SB 2013 - Phoenix - Day 3

"She is adorable!"

After another early rising of BOTH children, Susie & I took a quick & short 2 mile walk in her neighborhood on Saturday morning before we headed to PHX farmer's market - excited to see all of the yummy locally grown produce. : ) There were tons of booths with lots of great food offerings - fudge, brittle/toffee, pickles & jams, yogurt, produce of course, meat & eggs, breads, cheeses (goat & dairy) and a bunch of food trucks. It is a cool place.

"Midwives Rising"
Jacqueline has not been drinking as much soy milk from her sippy cup before and since our arrival in Phoenix. With the increase in temperature and more sun exposure, I've been breastfeeding her more. At the Farmers' Market, I see this booth for midwifery services and home birth options. Of course I'm curious. In the tent, there is a sign said breastfeeding lounge and changing station and also a rocker chair. There are a bunch of people in front of tent talking with a worker. I approach and ask about feeding Jacqueline; they immediately say yes and the woman sitting in rocker gets up (she's just sitting with her baby). Another family arrives with their 3 children, including a newborn who is HUGE! They also have a scale and the mother asks to weigh the baby. They uncover him (really just take the blanket off him), he looks even bigger, and put him on scale. He weighs 12 pounds. I asked dad about birth weight and he said baby weighed 7+ pounds ... so he's gained 5 LBS in 4 weeks. DANG! The original mom in chair returns to booth; we chat and discover they used to live in Nashville, near Portland Brew on Eastland in EAST Nashville. Crazy coincidence! I also ask the midwife about Arizona's nursing in public law and she says 2 years. Susie was right! That is crazy that AZ protects mothers & babies' rights to feed longer than TN.

"Girls' Night Out - Mom style!"
Weeks ago Susie had asked me about going out on Saturday evening to hear some cover band she & her friends like. While the girls were napping simultaneously (thank you!), she asks me about going. Susie said her friend texted her hours ago & she debated asking me as we all were so tired. She said something about 9pm ... what? That's my bedtime. : ) Then she mentioned something about Happy Hour before 7pm and her friend likes to get there early for a good table. After serious consideration, I said sure. Why not? I'm on vacation! I told Susie we'd have to leave when I got too tired plus I didn't bring any "clubbing" clothes. Seriously! I had khakis I wore on plane, a dress for church, otherwise shorts, t-shirts, flip flops. I cannot borrow jeans from Susie ... not yet (probably not ever again with these birthing hips!). I was wearing a skirt and sleeveless polo shirt with my flip flops. Oh well!

Right before 7pm Susie and I meet Carrie at a restaurant/bar called the Blue Martini, very hipster kind of place ... for a mature crowd. It felt like I was in Cougar-ville. Ironically I think we're some of the youngest people there, maybe no one younger than 35. I got a mango mojito - yum! We also ordered crab cakes, also yummy, spinach artichoke dip and a huge slice of chocolate cake - 50% off on the Happy Hour menu. Again I'm on vacation & someone else is watching my children. FUN! However, 1 drink is my limit, never been much of a drinker, but since being pregnant & breastfeeding for better part of last 5 years, I'm definitely less than skilled.
The music was OK, I knew some of the songs. The best part was the people watching. Lots of high heels, big hair, groupie clinging, inappropriate amount of visible cleavage, especially from the female servers. I joked that I could have just worn my nursing tank and fit right in!

Last observation relates to my solo visit to the bathroom right before we left.  First of all there was a bathroom attendant - it was kind of creepy, kind of stalker like as she followed me into the bathroom (she had been standing in back listening to music when no one is in bathroom). Of course I don't need assistance and I don't have any money for tip which I have no reason, but I feel slightly guilty.

