Thursday, November 25, 2010
Foreman Marley
While we were in Nacogdoches, Joel and his friend Dan were building a new porch in the backyard. They worked really hard, but I think it was because their foreman was there to keep an eye on them!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Mama Drama
For some reason, mothers are always judging each other. I think we have all had it happen at some point.
"She's not sleeping through the night yet?!"
"Isn't he too old for a pacifier?"
"She's never going to learn to sleep unless you leave her in there to cry!"
"Wow, are you ever going to stop breast feeding?"
"Shouldn't he be walking by now?"
Most mothers are in constant competition. They want reassurance that their way is the right way to do it, that they were more successful than you at that certain task. The problem is, especially for first time mothers as I was, this can have a damaging effect on a woman's confidence as a mother. I was constantly feeling like I had done something wrong. That's why she didn't sleep through the night, doesn't eat vegetables, used a pacifier, and didn't start talking for so long. It's so easy to get sucked into this drama filled arena where mothers are trying to justify their own decisions by making you feel like you need to be like them.
As time went by and Marley got older, my confidence in my mothering abilities grew. I have gradually tried to remind myself that Marley will reach certain milestones when she reaches them. There have been times when I sat next to her and wondered if she would ever be able to sleep through the night or if she would ever want to stop nursing. But I constantly reminded myself that her time would come. She would one day sleep through the night and I would one day be able to sleep in a bed that she wasn't in. It's hard to remember in the middle of it, when we're both tired and all I want is for her to go sleep. But now? I don't even remember most of the drama. Those memories have left my head and I now remember sweet moments cuddling in bed with her and nursing her to sleep.
I guess the point of my post is that we all do things differently. We can't judge each other for the decisions we make for our own children in our own homes. And my hope is that new mothers can feel confident in their decisions for their children. There is not one right answer for everyone. It sure we be easier if there was, but there just isn't. Every baby is different and every mother is different. Even if two mothers did the exact same things for the first six months of their babies lives, their babies will turn out differently. Whether our babies sleep in your bed or in a crib, whether you are nursing or feeding them through a bottle, and whether your baby is wearing disposable diapers or cloth, it doesn't matter. As long as you and your baby are happy with your decisions, that's all that you should worry about!
I hope that any of my readers will feel welcome to talk to me about anything they worry about. Whether we parent the same or differently, I am happy to be a friend to anyone willing to be mine! Let's break the mama drama cycle!
"She's not sleeping through the night yet?!"
"Isn't he too old for a pacifier?"
"She's never going to learn to sleep unless you leave her in there to cry!"
"Wow, are you ever going to stop breast feeding?"
"Shouldn't he be walking by now?"
Most mothers are in constant competition. They want reassurance that their way is the right way to do it, that they were more successful than you at that certain task. The problem is, especially for first time mothers as I was, this can have a damaging effect on a woman's confidence as a mother. I was constantly feeling like I had done something wrong. That's why she didn't sleep through the night, doesn't eat vegetables, used a pacifier, and didn't start talking for so long. It's so easy to get sucked into this drama filled arena where mothers are trying to justify their own decisions by making you feel like you need to be like them.
As time went by and Marley got older, my confidence in my mothering abilities grew. I have gradually tried to remind myself that Marley will reach certain milestones when she reaches them. There have been times when I sat next to her and wondered if she would ever be able to sleep through the night or if she would ever want to stop nursing. But I constantly reminded myself that her time would come. She would one day sleep through the night and I would one day be able to sleep in a bed that she wasn't in. It's hard to remember in the middle of it, when we're both tired and all I want is for her to go sleep. But now? I don't even remember most of the drama. Those memories have left my head and I now remember sweet moments cuddling in bed with her and nursing her to sleep.
I guess the point of my post is that we all do things differently. We can't judge each other for the decisions we make for our own children in our own homes. And my hope is that new mothers can feel confident in their decisions for their children. There is not one right answer for everyone. It sure we be easier if there was, but there just isn't. Every baby is different and every mother is different. Even if two mothers did the exact same things for the first six months of their babies lives, their babies will turn out differently. Whether our babies sleep in your bed or in a crib, whether you are nursing or feeding them through a bottle, and whether your baby is wearing disposable diapers or cloth, it doesn't matter. As long as you and your baby are happy with your decisions, that's all that you should worry about!
