That got us through that night, but the longer term solution involved researching and reading about humidifiers, vaporizers, nostril aspirators, saline drops, homeopathy, dietary changes, you name it!  Over the counter decongestants: there is a lot of debate out there about when they are effective, the FDA says not to use under the age of 4.  Dr. Alan Greene identifies potential side effects: sleeplessness, drowsiness, irritability, increased blood pressure.  We recommend speaking with your pediatrician or medical provider BEFORE purchasing any OTC.  And if you have an infant with a fever of any type, contact your medical provider and discuss.  Pretty much all the research agrees: moisture or humidity can soothe the symptoms of colds and stuffy noses.

Our first purchase was a vaporizer, and it worked great, except: 

• incredibly difficult to clean
• the room required airing out afterwards; it produced a lot of moisture.
• mist created by boiling water, the unit itself becomes hot, so if you have a toddler that is crawling = burn risk.
• you can add essential oils into the machine (mine required to add salt).

We moved onto humidifiers a more sophisticated machine, yet also puts moisture in the air without boiling water.  Some have a cool mist or a hot mist option.  Moisture is moisture, and the temperature doesn’t matter.  Don’t add any substance to this type of machine, just plain water.

FAQ: 

• Sitting water can breed bacteria.
• Change the water. (Modern humidifiers like Crane’s, have smaller tanks that don’t allow water to store for more than 2 days. They also have auto shut-off in the event the water runs too low for the motor, not something my vaporizer had, and I admit to burning out more than one motor!)
• Don’t forget to change the basin! (There is a basin under the tank where water collects.  Change at the same time you change the water tank.  It requires that you unplug the machine, but do it, bacteria may cause other illnesses, and the whole point of using a moisture adding machine is to reduce illness and symptoms!)

As Katie Sotor of Crane-USA says, “It’s still water folks!  So regardless of the machine, or if it has the anti-microbial protection, change the water every 2 days.”  She also recommends disinfecting it every 7 days with a tank full of water and 2-3 caps of vinegar, don’t turn it on, just let it sit for a good 30 minutes.

Using moisture in the air while you sleep is a great non-medical option for infants, young children, and adults.  So if you are pregnant or nursing and want to reduce the symptoms of a cold or reduce the potential of getting one, consider it.  And saline drops in the nose whether stuffy or as a preventive can be very helpful.

Alisa Donner, MSW, LCSW, Co-Founder, Pregnancy Awareness Month®

This is not meant as medical advice – consult with your medical provider as needed.

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These days simple tasks like that can be challenging. My son still wants to be in my arms all the time and my daughter needs me for homework and projects. Obviously I value the time with my children, they need me and one day they won’t, well not in quite the same way but taking a moment to have to oneself is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And I just don’t mean a late night bath, where one collapses in the lukewarm water that has been waiting for you all night. I mean, focused time alone. It may be scheduled or it may “occur” organically but it must be cultivated and re-occurring.

When a woman is pregnant (with her first child anyway) cultivating time alone, a time of reflection happens so easily. You are bonding inwardly with your child, you are musing on your future as a mother…and then baby comes and everything is so external, so right in front of you. Ladies, the seasons are changing, our children are growing and life goes on. But please take this time to notice the sounds around you, acknowledge the things you have done and take a deep breath, better yet take a few.

Anna Getty, Founder, Pregnancy Awareness Month, author, Holistic Life Expert, and mother of 2 adorable children!

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That was in 2002, and I eventually moved back to San Diego where I was able to shadow a homebirth midwife, as well as become a volunteer through UCSD’s Hearts and Hands Program.

I then moved into a new area of health care: Respiratory Therapy. Upon obtaining my credential and graduating In 2007 I was hired at a hospital that specialized in labor and delivery. At the time a seemingly annoying paperwork delay with my State License brought the inspiration of my lifetime. While I waited, I had the chance to assist a homebirth with a midwife named Jamin Sylvada.

I was on a natural high for days after that homebirth. That same week, I called Dr. Robert Biter , a friend who was a local OB/GYN, explained my situation and shared with him that I was not going back to respiratory therapy once I received my license; my passion now was assisting with births. He knew my health care background and experience, and started referring couples to me that same year.

