Frogster Chronicles

Drip, drip, drip… Strange. I'm a bit too far from the sea. The waves can't be sprinkling me from there. Yet there is definitely something wet. Mystery. Maybe she peed on me. Maybe she is peeing on me. Ah well—natural refreshment. It’s a warm day, the warmest I’ve experienced in a long while. The sun is gently burning the skin through the light shadow cast by the nearby palm. On a day like this, I could use some refreshment. For Spain, this counts as a partially cloudy day. There was one partial cloud, like a grain drainer—one of the big ones that would let large white beans slip through. But even that cloud has disappeared. Only a light wind passes through now, spreading the warmth evenly. Bon is sleeping. She recently fed from the right booby while in her carrier. First time she’s eaten from her “seat.” That’s not allowed, if you ask a specialist. So don’t do what I do unless you’re comfortable with it. I just found it much more practical to put her on the booby while...

Happy Cow, Happy Baby Have you ever been asked the question: “Why are you breastfeeding, don’t you feel like a cow?” I was asked. It was a strange question as I never considered it to be a cow-like thing. Now I have considered it, I have embraced the joke. And have embarked on a discovery of its source. Why not? What is wrong with cows? They can manage the breastfeeding of four babies at a time. And have four stomachs to support that. Quite cool. Also natural. We can learn a lot from animals on how to be one—how to function as humans with our basic instincts. Sometimes it feels like we have forgotten that. Okay, I hate talking in terms of “we.” Sometimes I realize I have forgotten my instincts. And being a mom has reignited my desires to remember them. It has also given me the faith that I am capable of doing so. Rediscovering Instincts When babies are born, they operate purely on instincts. Eventually, they develop skills and forget some of those instincts. It’s a pi...

The fourth month… after the birth is a tricky one. The “fourth trimester” is over. The baby is bigger now. Smiley. Probably deliciously chubby. The constant adrenaline rush to keep them alive is fading. Still there in reserve, if you need it — but no longer flooding every vein. The maternal body is negotiating with itself. Which hormones to keep. Which to let go. The mix isn’t always perfect. Emotions come in waves, often stronger than the reason behind them. Nights can feel hopeless. Mornings, strangely optimistic. The ordinary becomes irritating. The harmless becomes maddening. 0–100 in seconds — faster than a Tesla. This month, mama needs mountains of support and oceans of comfort. And understanding, even when it’s hard to agree with her. The hair — the glorious, pregnancy-grown-thick hair — begins to fall. Sometimes in alarming handfuls. Mama wonders if she’ll lose it all. Remember: 0–100… instantly. The skin loses its baby-smooth glow. Bones a...

  Because the frog is there—at the edge of water, at the edge of life. From Egyptian goddess midwives to Indigenous birthing songs, frogs carry the stories of birth, change, and becoming. This blog follows their path, leaping through cultures, myths, and the quiet power of beginnings. Welcome to the Frogster Chronicles. 🐸 Frogs Across Cultures: A Global Symbol of Birth & Transformation 🌍 Ancient Egypt Heqet , the frog-headed goddess, was the divine midwife. She symbolized breath, life, and safe delivery. Amulets bearing her image were worn by pregnant women and placed in birth rooms. 🌧️ Maya Civilization (Mesoamerica) Frogs were tied to rain, growth, and fertility. Their croaks heralded renewal and the agricultural cycle—essential to both land and womb. They appeared in myths as beings that helped create and sustain life. 🌿 West African Traditions Frogs symbolize cleansing, transition, and readiness. They are honored in rituals that call...

The Secret Behind Our Happy Baby: A Peek Into Parenting People often say, "You have such a happy baby!" But no one’s ever asked why ... until now. So, I’m embarking on a journey to explore the factors that contribute to our little one’s happiness. And, who knows, maybe it will inspire some of you along the way! But a quick disclaimer: If you're easily offended, have strong opinions that can't be swayed, or consider yourself particularly sensitive, this might not be the read for you. We’ll dive into some real topics here: pregnancy, childbirth, pooping, and everything in between—all without shame. What to Expect: Real Talk: Pregnancy, childbirth, and the messy side of parenting. Research + Wisdom: Backed by science (where possible), but also word-of-mouth knowledge and cultural insights. No Judgment: We all know that every parent has their own way of raising a child. This is just one perspective. So, whether you read for fun or to pick up ...

Take Your Time: The Power of Slowing Down "Take your time" – we hear this so rarely nowadays. Other words like stress resistance, fast pace, and efficiency dominate in the modern world. But do they actually make us more efficient? I am writing this while sitting on a toilet, pooping for the first time after giving birth approximately 1.5 days ago. I was told that it could take up to 6 days to start pooping again, so I was prepared to wait. But the magical words, "Take your time," can be a game changer. Our Kraamzorg (a professional who supports new mothers in the Netherlands) told me these just before I came to the restroom. In the other room, she is helping us take care of our baby, who is due to feed in 4 minutes. So, in those 4 minutes, I am finally starting my first chronicles — something I’ve intended to begin in the past 15 or more years. The three simple words "Take your time" seem to be much more "efficient" than years of planning, to-do ...