I hope that any of my readers will feel welcome to talk to me about anything they worry about. Whether we parent the same or differently, I am happy to be a friend to anyone willing to be mine! Let's break the mama drama cycle!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Marley Loves Babies
Marley got to hold her first baby this weekend! We went to Houston for my Grandmother's birthday party. The party was an adult-only party, so Marley got to spend the evening with all the kids in the family. Emily texted me and said that Marley was walking around saying "Mommy come home NOW!" So, I rushed back to the house to find this!
She was perfectly fine, holding her cousin Rykkhan! Emily said that as soon as they got Rykkhan out of his crib, Marley couldn't take her eyes off of him. She hugged him for ten minutes and then wanted to hold him in her lap. She always loves seeing babies and talking to them, but I had never actually seen her with one! It was adorable! And it made me so excited for one day when she has a little brother or sister to spoil and hug and love on!
She was perfectly fine, holding her cousin Rykkhan! Emily said that as soon as they got Rykkhan out of his crib, Marley couldn't take her eyes off of him. She hugged him for ten minutes and then wanted to hold him in her lap. She always loves seeing babies and talking to them, but I had never actually seen her with one! It was adorable! And it made me so excited for one day when she has a little brother or sister to spoil and hug and love on!
Happy Birthday to Me!
Today is my 23rd birthday! I was lucky enough to have many many people wish me Happy Birthday today. Donna brought me over a beautiful fruit cake, that was delicious! My mommy took me and Marley out to a yummy lunch. And then my mom, Joel, and both Emilys took me out to dinner.
Before my mom left for work, she asked Marley to pick out a cake for me at the store. She picked the best one: a ladybug cake! She was very proud!
Marley even helped everyone sing Happy Birthday to me, which was a big treat because she normally only sings one line of it!
And, of course, mothers have to share the blowing-out-the-candles activities with their children. It's one of those rules of parenthood.
The best part of Marley's day? CAKE!
I'm a lucky Mommy! 23 will be a year full of happy things and sad things, but I know that I am so blessed to have such a fantastic and loving little girl and husband!
Before my mom left for work, she asked Marley to pick out a cake for me at the store. She picked the best one: a ladybug cake! She was very proud!
Marley even helped everyone sing Happy Birthday to me, which was a big treat because she normally only sings one line of it!
And, of course, mothers have to share the blowing-out-the-candles activities with their children. It's one of those rules of parenthood.
The best part of Marley's day? CAKE!
I'm a lucky Mommy! 23 will be a year full of happy things and sad things, but I know that I am so blessed to have such a fantastic and loving little girl and husband!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Happy Birthday Daddy!
We couldn't be together for our birthdays this year, but luckily Marley got to wish her Daddy a happy birthday. He loved hearing her say it! He was so proud and showed everyone who would watch the video!
Happy Birthday, Daddy! We miss you and can't wait to celebrate with you in a few weeks!
Happy Birthday, Daddy from Jillian Shaw on Vimeo.
Happy Birthday, Daddy! We miss you and can't wait to celebrate with you in a few weeks!
Friday, November 12, 2010
The World Through Rose Colored Glasses
At our house, we do not have cable. So, Marley gets to watch her one episode of Dora each morning through Netflix, and then that's it. It stops itself and she knows it's over. At my mom's house, they have tons of channels playing all kinds of cartoons. So she can watch Dora, Olivia, Franklin, Handy Manny, Go Diego Go... whatever she can find. And I have been a little more lenient about her tv watching, so she usually gets to watch two episodes of whatever is on. But I have to say that even with all of those choices, I still think Dora is the best one out there! They practice letters, numbers, and shapes more than any of the other shows, and Marley is much more into it! I never thought I would say that I liked Dora... but I LIKE DORA!
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