Ok, first.… I’M GOING TO BLOGHER!!!! I’ve never used the term “squee” before, but I think I’ve finally found a reason/purpose. I’M SO EXCITED! For those that don’t know what BlogHer is, I suggest you first crawl out from under your rock. Second, check it out : BlogHer10. It brings bloggers from all over for hands-on learning, networking and discussion. And it’s not just “mommy bloggers,” it’s all types: food, finance, design, etc. I’ve been told that mommy bloggers actually make up a tiny portion of it. Last year there were over 1500 in attendance… this year it takes place August 6 – 7 in New York City. Last year, I was hugely preggo and I followed all the live conference tweets on twitter, wishing I was there, but feeling like I wasn’t a “big enough blogger” to deserve to go.
.….Not that I am now either, but I have much more experience. I could design your website, create and install banners and buttons, give you PR contacts for many major (and small) businesses, ramble off more community/social media sites than you can count on your fingers and toes… so let’s just say I know what I’m doing, but… I need to know how to do it BETTER. I make a minimal amount of money from my blog and don’t have nearly enough time to network as much as I’d like. I’m looking forward to lots of LEARNING at BlogHer!
I’m working on sponsorship… I may not have any luck, but I’ll keep you updated. Anyway, I’ve been so excited lately because I just found out that I’d be going that I didn’t even have time to think of anything else.
Last night I was lying in bed and it hit me – I will be away from Ryan for FOUR days. I’ll leave Thursday morning and be back Sunday night. I had a slight panic attack.… OMG I don’t know if I can do it! I bought a concert ticket to see Dave Matthews on July 3 with some of my friends.…. and I’m trying to sell it. As fun as it would be to get out, I hate the idea of being away from Ryan ALL day. Plus, my responsibilities kick back on the second I’m back and I will have a 6 month old who needs me – I will be up at 6am with him the next day. Needless to say, I can’t quite “party” at the concert like some of my friends can.… and I’m selling my ticket. That’s ONE DAY. How can I manage FOUR DAYS?!
I’m sure others have this issue. I’m going to miss him and I’m going to worry about him. He will take the bottle when he HAS to, but let me tell you – he isn’t happy about it. My poor lil man will be upset with that bottle for FOUR DAYS. And we co-sleep. He’s mama’s little cuddle bug. I’m not sure he can sleep without me! How will he sleep for FOUR DAYS?! … do you see where I’m going with this? How will I pump enough milk to last for FOUR DAYS?
I know some women bring their babies with to BlogHer. I considered it because I have many carriers and Ryan loves to be worn, but… he loves to be mobile. I do not see him cooperating through 2 full days of a conference. I know I’d have to get up and walk out of presentations – and I don’t want to have to miss any of it. Plus, Ryan does not sleep well in public. In order to initially fall asleep, there has to be no one else around because he gets too distracted.
So… will Ryan survive? Better question: will I survive?! Will I be completely annoying at BlogHer because I’m talking about Ryan and how much I miss him every 0.23 seconds?? (oh how lucky do my roomies @mamabmy and @militarymama sound right now?! haha)
DNRE INVITES PUBLIC INPUT ON ‘LIVING LEGACIES’ EFFORT TO MANAGE MICHIGAN’S DIVERSE NATURAL PLACES.
States News Service November 22, 2010 LANSING, MI — The following information was released by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today put out a call to interested individuals throughout Michigan to take part in the department’s “Living Legacies” initiative. People are invited to participate in the public review of places in the northern Lower Peninsula that — because of their biological value — have been identified for long-term conservation.
The goal of the Living Legacies initiative is to establish a statewide network of places that together best represent the diversity of Michigan’s biological heritage (biodiversity) and that represent strong opportunities for long-term conservation of the ecosystems that sustain Michigan’s biological heritage. Upon final DNRE approval, each place within this network will be given the DNRE’s planning designation of Biodiversity Stewardship Area (BSA).