My first birth with Dr. Biter would forever change the way I would look at the birthing process. When the first mom he sent my way went into labor, it was a magical birth, nothing like I had ever seen in a hospital setting.

I would continue to see special births with this same doctor for years to follow. That first birth became the standard for how I wished to see all moms experience a birth. I realized that I could help more moms as a doula, by educating and supporting them through their deliveries, than I would by staying as a respiratory therapist in a NICU.

I created my doula practice, Birth Day with Val.  The name of my business sums up what I do. Midwives inspire me to be the best doula I can be. The incredible learning experiences from Dr. Biter’s births have allowed me to help create positive births for many women.

Out of Birth Day with Val, came a passion for helping moms to recover with love and support in the postpartum period. I would listen to my clients tell me that they were still feeling really sore, and that what the hospitals gave them for the recovery from episiotomies, swelling and tearing was not helping…

I created Birth Day Postpartum Recovery Spray for moms after their delivery.  This spray helps with everything from minor swelling to significant tearing post-delivery. Even moms who encounter a caesarian birth can benefit from the recovery properties of this spray on the incision area.

This 100% natural blend includes the following ingredients: helichrysum, lavender, chamomile, yarrow, calendula and aloe. The healing properties of these particular essential oils promote tissue repair and ease the pain of perineal tearing, episiotomies and swelling.

Birth work is joyous work for me.  I believe healthy families begin with healthy births.  As a doula, I am an integral part of promoting the best birth experience that I can.  Through educating, supporting, and giving postpartum care with families, I am able to meet this intention.

Valerie M. Peterson, BA, LEC, Labor & Delivery Doula, and Founder of Birth Day with Val

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We went together into the bedroom and she watched me massage my daughter, and gave me tips.  Even as small as she was, my daughter reacted to the massage in such a positive way.  And it encouraged me to feel confident.  I was still so new at holding her outside of my body, and actually had been a bit shocked at how awkward I was at times in changing her clothes or diaper, or in holding her to breastfeed.  By touching her and using my hands with this pure, calendula oil, I was connecting to both her and myself in a different way.  It was magical.

Believe it or not, that was my introduction to Weleda, and Anna and I continue to use their products today.  Here’s our favs:

• Women’s facial cleanser
• Pomegranate Face Cream
• Deodorant sprays
• Childrens Tooth Gel
• Calendula Diaper Cream
• Calendula Shampoo & Body Wash
• Pregnancy Body Oil

Have you heard about the healing aspects of Calendula, which is also called marigold?  As a homeopathic, it is typically used for cut, scrapes, and bug bites.

Weleda has been a forerunner, celebrating their 90^th anniversary this year, in harvesting practices that are respectful to the earth and protective of our natural resources through biodynamic farming.  They harvest all of the calendula by hand, and only use organic chamomile, read more.

In August they are partnering with Pregnancy Awareness Month®.  We will have a weekly giveaway later this month as well as a Twitter Party focusing on their amazing Baby Care line of Calendula formulated products. “Weleda Calendula Baby Care helps care for a baby’s delicate skin with the best ingredients from nature. We use Biodynamic calendula extract from flowers that are grown each summer in our very own gardens in Germany.” Pato Pol, a Weleda Aesthetician, Doula, and Baby Massage expert.

If you are learning about Weleda for the first time or getting reacquainted with them, Anna and I encourage you to go to their website and learn more about their practices and mission.  There is a tutorial on bathing and massaging a newborn, linked earlier in this blog.  They also have a community page with tips, the current incentive is for you to add a tip to their page for a $2 coupon.

Alisa Donner, MSW, LCSW

Co-founder of Pregnancy Awareness Month®

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By: Ana Paula Markel ICCE, CD (DONA)

Certified Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, DONA Approved Birth Doula Trainer

Owner, Bini Birth

The word doula has gained incredible popularity in the past decade. The joke in big cities is not if you have a doula but WHO is your doula. Women have become familiar and embraced the idea that a loving, informed and positive presence during the transition into motherhood can be the single best decision about their care.

We are now embracing and exploring the role of the Postpartum Doula.

According to DONA International and from their website, a Postpartum Doula:

• Offers education, companionship and  nonjudgmental support during the postpartum fourth trimester
• Assists with newborn care, family adjustment,  meal preparation and light household tidying
• Offers evidence-based information on infant  feeding, emotional and physical recovery from birth, infant soothing and coping skills for new parents, and makes appropriate referrals when necessary

A postpartum doula certified by DONA International is designated by the initials PCD(DONA).

