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Tag: motherhood

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Thriving Pregnancy–my top tools and daily habits

Should go without saying, but nothing in this post should be construed as medical advice. Speak with your provider before making any changes to your nutrition/fitness plans, especially when pregnant or TTC.

As a health coach and mom of 3, now nearing the end of my 4th pregnancy, I get asked often about what I do and what I take to stay healthy, energized and balanced during pregnancies. Many folks assume that my pregnancies have been a breeze, but in all honesty they have been getting progressively easier/better, which is the opposite of many women’s experience. I think it’s like many things in life–there’s a learning curve, and when we get better at something, it feels easier (or maybe we’re just busy running after the other kids and don’t notice as much)…for me, it’s been a huge lesson in grace, acceptance of all the changes that happen to welcome and grow baby, while still holding on to the things that matter to me and make me at my best (fitness habits), which, it turns out, are good for baby too. I’ve learned to really value intuitive eating, in my pregnancies, and that’s helped me with self-love, and addressing some past issues around eating and body image. Motherhood really does change us for the better in every way if we let it.

Many folks don’t know that with my first pregnancy, I was diagnosed as borderline gestational diabetic, and had to change my diet…I was working 60+ hour weeks, and while I was young and overall healthy, the lifestyle wasn’t super conducive to a great pregnancy (long hours at a desk, pretty high stress, I ate whatever I had time to grab while pushing forward on projects, and finally with the pregnancy, had to teach myself to eat and seek out real nourishment beyond coffee and carbs). That first pregnancy was a big wake up call, and the beginning of my journey from finance, into the world of health and holistic living. It’s amazing what realizing you’re responsible for another person’s health and well-being will do for a mother…she learns to truly love herself in new and important ways–deep care for self translates to a deeper level of health for baby. It’s a beautiful thing, and I went through that process, but also knew I needed to get serious about what I was fueling my body with, and the kind of daily habits I had, so as not to put future children at risk for diabetes in a real way (and it’s in our family). 

I now have such an amazing level of support–from some of the things I share below, to my amazing midwives, pelvic PT, reflexology, acupuncture providers, that I’ve wisely created (through learning the hard way perhaps), and I’ve truly enjoyed and loved every day of this pregnancy so far. As we head into the final 5 weeks–I want to pause and acknowledge just what a gift it’s been. And I’ve had the perspective that this vibrancy and incredible energy has been given to me for a reason–and I’m working to serve in the ways I’m meant to, even while I carefully say no to things and prevent myself from burning out.

This time around, there’s been an extra focus on supporting my core, pelvic floor, and keeping it safe and strong, knowing just how long and challenging the recovery process can be. This is why I dove into the prepare program of the Every Mother site/app. I was a featured member this month, so more about my story and the difference it’s made for me can be found on their site. Basically, my diastisis from pregnancies 2 and 3 has been reversed significantly, and we’re working on not having any/too much to speak of from this pregnancy. It’s about learning to move safely and effectively (and to keep moving!) so I’m VERY grateful to have discovered it and to have jumped into the program right as I was conceiving (without realizing the perfectness of the timing–and not showing a bump until 18 weeks, much to my surprise). 

#32weekbump

Fast forward to now, I’ve had 3 pregnancies where the GD test at 24 weeks come back perfectly normal, and the caretakers can’t believe it because normally with a history/presence of it, it’s always there for subsequent pregnancies, but I know that the changes I made have made all the difference, and for that I’m truly grateful. 

The tough thing I see as a health coach, is that we want to be able to go out and trust an organic prenatal vitamin and call it a day (eat a balanced, whole foods diet, etc) but sometimes that’s just not enough. For one thing, many of the standard prenatals on the shelves have been found in recent FDA studies to have high amounts of lead in them. Shocking, but true. So you have to find the right brand partner to trust your health and your baby’s to. For me, that all came together as I was deciding to pursue health coaching career during my 2nd pregnancy, and was finding that, after some research, I could trust this natural nutrition company that you’ll see mentioned here. There’s so much more I could say on this topic, but I think moms feel it most deeply, we know that we want only the best for baby and for ourselves, and we’re willing to search high and low to get that quality. Then, when we can feel a difference (a huge boost in daily energy), we’re hooked. I love that often I’m one of the first to know when folks are pregnant (before close family) because they come to me ready to figure out what will make them thrive and keep baby growing well–I’m good at keeping a secret when I need to be 🙂

I love the nutrition science related to pre-natal health. If you want to nerd out too, you’ll enjoy this video by some docs I trust and have had the pleasure of working with. 

