When I became pregnant with my daughter, Aubrey, I was 21 years old, freshly married and scared to death! I read all the books, including the "What to Expect" series (even the infant and toddler ones). All these books gave us "one size fits all" kind of parenting advice.

When Aubrey was born, we practiced the "one size fit's all"; parenting advocated by all the books I read. We encouraged her to fall asleep on her on, meaning we let her cry herself to sleep. I also encouraged Aubrey to feel comfortable playing alone, and not need me. I did however KNOW that breast milk was best, and since I did not know that the resources were out there to seek help to learn HOW to breastfeed, I pumped.

Fast-forward 5 years.

I unexpectedly got pregnant with my son. This time I found myself alone. So, instead of reading (yet again) all the more mainstream books, I instead turned to my heart. I searched my heart for the kind of parent I wanted to be. The kind of child I wanted my son or daughter to be. I was not going to have help this time, so it had to be something I would understand, stick with and love, unlike the parenting style I choose with my older daughter.

I had no idea about Attachment Parenting. I did not know there was a name for how I instinctively parented my son. I just followed heart. I was steadfast in my resolve to breastfeed my son. I sought so much help in this. I had issues, just like many other first time nursing mommas. From problems with to much milk, to problems with the pace that my milk did flow as well. We struggled, but it was a struggle that really made me feel good, like I was really doing the best thing possible for myself and my child. We eventually "got it" and it was/is the best thing in the world for both of us!

Then while at a LLL Meeting someone was wearing a ring sling. I thought it was amazing to be able to hold your baby AND get something done! So I bought one. This was my first and not my most comfortable, but I learned that I could have my newborn son with me, and still tend to my 5-year-old daughter and get work done around the house.

I searched, high and low, to find the perfect sling for me. I learned how many different types there were, and decided on how I liked mine best. When I did not find one on the market that catered to my needs and wants, I created my own.

It was not till then, that I accidentally bumped into the name "Attachment Parenting"; I started reading, and was amazed and shocked that there were other mommas just like me. Mommas who loved their children enough to listen to their hearts AND their children's cries! I also learned that my co-sleeping is actually a great way to "attachment" parent, and is especially good when you are breastfeeding.

I was introduced to cloth diapers, which at first I thought, "NO WAY; Are people NUTS?"; Well I know different now. I then began cloth diapering my then 8 month old little boy. The patterns are so fun, the work is minimal and I know that I am doing just a little part to save the earth. Not to mention save some money! Another added benefit to my choosing cloth, is my son has extremely sensitive skin, and with cloth diapers he has had not ONE break out -- not even a hint of any type of diaper rash.

To me Attachment Parenting is not at all about a set guidelines though this is the set provided by Attachment Parenting International:

1. Preparation for Childbirth

2. Emotional Responsiveness

3. Breastfeed your Baby

4. Baby Wearing

5. Shared sleep and Safe Sleeping Guidelines

6. Avoid frequent and prolonged separations from your baby

7. Positive Discipline

8. Maintain balance in your family life

We (as a family) practice several or most of these guidelines, now. Though like I said, my daughter as a baby was not parented this way, so I have a good sense of the exact diffrences in the two children.

Why these guidelines are nice to see, they are (to me) just that guidelines, to me Attachment parenting is more about Instinctive parenting listening to my heart and doing what comes naturally to me, not about some set of guidelines I "must" follow.

Now my son is 22 months old, still and still totally "Attachment Parented," which to me means he is continueing to co-sleep, nurse, is still being worn on a daily basis, and still has cute cloth on his little butt every day AND night.

He walks, has started talking, and is becoming a real "little man" (I am sometimes sad to say.) I am confident that he is so well adjusted because I was and am so steadfast in "my kind of parenting"; and my beliefs.