Translating this definition into a day in a new mother’s life, it is almost comparing darkness to light. A new mother is often tired from the birth experience; experiencing a physiological hormonal drop, and recognizing that nothing could really prepare someone for the role as a mother. She may have breastfeeding questions and infant sleep/wake cycle questions.  Much support is needed during the early post partum days.

Sleep deprivation combined with the seemly relentless needs of the newborn.  And how about the partner? Partners can be just as lost or even on a different pace than the mother.

Enter the role of the postpartum doula.  Through gentle listening, validation and expertise she brings confidence to the new parents.

The birth doula supports and informs about the birth process but at the end of the day, the mother will be the one to birth the baby, either vaginally or by a cesarean birth.

The postpartum doula does the same, her role is to encourage and support the parents in parenting their own babies. The postpartum doula does not take over the care of the baby for the mother, but gently guides mom through her questions and insecurities. The postpartum doula will also remind the mother of all the things she is doing well, celebrating each milestone with the family in the early days.

If we nurture the mother, she can nurture her baby. It sounds simple but in real life may not be. People come to visit and the mother may catch herself entertaining, thinking about food for the guests or being polite and making small talks when all she wants is to rest. New mothers need to have their feet up, to be fed, heard, validated and honored in order to provide for their infant. The postpartum doula’s role is to care for the mother (and her partner) along with the infant. It is not divided or separated, it is a big picture; a family approach.

At this point you may be sold on the idea, but probably asking how much such service will cost. No, it is not a cheap service, but we can look at it as an investment. You are preventing postpartum depression, therefore saving on therapy sessions and possible medication. You are preventing breastfeeding complications, therefore saving on formula and the paraphernalia that comes with bottle feeding. You are enhancing communication among partners, therefore saving in couple’s therapy. These are just a few of the financial benefits of hiring a postpartum doula. And what is the price for love, peace of mind, security, confidence and a healthy relationship among new parents?

People spend so much money on fancy strollers, diaper bags, baby luxury clothing, and many other items that are fun. How can we help society value the aid of a doula dedicated to post partum service for the infant and family in the first 1 or 2 weeks post birth just as much?

A postpartum doula costs anywhere from 20 to 50 dollars/hour. It depends on the city, if it is day or night shifts, or one baby or multiples. Doulas are hired for some hours daily or nightly and/or for 24 hours care. Doulas can be hired for either short or longer term. You can also negotiate the fee with the doula based on the period you want to contract with her. Some doulas work on sliding scales.

Here are some ideas in case you feel you can’t afford a doula:

• Think about hiring a newly trained doula who will charge a lot less than an experienced doula. These doulas often have mentorship from their trainers, and more experienced doulas.

• Create a doula fund for your baby shower.

• Suggest it as a gift from grandparents, and close relatives.

• Suggest a payment plan to the doula.

In the end, it is the mother, partner and baby who will benefit from this service. A safe, confident beginning of life is a precious and lasting investment in the relationship with our children and each other.

Peace begins in the womb, birth and early parenting.

To find a PP doula near you, www.dona.org and in the Los Angeles area www.binibirth.com. 

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Visioning Your Sacred Birth

I’ve often said that we do a wonderful job in America of preparing a woman and her mate with all that she needs to know about the physical aspect of birth, but very little about the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of birth. As a result, when the first labor pang comes, women are ill prepared for the power that is surging in, through and as them and have no idea how to manage it. The same goes for their mates. While we may say we are ‘ready’ for the baby, are we really? In every way possible?

As I mentioned previously, fear runs rampant throughout a woman’s pregnancy and, indeed, our culture, and so much of the inner preparation for a woman relates to transmuting this fear and embracing one’s own feminine power, which then creates confidence to do what we were born to do and do it well, to the best of our ability.

What more can a woman and her mate do to create confidence, beyond the gathering and reading of solid information? One of the processes I do with my clients to great success, is called Visioning. Visioning is a process whereby we go into a meditative state, quieting the mind via prayer and then I ask a succession of questions that relate to the purpose of the visioning, which in this case I would call an Ideal or Perfect Birth Visioning. Sometimes I call this ‘downloading’ the future, connecting to and creating a vision for, a probable reality that is one’s resonant ideal.

