Mommy Dearest

Most of the links I've listed in my links section to the right are local organizations with kid-oriented programs or events. Some of them, however, are other mommy blogs, from which I have drawn inspiration. These are fun to read during that one or two moments during the day when my son actually allows me to sneak on the computer. I am at least of the impression that most mothers typically get to do things when their children sleep. Well Mr. Big has always done everything in spades BUT sleep. We were puzzled by how little he seemed to sleep as a baby, based on the pre-conceived image in our minds of the peacefully sleeping baby. I'm told this is a sign of intelligence, but it is also a sign of insomnia, which his father has big time. Lately Mr. Big has been refusing to nap and becomes absolutely manic and overzealous toward the later part of the afternoon. Clearly he still needs the nap, yet he won't nap. The upside to this, is that he goes down earlier than his usual 10 or 11 p.m. bedtime, which has been enabling me to get this blog up and running. So as with many aspects of motherhood, I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry about our current sleep schedule.

So while I am still awake, I am announcing my mommy blogs of the day, which are something shallow, something deep and something local:

http://www.celebrity-babies.com This site is pretty darn decadent, but it's always a boost to see that your own kid is better looking than some celebrity's kid. Have you SEEN the Charlie Sheen kids? Recently there was a photo of Cindy Crawford's cellulite and they have lots of baby product giveaways. I'll admit to being addicted to logging on to this site for the latest on whose pregnant and what sling Brad Pitt will be using to carry Shiloh. I am usually fairly anti-celebrity, so I'm thinking that those of you who are into People Magazine will really enjoy this blog.

http://www.momsrising.org A site dedicated to improving the plight of mothers everywhere. Also has ideas for starting up local clubs. Nudge, nudge.

http://www.inlandempress.com blog run by a Claremont mother of two munchkins. I met her oh so briefly once at a Jewish festival where we were introduced by a mutual friend (and twin mom). The site is funny and irreverent about living in the I.E. It includes a link to her other blog, Book Buds, where the Inland Empress reviews new children's books.

Computer things for kids to do while kicking it at home in Pomona: log on a free educational game site. My personal favorite is a french one called Poisson Rouge, although Big prefers the less arty Sesame Street Workshop. Do a google search for both of these, as for some reason the link won't work.

The "Pomona Problem"

According to Wilkpedia, in 2005 the population of Pomona was 160,815. We measure 22.8 square miles, making us the fifth largest city in L.A. County. Funny we don't seem all that big to me. We're the birthplace of musician Tom Waits and steriod-friendly jock Mark McGuire. Jessica Alba is a Pomona home girl, and Eldrige Cleaver spent the last year, and day, of his life here. I think the greater world is of the opinion that a lot of people have spent their last day here, with most lives coming to a violent end.

When I look around Pomona, I don't see where it is all THAT bad. I'm sure there are a few pockets (along Holt Street). I do believe the days of senseless violence are behind us. Of course it does not help when a mother puts her toddler in a washing machine at our local Spin Cycle, or when a random shooting of a CHP officer occurs outside our courthouse. Seems there's no shortage of senseless violence stories to put Pomona's dark side on the world's radar. But the day to day feeling on the street can best be described as small town urban if you ask me.

Sometimes there's an upside to being an overlooked city. Because Pomona hasn't been overdeveloped, many of Pomona's old buildings and facades are still here. The City of Pomona has been on the ball about declaring several historic districts, which preserves some pretty unique and beautiful housing stock. Even where homes are not necessarily well-tended in the historic areas, there are diamond in the roughs just waiting for someone to restore them to their former beauty. And I believe someone eventually will.

So the good news is that lots of what makes Pomona unique will be saved, unlike other areas that become redundant with the usual suspect of stores and a "this could be anywhere" lack of a sense of place. Who wants Ontario Mills when you have old town Pasadena. Pomona has potential. Pomona has personality.