From around the world

It's Monday and I would like to share with you a few little things that caught my eye lately. The weather in California is supposed to cool down but we are still doing better than the rest of the country, right? Well, let's just say, I can't wait for spring! Enjoy your day and I'll meet you here tomorrow!

I really enjoy making vacation videos. I just need better equipment though!

This bracelet is beautiful. And this one too.

Mini Boden has some great sales. Go and peek.

An easy project for you and your kids to get ready for Easter.

Models and their mothers.

I want to read this book.

This song, this song just makes it right. 

Why don't you join ONE?

Photo by me

You'd be mad not to check out..

.. this beautiful eco-friendly, multicultural family for your baby's nursery. How sweet and adorable?

Cool amusement park

One of the things Europeans do best are building amazing spaces for children to cultivate their abilities. Junibacken park in Stockholm is no different. It encourages kids to handle hammers, nails and saws! (yes, crazy, I know!) and at the same time teaches them (and their parents) how to defeat their fear of letting go and built trust.
It's also based on the characters of Astrid Lindgren books and if your child is a fan of Pippi Longstocking, he or she won't be disappointed. The train that takes you through the park actually ends in Villa Villekulla!
So if you are planning to go to Stockholm with your kids, don't miss the opportunity to visit this spectacular park and the largest bookstore in Sweden.

The Quote

And that is the truth, my friends.

Photo found here.

On judging mothers

When you become a parent, many things change. For me, one of the biggest surprises was the outlook on parenting of everyone who had a child. I am not going to lie. Before kids I was very opinionated about how should people raise their children. I had answers, I was pretty sure I could do it better. And then I had my own. And never judged again.
Judging in general is a very sensitive subject of controversy itself, yet I feel it should be discussed when it comes to parenthood.
There are many of those who still judge despite the fact that they are parents themselves. I once met this mother, who seemed to have an opinion about just everything. A little girl was throwing a tantrum in the middle of the mall and this woman started to blame every single member of the girl's family. There is a saying "you will never understand a person until you'll walk a mile in their shoes" and I can't agree more. Raising a child is not easy. No, it is extremely difficult and all these beautiful ideas we had before we became mothers collapse as soon as the baby comes out into this world. Every child is different, so the technique you use for your kid is not necessarily going to work for another. Unless it is this scenario. Then you can judge all you want:).
We live in a society that is obsessive about personal freedom and if you remember this article, which I am sure you saw around at some point, in all honesty, it was blown out of proportion. Why couldn't mother breastfeed her child as long as she wants? Is she hurting him? Is she doing it just for her selfish reasons? We don't know that. All we know is that she is a mother. And mothers do what they think it's best for their child. Usually.
So next time when you see a situation that makes you feel uncomfortable, try to be a little bit more open minded. I promise, it will make you feel better about yourself.

Photo found here.

I am back!

If you were wondering where did I go, the truth is, I was being lazy. Yes. I had a baby (the cutest one, if you ask and no, I will not put her picture here) but that is not an excuse in the blogging world. I saw it all. Mothers with ten kids (home schooled!) who blog every day, working mothers who apparently can do it all, mothers moving across the world with sextuplets while blogging about it.. So I told myself, hey, if they can do it, so can you.
So here I am. Let's do it all over again. And this time even better. At least I'll try.

Photo found here.

Birth story

I woke up with a feeling that something is wrong. I felt very different than other days and just to make sure everything is ok, my husband took me to the hospital. And yes, my instincts were once again right. My amniotic fluid started to leek which led me to an overnight stay in the hospital and eventually to a final statement from the doctor that I should go home and take it easy. And I did.

Lazy Sunday, eating an ice cream and watching cheesy movies (Mamma Mia, to be very specific J). I felt several contractions but nothing major that would bring my thoughts to worry. I will never forget that moment when I was just about to go to bed and all of the sudden, an elusive amount of water came out of me.  I looked at my hubby and we both knew this is the time. Of course I started to panic, we had almost nothing prepared. My bag wasn’t packed, I didn’t wash my baby boy’s sheets yet, I simply didn’t expect him to come so early. I still had a month to go.

And then I realized one more thing. This little monkey picked his arrival to surprise more than just mom and dad, he chose to be born on my mother’s 50^th birthday. What gift can top that?

We arrived to the hospital around 10pm and doctors suggested that we should take a little nap since this is going to be one long night. I fell asleep and woke up around 3am with a slight feeling that contractions already started to play its role. More time went by and everything started to be more painful. I decided to go for an epidural and after a description from my friends, that this drug does miracles, I was very surprised that it didn’t work for me. ‘What a heck’ was all I could think at that point. I told my husband to push the button that can add an extra amount of medication. Nothing.  I told myself that I have to be the strongest I’ve ever been and forget about the pain and just do it.

My husband was watching the monitor and with every coming contraction he warned me about the excruciating strength of pain I am about to feel. Since I was four weeks from my due date, we were both very afraid if the baby is going to be ok. My brain was overflowed with endless thoughts about the baby, my fear grew stronger but my heart kept telling me he is going to be just fine.

We kept looking at each other and then, the most beautiful moment happened. I told my husband: Let’s pray together. And we started out loud, something we’ve never done before. That sacred moment of pure human vulnerability calmed me down and I knew I was ready.

Few hours later, 10 cm and ready to push. Even though the pain was at that point the worst, I didn’t care much because I knew this is it. I am going to meet my son for the first time. MY SON. Doctors told me they can already see his head and they let me touch it. Surreal moment.  I was so exhausted but in situations like that, your body is stronger than you think and after 45 minutes of constant pushing, I heard the special voice of his. They put him on my chest and I started to cry with happiness. He looked into my eyes for the first time and from that moment, the meaning of love gained a whole new magnitude. He is perfect, just perfect.. That was all I could think. The relief was indescribable.  Happy birthday my boy.  And my mom tooJ.