You can always go, Downtown!

Last night the children and I had a good lil time in downtown Atlanta. A great friend of mine named Tammie Jenkins has two beautiful intelligent daughters.  Check them out on FB. The eldest participated in the August Wilson Monologue Competition at the Rialto Theater. The children and I made it right on time to to hear the talented teens. Copper was in awe as the high schoolers recited their pieces. No one can tell me that our youth are lost. Last night everyone exemplified leadership and creativity. I was impressed and happy to be amongst such proud parents and educated minds. My toddlers sat through 12 monologues and decided to leave. Hehe. I thought they did an excellent job sitting quietly. Oh and Anais made it to the finals which will be on Feb 25th at the Southwest Arts Center.

So off we went to the lobby. There was a beautiful exhibit of Cultural New Orleans: Pre and Post Katrina. The children were amazed by the colors; as was I. The African and Native spirit in many of the pics opened my mind to a new view of New Orleans. The children's grands are from there and my great grands migrated from there to Chicago. New Orleans is definitely on our list of places to go. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Take a Look.

 I decided it was time to leave once the chicks attention went to running around the open lobby. We all held hands and strolled to our car on Broad St. We made a lil detour into one of GSU's  building. The big glass windows attracted us. We walked quietly as students studied. The staircases going up and down were huge to me, I imagine they were gigantic for the babies. Copper was the brave one to look down through the rails. It was a long drop to the bottom floor. We scurried out once a security guard started approaching. I am sure we weren't part of the usual setting. But I think we added some life to the study party. Copper pointed across the street to the Woodruff Park water wall and pool. He said "let's go see what it is". As we got closer, Ami guessed what it was "Water". They got so happy and ran ahead to get a good look.  The wall of water and pool was so relaxing. Copper and Ami were so tickled. You know children are fascinated with water. 

admiring the relaxing 

wall of water at woodruff park

Going down Peters St. Copper remembers my lobby cop friend Bob. So we take a detour and head to City Hall East to pay Bob a visit. Bob is a retired Lt. from APD. We met at one of my jobs after college. Bob is a funny funny man with a big heart. He decided to give us a history tour of the building. We ended in the city council chambers. Not sure if it was a breech of security but we had  fun playing on the president's mic. I told the children "this is where decisions are made for the city."

We had so much fun and the children were exposed to art, architecture and civics. Who would have thought that our trip to downtown would have brought so much laughter and joy? Honestly, i was a little anxious about the adventure. Thought the trip would tax my nerves, but it was actually invigorating and inspiring. I am so proud of my little people and happy to be there caregiver. I look forward to our adventures to come. Sometimes I miss my "child free" times but last night I realized that my life is full of laughter, love and excitement. 

                                       

Open Society Secrets I Wasn't Told During Pregnancies.

When you are pregnant, you have hundreds of questions and your imagination takes you to new heights. Pregnancy is like the beginnings of an initiation. I equate birthing as “Crossing the sands”. The ring of fire seals the deal. Hehe. You are officially in an open society. But the society members didn’t tell me all the tidbits. It is like some things I had to learn on my own.  So I’m gonna break the parental code of silence and share some things you are never told when you are pregnant.

• There will never be a Me, Myself and I- Kiss the alone time good bye, even when you have to relieve your intestines aka take a shit, my children want to talk as if we are in the living room watching a family movie. You cannot imagine who would want to be in that small space with you at that moment, the child wants to bust open the door and come in. But when you need a hug, smile, or sweet nothing, your child will always be on time. He/she is so in tune with the needs of the family. Just be receptive to this love. 
• It is not just the “terrible twos” – Each year of my children’s life brings new levels of challenges, processes and tantrums. My children have taught me so much about myself and about what it takes to grow. We are human. The process is beautiful and shows you things about yourself you never knew existed. Both of you grow- you discover how much of your parents you are and how much of yourself you didn't know existed.
• Your body will never be the same - Creating a baby is a job!! The mother is the artist. Take pics when you still got your original PYT body. When I was a little girl, a mean one too, I told my mom her breast looked like raggedy ann. How rude was that? Guess who has them same breast now after breastfeeding two children? I do. Some might say its vain but it’s the truth. I am a habitat. You think once you have the child your physical work is over. Hah. Your body is now the jungle gym, pillow, crawl pad, blankie, snuggle buddy, snot/slob catcher and sometimes the potty. Even though my body is not the same, I see it as a plant that has produced beautiful fruit. The production took a lot of time and energy. An investment I wouldn’t take back.  
• Breastfeeding a baby hurts at first!! We only see the happy pics of moms breastfeeding. Those first two days are make it or break it, show up or sit out. Your nipples are changing over. A natural bottle top.  I remember when my son was nursing and I called my dad and told him I wasn’t gonna make it. I was crying hysterically and told him how painful it was. My dad was so sweet and told me it was gonna be okay and drove me to a lactation counselor. That visit turned my whole outlook around. Breastfeeding is such a gift for both mother and child. It just takes a little work unwrapping that present. There are times when I became the human pacifier. Sometimes one nipple would be cracked or raw because baby has used it to soothe those itchy gums. Once those teeth “break” through your baby’s smile is the cutest thing in the world.
• You will lose sleep even after the first few weeks. You realize that the saying “sleep is the cousin to death” is false. The truth is sleep is the ticket to life and sanity. Sure the baby needs to eat lots when he first comes home. After that, you will have some episodes of fevers, teething, upset stomachs, allergies, pee accidents. These will keep you awake or get you up during that good sleep. I don’t think my sleep has ever been the same. Some nights though, after I’ve gone through the hundred things I will have to do in the morning with only 3hrs of sleep, I smile. Why? Because I just lost sleep for such a delicate growing being. 
• Lastly, This will be the best times of your life. Children are your confidants, teachers and truth sayers. There will never be a dull moment!!!