Now 6.5 years of taking this pre-natal/post-natal supplement, I truly can’t imagine life without it. It’s my secret to endless energy–(yes, I was born with that, but nutrient depletion is real during most pregnancies, so many moms find themselves wiped out through the process of pregnancies and breastfeeding—while my bloodwork #s are always surprising to my docs).

It’s my desert island product, and you’ll find me taking it every day by 2pm, so I can keep powering along, and growing baby with all the best stuff that I know is being absorbed and used well by both of us. I wrote a whole other post/round-up of testimonies from midwives, other moms, etc. so you can find that here.

#20weekbump, my running buddy

And as for my other daily tools, here’s a few things I take daily (and why). All can be run by your particular doc for their approval, and all are pharmaceutical grade, with quality standards that are 4x the level for an organic label. 

It’s alot to take, but it’s all so worth it if if means thriving babe and mom.

This is vitalizer, my desert island product. 

Cal-Mag. Calcium needs go way up in pregnancy, and so does our need for magnesium, which is slightly hard to get solely by diet, but with this daily and my weekly epsom salt baths (stork brand, so good), that is satisfied. I’m mostly dairy free so especially supplementing calcium becomes key. Magnesium has the wonderful side effect of calming nervous system, promoting restful sleep, and I can’t imagine life without this one (oh, it’s a chewable, that’s fun). 

Immunity through Nutriferon. Pregnancy hormones can slightly suppress our immune system, just when we need it most, because we don’t want to be taking any OTC medications or really just having to battle any colds, or anything. This product has helped a few friends immensely who were run down and often sick in pregnancy, and for me I take it as needed, but always have it around, especially if I see sniffles from the kids or just know all that they are getting exposed to at school. It was designed by a scientist who discovered interferon, our body’s ability to increase white blood cell production, and he created this product at the request of Shaklee. Cool stuff for those who like to nerd out on health.

This is another product I can’t imagine living without in pregnancy (well, I remember from my first pregnancy, and it wasn’t fun: the bloating, the water retention, swollen ankles, especially in warm weather). All of that is managed by this product, Alfalfa. It’s a super green with tons of nutrients and is a gentle, natural diuretic, supporting your cleansing organs. It also helps with creating/stimulating a good milk supply so be sure to take it daily in 3rd trimester, and of course in postpartum. It’s truly incredible stuff. No more swollen ankles or icky bloat feeling that is all too common. Also helps with heartburn (along with probiotic below) and even sore muscles (anti-inflammatory powerhouse).

GLA. This is a game changer for many women–it’s a hormone balancing supplement. And we all know pregnancy is a roller coaster of hormones, but sometimes we just need to be able to manage their affects, and this is huge for me in early pregnancy (can reduce the morning sickness symptoms because obviously those are hormone swing triggered). It’s also crucial in 3rd trimester with the hormone swings, mood swings, and then the potential for developing PPD symptoms which can arise in late pregnancy as well. I had (realizing it after), a mild PPD with my first, and when taking this with my 2nd pregnancy and afterwards, I’ve always been so balanced and had none of those mood issues (need to take it consistently in first 6 weeks postpartum too!)…so try it out or recommend to someone who’s struggling in that area.

So this is an extra dose of B’s, beyond what’s in the vitalizer (which is the standard dose recommended for a certified pre-natal, and increased based on the research of the science team, about studies of real folic acid needs of mothers). I’m not here to have the great folic acid debate; suffice to say my #s are incredible, my midwives are always blown away by all of my bloodwork, and this extra B boost is time released–helps with all day energy and with mood.

Ok, if you want me to send you some things to read on the folic/folate discussion topic, just comment or email me, I’m more than happy to since I have it often. But meanwhile, grab some B’s and get happier and more energized!!!

This is one of my secret weapons 🙂 It’s a tart cherry supplement designed to reduce muscle soreness after an intense workout for example. So I have used it as an athlete. But guess what, it’s a natural form of melatonin, and you can take 1 or 2 pills, depending on how interrupted your sleep is, and I find that in late 2nd, and 3rd trimester, taking 1-2 of these can knock me out and I wake up feeling like a million bucks–much deeper sleep than I might normally get with a little being bumping around in there. Totally safe for pregnancy and just a real life-changer to get fantastic rest in late pregnancy. Heaven knows we need it 😉

All these things that some people just throw up their hands and say “well, that’s just life being pregnant, your ankles swell and you don’t sleep well” I say—hmm…there must be a better way. Does it have to be like that? And no, it doesn’t.

