Marvelous Kiddo

full circle

2012-11-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Photo of me and Jackson, from my first post

Photo of me, Jackson, Walker, and Hazel, taken last week

Today is my 34th birthday.

The past five and a half weeks have been the hardest of my life.
They have also given me things that I would not trade for the world.

I have experienced some pain and suffering, fear and remorse, trial and tribulation, and in exchange I have a new appreciation for my life, my family, my self.

I have been brought to my knees, and have touched a void of hopelessness only to be lifted up by the love of the most amazing children, husband, parents, and friends.

I still have some healing to do, but already I have been given the precious gift of a second chance -- an opportunity to stop marking time, doing what is easy or habitual or safe -- and begin being the person I want to be right now.

Today.

For five years this blog has been a huge part of who I am. I have learned so much from the experience of authoring Marvelous Kiddo, I have met so many amazing people through it, and I have felt very powerful and creatively fulfilled here.

I have also lost myself in it from time to time: Living life to blog about it later, instead of for the experience itself. Prioritizing the blog over my family or my marriage or myself sometimes (ok, many times). Getting bogged down by comparing myself to others. Trying to earn the approval of strangers. Striving to keep up with the ever-increasing momentum of the internet.

Running this space has been by turns liberating and confining, enjoyable and exhausting, rewarding and punishing, thrilling and stress-inducing, inspiring and scary.

I am still in shock that you are out there, reading along! Thank you for sharing your time with me here, for opening up your minds and hearts, for reaching out to commune with me over the issues and topics that I have raised. Thank you for your friendship, your loyalty, your concern, your passion, your questions, your honesty, your love. I started a blog and you people made it a community -- and for that I am eternally grateful.

I have been thinking about this for a long time (and recent events have conspired to confirm my inclination): I think it is time to say goodbye.

The Marvelous Kiddo chapter of my life is over.

I am crying as I write this, not because I regret this decision but because I know it is truly time to move on, and moving on can be hard! I am venturing into the unknown, opening up to possibility, surrendering to the loss of something that has meant so very much for so long. But I cannot make this work any longer. I'm ready to discover what is next, and (perhaps moreover) to fully enjoy just being in the now.

Please accept my deepest regards and my most heartfelt appreciation for being a part of this blogging journey with me.

All my love.

Leigh

a way to help

2012-11-05T12:18:00.001-05:00

Hi, dear readers. My, what a week. Thank you so much for the emails and comments. I want to assure everyone that our family is safe and our home fine in the wake of the hurricane. Our neighborhood is still without electricity, but we are incredibly fortunate to be staying nearby at the home of a family member so we are all warm and fed and bathed. The main reason that it has taken me so long to post is that have actually been experiencing some health problems of late (unrelated to the weather!) and I have been trying to focus on resting and healing. Just so you know, I will be taking a break from blogging indefinitely while I recover.

But before I go, I have to say my heart is breaking for the multitudes of people not as fortunate as us, who are suffering so greatly and experiencing profound loss and trauma because of Sandy. There is not much I can do to physically help, but I know that one incredibly easy and productive way to make a difference is to donate funds to the relief effort. If you too are interested in helping out in this way, you will be excited to know that Sakura Bloom is spearheading a three-day fundraiser to benefit the storm victims.

Three slings from the Luxe Collection are being raffled, and the winners will be free to choose their favorite colorway.

Tickets are available for purchase by clicking here. The more you give, the more chances there are to win: $10 will get you one ticket, $25 will get you five tickets, $50 will get you twenty tickets, and $100 will get you fifty tickets.

100% of proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to the Red Cross.

