Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I am going to be a Tia, this coming May, to a baby boy!!
My brother and sister-in law are becoming first time parents. I am very excited for them and am looking forward to spoiling him silly...because he will be so far away....I shall have to buy his love with toys...no not really, of course not...well ...maybe just a little bit... just a bit.

What? You no speaky spanish? ...Tia is "Aunt" in Spanish. Not shorthand for "Transiet Ischemic Attack" as one nurse friend asked.

Anyways...I informed my brother this past Christmas that next Christmas he will have to become "Christmas Card people."....because of the baby. "You'll have to take cute Christmas themed pictures next year and send out Christmas Cards," I told him. He said he and his wife just realized that.

I got to thinking....how our lives change once we have kids...

Sure sure there's the "I never knew I could love someone I just met." and the "I never knew my heart could hold so much love.".....yadda yadda (its true, but not where I am going with this post)

I'm thinking more of....My "me time"...which used to be shopping or a pedicure is now..."Ooooo it's 9:00pm...I could go to Publix and shop by myself...or go to Target and lose myself in the clearance racks and the dollar spot while hubby stays home with the sleeping kids."

True story...I was once at Publix 9:00ish at night and one of the cashiers said something about no kids with me...and I happily said, "Yup, this is "me time" as I handed over a box of toddler yogurt drops and whole milk to be scanned. To which the teenage Publix bag boy chuckled and said "Wow, thats sad." I waved a box of Snoopy fruit snacks in his direction and said, "Just watch bucko, this is your future."

But whatever...I was shopping...with no children whining at me...my heart still full of love...just also full of love about the fact that I could listen to the car radio to my station and not the Sesame Street Happy Birthday CD that lives in my car CD player.

So what else changes after kids....I asked some of you...and here's what a few of you said...

1.No one ever watched me pee or shower until I had kids, now it's a daily occurance. (Kristen)
2. I never thought I would obsess over the color or consistancy of a dirty diaper. (Regina)
3. My husband I were pretty serious vacationers (the more exotic the better). Now getting to the zoo has been attempted...and failed....twice. (April).
4. You know...I love an expensive meal....as you know thats -oh so much harder now..." (April)

and my favorite:
5. Someone once told me after Samuel (her son) was born, 'all your family's/friends kids you thought were so cute, don't look nearly as adorable now that you have your own.' (Tara)
...to which I replied..."What you dont think my kids are adorable??"


I also would like to add...
-You also have to share dessert...cause if she sees it...its now "ours" not yours...the following is also true for ice water, your orange juice, and apples.

-you no longer look at your purse as a cute accessory...you look at it for its durability and its ability to hold baby toys and a sippy cup with out spilling.

- annnnd New Years Eve...will now...and forever more...until you allow them out until 12:00 be spent watching Ryan Seacrest and Beyonce awkwardly ring in the new year on TV while you toast with a bottle of cheap champagne or the last of the kids Mott's apple juice.

But with all these changes...comes all the wonderful moments that parenthood brings. Even though you will wonder why his poop is green, and then spend the next few moments wondering if you gave him anything green to eat...your heart...will always...be full of love.

Feeding your child? You'll have to take that kind of thing outside.

I shall quote a dear friend of mine...and this about sums up this entire blog entry...



"It's just boobs people."



And there it is.



Yes this will be another breastfeeding blog. A topic I hold close to my heart.




What is this boob reference to? Going "pink" for breast cancer awareness? No. -Although go ahead and go do your monthly self check if you havent done so already. Consider this your announcement. Besides I didnt even say where I left my purse or what color my bra is....so definitely NOT a reference to breast cancer awareness...at least by facebook standards...stupid facebook.





This is in reference to a huffington post article, which tells a brief story of a Michigan mother. who was called out in front of a courtroom full of people and basically put to shame for doing something that is completely legal...breastfeeding in public. Who called her out? ....The judge.
Whhaaaaatttt? Yes. Yes he did.



http://http//www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/natalie-hegedus-courtroom-breastfeeding_n_1089271.html
A little article...but explains what happened, her side of the story.



Okay...here's the issue....

Breastfeeding in PUBLIC...is completely legal, ladies, and please dont let anyone tell you other wise.

I do not understand the big deal people have with breastfeeding in public. I was a breastfeeding mom. Breastfed my son till he was 13 months old and my daughter till she was 6 months (would have gone longer, but Addi had other plans). I have breastfed in a variety of places. Public places.



