Hooper to be?

There he is.  My little happy Bracken Bear.  Born March 10 2014, at 12:13 am.
He is the reason my life has changed so much, and for the better.  It is true, when you have a baby, especially being a mom, you really learn what it means to come 2nd. Or 3rd, or 4th...
Babies are A LOT of work. But it is also true that nothing is quite as fulfilling in life as having a child.
For all you men out there, make sure you support your woman with lots of love and encouragement during this time into new mamahood. And if your daughter, sister, friend or cousin-- any female you know, is becoming a first-time mama, give her some extra love and support somehow.  It's very easy to just expect mom's to be great and to be multi-taskers---because we are! But encouragement and support are so important during this time in a women's life. 
I now understand why they say it takes "a village" to raise a child.  It has been hard not having much family around during this new phase of life.  Caring for an infant can get very lonely at times…a simple thing like taking a trip to town or running errands can be a daunting task when you are running on 2 hours sleep,  can't seem to find any clothes that don't have "spit up" on them, and your baby is screaming because his top teeth are cutting thru.  Your life is now planned around your baby's nap schedules.  That can be a challenge in itself.  
  Becoming a new mother is a hard transition in the best of times.  Unconditional love and support in every area is what a new mom needs (and some extra rest, and help around the house!).   A newborn is usually up every 2 hours around the clock for the first month or so... sucking mom dry (if breast-fed) of energy.  I remember having cluster-feed evenings where Bracken and I would spend almost 5 hours straight on the couch. 10 minute breaks here and there, and then it was back to boob.  At times my body couldn't even keep up with his demand for milk.  I remember being so delusionally tired and just wishing I had someone to hand the baby over to for a few hours.  But babe needs mom most of the time, that's why it is important to have a good support network around you, so when you really need a break---someone's got your back.
The first few months were not how I pictured my life being with my new addition---I won't lie.  There was some hard times.  I will leave out the details of my personal life in this post, all I have to say is... if you wan't to be a new mom's hero,  bring her a meal, come clean her house, encourage her in being an amazing mother, and ALWAYS tell her how great she looks.   The body changes a lot, and it truly can be hard to feel sexy as a new mom.  So any small compliment truly does make a difference.
Well, with all this baby/mom talk, what about hula hoops? 
I must admit, with how crazy the last year and-a-half has been, I haven't had much time for hula hoops.  Or my yoga, or much of anything to do with ME.  Unless it has to do with Bracken of course.  I am saddened at how fast things are going, and how big he is getting already.  When I first held him in my arms, I had no idea how fast he would grow into the little adventurer that he has become.  He still can't walk on his own yet, but that day is just around the corner.  Then I will REALLY get some exercise.
I have been thinking about hoops, don't get me wrong.  And I have been trying to pick it up more often and get back into it.  I just have to get more disciplined at hooping instead of doing dishes or laundry, I guess.  A dishwasher would be nice.
I did actually perform at the Rossland Winter Carnival this past friday.  It had been 1.5 years since I had played with a fire hoop!  Craziness.  Felt a bit rusty, but it was so nice to just get out there and do my thing (very rare for me to be out in the evening at all these days, since little man's bed time is 730).
I've also started back at school very part-time.  I am planning to finish my Liberal Arts Diploma in Peace Studies by this coming December.  It is nice to get back into the academic world, even so slowly.  I feel my brain doing things I almost forgot it could do...
I'm excited to get back to work,  but I'm also wishing I had more time to just be a momma to my little guy.  I once read an article that said no breastfeeding mom ever looks forward to going back to work.  I have to kind of agree with that, although I don't think it is limited to breastfeeding mamas.  Taking care of a baby or toddler is full-time work.  So when you have to go back to your "job" it's like, oh boy back to work means doing 2 jobs!  Thank goodness I only have one child :)  I will continue to build a portfolio, both with hoops and with my camera, and I'm really looking forward to this spring/summer.. Much is on the horizon as far as attaining goals.  This year I would really like to focus on my performance game, invest in some new gear, and spend more time with people JUST HOOPING and YOGA-ing.   And drink tons of water.  I really need to remember that one. 
So here's to me, and my mama transformation... and to getting back in the hoop loop!
Peace, love and hoopiness,
Angelica.