Hibernate Blog

[August 27, 2009]

She’s 7 1/2 and nothing is quite good enough, lasts long enough, or is big enough. My Princess Sara…the universe, of course, revolves around her don’t you know? We are players in her innocent game and dancers in her elaborate show. Each day includes power struggles, stomping off, rolling of the beautiful green eyes and at least one door-slamming.

I was reminded of this repeatedly as we enjoyed an afternoon at the County Fair. We had strolled the dusty paths, perused the carney fodder, eaten sinful fair-food and ridden a dozen rides. We watched a show, played some games, and spent all of Dad’s money. And at the end while the sun was setting there we were in the middle of the fairway. Sara with tears in her eyes that she wanted more! Not understanding that one ride-ticket wouldn’t get us anymore she finally yelled in frustration, “But it’s not fair!”

I took a deep breath and looked up. To the left I watched a group of tween boys and girls hanging out. They wore goth-like attire and shared a common and bit creepy deer-in-the-headlight gaze. I just smiled. “Thankfulness” was my only emotion. I reached out for my kid’s hands. Quietly knowing it was time to call “Uncle”, they instinctively reached back out for mine.

As we made our way back to the car the lights and sounds behind us faded away. The moment was mine to savor – the moment where my babies still hold my hand in crowds, they still listen to me and believe in what I have to say. The moment when I know where they are and who they’re with. These moments that I am hanging on to as long as I possibly can.

So Sara I say to you, bring it on! Bring on the whining, complaining, huffing and puffing. It will not daunt me. Being your mother is the most wonderful and fairest thing in the land.

Our most precious assets – Nathaniel and Sara.

[August 5, 2009 - Still catching up!]

Early August found me in Los Angeles sharing company with a group of extraordinary women. Coordinators from all states, Board of Directors and Advisory Council members from Postpartum Support International, along with leaders from LA County specializing in perinatal mood disorders, gathered together for PSI’s annual conference.

The focus was the importance of early detection of and intervention for depression and anxiety for prenatal and postpartum women. Our work makes the difference in the lives of countless new mothers and families every day. PSI’s vision is that each woman, worldwide, has access to the resources and support that they need.

PSI Coordinators – Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles

SaraBear Co. is doing its part to reach out to new mothers. On every diaper caddy there hangs a little tag with the blue-dot symbolizing help. For mothers who may have no idea that they are entering a dark place, my hope is that the PSI information on this tag will help lead them right back to the light, shortening any time of suffering by directing her to the immediate help she needs. SaraBear is privileged to be an ally to such a remarkable organization and fortunate to have this cause as our philanthropic passion.

[July 29, 2009 - A month late. What can I say? August got busy...]

My friend Jessica and I went for a swim in her pond as the sun was beginning to say farewell to another spectacular day. The sky still a vibrant blue with a token passing high cloud. Out in the middle of the pond I floated across the water. Gazing up at the crystal clear blue July sky, the sounds of the world became muffled by the echo of the water that covered my ears. Serenity. Stillness. Peace.

The height of summer – the trees and ferns that surround the house seem to wrap their arms around my kids.  These days are what childhood is made of – part of what will mold them into who they become, define the texture of their personality and add or subtract to their temperament. Unbeknownst to them, my children, their cousins and friends are creating simple yet unforgettable memories. Frogs, blackberries, fireflies. Bruised knees, chlorine skin, ice cream smiles.

They have no care about issues to understand, goals to reach, purposes to achieve, quagmires to solve. They lollygag, they explore, they grow.

Here’s to summer and doing everything or nothing at all – underneath a sky so blue.

This is baby Aiden captured in a peaceful moment during a recent photo shoot.* Courtesy of Sarah Neal, the [extremely] talented photographer behind Sarah Neal Designs in Flagstaff, Arizona. Thank you for sharing your work Sarah!

Little baby boys. One day, swaddled in innocence and love. He is content and finds peace in nothing more than your arms. The next, you’re making dinner and hear him yelling at the top of his lungs. You gander out your kitchen window, speechless, as he has found peace by blasting holes with his 4-wheeler in the pool inflatables.

*LEGAL DISCLAIMER: In no way, shape or form does SaraBear Company or any authorized person, employee or affiliated person of SaraBear (past, present or future) condone or promote the uses of products seen in this blog post. Never place a baby in a SaraBear diaper caddy. SaraBear Company is not affiliated with Sarah Neal Designs. Melissa takes no responsibility for keeping clothes on her son.

The day, which was forecast for rain, was turning out to be quite pleasant. The sun played hide-n-seek through the high clouds and a pleasant breeze flirted through my windows.

Although Father’s Day, Ben was working. So by late afternoon the kids and I decided to head out to the park.  We hopped in the car and headed to their favorite playground. Wouldn’t you know – two miles down the road it started to rain. We knew the swings and slides would quickly be all wet.

Oh well. In need of a new shower-head for the guest shower I thought it would be a good time to swing into Home Depot and pick it up. Besides, the kids are always game for the Big-Orange-Tractor-Store.

So there we were…walking through the Queensbury Home Depot. As we headed out, into the front aisle came a woman walking with a dog. I wondered why someone would have a dog in the store? Must be one of those “dogs-in-training” I assumed and we kept on by.

But then, as I navigated the kids around the particularly happy pup I recognized her. I haulted the kids and stopped dead in my tracks. “Oh my God Sara, that’s Rachael Ray! It’s really her! She’s with her Mom and that’s her dog!”

Sara and I quickly contemplated what to do. We both got very nervous and decided we couldn’t do it. No way could we walk up and bother her in public. Clearly, she just wants to shop in peace like the rest of us. Nate tugged to show me the John Deere lawn mower he wanted me to buy – so we started to leave.

Then thank goodness my common sense took over. There was no way I was leaving that store without meeting her! And like any honest, quick-thinking parent I would say that my kids really wanted to meet her dog.

So we walked up and said hello. Rachael was 100x’s more beautiful in person. She introduced her dog Isaboo, we passed a few words and we then said thank you and goodbye. Having just sent Rachael one of our SaraBear diaper caddies (our continued forging PSI PR efforts) the opportunity to meet her in person was beyond thrilling.

Back outside, the sun was peaking through the clouds again and the weather had shifted. As I buckled Nate in his car seat I rambled on to Sara about how famous Rachael Ray was. And of course I texted my friend Tina about what had just happened.  I couldn’t believe we had just met Rachael Ray! I was high and giddy.

Although just a brief 30-second exchange, surely it will always be memorable for me. Sara and Nate will hear this story a million times as they grow up. How silly is it that meeting a certain other human being could be so exciting? Not too bad for a rainy day.

(Rachael Ray and her dog Isaboo. Originally from Lake George, NY, Rachael has a home here and her mother still lives in the area)