Children are Ever Changing

Shelby's latest thing is calling me "Mama". Before she has always said, "Mommy" or "Mom". Now most of the time she a addressing me it's "Mama". I really like it. :) It reminds me of my brother, Ben. He started calling our Mom that in the last few years. It has a ring.....a Little House on the Prairie kind of ring, but a ring nonetheless.

Now for a story.....
As I was hurriedly trying to get us out the door yesterday morning Shelby decided to be a royal pain about her outfit! I had put her favorite pink leggings on which she was more than ok with but when I went to put her shorts on over she threw a fit. I knew if I forced them on her she'd just take them off and I was in a hurry so I just dropped it.
As I opened the door to leave she walked out ahead of me. I looked down and saw her lumpy diaper peeking thru the (to thin to be PANTS) leggings, I sighed with frustration and I blurted out "By the way, you look stupid." It was like I just felt the need to tell her that if she insisted on making her own decisions then she would have to live with the consequences (Don't think it, I KNOW she's 2 1/2) and in this case that was looking "stupid".
As soon as I said it I realized how dumb I sounded making such a statement to a 2 1/2 yr old. Plus, I was embarrassed that I called my sweet daughter stupid! I think my Mom hit the nail on the head.....she said at times she would find herself talking to her kids (us) as adults and not really realizing it. I mean let's face it, you can't talk baby talk ALL day every day.

Is being a breastfeeding fanatic a bad thing?

I posted this video because I found it to be interesting. The women are all very opinionated which I believe is in no way a bad thing. However, I do think being tactful in expressing your opinions is important.
Before I go on...Did you watch the video?



I too have had times in which I felt the need to justify myself to others concerning my decisions with Shelby and similar to the women in the video I do not like doing so. I made the decisions I did for a reason. I greatly appreciate people's input when I ask for it if the advice is delivered in a loving manner and if I know the person wants nothing but the best for myself and my baby. What I don't appreciate are the random people in the supermarket telling me how skinny Shelby is! These people don't know me or my baby. So keep your mouth shut! I realize it is not done in a malicious way but it still has the same affect. I begin to doubt myself wondering if I am feeding Shelby enough, am I producing enough milk, is she gaining enough weight, should I take her to the doctor? I don't like being insecure!

I have breastfed Shelby from the very beginning and fortunately have had no problems. Do I wish at times that I could hand Jason a bottle and take a break...YES! But I feel that research has proven that breast milk is better for your baby. Now, let me just say that I am aware of the large number of mothers that have all kinds of problems when it come to breastfeeding. It can be very painful and frustrating. I myself have not always produced enough milk. Therefore, I have made it a priority to drink 8 - 10 cups of water a day but for some women water consumption is not the main factor.
Women need to learn to support each other and not tear each other down. Every mom will make decisions about their children based on their families needs...no one else is qualified to make her decisions.

If a woman has to use formula due to circumstances beyond her control...so be it. If a woman needs to supplement with formula due to circumstances beyond her control...so be it!
Breastfeeding is what I have chosen due to the fact I believe it provides my child with optimal nutrition for her to grow and her brain to develop. I feel that breastfeeding should always be the first option for any mother and if for medical reasons she cannot continue then she should NOT feel guilty in any way or allow herself to be judged. However, I also feel that it's not right for a mother to simply never make the effort to breastfeed due to selfish reasons. My sister has jokingly said that she will never breastfeed due to the toll it takes on your "milk sacks"! When it comes time for her to make the decision I have no doubt that she will change her mind.

I hope to never judge another mother on the way she has chosen to raise her children, however I am human and am simply trying my best to live the way God has commanded. If I slip and am critical...well, I just hope I realize it and apologize.

You know you're a mom when...

1. You count the sprinkles on each kid's cupcake to make sure they're equal.
2. You have time to shave only one leg at a time.
3. You hide in the bathroom to be alone.
4. Your kid throws-up and you catch it.
   
5. Someone else's kid throws up at a party. You keep eating.
6. As you cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.
7. You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it's the only one your child eats.
8. You find yourself cutting your husband's sandwiches into cute shapes.
9. You hear your mother's voice coming out of your mouth when you say, "NOT in your good clothes!"
10. You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
11. You donate to charities in the hope that your child won't get that disease.
12. You hire a sitter because you haven't been out with your husband in ages, then spend half the night checking on the kids.
13. You use your own saliva to clean your child's face.
14. You say at least once a day, "I'm not cut out for this job", but you know you wouldn't trade it for anything".

I hope you enjoyed this list. I found it online and thought it was too funny not to share with you! Please leave comments with your own "You know you're a mom when..." moments!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!