Saving some of the best for last. EZ-Gest is a form of digestive enzymes, which many nutritionists recommend that everyone take, but especially in pregnancy, hormones can mess with our digestion alot, and this is a super saver. It will prevent/help with heartburn, and when eating rich foods, especially in late pregnancy. I take it as needed before 3rd trimester, but these days I’m taking it daily (especially with foods I’m slightly sensitive to like gluten), and it’s awesome. 

Ok—In my experience coaching so many women in the pre and post-natal phase, stress can play a huge part in overall well-being and also in our digestion. We all know that there’s a strong link between healthy gut, and a healthy mind/mood, with new research, so this brand new product is the answer to some of that (with almost a decade of research on this single product and the 4 strains of probiotics in it). So not only is it powerful for immunity, it’s helping so much with keeping momma’s gut healthy, which is critical for baby’s health too. This one is a keeper. The vitalizer has a probiotic in it too, for daily consumption–this can be an every other day, or as needed–but I highly recommend the extra boost; your gut and your mood will thank you. 

OK…3 more secret weapons, that you’ll want to have around. Vitamin E complex is known for preventing varicose veins and supporting circulation and skin health (so good!) and it can also help prevent stretch marks, along with daily application of the shea butter which smells like heaven to a pregnant lady at the end of a long day. The final one is energizing tea, I know so many pregnant ladies who find this puts the perfect non-caffeinated pep in their step, and of course, carries over to benefit in postpartum as well! 

#28weekbump
I’ve been documenting this little guy’s growth more than my others…maybe because he feels like such an un-looked for gift. 

Daily habits for thriving

Oh, so many things we learn along the way, in this crazy motherhood journey. Sometimes the hard way, when we push ourselves to the brink of exhaustion/overwhelm. I’ve been there, it’s not fun. But definitely my level of self-care is way deeper this time around, and have that sense of love for self and love for baby’s needs being one and the same. If I need a nap, I find a way to grab one…

…and I’m much more aware of my limits, and my body telling me–I need more sleep, stretching, or nourishment, or just rest on the couch. So yes, while my 3 kids keep me busy, I make sure I make time for the following habits, knowing that if I can stay at my best and serve the needs of my babe and I, with lots of energy and focus for them, then we’ll all win.

#29 week bump doing some yoga

*Daily stretching (sometimes yoga flows, sometimes just mindful stretching into areas that feel tight). This along with the Every Mother program which has nice short daily focus, with longer (20 min) exercises 2-3 times per week in the prepare program. 

*Daily walks. This has been my best habit for both mental and physical health. Getting outside with my little 2 year old sidekick, is just the best. Leaving behind the to-do lists, the home environment (messy or tidy as it may be) and getting out, even in the very cold recent days, always helps to reset my energy levels, my mood, my focus, and I can enjoy several miles in the beautiful nearby towns that offer us attractions, and beautiful walking spaces. In past pregnancies I always put a premium on regular runs, even into my 3rd tri, and this time, I think with an extra awareness of not wanting to overly tax my abs and ligaments, and pelvic floor, I’ve been happier with walking, even vigorously to break a sweat. Gentle and effective has been the name of the game, plus the fact that I can do it with my guy makes it wonderful bonding time as well.

*Daily shake…I usually have these 20 gram of protein powerhouse drinks at least 1 daily; it helps baby grow with those needed nutrients and my own lean muscle mass, and preps me well for a good postpartum transition.

*Weekly epsom salt baths, for muscle soreness, and magnesium absorption/relaxation. Love this ritual. I use the stork brand from amazon when pregnant, and other ones for my normal (athlete status) life.

*3rd trimester super foods. Pineapples are amazing for softening/ripening the cervix when the time is right. Dates are known to have enzymes that can help the labor process. Red raspberry leaf tea, for toning and strengthening, encouraging the uterus to do it’s thing. Fiber–tons of fiber. For me that’s often celery and almond butter, or kale shakes, etc.

*Daily prayer, journaling, slower/mindful mornings, screen free time, and strong night rituals, now with hypnobirthing reading/listening as part of my night-time process as I prepare for a beautiful, peaceful birth. 

