I’m stickin’ with you…’cause I’m made out of glue…

Nothing like being right with Papa; wherever he goes, Liesl goes!

The moment I took this picture, I actually teared up.  To capture the joy and innocence of your own child is something I will never take for granted.  My son, Abel, is a light in my life.  I love him without boundaries; as he loves life without limits, too.  Ah, the lazy days of summer for a child.  Today, I just loved hearing the kids in and out of the house; truly enjoying the lives they were given with not a care in the world. Thanks, son, for the reminder of how wonderful it is to be seven and free!

I feel constantly reminded of distracted parenting when I am in public. When I am at the grocery, playground, even taking a walk, I see parents ignoring their children to pay attention to their social network. Don’t get me wrong; I love that I can touch base with people I never thought I would see again…but, they are not more important than the moments I have with my four darling children. I am so blessed, more blessed than I deserve; I don’t want to miss the fantastic stories and observations of my kids. I had turned my ringer to vibrate for the past couple of years…I actually just turned it to silent. It seems so much more liberating to really know how optional my social life can be versus the short time I will have with them before they grow up! I am not perfect at this, by any means…but, i do ask myself what is filling my mind? Is it nonsense that can wait, or meaningfulness that cannot.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/06/14/phone.addicted.parent/index.html?&hpt=hp_c2

HEARTLINE HOSPITAL MATERNAL PROGRAM is located in Port-au-Prince Haiti, and does an amazing job of preparing and caring for women who are having babies.  I am thrilled to be working with them as we prepare for our first sling drop in July.

Beth McHoul runs the Maternity program at the Hospital, where expectant mothers can find education, safe and sanitary conditions and respect for them and their babies. They have two full-time midwives on staff who love these women and are committed to giving to them before, during and after their labor experience.

I can’t imagine how loved these Mamas feel.  What an oasis in their journey to Motherhood!

Absolutely gorgeous Mamas and babies!

I cannot wait for each of these women to have a sling to keep their babies close!  What an awesome movement to be part of with Rockin’ Baby!

What is poignant to me in this picture is how the babies are not carried in anything but their Mamas’ arms.  Of course, it is the best place for them to be, but it is not realistic for them to stay there, as their tasks are so labor intensive in Haiti.

Stay tuned, as our FIRST SLING DROP is upon us!  Details are all coming together, and I cannot wait to share them with you soon!

We all hear how being close to our babies is healthy, and a positive thing, but sometimes it is necessary to keep babies alive and thriving. Loved this article on Kangaroo Care from the NY Times last December!

‎”There is a profound difference between the false ambition for power and the true ambition to love and serve. It is the difference between trying to raise ourselves up and trying to lift up our fellow human beings.”

- Henri Nouwen

 

Let Rockin’ Baby ALWAYS have the heart to lift up our fellow human beings; always.

The Power of One

Abel and Cyrus are sponges.  They want to understand so much, and crave to know more.  Oh, to be young again.  I wish to always desire to learn as much as they do.  After talking about Gandhi to them, and trying hard to explain the non-violent response and Gandhi’s movement, it was nice to talk about how they have the POWER OF ONE, too.  I believe we have to raise our children with the confidence that their actions WILL make a difference.  I can see their wheels spinning…I wonder how Haiti will be.  I am blessed with these two little guys; truly blessed beyond words.

Days before Liesl was born, we were still not sure what her name was going to be!  I finally wrote these names  BIG and posted them in our kitchen.  Isn’t it funny how after you have your baby, you can’t imagine him/her by any other name?  “Ee-zull” is how she calls herself; I will be very sad when she finds the proper way to say it.

Liesl loves to nuture, loves to mother…any baby doll she can get into her arms.  We take them up and down the steps, feeding them, bathing them, making sure they feel loved.  I think she is going to be quite a Mama!  She also carries them around in her baby doll sling I made for her:

I am so thrilled for how our little Liesl Lake is turning into such a fun toddler, but I have to be honest; I will miss her as a baby.  I will miss her not just riding in my sling, but the days she would roll right with me in the sling before she could walk.  She still loves for me to wear her, but she wants to be with her brothers and sister now.  She adores them, and they certainly love her to be with them, too.  Happy Birthday, sweet Liesl…don’t grow up too quickly; I love you just as you are!

Night after night…Birch and I burn the candle at both ends.  He is the most amazing Labradoodle one could ask for in an already busy family of 6!  He ADORES the kids, and never leaves Abel and Cyrus’ side.  Our Postman believes he unzips his coat at night and becomes a little boy.  He doesn’t understand why he can’t go with us all the time, and cleans the table quietly if we are putting the children down to sleep.  It’s time to retire, Birch.  I am exhausted; how about you?