tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121984967302083532024-03-13T20:39:54.424-07:00Mom! Mama! Getting used to my new titleBlazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-53042324609955467782014-01-09T05:47:00.000-08:002014-01-09T05:48:51.024-08:00Parent Tested, Kid Approved<br />
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So, it appears that I am right on track! And actually, might be a few days early of my 6 month posting deadline! <br />
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I don't think this will be too long of a topic, but that's how it usually starts out. <br />
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Question: How should your children address their elders (and as much as this hurts, "elders" just happens to be your friend that you've known for an eternity). <br />
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Answer: (insert long uncomfortable pause)..... <br />
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There are many theories, or positions, that I've heard on this topic (hence why I am addressing it). Some of it I feel is based in cultural roots, some is based on tradition or what you grew up doing, and then some...well, there is just no rhyme or reason. <br />
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Let's get into specifics. I have a friend (several actually). Say I've known this friend for a very long time. Now I have a kid. My kid can talk. How should my kid address this friend? Let's use a "real" name to work through examples. Say my friends name is Patti.<br />
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A.) Miss Patti<br />
B.) Patti<br />
C.) Pay-e (cause we know kids are NOT the best at articulation)<br />
D.) Whatever Patti prefers for kids to call them<br />
E.) Mommy's friend<br />
F.) shouldn't really address mommy's friend because kids should not talk to adults<br />
G.) a name that is acceptable for use by children<br />
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I think for the majority of my "old-school" (and I mean that in a good way) friends, the appropriate answer is A. And I can see this; however I do have a few exceptions --- I find it a little more strange if say the friend was a male. Mr. "X" just sounds WAY more formal. Also, if Patti happens to be a teacher, I think it will make her cringe to hear another child refer to her by Miss. <br />
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So what I want to propose is that every person, above the age of 26, or at least those who have friends who have children need to come up with "G" - a name that is acceptable for use by children. That way it doesn't seem to be any level of disrespect to having a young person use your government name but at the same time, is appropriate when you are forming a relationship with this child that is "less" than formal. For example, I have a friend who goes by Wonnie (*this is not the actual name it has been changed to protect this individual, although it may or may not rhyme with Wonnie). I think that is a perfect kid approved name. <br />
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But.......maybe there needs to be 2 names. The name you want kids you LIKE to call you....and then for those you really aren't too interested in...well, then Miss "government name" is probably the best way for that kid to not get smacked. <br />
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HOLLA!Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-49866196145891096512013-06-14T07:32:00.001-07:002013-06-14T07:32:06.210-07:00It's True.... they weren't wrong.......<br />
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<span style="color: white;">First, obviously I did NOT stick to my posting every 4 months....cause I just noticed it has been 6 months!!! Let's not pretend that I have been busy doing super awesome and amazing things, cause really I haven't...just lazy, that's all. However, since my last post they have TOTALLY changed the way this blog thing looks, so if it looks like a hot mess, SORRRRYYYY I don't know what I'm doing! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The vast majority of my posts (hahahah, sounds so funny when I've only posted like 8 times) are about my experiences as a mom with Miyagi and maybe a little sprinkle of ABD (awesome baby daddy, for those who have forgotten) but today, I've been inspired to think about my role as Mrs. ABD aka Boo aka Wifey. In case there are people out there, who have happened upon my blog through the Google Tubes, which I doubt... yes, I am married. I understand how my use of Baby Daddy could lead you to think other things...shame on you for sterotyping! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Let's go back...... hop in your Delorian .... the time 1994, give or take a few years. I'd be...well, in junior high. I don't remember where I was or how the subject came up but all I remember is hearing the phrase "Most women end up marrying someone like their father".... EWWWWWWWWW GRROOOOSSSS! How awful does that sound to a junior high girl who is JUST starting to even think boys don't have cooties?! ( I say that for my dad, because I always thought boys were kinda cute, ha)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Now, I have a really great dad..don't get me wrong. But when I was younger, well, he did his job...he was my dad! He was tough. He protected me. He grounded me. He wasn't always nice. I didn't always get what I wanted. He wasn't my friend, he was my dad. And of course, I couldn't STAND him for all of those reasons. So, there was NO way I would ever marry someone like that man! (dad, if you are reading this...this is my 1994 self talking, not now)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Fast forward... meet the Jetsons! (no flying cars). The time 2006. I meet a boy, excuse me, I meet a man. He's aight (teheheh). He falls head over heels for me. Realizes he can't spend a moment without me. Wifes me (for those who don't understand that, it means he married me)... and here we are! --you're probably wondering where the F is this going. (longest post ever)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">One day I noticed a lot of things..... similarities between that man who lives with me and that man who raised me.</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: white;">They get to have ME in their lives</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They are athletic</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They are very social creatures - they like to go out with their friends and do things. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They think they are HILARIOUS</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They like to go on trips</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They are control freaks. When they go on trips, see previous bullet, they like to plan it out!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They are really good at planning trips. Their friends should be LUCKY they were born, cause their trips would SUCK without them</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">They take care of their homes and wifeys (wifies...eh, not sure) first!!!!</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: white;">That last bullet is the biggest deal. No matter how social they both are they always make sure that their wifeys are taken care of first! Time is spent with them (and the kids first). Some people (aka haters) seem to think that once you get boo'd up (this means once you get in a relationship) that things have to change. All your time should be spent at home. ARE YOU SERIOUS! I love that man, but I also love him when he is not all up in my SH!T! How else would I get my @ home WineFest and Lifetime movie nights in (or the rare times Mama wants to go out). There has to be balance. And that balance may be, ABD goes out after Mama is in bed, and that is just fine by me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I saw it growing up, so maybe this just makes sense to me.... so I guess the point is, finally...after all that hot mess up there...</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I MARRIED MY DAD! (not in some incestual freak way, like on Maury...) And I coudn't be happier that I found someone to take care of me, the way my dad took care of my mom!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">HOLLA! </span><br />
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Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-29208173355713539102013-01-11T07:40:00.000-08:002013-01-11T07:40:30.360-08:00#2..... Here we go! <span style="color: white;">NOPE! NOPE! Nope! This is not how I'm publicly announcing that we are expecting another child (although I am giggling thinking of the hate emails I will get). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">We are embarking on Age 2. The "Terrible Twos". Which I've acutally been informed, by several reliable sources, that Age 3-18 are MUCH worse. Either way, I'm mentally preparing myself for an incredibly exciting and challenging year. I'm pretty sure I thought that about Age 1, but we mananged to get through this past year rather effortlessly. Sure there were challenges, but nothing that drove me to insanity (i was there a looonnnggg time ago)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">However, 2..... Oh my gosh, I will have a 2 year old!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Why I will like having a 2 year old:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: white;">Confirmation that the first year was not a fluke and my mama super powers of growing a person also extends to keeping one alive</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Increased vocabulary. Miyagi is going to be hilarious! (he comes from a long line of "big" personalities)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">....... welp, that sums up that list</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: white;">Why I will NOT like having a 2 year old:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: white;">Potty training: (even though we have semi-outsourced this task to our daycare providers and I'm hoping that all I will need to do is reinforce)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Moving to a big kid bed: I'm keeping him in the crib as long as possible! The last thing I want to deal with is getting up in the middle of the night to stop him from playing OR even creepier.... waking up to a little person staring at me! That's how kids get punched! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Tantrums, tantrums, tantrums: There is no hope for this. I tend to have a smart mouth and ABD can get angrier faster than Kim Kardashian can get divorced. So... we have created a lethal weapon!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Independence/Control: apparently small children think they run shit! The word "NO" is a powerful tool to them and I don't like being told NO. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Discipline: UGHHH! My head hurts. Timeouts, spankings, whatever the choice may be...how painful. Not for Miyagi, hello, he did something wrong... but for me! As ABD pointed out... until Miyagi can sit in timeout alone, it's really punishment for me too! </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: white;">Even though I pretend to be a hard ass sometimes, I don't like seeing my baby boy cry. But I'm not doing my job if at some point he doesn't hate me! I hated my dad for many many years-- but I never went to jail or wound up on Teen Mom, so he did something right!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="color: white;">Geessh....That's a 5 to 2 list.... not looking good! Naturally, the first instinct to get through this is to take a lesson from the Real Housewives -- drink wine from AM to PM! But, that could end up with me being on Intervention...not a good look either. Well, maybe the only way to end up not being an alcoholic is to get pregnant so I can't drink. HAHAHAHA! (just serious)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">HOLLA!</span><br />
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Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-61865801081888833802012-10-23T08:42:00.000-07:002012-10-23T08:42:43.674-07:00It keeps getting better, but why does it make me sadder! (YES, SADDER)<span style="color: white;">Apparently I am on a 4 month cycle of writing posts. I would like to say it's because I'm sooo busy doing wonderful things with Baby Daddy and Miyagi..... but most of it's sheer laziness :-) BUT.... I did have a vital organ removed (okay, vital is probably not even close, but an organ was removed) so that kept me down for a while.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">SIDE NOTE: Even though the only people who read this are those who know me, I'm probably going to use this blog in 10 years when my memory is completely gone to remember things that happened. Gallbladder removed, check! Realization that Baby Daddy is amazing and steps up to the plate to be Mr. Mom, check! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The other day, while Jake and the Neverland Pirates was on, I found myself staring at Miyagi. Not just gazing, but staring! Like Level 5 creeper at the bar staring. I just continue to be so amazed at him. I know my last post talked about realizing that I was IN LOVE with him, and that hasn't changed.... the love and sheer amazement just keeps getting stronger. Who knew that your heart was the most elastic muscle in your body (it is a muscle, right?) It can just expand and grow beyond comprehension. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I'm just so proud of him. Every new thing he does or says I just want to jump up and down and tell the world! (generally I just send all my friends pictures of him doing pretty mundane stuff, but I think it's awesome... and because they are my friends, they better think it's AWESOME, too)! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">And you know what, damnit, I'm proud of myself! (and Baby Daddy, but this isn't his blog). Being a mom is NOT easy! You doubt yourself, ALL THE TIME! You sacrifice, a LOT! Your job never ends. But it's so worth it! And so far.... I think I've done a pretty awesome job with this little one! I would hope that I have taught him some things. I hope my cheers for him when he does something give him the confidence that he needs to try new things (but new things does NOT include new foods, still working on that). I hope that saying 'NO' to him teaches him that sometimes I do know best, but that NO doesn't mean I don't love you. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">It does keep getting better, but with each new word and milestone, my heart hurts a little more. He's growing up. Sure, he's not dating (even though he does give smooches and FaceTime with his boo) or going off to college yet, but it's all happening so fast! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I am excited for each new step, but for every CHEER, I secretly shed 2 TEARS (damn, that was good!)</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">I'm trademarking that.... somehow! This counts as documentation. Maybe I'll make shirts and get famous! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Holla! </span><br />
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Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-76712293323441852922012-06-18T06:35:00.000-07:002012-06-18T06:35:14.482-07:00Where does the time go?!!!!<span style="color: white;">That title means so much more than just the literal sense. I can't believe it's been almost 4 months since I've written a post and I can't believe how much Miyagi is growing! We are rapidly approaching the 18 month (or year and a half --for those who don't like the continual use of months) mark! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I can't even begin to recount all of the things that have changed, and no they aren't meticulously documented in a baby book either (I gave up on that, ha). What I can say is that at some point in the past few months I finally experienced that "I am so in love with my child" moment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">1.) I don't care if you think that's weird, trust me, I did too-- "How can you be IN LOVE with your child"</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">2.) I also don't care if you are thinking --"How is she just now thinking that, I've been in love with my kid since Day 1" -- to that comment, I would say you are lying, ha!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I've always loved Miyagi. I've always thought his presence was pretty miraculous. But, for a long time, babies are kind of lame. Kind of like a pair of bad @$$ shoes! Awesome to look at, but kind of worthless! They sometimes can make you cry and some times you just want to chuck them across the room! Let's all be honest with ourselves :-)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">But recently I have just been in complete awe of what he can do! He has such a big personality (wonder where that comes from) and is just so smart! Yes, I think my child is the smartest little person I've ever known.... and all you other parents should be saying "Nope, mine is" -- cause as a good parent, we should ALWAYS be our children's #1 supporters! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I know that a lot of his amazingness comes from the two amazing people that came together and created him, but we can't take all of the credit. WARNING: the following is a discussion about my feelings on daycare vs. staying at home. If you get offended, please stop reading and go live in your little world where no one else can have opinions different from your own. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I love what he has learned from being at his daycare. I truly believe that he is more social and a little more independent than I could have done on my own. (Maybe not, but this is all I know...maybe I would rock the stay-at-home-mom look. I know some incredible stay at home moms, and I would want to be just like them if that was the right decision for me.) </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: white;">He's so helpful! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">He cleans up his toys like it's an olympic sport! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">He throws trash away without having to be asked! (and sometimes some things that aren't trash). </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">He puts his cup up in the sink when he is done. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">His ability to understand directions is just beyond my comprehension! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">He loves to sit and listen to stories.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">He does great with routines--which is fabulous for nap times! After lunch, we take a nap no fussing (yea, I said we cause sometimes mama needs to lay down).</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: white;">Don't get me wrong, I have my guilty moments where I think "Should I be with him more....will I regret this". But I know it's right. I love the end of the day when I pick him up and even more, I love the time we get to spend together on the weekends. I firmly believe that QUALITY trumps quantity! (except in the case of money. All dollars are the same, but more is better). I cherish every moment (well, not all, but that's what Nick Jr. is for!). I will step off my soap box now!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Yeah, I'm in love with this little one! