In the Chinese tradition, the days before the New Year is when everyone pitches in to help thoroughly clean the home.

For weeks now, I’ve been uninspired by our playroom. The endless number of stains on the carpet were getting worse, as were the watercolor and glue stains on the shelves. We’ve had the same pictures on the wall for a year. And it’s been at least six months since I last wiped the windows.  It was time to rally the troops and do something about it! 

Brooke (3 years, 0 months) helps Dad roll up the old carpet. Time to replace it with the clean carpet in the garage. 

M cleans the chalkboard with water and a rag

B sprays and wipes down the marker and glitter stains on the table

Toys in the garage needed some cleaning, too. B scrubs…

and M wipes. A bucket of soapy water, a hand brush and some rags (pictured) were all they needed.

Voila! Our newly-inspired playroom. Of course I took this picture while the children were out – and tidied up beforehand. The toys on the shelf were mostly chosen by the girls. The ones they don’t want to play with anymore are stored in the garage. 

Thanks to my husband, our shelves were re-sanded and stain-free. The pictures on the wall are old calendar pictures I’ve reframed, but they feel new!

The day after we put in the new carpet, M noticed a speck on the carpet, pointed it out and then went to get the vacuum. It’s inevitable that carpets, chalkboards, shelves, trays, etc will get dirty. Children are children, after all. They can help maintain it, but when it reaches the point where it just can’t be cleaned anymore, replace it. It will bring fresh, vibrant energy into the home and everyone takes better care of things that are clean and new.

Happy New Year, everyone! May your 2014 be filled with Beauty, Happiness and Inspiration!

A new client of mine** adopted a set of newborn twins. Born at 33 weeks, these babies are ready to leave the hospital after a 3-week stay in NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit). Their feeding tubes have been removed. They are breathing and eating well on their own. But even more importantly, when you look into their eyes, they are awake, alive and eager to interact. 

These twins were separated shortly after birth. Twin A stayed at the same hospital. Twin B needed urgent care and was moved to a bigger hospital. Twins need each other as much as they need their mothers. Since their mothers were giving them up for adoption, these twins needed to be together. I knew the situation was urgent due to the neurological, emotional and psychological implications of the matter. As soon as my client signed the legal papers, I coached him to speak to the hospital staff, as well as to the baby. Everyone worked together intensely and prayed. Two days later, Baby B got moved back and the twins were reunited.

Then the real work began. Our texts, phone calls and emails included the most important things to buy for the babies at this stage and the next month. Make sure the onesie opens in the front, not over the head. I coached them on what to look for in a baby carrier, helping them weigh the pros and cons. I coached them on how to care for the baby, like bathing. Make sure the baby has enough water underneath them so they can float. Apparently the nurses were amazed to see what their babies were doing in the water. I coached them to keep those babies together as often as possible. The more skin-on-skin time, the better.  I also coached them on activities to do with the babies, from talking, singing, reading and more. And I prepared them for the next stage: what to do once they get home and how to support their developments of the upcoming months. 

Doctors can help you make sure your babies are growing well. But to thrive, babies need much more than that. Whether they are premature or not, they need the most exquisite care during the first 8 weeks. Because they don’t yet have words, their feelings about the world becomes imprinted in their body, heart and soul. We adults can compartmentalize or rationalize experiences, but babies cannot. Good experiences or bad experiences become part of their norm and their impression of how life is. And they carry those impression forever. That’s why it’s critical to help your newborn begin their journey on this earth with pleasure, security and trust. 

These parents were amazing. They were open. They did everything – and more. With every new picture, I saw those babies waking up and becoming more alive. Pictures speak a thousand words: those newborns were thriving. 

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Every mother needs a coach to help you navigate these critical times. Give yourself (or someone you know and love) the gift of a one-month Private Consultation this holiday season and get 2 free weeks! Read this and then email me to schedule your 20-minute complimentary introduction call: stephanie@stephaniewoo.com

**Story and picture shared with permission