¶ 11:39 PM 0 comments

Massachusetts is a state overflowing with history and yet oddly modern. Massachusetts real estate prices are very pricey.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is an incredible mix of history and bustling modern influences. Historically, the state took in many of the initial European immigrants and was the location of crucial battles in the Revolutionary War. Throw in events such as the Boston Tea Party and you have a state with a heritage. While appreciating the past, Massachusetts also pays homage to changing times and is a hot bed for education, business and sports.

Boston

Tiny city. Perhaps youve heard of it? From colonial architecture to modern skyscrapers, Boston is an amazing city that deserves your attention. A favorite big city, Boston is unique for placing the old with the new. Statutes and old colonial influences sit below modern amenities such as the financial district. People watching is a prime hobby at places such as the Quincy Market and Boston Common. College influences can be found around Harvard University, Boston College and Boston University. Loafing, exploring and sailing are rife in Boston Harbor and the Charles River, not to mention crab caked galore.

If sports are your thing, Boston will be heaven. The Boston Marathon needs no introduction. For professional sports, you have the Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics and, just out of town, Patriots. Throw in a major college basketball, hockey and football influence and you have a town with a major sports passion. Winters are cold, but spring, summer and fall more than make up it. Boston is an absolutely great place to live.

Nantucket

Nantucket is the home of old colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and seaboard beauty. An island, the town of Nantucket is surprisingly bereft of cars, but does get packed with tourists during the summer. Youll find the town full of funky little shops, museums and art galleries galore. Nantucket is a great place to spend a weekend as prices are outrageous. Make sure to take in a sunset at Madaket Beach.

New Bedford

A fishing town through and through, New Bedford has a history as one of the pre-eminent whaling towns in the country. Whaling is off limits today, but the town still bustles with a major fishing industry. While the town has lost some of its charm because of development and a coastal highway, there is a definite feeling of stepping into the past if you move here.

Massachusetts Real Estate

Massachusetts real estate prices are very high. There is simply no way around this fact. A single-family home in Boston proper will set you back a million dollars, while prices vary throughout the state. Unless youre ready to commit to a $500,000 price, youre going to be disappointed with the options.

Massachusetts real estate has a solid, but unspectacular appreciation rate. For 2005, property appreciated at rate of a little below 12 percent, just under the 13 plus national average.

¶ 6:32 PM 0 comments

Elliott Kalb is a five-time Sports Emmy winner, working for NBC Sports for 15-years, and currently for HBO Sports, TNT, and CBS-Westwood One Radio Network. Known to many as Mr. Stats, he's written two books, posted an excellent article with us and now he sits down with me to answers some questions.

Who's been your favorite interview so far? Most surprising?Since I've been promoting my books, my favorite interview has been Hall of Famer Rick Barry, who hosts a talk show on KNBR in SF. He told me that I should have ranked him 24th all time, since that was the number he always wore. I ranked him 22nd.

Over the years, I've had a chance to interview (or write questions for) most great athletes of the last two decades. My favorite was talking to Pat Riley about his ability to teach and motivate. I asked him if he felt he was wasting years teaching (mainly) to 12-millionaires, rather than hundreds of young people in a classroom. Riley is a tremendous interview.

What's the most memorable sports moment you witnessed live?Where do I begin? I produced NBC's baseball coverage from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the USA team defeated a heavily favored Cuba team. I was there at the 1988 World Series, when Kirk Gibson hit a miraculous homer. I was there for each of Michael Jordan's 35 NBA Finals games. Super Bowl XXIII, when Joe Montana led a last minute comeback. The last two Super Bowls, when the Patriots narrowly defeated the Panthers and Eagles. Game 7 of the 2003 Western Conference Finals between the Kings and Lakers. Game 7 of the 2000 Western conference Finals, when the Lakers overcame a 15-point defecit to the Trailblazers. Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. Game 7's are almost always memorable.

Who's your all-time sports hero?Wilt Chamberlain was my hero growing up. I've been chronicling the career of Shaquille since he came into the NBA, and very proud that I was the first to write that he was the best of all time.