Thank you so much for your generosity. Leave a comment here letting me know how you are doing. I've been worried about so many friends and readers who have been affected by Sandy. I'm sending you my thoughts and prayers :)

spiegelman on breastfeeding

2012-10-16T00:20:00.003-04:00

The New Yorker cover, illustration by Art Spiegelman

May 11, 1998

I first saw this image years ago at my pediatrician's office,

and more recently was reminded of it when it popped up on Pinterest ;)

pumpkin picking

2012-10-15T10:37:00.001-04:00

Yesterday we found ourselves on a nearby farm, full of harvest-time spirit, and ready to pick some pumpkins. Unfortunately, we did not adequately brace ourselves for the reality that every other family east of the Mississippi had the same exact plan for their Sunday, October the 14th, and so we got a bit of a jolt when we arrived and were swept into a sweaty, pushing, pumpkin-hunting throng, making our surroundings feel about as bucolic as Times Square on New Year's Eve. Once we got over the shock, we were able to embrace the experience for what it was, reconcile ourselves to standing in huge lines, and make peace with the fact that we were hemorrhaging cash for hay rides, moon bounces, and greasy junk food. We also managed to find some places of beauty away from the hoards...wandering through an epic corn maze, and sitting on pumpkins in a distant field. It ended up being kind of gorgeous and perfect, actually. Even if I did come home with a splitting headache ;)

happy weekend

2012-10-12T22:22:00.002-04:00

On the streets in London, 1973, by Chris Steele-Perkins, via Super Seventies

We're going pumpkin picking this weekend, and I'm amped!

What fun lies in store for you?

Here's what caught my eye online this week,

I hope you enjoy:

We are nature

Wish they had this shirt in my size!

The children's author who actually listens to children

An amazing recording of Helen Keller's voice

Pears: The Other White Fruit

22 ideas for my pumpkins

The brain from the inside out

And last but definitely not least...

a diamond bigger than Earth!

bowl with paul rudd!

2012-10-12T16:56:00.003-04:00

Paul Rudd's All-Star Bowling Benefit for Our Time is just 10 days away, and only a few tickets are left! Click here for more information and to join us for the fun :)

Monday, October 22, 2012, NYC.

7pm Cocktail Reception, followed by Bowling with Celebrity Lane Captains, Open Bar, Dinner, and a Special Performance.

amauti baby

2012-10-11T14:41:00.000-04:00

Ooooh, Winter is coming and my heart sighs heavily with longing as I peruse the wonderful handmade creations over at Amauti Baby. Aren't they just divine? For a little background, read my earlier post about this type of traditional Inuit baby carrier coat.

How do you bundle up while babywearing?

backyard dreams

2012-10-10T08:06:00.001-04:00

After nearly a year of having a back yard, this week we finally checked a major item off our suburban wishlist: we got a play structure!

We've wanted one for ages, and I spent my nesting months last Winter pinning inspirational images until I had pinned myself right into a serious case of Pinterest Paralysis: the immense sense of possibility was entirely overwhelming to me, to the point that taking action and moving forward with a plan seemed well-nigh impossible. Just ask Taro. In my dream world of dream worlds I would have already built a reclaimed-wood-Swiss-Family-Robinson-influenced -pirate-ship -castle with my own bare hands, perfect fodder for a viral-DIY blog post. Alas, such a scenario was not, shall we say, realistic -- what with me being great with child...then come Springtime having had that child...for a total of three little children. Lord knows, I struggle to keep the towels even remotely folded.

On the flip side, there was the allure of Costco. For possibly less money and definitely less time than building that dream version out of hypothetically gorgeous, second-hand timbers, we could instantly have a brand-new-in-the-box-smelling-freshly-of-factory-chemicals-playset. They are ubiquitous in our neighborhood, so what's the big deal?

But I could not bring myself to to do it. I yearned for at least the semblance of something that we could imbue with our own style and personality. Something not fresh off an assembly line. And yet (of course) affordable and quick-and-easy to construct. Meanwhile, Taro and the kids urged me to make a decision, move forward with a plan. Any plan.

