shout out for eco books!

As a parent, I am always searching for ways to reinforce green values with my children. (I know some of it is sinking in because the other day I heard Fiona telling "Gigi" (my mother) how we don't leave on lights because it's "not kind to the Earth".)

Fortunately, the green movement is picking up speed and you are beginning to see green products, eco-themed books, and even reusuable shopping bags almost everywhere. Whilst trying to find environmentally friendly gifts for my girls, I was delighted to discover a series of books over the holidays.

Little Green Books are produced by the literary group Simon & Schuster. The "green books for green readers" are not only contain green themes, the books truly practice what they preach, so to speak. Books are:

* made from 100% postconsumer waste recycled paper
* printed with 100% vegetable-based ink
* Forest Stewardship Council certified (responsible use of forest resources)



For Christmas, I purchased Little Panda for Matilda from Target. Little Panda is a sweet, simple, "board" book for infants. It cloth pages tell the story of a panda who loves to eat bamboo, play with his friend, Little Monkey, and make funny faces. The cover is made with recycled fleece and is soft enough to find its way into baby's mouth. Tilly just loves cuddling the book and the black and white panda keeps her attention.

I was delighted to find today that Little Green books has a series of books for older children as well. Whilst grabbing a few things at Kroger, I came across The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle.


From the website, this book is "told from the point of view of a free-spirited plastic bottle, kids can share in the daily experiences and inner thoughts of the bottle through his personal journal." Lately Fiona has really been excited about learning recycling and really enjoys helping us sort the items in our recycling bin. I thought the book would be a perfect "surprise/treat" for her.

She was thrilled when I gave it to her! We had to read it 3 times in row. I was afraid that the technical jargon might be a little over her head (the book is for children ages 4-8) but the book tells the "science" behind recycling in a very whimsical way. She loved learning the new words which we were able to reinforce with the glossary from the back.

Not only are the books a valuable resource, the SimonLittleGreen.com website has fantastic tips, activities and games for children, teachers, and parents. I absolutely love the green activity sheet and will probably use some of the games for Fiona's birthday in April.

According to the website the books may be found in most major bookstores but as I said earlier, I found the girls' books in major retail chains. Every parent who wants to raise their child/ren 'green' will love these books!

yes we did!

what a joyous, monumental day!

parting is such sweet sorrow :(

Happy belated New Year! The Stapletons had a good New Year despite several bouts of illness. Fiona caught a cold and passed it on to her sister. Poor Tilly ended up with RSV - yeck! Thank goodness she avoided a hospital stay and just ended up a bit listless with a very chesty, congested cough.

In the New Year, Marcus and I have vowed to get back to the days of entertaining. We used to have friends over loads before the kids but it seems over the last few years, our lives have changed and our soirees became few and far between. So it was good to get out and socialize this evening.

Mrs. Tracy - the guest of honor!

Tonight Marcus watched Tilly so that Fiona and I (as he dubbed us, the "party girls") could attend a going away party for one of our favourite teachers at Fiona's school. It was with mixed emotions that we attended the gathering. On one hand, we were excited to be spending time with Mrs. Tracy and some of the other nice families at Goddard and yet, the occasion - Tracy's leaving - was very hard for us to accept.

Mrs. Tracy was Fiona's teacher in her previous class. Her sweet nature, positive outlook, and nurturing soul always lit up the room. Under her direction, Fiona truly thrived and grew. It was truly an honor to be included in her send off!

It was nice to be able to chat and get to know some of the other families better as well. We are fortunate that so many fascinating families attend Goddard. Unfortunately, with the craziness of pick up and drop off, we aren't always able to visit properly. Tonight was a great opportunity to mix and mingle. Of course, the kids got along smashingly!

We are thankful for Mrs. Tracy and for the impact she has had on our family. We will truly miss her but are glad that she is just going to North Carolina. We will see her again!

We love Mr. Chad!!

Lisa and little Charley

Nicolas and Ian being SUCH sweet boys!

Fiona and Anabel take a ride

Happy Crimbo!

Fiona and Matilda - from our Christmas card

Another long break from bloggin' but Ms. Matlida has been keeping me very busy these days. Speaking of Matilda, a quick update...she is doing very well.

She has turned 3 months and is starting to let her personality shine. She smiles and coos and is really turned into quite a character. On the medical front, she has been taking all of her bottles by mouth and we will soon be discontinuing her overnight tube night feedings - HURRAH! We have also been able to stop the anti-seizure medications which allow her to be more awake, alert and interactive. I think this little girl is going to be just fiiine. ;)

The Stapletons are ushering in the Crimbo season in frenzied style. Fiona is really enjoying all the lights and sounds of Christmas. She loves singing "Jingle Bell Rock" at the top of her lungs and just recently developed an appreciation of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Fiona: "Gigi, who is singing on this?" My mother: "A choir, Fiona". Fiona: "It's BEAUTIFUL!!" She also enjoys driving around looking at the decorations and seeing what the day's ornament is from her advent box.

Getting into the festive spirit, we recently went to visit Hope, TJ and Gabrielle to decorate and bake sugar cookies. I will leave you with a few photos from that entertaining afternoon. If I don't get back 'round here before Christmas - HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all my friends and fellow blogger mates!

My little happy elf

Gabrielle and Fi - Fiona says the dough was very sticky!

The girls "stirring up" trouble after watching "Rudolph"

Stay at home Mum, that's me

Sassy, Fiona and Tilly (in baby Bjorn)

It has been another big jump in time since I posted. Tilly is keeping me very busy with feedings, doctor's appointments, therapy sessions and bouts of colic. Life is crazy but I am loving every minute of having her home and being with her!