What's been the harshest criticism of your "Who's Better, Who's Best? in Basketball" book?That I ranked Shaq first merely to sell books.

What's your reaction to the Congressional hearings with MLB regarding steroid use?If Congress wanted truly to help kids (as they said) they would worry about stopping the sale of alcohol at sports events. Congress found a way to look good. Bud Selig was made to look a fool. Of course, he wants a tougher steroids policy, but his hands are tied by the players association and Don Fehr.

Who do you think will be the #1 pick in this year's NFL Draft? Why?I follow the NFL, the NBA, and MLB very closely. I'm afraid I don't have the time to follow college football the same way. I do know the Niners need a quarterback, and the Dolphins need a running back.

When the next group of players is picked, who do you think should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?One of the best trios of all time left the game in 2001. Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Mark McGwire. When it is their turn, I am looking forward to that. Guys like Tony Perez or the recently retired Roberto Alomar are close, but no cigar in my opinion.

Do you think gambling hurts or helps collegiate sports? Professional sports?I love fantasy leagues, but I think they are starting to hurt sports because anytime players and/or fans care more about individual stats than team goals, it hurts the sport. No doubt pools help interest in the NCAA tournament.

Do you miss the NHL? Do you know anyone that does?I'm afraid I'm not much of a hockey fan. I feel for the many people who make their income off of the sport, though.

Do you think professional women's leagues like the WNBA will succeed in the long run? Why?The women's leagues have created a niche. It will never rival the main sports, but I am happy for those involved and the people that enjoy them.

What do Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Dan Marino and Chris Carter think of TheSportsCritics.com?They all enjoy debating the issues, so I'm sure they would like the site.

When will your book signing tour make it to Southern California?I will be in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 14.

It's draft time and the following people make up the draft for your sports organization. Which people are FIRST ROUND picks, which are LAST ROUND picks and which go UNDRAFTED? Why?

Barry BondsFIRST ROUND - Greatest baseball player of all time.

Michael JordanFIRST ROUND - Greatest non-center to ever play in the NBA.

Pete RoseLAST ROUND - As a manager, he bet on his own team some days, which means he bet against his team on others...that's what I have a problem with.

Bill ParcellsFIRST ROUND - I worked with Bill and I am one of his guys. A Jersey guy. A guy he can hang with at the diner. A guy that is loyal to him, and would go through a wall for. He needles me, gets on my case, and made me work twice as hard for him as anyone else.

Jose CansecoLAST ROUND - I wrote a better baseball book than him--an old fashioned baseball book that could have been written at any point in time...but this schmuck has the best-seller?

Kobe BryantLAST ROUND - I wrote in the NBA book almost two years ago, that any great perimeter player (Tracy McGrady, for instance) would have won those three titles that Kobe won. Shaq made the difference. He has proven me correct.

Bill BucknerSECOND ROUND - I still think of him as a batting champ, an excellent hitter, and he should have been replaced for defense in the 9th inning of Game 6 of the 1986 WS.

Brett FavreLAST ROUND - Still can't stomach him after he let Strahan sack him intentionally for record.

Billy MartinVery underrated manager...and as a longtime Yankees fan, he'll always have a place in my heart.

Bobby KnightFIRST ROUND - I like Parcells, so I like Knight. Of course. He represents so much about what is good for his sport.

Mark CubanFIRST ROUND - Owners I like more than him: Al Davis, the Maloof brothers. Also, although he wasn't an owner, Pat Croce has been a friend, role model, and the real deal.

Pedro MartinezFIRST ROUND - One of the greatest of all time. I ranked him 29th all time, and he'll be better than Koufax if he does anything in the back end of his career.

Terrell OwensWho's Better, Who's Best? I'll take Randy Moss and Teri Hatcher over T.O. and Nicolette Sheridan.

¶ 3:46 PM 0 comments