That’s it folks. Thanks for reading and connecting with me about thriving pregnancy. Who in your life might appreciate seeing this? Feel free to share.

If you’re not pregnant: share this with someone who is, or who wants to be? 

If you are pregnant: feel free to start by taking your own personal health print quiz here, that will give you some great recs to start with, and then we can easily schedule a quick chat to discuss how all of this, above, may support your best pregnancy! Most ladies just bring the labels/fact sheets to their providers to get their OK for any of these things!

If you’re postpartum–check out Every Mother reclaim program for sure…! And…while many of these products are perfectly overlapping and support postpartum very well, I also have 2 other posts you may want to check out:

*Postpartum top 10 tools
*Postpartum self-care routines

Thanks for being here and being part of this journey with me, xx

Maddy

#34weekbump….finishing strong, love my elliptical time and weight machines to keep myself feeling my best.
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Life Lessons from My Kids, 2018 Edition

I wrote a similar post a year ago, and when I sat to write this, I enjoyed going back to it, remembering them (how little they seem now) and that special phase, that still somewhat felt like a blur, since we were still settling in after a big move—entering a new school and community, finding good rhythms in our new place we call home. 

Some things I remember now (from that time)–Ambrose just under 1 and he was still waking a lot at night to feed, my brain and nervous system still felt in that postpartum fog a bit (any other mommas out there relate?)…and the girls were just young and BUSY. Not a bad thing, I just remember being wiped out each and every day, and welcoming my babysitter breaks and realizing I needed to uplevel my self-care game and my mental and home management habits & flow so that I wouldn’t feel on the edge so often, but could rather enjoy it more!

I began looking into ways to rest/reset more deeply and effectively (discovered reflexology , healed my adrenals during this time, so huge), and some exploring of new habits that led to many new, better rhythms for myself and our family by the spring. This deserves another post–coming soon…  

Well, if you’d told me at that moment–that this time next year we’d be happily prepping to welcome #4, I would have said you were CRAZY:)

It wasn’t until the spring of 2018 that I turned and said to Joel one day… “I think we’re starting to really get the hang of this 3 kids thing”…ha. And now we’re preparing to have our worlds rocked, once again, and the beauty of it is that I truly can’t imagine it any other way. 

A Year of Finding Balance, With and Through My Children

My word of the year for 2018 was Balance. How appropriate that we sought and found some new family rhythms to give us a beautiful sense of balance, and now in early 2019 we’ll adjust and shift and build on what we’ve learned. God’s timing is truly incredible, and I smile just knowing how much better life gets when I don’t try so hard to control the future, the timing of things, and everything in between. Anyone else working on that lesson (again, and again)?

I see how well the kids are maturing and adjusting and doing more for themselves and in their lives, even as the balance shifts again and my focus starts to be on prepping for the next one. I never cease to be amazed at how much kids are hard-wired to THRIVE–to seek out, grab, hold onto, to create the experiences, stimulation, relationships, etc., that most help them become themselves, and to be challenged and remain curious about their world…it’s a quality we all wish we had more of or held on to better as adults!

Photo by Laurie Wright Photography, 2018

Learning about Gentleness and Creative Introspection from Emma

So, diving into the 2018 Fall edition, I’ll start with Emma Lucia, my eldest. She turned 8 in August, and is thriving and being stretched by life in 3rd grade. Oh Emma, what a special spirit she is. I honestly pause at least once a day and marvel that she’s my daughter. Her heart is so sensitive and clued into the needs of others–when she was younger, she was more melancholic, but as she’s grown, she looks outside of herself and cares so deeply about what others are experiencing and going through.

She’s 8, which means fierce friendships and a growing sense of independence–she thrills when I give her responsibilities that stretch and challenge her (though better that we don’t call them chores:)), and at school I see her growing in leaps and bounds with the environment, academic challenges, and the tight knit (tiny class) social circle that she loves. She teaches me so much about seeing the world with wide eyed imagination, gentleness, thinking outside the box, caring deeply for others and always looking for that creative outlet.

She’s a great (gentle) ring leader of the other two, coming up with creative games that keep the younger two entertained, and playing elaborate lego and character games on her own. I don’t ever want her to grow up where she’s too old for that. She has a good sense of what it means to be having another baby coming soon, and she’s very excited and aware of how it will change things in the family.