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I never knew that I would be blessed enough to say "I'm in love with two men"!!! But I'll take it!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">HOLLA! </span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-43495462666288563332012-03-08T07:03:00.001-08:002012-03-08T07:34:31.758-08:00Yes.... Just Wait<span style="color: white;">This morning I was looking on facebook, for the usual --nothing great.....but then I came across a post from a friend. She was referencing a post, "Joy or Just Wait" on a blog (I've included the link at the bottom of this post). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The basics were....as 'experienced' parents we sometimes tell other new parents about the impending doom </span><span style="color: white;">they are about to experience. Diaper blowouts, teething, ear infections, sleepless nights, etc. But instead, we should be sharing the "Just Wait" moments that make your heart melt (or in my case, make me want to cry just thinking about). So I decided to document a few of my favorite "Just Wait" moments for those of you out there who haven't experienced them yet. I hope it makes you excited for what is ahead, or for those of you who have passed this stage...it makes you think back to your own! </span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: white;">JUST WAIT.......</span></strong><br />
<ul><li><span style="color: white;">Until you can lay in bed and listen to your little one blabbing away on the monitor, but realize they are just talking and entertaining themselves, and don't really need you to get back to sleep.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you go in to wake your little one up, in the morning, and cutie pie is just standing there waiting for you with a smile on their face.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you hear that belly laugh, from your little one, at the silly face or game you are playing. They think you are hilarious and it's so great! </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you see the joy and excitement on your little one's face when they have figured something out (stacking blocks, putting something in a bin, rolling over). </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you don't only see the joy and excitement, but they clap to let you know how proud they are they did it!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until your little one wants nothing else but just to sit in your lap or lay their head on your shoulder. They know the safest place is in your arms. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">(Pause....wooh, starting to tear up a little thinking of Miyagi)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you go to pick your little one up (from daycare, grandparents, play date) and they can't get to you quick enough (it's even better if there are screams and a kid that gets pushed out of the way).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you say "Kiss" and your little one comes over and plants a big, wet, sloppy, open mouth kiss right on your lips!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you see your little one understanding and communicating with you. I love when Miyagi can sign to me "all done" and "more"</span></li>
<li><span style="color: white;">Until you realize that your little one is an incredible person and YOU are responsible for that.</span></li>
</ul><span style="color: white;">I can't wait for the rest of the "Just Waits" I get to experience!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Holla</span><br />
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<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://katiewetherbee.wordpress.com/category/parenting/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Cambria;">http://katiewetherbee.wordpress.com/category/parenting/</span></a></div>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-13010966174379765862012-02-13T07:28:00.000-08:002012-02-13T07:28:58.173-08:00Death by Toddler<span style="color: white;">I'm remembering a time when I thought I was confident, a little witty, and a smart woman. Problems could be thrown in my direction and I was sure, with a little time, I could figure out a solution. May not have been the perfect solution, but it was something! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Then I had Miyagi. Of course there were those moments when, as a baby, I spent so much time agonizing over the little things. Is he sleeping enough? Is he getting enough to eat? Is he stimulated? Does he like me? But, over time I figured it out and the solution presented itself (or in reality, something else probably happened and that "problem" I cared about before, just wasn't important any more). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">But now....now that Miyagi is a "toddler" I realized, last night, that the woman I once was, is DEAD! No, not in the Lifetime movie way where a crazy child has some how managed to physically end a grown adult's life, but mentally.... he is getting into my head and zapping all those "smart" parts of my brain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Toddlers are tricky, sneaky and manipulative! You think for one second you have them figured out... "Oh, he loves to eat carrots and chicken" yeah, but that was Tuesday and today is now Wednesday and he wants nothing to do with it. And he looks at you and says (with those devious eyes), "Now what"--like he has you totally punked! (which he does). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Or better yet, one minute you both are on the floor playing with some toy that seems to be interesting, giggling and laughing and then in a millisecond..... your toddler has arched his back, thrown himself on the floor (exorcist style) and is crying hysterically. You sit there stunned, like a deer in F-ing headlights, what just happened. You can't move. You don't know what to do. You look for help and no one is around. That smart woman who would have had an answer, oh yeah, she's dead! </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">So you wait. And wait, and wait. And sure enough just as quickly as he changed from angel to psychiatric patient waiting for evaluation, he's back....giggling and laughing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">So maybe that's it...... just as quickly as they change one way, they just as easily can go back. The only thing you can do is just wait it out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">OMG! Was that a solution? ....yes, my friends, it was! