Mama, I’m Watching You

We learn from watching others.

Simple as that, from the beginning of time.

These days I’m equal parts amazed, astounded and appalled by what Mr Crabby Pants can get up to just by watching me.  For example, I found it amazing when he decided he wants to start using the toilet (going through the motions) at less than 18 mos old. I was appalled when he removed the “childproof” cap from a bottle of children’s ibuprofen I had on my dresser. You see?

He’s not the only one who watches and learns, though. I do too. I have been watching and learning from other moms for years before I became a mom myself. In the spirit of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing some of the Top Tips that I’ve learned:

1: Never sit down to breastfeed a baby without a large glass of water within arms reach.

2. Sleep when your baby sleeps. Hard to do, I know, but essential for survival when said baby is pulling all-nighters.

3. Read to your baby. Even if it’s boring grown-up stuff, they will grow into readers by your example.

4. It’s ok to not feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of your father-in-law.

5. It’s ok to feel comfortable breastfeeding whenever and wherever that screaming baby demands it.

6. A full body hug from Mom can sooth any owwie.

7. Finishing what your child doesn’t eat is natural.

8. Singing with your kids is fun.

9.It’s ok not to use the phrase “Use Your Words”, because you don’t know what that means.

10. Sometimes, Mommy needs a time out too.

5 minutes all to myself……….. I’ll take it!

If only in my dreams.

Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Back to Normal????

I feel a bit like I have been hit by a truck. Or maybe it is just that my batteries ran out sometime this morning after taking my mom to the airport. I really think I heard that whirring sound of them winding down. I know I felt it. Wsshhhshh. Four days of whirlwind activities:

A Birthday Party at Chuck E. Cheese, no less. It was a smashing success!

Family Pictures

Mad Crafting our own Mother’s Day presents

Field Day at school

Showing off at dance class

Shopping, shopping and more shopping

All on top of the normal stuff: Someone still had to be to school at 7:35 in the morning, and someone else still needed to be fed every three hours or so.

No one can say that I am not a good hostess/tour guide! It was a wonderful visit. My mom is one of my best friends and we always have fun together. It had been two years, so we had a lot of time to make up for in those four short, jam-packed days. I planned ahead as much as possible. Almost to geek status, I knew where I wanted to take her on which days to best highlight our little corner of the world.

See, my mom has never been here. I not only wanted to show her where we live. But also a bit of the life that we are getting established here. I wanted her to see that even though we are not making our home  in the midwest where I grew up, we are making a home here, it is a nice place, it will be ok, and she can maybe just maybe stop worrying. Although, I have been told that as a mother, you never stop worrying, so we will see how that goes.

I had made double batches of a few dinners in advance and froze them so precious time was not wasted in the kitchen. This is a known technique for when you have a baby on the imminent horizon. I highly recommend it for other relatives and visitors too.

I spent the preceding week scouring Pinterest for the perfect craft project(s) to make for Mother’s Day and came up with two amazing ones.

These gorgeous necklaces are fun to do. We modified them a little for my daughter to be able to participate as well. They are from a wonderful blog called redtedart.com Please look her up. Her blog is fabulous.

We also made our own version of these handprints from modpodgerocksblog.com Thanks

So I am sitting here, happy and sad, and tired thinking what a wonderful week we just had. My mom called a little bit ago to tell me that her plane had landed and said I must be glad to be able to get things back to normal. Somehow I don’t know what that is. I think I need to take a nap.

To all you Mommys out there. Have a wonderful and happy Mother’s Day.