About the Back Labor Blog
Forty Weeks Founder Julia Beck takes you behind the velvet ropes in the brave new world of Bump and Baby. Pregnancy trends, media coverage of parenting, research and recent findings, celebrity pregnancy and baby, the business that keeps it all in motion are among the topics that Julia covers in her signature candid and open style.
I have no idea what Webster's says about it - but Julia says: Back Labor is the ultimate pain on the way to the most delicious reward! Back labor hurts like a bitch, but it's all worth it in the end. And that about sums up our "lives behind the velvet ropes" here at Forty Weeks. We invite you into our Labor Room - via the Forty Weeks' Back Labor Blog. Read about how we do what we do, and follow along our labor of love that really pays off for our clients, and hear a little about the juicy behind-the-scenes bits, too!
And Forty Weeks wouldn't be who we are without the people - our dedicated crew and the BFFs of Forty Weeks and, of course - you too! We love to hear your comments, so please join in the conversation.
- August 31st, 2010 by julia
August 31 — the day I became a mother and the day I fell head over heals for a little girl who continues to amaze and inspire me each and every day. Lila my love — you are a wonder, and all who know you would agree! They would also agree that you have a sweet tooth that has no equal (and the ability to bake yourself silly!!!). So on the occasion of your 12th birthday- here is a walk down memory lane: your first taste of cake and milk.
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- August 31st, 2010 by editor
Want to know another way in which you can find Julia? Foursquare is your best bet. Our very own Julia was featured in an article in the latest issue of Bethesda Magazine, all because of an ongoing mayorship battle of a local coffee shop. Check it out! Just don’t try to steal her mayorship…. -Liz
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- August 15th, 2010 by julia
There is truly no place like home - even Casa Loco. And today – mine is filled with all four kids (and don’t get me started on Matthew leaving for college on Friday and how this looms – one part excitement, one part disbelief and one part pure sadness) Rosie the Dog and Bob (until he got up and out to make hay or some such thing). So yes, home – as the the Talking Heads said (in one of my sister Susan Beck Zaslow’s favorite songs from when we were young and her hair was as cool and asymmetrical as it could be):
Home – is where I want to be
But I guess I’m already there
I come home – she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can’t tell one from another
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time Before we were born
If someone asks, this is where I’ll be . . . where I’ll be
And so it is true – even the hardest moments grow us, mold us, and in the case of our family: blend us. This year was bumpy. The word neuro (as in neuorlogical evaluation, neuropsych testing and neurological condition) came up way to often. This year was also remarkable in terms of milestones (graduations, leading roles, award-winning prose, etc.) Some victories, some defeats but really so much love. If the measure of our success as a family is laughter we have it and then some – enough to spare and to send each one of us with a sack full of it each and every day.
On Shabbat - I caught Matthew registering that this was his last Friday evening at home. And so, with my hand on his shoulder (and my eyes full of tears) I told him this was his to take with him. Then, (because I am really annoying) I asked each member of the family to share a pearl of wisdom with Matthew – something for him to take on his way. Mine was that he not pretend or assume to know the answers but rather remain open to learning as he goes. I am sure this one will not get unpacked for a few years to come. But he has it.
And here I am – in the nerve center of Casa Loco – sipping my coffee and making sense of some things. My house is full this Sunday morning though it will not be this way again. Matthew will be coming home – sure but not living here. And our blending dynamic will change once again.
I don’t know if I will ever really understand the way things work. Our bumpy journeys or our high moments. Our victories or losses or where the two intersect. I do know that this is a lucky life — and clearly, this must be the place.
Rebecca, Matthew, Samuel and Lila - Dec 2009
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- August 8th, 2010 by julia
Well this wonderful trip is about to come to an end…I promise great tales and pictures too. In the meantime, here is some Paris to warm your Sunday!
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- August 5th, 2010 by julia
Hey all, it’s Liz Again. Lots of baby announcements here this week at Forty Weeks.
You may remember Jenni Hogan as the super cute and pregnant Aussie from Kiro TV that Julia helped style. Well, baby Siena has arrived!
While Julia cannot take any credit for the gorgeous baby, we would like to formally introduce you to her.