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I'm BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have risen from the Dead, like a phoenix from the ashes (okay, a little dramatic, but a good visual!)</span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-28351264768811570662012-01-09T10:48:00.000-08:002012-01-09T10:48:14.300-08:00Unfamiliar Territory<span style="color: white;">The transition has beg</span><span style="color: white;">un, both literally and physically. We are transitioning from the familiar land of infancy to the new uncharted waters of being a <em>toddler!</em> Miyagi's first birthday is quickly approaching, 17 days to be exact. He's leaving behind the "boring" life of an infant and running, with lots of stumbles, towards a more independent life. (I realize using the word independent might be a stretch, but it sounded good). <--that was the "literal" part of the transition, the physical part....he's moving up to the toddler room at daycare (insert sniffle from mama, HERE). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">If I took the time to express all of the emotions, thoughts, fears, bouts of excitement that I am feeling, this would turn into something way longer than anyone wants to read. So instead, I'll just highlight some of the things I'll miss about the baby stage, the things I'm NOT excited for about having a toddler, and I'll end on an optimistic note of the things I can't wait for! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">1.) Of course hindsight is 20/20. But babies are pretty easy. Once you get them eating on a schedule, sleeping through the night, and worked out your favorite method for getting out the poop, it's a piece of cake! They are pretty much awesome accesories that turn your house into a home :-) They can't move much and that's pretty great! I realized how much I was going to miss this as I needed to go to the bathroom and little Miyagi just walked right into the bathroom with me....couldn't really shut the door on him, now could I. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">2.) Entertaining a toddler is a LOT of work! They have short attention spans, second only to adult males, so the activity that seemed so fun at 3:38pm is now totally not acceptable at 3:45pm. Not to mention your house now looks like Toys R US had to much fun the night before and threw up all over the house! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">3.) As amazing as it is, those little suckers are starting to let their personality show! Don't like the food you are offering...I'll shut my mouth and turn my head. Don't want to lay down, I'll scream and scream and scream, so much that for a moment I might stop breathing and be close to puking! Getting in their personal space or playing with a toy that they want, it's time to FIGHT! (head butting and Tyson punches). Cuddle time, I'll pass...too much to see, oh but wait, now I want you to pick me up. Wait, no, I want to be put down, pick me up, put me down! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">4.) Watching them learn how to communicate though, is truly amazing! Miyagi can understand simple commands, not like a dog, but if we ask him to do something "give me your bottle" he does. Or hearing them try to mimic what you say "All Done" or responding to a question, even if it's a grunt...it's pretty darn cool! I can't wait to hear what his little voice sounds like....until the day he tells me "NO"...then it's on, like donkey kong! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">And finally...... NO MORE FORMULA! WOOOHOOO! Obviously, to my super awesome Boobie Feeding mommies, you don't get how cool it will be NOT to buy formula, but I feel it's a reason to celebrate. That first gallon of milk....I might start singing <strong>"We pop whole milk cause we got that dough"</strong>..My mama remix to Trey Songz!</span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-75721470508268761032011-12-06T06:37:00.000-08:002011-12-06T06:37:14.080-08:00Motherly Guilt: The 8th Deadliest Sin<span style="color: white;">Feeling guilty is probably one of the WORST feelings ever, almost as bad as that feeling that you want to throw up but you just can't! A few weeks ago, I experienced an episode of tremendous guilt. Let's go back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">My ABD decided, after a weekend getaway, for his college homecoming, that I needed a break of my own. He realized this when he woke up at 10am on a Saturday morning, completely UNHEARD of in my life, and thought "Baby Mama has been up with Miyagi for hours already". When he came home he suggested that I take a weekend and go visit one of my besties in Atlanta. For the next few days I was on a roller coaster of emotions and I hate roller coasters! Part of me wanted to go and spend some time just for myself and eating Taqueria del Sol (if you've never been, you've never lived) but then part of me couldn't think about living Miyagi! I had never spent the night in a house or hotel without him. Also, as dumb as this sounds, considering my ABD is great at what he does, I didn't want him to be stressed out handling Miyagi all by himself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I toyed with the idea of going for a few days. I went to look for flights and they were RIDICULOUS! Almost $400 for a Friday evening-Sunday morning trip....OH HECKY NAW! (hahaha). But, then that ABD chimed in with "you can't put a price on something like this"-->Really, where did he come from and how did I get so lucky? I still wasn't convinced. I decided the next day I should just do it. I went online, put in my flight information and the flights had dropped to $130! Round trip!! I am a HUGE believer in signs, so I knew this was the powers above telling me, "Now you have no excuse." </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The time came and I had terrible anxiety about leaving. I made a helpful (or what I considered) helpful tip list for ABD to follow. Again, he impressed me by telling me to call as many times I felt I needed and he was making sure he knew everything to do before I even left. FAST FORWARD..........</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I boarded the plane. I landed in Atlanta. Rode the Marta. Ate amazing Sushi. Took in a cultural event (Martinis and IMAX). Ate Taqueria (and a lot of it). Went shopping. Enjoyed some ballet (my bestie is a teacher and her student was performing). Got a massage. Slept in until 8:30am! It was great. But of course....as the title of this post suggests, there was guilt. