Mommy's Group

If you haven't already found a women's center in your area, I encourage you to do so. Our local women's center is the Elizabeth Blackwell Center. It is an amazing place that I discovered during my pregnancy. We took our Baby Basics class there (how not to break your child in the first two weeks) and we took Breastfeeding Basics there. Beyond that they have a whole bunch of incredible programming. Currently I am involved in the New Mothers Group which meet every Tuesday from 1:30-2:30. Moms bring babies and questions. Yvonne, the facilitator, is a parenting specialist and helps to calm our nerves and encourage us. Who knew that my daughter might just need more than 12 hours of sleep at night during a growth spurt. (I know, I'm so lucky) I thought something might be wrong. The topics are generally centered around eating, sleeping, and diaper habits with the occasional toy or car seat question thrown in. But most of all it's a resource. And as Maggie grows and develops in to a toddling little girl, I know I am going to have lots of questions. It's really nice to know I have a place to go, to talk with other moms, to talk with the experts, and really see what other kids her age are doing. Again, if you haven't found this place in your area, I would encourage you to start looking. You won't believe how reassuring it is to know that there are other kids out there infatuated with sucking their right big toe....my kid's not weird!

The picture, by the way, is my friend Lisa and her 8.5 month old daughter Claire. We had a picnic at the park last Friday and our girls discovered the swings and the slide. Lisa and I met the first time I went to the New Moms Group at EBC.