I met my new friend, Sarah, for lunch today. Sarah came to Korea from Canada for a year-long teaching adventure and six years later she is still here, married to a Korean, writing English teaching materials and expecting baby #1. She is a great resource because she doesn't have a foreign government or company to rely on so she has to find things here. She is an expert online shopper and while you do need a Korean ID to shop online, you can have a Korean friend help you. There are great deals and usually free shipping online. I am really excited to here about a new line of Korean pocket diapers. Sarah found the company online, but says they have stores around. I can't wait to go shopping with her for the diapers, maternity and baby stuff!
Sarah is also a knitter. See here successfully-knit booties here. I have yet to successfully knit booties due to an increase-disaster. Luckily, I've met Sarah, so she can help me.
Another great thing about Sarah, is that she is having her baby here in Korea at a Korean hospital. Even though, I am pretty sure I am going back to the States, I am happy to know Sarah's experience to share on this blog for other expectant foreign mothers.
It is so important to get beyond your little group when you are in a foreign country. You learn so much from each group: military/government/Embassy; expats on business; English teachers and let's not forget the locals! It can be hard to get to know Koreans. Egyptians are extremely friendly, sometimes it can be too much! Koreans are shyer. Meeting through activity groups and foreign spouses of Koreans are good ways to break in.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Playgroups in Seoul
I've noticed that many people are finding this blog looking for playgroups in Seoul. Here is a short list of what I've found so far:
For people with US military base access:
Yongsan Playgroup Forum. This group has a message board, resource center and does playgroups and events. It also lists a lot of the other kid-related events on base. ACS runs playgroups on Yongsan Garrison and Hannam Village. There are also two storytimes: one at the library and one at Moyer.
For Everyone:
* SIWA: I haven't been, yet, but I have heard that SIWA has a great and active international playgroup. This group is open to everyone. It is also a good place to meet people involved in non-English, non-Korean playgroups like German, Spanish, French, Swedish, Chinese, Japanese, etc.
*meetup.com has some newcomer/expat groups where you can meet people. You can also start your own meetup playgroup.
* expat groups like AWC, churches, English teacher's groups are good ways to meet people with kids
If anyone else has a good playgroup in Seoul, please leave a comment.
For people with US military base access:
Yongsan Playgroup Forum. This group has a message board, resource center and does playgroups and events. It also lists a lot of the other kid-related events on base. ACS runs playgroups on Yongsan Garrison and Hannam Village. There are also two storytimes: one at the library and one at Moyer.
For Everyone:
* SIWA: I haven't been, yet, but I have heard that SIWA has a great and active international playgroup. This group is open to everyone. It is also a good place to meet people involved in non-English, non-Korean playgroups like German, Spanish, French, Swedish, Chinese, Japanese, etc.
*meetup.com has some newcomer/expat groups where you can meet people. You can also start your own meetup playgroup.
* expat groups like AWC, churches, English teacher's groups are good ways to meet people with kids
If anyone else has a good playgroup in Seoul, please leave a comment.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hypnobirthing vs. Hypnobabies
I am signed up to take a Hypnobirthing class starting in a few weeks, but I've also seen theHypnobabies program. I don't really have a choice here in Korea, but if you are in the US, you should check them both out. From the little I have read, it seems Hypnobabies used an open-eyes method and seems to have more problem-specific scripts. Hypnobabies also offers a homestudy course.
Has anyone out there taken either course? Comments on which one is better?
******Update: B/c of scheduling conflicts and the fact that Hypnobabies seemed more geared to doing it without a partner and I will spend the last two months of pregnancy in the States, away from my husband, I decided not to do the Hypnobirthing class and went with the Hypnobabies homestudy course. Here is the link to my take on Hypnobabies after using it successfully for my VBAC.
Here is a comparison from Laura Lund, Hypnobabies instructor who used Hypnobirthing and then Hypnobabies and then became an instructor. Sheridan Ripley is a Hypnobabies instructor who followed a path similar to Laura's and here is her comparison.
Has anyone out there taken either course? Comments on which one is better?