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Surprisingly...the guilt was... I felt guilty for NOT feeling guilty that I took time to myself. I arrived home to a sweet moment. First thing I see when opening the door. My ABD with Miyagi taking a nap on his daddy's chest (dang it, when do these baby "hormones" ever go away, I am almost tearing up just thinking about that). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">They survived and more importantly, <em><strong>I survived! </strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">BONUS FOOTAGE: This made me think of other things that I should feel "Guilty" about, but in reality, I don't!</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">1.) Miyagi doesn't listen to "kid" music all the time. Yeah, so what if he hears lots of Lil Wayne, Drake, and Outkast. </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">2.) Sometimes on the weekends, he watches cartoons in the morning--HOURS of them! Well, the TV is on. How much he takes in, I don't know. </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">3.) I give him those Gerber baby Cheeto looking things as part of his dinner.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">4.) We don't read to him every single day. Hopefully, the mortgage that I am shelling out, otherwise known as daycare, is making up for that. </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">5.) When Miyagi falls, from trying to walk to fast, I giggle. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Okay, that's enough for now. </span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-92154160781951717322011-11-03T10:17:00.000-07:002011-11-03T10:17:48.943-07:00Body after Baby<span style="color: white;">It's amazing what a woman's body can do when carrying a new life. It's like a vessel for this precious human being to grow and develop into things that will defy all of our expectations. But then, it happens. The birth and all the things that happen after the birth. That beautiful vessel becomes more like a ship that was taken over and destroyed, Captain Jack Sparrow style! And for the most of us, that's exactly how we feel about our bodies after. We think "WHAT THE (BLEEEP) HAPPENED?! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Instead of embracing the awesomeness (yes, it's a word) of what our bodies were created to do, we agonize over everything!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Every little extra pound we haven't lost--even though you can't tell a woman who gained 40lbs and only had an 8 lb baby that those extra 32 pounds are "little". </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">We have a countdown on the calendar of when we can be cleared to go workout again....6 weeks or 42 days or 1008 hours (in most normal situations). Side note: I was highly "annoyed" at my 6 week check-up when the doctor asked "So, have you worked out yet?" WHAT?! I thought you said I couldn't until I was cleared, have you seen me yet?? Therefore, NO! I have not. I do try to follow the rules when possible (especially if it could cause me to bleed out on the gym floor, how embarrassing!")</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">We are keenly aware of how other people see us or how we want others to see us. We are not afraid to "stretch" the truth on just how old our "newborn" is in order to make ourselves feel a little bit better to that young 20-something sales lady, as we shop for post-maternity clothes. "Uh, my baby is only a few months old"..when a few, really means 6ish -- (this is based on a real testimonial!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Those parts of our anatomy that we were so proud of back in our prime, just seem so "sad" now. How do you loose a butt? </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">And the worst culprit of them all, ladies, we have to STOP comparing ourselves to other women! Sure, there are some of those women who lose the weight rather quickly. It never looked like they had a baby, except for the little spit up stains on their shirt that only another mom could notice...but that's okay if you don't fall into that category. We are all built differently and we will all change differently, no shame in that game. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">It's time to embrace our bodies! Embrace the stretch marks, embrace the extra little cushioning (that your baby loves to snuggle up with), embrace your "battle" scars..... <strong>you deserve it!</strong> Remember...there is some woman out there who can't have a baby who would kill to have your body, the body that experienced what she may never be able too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">(uh....that ending was kind of deep, so I just wanted to add a little extra line of text, ya know, to take the edge off....like a nice glass of Reggae Blush wine).</span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-5324985579665234892011-10-17T06:39:00.000-07:002011-10-17T06:39:30.597-07:00EMERGENCY Post!<span style="color: white;">Last week, I sat around thinking of what my next post would be and I came up with the perfect topic....but I have to do an EMERGENCY post, first.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">The use of EMERGENCY is very literal, as in, I spent 2 hours in the ER last night with Miyagi. Before I get into all the fun details, <strong><u>he is 100% fine!</u></strong> Me, well, I'm at 92.8%. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Last Sunday, Miyagi realized that his hands and knees, when working together, could get him places he only thought were possible by screaming until someone moved him to where he needed to be. The excitement of his freedom of course came with the realization that life would never be the same! No more setting baby down for a minute and knowing that he will be right where we left him before. Over the course of the week his mobility (and quickness) improved! Of course he whines for minute when "left" unattended, and by "left" I mean when someone is not glued to his side...but then he thinks "SCREW THEM, I'll get there on my own". </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Fast forward a week. Please bear with me, as the guilt of being a negligent, but totally normal parent, is still a little raw. I was getting ready to run a quick errand, and while trying to multi-task, I neglected to make sure Miyagi was safe! I put him in his car seat...didn't buckle him in, and then attempted to put my purse down. Well, apparently Miyagi wasn't having some part of this ordeal and he CATAPULTED himself from his car seat onto the garage floor. The cement garage floor, from an SUV! It all happened so quickly! I remember seeing him make a move, yelling "NO" (as if this would instantly put up a force field to stop him from doing what he was doing) and then he was on the ground. