Motherhood

Permanent Sterilization for Birth Control: Exploring Your Options

Is your family complete and you are considering a permanent form of contraception? Depending on each patient’s preferences and individual case, one of two options for permanent sterilization is available: the Essure® Tubal Occlusion or laparoscopic tubal ligation surgery. As I tell my patients at at Women’s Care of Colorado, both forms are viable means to achieving the same result. Essure® Tubal Occlusion Over the last 10 years, Essure Tubal Occlusion has grown in popularity thanks to its ease of performance through minimally invasive surgery outside the operating room. Women who choose Essure as an option for permanent sterilization are not anesthetized, only require a few medications for pain management during the procedure and are out of the office in about an hour. With the a...

Mom’s sweet “Hallelujah” to baby goes viral on Facebook

Who can’t relate to this sweet rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah?”  In a performance that is both incredibly beautiful as well as incredibly funny, Shannon Abbott shares her talents and her insights into the day-to-day life of motherhood. The song exploded on Facebook, receiving over 2.5 million views in a week. “Oh my GOODNESS!!! 2 MILLION VIEWS!!! Unbelievable!” responded the thrilled mom. “I am humbled that this silly little song that I wrote for a silly little talent show in teeny tiny Payson Utah, could bring so much joy to people around the WORLD! It just goes to show that no matter where you are from, or what your background is, we all feel the power of music and the love we have for our sweet children. How blessed we are!&#...

What this funny couple did to stop people pressuring them about kids

They did a photo shoot with their dog and the result was hilarious!

Kindergarten Sendoff: When my youngest flew the coop

I am not usually the sentimental type. While other parents cherish the little moments when their little ones curl up on their laps, I have been eagerly awaiting getting some space. Don’t get me wrong, I do absolutely love my children. They are my heart and soul, and my reason for breathing. But after 12 years of being a mom, there are more times than not when I feel, for lack of a better way of putting it, touched out. You know what I’m talking about, right? When your body no longer feels like your own because somebody is always touching you, grabbing you, needing you? I know, I know—that’s what being a mom is. But there have been times in the past few years where I have found myself yearning for the moment when I might be able to pee without an audience. Where I wasn’t a living jungle gym...

Denver mom bloggers needed: we’d love your contributions!

Mile High Mamas is expanding and we’d love to hear your voice! If you’re a Colorado mom who enjoys writing, we’re looking for monthly or occasional contributors in several areas.  Do you have a favorite place to take your kids in your neighborhood or in Colorado? What are you daily struggles or joys of being a mom? Do you have any stories to tell? Humor. Do you have any funny blog posts to share? Do you have any kid-friendly recipes or craft activities? What are your best tips? These could be anything from balancing a family budget to potty training to how NOT to do something. Kids Say the Darndest Things. What funny things have your kids said? We’ll be doing a regular round-up of our favorites. Are you a Pinterest addict and would love to share ...

So Far Away: When Children Fly

Who do you most admire? My answer to that question used to be a fairly predictable list of assorted literary and historical figures, with a liberal bent towards those who made the world better for their fellow man. Lately, however, I’ve been re-thinking my choices and Susanna Fontanarossa has soared to the top of my list. Who is this Susanna you may ask? I’m not surprised you’ve never heard of her. Up until today, I hadn’t either. Susanna, the person I most admire, was the mother of Christopher Columbus. She may seem like an odd choice, compared to, say, Martin Luther King Jr. or Susan B Anthony. But, as the mother of two adventurers who are making their own way in this world, far from home and far from my embrace, I have come to realize the sacrifices made by generations of mothers before...

I Can’t Always Watch You

When my daughter CJ was young, I took her to the grocery store with me. As usual, she climbed up to hang onto the side of the cart, and as usual, I told her to get down. We made our way through the produce department without incident. Then I stopped the cart and turned my back on it – and her – as I looked through the specialty cheeses. Just as I picked up a ball of mozzarella, I heard a shriek and a crash. I turned to see her lying on the floor with the cart on top of her. Another shopper was already rushing to lift the cart off her. I sat on the floor and pulled her into my lap, where she sobbed, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” as I smoothed her hair. One employee went to get us another container of blackberries to replace the one that had bro...

You Live Where? Raising a Small Family in Downtown Denver

Almost exactly one year ago, my family and I relocated from New York City to Downtown Denver. While we were raised in the mountains of Colorado, we felt this would ease the transition for us as well as adhere to some of our lifestyle values. It made sense to us, but most of our Colorado friends and family were surprised by the choice. Downtown Denver, unlike New York City, is not known for housing many families with young children. In fact, in our condo complex, we are the only unit of eighty with small children. Here were some of our reasons for the move: we were accustomed to small spaces (in fact, we went from 680 square feet to 1300 – a mansion!), we like to be out and about, we are a one-car family, and therefore like public transportation, and most importantly, we wanted nothing to d...

Having and Wanting, Then and Now

20 YEARS AGO What I had My own home (a condo), furnished with stuff *I* bought. A fascinating job as head of a school for adults. Good grades in grad school. A lot of time to myself to read, write, think. Too much, maybe. What I longed for A man to share my life with, if he even exists. Every morning I wake up wondering if this is the day I’ll meet him. It’s an obsession. 15 YEARS AGO What I had A handsome, funny, smart, hardworking man. Our first home together, a 1890 Victorian that is filled with mementos of our adventures living and traveling overseas. A politically charged job as an administrator at a university. Time with my husband to see movies, attend concerts, and travel. What I longed for A child or two. Everyday I get more depressed about my fading chances to be...

2-year-old cheese artisans must be stopped

I asked my 2-year-old son what I should write about for Mile High Mamas. He answered, “Where’s my cup?” Sippy cups are evil. Even the ones with valves to prevent spillage are suspect. Don’t let the colorful, fanciful, engaging designs fool you. Embedded in the molded plastic lurks the spirit of spoilage. I don’t care if the cup is an old school chemical festival or BPA-free. Those babies roll and hide and fester until they nearly explode with curdy malevolence. I’ve found sippy cups under car seats. In July. Why are they forgotten/lost so easily? It starts innocently. Toddler is thirsty for milk but you are

The Mama Sagas: Don’t be conservative with the stool softeners

As anyone who’s gone through it will tell you, preparing for your first childbirth experience isn’t just about setting up a nursery and packing a bag. There are a few (WAY) more important items to have on hand for when the big day arrives. The Mama Sagas is a Denver-based online video series dedicated to empowering moms through shared experiences and expert solutions. With humor, honesty, and raw emotion as our foundation, we’re building a supportive community of mamas who celebrate the beauty of the imperfect moments. Becoming a mom doesn’t happen in 9 months; it happens constantly – and continuously – every day after giving birth. Using our stories to break down stigmas, The Mama Sagas redefines what it means to be Super Mom and celebrates the hero in every woman. Find them on their ...

Tween Trauma: The ultimate (worst?) birthday surprise!

I’ve been feeling lukewarm about birthday parties for my kids this year. I’ll only occasionally throw over-the-top fetes–sometimes simple is best so with my daughter turning 11, I hinted maybe it was time to forgo the big bash. She was horrified. It turns out you need to give a kid at least a year’s advanced notice because they spend the entire 364 days plotting it. I finally relented with a casual spa/PJ/ebelskiver party and she invited 10 of her closest friends.  If you haven’t been around tweens, there is a lot of giggling and silliness. The facials hadn’t even started yet and already, her friend (on the left) was covered in whipped cream. The Spa We crafted our own natural facial recipes and the girls had a blast giving each other face and ...