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Amey Stone
Penpals become brothers
I was catching up on some blog reading last night, while also catching up on some TV, (How's that for multi-tasking?) when I came across the story of Ryan Hreljac and Jimmy Akana. They happen to be the co-authors of a new kids' book, Ryan and Jimmy: And the well in Africa that brought them together.
You see when Ryan was a typical Canadian six-year-old, he learned tabout the lack of clean water in many African villages. So he set out on a quest to raise money to buy a well. At age SIX! When he found out that his initial fundraising of $70 would only buy a hand pump, he got his whole community involved to raise the $2K it would take to buy a proper ground well.
To abbreviate a very long story (you can read the whole thing here) Ryan began a penpal relationship with a 9-year-old Ugandan boy in the village where his well eventually went. Kristin recently posted about the Acholi children in Northern Uganda and the horrific struggles of these children. The penpal, Jimmy Akana, was no different. Each night he walked for miles to shelter himself from the possibility of being killed by rebels. Some nights he hid in the forest near his house for hours. He had lost both his parents, his siblings had disappeared and he was now living with relatives.
Ryan went to visit Jimmy and the well in 2000. Shortly after the life-changing visit, Jimmy's life was in danger again. At age 12, Jimmy's relatives were killed or disappeared after a middle-of-the-night attack by rebels that saw his village burnt to the ground. Jimmy had managed to escape, and since the rebels viewed the harbouring escapees was seen as treason punishable by death, no one would take him in. By 2003, the rebels were hunting Jimmy, eager to assassinate him, when a miracle happened.
Ryan's parents took out a loan and sought the advice of an immigration lawyer. Then they got Jimmy out of Uganda and safely into Canada, where he now attends high school, living as their adopted son. Wow.
Now the two boys travel together, trying to raise awareness about the importance of good drinking water and fundraising for Ryan's charity, the Ryan's Well Foundation. What touched me most about the interview I saw on my public TV station, was how incredibly positive Jimmy is, even after witnessing the death of his father and cousins, even when describing the horrible events of his life -- he has a smile that will melt your heart.
Next time your kids complain about something, tell them about these two inspiring guys.
You see when Ryan was a typical Canadian six-year-old, he learned tabout the lack of clean water in many African villages. So he set out on a quest to raise money to buy a well. At age SIX! When he found out that his initial fundraising of $70 would only buy a hand pump, he got his whole community involved to raise the $2K it would take to buy a proper ground well.
To abbreviate a very long story (you can read the whole thing here) Ryan began a penpal relationship with a 9-year-old Ugandan boy in the village where his well eventually went. Kristin recently posted about the Acholi children in Northern Uganda and the horrific struggles of these children. The penpal, Jimmy Akana, was no different. Each night he walked for miles to shelter himself from the possibility of being killed by rebels. Some nights he hid in the forest near his house for hours. He had lost both his parents, his siblings had disappeared and he was now living with relatives.
Ryan went to visit Jimmy and the well in 2000. Shortly after the life-changing visit, Jimmy's life was in danger again. At age 12, Jimmy's relatives were killed or disappeared after a middle-of-the-night attack by rebels that saw his village burnt to the ground. Jimmy had managed to escape, and since the rebels viewed the harbouring escapees was seen as treason punishable by death, no one would take him in. By 2003, the rebels were hunting Jimmy, eager to assassinate him, when a miracle happened.
Ryan's parents took out a loan and sought the advice of an immigration lawyer. Then they got Jimmy out of Uganda and safely into Canada, where he now attends high school, living as their adopted son. Wow.
Now the two boys travel together, trying to raise awareness about the importance of good drinking water and fundraising for Ryan's charity, the Ryan's Well Foundation. What touched me most about the interview I saw on my public TV station, was how incredibly positive Jimmy is, even after witnessing the death of his father and cousins, even when describing the horrible events of his life -- he has a smile that will melt your heart.
Next time your kids complain about something, tell them about these two inspiring guys.
Image of the Day: cute smile
Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. For the last day I chose this adorable smile from my BABY its half. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed looking at your photos this month. Thank you always for your great contributions.
If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day
The Toddler Gourmet: Veggie burgers and fries
I'm constantly looking for healthy things to feed my kids. Part of finding healthy food is the quick and easy factor. How long will it take to cook? Can the kids feed it to themselves without much mess? Does it taste good?
I've recently learned the joys of a Gardenburger. It is hard to believe, but I really like this meatless "burger!" It tastes a bit like tater tots, which are definitely kid-friendly. It is also easy to cook up and serve to a little one with-- or without-- a bun.
Instead of french fries, I like to use sweet potato fries. You can throw them in the pan when you're almost done cooking the burger (I use grapeseed oil). The entire process takes just a few minutes and it is good to know you're not loading your children down with a plate full of cholesterol.
We also recently tried meatless "chicken" nuggets recently and, I have to say, I'll most definitely be buying more of these at the store. While my kids don't get "burgers" or "nuggets" every day, I'm happy to know these are on hand when I feel like going the easy route.