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I think I blacked out for a split second because I can't recall if he was face up or face down when I picked him up. He cried for a few seconds, as I ensured his brains weren't oozing from any gash, then he stopped crying, laid his head on my shoulder and was okay. I called Baby Daddy and I swear I heard him somewhat chuckle when I explained the situation!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Cliff Notes of the rest:</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">- The pediatrician advised to go to the ER, just in case, since they were not open on the weekends.</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">- Physical Exam fine</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">- CT Scan fine (*not fun watching baby be held down! Also, convinced myself that if he had some sort of brain tumor this was the "miraculous" way we would have found out)</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">- Small little red mark near his eyebrow</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I spent a good portion of the night replaying the scene in my head and feeling so incredibly guilty! The most important thing is <strong><u>he is okay</u></strong> and I will NEVER, NEVER let this happen again! I've also been comforted by the numerous mothers who tell me their own stories of injuries their children, or themselves have suffered (TV pulled down on their head, tumbles down the stairs, falls from couches, changing tables, etc.). </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Please learn from my mistake, even though I kind of hope you all have your own so I feel normal, (just kidding, sorta) and always make sure that your babies are safe! Nothing is more important at the moment than their safety! It's your job! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I've also been advised that as a mother of a boy, this is just the beginning!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Inappropriate side note: I wonder how much this is going to cost me, thank you insurance! </span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-33126164246869880632011-09-29T12:01:00.000-07:002011-09-29T12:01:00.487-07:00Please remain seated......<span style="color: white;">while the pilot has the fasten seat belt sign lit. In approximately 42 hours, Miyagi, my ABD and I will be embarking on our first plane ride!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Instead of being so excited for this upcoming adventure, my first thought was "F^%*, we are going to be THAT family". You all know what I am talking about. Remember the days, or for those of you still living in them, when you are sitting in your seat and you see a family with a baby boarding the plane. You silently say a prayer to yourself, or maybe out loud, "PLEASE do not let them be sitting next to me, PLEASE". </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Well....guess what....move over! We're sitting right next to you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">I just hope Miyagi doesn't poop on the plane! </span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-64175970945268859192011-09-20T06:18:00.000-07:002011-09-20T06:18:04.700-07:00Get Some.......<span style="color: white;">In my opinion (isn't everything on this blog my opinion), getting your arsenal of Mommy Friends is a critical factor in your success as a mother! Now, don't get it twisted, you can't just have ANY sort of Mommy Friends. There are certain MF's (ha, that's funny) that every mother should have...this isn't an all inclusive list, but I think it hits the majority of them. </span><br />
<span style="color: white;">*P.S. - An MF can be a family member, neighbor, co-worker whatever. Doesn't just have to be a "friend"</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">1. An Old Schooler: This is the MF that doesn't believe in all the new-age hype. Their advice is based on things that worked for them in the past, even if it was 1947, but hey, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". You might hear an old schooler say things like "NEVER wake a sleeping baby" or "If you want your baby to not have an outtie (belly button) put some gauze and a half dollar on their naval"! WARNING: If you are not an old schooler and you try to explain some new school stuff, they MIGHT just have heart attack. "WHAT, what do you mean babies can't sleep with blankets!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">2. The New Age/Research Parenter: This is the MF who is really into different parenting theories on how to raise their children. The theories range from when to feed a baby, how to get them to sleep, potty training, etc. The best thing about these MF's....they have read the books, done the research, have things highlighted, tabbed, indexed and can tell you verbatim what to do. What does this mean for you..... you don't have to do ANY of the "work" but can reap all of the benefits! Thank you to all my BABYWISE mom's, you know who you are :-) </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">3. The Encourager: I love this MF! Not that I don't love all the others, but this is the MF who makes you feel like you are the best mom in the world! When you are doubting every decision you have made about your child's well being, this is the MF that will tell you, "You know exactly what to do". Unfortunately, there are a lot of other Non-MF's (I feel I should shout out to Evelyn on Basketball Wives, even though it's not in the same context, I digress) who love to tell you what you are doing wrong, so having The Encourager around is critical. Thank you to the one who told me "If you love your baby and feed your baby, you are doing a great job!