Posted by: YBYWadmin in Preconception, Infertility on
Jun 03, 2010
When my husband and I had trouble conceiving (admittedly, I got a late start at age 35), friends suggested that we take a vacation. I thought they were crazy, but I have to say that our son was born in early March, putting conception just about the time my husband and I took a week-long backpacking trip the previous summer. Maybe the vacation from stress was responsible, or just opportunity to spend time together away from it all.
Did you had a similar experience? Do you believe a vacation from stress and the opportunity to relax can help you conceive? Tell us what you think.
Posted by: nikkik in Untagged on
Feb 22, 2010
Vancouver Family Magazine is proud to be a media sponsor for March of Dimes. The March For Babies event is coming up, here's the kickoff
Posted by: nikkik in Delivery on
Feb 18, 2010
What women hear about labor and childbirth before they experience it shapes their view of the experience, for better or for worse. As a woman, do you think it is more beneficial for expectant mothers to be verbally "prepared" by experienced mothers for the intensity of labor by hearing the raw reality (ex: "It is the most PAINFUL thing you'll EVER experience. EVER!), or by hearing it in softer ways (ex: it's difficult but . . . ). I'm fascinated by how the culture of childbirth affects and conditions girls from a young age (especially now that I'm the mother of two daughters), and I vascillate between wanting them to know what's coming (it's ain't no tea party!), and not frightening them so much that they panic when the time comes to become pregnant and eventually deliver their own child. What do you think? How did/do your friends and family help or hinder your journey toward
Posted by: milk4urbaby in Untagged on
Aug 25, 2009
So your pregnant, congratulations. Now how do you decide whether you will stay at home with baby or work for a income. I say work for an income because you will soon learn that motherhood is a job to itself.
The decision to stay home without income or juggle work and a baby is a big decision. Factor in the need for income, your personality, goals as a parent, the personality of your baby and the expectation of others.
Can I say it is ideal to stay at home, yes for some. But then again, I have been fortunate to be at home with my children, at home being payed to watch someone elses children, and able to work while someone else (briefly) watched my children. Each had its benefits, challenges and ultimately... I found what worked best, spliting the shifts mine evenings, my husbands days, childshifts always a parent at home. I had the freedom to work, be independent, create income, and be at home. I did miss a few first, as did there father, but there are lots of first. We are
Posted by: emmareaghansmommy in Untagged on
Aug 04, 2009
Ok, I am not going to lie, life is crazy right now! Between everyone coming to see John, the lack of sleep, the mess..oh the house is a mess, engorgement, and worst of all the day we got home from the hospital Reaghan came down with a 103 degree fever! We have to try to keep her germs away from the baby and still encourage her to bond with him. Thankfully my awesome Grandma stocked our freezers with pre-made dinners that we just have to thaw and reheat...she made enough for a month! (GREAT idea for someone for a baby shower or something by the way, we have really appreciated it!) The days FLY by...I don't know where the time goes!Now, besides all of that, we are so happy to have our little boy! I am head over heels in love with this little guy, I dont even mind the middle of the night feedings and changings because we get to enjoy a peaceful house and just nurse and snuggle. The girls have really been great with him and all the changes that come with having a new baby in the
Posted by: nikkik in Untagged on
Jun 29, 2009
Posted by: nikkik in Untagged on
May 01, 2009
I've never seen so many pregnant women and babies in one place at one time. This last weekend I attended the Just Between Friends giant consignment sale at the Portland Expo Center. I was there as an exhibitor for Vancouver Family Magazine, so I got to witness the event almost from start to finish. As a resale and consignment junkie myself (buying, not selling - my kids are so hard on clothes that it's a miracle if they grow out of them without destroying them), the huge hall full of great baby/kid/maternity stuff was a dream come true. I snagged a couple of high quality pairs of jeans for my daughters for $3-$4 each! Other than great baby and kids' clothing, there was also a huge selection of strollers, toys, walkers, car seats, cribs and all the other supplies little ones need as part of their entourage - all at a fraction of the original price. The sale is so big, it only happens twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. I'm looking forward to
Last year, after we lost our baby, Jacob, we decided we wanted to try again as soon as possible. We got the green light and figured in nine months we would be holding a little newborn baby. Thats how it works right? We had the thought that it would be easier to deal with losing him if we had another baby that could not have been here otherwise. (does that make any sense?) So we began...
First month, no baby. Second month, no baby. Now I was getting worried...what if something was wrong with me? It should not be this hard right? I bought all kinds of ovualtion and pregnancy tests and still no baby. Every month I felt bloated and was sure this is the month! Then I would take the tests (early because I have no patience, so I would take them daily for a week or two:) only to be let down again. It was frustrating and pretty depressing, every month I had to start all over again. You have no idea how many people in Vancouver are pregnant until you can't seem to get pregnant.
This was one of the frist blogs I wrote, but also still one of the most common questions i get in my practice. I thought it was worth repeating.... Enjoy.
Anyway, a question that I'm asked a lot is "when is the right time to start a family?" I wrote an article about this is Lacamas Life (It's a magazine in Clark County, in case you don't know!) a couple of years ago. My answer then is the same as it is now. There is no right time.
"What??!"
It's ALWAYS the right time. (Well, there are a FEW obvious exceptions! HA!) More and more, women are in professional jobs. Time is often a commodity that is in short supply. Professionals often say to themselves, "If I can just get through (fill-in-the-blank), I'll have more time." Of course, we all know after that comes another something that "if I can just finish this..."
My wife and I thought finishing medical school would be good before having kids. Then we thought finishing our residency training would be better. THEN we thought it
When my first daughter was born in 2003, baby wearing hadn't come into fashion quite yet. My mom gave me an older wrap-sling to carry her in, but I was too embarrassed to wear it, and so I was left without the great benefits of baby wearing. Thankfully, I was able to make use of more than one great sling while my younger daughter was small. In fact, every once in a while, Chloe (age 3) still wants to snuggle in it.
The benefits of baby wearing are intuitive; Moms-on-the-go get to be hands free (no more achy arms), and babies/toddlers get to be as close as humanly possible to mama. If you carry the babe with you, there's no more lugging a stroller around, although at times the stroller is easier - just depends on where you're going.
One of my best friends recently started a business making beautiful baby slings. I'm in awe of course, since I don't sew at all. Check it out at
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