******Update: B/c of scheduling conflicts and the fact that Hypnobabies seemed more geared to doing it without a partner and I will spend the last two months of pregnancy in the States, away from my husband, I decided not to do the Hypnobirthing class and went with the Hypnobabies homestudy course. Here is the link to my take on Hypnobabies after using it successfully for my VBAC.
Here is a comparison from Laura Lund, Hypnobabies instructor who used Hypnobirthing and then Hypnobabies and then became an instructor. Sheridan Ripley is a Hypnobabies instructor who followed a path similar to Laura's and here is her comparison.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Beco Baby Carrier Sale!
I love, love, love the Beco Baby Carrier! I have a 4th Generation which requires an infant insert (like the Ergo does) for newborns but can be used without one between 3-4 months. The new Beco Butterfly has a built-in panel for newborns. Besides being great for your back, easy to adjust and figure out, and very secure for the baby, they come in gorgeous patterns. The Beco is a lighter and thinner than the Ergo. See my review here. I like them both.
I bought my 4th Generation from SoBeBabies. They have excellent customer service and right now they are having a great sale on the Beco Butterfly. They are an authorized retailer and this is the first authorized sale.
This carrier is pricey, but it is worth every penny. I used mine all the time (instead of a stroller) until my son was 16 months old. I still use it with him, but not as much because he is older and wilder (almost 23 months). Still, it can support his weight. It is so much easier to put a baby in a carrier like this and do laundry or shop then get out the stroller or lug the infant carseat. This is one item worth investing in.
I bough the Baby Bjorn first and that carrier is much more difficult to use and hurts my back and shoulders when Ian was about 10 lbs. I tried a ring sling and a pouch, but I couldn't get him positioned correctly. Some people swear by them, but I like two-shouldered carriers better. Some people love mei tais, which these carriers are inspired by, but you need to tie and untie mei tais. With the Beco and Ergo, you just click the buckles and pull the straps to adjust. Fast and easy to get the baby in and out.
There are lots of other carriers out there now (an explosion has occurred in the last few years), but I have throughly tested both of these. I've breastfed in them while climbing a mountain in the desert in Egypt, used them through international airport security lines and dodging traffic in Egypt. They rock. You need them.
I bought my 4th Generation from SoBeBabies. They have excellent customer service and right now they are having a great sale on the Beco Butterfly. They are an authorized retailer and this is the first authorized sale.
This carrier is pricey, but it is worth every penny. I used mine all the time (instead of a stroller) until my son was 16 months old. I still use it with him, but not as much because he is older and wilder (almost 23 months). Still, it can support his weight. It is so much easier to put a baby in a carrier like this and do laundry or shop then get out the stroller or lug the infant carseat. This is one item worth investing in.
I bough the Baby Bjorn first and that carrier is much more difficult to use and hurts my back and shoulders when Ian was about 10 lbs. I tried a ring sling and a pouch, but I couldn't get him positioned correctly. Some people swear by them, but I like two-shouldered carriers better. Some people love mei tais, which these carriers are inspired by, but you need to tie and untie mei tais. With the Beco and Ergo, you just click the buckles and pull the straps to adjust. Fast and easy to get the baby in and out.
There are lots of other carriers out there now (an explosion has occurred in the last few years), but I have throughly tested both of these. I've breastfed in them while climbing a mountain in the desert in Egypt, used them through international airport security lines and dodging traffic in Egypt. They rock. You need them.
Dirty, Dirty Shopping Trip
My nausea was better today. I was able to eat pizza. Then, I wanted snacks so I went to the PX and bought dark chocolate, mixed candy bars, peanut m&ms, pop tarts, potato chips and rice cakes. I bought small amounts so I can indulge without going too overboard. I don't eat any of that stuff normally, apart from the dark chocolate which is, of course, medicinal.
I think this snacking phase happened after the nausea phase last time. The nausea phase lasted a lot longer with Ian so I am not counting on this being over for sure, but I will keep pressing the anti-nausea pressure points just in case!
I think this snacking phase happened after the nausea phase last time. The nausea phase lasted a lot longer with Ian so I am not counting on this being over for sure, but I will keep pressing the anti-nausea pressure points just in case!
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