Finally, we found our path: Craigslist. After searching for a couple of weeks through the dozens of listings for pre-owned play structures in our area, we found a set that spoke to us. Upon visiting it in person in its original yard, our impressions were confirmed: this (small-factory-made) set had been well-cared-for over the course of eleven years, but also had the perfect patinated charm, so as to not look too cookie-cutter. It had all the elements we were looking for; swings, trapeze, enclosed treehouse with real roof, covered sandbox, and a nice fast slide. The seller was as lovely as she could be. So we bought it!

The only remaining step was to relocate it (no small thing!) but luckily there are a myriad of companies dedicated solely to dismantling, moving, and reassembling used play structures. The one we chose was great -- totally professional, fast, and careful to put everything together square and level.

So now the kids have a whole new lease on life! They will be cramming as many fun-filled hours into our backyard as they possibly can before it gets too cold. And I might even be up for performing a few gentle upgrades myself...a fun new coat of paint, or a pirate flag, perhaps? I know I could make this.

norse on breastfeeding (and motherhood)

2012-10-09T17:28:00.002-04:00

Motherhood, by Elizabeth Norse (1860-1938)

The following works by Norse do not depict breastfeeding, but I feel they are too lovely not to share ;) Read more about the artist, here.

Mother and Child

Meditation

Coming Home From Church, Brittany

Mother and Child

UPDATED! introducing the sling diaries, vol. II...15TH SPOT ANNOUNCED!

2012-10-08T00:20:00.002-04:00

Happy International Babywearing Week! To celebrate, I am happy to announce the beginning of the next installment of The Sling Diaries, woohoo!

First of all, I have to thank everyone for the amazing outpouring of interest in participating in The Sling Diaries, Volume II. I loved hearing from so many people who are enthusiastic about babywearing and interested in sharing a glimpse into their family lives. Whittling our favorites down to a relative few was a huge challenge. That being said, I have had an enormous amount of fun putting together this group of diarists, and I can't wait to introduce you to ~~14 of the~~ 15 seriously fabulous, creative, and exciting bloggers with whom we will be spending the next six months.

~~Why am I only introducing 14, you ask? Because there is one position left to fill, and it could be yours.~~ Read all the way to the end of this post to find out ~~how you could win~~ who won a wardrobe of gorgeous Sakura Bloom slings and the 15th and final spot in The Sling Diaries!

The participants hail from all over the world -- from New Zealand to New York, Boston to Bali, Virginia to Australia, Iowa to Hawaii to name a few places. One just gave birth days ago to her first baby, one is the mother of nine, one has both a baby and a teenager. There are already so many amazing stories in this group, I'm practically giddy to see how they each interpret our six new themes over the coming months. Each one of these blogs is a gem, so hop over and explore them all -- you'll fall in love with them, I know it. Here they are:

Erica from Nick & Erica Everywhere

Sydney from The Daybook

Bridget from Tales of Me and The Husband

Nirrimi from The Road Is Home

LaTonya from Old, New, and The Wee One Too

Belle from Petit Biet

Kelly from Our Lovely Lives

Georgia from Documenting Delight

Bron from Baby Space

Maryam from Milk Friendly

Sarah from Dear Albie

Love from Moments With Love

Rachel from How To Escape

Hayley from Growing Wildly

And last but not least...
Emily from Thoughts and Biro Sketches.
Congratulations, Emily,
you are the winner of our 15th spot!

AND NOW FOR SOME FAQ's:

WHAT ARE THE SLING DIARIES?
A photo-documentary chronicling the art of babywearing in the lives of fifteen families. Over the course of six months, contestants will compete by creating their own Sling Diary with a series of entries interpreting a unique theme given to them each month.

WHO ARE THE SLING DIARISTS?
They are 15 women with creative, unique voices, great style sense, and a passion for babywearing (plus 16 of the cutest babies in blogdom...that's right -- there's a set of twins!).

HOW, EXACTLY, DO THE DIARIES WORK?
The Sling Diaries will come to life with an emphasis on beautiful photography and creative interpretation of six different assigned themes. Contestants will create one blog post (diary entry) per month featuring photos of themselves wearing their Sakura Bloom sling. Each month, the curatorial team will select photos from each diary entry and these images will come together on The Sling Diaries Pinterest page. When all entries are complete, our panel of judges will select their favorite Sling Diary from the project and the winner will receive their choice of sling from the Sakura Bloom Luxe collection.

