Thank goodness....

....for an independent readings course. I've read five comedias each week for the last three weeks, and will do so for the next three weeks.

I've started to think that a comedia a day keeps postpartum depression away. :-) I've been planning projects to work on after the course is done, too. I just have to have something to remind me that there is more to me (and my life and overall existence) than making meals, disciplining a melt-down-inclined three-year-old, washing diapers and laundry, and being a milk machine.

I love being a mom, don't get me wrong. My friend Jen always says that I need to re-identify myself because the "feminist" label doesn't quite fit. (She most recently said this after learning that I had spent some time in the afternoon sewing the patches onto Ben's scout shirt...I usually don't use that statement to discuss the wide range of feminist possibilities). My kids and Ben are definitely the most fulfilling part of my existence. It's just nice to be able to have something to turn over in my head and use to ask questions about why we, as human beings, do some of the things we do.

And it avoids this. And this.

Unintentional conditioning

So last night Bee asked to listen to my Dixie Chicks "Fly" CD. I didn't know that she had ever listened to it.

The first track on the album is "Ready to Run." My three-year-old started singing with it. Knew almost every word. Apparently my music choices are already affecting her.

I guess there could be worse things....

Comics

I find it really funny that the two comics that best describe my life are PhD comics and Baby Blues...great combination.

Today's comics from both strips were particularly appropriate.

GAAAAAAA!

I just don't understand how people can see abuse this way.

Breastfeeding (again)

So I know that I post on this a lot. But I feel strongly about it. And since I'm in the throes of getting it going again, I want to write about it.

When you talk to lactation consultants or read literature published by organizations like La Leche League, they always say things like "Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt." What they need to specify is that that statement is only true if you have the perfectly shaped nipple, your baby will open wide enough initially to get the perfect "latch," your skin starts out nice and soft and supple, and your baby will nurse on both sides evenly every time.

THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN! Unless you happen to be some exquisitely blessed woman, it's going to be uncomfortable for at least a little while. In my case, it's been a pretty decent struggle both times, though it was worse with Bee than it has been this time around. Baby likes to nurse, and he nurses forever on both sides, which helps things. Bee didn't like to do either of those things.

Anyway. My point here is that it will probably hurt, and that's okay. Don't let people frustrate you with their "it won't hurt if you're doing it right" statements. My thought on that is that lactation consultants, like anyone else, need business. They say that it won't hurt if you're doing it right because they want you to come see them so that they can "help you do it right." I think a large part of what happens is really just that by the time you've had a couple of visits with them, it's been a couple of weeks and everyone involved (baby, mom, and breasts) have adjusted. Period.

So. Those are my thoughts. Probably tmi and totally unsolicited. But I was in the mood for a rant.