Becoming comfortable with images of birth, in general, is a positive step to create confidence. In bygone times, we were much more involved in our family’s and community’s births, taking part in them and witnessing them regularly. These days, one of the best ways to learn more about birth is by watching birth videos on Youtube. It is important to watch videos that feed your ideal vision and not it’s opposite. While it’s good to read all kinds of birth stories, in my opinion, it’s best to watch videos that are harmonious with your desires and intentions. The first video I ever watched was an undisturbed, deeply meditative water birth that a doula friend loaned to me of a birth she attended in Venezuela. This left an indelible mental image for me in terms of what is possible for a woman in labor.

Finally, I cannot emphasize highly enough the importance of hiring a doula. Doulas attended both of my births at home and in the hospital and to this day I refer to my doulas as my ‘birth angels’. Their ability to connect with me, hold my hand, make eye contact, remind me of my own power and my own intentions in the midst of the intensity of birth was deeply empowering and ultimately unforgettable. I cannot imagine my births without them. Learn more about hiring a doula at www.dona.org and www.doulamatch.net

If you would like to learn more tips about how you can create your sacred birth, you may wish to check out the Sacred Birth Workbook which was written with you in mind. Over the years of teaching the Sacred Birth Workshop in Los Angeles and New York, I compiled this workbook in an effort to share, in one place, what I was repeatedly offering year after year. It is a compendium of spiritual processes, exercises and information that will support you in creating your sacred birth. Learn more at www.stephaniedawn.com/ebook.htm.

Stephanie Dawn, ALSP is a licensed spiritual counselor and Sacred Birth Coach. She is the founder of Sacred Birth Work ~ Childbirth Preparation for the Heart, Mind and Spirit. Contact Stephanie for a complimentary consultation by emailing sacredbirth@me.com or go to www.stephaniedawn.com.

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 Desiree Miller

Parenting is hard.  OK, it’s harder than hard. It can be incredibly difficult at times.  As the parent to 16, 13, 12 and 5 year olds right now, I question exactly how I’m doing and whether I have failed my children somewhere along the way.  I’m not the perfect parent by any stretch.  And after reading “The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children”, by Kimberley Clayton Blaine, I realize I have some serious catching up to do. 

Not sure what emotion coaching is?  I wasn’t either.  In her book, this licensed therapist explains that emotion coaching is basically about teaching your child how to recognize and express various feelings appropriately.  In emotion coaching you coach your child to understand and communicate feelings.  It’s a way of life really, and it allows your child to grow up more resilient and socially adept.  It requires you to know and respect your child, understanding that if you have more than one that each will be different.  It means you should avoid denying, discounting or minimizing their feelings.  It means giving them power to make good choices without relying on manipulation. 

Still not clear?  The book explains your relationship with your child requires you to re-evaluate all the old parenting styles of the past.  Time-outs, reward systems, the standard go-to solutions of the past may not be as effective as you once believed.  Instead, allow your children to express themselves emotionally without suppressing or denying those emotions.  It’s the foundation for a strong relationship and a hefty dose of self confidence in your children that will help guide them through life. 

The book outlines real life scenarios with your child and guides you through how to handle them.   It’s more than a “how-to”, though.  It explains the logic behind the advice and puts into perspective some of the parenting problems you may have faced in the past.  It reminds you your child’s behavior is half the issue…how you react is the other half. 

I regret not having read this book sooner.  Even with 16 years of experience, I have so much to learn about positive parenting and helping to give my children their best start to life possible.

Want to know more?  Click here for information on the chapter about Baby Discipline.

Click here to buy a copy of the book.

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Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT 

As soon as your little one comes into your world the age ‘ol philosophy is true! That pregnant women and mommies with newborns need to protect their sleep. Sleep deprivation is an underlying cause for many problems large and small for moms and families. Sleep: As most parents of small children know, it’s the Holy Grail. Having a child who sleep well means having a child who is more likely to be even-tempered, easier to please, and more compliant. And a mom and dad who are rested, refreshed, and ready to face the day with their energetic bundle of joy. But let her skip naptime one time and your typically happy-go-lucky baby or toddler can quickly turn into a overly fussy, tantrum-throwing, meltdown prone little being.  There’s a good reason and there are solutions out there to help lull your little one into better naps and nighttimes.     