Parks, Restaurants, the mall, my car in a public parking lot, Disney, Dollywood, outside a local aquarium, outside a Cracker Barrel (because of the awesome rocking chairs) a shoe store, and a moving train, just a to name a few.






I do however understand some people's uncomfortableness with breastfeeding when it's uncovered. Embarrassment isnt anything we have control over...just happens...we see something we feel we shouldnt...embarrassment.

It happens to me whenever I watch any Matthew McConaughey movie. Like I said...Embarrassing.

While I have breastfed in public, I also remember that people may be uncomfortable by my breastfeeding in public...so I had a nursing cover. Believe me people of the world...breastfeeding covers are for YOU...not the mother or the baby...because most moms I know may agree with me, as that baby gets older, he or she doent want a blanket over his/her face. Its like a struggle..."Yes Darling, go ahead...nurse away...get comfortable while I throw this BLANKET over your head. And mommy loves to play tug of war to keep you and myself covered up. Yes. Yes I do.::tugtug::"(Dont you just love to eat with a blanket over your head?) Sighhhh...The things we do for the people we dont know.

If you didnt read the article, the mother was, covered up by the way...not that it would matter if she wasnt or not, because either way she is lawful to do so. But this mom, was thinking of others' feelings wearing a cover...and she was doing what was best for her baby. So no problem right? No problem except for a judge who got all "I'm the judge. My courtroom, my rules, rawr rawr rawr." (I added the "rawrs" by the way for added realism. It just seemed appropriate to add prehistoric noises regarding the judge's behavior. Sorry.)


Bottom line...Women have the right to breastfeed. Anywhere. Period. It's a right we have. So before anyone starts wagging a finger or banishing people from courtrooms...stop for a moment and remember whats legal should definitely be legal...in all places, especially our courts.

I want to really be real...for realz

Can we talk?


















Seriously for a moment?













Sorry about the picture puns...it couldn't be helped...




For the 13 of you...hello 13! And all you others out on Facebook land who tend to get a kick out of my blog from time to time, You should already know that I am a Christian. (Ive blogged on a Christianity issue a few times...) So if you are a fellow Christian I hope this is inspiring...if you are not a Chrisitian...I still hope you follow along and find it inspiring as well.



So fellow Christians....I have a question for you....



Why is it...that we are afraid to be real?



You know...real....like real people... Real normal people.





Real people. People who have problems.. and issues. And emotional baggage. Emotional baggage that may come with a matching handbag.





Hangups...struggles....




Ive got issues...Ive got problems....and I definitely have emotional baggage, and I'm a Christian.


Have you ever met one of those Christians? The Christians that don't struggle? That have a smile on their face every minute of every day? They dont argue with their spouse or yell at their children for not putting up their shoes for the 15th time today? They dont seem to have a worry about finances or health issues of loved ones. And when you ask how they are, they always answer something on the lines of how blessed they are.



Or on a deeper level...they dont seem to have that one family member that is driving them crazy, or even hurting themself....which in turn..hurts them? They never seem to let on what drives them to a breaking point or tears.






Because remember...they're blessed.




This blog entry has been rolling around in my head for months...and Ive started and stopped it..erased it and rewrote, tweaked it and edited it....and then...someone else came up with it and put it into such words where it was literally like "AHA"...yes...thats it.http://http//www.theveryworstmissionary.com/2011/12/i-hear-you.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JamieTheVeryWorstMissionary+%28Jamie+the+Very+Worst+Missionary%29

I LOVE her blog....(however as a fair warning for some Christians out there, her word usuage may be little stronger than what you may like..but I implore you to look past that fact and read what message she is trying to convey)


So after reading the above blog entry by Jamie....I came out clearer

And here it is.....

Christians have stuff.

Issues....problems....heartaches....worries....fears....


Yes...they do (:::nod:::nod:::) ...uh huh...

They do....Cause here we go. I'm going to unload one of mine.

Ive got daddy issues.



In short...he's pretty much estranged....by his choice. Its been about a 12 year span where I had not literally laid eyes on the man.







So again, in shorty shortness...the situation in general and his choices in life...overall...are sucky.




I get mad at him still. There are times, still, 14 years later, I want to scream or cry or perhaps throw things, with no intention of harm of course...(maybe rabbits...they're soft....no thats wrong I couldnt throw a real rabbit, yeesh...maybe stuffed animal rabbits...yeah...) Or maybe even call him up to recite a long 15 page list of all the wrongs he has done to myself and my family. There are times I feel he has cheated me out of a different life eperience or cheated my children out of a grandfather. I still get mad at times.