Welcome to the world Siena Hogan!
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- August 3rd, 2010 by editor
While Julia is escaping the heat waves, power outages, thunder storms and earthquakes of the east coast to sip champagne and sample various cheeses in France with the adorable Bob; Jules, Gina and I (Liz the Intern) will be holding up the fort and updating the blog.
If you’re thinking of going on your own vacation, you should definitely pack the ridiculously cute (and sexy) Bravado Boy Shorts that were featured in July’s issues of Pregnancy & Newborn.
www.BravadoDesigns.com
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- August 2nd, 2010 by julia
Hey All, Liz Here. Julia is making her way from Paris to Provence while Jules labors away (literally) and I am left here to share the news of day!
Baby Boy Galpin is here! Jules sent me some photos this morning, so check them out. Mother and baby are doing well. More details to come soon.
Not only did we welcome Baby Boy Galpin this morning, but the Washington Post featured an article about the spike of baby’s expected to be born in the next month or two, exactly 9 months after the December and February blizzards. I guess it really is a Blizzard of Babies this August.
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- July 25th, 2010 by julia
I am the direct descendant of a Mad Man; Mad Men, actually. I spent my childhood surrounded by all the trappings of that most remarkable heyday – or really the remains of the day. The family continues to thrive in the post-mad men, super-digital, Wild West era. My grandfather’s raging creativity and risk taking in the late 1940s and 1950s set the stage for generations of us making a living in the luckiest and sometimes riskiest of ways – surrounded by remarkable people who, like us fed on good ideas and were always on the hunt and at the ready for the next thing. We were blessed with an amazing history, back-story and powerful genes. And the lot of us have all found our way into the most remarkable places. Mine is here at the helm of Forty Weeks. I’d like to think that my unearthing and nurturing of a new niche would be just the thing that would float my Grandfather’s boat – and I am sure he would be proud.
Watching Mad Men, for me has been strangely bittersweet. On one hand, it feels familiar and inviting. I am captivated as the faded family photographs come to life. And why not? I have paid close attention to and savored this new glimpse into the era (I feel like my little kid self – looking down the stairs from the second floor landing) – the design, the music and the mood of the day are all a treat for the senses. The clothes, the cars the parties are all so familiar. Even the office furniture rings real. There are the offices, the homes and the clubs (and if you are wondering about those clubs and other institutions of the day, we were terribly assimilated and that is how that worked). It is a time I had glamorized in my mind. There is little doubt that I have let the cream rise to the top and had all but ignored what I must have already known. The rise of advertising, and the culture that it propagated was a white boys club. This was the cultural norm, this was everywhere and this was the social standard. And is our collective history – not just mine but ours. And while I knew (yes I had information about where women and minorities did and did not fit in) I know it never really connected it to my personal history. And certainly, I never really allowed it to permeate my view of the day.
Along comes Mad Men. And with the new, rekindled romance of the times comes a new found take on the reality of so much of what was wrong about it. Mad Men has forced me to reconsider the role of women in my family and in our business. And to, finally process the whole of it – not just the sweet and shiny parts. And so, I will do just that. Somehow, come to terms with the glory and the shame of this era, my personal history and then tuck them away somewhere safe. Mainly because I have miles to go before I sleep and the legacy of all who came before me urging me on to the next creative challenge…not to make it right but simply because I can.
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- July 14th, 2010 by julia
Samuel reminded me he did not get much birthday love on the blog. For you Sam, I will go the wordless route one more time…
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- July 13th, 2010 by julia
I know you know the name “push present” does not sit well with me. And still, watching Jules work like a champ through this blistering hot summer while raising the three-year old terror (which he will not always be, but as of now- Jules and her husband Eddie are declining all dinner invitations that include young Matthew) and taking such super good care of me leaves me in awe. Jules remains sunny, focused and frankly as beautiful as can be. As such — I believe something sparkly is in order. I found just the thing – Dana Rebecca Anna Beth earrings in peridot (the birthstone of August, when baby boy Galpin is due to make his arrival), behold:
Anna Beth peridot earings by Dana Rebecca $1,485
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