Revel in the basics

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
Last night, as we were about to leave Lily's trapeze class, one of the moms asked me how sign language was going.  But she didn't just ask me, she sign language asked me!  I didn't even know what she was doing at the time, that's how "not doing sign language" I have been lately. 

Next thing I know, Tallulah is chatting with her about all these different signs.  Now, I know it isn't much, but I did learn a few signs last night just by being in the right place at the right time.  Revel in the small things, right?  Maybe by doing that, I open space for more and more to pile in...instead of walking around feeling guilty about the fact that I didn't learn the dang alphabet.

I think Lily is signing, "You did it!"

Here's what I learned:
Yes
No
Good 
Good Morning
Good Night
Please
Thank You
Sorry
More

Here's what it inspired me to learn this morning:
I'm Hungry
OK
Where?
Water

And I learned a lot more from this You Tube video:

This guy is pretty funny.  Tallulah and I were cracking up at the "In your face" and "Shut your mouth" comments.
Now if I learn to spell out Seattle, I can say "I am from Seattle." or "I live in Seattle."

So, open yourself up to the little victories in life!

Sometimes Less is More

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I almost didn't even change October's blog photo or background.  It seems I can barely keep my head above the pool of "stuff I have to do" these days.  I feel lazy and cranky.  I didn't go to tennis lessons today, because there is simply too much to do.  My kids are already feeling the effects of Mama not being home all the time and I am one month into school.

But it is all good stuff.  So, while I feel cranky one minute, I feel incredibly grateful the next.  I am finally able to pursue my dream to become a midwife.  I was at my school this week to view a documentary, Birth Story, about Ina May Gaskin, author of Spiritual Midwifery.  They showed a breech birth that happened years ago at The Farm in Tennessee.  I keep visualizing that birth, experiencing the feeling of watching it and being on the edge of my seat, and sensing my chest expanding into a deep gratitude that I too will one day be witness to the beauty of childbirth...day after day.  How lucky to be able to have a career that is that fulfilling?

So, as October settles into the second week, I am thinking about the blog and how I can gracefully accept where I am in my life and the limitations it places on the time I have to commit to "extra" things.  The blog has meant so much to me for nearly three years, that as the thought arose to let it go, I immediately knew I could not.

Sometimes less is more.  I see the blog changing into less of a strive for daily posts, and more into a simple message that even busy moms can find the time to give to themselves a little every month.  My goal for the month of sign language is to learn:

• the alphabet.
• 10 words that can serve me in the birth community 
• a simple conversation starter.

I invite you to join me in finding the time to learn a little something new every month.  It doesn't have to take a lot of time to include something that can expand your horizons.  This month, I get to catch a glimpse of a community that, although, lives amongst me, is completely foreign.  What a blessing.