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Lessons My Mother Taught Me

Isn't it funny how you resist and even resent your parents growing up, and only when you become an adult — and more so, when you become a parent yourself — that you realize how wonderful they are? Many of my readers may already be aware that Korea has deep roots in Buddhism. When I was still living in my native country in the early 1980s, it was not unusual for Buddhist monks to go around to neighboring houses to chant prayers, and ask for donations — in the form of money or rice — in return. (image source) My mother raised my sister and I in the Christian Church, so I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. Because...

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September 11, 2011

Today I woke up and remembered how a decade ago, I saw smoke rising from lower Manhattan as I drove along the New Jersey Turnpike. I remembered how I, along with other drivers, stopped our cars and turned our radios on full blast while we stared in horror at another plane crashing into the second tower. I had been on my way into Manhattan at that moment. I had been on my way to Chinatown, which meant that I would have passed Ground Zero on the way to my destination. For once I could not feel more relieved that I had been running late. Needless to say I did not make it into New York City that morning. But I will never forget...

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The Boob Juice Dilemma

I do not consider myself a breastfeeding failure. Yes, I struggled tremendously with breastfeeding. Yes, it is true that I was "only" able to provide my firstborn three months of breastmilk. And yes, Claire has been exclusively formula-fed ever since I decided to quit. But I do not consider myself a failure. Claire has never gone hungry. She has never been sick — not even common baby rashes like eczema or a diaper rash — nor does she suffer from any allergies. She is smart as a whip and she is, simply put, thriving. What more can you ask for in an 11-month-old? But with all this being said, I do want to give breastfeeding another go with BebeDeux. J remembers the hardship...

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Fears (When the Floor Drops Out From Beneath You)

I was never officially diagnosed with SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction, or excessive and/or painful separation of the two pubic bones at the front of the pelvis) with my last pregnancy, but the pain was bad enough that I could not exercise for all of my third trimester. This pregnancy is no different. And while I have been taking it easy, I have a 19 lb infant to take care of, which is exercise in itself. According to this site, "During pregnancy hormones soften and stretch the ligamentsof the body in order to allow the pelvis to open slightly during labour so that the babycan move easily through...

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Tattletale

J loves our firstborn with all his heart. It is not unusual for him to spend an entire Saturday playing with her, then stare forlornly at the baby monitor after he has put her to bed and sigh, "I miss my baby." That being said, he is much better at saying "no" than I will ever be. He is constantly reminding me that it is better to enforce good habits now than to have to break bad habits long after they have formed. Not surprisingly, Claire does not like this aspect of her father. :-P Take tonight, for example. After J put his foot down for what seemed like the millionth time today, and she threw her millionth tantrum as a response, I gathered...

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