It’s likely that most people have heard of the Do Not Call Registry, but ForestEthics is looking to spread the word about a new registry. The Do Not Mail Registry will not only eliminate annoying unwanted junk mail, but also curb the junk mail industry’s massive contributions to global warming and the destruction of endangered forests.

Some facts from www.donotmail.org:

1. It takes more than 100 million trees to produce the total volume of junk mail that arrives in American mailboxes each year.
2. The manufacture of junk mail releases more greenhouse gas emissions per year than the emissions released by 9,372,000 million average passenger cars.
3. It would take the equivalent of over 500,000 garbage truck loads to dump all junk mail into landfills and incinerators each year.
4. The Canadian Boreal is being logged at a rate of 2 acres a minute, 24 hours a day to produce junk mail and other paper products.
5. Junk mail in the United States accounts for one-third of all the mail delivered in the world. Even though 44% of that mail goes to the landfill unopened, we still spend 8 months of our lives dealing with it all.

Yikes! I am an avid recycler of all the junk mail that reaches this house, but even so, to know how much the creation and mailing of junk is affecting our environment to a vast majority of people that don’t want it and often don’t even read it is appalling!

As of now there are 62026 signatures on ForestEthic’s petition to create a national Do Not Mail Registry. Are you on the list?

I am exhausted. Caring for a newborn is hard enough, but throw in two rambunctious boys and it’s enough to drive anyone a little crazy. My two year old is being a typical two year old I am sure: into everything! My spirited four year old is really trying my patience with some meltdowns thrown in for good measure. My newborn is having tummy troubles and not sleeping well, plus breastfeeding is still pretty painful from a bout of thrush and then mastitis.

So my Parents magazine came at a perfect time with a “Memo to Mommy” reminding us to take the time to stop and enjoy our kids no matter what kind of trouble they may be causing in the moment. Here are some of my favorite bits of wisdom from the perspective of your little one:

“Love me, even when I’m naughty. I’ll only be this age once.”

“Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don’t know enough words yet to give you an explanation”

“Don’t expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I’m still little.”

“Keep your promises. It’s all about trust. When I’m a teenager, you’ll understand why it’s so important.”

Just looking at those little faces (when they’re not screaming, crying, whining) makes me want to be a better person for them. Take more time with them. Be more creative with them. Just look what they can do:

2 year old’s picture:

4 year old’s picture:

What are your favorite things about your kids? What is your favorite thing to do with them? And what reminds you of these things when you they are making you crazy?

Source: Parents

I saw a post about an Ecological Footprint Quiz over at The Good Human and thought it would be interesting to see how I fared. The results of the quiz let you know how many earths we would need if everyone in the world had the same lifestyle as you. I was a little surprised at my results, even though I do know that my family can do better. Lots of things that would decrease our footprint we plan to do or hope to do in the future, like a vegetable garden and composting. Some things we are not going to change in the near future, like the size of our house. Interesting to see where we compare though.

Check it out at myfootprint.org and see what your ecological footprint is!

Has anyone tried the new milk jugs being sold at Costco, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club? I think the idea is great. Any green decisions made by giants like these retailers is a step in the right direction! The new shape eliminates the need for a crate, which then have to be taken back to the dairy and washed. It allows for more milk on each truck, reducing the use of fuel. The milk arrives at the store faster and fresher. And the jugs are cheaper, hooray!

The New York Times reported mixed reviews on the new jugs back in June. We got our first square jugs when we went to Costco over the weekend. They really are annoying to pour. I spill every time. I guess I need to try the slow tilt technique instead of the old lift and pour… I think it’s worth a little spilled milk to have a greener and cheaper jug!

Update: I managed to pour the milk this morning without spilling!!

I love the Olympics. I love the ideals of the Olympics. I love watching the sports I already know and love and learning about others.

Unity between the continents, as symbolized by the Olympic Rings, has been less than ideal. There have been boycotts, political turmoil, and violence. The Olympic motto: Citius Altius Fortius - Faster, Higher, Stronger- has been marred by doping scandals. This is all an unfortunate part of the modern Olympics that one would hope will not continue.

This Olympics is no exception. I know the Games have been controversial from the torch relay, to the heavy hand with protesters, to the air quality in Beijing. I know that all the building and expense that went into the preparations are definitely not green. I still want to watch anyway. I have to say that China did an amazing job with the Opening Ceremony, and I look forward to watching my favorite athletes and sports in the following days (well the way things are going round here lately, more like middle of the night!).

World Breastfeeding Week 2008 started August 1 and runs through August 7th. This year’s theme is “Mother Support: Going for the Gold”. 120 countries will participate in The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) celebrate the signing of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding. WABA is using the upcoming Olympics to tie in their theme and hopefully to increase support for breastfeeding mothers.

In conjunction with the Olympics next August, WBW 2008 calls for greater support for mothers in achieving the gold standard of infant feeding: breastfeeding exclusively for six months, and providing appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond.

As every country sends its best athletes to compete at these global games, it is important to remind ourselves that, in a similar fashion, a healthy young athlete can only emerge from a healthy start on life. There is no question that optimal infant and young child feeding is essential for optimal growth and development.

Of course most of us in this country have heard that breast is best and all about the many health benefits to breastfeeding and yet many women still don’t have the support to develop a successful breastfeeding relationship with their babies. Breastfeeding does not necessarily come naturally. There can be numerous obstacles that can make it frustrating or painful. Without support many women might give up and I don’t blame them.

I have had three babies now. My first attempt at breastfeeding was incredibly difficult. My son was a sleepy baby and started out little. He lost a lot of weight and we had to work really hard at getting it to work. If I had not had the support from my family, doctor and a great lactation consultant, I am not sure I would have been able to breastfeed him well past a year.

