Birth Club

When Lauren was still an infant, I'll be honest. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. She was a happy baby, don't get me wrong, but would only nap for 45 minutes at a stretch, was up for the day between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. even at 4 months, and had digestive issues.

In desperation, I began reading books, including one called The BabyWhisperer Solves All Your Problems. It had good advice on maintaining a routine and addressing sleep issues (which did not include crying it out, which we just couldn't do). It also, however, directed me to a website where an entire online community of moms existed who followed the BabyWhisperer techniques and were there to answer questions for every conceivable issue you could think of.

The website also had chat boards for moms whose babies were all born within a 2-month span. I joined the March/April 2006 board, not really knowing what to expect.

All I can say is, what a blessing these women have been. There were approximately 15 of us who were active on that board from all over the world, including Canada, Poland, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Russia, England, Scotland, and others (not to mention the good ol' USA). Through daily emails, we listened to problems we were having with our babies and offered advice based on our own experiences (several moms had been through the whole baby stage before). It may sound odd, but these women were such a source of comfort to me during Lauren's first year. While we had so many differences in our cultures and backgrounds (and ages - I am clearly the senior mama of the bunch), the universal truth is that we were all women who desperately loved our children and families and were striving to find balance between our roles as mothers, wives and women. In short, we were so much more alike than different.

After we overextended our stay on the BabyWhisperer website, a couple of years later we created our own separate chat board and the discussions extended beyond our kids into all areas of our lives. Every year we draw names to do birthday gift exchanges for the kids and every holiday season, the mamas draw names to send personalized budget-consious gifts to each other.

These are my girlfriends, plain and simple.

I had my first birth club meet-up when the kids were 3. Jodi, the only other California-based mom, came over for dinner with her husband Jason and kids Carter and Everett (she's since added 3 more to the brood!!). It was so much fun to be able to connect in real life.

Our group schemed of ways to get us together (we even considered writing to Oprah to plead for her to have us on her show!), and about 2 years ago, the idea was hatched to attempt a Disneyland based vacation for however many families could make it. Unfortunately, it wasn't feasible for the overseas mamas, but several of the Canadian ladies really committed to it.

Lo and behold, two weekends ago, we finally met them.

Beginning the night of Lauren's performance awards, Sami and Keri left their hubbies and kids back at their Disneyland-close rental, and came over for drinks, dessert and some girl talk.

Lauren was beyond thrilled to stay up late in her jammies to meet them.



As was I.



Bright and early the next morning, Lauren and I headed to their rental house for breakfast before trekking over to California Adventure with their families.

Sami's daughter Avery and Keri's son Jonah are Lauren's age (they each also have younger sons). Within 5 minutes of arrival, Lauren and Avery disappeared into the kids' bedroom to play dress-up. I searched them out a bit later and happened upon this scene.



The wicked witch had eaten a poison apple and Cinderella was trying to wake her from her sleep.

Followed by a game of air hockey later with Avery's little brother Alex.



The gang then loaded up for the 20-minute trek to the Disneyland tram.



Yes, Lauren and Avery are holding hands. Unprompted, their palms slipped easily into each others', as if they had been bffs for ages.



On the tram to the park, they intently studied each other, as if to size each other up before coming to the realization that "Ya, you're ok."



Once inside California Adventure, we made a beeline for A Bug's Land (pun intended).



And the world's slowest bumper cars.





Where Keri and Sami only had eyes (and camera lenses) for each other.





The fun continued for a couple of hours until Lauren and I had to say goodbye so I could pack and get ready for my trip to the arctic tundra.



I went with Avery on a ride Lauren was too afraid to try.



After seeing how much fun we were having ........



Bravery prevailed and she gave it a go.





We had an incredible time and I feel confident it won't be almost 6 years before we see each other again.

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Five days later (after I had defrosted from my trip), we spent a gorgeous Friday afternoon with another birth club family in town from Canada for a Disney adventure (Sonja, her husband Richard, and kids AJ and Dexter).

We started with a lunch of corned beef and soup at our local Jewish deli, Benjie's.



Then returned to the house where the kids could play and we could relax.

The kids engaged in simple fun.

Like blowing bubbles.



Chasing balls.



And launching air rockets.



Smiles prevailed.



Well, except for the tears briefly exhibited by these two (in unrelated episodes).





Which were quickly wiped and kissed away. Before you could blink, they were back to their happy-go-lucky selves.



Thank you, Sonja and Richard (and your adorable boys), for hanging out with us.





Meeting so many of my birth club families in the same week was a surreal, but incredible, experience. And it's not over! Next weekend the final family (from Washington state) will be staying with us during their California visit. Can't wait.

Now we really need to step up our campaign to Oprah (or perhaps, Ellen, now that Oprah has moved on to greener pastures) so we can get all of us moms and kids together at the same time. Now that would be a trip.