Today I officially turned in my notice to work that I will not be returning. It was a hard decision to make as like everyone, we are not independently wealthy and these are tough times. But Tilly must come first. Besides her medical challenges, I WANT to be there for her. I don't regret putting Fiona in daycare at 4 months old. Daycare has been great for her - education wise, socially, etc. - and Fiona will remain at her 'school'. However, looking at my grown up Fi, I realize how quickly time passes and how precious all those moments truly are. I don't want to miss them with Tilly.

This is a good thing as I will also be free to be there for my 'big girl', too. I recently went to her Halloween party at school. Simple as that - got in the car and went. No asking for permission. No juggling my meeting schedule around....just being there for my daughter. Boy, was Fiona thrilled to see me walk through the door! As satisfied as I have been in my "career", it didn't hold a candle to seeing her face light up when she saw me.

This is what life is all about. It will be an adjustment but I am prepared to stay busy and productive, connecting with my former work colleagues, friends, and even make some new ones! I am excited to embark on this next stage!

I will leave you with a few recent photos..

Fiona and Tilly - Fi's not impressed with the crying spree

My little Swiss Miss :)

It's been a loong time...

Just wanted to briefly stop in and post an update...

Mummy and Tilly

Matilda Ruby Stapleton aka "Tilly" was born on September 12, 2008! Since her entrance into the world, she has been in Children's Hospital due to a few complications. During the c-section, she came out with her cord wrapped around her neck twice and had to be intubated. Since her admittance to the hospital, she has had feeding issues due to a mean case of GERD and acid reflux. On top of this she has had 4 seizures due to her Dandy Walker syndrome (which was diagnosed in utero). Today, she is having a fundo and "g tube" (feeding tube) surgery to help eliminate her reflux issues so that she can begin to feed better and come home.

We have been through a lot in the last 3 weeks and it has been tough on our 3 year old who doesn't understand why her little sister can't come home. However, we are a strong family with a very supportive community and we can face any challenges that come our way.

I will update here as I can. Hopefully we will be changing cloth diapers and talking Tilly for walks in her sling soon! Until then, we would appreciate all the good karma and prayers you can send our way.

My Little Marsupial

This may be my last post for a while as I am due to give birth to my 2nd little girly bird this Friday!


On Saturday, my friends Janet, Suzanne, and Emily threw me a beautiful baby shower complete with loads of organic-y (is that a word?) goodness. One of the items I am most excited about trying out is my New Native Sling that I received from Suzanne.

I am a big advocate of "babywearing". Babywearing is the practice of carrying baby in a soft carrier close to our body. Cultures around the world have worn their babies in handmade slings and have passed on the tradition from generation to generation. The benefits of babywearing are endless but here are just a few (according to pediatrician and parenting guru, Dr. Sears):

1) It is natural! Your baby has just spent 9 months in the warmth, safety and security of your womb. It only makes sense that having your baby close to you once s/he is born would be beneficial also! The baby continues to hear your heartbeat, feel the rhythm of your breathing, and hear your familiar voice. What a better way to transition your child to life outside the womb?

2) Babies worn close to their parents cry less - up to 43% less! In the Western World where babywearing is not as common, it is acceptable and even often advised to let babies cry. In the majority of cultures throughout the world, babies spend the majority of their time in the arms of their mother or a relative.

3) Sling babies learn more. Since the majority of their time is not spent crying, sling babies are in a state being alert and aware - taking in their surroundings to a greater extent. Photo by Louise Batalla-Duran

4) Sling babies are "humanized" earlier. Babies are intimately involved in their caregiver's world. Their proximity to their caregiver allows them the opportunity to experience what their parent is experiencing - human interaction!

5) Sling babies are smarter. The exposure to a variety of experiences and stimuli allows the baby's brain to develop and grow exponentially.

6) Babywearing enhances speech development. Sling babies are more attentive - focusing in on adult conversations.

7) While breastfeeding is a great bonding experience for mothers, babywearing allows fathers, grandparents, siblings, and babysitters to develop strong bonds with the child.

8) It is convenient! You can breastfeed discretely in a sling. You can have your hands free and still go about your daily activities.

9) My friend Suzanne even commented that she liked that her daughter, Kitely, was "protected" from the general public when she was in her sling. She liked that she could go out and about without strangers approaching her wanting to touch and hold the baby.

10) Last but certainly not least, there are numerous medical benefits. Babies with colic and acid reflux benefit from the more upright position of babywearing by reducing gas bubbles and aiding in digestion. In fact, many sociologists and anthropologists have found in cultures where children are primarily carried, colic is non-existent!

Now I swore by my Baby Bjorn which I used every day with my first daughter, Fiona. Fi loved to snuggle up close to me and hang out like a starfish as I rushed about my busy day. I had tried a sling but never felt like she was secure and always worried whether or not she could breathe in there all tuck up like a pea in a pod. I had resisted the idea of trying a sling with #2 until Suzanne raved about the New Native version. She even went so far as to call it her "life saver". So I thought, with a recommendation like that, I have to give it a try!



I have to admit I did a little research before I received the sling. I googled the sling and instantly fell in love with the sleek look and small pocket-like appearance of the New Native version. (Apparently this version is called a "sash style carrier" or "pouch".) I like also that there are no clips or rings that might slip loose - very reassuring that the sling is all one piece! Another great thing is that the company makes an organic cotton version so I can rest assured that little one won't be exposed to any toxic chemicals as she rests. Needless to say, the advanced research just got me more excited to receive the gift! I was delighted to receive the organic khaki version and can not wait to try it out when Tilly is born! I will keep you posted...

Until I post my review, if you are interested in baby wearing, check out these links:

* Babywearer.com
* Babywearing.com
* Wearsthebaby.com
* Wikipedia's entry
* Peppermint.com's site on choosing a carrier

~Cheers, Kimberly