Rookie Moms

Today’s challenge: Find a park you’ve never been to that has baby swings.

If you live in Berkeley, Terrace Park is a cute little park you might not know about.

Look at this woman. Where is her pump? Do you look like her when you express milk for your baby? If so, please explain yourself.

One night this week, we sat in a cafe with two other moms and started comparing notes about where we pump at work and where we have pumped. Here in California, our employers are legally obligated to provide us with a room that locks and has a plug AND is not a bathroom. I am grateful. I realize many of you are not so lucky.

We got the idea that we should collect pictures of these environments so that we can honor the organizations that do it right and mock those that do not. Please photograph your pumping place and post it to our Flickr pool.

Do you have a pumping story that is tragic or funny? Share it here. And tomorrow, take your camera to work.

Holden and I tackled the old-timey carousel in Martha’s Vineyard this summer, and he was horrified for the most part. It was a super sweaty experience (heat wave!), too noisy and, to be fair, I had not properly prepped him on what to expect.

For my local readers, there’s a merry-go-round at Tilden Park that’s supposed to be great. The merry-go-round is big, slow, and pretty, having been lovingly restored. There’s another historic carousel that’s part of the Zeum in San Francisco and it’s indoors– a good winter outing.

Your challenge is to find a local (US-only, sorry!) carousel at the National Carousel Association website and bring your tot for a wild ride. Regardless of whether it’s actually fun for either of you, make sure to take pictures!

And can anybody tell me what’s the difference between merry-go-round and carousel anyway?

Jodie from the adorable new online magazine for mamas, Sunshine Peach, sent us a week of fun times in her city of Pittsburgh, PA. We love the idea of enjoying tourist activities in your own city. Thanks, Jodie!

Monday - Ride the Incline and overlook the city
Kick off your week by getting to know the city from a different perspective. Your little one will enjoy the ride on the Monongahela Incline from the Station Square shopping complex to the top of Mount Washington. This old cable car will slowly, slowly, slowly make its way up over the city while offering great views. Once you get to the top head to one of the observation decks or stroll along Grandview Avenue where you will be able to see Heinz Field, PNC Park, Downtown Pittsburgh and The Three Rivers Point (where they all meet). This is an excellent place for pictures.

5:30am to 12:45am Mon-Sat and 8:45am to Midnight on Sundays, $1.75 Adults, $0.85 Children 6-11, Free under six

Tuesday - Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a great place for all ages. Each exhibit has something to play with for all ages, including babies.

10am to 5pm Mon-Sat and Noon to 5pm on Sunday. $9 Adults, $8 Children (2-18), Free under 2

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