Milkmemos Blog

Oh boy, I have so much to update you on. I attended a breastfeeding conference, International Lactation Consultant Association, a couple weeks ago in San Diego. Wowie, did it open my eyes and get my heart pumping! I’ve been wanting to blog about it, and give you the highlights, but I haven’t done it yet. Between school starting, a fabulous 4 day camping trip in the Rocky Mountains (which Charlotte and Mary LOVED), a very cool freelance project, and Lord knows what else, I’ve had my hands full. My newfound friend, Tanya Lieberman, blogger for Motherwear, wrote a good summary — right when she got home - she’s probably the type who finished her homework EARLY, but I like her anyway. (There’s even a pic of Tanya and me in her blog. So how can I not like her?)
But… what I’m fired up about today is a bunch of juicy discussion about breastfeeding in the news.

1. salon.com covered the book last week - hooray! It generated some interesting comments (letters to the editor), too! (I had to chime in myself)
2. MomsRising sent a mass e-mail and has a discussion on their website about the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. You can tell your own story (and look for my comment) and also sign a petition in support of the Act.
3. salon.com then covered the MomsRising piece. (I wrote a good letter to the editor in the associated blog, if I say so myself.)
4. The Washington Post had an article today titled “Breast-feeding ads blunted” about the influence of formula companies in this public health matter. I have some more thinking to do on this one, and would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

I’ll elaborate when time permits, but wanted to go ahead and post these items.
Hugs, Cate

Two posts in two days! How about that?!

I just have to tell you about day 2. Today we got to the bus stop 5 minutes early (no small feat). Our orange tabby cat Pumpkin was there waiting for us! (Some people would consider that a coincidence, but I know Pumpkin already has this bus thing all figured out.) Another little girl, Megan, walked up. She is our kitty-corner backyard neighbor, and they have a trampoline, plus (you’re going to think I’m really crazy now) I swear we’ve seen them ice skating in their backyard in the winter. So, clearly, she is a good friend to have. Anyway, Megan is starting 2nd grade, I think. She said shyly, “Charlotte, are you sitting next to any one on the bus?” Charlotte replied, “I’m saving the seat next to me for Mary.” (This explains why Charlotte sat alone on the bus yesterday.) Leoni (our au pair) explained (in her lovely South African accent), “But Mary won’t be ready to ride the bus with you until year after next, big girl.” “Oh, right,” said Charlotte. Then Megan asked SO SWEETLY, “Would you like to sit with me and my friend, Whitney?” Pause. “Sure!” replied Charlotte. The bus pulled up at EXACTLY 7:38 and all the kids climbed in, Charlotte following confidently right behind Megan, neither girl even looking back! All the parents (and Mary) waved to the bus, and Leoni and I stood there on the sidewalk with big lumps in our throats as the bus pulled away.

Next, we took Mary to her first day back at pre-school. I kept looking around for Charlotte, I’m so used to her being there too, in pre-K! I wanted to make sure Mary felt special, too, so we took lots of pictures — she was ADORABLE in her chunky pink and red plaid sunglasses. Leoni and I posed with Mary for a picture. We got down on our knees to be at her height. So, of course, Mary got down on her knees, too! As we said goodbye, Mary promised to make friends with the new kids and tell them jokes if they got sad.

Is there anything in life better than being a Mom??!!

Cate

My dear, sweet Charlotte (a.k.a. Doodle Bug, Doodle Nut, Bugsy, Nutsy, Doodle, Sweetsie Pie, and of course, Lottie) is at this very moment attending her first day of Kindergarten. I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! She’s going to our neighborhood public school, Crestview. She even rode the BUS!!! Hopped right on, clutching Ellie, her most special elephant toy. I could tell she was scared, and acting brave — which just makes my heart BURST. As the bus drove off, she was looking out the window with a big smile! Chris (my husband), Mary and I dashed to our car and raced the bus to school so we could be there to greet Charlotte. Off she came, down those HUGE bus stairs, still clutching Ellie. Half-smile at this point. I asked her if she rode with anyone nice, and she said no, she sat alone (GULP). But she was fine! She said the bus was bouncy and leany when it turned. The Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Cerny, remembered Charlotte’s name (from meet the teacher day; also she goes to our church, which is nice). She put Charlotte’s name tag on, and all the students lined up and marched into the school. “Bye, Doodle Bug! I am so proud of you! I love you!” Charlotte turned, smiled (big smile), waved, and walked into school. It all went so fast. Chris and I drove home with Mary (3 and a half yrs). Mary said she wished she could have ridden the school bus with Charlotte. “Your turn will be here before we know it, Mary-bug.” And so the mothering journey continues…

With love, Cate