Totally Ticks Me Off Tuesdays
Midwest Mommy hosts this weekly exchange. I totally wanted to join in! Sometimes it's so nice to see you're not the only one getting ticked off at this stuff!
One Uppers!
I know a few people, but one in particular, who no matter what you say he has something better or worse. If he asks how many pictures you've taken and you tell him, the response is "that's nothing, my sister has....". Or even, wow - this dish is spicy - is met with "That's not spicy. Mine is spicy." You think something your kid did was cute, well, his niece did it better, and at 5 months younger. You can never have a bad day, because his is worse, and you can never have a good day, because his is better. Makes me never want to open my mouth!
Now to see if I can get McLinky to work - it's my first try!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
How things evolve with a hungry baby
Something I didn't know going into motherhood:
The type of bib you need changes! Those cute little matching fabric bibs that go with the outfit - fabulous for a drooly baby or a bottlefed baby. Move forward to a solid food baby and they work okay, so long as you don't mind them getting all stained and you have a semi neat baby. Move forward to a toddler feeding themselves - it's a whole different ball game!
My biggest problem is eating out. When you don't have that try there to catch everything. So I went to Toys R Us and bought this huge bib that is essentially a smock. It's wipeable, so you don't have to worry about things absorbing and needing washing. It completely covers my daughters clothes, and has a pocket to catch whatever she drops. It totally rocks!
Now, people do laugh at me from time to time with how covered she is. But you know what? I don't care, because it keeps her neat!
The type of bib you need changes! Those cute little matching fabric bibs that go with the outfit - fabulous for a drooly baby or a bottlefed baby. Move forward to a solid food baby and they work okay, so long as you don't mind them getting all stained and you have a semi neat baby. Move forward to a toddler feeding themselves - it's a whole different ball game!
My biggest problem is eating out. When you don't have that try there to catch everything. So I went to Toys R Us and bought this huge bib that is essentially a smock. It's wipeable, so you don't have to worry about things absorbing and needing washing. It completely covers my daughters clothes, and has a pocket to catch whatever she drops. It totally rocks!
Now, people do laugh at me from time to time with how covered she is. But you know what? I don't care, because it keeps her neat!
I lose things
I lose things. It's sort of what I do. I have a real talent for it.
The safest way to ensure something gets lost, is to have me put it in "a safe place". I lose my checkbook for 3 years that way. At any given time there are half a dozen things that I can't find, because I put them someplace I wouldn't lose them.
So you can only imagine my concern right now. My daughter is a flower girl in my brother-in-laws wedding this weekend. My husband is the best man. I'm responsible for all the packing and clothing. Which means I'm responsible if anything gets lost. I'm trying really hard to keep all the important stuff together, but I'm really worried. Isn't it enough that her shoes don't fit - as of Friday! To mess up someone else's big day? I can't take that! I'll do anything I can to make it perfect for her. For my soon to be sister-in-law (I guess that's what we'll be, we married siblings).
All I can do is wait and see, and wonder what will be missing on the big day.
The safest way to ensure something gets lost, is to have me put it in "a safe place". I lose my checkbook for 3 years that way. At any given time there are half a dozen things that I can't find, because I put them someplace I wouldn't lose them.
So you can only imagine my concern right now. My daughter is a flower girl in my brother-in-laws wedding this weekend. My husband is the best man. I'm responsible for all the packing and clothing. Which means I'm responsible if anything gets lost. I'm trying really hard to keep all the important stuff together, but I'm really worried. Isn't it enough that her shoes don't fit - as of Friday! To mess up someone else's big day? I can't take that! I'll do anything I can to make it perfect for her. For my soon to be sister-in-law (I guess that's what we'll be, we married siblings).
All I can do is wait and see, and wonder what will be missing on the big day.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The best moments
A friend and I were discussing that her proudest moment of her daughter was not her rolling over, or her first steps, but the first time she listened to her mommy. In the same vein, while the big stuff is exciting, those aren't my favorite moments.
My favorite moments are the quiet ones.
Usually it's just Bubbles and me. Dad is out, and Bubbles is playing happily, but decides she wants to be near me. So she'll keep playing, but move so that she's touching me. Today she backed up until she could sit in my lap.
There is no photographic or video evidence, because no one else is here. But it's those moments that I know she loves me too. I appreciate every one of those snuggle moments, because with a toddler, they are few and far between. And I know, the older she gets, the less she will want to cuddle with her mom.
So the best moments, are right now.
My favorite moments are the quiet ones.
Usually it's just Bubbles and me. Dad is out, and Bubbles is playing happily, but decides she wants to be near me. So she'll keep playing, but move so that she's touching me. Today she backed up until she could sit in my lap.
There is no photographic or video evidence, because no one else is here. But it's those moments that I know she loves me too. I appreciate every one of those snuggle moments, because with a toddler, they are few and far between. And I know, the older she gets, the less she will want to cuddle with her mom.
So the best moments, are right now.
Friday, August 7, 2009
15 Months
My baby is 15 Months today.
It's so hard to believe.
2 years ago, we didn't have any idea how much our lives were about to change.
1 year ago, Bubbles was having a dedication ceremony, my Mother-in-Law's church's equivalent of a baptism for babies.
1 year ago, we were still worried about Bubbles' health, and going to the pediatrician for frequent weight checks.
Now, at 15 Months, Bubbles is closing in on 20 pounds. She's almost in to 12 month sized clothes. She walks, runs even, and while she doesn't really talk, she definitely understands.