Ick.







But Im not scared to say that as Christian.....I still get mad, I have issues, I get upset, I worry....because if I didnt admit that to myself or to other people....it would be like living a lie.







Why are we scared to admit this to each other? To admit we all need a little help along the way? Or that we aren't this happy being 100% of the time. The church is filled with people who are hurting....filled with people who are struggling....and at this point I am not talking about people who are unsaved. I'm talking about Christians, who may be going through a divorce, facing problems with family members, or struggling financially, or even spiritually. It doesnt make them less Christian....it makes them more human. Why are we scared of issues like this? We do a disservice to fellow Christians who may be hurting, if we put on our fake Sunday School face each time we see each other and just blankly smile and say our life is great when it truly isnt. Being apart of the Body is lifting each other up when we need lifting...not to pretend that our life is "just awesome" all the time!







And can I say as Christians, it is our job to reach out and earnestly pray for one another. It bugs me to death when you confide in someone, something dear to your heart that hurts, and you get that nonchalent, "I'll pray for you." Will you really? Will you really pray for me???? Are you going to take the time out of your day to pray? Because this is my life we are talking about. This isn't like "Oh hey can you remember to pick up my dry cleaning?" Or "Hey do you mind making me a sandwich? Remember I don't like mustard...k...thanks!" Its my life.



I have made an earnest decision that I will not say "I will pray for you", if I know I may forget about it later in my day. So if you ever catch me saying this, please know, I honestly mean it....and like Jaime said in her blog...I hear you.

Don't stand so close to me

When I taught school, every year, and I mean every year...there was a point I would get to where I couldn't talk...speechless...

When I watched an almost 10 year old child literally crawl under his desk and scream at the top of his lungs because he didn't want to do his work...I was speechless.

When a very large 4th grader came and purposefully stomped on my foot when I told him "my classroom- my rules"...speechless (sent that little bugger to the VP right away amd he wasnt allowed back in my room by the way)

When I had a student who came in crying on a standardized test day that her parents announced they were getting a divorce and sent her to school anyway, when I pulled out a paper from a 2nd grader's desk that proclaimed "Hannah Montana is hot!", when I found a huge dill pickle in a students desk after school, carefully saved after a lunch a few days before,....speechless.

I was also speechless once a year, every year, because of a horrible cold that caused laryngitus (I know I just slaughtered the spelling of that word but its too early to spell check). I can remember my first year teaching and it got so bad I was actually writing things on the board for my 4th graders to read. I was a little too naive and too nervous to ask to go home. At lunch time my AP asked me a question and I croaked out an audible whisper. He looked at me like I was crazy cakes and said "Go home." Once he found out I was writing directions to my students on the board all morning, he probably was speechless himself.

It kinda comes with the teaching territoy...sickness. it kinda goes hand in hand. Anyone going into the teaching profession has to understand they WILL be sick a few times a year due to children being ..well..gross sometimes. As I type this, wiping Addi's verry runny nose for the 14th time already this morning. (Don't worry...purell)

But I am posting this in response to an article I just read that I was appalled at and sorta agree with at the same time (are you speechless at this?...or just confused?)http://http//www.huffingtonpost.com/devon-corneal/sick-days_b_981244.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl10%7Csec1_lnk3%7C99920

This is the part where I'm sorta appalled at....

The author, Corneal, admits to while not sending her kid to school while vomiting, she would send him in with a cold, a mild fever, diarrhea (really??) and suspicion of stomach bugs. Because and I quote "don't kids' immune systems get stronger by being exposed to common illnesses?"

So the next time my preschooler comes home with a case of the runs, should I be sending thank you notes to the mom who decided to send her kid to school sick? (he's not sick now, by the way...so please dont think I am writing this passive aggressive note to anyone in particular)

Dear some other mom,

Just wanted to express my gratitude for taking the time out of your busy schedule by sending your sick kid to school and in return making my child's immune system a little stronger. I really have enjoyed the extra time I have spent with my son, cleaning up horrible bathroom messes, trips to the pharmacy, and the lack of sleep I have gotten due to his constant throwing up in the middle of the night.

P.S. My kid licked the envelope.

Love and lollipops,
Connor's mom



Okay.....the tiny point where I do agree...