“True to our mission to conserve and protect this state’s natural resources and environment, the DNRE has always put the health and sustainability of Michigan’s great outdoors at the forefront of every decision we make,” said DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. web site traverse city mi
“The ‘Living Legacies’ initiative is simply an extension of that ? a focused effort to identify, restore and manage those places in Michigan that, together, best represent the diversity of Michigan’s biological heritage,” Humphries explained. “It’s about making sure these many different ecosystems and the life within them become a long-lasting legacy for Michigan.” Several meetings for both the public and key stakeholder groups are scheduled throughout December. Data and information resources for the public review will be available primarily at the DNRE website, www.michigan.gov/livinglegacies. The current meeting schedule includes:
General Meetings Dec. 7, 2010, 6 – 7 p.m. — Conference Center of Lansing Community College’s West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive, Lansing, MI 48917 Dec. 8, 2010, 6 – 7 p.m. — Hagerty Center, 715 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686 Dec. 14, 2010, 6 – 7 p.m. — University Center, 80 Livingston Blvd., Gaylord, MI 49735 Focused Stakeholder Meetings: (These meetings will provide some general information, but will focus more specifically on identified issues of importance for certain stakeholder groups.) Government: Dec. 9, 2010, 1 – 2 p.m. — Garfield Township Hall, 3848 Veterans Drive, Traverse City, MI 49685 Private Landowners: Dec. 9, 2010, 6 – 7 p.m. — Garfield Township Hall, 3848 Veterans Drive, Traverse City, MI 49685 Industry (including forest products, oil, gas and minerals): Dec. 15, 2010, 1 – 2 p.m. — Otsego County Library, 700 South Otsego Ave., Gaylord, Michigan 49735 Recreationists: Dec. 15, 2010, 6 – 7 p.m. — Otsego County Library, 700 South Otsego Ave., Gaylord, Michigan 49735 All interested persons are welcome to attend any or all of these public information meetings. Each meeting will include a short presentation followed by the opportunity for questions. DNRE staff will be available for one hour after each meeting to answer questions one-on-one regarding the “Living Legacies” initiative and proposed Biodiversity Stewardship Areas. Anyone with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Andrew Haapala at (248) 685‑2433 at least five (5) business days before a scheduled meeting date.
DNRE Living Legacies Comments Forest Management Division P.O. Box 30452 Lansing, Michigan 48909 – 7952 All written comments received during the comment period will be considered prior to making final decisions. site traverse city mi
“Michigan is a national leader with this comprehensive strategy to conserve the legacy of our biological heritage,” said Director Humphries. “The initiative is built on sound scientific principles, while respecting the diverse ecological, social and economic values and perspectives that are important to Michigan’s citizens. Through ‘iving Legacies,’ Michigan is writing another chapter in its long history of thoughtful, forward-thinking natural resources stewardship.” The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.
i think you and him will be fine. its a new experience being away form your little one for so long you just have to remeber why you are away and try to enjoy the time you have away. By the way i have an award for you over at my blog.
[Reply]
You need and deserve some time. And, plus, I’ll be there!
[Reply]
He will be fine! You? you might survive too
haha. I am actaully reconsidering if I should bring Lucas or not… As much as I would LOVE to, I don’t think I would be able to devote my time to the conference if he was with me. But I have terrible separation anxiety and I don’t think I would survive 4 days without him.
I can’t wait to hear all about Ryan every .23 seconds!!
[Reply]
I recently spoke at and attended a conference with my babe who was 9 months at the time and it worked out quite well for us. She spent a lot of time being worn or nursing, and then when she did want to play she was pretty content to stay on my lap or right at my feet. When she nursed down for naps I’d pop over to the quiet room for a few minutes until she was mostly asleep and then I’d rejoin the session. My husband was also with us (mostly dealing with the big kids!) and I handed her off to him sometimes.
Anyhow, just wanted to throw out some ideas for things that worked for us in case you decide to go that way.
[Reply]
Honestly, I wouldn’t leave my baby for that long at that age unless circumstances were dire and I had no other choice. I almost hesitate to mention it, it’s just something I feel pretty strongly about. I subscribe to the LLL principle that states “In the early years the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.” (Not that I believe it just because LLL says it, it’s just a reference point for how I feel.) I know that not every mother is going to feel the same way, that not ever AP mother is going to feel the same way, and that some women are very limited by their personal circumstances. This is just how I feel for me and my baby.
I hope you don’t mind the comment or feel that I’m judging you. We agree on a lot of other parenting stuff so I was just offering a different POV.
[Reply]
I’m sure that Ryan will be fine and he’ll be in good hands with his dad. And it’s perfectly natural that you’re going to be missing him every second. Moo’s one and I still miss her even when I’m just running out to the grocery store. It’s what we do as mothers.
If you’re going to miss him too much and worried about not having enough milk pumped just take him with you. He might surprise you do and do well, especially with all the other babies around. You still have time to decide and way your pros and cons. Good luck on getting some sponsorship.
[Reply]
If your roommates don’t mind, can you make a last minute decision on it? You don’t necessarily know where you are going to be at that time. I didn’t leave my girls that young but I totally could have used four days away.
Either way, you will have plenty of support. I will be happy to help hold and amuse or hear about Ryan whenever you want to talk about him.
[Reply]
First, that’s awesome that you’re going! How did you learn everything? Mostly, how to make buttons and banners. I’d love to learn how to customize my site more.
Second, I know it’s going to be extremely hard to be away for that long, but I’m betting it’ll be harder on you than Ryan. That’s not saying he won’t miss you like crazy and be upset that you’re not there. Is there any way that your husband could go with you and stay with Ryan during the day?
[Reply]