All My Boys

Sun Time on SchmoopyBoy's bed


Big brother is so funny!


Lil' Schmoo is still wrapped up and groggy after his nap

Interesting Discussion Here

There is an interesting discussion going on at Blue Milk at her post on why pro-life is anti-feminist. I particularly agreed with the article by Anne Summers in The Age, an Australian publication. Makes me want to do more research on Margaret Thatcher, of whom I shamefully know so little. One day when I have more time (and am getting more sleep) I should add some of my own thoughts and commentary. Until then, I give you links and quotes.

From Anne Summers' article Yes, I know, I'm quoting the same section as Blue Milk. I think this sums up the issue quite well):

So what is a feminist? Can you be a political conservative and a feminist? I would say, Yes. Can you be (that heavily loaded oxymoron) ''pro-life'' and a feminist. I say an emphatic, No.

Let me elaborate. Feminism might be blandly defined as the support for women's political, economic and social equality, and a feminist as someone who advocates such equality, but these general principles need practical elaboration and application. What does economic equality actually mean? How can women in practice achieve social equality? As far as I am concerned, feminism boils down to one fundamental principle and that is women's ability to be independent.

There are two fundamental preconditions to such independence: ability to support oneself financially and the right to control one's fertility. To achieve the first, women need the education and training to be able to undertake work that pays well. To guarantee the second, women need safe and effective contraception and the back-up of safe and affordable abortion.

Feminism has taken on all sorts of issues over the decades, from the need for childcare to criminalising domestic violence to the rights of sex workers. Feminism has undertaken campaigns for everything from equal pay to paid maternity leave to the need for more women in parliament. There have been debates with, for example, some supporting women in the military, others claiming women are inherently pacifist.

But whatever the differences and however the issues have evolved over the years, with new ones (like sexual harassment) emerging as we develop greater understanding of women's experiences as new barriers are broken, the fundamentals have not and will not change.

Check out the discussion in the comments of Blue Milk's post. Some thought-provoking discussion.

Gratitude Post - 1/20/2012

It has been too long since I’ve written a gratitude post. I have so many positives in my life. Here are this week’s top 5 things for which I am grateful:

1. Wellness room at the office - I have the distinction of being the first person to use the Wellness Room in my new building for its primary purpose – pumping breast milk. It is SO SO SO much better than what I had to deal with the first time.

2. Truly family friendly boss – I am now working from home two days a week, and my boss allows me the flexibility to switch my days at home when special circumstances arise. Makes my return to work easier on everyone in my household.

3. Seeing my baby laugh at his older brother’s silly antics – SchmoopyBoy is finally getting some of the positive attention from Lil’ Schmoo that he has been craving. It makes everyone feel a little more warm and fuzzy.

4. Baking with SchmoopyBoy – Over the past few months, SchmoopyBpy has really taken an interest in cooking and, particularly, baking with me. Almost every weekend I make a point of baking something with him. It’s a fun activity and special mommy-only bonding time for him, and we have yummy homemade (and relatively healthy!) treats around the house. On a related note…

5. The Joy of Vegan Baking – Many of the recipes SchmoopyBoy and I have tried out come from this book. Some of my favorite recipes include chocolate chip cookies, zucchini bread and muffins, cocoa spice muffins, and blueberry cake.

Babywearing Dad

This is how Lil'Schmoo spends quite a bit of time with Dad while I work.

And this is what frequently ends up happening as a result.

How do you do it?

Moms who blog - regularly.

How do you find the time to write well thought out, well written, coherent articles multiple times per week? This question applies to stay-at-home moms as well as moms who do paid work outside the home (or from home, as the case may be). I am just struggling to survive the day to day grind, and so my blog languishes.

I have so many ideas of topics I would love to write about. But regardless of whether I'm at home all day, as I was for the past 3 months, or whether I'm splitting my time between the office and home, I just can't seem to find the time and energy to post anything more than 3 lines of brainless fluff once a week, if that. Gone are my feminist rants, analysis of current events, and parenting theory. sigh. Perhaps one day they'll be back, but don't hold your breath too long.

I forgot my own anniversary

This is what happens when I'm on my 2nd week back at work and I'm not getting enough sleep and life in general is overwhelming me - I forget my own wedding anniversary.

The husband gave me a cute card and chocolate cake. I gave him eyes popping out of my head, hand covering my mouth, exclaiming "Oh crap! I am so mortified! I can't believe I forgot!"

Another item to hang on my wall of shame.

My sincerest apologies, Husband. Happy anniversary! I love you!

Wordless Wednesday: 3 month birthday

Better late than never...

Trial Run Successful

Late last week we did a trial run, in which I left the husband in charge of both children for 2 hours while I got a hair cut and attempted to run a couple of errands. As luck would have it, the baby slept for an hour and 15 minutes (I put him to sleep just before I left), so he only had to deal with both kids for 45 minutes. The main thing is that he took the bottle, which we both suspected he would. whew.

With SchmoopyBoy, we had to work with him for two weeks before he would take a bottle from his dad upon first offering. He waited until the last moment - the day before I went back to work was the first day he would finally take it. I was so relieved I almost cried.

Lil' Schmoo is a whole different beast. He takes the pacifier on occasion, which SchmoopyBoy never did, and didn't hesitate with the bottle. Considering our first (and only) trial run was less than a week before my first day back at work, I am relieved it went well. I have to confess, I would have loved another trial run. Just one hour of time all to myself would be like a mini-vacation. Plus I could get things done that are difficult (for me) to do with a baby in tow.

On the really unfortunate side, Lil' Schmoo caught another cold. I. Know. This time I believe he caught it from his father, who was really sick about a week ago. I'm trying to keep SchmoopyBoy and myself well. What craptastic timing. Tomorrow is my last day as a stay at home mom. Wow. Time really flies.