I've recently learned the joys of a Gardenburger. It is hard to believe, but I really like this meatless "burger!" It tastes a bit like tater tots, which are definitely kid-friendly. It is also easy to cook up and serve to a little one with-- or without-- a bun.
Instead of french fries, I like to use sweet potato fries. You can throw them in the pan when you're almost done cooking the burger (I use grapeseed oil). The entire process takes just a few minutes and it is good to know you're not loading your children down with a plate full of cholesterol.
We also recently tried meatless "chicken" nuggets recently and, I have to say, I'll most definitely be buying more of these at the store. While my kids don't get "burgers" or "nuggets" every day, I'm happy to know these are on hand when I feel like going the easy route.
Do you "heart ground?"
Gadgets & Tech, That's Entertainment
Sometimes, it is easy to feel like you never have anything in common with the other parents on the playground. Many people I have tried to befriend have ultimately left me scratching my head, wondering how it is so freaking impossible to make friends that happen to be parents.
I've recently become a fan of watching music videos on Noggin.com with my young daughter. I'll give the people at Noggin credit; they're really good at scouting acts for their spots. (Note to Noggin: Could you please hire me? Sounds like a pretty fun job.)
I currently am enjoying I Hog the Ground by Steve Burns and Steven Drozd. If one of those names sounds familiar, it should. Steve Burns is the Steve of "Blue's Clues" fame. But now, instead of wearing his trademark striped shirt, he's wearing an awesome shirt that says "I Heart Ground."
Now, I find myself using it as my little parent catchphrase. I made some art while at the kids museum today that said, what else, "I Heart Ground," hoping that some other fun parent came along and had a chuckle.
I'd eventually like to make a shirt just like Steve's. But, if I never get around to doing so, I can always buy one on Cafe Press.
I've recently become a fan of watching music videos on Noggin.com with my young daughter. I'll give the people at Noggin credit; they're really good at scouting acts for their spots. (Note to Noggin: Could you please hire me? Sounds like a pretty fun job.)
I currently am enjoying I Hog the Ground by Steve Burns and Steven Drozd. If one of those names sounds familiar, it should. Steve Burns is the Steve of "Blue's Clues" fame. But now, instead of wearing his trademark striped shirt, he's wearing an awesome shirt that says "I Heart Ground."
Now, I find myself using it as my little parent catchphrase. I made some art while at the kids museum today that said, what else, "I Heart Ground," hoping that some other fun parent came along and had a chuckle.
I'd eventually like to make a shirt just like Steve's. But, if I never get around to doing so, I can always buy one on Cafe Press.
Image of the Day: newborn smile
Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. I fell in love with this photo the second I saw it. I don't know about your children, but mine have started to "smile" a month after they were born. This beautiful photo and moment have been captured by taishuanster.
If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day
Blogging Baby Sleepover for Thursday, March 29
Need a good laugh? Me, too. So, no chit-chat; let's just get to it:
- How To Deal With Undesirables In Playgroup , by the witty and funny Mrs. Mogul
- The New Adventures of Old Christine: Part One
- and Part 1 1/2 both by Y of Joy Unexpected. She was invited to interview the cast of the new show along with a few other bloggers. Even if you read this the first time around, read it again: it's funny in all the right ways.
- Absorbent and yellow and porous is he! Do you see the resembelance?
- Finally, something that is just too beautiful not to include, Extrasolar, written by the lovely and talented Birdie Jaworski
Painful sex after giving birth?
Ask a group of first-time mothers who are nearing the end stretch of pregnancy and you'll have at least a couple who will say "I don't know how a baby is expected to come out down there!" While I believe it is very important to realize that your body is created the way nature (and, in my case, God) intended, the logistics seem a little iffy if you don't have any previous experience.
Once my children were born, I couldn't help but be absolutely scared to eventually get back to doing the deed. I had more than one person warn me about the first post-birth poop, but nobody wanted to talk about the first post-birth sexual experience.
I'm not going to lie. It hurt. Not only did it hurt, but breastfeeding tends to play my libido like a fiddle, so the entire scenario was less than ideal.
According to one study, it turns out that I'm not alone. Many women, especially those that had forceps-assisted births, had painful sex, urinary incontinence or decreased libido.
Fourteen months after the birth of my last child, I'm still waiting to get back to normal. I had about eight months of exclusive breastfeeding and we're still in the long process of weaning. Even though we're down to one or two breastfeeds a day, my body (and the hormones) is still trying to stay in "No Libido Mode."
With sex everywhere in our society, I often feel alone in my struggles. Is it normal still to have these issues this long after birth? Or is everyone else jumping back in the sack the night they come home from the hospital?
Once my children were born, I couldn't help but be absolutely scared to eventually get back to doing the deed. I had more than one person warn me about the first post-birth poop, but nobody wanted to talk about the first post-birth sexual experience.
I'm not going to lie. It hurt. Not only did it hurt, but breastfeeding tends to play my libido like a fiddle, so the entire scenario was less than ideal.
According to one study, it turns out that I'm not alone. Many women, especially those that had forceps-assisted births, had painful sex, urinary incontinence or decreased libido.