I’m so grateful she’s in a lovely school– and has a pace of life and friendships–that are encouraging her to stay little, soak up these golden years of imaginative childhood…they really are so beautiful to watch through the eyes of a mother. And she challenges me to always leave room for imagination, creativity and gentle connectedness to others, as keys to beautiful days.

Learning about the Power of Grace and Passion from Corinne

Corinne–my firecracker. She’s the one who has given me the most gray hairs, the most “what am I doing wrong as a mother” moments, and yet our bond is fierce, and I see so much of myself in her (and a bunch of other traits), that I have to laugh as I’m learning to parent her–I’m hearing echoes of what I need to be told daily as well: “Lighten up, Corinne. Not everything can go just your way” and “Don’t get frustrated that it’s not perfect. Try again, embrace the process, and imperfection”…and so much more.

She’s 5, in kindergarten, and is just on top of the world. She’s the one who needed school (that wonderful stimulation) badly–and while we wondered how she would do transitioning to full days this year, she’s absolutely thriving, the center of her class social scene, adores her fun young teacher (who’s fashionable, which is very important to Corinne) and is just ready to explode with all the things she’s excited to be learning about and bringing home to show and tell me. She’s just beginning to unwrap the magical world of reading…with fierce pride in herself.

I will never ever tire of seeing her attack a playground, and jump, swing, flip, twirl, and use every aspect of it to her heart’s delight. That’s my 5 year old Corinne! She’s been doing a gymnastics class, and it’s the perfect environment for her to push herself physically, and have fun…it reminds me a lot about why I love running, and yoga, and fitness in general…that sheer focus and her determination to do better than she did yesterday (not competing against others–yet–but against her own definition of where she wants to be).

I learn from her (and she from me) about how to channel our energies, engage them well (think leadership, as opposed to bossiness, and gymnastics, as opposed to tearing up my home ;)). She’s the one that is the most surprisingly tender to me even in the midst of her whirlwind energy, and is always thinking of sweet things for me “and the baby.” We have the sweetest conversations when I put her to bed, and her mind is just exploding with the possibilities of life and her place in it. 

I want to say she’s changed the most in the past year, but I think it’s really just about coming into her own: she’s embracing the best parts of who she wants to be, and leaving behind some of the dangerously obstinate habits of toddler-hood. “Though she be but little, she is fierce!” I want her to retain that always, in pursuit of the good, true and beautiful.

Photo by Laurie Wright Photography, 2018

Learning about Curiosity and Playfulness from Ambrose

Ambrose–-oh my lover boy. The one who made me a blessed and happy boy mom (now getting ready to welcome another boy). His tenderness to me, his silliness and sense of humor, how he’s navigating all the big changes of his little life, I’m just marveling at it daily, and loving every minute with him. He teaches me so much about approaching all aspects of life with enthusiasm and a grin.

The other night when we are scurrying around doing bedtime things with Corinne, I see him grab his little board book and jump into my bed next to Emma who’s doing her reading there. He cuddles up and then yells out to me in the hallway—“I’m happy!!” That sums him up pretty well, just that sunny good natured guy who brings out all the doting qualities from all of us.

The year between 1 and 2 is really when so much happens for them, they go from being little babies needing so much, to super independent, and this guy handled it with grace and agility.

Much more than my other girls were (that I remember), he’s super inquisitive and always asking “What’s that” “Where are we?”, “Why…?” His brain is hardwired to connect the dots between things and that, along with his very tidy habits (my pride and joy–-he’s always cleaning up his messes without prompting, using his mini cleaning set, or picking up after he’s done, etc.) makes me think he could have a future as an engineer (like his grandfather) or something that requires attention to detail/organization, and lots of asking “why does this work this way?”

He’s my nature lover boy, who’s always trying to play with bugs, run outside with his boots on, and just explore…and on hikes, he fiercely keeps up with rigorous climbs and will go for a mile or more just powering away, excited about what’s up ahead. I’ve LOVED these fall days with him, as a special transition moment, knowing that in the new year, things will shift again, and he’ll give up his position as youngest…but he’ll always be my baby boy, and he has his dad wrapped around his finger, which is wonderful to watch.

He teaches me so much about loving life and taking things as they come. He reminds me how important it is to just PLAY, and use our energy on things that make us happy.

