I vote aye
Diane Savino: Kick ass New Yorker.
The majority of the NYS Senate: a bunch of fuckfaces.
{All over the internet but seen thanks to Kate}
Add comment December 3rd, 2009
Posts filed under 'From the heart'
sadness
As I sit here writing this I am tearing up and wishing I was in San Francisco. My very good friend Ramona has suffered a great loss, her mother Barbara passed away and today (at this very moment) is the memorial service celebrating her life.
It was quite sudden and shocking, it’s been almost 2 weeks and I am still completely stunned and saddened multiple times a day when the thought comes to my mind.
Barbara was a magical woman, and very spiritual. She ran a soup kitchen for 30 years. She was passionate about learning about people’s lives and just had a way that made you feel loved moments after meeting her.
Even if you were not the Dalai Lama.
I am sad that I could not manage the trip alone with the baby to stand with my friend as she cries. I am sad Asher will never meet her mother, and her him, knowing she would adore his outgoing personality. I am sad for Ramona and her sister Camila because although the entire world will be forever changed in Barb’s passing, they have suffered the greatest loss one can imagine.
Barbara’s full obituary here
An article written about her life here
Additional photos via MDP flickr stream here
Add comment September 26th, 2009
brooklyn loves you
The neighborhood has been up in arms all week because the fools from the Westboro Baptist Church decided that they’d proselytize their hate in Brooklyn this weekend. Okaaaaaaaaay.
Apparently they feel that the residents of Park Slope are all going to hell or whatever so they planned on coming all the way here from Kansas to stage a huge protest in front of a temple.
I mean really, it is sort of ridiculous.
We didn’t go over there even though we do have ties to the temple (I mean, my weight watchers meetings take place there!) and we all know how much I love the Jews, the Gays, the General Brooklyn Pride – W00T! not to mention my complete and utter awe of ignorant midwesterners, but big crowds with a baby are just not my jam.
I guess about 6 Kansans showed up. Wow. And around 200 Slopers. The highlight was when Andy Bachman, the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim went out on the temple stairs to spread the word of love. What a concept.
{via Rabbi Bachman’s blog}
Watch this quick video for another glimpse, then please go over and read Erica’s recap of what happened at FIPS – It was really amazing.
{video via FIPS, via 30secondlife}
Now I wish we went, I would have killed to have been a part of that flashmob Horah. But most of all, I am yet again so proud to be from Brooklyn. I am so happy that we have chosen to stay here, and raise our son in a place that not only embraces the differences in others but will get in YO FACE if you try and tell us not to.
Add comment September 26th, 2009
Just a little push (ha, pregnancy humor)
Everyone go read Dooce
I am so glad Heather wrote this because now I don’t have to. And also because she is 100x more interesting and funny than I am. Read it if you want to understand my thoughts and decisions because she pulled this directly from my brain.
It also succeeded in giving me a much needed “YOU CAN DO THIS” so thanks Heather!
I love the interwebs.
PS: I CAN DO THIS!
1 comment July 13th, 2009
I think I love my (mid)wife
I had my 35 week appointment today and it went really well. The baby’s head is down (good boy!) and the next time I see her I will be full term and ready to go anytime (!!!!!!). Strangely I really look forward to our visits. We have 2 midwives at the practice and due to scheduling I saw the same one the past 2 times I went so when we walked in today to see the other I said “Haven’t seen you in a while!” and she said “I know! I’ve missed you guys!”
A lot of people are surprised when I say that I have a midwife. The #1 question I get is “Are you delivering at home”
Um, no. A very very very small percentage of births with a midwife are at home. Mine doesn’t even offer it.
I think there are so many misconceptions in the role and training of a midwife that it is somewhat scary to me.
When we told our families I was pregnant and that we chose a midwife someone even remarked “But you have a doctor too, right?”
No, we do not have a doctor .
If you asked me what my plans were if I got pregnant a year ago I’d probably tell you that of course I’d have an OB and bring on the drugs. Why not, right?
When I heard my friend Christine was using a midwife I started to really look into my options. I realized that the main difference between midwives and doctors were just the style of care they provide. Midwives believe that birth is a natural process and it should be treated as one. They take less patients and are able to spend more time with you and do not treat you like a name on a chart. I’ve been to the ob/gyn before, I had a pretty good idea what I’d be getting at an OBs office. I really, really wasn’t feeling comfortable with that.
At our first appointment with my midwife she did all the normal things you’d expect (bloodwork, urinalysis, exam) but also talked to us about our lives, families, jobs and what we could expect over the next few months. We were there for almost an hour and a half. 90 minutes. I think most people’s experience with their OB is about 9 minutes.
