Otherwise Known As: Postpartum Depression

In the beginning I had a really tough time with being a new mom. It was a challenge for me to be the center of someone's universe. I didn't know how to balance what I needed with what you needed in order to get what I needed. So here's what I did...

Greetings Mommies,

Our monthly night out is set for this coming Thursday March 2nd from 6-10pm.

Do you get out often enough to visit with friends and/or do things sans husband/baby? I'm not talking about a costco run, diaper errand, or housecleaning uninterrupted. Do you get to attend social occasions where kids and significant others are not necessarily the number 1 subject of conversation? Since the answer is more than likely a resounding "no" we offer you: Mom's Night Out. It's a time where you can hang out, have dinner, drinks and some lively conversation with other women living the Mommy Life. At this regular gathering, all are free to talk about interesting topics of conversation - art, movies, music, food, working, and/or politics - or the gritty realities of raising children, working (or not) and maintaining positive adult relationships in this tired existence (of sleep deprivation) we call parenthood. Despite it being a late night, the next day you'll agree it was worth it!

This month, we'll meet at the Lanesplitter - Temescal 4799 Telegraph Ave. (a couple of blocks South of 51st St. on the WEST side of the street) Oakland, CA 94609 (510) 653-5350 http://www.lanesplitterpizza.com/ They've got a GREAT beer menu along with ciders, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. They have a fairly extensive menu and the pizza is supposed to be pretty darned good.

Please bring your thirst, appetite and sunny disposition to hang out with other like moms! Please RSVP - regrets only so that no one sits at the bar drikining alone!

Be Well!

Wonelle

p.s. Can't show up at 6 because you have to put the baby to bed? Do it and show up when you can - latecomers are always welcome OR can't make this month's get together? We'll do it again on the first Thursday of next month, and the month after that, and the month after that, too! AND, if you know anyone that might be interested in joining us, forward the email to them. The more the merrier!

I organized! On the months that we were able to hang out with one another, it was a good thing. Helped us all to maintain our mental health. And it gave you and your dad some bonding time that you might not have otherwise had.

First Day of Childcare

I dropped you off at daycare at 9am this morning. You cried when I left even though you seemed to be enjoying your Chex cereal snack while sitting at the little round table with your friend Lucas. It's been two weeks now that you've been back at daycare and I've been back working. Unfortunately, it's not getting much easier for you to see me leave and it's certainly no easier for me to see you cry as I walk out the door.

I miss you while you're gone and often wonder what leaving you there does to you. You do seem to have a good time at day care though. There is lots of activity - storytime, snack, free play, bigger kids, outings to the park and library. You're napping for them every day - sometimes 2 1/2 hours at a time - something you won't consistently do at home. You play with the kids, enjoy the toys and seem stimulated. The women who work there love you - it is very clear to me. As much as I hate sending you to spend the day with someone else, it's a necessary thing as Mommy has to work in order to help make ends meet.

I'm going to get to doing that right now.

I love you.

Every Year

Today is your dad and my wedding anniversary. We decided to both play hookey from work and have a mommy-daddy day. We got up just like usual and went about our day. The only difference from any other day was that Poppy was with us and we took a 'showee' this morning. That's what you call taking a shower - 'showee'. And whenever someone goes into the bathroom and turns on the water, you're all over it. You won't give in until you get in. But I digress...

You went to school just like it was a work day so that Poppy and I could spend a wonderful anniversary day together. Poppy and I had a hot tub, went to eat lunch at the place where we got married, had our hair cut, and went to the Home Depot to get supplies to fix the shower. It's amazing how quickly the day went. That and just wild that we spent most of our day talking about you. We talked about what kind of person we think you are, what kind of person we think you're going to be and what the best school situation will be for you - private, public, etc. and will that be in Oakland or somewhere else? There are so many variables to consider that it's good that you won't be in kindergarten for another 4 years or so. It'll give us time to figure it all out and do what's best for our family as a whole.