WHERE CAN I KEEP UP WITH ALL THIS BABYWEARING AWESOMENESS?
The event will be hosted on the official Sling Diaries Pinterest page, with updates and giveaways happening right here on Marvelous Kiddo as well as the official Sling Diaries Facebook page. You can also follow along by reading the blogs of our contestants and keeping an eye on Sakura Bloom's new Tumblr.

A giant hug and thank you to everyone who left such lovely comments to enter the giveaway! We welcome you to the Sling Diary community, and look forward to getting to know you all better over the next six months, as we watch the diaries unfold. --XOXO, Leigh.

autumn is here and i'm in love

2012-10-06T23:07:00.000-04:00

I took these two photos this morning at the Farmer's Market, right after I enjoyed an apple cider doughnut. I love this time of year.

Hope you're having a great weekend. Here are a few links:

This is a wonderful passage about writing.

The cutest rain cloud (PS: I'm freaking out a little about Halloween!

We still haven't decided what to be this year!)

Paid Paternal leave is coming to Australia.

Love these Autumnal layers and colors (and boots).

A classroom-less school in Sweden.

Erykah Badu on what doulas do.

XOXO,

Leigh

PS: I hope you'll tune in here to Marvelous Kiddo on Monday -- I'll be launching the latest edition of The Sling Diaries with a big introduction and a very exciting invitation...

bisquert on breastfeeding

2012-10-03T00:02:00.000-04:00

Peasant Family, by Antonio Bisquert (1906-1990).

the intensity of teeth

2012-10-02T10:07:00.001-04:00

When I first saw this photo, by Stefan Schäfer, it stopped me in my tracks. I had never before seen such a graphic visual of what is going on beneath the surface as adult teeth await their chance to replace the baby ones! No wonder teething (and the loss of baby teeth as the big ones push through) is so intense. Read more here.

Meanwhile, I've been looking for a teething necklace for Hazel. Did you know that both Amber and Hazelwood have therapeutic properties that help to alleviate the pain associated with teething? I love the design of these baby Hazelwood and gemstone necklaces from Kael & Kaed:

I also think these amber necklaces from Amber Artisans are nice, although I'm partial to getting a Hazelwood one for Hazel, for obvious reasons ;)

Have you ever used a necklace to naturally aid the pain of teething?
What are your thoughts/observations?

put a little funday in your monday...

2012-09-30T23:56:00.001-04:00

...by watching this insanely cute video. LOVE!

link bling for your weekend

2012-09-29T00:59:00.001-04:00

Here are some of my favorite recent internet finds.

Let me know what you think, once you've clicked:

The amazing Oxytocin.

The Hustler's MBA.

On Kindness.

You were born in the heart of a star.

I have to try this soup.

Winning Gold while pregnant!

Get your Fall on.

How to turn a scarf into a vest in 2 (no-sew) steps.

What really limits length of gestation in humans (hint: it's not pelvis size).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

XO,

Leigh

Photo via Etsy, rings by Midwest Alchemy

frédéric on breastfeeding

2012-09-25T22:56:00.001-04:00

Right panel of the triptych, Les âges de l'ouvrier (The Ages of the Worker), by Léon Frédéric

Painted between 1895 and 1897

Oil on canvas

Left and right panels H. 163; W. 94.5 cm Central panel H. 163; W. 187 cm.

Musée d'Orsay, Paris.

birth story of the week: barbie and ken's home birth

2012-09-20T17:12:00.000-04:00

I have always had mixed feelings about Barbie, but seen in this light she's my kind of woman! Kudos to the creative minds at Beach Birth Photography for capturing Barbie's birth story with incredible nuance and wit. You have to see it for yourself...