My second was much easier thank goodness! Now with my third I am right in the middle of dealing with thrush. So not fun. Luckily we got to see the doctor today and will hopefully start feeling better in a couple of days and it won’t come back! I know that breastfeeding her is what is right for her, me and our family and that is what keeps me going even when I want to cry.

I wish that every woman who chooses to breastfeed her child had the support that she needs to stick with it. That can make all the difference in the world.

Here are some great breastfeeding resources:

What are your ideas in how to help support women who choose to breastfeed?

Our giveaway is over, but now you can get free shipping on all your favorite Robeez styles!! Supplies are limited.

My Birth Story:

This pregnancy was definitely an interesting one! It was very different from my two boys in general, but was also unusual in that I had an appendectomy at 29 weeks! Yeah, that was fun. After that there was such a concern about the baby coming early that waiting until my scheduled c-section at 40 weeks seemed unlikely. I had pretty frequent contractions since my surgery in May, but I just got used to them.

My husband’s main concern was being able to make it to the Oregon Brew Fest on Thursday the 24th, or the day before this little girl was scheduled to arrive. As the weeks went on and she didn’t make her appearance, it seemed he was going to to get what he wanted. The day came and he caught the bus down to the Waterfront leaving me with the boys.

The boys and I had a good day, but it was strange knowing that the next day I was going to have my baby girl. It was a really odd feeling that I can’t quite describe knowing that everything was all planned, even down to the time. I didn’t really like the idea of choosing her birthday either.

My husband got home later that evening. Some friends drove him home and came in for a minute to say hi. I had a couple pretty strong contractions while they were there, but didn’t think much of it. The ones I had been having the last day or two were definitely getting stronger, but I knew I’d still be going in for my c/s the next day and had been contracting so long it didn’t seem like a big deal.

I had procrastinated getting a lot of stuff ready during the day (still hadn’t packed my bag or anything) and was up later than I wanted to be, but I was nervous and excited anyway making it hard to want to go to bed. We hadn’t even fully decided on a middle name since I was not sure anymore of our original choice. I did go to bed around 11ish or so figuring I had plenty of time in the morning since we didn’t need to go to the hospital until 10:30. I had a couple of pretty strong contractions again and DH made a joke about the baby needing to wait until tomorrow since he needed to sleep after drinking all that beer.

At about 1 I was having enough strong contractions that there was no way I was sleeping. They were about 5-6 minutes apart. I decided to go downstairs and finish watching So You Think You Can Dance. I was hoping the contractions would stop and I could get back to sleep. That was one nice thing I thought about having a scheduled c/s was being all nice and rested when you go in! Well after a couple of hours, I decided that maybe I should call the hospital since the ctx were just getting stronger. Of course they tell me I have to come in! For some reason I was thinking that maybe they wouldn’t..

I had to call my mom to come over and watch the boys. She of course had stayed up late too thinking she could sleep in in the morning. Then I went and woke up DH and told him we had to go to the hospital. He said, “Why?” I told him I was in labor! I took a quick shower, which felt nice, got dressed and by then my mom was there and we were off!

When we got there I had to be put on the monitors and was given some pain meds and terb to slow down the labor. It didn’t help much so the OB came in and off we went to the OR. She got stuck in traffic, so it was a little later than they had wanted, but we were fine. It was really strange having a c/s being as lucid as I was. With the boys I had been in labor so long, I was really out of it. They did all their stuff and got me ready to go and before I knew it they had already started. Baby Girl was born at 9:09am and was 9lb 7.5oz and 19.75in. and just perfect. I was so glad that in the end she really was meant to come on her birthday and her name suited her perfectly.

Baby Girl was born a week ago today and things are going pretty well! The boys love her, although their biggest complaint is that she sleeps too much! She has really just fit into our family like she was supposed to be here all along. It truly is amazing.

Take advantage of it while you still can! We will extend free shipping for all orders over $50 until August 1, 2008.

Only 2 days now until baby girl arrives! The boys are really excited, well mostly just my 4 year old. I don’t think the 2 year old know what he is in for!

The next couple of days I forsee being incredibly hectic trying to get all those last minute things done. Today started out lovely. I heard my 4 year old yelling/crying for someone to come get him, at 5:30am. When I get to his room I discover he is throwing up all over his bed. Not exactly what I had in mind! Luckily he is feeling fine now….

I am also getting some new products ready to add to our Summer Sale and gearing up for the next giveaway in August!!

Go ahead, just try telling me you aren’t excited about this giveaway! One lucky reader will win a pair of their favorite pair of Robeez of our in stock styles. Click here to see all of the available styles for girls and boys!

Robeez are soft sole shoes are perfect for baby’s first shoes. Recommended by podiatrists and pediatricians as the next best thing to bare feet for learning to walk. They are great at keeping on socks and providing extra protection for baby’s feet while allowing for healthy foot development.

How to Enter:

1. Check out all of our Robeez and leave a comment sharing your favorite style. One comment per person.
2. Earn an extra entry by making any purchase from Clementine NW.
3. Earn an extra entry by blogging about this giveaway with a link back to this post and leaving a link to your blog in your comment.

Who Can Enter:

Any resident of the United States over the age of 18, except for anyone responsible for this blog and giveaway (me).

Additional Rules:

1. Contest begins now and ends at 11:59pm PST on July 31, 2008.
2. You must supply a valid e-mail address.
3. If the winner does not respond with mailing information within 5 days an alternate winner will be chosen.
4. Winner will be chosen at random and notified on August 1, 2008.
5. Your privacy is very important to us. Your e-mail address will never be used in any way except to be notified if you are the winner!

Good luck to you all! I can’t wait to see what styles are the most popular!

This giveaway is now closed…

And the winner is  Teri Meairs! Congrats to Teri!