As I washed my hands, I looked at the various items available for use ... hair spray, mouthwash, big toe clippers ... excuse me? WHAT?! Really! No. Seriously NOT! I'm trying imagine what that would look like. Who used them before me? Also where is the blue sterilizer liquid? I don't think so! : )

SB 2013 - Phoenix - Day 2

"NO cable in PHX"

Friday morning, after not sleeping enough since both of our children decided to wake up at 6:00am (OMG!), Julia says she wants to watch TV. She announces to both Susie & I that she knows the channel for Sprout - "it's 1-5-0-5, but I don't know how to work the TV." I explain that Susie doesn't have cable. Surprised & with barely a pause, Julia says with a serious expression on her face "do you have PBS?" Susie & I cannot contain our hilarity and laugh A LOT. We also answer 'yes, she has PBS.'

"You don't look 42. I hope I look that good when I'm 42."

Later that morning I went to a training school, Southwest Institute for Natural Aesthetics for a SWINA signature facial for some lovely relaxation. Three years ago when we last came to Phoenix, Susie took me to SWINA for an affordable spa experience; I haven't had a facial in about 6+ months. The student aesthetician made the comment above after reviewing my registration paperwork. I also got more compliments on how nice my skin looks. Ah, so sweet! Last week I went to Empire Beauty, my school in Nashville for some wax services, but I didn't have time for a facial before we left for Phoenix. I'd really like to get a massage next, but that might have to wait until May ... Mother's Day gift (hint, hint, Jai!!). : )

"Sir, are you here with a child?"

After naps, we ran some errands before heading downtown to the PHX public library in the afternoon. What a cool place! HUGE!! Unbelievable structure, incredible, amazing architecture.
It has 5 stories - FIVE you heard me. Really cool elevator banks with lights, a water feature, neon signs for everything, information booths everywhere - this was just on the FIRST floor! We spent most of the time in the children's section. The bathrooms had GIRLS & BOYS on door and low toilet, almost on the ground. There also was a children's garden with a poem written in the sidewalk as well as some stone steps/seats with flowers all around.

Before venturing outside to check out the garden area, 2 guards approached Jai & asked the question above. He also had been using his camera to take photos of the cool features. Ironically we had been discussing security at NPL, particularly in children's area. We didn't realize that he wasn't close enough to us to be considered with his family though there weren't lots of other brown people ... though I guess we look more Latino! : ) Jai quickly turned to us as we were walking towards him as they asked the question. We laughed of course later & joked that we should have said "I don't know that man. Children, stay away from that strange man!" However, it is reassuring that the child safety procedures are in place & enforced when something questionable happens. We suspect the camera taking & flash probably caught someone's attention.

There also was a neat area for young children under 2 years old. After feeding Jacqueline in a nice comfy chair, while Julia was with Susie & Jai at the computer doing something, we played there. As I sat nursing Jacqueline, I wondered about Arizona's NIP (public breastfeeding) law as I realized that in TN, I'm no longer protected since she's over 12 months. Of course I'd love for someone to say something to me, but I'm in another state, a not so friendly to human rights kind of state, so not feeling as confident as I usually do. Susie says she thinks it is 2 years which would really surprise me. While Jacqueline plays on the cushy floor, Julia picks out some DVDs (Caillou, Disney Princess sing-along, Handy Manny). Lots of books on the shelves under the benches, some magnet letters, other tactile type toys, cool area.

We headed home for leftovers (pizza from Thursday night), baths and early bed (hopefully).
Another fun day in PHX!

Farewell, Summer Vacation, Farewell!

I already wrote about summer break not being the same. Actually, no school breaks or holidays will be the same again or at least not for many years! Obviously they will be different because we have Julia and they will be wonderful, too.

However, in the selfish vein of losing Tara time, I write it won't be the same.

NO sleeping late... sleeping at all is a treat!
NO book at the pool... well, reading a book these days is a lofty goal. A magazine is more my speed for the attention span and energy I have.
Running errands freely and meeting friends for lunch spontaneously - NOPE! Well, you know I'm not really spontaneous, but still won't be happening so much.

I always connect my birthday with summer time - I was always out of school.
Not anymore. Since I started working at a high school or middle school, I'm usually back to work the week before my birthday.

A reason to move to an elementary school. : )