think about what you can change in your daily life that will benefit the planet. Let’s work together to create a better future. Our actions can add up.

dirty dozen

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I know its hard to spend the bucks on organic produce, but more research has come to light, demonstrating that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health.

Fortunately, many sites are educating the masses on which produce you should attempt to by organic, and which ones can get by without.

{download here!}

Alternatively, spend $3 on a bell pepper start from your farmer's market, stick it in a bucket of dirt, and you'll reap the rewards all summer!

rethink

Recycling and reusing are integral parts of creating a better tomorrow, but its not until we begin to reThink, reFeel, and reLearn how to better support our roots that real change will occur.

Anodea Judith writes in her novel, Waking the Global Heart,
"In preparing for a cultural rebirth,  it is essential to understand the archetypal dynamics of our original birth... To live in the severity of Ice Age conditions, and hunt dangerious animals, was to understand the unequivocal power of Mother Nature. She was the Mother that provided everything - but Her rules were not to be trifled with. Breaking the rules could threaten a tribe's magical relationship with its surroundings, hence its survival. She was All."

Humanity evolved from dependent infants to curious toddlers, then independent children playing king of the hill. We find ourselves insecure yet willfully independent adolescents, self sufficient, yet haven't progressed beyond the self-absorption which is blind to the detriment of those affected by one's own actions.

In 2008 over half of America voted for Change. A charismatic man swept up in the bold energy of this country promised to embody this principle. The problem is not with the characters of the drama but the screenplay. We need to empower ourselves with the knowledge that a broken system must evolve. We cannot subsist through hate and dissent. America is not a two party political game, but a vibrant, diverse community.

So today, look around you. On the bus, in the park, in line at the grocery store. Honor the people that share your life. Find yourself interested in their path, how many steps it took for them to be in this very moment, now sharing their energy with you. What kind of energy are you sharing? All your life has prepared you for right now, and you are perfect.

Happy Earth Day!

{gertrude k}

one for one

are you familiar with Tom's Shoes?

Spring is buzzing with new styles!

The best part is, for every pair you purchase, they donate a pair to a child in need!

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Why shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential. 

Read more