6 months

2012-09-18T16:41:00.000-04:00

Wow, did that ever go by fast.

moore on breastfeeding

2012-09-18T00:02:00.000-04:00

Henry Moore on breastfeeding.

The artist dealt with this subject countless times,

but these are a few of my favorite of his mother and child works.

Image sources:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

call the midwife

2012-09-17T13:29:00.001-04:00

A smash hit BBC drama about midwives working in London's East End in the 1950's? I know what I'll be watching next Sunday night!

wrist pic + links

2012-09-17T11:03:00.002-04:00

Things have been so busy and full around here that I have just decided that it is better to blog a photo of my wrist than not post at all! But seriously, how do you like my cute little arm party? I am digging my new watch, which is so comfy and lightweight and such a fun color. I got it here for just $22, and I love that it calls back to the classic Hermes wrap style watch in a cheeky and fresh (and um, thousands-of-dollars-less) way.

Happy Monday! Are you celebrating Rosh Hashanah? If so, happy New Year! Here are some links I've been accumulating for your Monday websurfing pleasure :)

Advanced Style flashmob fashion show at NYFW! So fab.

Did you know that there was previously only one known photo of Emily Dickenson? Now there's a new (old) one.

This movie trailer, based on a true story looks chilling, uplifting, amazing.

The world's oldest gymnast is an 86 year-old-woman, and she is my new hero.

I love this take on the breastfeeding professor bruhaha. Spot on.

Want to hang out with Paul Rudd for a good cause? Come bowling with us!

PS: Hazel is crawling!

the sling diaries, vol. 1...the end!

2012-09-14T02:07:00.001-04:00

I want to send a huge congrats to the THREE ladies named co-winners of The Sling Diaries! Hop over to Facebook to see who they are...

But before you go, watch this amazing little film starring Jodi, of Che and Fidel. Love it.

Have you been following along? If so, what was you favorite aspect of The Sling Diaries? I'd love to hear your feedback! XO. Leigh

patkó on breastfeeding

2012-09-11T12:44:00.000-04:00

Maternity, by Károly Patkó (1895-1941)

the sling diaries: favorite moments

2012-09-10T13:08:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that six months of Sling Diaries are coming to a close, each participant now having spent half a year using photos and words to expound on the themes of Love, Style, Exploration, Communication, History, and Fun on their respective blogs. This project has been such a delight to follow along with -- seeing babies grow up before our eyes is always compelling, isn't it? I have been so very moved and excited by these beautiful depictions of babywearing that I feel a highlights post is in order. So without further ado, here are just a few of my favorite moments from The Sling Diaries...

Since March we've seen little Ramona go from baby to big girl, with the series culminating in gorgeous documentation of her first birthday party. Each of Emily's diary entries was written in the form of a letter to her daughter, and were filled with a warmth, humanity, grace, humor and style that brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. These two are so lucky to have each other, and I know that Ramona will deeply treasure these words and images when she is older.

Ashley excels at writing posts that make me want to travel, see, and do. Her Diary posts were as much a celebration of her beloved New York City as they were a sweet glimpse into her life as a mother, and I enjoyed following along with her and Hudson on every joie de vivre-filled stroll. The photo above appeared in this post, and I love it so. Doesn't she look like she's about to burst from happiness?

This photo of Jamie and Henry, from their Style post, perfectly captures the kind of kick-ass tenderness that was the hallmark of each entry of their Sling Diary. This duo is just so dang effortless and cool, I can't stand it!

These two! I just can't get enough of Jo's down-to-earth, no-nonsense, hilarious take on life and motherhood, so it was a pleasure to virtually tag along with her and her family as they moved from NYC to the midwest during the course of the Sling Diaries. As for this photo (from her Exploration entry), all I can say is that two-handed-sandwich-eating is one of the great, unsung benefits of babywearing, and I can think of no better people to demonstrate that fact than Jo and Ella. Bravo, ladies!