Children who nap and sleep well at night have fewer behavior problems.  Overly tired children can’t appropriately balance their physical and emotional world, causing them to act out and behave badly.

Children and parents both need good rest to make sure they are presenting their best self during the course of a day. Lack of sleep lead to irritability, shorter tempers on both parts, so making sure you catch enough Z’s at night can mean having kids who behave better and parents who, well, parent with more patience. So what do you if your baby or toddler shuns sleep? There are eight easy things that every parent can do to get back to good nights (and days) in no time:

Figure out how much sleep your child should be getting.

One year old: 13 hours

Two years old: 12–15 hours (includes nap)

Three years old: 11–14 hours (includes nap)

Four years old: 10–13 hours (includes nap)

Five years old: 10–12.5 hours (no nap)

If your child acts out, throws tantrums, or had a tendency to meltdown in the early evening hours, then there’s a good chance she isn’t getting enough sleep.

Stick to the schedule. Set a regular time for naps and bedtime so their little bodies will begin to adjust to the circadian rhythm of the sleep schedule you set.

Keeping a strict sleep schedule is vital to getting more rest for both you and your child. Plan your errands and day trips around naptime, and make sure that you stick to your night time schedule even on vacation

Insist on “rest time” every afternoon. Some children are great nappers. They go down with ease at the same time every day and take a regular nap up until the age of five.  It’s important to ensure that your child has a few quiet times each day.

Keep after dinner playtime to a minimum. Too much activity close to bedtime can keep children from being able to fall asleep.

Make a night ritual of the bedtime routine. Having a bedtime routine is a great way for both you and your child to unwind each day. It is also a great cue for them to know that bedtime is coming so they know what to expect It’s never too early to start a bedtime routine.  From the time a baby comes home from the hospital, set a relaxing routine that sets the tone for sleep.

Keep the temperature  just right. Small children have a harder time regulating their own body temperature and, babies especially, can have difficulty falling and staying asleep if they are too hot or too cold.

Set the sleeping mood. When children are trying to sleep, even the tiniest distraction can keep them from getting the shut-eye they need. Make sure that your child’s sleep environment is snug, cozy, and dark. If necessary, use a white-noise machine and a nightlight and always keep the noise level low

The most important thing is that parents manage their expectations. When it comes down to it, you can’t force kids to sleep. All you can do is set them up for success, make sure they get some sort of rest during the day, and the rest will come. And remember that you are not alone. There are plenty of parents out there- including myself- who struggle to get their kids to sleep. Have patience, stick with it and you’ll both be having good nights and great days before you know it.

Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT, is the executive producer of the online parenting show http://www.thegotomom.tv/ and author of  the new book, The Go-To Mom’s Parents’ Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children and The Internet Mommy.  

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Your Spiritual Path to Conscious Conception

What does it mean to embark on a spiritual path to conception?  I see it as a convergence of your spiritual path with your desire to have a conscious conception. The two are divinely linked; one very much supports and creates the other. Your awareness around your intentions to create life within your womb is deeply spiritual. Your ability to consciously conceive your child has everything to do with your own conscious walk on the planet right now. If you truly desire to consciously conceive your baby, then the opportunity exists for you to do so in a sacred, mindful and deliberate way.

In the book ‘Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom’, Dr. Christiane Northrup writes, “If women expect to improve our personal and professional status in the world, we have no choice but to assume responsibility for our creations and to reclaim our power. This is especially true when it comes to having babies. Women have now reached a time in our planetary history when we must learn to procreate from our conscious choice, not just to fill up an e mpty space inside ourselves or to try to keep a man.”

In essence, what she is saying is that the time is now for women to express love and appreciation for themselves in unprecedented ways, whether we are creating a baby, a project, or simply a life that truly works for us. Each one of us has creative capacities that are to be highly regarded, revered even.

