OK, I know this sounds crazy, but I am still nursing my 2-year-old daughter. I’ve been trying to wean her for the last couple of months with little luck. I have been successful at cutting back, but she does seem a pretty attached to the whole thing still. I’ve tried replacements, like a pacifier or food, which in both cases haven’t worked. When looking into suggestions about weaning, I found some good info online from Dr. Sears and the La Leche Group. Both websites had similar suggestions. I have listed some of the basic ones below:

Can't make it to the Lullaby Exercises class at Lulu this Friday? We're giving away a free copy of the new Lullaby Exercises DVD, courtesy of Chicks-n-Chickens! Designed for new moms to share moments with their babies, put them to sleep, and feel good emotionally, this set includes a DVD and bonus CD with original music by singer/songwriter Lisa Phenix. It's worth $29.95, and you can win it by sending an email with "Lullaby Exercises" in the subject line to contests@marinmommies.com.

Giveaway entries must be received by midnight on Wednesday, July 2. We'll pick a winner at random on Thursday, July 3.

This Friday, June 27, the Lucy store in the Corte Madera Town Center presents a special event with Darcy Novo Albrecht of Chicks-n-Chickens. Darcy, a Bay Area mom and founder of Chicks-n-Chickens, will present two Lullaby Exercises "mommy and me" dance classes and demonstrations, the first from 11:30 to noon and the second from 1:30 to 2 pm. In this new kind of workout, new moms can get in some exercise and sooth their babies at the same time. Recommended for moms with babies 8 weeks to 1 year in age.

I think many moms will agree that there’s no better Mother’s Day gift than a massage or spa package. I know that’s what I want, especially after working and chasing two small children around all week, every week. Fortunately, there are a number of places in Marin for busy moms to relax and take some time out to be pampered. Go ahead, you’re worth it…

Marin Mommies is pleased to present a guest article by Vijaya Jhothi, owner of Safronya Retreat spa in San Rafael, which specializes in the ancient healing art of Ayurveda, and Kara Lukowski, CAS (certified Ayurvedic Practitioner). In honor of Mother's Day, they explore the relationship between mothers, the earth, Ayurveda. Check out their Mother's Day specials, too. We'll be listing more Mother's Day specials from spas around Marin and the North Bay.

As mother’s day is approaching, it is timely to reflect on how Ayurveda honors mothers, and how it relates to the elements of nature, particularly the earth element. Intrinsically, all mothers inherit a quality similar to earth, in that they are rooted in stability, a grounded solidity, and from her core mom gives birth to new branches of life which she feeds from her breast, protects with her love, and nourishes with her soul. Just like the earth we see around us, supporting and holding us, mother is the sustainer—the glue that keeps it all together. Sometimes, with our hurried and scattered lives we need reminders to feel our feet on the ground and connect to this rich earth, either by calling home to talk to mom or just going barefoot in the grass.  And that is where Ayurveda is a tremendously generous science that us helps balance these elements (also water, fire, air, and ether) when our bodies and minds need them.
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Breastfeeding my children was one of the best choices that I made as a mother. I have been nursing my 2 children a total of 4 years. When I had my first child, I almost gave up breastfeeding after the first few weeks of his birth. My son had a hard time latching on and never got enough food. I recently came across an article in Parents Magazine called 23 Great Nursing Tips from Moms that offers some valuable you-can-do-it. I wish I had read this article when I was beginning my nursing endeavor. Some of the tips that I most identified include:

Since we're all making our New Year's resolutions, we thought it would be a great time to publish a guest post by Marin fitness expert Michele Vaughan. There's one tip here for each week of the year! Michele Vaughan has been in the fitness industry since 1980. She has a Masters of Science in Physical Education and Dance. Michele has the highest certifications of NSCA as a CSCS and ACSM Advanced Personal Trainer along with ACE group exercise, personal training, lifestyle and weight management. She has a certification in Pilates with the Stott Method, a certification in Yoga for Fitness Professionals and a certification as a Spinning Instructor. Michele is the President of The Balance Workout, Marin's premiere fitness studio. 

Mom's Night Out Book Review

Tuesday, November 6th at Book Passage in Corte Madera
6:30 pm

Ticket Donation:  $30

Join the Storks at Book Passage for delicious wine and appetizers, followed by the fabulous Elaine Petrocelli, Book Passage President and local celebrity book expert. Elaine will entertain us with a stirring book review of the best new books for moms and children of all ages. The gifting continues with fantastic raffle prizes generously donated by Marin’s local businesses. 100% of the event proceeds will go directly to benefit the MGH Lactation Center and New Infant Care.   Click here to register for this darling event!