Here is a bit from my midwives’ website
“Clementine Midwifery and Natural Birth is a unique family-centered practice serving women throughout New York City. We created Clementine because we wanted to work in a practice where trust in birth, respect for women and compassion are guiding principles.
We offer personalized, unhurried prenatal and gynecological care in our Park Slope office. We make ample time to listen to your questions and address your concerns; this is the heart of midwifery care.
Pregnancy is not only a physical event; it can have a profound impact on relationships and it often changes the way women see and understand themselves. Our holistic care includes lots of emotional support and recognizes the importance of all aspects of your experience.”
Who wouldn’t want these women to help bring your baby into the world??
At the time, the #1 reason I wanted a midwife is NOT because I wanted a natural birth, I hadn’t even thought about it. That is another misconception I have encountered, that they are all against drugs and if you go to a midwife you are obviously some kind of hippie birth nut. Just like doctors every midwife is different and mine shares with me the idea that drugs and interventions are great when they are necessary, that’s why I am giving birth in a hospital.
The main reason I wanted a midwife is because being pregnant is scary! I just wanted to not feel scared at my appointment. I wanted to feel that my voice was heard. I wanted to be part of the process, and not be told what to do (shocking, I know). That is just not the typical OB style, Many OBs go by routine, they have more procedures in place and less individualized care. I’m an individual dammit and what worked for the girl before me will probably not work for me.
I think there is an idea out there that midwives are not as experienced as doctors when it comes to pregnancy and labor, this could not be further from the truth. Midwives have more training and probably see more normal, vaginal births than most OBs. They are not trained for surgery, that is the only thing they cannot do which is why they work with OBs as a backup during labor.
3 people I know gave birth last week, with 2 having emergency, unplanned c-sections. That is a post for a whole other day so I will spare you but at this point, I have done a ton of research and I am hoping to have a birth that is as intervention free as possible. I know I have never done this before and no one knows what will happen. I know that I am not opposed to an epidural if the pain becomes something I really can’t handle or if it’s suggested because I’m so wound up that I’m stalling labor. I do believe it’s better not to have one, but I also know I tear up when I take off a band-aid. I am happy that I am working with a doula and took the time to learn other means of pain relief to try first. If I do end up with one it will be a decision I do not make before I walk into the room because I’m scared of pain I have never experienced. I will obviously have a c-section if I believe there is a medically necessary reason but thankfully it’s not going to be because my care provider has a golf game at 11 or has to get to his kid’s dance recital. Alot of people say “All that matters is a healthy baby” but even though that is the most important thing, it is not the only thing. I matter too.
5 comments June 5th, 2009
Oh right…war
This picture made me think a lot today. I kind of forgot we still had troops in Afghanistan. Its so easy to be worried about money, pregnancy, labor, baby, moving, work, Matthews work, friends, family, fall line up, seeing harry potter when it comes out a week after my due date, etc etc that I sort of put things like this aside until I have room to worry about them too. In my current emotional state stuff like this can make me tear up immediately or stare into space for hours on end. I look forward to the end of pregnancy hormones but unfortunately I am a huge worrier and know it is just the beginning.
{via WSJ via kottke}
Yesterday’s Pictures of the Day at the WSJ were particularly fine, including a US soldier in Afghanistan who didn’t have time to put on his uniform and gets caught by the camera taking up a defensive position in pink I [heart] NY boxers and flip flops.
Add comment May 13th, 2009
Hormones say what?
Ok, you can maybe say that I am slightly hormonal these days. Between the crazy wack pregnancy stuff and the stress and insanity from moving I am emotionally on edge.
Just today I teared up at the following:
A random episode of a baby story (natch)
A passage in the book I’m reading – Birthing from Within. Its VERY touching.
This Flickr Feed - Click through all the pics in the series and you’ll quickly see why! (via sk’s twitter)
Why yes, I do have more to post but I’m too busy looking for another box of tissues…
Add comment May 8th, 2009
Just Another Night
This photostream of the Obamas on Election Night made me tear up with its awesomeness (Just like every single other thing I read about election, I’m a bit of a mess). Imagine even 4 years ago being able to look this closely into the life of the candidates.
(from Gael)
Here is another example. Get out your tissues.
(from Melissa via Twitter)
I don’t know, maybe its just me. I have been fighting off a raging sinus infection for weeks and the antibiotics are finally slooooowly working even though I still have a killer headache. All. The. Time. Its put a bit of a damper on things. Plus the weather has been nothing but crap all week. Its grey, grey, grey, sometimes wet and a little too humid for November. That always puts me in a shit mood.
Luckily there are things like this around to make me laugh. Thanks internets!
Add comment November 7th, 2008
Yes We Can
And we did.
Today I voted for the next president of our country.
I am excited for change.
This is only the beginning.
Add comment November 4th, 2008