maternity • babies • kids

1/30/08

Dear Amy, Holly and Carol:

This is long overdue, but I just wanted to write and let you know how much I appreciate all of you at Papoose and the all of the wonderful products, programs, and support you offer. When I found out about Papoose, I was so excited and have really enjoyed taking advantage of having you guys in town (as you know)!

My very first experience with any of you was long before Papoose was born; it was 6 1/2 years ago when my first daughter, Abby, was born. Carol came into my room at Backus to offer breastfeeding support and also introduced me to the wonderful world of slings (I blame-or should I say “credit”- her for my addiction. I now have 4 different kinds).

3 1/2 years later, Sadie was born, and once again I utilized Carol’s support. This time, nursing wasn’t coming as naturally and I was on the verge of giving up. Then I remembered how Carol had come to see us in the past so I called her. She had me come to Holly’s house, where she was babysitting, and spent an hour with me helping me perfect Sadie’s latch. I had been so sad to think I wasn’t going to be able to nurse her, but Carol took time out of her day and invited me into her family’s space to help me. I never had another toe-curling nursing experience again and enjoyed every minute of the 7 months I spent nursing Sadie. I’m now on my third and final baby, Max, who is a champion eater. In the beginning, as I was teaching him to latch on, I used many of Carol’s tips. I have also used what she taught me to help friends of mine, and have recommended that they see her as well, and now Holly, too.

I first learned about Papoose towards the end of my pregnancy with Max. Having had a bit of a troubling delivery when I had Sadie, I was getting nervous about the same thing happening with Max. One day I remembered hearing about Hypnobirthing and decided to do some research online. I came across some information about the Mongan Method and when I realized it was something that would best be learned with an actual class, I felt disheartened. I remember thinking, “Yeah right, I will never find anything like that around here…” but Papoose came up when I did an internet search for classes and the rest is history! What a great place I discovered! I could learn about Hypnobirthing and buy cool stuff at the same time!

Craig and I signed up for Hypnobirthing with Holly, and Max’s birth was the best experience- dare I say “fun” even? Even though special circumstances led to an induction, which made it difficult to have an “ideal” hypnobirth, we used everything Holly had taught us and I firmly believe that it was what made the whole thing so wonderful. I was so relaxed, Craig was fully comfortable in his role as my support, and Max came into the world peacefully and content. I was so happy with Hypnobirthing I made sure to tell my friends about it, and several of them have decided to read the book in preparation as they begin thinking about starting families.

Our next adventure with Papoose was “1-2-3 Magic” with Amy. We decided to take the class so we could learn different approaches when dealing with some of the challenging behaviors we faced at home. It only took a little practice and we all had it down pat. That’s not to say we have 2 perfect angels in our house now (or that we will have 3 when Max learns to talk!), but they know exactly what to expect when behavior becomes an issue, they fully accept it, and they usually reign themselves in as soon as we say “That’s one”. In addition to learning how to stop the negative behaviors, we learned new approaches to encouraging cooperative behavior. This has been fun for all of us- everyone wins in the end, and it is only on a very rare occasion that we need to raise our voices. I would recommend to every parent (and teacher) that they take this class, even if they aren’t having specific “problems”. Everyone can benefit from the message in some way, and I knew we love the way it has decreased stress and added enjoyment to our household.

The latest program we have participated in is the “Growing Artists” class. Sadie, though quiet and serious while working on her masterpieces, adored coming to class and seeing Miss Amy. She was always eager to get to art class on Mondays, and we look forward to doing it again with her in the spring, and with Max when he is old enough.

We are also now official “cloth diaperers”, and I wish we had done it with all three kids. Many people in our family were skeptical and even tried to dissuade me when I talked about making the switch from disposables. Craig was not what you would call excited about it, either. But all of that changed once our order was in and everyone saw how easy it really is. I love that it’s so much better for the environment, and for Max’s little tush. I find that he stays drier and I feel better knowing there are no chemicals shifting form and touching his skin. Sure, it’s a bit of an investment at first, but it’s a great one and in the long run, better for the wallet! Not a bad thing at all…and I have to say that an unexpected benefit of all of this is that I am MUCH better about staying on top of the laundry now.

Our next conquests will involve making the change to cloth wipes and making our own baby food. I am also looking forward to taking “Mommy and Me Yoga” with Max.

How great is it that all of these exciting programs, products and support were available to us in one place? This doesn’t even take into account the playgroups, which we have done once or twice and will do more in the future, the clothes and shoes, nursing products, and toys, music and gifts we can come in and buy…and online now, too! I am thrilled to have Papoose around, and know many others feel the same way. Thank you all for everything you do, and congratulations on your upcoming first anniversary; I am looking forward to being a customer for years to come!

Sincerely,

Sarah Edmond and family