Photo by Laurie Wright Photography, 2018

Learning about Trust and the Unique Gift of Each Life from My Sneaky Pete

My little bump dweller, “Sneaky Pete,” as we like to call him, rounding us out to 2 girls, 2 boys. This guy sure has taught me A LOT so far, for being so little, but it’s been quite an exciting journey with him, and I’d say primarily it’s about trust in God, joy and gratitude for the lives we get to connect with, touch, and bring into this world. There’s some very very special reason that he’s here, that he exists–so I’m eager to witness and see just what that could be.

And he’s been SO good and easy on his momma so far (let’s keep that up), and I just marvel at it all, all over again (but more deeply perhaps). I’ve been really intentionally journaling almost daily with this pregnancy, and really letting this little guy and our experiences together shape my thoughts, my work, what I’m focused on, there’s so much richness there, in terms of lessons and learning to really become aware of the process, of how much these weeks, each week, changes us.

Maybe you’ve heard it said that every child a woman carries leaves some of their own DNA in her? We as mothers are literally, and in so many facets, never ever going to be the same, thanks to the babies we carry or have carried.

Now that we’re at the point (34 weeks) that he could survive outside the womb just fine (though let’s not get any ideas of coming early) it’s just mind blowing to me, just how much development takes place in these early weeks, and how lucky we are to be witnesses to it, as parents, from day 1. It still feels surreal, but amazing, that in 6 weeks we’ll have another little one fully part of our home and family.

I have no doubt I’ll be writing more updates soon on this little one, but so far, he’s as go with the flow as they come, and genuinely brings such an edge of joy to my life and awareness, he’s reminding me just how much ALL in life is gift, sometimes God’s ways are much better than our ways (well, always!), and how good things lead to more and more and more good things–abundance of blessings follows when we trust and relinquish control.

His presence also reminds me, yet again, how important self-care is as mothers–caring for self and caring for other are the same/inextricably linked in this beautiful phase, and I am grateful some of these lessons have sunk in over the past 8 years, even as I learn new ones, that are appropriate for this season.

Photo by Laurie Wright Photography, 2018

So that’s it, the 2018 recap on life-lessons from my kids…

I love their spirit and this moment above, it captures perfectly their wild and free hearts, ready to take on adventure and risk as it comes to them—alive to the world, to life and it’s blessings, just committed to thriving. We all have so much to learn from the children in our lives–our own, and others!

And here’s the recap from last year to enjoy/compare. I LOVE seeing the growth, as much in my perspective, as in each of them.

Life lessons my children are teaching me right now

How are your kids leading to your growth, and changing you during this season of life? I’d love to hear.

 

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Life lessons my children are teaching me right now

Oh my goodness.

This moment in time is one I want to remember for many many years to come. My 3 littles are these incredibly beautiful, blossoming ages, and I just am blown away by all that they are doing, becoming, and how much they are showing me about life, and the many facets of what it means to be alive, and to be in the present moment, while embracing growth. So much is learned from these simple, beautiful, un-tamed hearts. Sure, they make me crazy and some days, exhausted, but I decided for this post to share with you my focus on the incredible lessons that they are teaching me, and for myself, so that it sinks in deeply and I can treasure these lessons for what they are…beautiful gifts from God, who is always putting the people in our lives (literally, plopped into my body and heart) to teach us needed lessons about life and love, and becoming more of who we are truly meant to be.

Emma L. Pidel

My eldest girl, my absolute joy, she’s a ray of warmth and lightness and is so sensitive to beauty, to others, to sadness, she’s like a beautiful wildflower, growing in the sun, but delicately battered by rain. I remember even as a baby, how sensitive she was to the world around her, and that challenged and stretched me at the time, and it continues to! She’s never happier than when creating–primarily with color and paper (art of any media) but also now with writing; her stories, imaginary games and worlds become the focus of the other children, and we all get swept up into them, so powerful is her imagination and her desire to make it real.

The other day she said to me, coming from out of the blue, or perhaps when I was brushing off something that had happened in the midst of a busy moment…”Mom. but it’s OK to feel sad. You can’t just be happy and feel positive all the time.” Those words hit deeply with me and I realized that she needed to see another side of me from time to time. She knows that I have my down moments, as we all do, and she was encouraging me to let that be part of my mothering, rather than putting on a good face and mustering along. What wisdom of spirit! And that vulnerability chosen as strength is where Emma so excels, and where she teaches me so much. She may be little (she’s always been one of the most petite ladies for her age) but she shines so brightly due to her generosity and her desire to expand other’s hearts and their deep joy–all while telling them (and us)–it’s OK, you don’t have to be happy all the time…that’s not how life works. Her melancholic understanding of life coupled with her trained optimism that we’re always working on, is something that inspires me daily, and that I know will richly bless so many others.