So while I understand you cant keep your kid over every sniffle, every cough, cause if thats the case, Chaild and Family would be after you for keeping your kid out of school for like half the year. It honestly doesnt bother me when I see a kid who has a bit of a cold. Keep some tissues on you, cover your mouth please, go wash your hands please.

Back to where I disagree...

But there is a BIIIIG difference between a cold and a chesty-non stop cough,-my chest hurts-and I'm starting to gag due to all the coughing Im doing-kind of cold. And yes, I do (and I would confidently say the majority of teachers and mothers) mind when you decide to send your sick kid to school. You arent doing anyone a favor by sending a kid who has a fever, a horrible head cold, diarrhea, an anything else the author admitted to sending her child to school with.

So please, as we head into cold and flu season (whatever that is because I am convinced this is year long and not a season), if your kid is sick, like sick sick....keep them home, rest a day or two...and then get back into the swing of things. Keep your teachers and fellow students in mind. Because just as much as you are enjoying being up in the middle of the night with a child with a hacking cough and "mild fever," Ms. Corneal spending those, what did you say??? Oh "sweetest times..rocking him for hours when he's been really ill"...I'd personally rather spend sweet times with my child when he's happy and healthy. Thanks so much.

Funny Friday

Because it's hilarious....

I present to you.....

LOLcat

If you dont think this is funny....there is something seriously wrong with you...

My baby can read

My baby can read...

No not this baby...Although she is recognizing some letters and can count to 10, almost.

This Baby...

Who is soooo not a baby anymore....because he is now 4 and has started preschool....

Practically a man really. A man who drinks chocolate milk and has a stuffed mouse named Moppy.

No.... I didnt use My Baby Can Read.

Look at that baby! With the hat. Guess what kid? You also have to pass college Algebra. Recognizing your toes from a tiger wont get you that far in life! Good luck with that!

I am here today to urge you not to buy into that infomercial. ....The infomercial I would buy into however is that brownie pan that makes the individual brownies so they all have that "corner piece" affect. Thats amazing! Truly. Sign me up!

But back to Your Baby Can Read....I have news for you....this product is really called "My baby can memorize flash cards." Or...it could also be called "TV babysitter." But it really shouldnt be called "your baby can read".

For all of you who are thinking about buying into this program.....I need to share something important to you.....get ready...here it is....

TV time will not make your child a genius.

There I said it. Class dismissed.

.....No wait...come back...I have more to say.

Let me explain...

This program is aimed at getting your child to read by memorization or by sight. Now dont get me wrong. There is something to be said about sight words and visual context clues. Sight words are words children should learn through time and not have to spend time sounding out. Common words found in almost every book out there. www.k12reader.com/dolch-word-list/ (Downloadable lists for those interested)

Visual context clues help a child with difficult words....for example....if you child is reading a book and comes across the sentence "The cowboy rode his horse." And your child says "The cowboy rode his HOUSE."....and there is a bicture of a cowboy...rising a horse...you can point this out..."Is that a house? No a horse." See? Helpful.

However if your child sees a picture of an elephant and the word elephant is written on the page (or flashcard, or screen) and your kids yells ELEPHANT! ...pssstt...he's not reading...he sees an elephant. Thats why he's yelling.

Kids are smart and have the capability of memorizing...however memorizing is not the same as reading and take that same word out of the flashcard or screen and without a picture...can your kid read "The ELEPHANT was too sad and lonely to perform his circus trick?" Im going to guess no.

Look Im not trying to come down on any of you "My Baby can Read is the best thing since the brownie pan infomercial!!" people. I just ask you, if this is such a phenomena...such an amazing system, why isnt it in every preschool in America? Recommended by teachers? Why isnt illiteracy a thing of the past?

Why if only these people had a TV...then they could read!!( Is it me or is there something wrong with that?)

If you are really looking to get your child reading. Start him with phonics. Letter sounds. Blends...that sort of thing. Leapfrog has asome great fridge toys that use magnet letters and the sounds they make. Most the time they make a "clatter clatter" sound when they hit the tile floor over here. Followed by Addi's "uh oh."

Read to your children. TV CANNOT replace the influence of learning you have on your child. Be skeptical of products that are built with an "easy out" (as in plop your kid in front of the TV and he'll be a genius in no time!)

This article was passed on to me by a friend, because she knows the kind of stuff that can get me blogging. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/rewire-your-brain-love/201005/your-baby-shouldnt-read While I agree with what this article has to say about the importance of parent attachment and actually tuning into your kids learning and who they are as a whole.The article questions whether or not pushing your child to read early on is a good thing or not for them developmentally.