Jodi and her family reside in one of the most beautiful and picturesque places on Planet Earth, a fact which was demonstrated time and again in one breathtaking diary entry after another, and yet I think this might be my very favorite photo of them of all. A moment of everyday family life: Communication captured in such an arresting and charming way. Ah, siblings!

Karolina is a professional chef, so her visual journal really hit its stride with this entry, wherein she shared vibrant photos of herself and baby Phoenix in their kitchen, whipping up a delicious batch of Garlic Scape Pesto from the contents of their CSA box. Note to self: I would like to go eat at their house.

Sweet indeed. Mary Catherine and her adorable kiddos traipsed through their Sling Diary entries, galavanting from Aquariums to weddings, from Museums to Disney World, and from playgrounds to beaches. The only thing that outshone the fun they were having were their beaming faces.

As a lifelong bibliophile, I have to say that Molly and Nicolas' adorable jaunt to the library during their History post made its way straight into my heart. I love how babywearing makes it so easy for parents and children to share each other's interests and worlds, and something elemental about that dynamic really came through in this entry. It fit right in with Molly's series of fun, stylish, and relatable entries.

Oh, Olya! She of the epically panoramic diary entries. I couldn't get enough of the mountains, plains, and canyons she and her family hiked through during The Sling Diaries, but it was this sweet moment of mother-daugher connection from Olya's Love post that has stayed with me the most. I also adore that we got to see the beauty and ease of carrying an older child in a sling thanks to four-year-old Anya, who was eager to snuggle up close to her mama for a ride.

Bekah is basically a bohemian goddess. I loved following along with her and her kiddos through berry patches, enchanted woods, farmer's markets, thrift stores, while on vacation, and in the cozy light of their new home. Need I expound on the fabness of the above photo? I mean, seriously, how endearing can you be? From her post on the theme of Exploration.

Carolee and Emerson really came to play for their Style-themed diary entry. There were wardrobe changes. Contrasting looks for half a dozen style scenarios. The whole thing was, as Nina Garcia of Project Runway/Marie Claire fame would say, very editorial. It was also incredibly tender and real. I'll take a heart-melting photo spread like this any day over the flat, airbrushed ostentation of one found in your typical fashion magazine.

I have never met Jen and Dashiell, but I can tell from following along with their Sling Diary that they are both total charmers. This fun exchange they shared in their Communication post made my day, and reminded me of the many times in my life that babywearing has facilitated a moment of levity or goofiness and enabled me to be a better, more easygoing parent. I love that when being worn in a sling, babies learn how to be grown up at the exact same time that us parents have the privilege of feeling like a kid again.

Rachael and her family brought so much to The Sling Diaries: Twins. Beautiful vistas and boat rides. Breastfeeding. Lots of daddy babywearing. Even sibling babywearing! Best of all was the down-to-earth relatable quality of this family and the love for each other that was captured in every post. Unforgettable and inspiring. I couldn't get enough of the diary entry that detailed their visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Thank you for following along with all of these amazing blogs over the course of the last six months. The Sling Diaries wouldn't be possible without such an enthusiastic and supportive audience sharing the babywearing love every week. Now for one last bit of awesome before The Sling Diaries, Volume I, comes to a close:

Starting tomorrow, Sakura Bloom is hosting a special reader appreciation event to be held on the official Facebook page of The Sling Diaries. The event will unfold over the course of three days (September 11, 12, and 13) and will consist of multiple real-time giveaways with readers commenting to answer Sling Diary trivia questions to win exciting prizes. Of course, the more people we have joining us for the trivia the more fun it will be, so hop right over there and "like" the page to stay in the loop...and tell your friends!

After the final reader contest, on Thursday, September 13, Sakura Bloom will announce the winning Diary on The Sling Diaries Facebook page! Stay tuned, and have fun.

home again home again

2012-09-09T00:05:00.001-04:00

We're back from our travels with fun photos and stories,

which I look forward to sharing soon!

I hope you're having a great weekend as the pace of life picks up a bit ;)

XOXO

Leigh