Corinne E. Pidel

Oh, my spitfire. Every since she popped into the world on July 5th, weighing in at 9lbs 12 oz, my little firecracker has been making sure that people notice her in every way, every day. Sometimes, that takes ugly temper-tantrum on the sidewalks form, but other times it means she runs into her school and her entire class comes and hovers around her, eager to hear what she has to say, and to follow her around (I kid you not). We’re always working on the leadership side of things and channeling all that CEO mentality she’s already got bottled up inside her. Believe me, she wants to, and probably could run the household for a day if I let her…and I’m tempted but I know in just a few years she’ll be such a brilliant lady to have on my team, so we’re always navigating the sources of power, in all ways large and small. She teachers me, with her fiercely beautiful stubborn streak, that we should STAND UP and fight for what matters to us, large or small, and to know deep down what it is that we want, and what we are about in the world.

She has a piercing sense of fairness and the need to keep agreements in place, so I watch, and marvel, as this little human navigates all the people, situations and environments that she has in front of her. She takes risks whenever possible–OK, sounds like someone else we know. But her enthusiasm and confidence are at such heights when she’s flipping on the playground or trampolining across my living room on these winter eves–she truly marvelously pushes herself to go further, faster, harder, and boy, don’t we all need a little bit of that drive and energy sometimes? Since she has a tender heart under her tougher exterior, I learn much from her about finding little ways and opportunities to let love shine through; it’s not going to look the same for all of us; and in her case, sometimes love looks like laying down clear boundaries and even a few rules, with much explanation of course.

She’s finding her way with full force, and I am so humbled that I get to be her mommy and learn so much patience, trust and peace along the way. Being 4 and trying to understand all that life throws at us is TOUGH. In fact, it’s tough no matter what the age. We can’t always just lay down and have a good cry, but being OK with that reality and the mystery of our power to shape our existence, is certainly always something to grapple with. She’s taught me this, and so, so so much more.

I have no doubt she’ll be a CEO, or running her own company, or non-profit, or doing some other such incredible things some day, and I’ll look back and smile and chuckle over all those moments when she lost it because she couldn’t understand why she wasn’t in charge of the whole show at age 4.

Ambrose. J.T. Pidel

Oh, my babe. I start to tear up when I rock him for his naps and think about the fact that he’s growing up, he doesn’t really need me in the way that he used to, a year ago. This year has been SUCH a gift and he’s taught me some incredible lessons. His gentle, loving, upbeat and fun personality is contagious-how he is in turn affects his sisters and their moods, and it affects me.

He’s constantly smiling at us to get us to smile back, and he now has this sweet trick where he’ll come running over and pull on me until I sit and cozy up with him on the couch, and he’ll sit contentedly in my lap, chatting away and telling me (in gibberish) everything that he’s thinking about, complete with serious facial expressions and chuckles. He’s teaching me, with his absolutely fearless and fierce nature, to push ahead towards the things that are beyond me reach just yet, or are hard for me. That’s how we learn, that’s how we grow.

Seeing him tackle obstacles like the nearest chair, or navigating getting down a flight of stairs (hint; It ends well), he does so smiling widely, and when he falls, he just grins and goes right back at it. Isn’t that all that many of us can aspire to be like, failing forward and seeing the bumps and bruises of life, as a sign that we’re on the right path and we’re learning, it’s not supposed to be perfect and seemly, and together all the time. And his sweet fascination with literally everything that comes across his path or sight reminds me to dive in more deeply to understand  how something works and why it came to be. He reminds me that I love phemonelogy for this reason…the power of experiencing an object and the joy, suprrise and all that it gives.

He’s teaching me to love and give second chances no matter what history is there (with his sisters rough housing him) and his beautiful wide open approach to welcoming the new day—running off to explore something new with sheer delight at being alive. Yes, I’m learning so much from him too, and it’s all so wonderful to watch unfold.

These children, grace and hope are abundant in their spirits, may they always live the deep and bright mysteries of the present moment, as they are doing now. I’m so humbled and truly lucky to be their mother, and as much as I wake up and pray for the wisdom to guide and form them, they are teaching me lessons that are sinking deeply into my core and changing me.