In the article it is said, "Louise Bates Ames, PhD, as superstar in child development...stated a delay in reading instruction would be a prevenative measure in avoiding nearly all reading failure."

Really?

Hi Louise....I'd like you to meet my 3 year old....Here's a picture of him riding a house...um...I mean horse.

My son has an insatiable hunger for reading and numbers. Been that way since he was a really little guy. For those of you who know Connor, you know what Im talking about.

Some kids are into trucks. Some kids are into playing ball....my kid is into mapping out the shortest route to his grandmother's house in Georgia on Google maps.

Its just who he is. Actually I was worried for a little while because he WASNT into trucks or ball. He just wanted to play with numbers. ALL THE TIME. Over time I just began to learn this is what he liked to do. Eventually the truck time came for him (thats what we are currently crazy about. Cars!)

But still to this day, he is most happy settling down with a book or rearranging number magnets on the fridge and announcing the "number of the day!"

When did learning get into the mindframe that it comes it flashcards? Or workbooks? Or thanks to Robert Titzer....TV? Challenge your children, dont buy an easy way out. If you have already bout this system I would encourage you to use it sparingly and not as a replacement for actual one on one time with your child and a great book (not a Kindle mind you, a book....).

Facebook...the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable

Do you remember myspace?...

Nah...

Neither do I. Neither does anybody else.

We might be saying the same thing about facebook soon, according to what Aol news says or that segment on NPR, because of Google +.

I know the two questions running through your mind right now....

1. WHY do you still have aol????

and

2. What is Google + ???

And my answers to both are...I havent the faintest idea.

I do love me some facebook though, as does most of the world (but not China, interestingly enough. I saw that on a facebook "special" on CBS. Thought provoking stuff.

I post at least once a day. And I do enjoy reading everyone else's posts...most the time. I appreciate facebook for being a link to long lost friends, and friends you currently have. Good way to have the granparents see the kiddos too.

But is anybody with me, about stuff on facebook, that annoys you? To no end?

And its bad, you know....because these are your friends...well facebook friends anyway. You know...That CBS special was talking about the word "friend" and how facebook has radically changed the meaning of that word.....like I said...intriguing stuff....

So without further ado...I present...

Stuff that really annoys me on facebook.

(If any of my facebook friends are annoyed with me after reading this, dont change your ways because of this post. You be you, man. Just be you. Go on.)

What annoys me on facebook....

1. Most Twitter updates....because I don't understand half of what you are saying on the facebook feed.

2. People who share ridiculous intimiate details or conversations about/with their significant other regarding their breakups/makeups....really...have a face to face conversation.

3. I'm sorry if you are sick...I really am...and feel free to post that you arent feeling well...because we all need a little sympathy...but words like"snot, diarrhea, mucus," and so on, really dont belong on the home news feed. I feel bad that snot is running out your nose like the Niagra Falls, really, I feel horrible for you. And kudos to the analogy. Top Notch. But I don't really need that much detail.

4. The Goodbye Cruel Facebook. AKA ...Threatening people you are about to delete friends off your Friends list. Its okay....just delete me. I understand. Its not you. Its me.

5. People praying on Facebook. Dont get me wrong. I am a Christian. I pray. I love Jesus. I like encouraging words on facebook. I like Bible verse quotes on facebook. ....however...Jesus does not have a facebook page. Sorry if this offends my fellow Christian friends....but this is weird.

6. People who post something that cause other people to ask more details, and then that person says they'd rather not talk about it, or its personal or private. Then....how about you dont post about it on Facebook and then I wont get all nosy and ask. I don't get it.

7. A friend of mine mentioned this the other day, and I whole heartedly agree with him...."Would you guys make it more interesting (facebook) and stop quoting song lyrics...no really you're the only one who listens to that song." Agreed.

8. Do not post "I'm bored", "hi" or "I don't have anything to say.".....and dont be surprised if no one comments on your awesome post.

In contrast however....things I do like about facebook...

1. Articles you find interesting.

2. Articles you find not so much interesting but more outrageous, and which makes me want to blog.

3. Funny pictures, of you, your kids or your cat ....because cats are funny.....yes they are...they are hilarious! They are!

See? Funny!

4. And anything else in between.

So off to facebook with you now. Go on. I'll see you there. Unless you deleted me after reading this.