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">4. The Newbie: If you don't have one of these, and you are a mom, GET ONE...ASAP! This may seem conceited in a way, but so what :-) The Newbie is a new first time mom, who is MORE inexperienced than you are. The best thing about them, they LOVE to know what you know!!!! It's a total power trip, but hey, you deserve it...just use your power wisely. You get to share all of your experiences with them and it makes you feel more experienced which increases your ability to raise your own kids. It's Karma. If someone helps you, you must help someone else. </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">5. Fun Times: If you aren't sure if you have a Fun Time MF...just check your phone history, text messages, emails etc. Is there another mom who you constantly interact with, send pictures of your kids, love to tell each other what's going on, what new stuff you found, set up fun play date?? If so, those are your Fun Time MF's! Mothering becomes so much more fun when you have several of these! It's even better if your kids are close in age, say a few weeks apart :-) </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">BONUS MOMMY FRIEND: This one is extree (yeah, extreeeee) special! The Bonus Mommy friend, is not a mom at all! This is the friend who despite not having kids, loves your kid! Not only does she (or he, I guess) tell you how amazing your baby is and LOVE to get pictures, but the BMF lets you also live vicariously through them...a life of "freedom". HA! If you have really good BMF's, your baby may always be decked out in awesome baby gear (hello, Big Pony shirts or future MJ outfits). But that's not why we love them! </span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">There are definitely more MF's out there, and even if you don't find yourself in one of these categories, the fact that you are a MF at all, well, that's more special than you know! So to all my MF's......xoxoxoxoxox! I wouldn't be the mom I am without you! </span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-78415876522966772322011-09-07T10:02:00.000-07:002011-09-07T10:02:21.789-07:00Just a Quickie.....<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Get your minds out of the gutter, even though it's so nice to go there sometimes :-) My next post was going to be about the critical "mommy friends" that I feel everyone should have, but I had to take a quick detour. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">I wanted to give a quick shot out to my, and all the other, AMAZING Baby Daddies (ABD's)! (side note: Yes, I am married to Miyagi's dad, but I lovingly refer to him as Baby Daddy!). </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">I had a great conversation with one of my favorite mommy friends this morning about how lucky we are to have amazing baby daddies! Not just because they are there for our children, which they do a stand-up job of that, but more importantly...they are there for us! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">Sometimes as a mom we can lose ourselves in our new roles. We get so wrapped up in taking care of our children, our homes, our husbands (or significant others) that we forget about ourselves. This is where those ABD's come in. They want to make sure that we take care of ourselves. They knew us (in most, but not all situations) before we became moms so they know when we just aren't "ourselves". They love us enough that they want for us to be WHOLE! Not just moms and wives....but they want us to be that woman.... that woman they fell in love with!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">To all the ABD's .... I salute you!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #666666; color: white;">And because I write this blog..... to my ABD.... Like you! Love you!</span>Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112198496730208353.post-87186297600236383652011-09-03T11:40:00.000-07:002011-09-03T11:40:51.013-07:00Ahhhh.....my first time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">It's true, this is my first time. My first time writing a blog and more importantly my first time being a mother. I would like to throw out a few disclaimers to anyone choosing to read this. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">1.) I've never blogged before, so if there is blogging etiquette.. I don't know what it is! (and probably don't care)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">2.) This blog will not be grammatically correct. I have a HATE relationship with the comma! I think I should put it in places where it shouldn't be and probably don't put it in places where it should be. So if you are a stickler for those types of things, turn around NOW! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">3.) I don't have a set format in mind....this may end up just being a bunch of ramblings.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">4.) This blog should not be taken and used as advice that would be backed up by any sort of child psychologist, pediatrician or child research professional/expert. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Now, that we have that out of the way! Let's begin!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I decided to write a blog for no other reason than I like to hear myself talk and I think that others should also hear what I have to say. What you choose to do with it is on you. We are all adults here! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">As I said before, I am a first time mom! Woohoo! And let me tell you, it's by far the SCARIEST thing I've ever done in my life! My son, we will call Miyagi, (that's not his real name, but actually that is what we called the child during my pregnancy because we chose not to find out the gender) is 7 months of wonderful ooey-gooey goodness! I've had 7 months of realization that I have no clue what I am doing, but that is absolutely okay! </span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Lesson #1: It's okay to admit that you have no clue how to take care of another human being. It does not make you a bad mom! </span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Lucky for me, I have an absolutely wonderful support system (the internet is NOT on the top of the list--see Lesson #2) who have helped me along. I'll talk about them in another post (Woah! Another post, I'm already thinking of my next post!)</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #9fc5e8;">Lesson #2: The internet is wonderfully damaging! You can get GREAT information but also it can make you question everything you ever thought you may have known and also make you feel like an idiot by telling you things you didn't know but probably should have!</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Okay, I've realized I could probably go on forever, but Miyagi is taking a nap....so I'm going to try and enjoy the maybe 17 minutes I have left watching some trashy tv (that he has absolutely NEVER seen in his life....does sarcasm come across well in blogs???) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Until next time, HOLLA! </span><br />
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Blazing My Own Trailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07720551655679048130noreply@blogger.com0