So how does self-love manifest? I support my clients to create a life that is steeped in excellent self-care; physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally; the full spectrum. Excellent self-care means doing things that make you feel good, healthy, happy and vibrant. Now is the time to bring your awareness to your self-care, be it regular exercise, your diet, and/or teaching yourself about fertility nutrition. Perhaps it’s time for you to give yourself more massages, chiropractic appointments, acupuncture or whatever healing sessions you are being called to do. Recently, I’ve worked with my clients draw up a Wellness Regimen. I invite you to do this for yourself today. Include things like sleep, diet, solitude, spiritual practice, girlfriend time, spa days etc. You can break it down into daily, weekly and monthly times. Please make sure it is realistic and attainable and then post it where you can glance at it regularly and support yourself to stay on track.

Whether you do or do not presently have a spiritual practice, you can start one today. Dr. Northrup goes on to say, “To women who are contemplating pregnancy I suggest that they spend some time meditating and praying alone or together with their partner for guidance around the prospect of having a child. ” As you do this, you shall create your life and, ultimately, create a new life, with more awareness. You can work with spiritual principles and tools every step of the way. You can use affirmations that speak to your life as a being of Light. You can anchor Peace and Harmony in your daily meditation, if perhaps you had a pregnancy or birth that was less than satisfying the first time around. You can pray as Love to transmute fear connected to any aspect of pregnancy and birth where you might feel fear, whether this is your first baby or not. You can even pray before you make love. Perhaps you create a ritual when you come together with your mate, you light candles and speak your intentions to create life in a way that is based on your spiritual beliefs. You get to design how it looks. It’s your life lived your way.

Once pregnant, your spiritual and excellent self-care practice will support you in creating the confidence and empowerment you will need throughout your pregnancy, as you consciously create your sacred birth.

Stephanie Dawn, ALSP is a licensed spiritual counselor and the founder of Sacred Birth Work. She is the author of the Sacred Birth Workbook, has an international private coaching practice and also mentors birth professionals via the Sacred Birth Mentor Program. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two children.

For more info http://www.stephaniedawn.com/.

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Rhona Berens, PhD, CPCC

CEO, Parent Alliance

I have a friend who, whenever someone she knows faces change—like job loss or marriage—she turns into a cheerleader for new beginnings:

“Single life sucks. Married life rules!”

While I appreciate her enthusiasm, I’m increasingly uneasy with her minimizing what-was in service of what’s-starting.

Change-expert, William Bridges, makes a great distinction: He says change is an external action or event—like having a baby—while transition is “the inner reorientation and self-definition…to incorporate change into your life;” like becoming parents.

Amy*, a working mom with a 3-month old, worries she and her husband haven’t truly transitioned to parenthood; the past tugs at them persistently. Her perspective echoes that of Bridges:

“We have to let go of the old thing before we can pick up the new one.”

Easier said than done, especially because letting go of something demands revisiting that very thing, which can be challenging for those of us who choose to have kids, never mind struggle with fertility.

It’s as if our intentional pursuit of parenthood somehow nixes our right to long for our childless past. In fact, once we have kids, talking fondly about life, or marriage, before parenthood can seem suspect or taboo. We fret that missing our past, negates or disrespects the present: our new baby, our efforts as parents, our current reality.

So much so that—even if we secretly yearn for a time before parenthood—if our spouse dares utter the sentiment, we sometimes lash out, get defensive, or feel slighted.

Yet, truth is, we have every right—indeed, need—to mourn and celebrate the past, not only because it’s part of us, but because our present and future fulfillment as individuals and couples depends on it.

So whether we’re talking about our 1^st baby or 5^th, it’s important to consciously transition into our new lives; for most of us, that’s easier to do before we give birth.

Okay, but how? I suggest Myth Change, a simple exercise developed by the Center for Right Relationship: Carve out 10 minutes with your spouse to ask each other some questions and listen to each other with compassion and openness, while deferring a fix-it impulse. (If you’re expecting your 1^st baby, imagine into your answers.)

Myth Change Questions for Expecting Couples:

What do you want to celebrate and acknowledge about yourself, your life and our relationship, prior to this new child’s arrival?

What do you think you’ll miss about yourself, your life and our relationship after this baby arrives?

What experiences or attitudes, from before this child’s arrival, do you most want to maintain in your life and our relationship?

Now, together, think of 1 or 2 ways to honor each other’s requests, even if 60% or only 10% of what’s being asked.

Why? Because sometimes transitions—like becoming parents, like expanding our family—benefit from nurturing a wee bit of our pasts to better embrace our new roles, and each other, in the present.

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