You know its time to get out of your neighborhood when you can't remember the last time you used your Metrocard...

Me (excited) and baby boy (mildly amused) in the water sculpture at Pier 1 at BK Bridge Park.

  Last weekend we had a mini adventure in Dumbo at Brooklyn Bridge Park.  Leaving my comfortable little 'hood for large public gathering areas (on weekends, no less..) usually gives me mild heart palpitations but sometimes I just gotta get out and see what all the fuss is about (or so I tell myself) ! Sometimes it's easy to forget that we live in one big, amazing city with everything at our finger tips. I highly recommend visiting the areas near Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park (off the F @ York Street station). The water sculpture was so much fun, kids and adults screamed with pleasure as the unpredictably timed sprays of water shot up from the ground. It was truly a joyous relief from the heat. Also, there where shaded paths to follow that lead to a gorgeous view of the water and plenty of benches for sharing a snack or nursing. The playground at Pier 1 is perfect for crawlers and kids under two. Here is a link to all the playgrounds at Brooklyn Bridge Park. 

  Just be aware there are no elevators at the York Street stop and a good amount of stairs, so be prepared to do a little schlepping. The smoothest, stroller friendly route is: walk down Jay Street towards the water and take a left on Front Street. Walk down Front Street until you get to Old Fulton Street (about 5 blocks), take a right and you'll be in the main part of the action. They are restrooms, food vendors and even a water bottle filling station right in that area.

 We easily spent most of the day there as there was lots to see and do, and even managed to have a cold drink at The Bridges on Water Street once the baby fell asleep. They were cool with us bringing the stroller inside and even had highchairs.

 We never made it to the pop-up pool, but I have heard good things. Mommy Poppins has some great tips and a few pics.  

Here's the pool schedule and the list of rules/guidelines. 

I hope everyone enjoys these last days of summer!

A little help is all we need sometimes...

    In many ways, being a stay at home mom is the toughest job I've ever had. I don't think anyone can be fully prepared for how having a child changes your life. Whether it's the physical toll it takes to give birth or breast feed after a c-section or the mental stamina of trying to function on little bits sleep day after day - the challenges are real, physical and like nothing you've encountered before. Sometimes you have to wonder, how does anyone do this and not go a little crazy? Well, the truth is, I think we do. I recently received an email from childbirth class instructor and postpartum doula Caitlin FitzGordon and it really hit home for me. She talked about the need for self care for mothers and the dangers of depletion. 

"I still have to be vigilant about keeping my tank full and finding ways to not slip into depletion mode. Yes, at 7 and 9 my kids are not as demanding on me physically (I'm not carrying them everywhere and I'm not breastfeeding) but I am hyper aware of their needs. I have to be careful to not let my default be to tend to them first." 

 Her words rang true to me, especially now. I wanted to share her very simple list of warning signs of

Another glamorous day as a new mom.

depletion and some quick fixes as well as long term tools for coping. I am printing this list out for myself and putting it somewhere I can look at frequently. I also wanted to share an article that Caitlin made me aware of that discusses Postnatal Depletion. It was very heartening to read, not because I was looking to diagnose myself but because it makes the point that self-sacrifice (even for our precious, unbelievably amazing children) can have very serious consequences. I share the view that our society is not supportive of this fact. How many moms have I heard complain of intense back and shoulder pain (usually post c-section) and after some physical therapy just end up living with it with no real solution? As one doctor shrugged, "Yeah, it just goes with the territory.." Sure, but not super helpful medical advice and what about the fact that living in pain for long periods of time can cause depression? According to mainstream media the number one thing on your To Do list after having a child is: Losing That Baby Weight! What about eating and hydrating enough to sustain yourself, resting, asking for help from family and friends, or being gentle with yourself about body issues? Now that's a 'To Do' list. I was in a Yoga class once and before we got into a pose using props the teacher said "Take your time and set yourself up well". I try to think of this phrase as it relates to many parts of my life, this idea that you should give yourself a good, solid foundation before attempting something new or daunting, even something as simple as making dinner! Taking the time to breath, look at what you can use to support you and giving yourself the gift of a solid seat. I will be using this section of the blog to discuss this further, offer ideas and resources to keep depletion at bay. As we head into Fall, a time of introspection and change, let's set ourselves up well.