Fourteen months after the birth of my last child, I'm still waiting to get back to normal. I had about eight months of exclusive breastfeeding and we're still in the long process of weaning. Even though we're down to one or two breastfeeds a day, my body (and the hormones) is still trying to stay in "No Libido Mode."
With sex everywhere in our society, I often feel alone in my struggles. Is it normal still to have these issues this long after birth? Or is everyone else jumping back in the sack the night they come home from the hospital?
Image of the Day: pretty smile
Because I believe that there's nothing more beautiful, more innocent and more disarming than a child's smile whether they are gummy, missing tooth, exuberant or shy, March is "smile" month here at Blogging Baby. Today's sweet, beautiful smile is from andreandanne.
If you'd like your own picture featured here, simply upload photos into our group Flickr Pool - We'll select an image every day to highlight. Remember: I'm on the lookout for shots with interesting backgrounds, cool angles, or original composition. Be sure to read the intro on the main Flickr page for more information and limit your uploading to 5 photos per day
Job interviewing while pregnant?
Pregnancy & Birth, Money & Work, Mommy Wars
Much like many other people, I interviewed for a job in 2004. Actually, I interviewed for a couple of jobs. But, here's the kicker: I was eight and nine months, respectively, pregnant when I did so.
In fact, for the second interview, I was 35.5 weeks pregnant, basically, I was "ready to pop." The picture along with this post was taken one week before my final interview! It was quite funny to see these interviewers sit there, trying not to say anything about the Elephant in the Room. I could have lied and told them I was hiding a rounded briefcase under that maternity shirt, but I told the truth: I was knocked up. With child. Had a bun in the oven. Pregnant.
Needless to say, I didn't get the job. (For the second one, I honestly do not feel it was because of my pregnancy but because of, ahem, some other factors.) I did find myself, especially since I had never had a baby and had no idea what it was like to recover from childbirth (boy, was I in for a surprise!), saying things such as "I can be at work three weeks after having the baby!"
Okaaaay. I wasn't even walking normally three weeks later.
I know I'm not alone in applying for jobs while pregnant. It is such a touchy issue. In fact, according to one article, pregnancy discrimination lawsuits have jumped 23 percent since 1997.
Potential employers aren't supposed to ask if you are pregnant or plan on becoming so and the potential employee doesn't have to point out that she is, in fact, with child. But, what do you do? Say there are two candidates applying for a job. They are equal in every way, except one is pregnant. Who do you think will get it?
What should a woman do if she finds herself in this situation? It is already quite nerve-wracking to apply for a job, but to apply while pregnant is doubly so.
In fact, for the second interview, I was 35.5 weeks pregnant, basically, I was "ready to pop." The picture along with this post was taken one week before my final interview! It was quite funny to see these interviewers sit there, trying not to say anything about the Elephant in the Room. I could have lied and told them I was hiding a rounded briefcase under that maternity shirt, but I told the truth: I was knocked up. With child. Had a bun in the oven. Pregnant.
Needless to say, I didn't get the job. (For the second one, I honestly do not feel it was because of my pregnancy but because of, ahem, some other factors.) I did find myself, especially since I had never had a baby and had no idea what it was like to recover from childbirth (boy, was I in for a surprise!), saying things such as "I can be at work three weeks after having the baby!"
Okaaaay. I wasn't even walking normally three weeks later.
I know I'm not alone in applying for jobs while pregnant. It is such a touchy issue. In fact, according to one article, pregnancy discrimination lawsuits have jumped 23 percent since 1997.
Potential employers aren't supposed to ask if you are pregnant or plan on becoming so and the potential employee doesn't have to point out that she is, in fact, with child. But, what do you do? Say there are two candidates applying for a job. They are equal in every way, except one is pregnant. Who do you think will get it?
What should a woman do if she finds herself in this situation? It is already quite nerve-wracking to apply for a job, but to apply while pregnant is doubly so.
Whogoslavia?
Places To Go, Playground Bureau, That's Entertainment
Ayun Halliday, author of The Big Rumpus, No Touch Monkey, Job Hopper and Dirty Sugar Cookies, is one of my all-time favorite writers. She also puts out The East Village Inky, a little zine that I was so happy to have on hand when I spent hours nursing my sleepless son at night.
Ayun and family (husband Greg Kotis, kids Inky and Milo) are off on a month-long trip through the Balkans, and they've set up a travel blog called Whogoslavia? which will be written by all four of them. They are just getting going on their adventure, so you can get in from the beginning.
I think it'll be a great armchair travel experience for those of us who aren't brave enough to take a month-long trip anywhere with kids. Be sure to check them out: Ayun has a fantastic sense of humor and I'm sure there will be quite a few great tales from the road.
Ayun and family (husband Greg Kotis, kids Inky and Milo) are off on a month-long trip through the Balkans, and they've set up a travel blog called Whogoslavia? which will be written by all four of them. They are just getting going on their adventure, so you can get in from the beginning.
I think it'll be a great armchair travel experience for those of us who aren't brave enough to take a month-long trip anywhere with kids. Be sure to check them out: Ayun has a fantastic sense of humor and I'm sure there will be quite a few great tales from the road.