Each month is a blessing. And on the 7th of each month, I commemorate her growth with a photo.
My baby is growing up, too fast.
It's so hard to believe.
2 years ago, we didn't have any idea how much our lives were about to change.
1 year ago, Bubbles was having a dedication ceremony, my Mother-in-Law's church's equivalent of a baptism for babies.
1 year ago, we were still worried about Bubbles' health, and going to the pediatrician for frequent weight checks.
Now, at 15 Months, Bubbles is closing in on 20 pounds. She's almost in to 12 month sized clothes. She walks, runs even, and while she doesn't really talk, she definitely understands.
Each month is a blessing. And on the 7th of each month, I commemorate her growth with a photo.
My baby is growing up, too fast.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Like the good ol times!
You know how you can tell a good friend? You haven't seen them in 7 years, and when you see one another there is no awkwardness, it's like you were never apart.
A friend from high school sent me a message via Facebook that she was in the state. The wonderful state of Maryland. This is important, because we both grew up in San Diego, CA. She lives in Northern CA now, and I'm on the east coast. So to be in the same state was an unusual occurrence. So, we cleared the schedule, and took my daughter to her brother-in-laws house to meet her and her daughter.
The house was packed with three 3-year olds, a four-year old, a 6-year old, and my little 1-year old. And corresponding adults. I was so proud of my baby. She was falling over (literally) tired, but never once did she get cranky. She was sweet and sociable, smiling and laughing, and playing with kids and adults alike.
And to see my long lost friend, was fantastic. There was a lot of catching up, a lot of realizing I didn't remember much about her given our 7 year friendship, but we've also changed a lot. I realized she didn't hate me, and wasn't mad at me over things I remember that she doesn't. The last time I saw her I was going through a really rough time, and I sort of missed her college graduation party. We never talked again. I had a good reason, for the missing part, not for the not calling. It no longer mattered. Not only did it feel good, but it gives me hope too.
A friend from high school sent me a message via Facebook that she was in the state. The wonderful state of Maryland. This is important, because we both grew up in San Diego, CA. She lives in Northern CA now, and I'm on the east coast. So to be in the same state was an unusual occurrence. So, we cleared the schedule, and took my daughter to her brother-in-laws house to meet her and her daughter.
The house was packed with three 3-year olds, a four-year old, a 6-year old, and my little 1-year old. And corresponding adults. I was so proud of my baby. She was falling over (literally) tired, but never once did she get cranky. She was sweet and sociable, smiling and laughing, and playing with kids and adults alike.
And to see my long lost friend, was fantastic. There was a lot of catching up, a lot of realizing I didn't remember much about her given our 7 year friendship, but we've also changed a lot. I realized she didn't hate me, and wasn't mad at me over things I remember that she doesn't. The last time I saw her I was going through a really rough time, and I sort of missed her college graduation party. We never talked again. I had a good reason, for the missing part, not for the not calling. It no longer mattered. Not only did it feel good, but it gives me hope too.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Routines
The say routines are good for babies. I think they are good for parents. Some days I just crave knowing that I'm going to have certain times to myself. Not because I don't love my little girl, but sometimes I just want "me time".
Growing up my Dad was really strict about routines. He didn't like unexpected plans. We had to tell him a week in advance, or we couldn't do whatever it is we were hankering to do. I'm a little more flexible, but that concept is ingrained in me. So my husband, who likes to make plans a few hours in advance, drives me crazy. Particularly because he makes the plans, but I'm the one who has to pack up the baby and anything else we need (like oh, by the way, we need to bring food tonight!). So I feel a little justified in wanting some prep time.
What amazes me is how easily Bubbles falls into routines. She knows when Daddy is supposed to get home. She knows that's when she usually gets to play outside. And she's ready, banging on the gate with her shoes, or, if we're already downstairs she'll go and sit in front of the stairs with a pair of shoes, trying to put them on.
Bubbles didn't start out well routined. We tried to create some, but particularly since she was breastfed - she ate when she was hungry and slept when she was tired. We tried to go with her flow, so things like growth spurts didn't put us in a frenzy. It's easier to do that kind of thing when you're home. I'm sure if she was in daycare she'd had a great schedule going.
So I wonder, when she grows up, will Bubbles be spontaneous like her dad. Or a planner like me?
Growing up my Dad was really strict about routines. He didn't like unexpected plans. We had to tell him a week in advance, or we couldn't do whatever it is we were hankering to do. I'm a little more flexible, but that concept is ingrained in me. So my husband, who likes to make plans a few hours in advance, drives me crazy. Particularly because he makes the plans, but I'm the one who has to pack up the baby and anything else we need (like oh, by the way, we need to bring food tonight!). So I feel a little justified in wanting some prep time.
What amazes me is how easily Bubbles falls into routines. She knows when Daddy is supposed to get home. She knows that's when she usually gets to play outside. And she's ready, banging on the gate with her shoes, or, if we're already downstairs she'll go and sit in front of the stairs with a pair of shoes, trying to put them on.
Bubbles didn't start out well routined. We tried to create some, but particularly since she was breastfed - she ate when she was hungry and slept when she was tired. We tried to go with her flow, so things like growth spurts didn't put us in a frenzy. It's easier to do that kind of thing when you're home. I'm sure if she was in daycare she'd had a great schedule going.
So I wonder, when she grows up, will Bubbles be spontaneous like her dad. Or a planner like me?
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