Being a Mom

One of the biggest lessons I've learned in my short time being a mom is tolerance. Being a mom is a tough job and the last thing any parent needs is another mother forcing her opinions and judgements on your family. I believe the best thing we can do for other mothers is simply be supportive. You aren't the one walking the floors with her colicky baby until 3am, dealing with the frustrations of potty training her independent toddler, sitting at her dining room table doing homework with her ten year old or disciplining her free spirited teenager. Point being, you have no idea what goes on in her family 99% of the time, so who are you to judge the choices she makes in raising her children?

My close knit group of friends has drastically different parenting styles which leads to very different decisions we each make for our children thus far. Some vaccinate, some don't, some do alternative schedules. Some breastfeed, some don't and some extend breastfeeding well into toddlerhood. Some cosleep, some have their baby in their crib from day one. Some stay at home and some work. I could fill pages with all the differences but in spite of all these differences in parenting choices, there is one major similiarity in all of our children. They are happy, well adjusted and loved. What I appreciate in these women is no one condemns anyone else's decisions. Each mother will listen to other points of view with respect, share her opinion and ultimately make the call on what works for her child. No one's feelings are hurt and everyone walks away with a little more understanding.

I firmly believe every mother makes the best decisions she can for her children and although it may not be the same decisions you would make, that doesn't make her wrong. As mothers, we need to create a community of support to build each other up, not tear each other down. We are already working hard enough raising beautiful, healthy and happy children - why should we have to add more to our plate by having to defend our choices?

I will now step down from my soapbox and reward you with some cuteness for listening to my rant:

First Pony Tail!

and here's Madelyn's for comparison

They both wore their first pony right around 3 months!

Warning: there is underwear in this post!

Madelyn is really mad because I won't let her push her stroller around the neighborhood while she sports my underwear like a necklace.

I know...I'm a really mean mom but I do have some pride.

Ada's 3rd Month

Love that drooly smile!

We are really hitting a groove little bug! We made some major progress with car rides this month. Turns out you love The Dixie Chicks and you really love when I sing The Dixie Chicks at the top of my lungs. It also really helps when I lay my rice bag across your lap. I think you like the weight of something on your legs. We have attached 5.2 million toys to your carseat as well which keeps you from getting bored. Combine all these tactics and we can generally make it from Ann Arbor to Brighton without any issues.

You've turned into a full on thumb sucker. It is adorable at three months but I would be lying if I didn't say I am terrified of breaking this habit later. The nice part is that I don't have to get up and put the pacifier back in your mouth 485 times a day. I also feel like we are close to you sleeping in your crib at night. You haven't slept in your Rock n Play in at least a month. Plus, you've napped in your crib a handful of times and those tend to be your best naps. I'm a little sad because it means I have to get up and feed you rather than just feed you from bed, but that's okay.

See - it IS adorable!

I have a funny story I just have to share with you. The other night, you and I were in bed and Daddy was sleeping on the couch. You were having a hard time settling down so I decided to bring you out into the livingroom and bounce you for awhile. We walked into the livingroom and I turned on the lamp. You started babbling and Daddy jumped up from a dead sleep, grabbed your carseat and started bouncing it on the yoga ball. I started laughing and asked Daddy what he was doing and he told me that he was bouncing you. I told him that you weren't in your carseat and he told me that I was going to have to put you in there anyway. I reminded him that he needed to stop bouncing it first.

Mama and her ladies!

You started rolling over this month but we still haven't caught it on camera. You can roll back to belly but not belly to back. You also started sitting in your bumbo and are a much happier girl. I bought you a new toy called the Kickin' Coaster. You love being able to make your seat move rather than being stuck in a bouncer that we have to bounce for you. I discovered this when you decided to try and flip yourself out of Grandma's bouncer. Oh Ada bug, you are on the move kiddo! Most people don't believe me when I tell them you are only 3 months old because you act more like a 4-5 month old!

Kickin' in her Coaster

Love you to the moon and back Rator Gator!

Madelyn's 21st Month

Much better month Miss. M! We cracked down on your "rests" and it has made a big difference. You also seem to realize that taking the time to show us what you want is much more successful than just yelling. Awesome work!

You went to the dentist for the first time this month and did a great job. They didn't do a cleaning - just wanted to check for any major issues. Your teeth look fantastic. Your dentist did say you have a narrow palate - probably from your pacifier, but she is not concerned. You sweet talked your way into 2 toothbrushes, a ball and a little purse.

You are starting to show an interest in "grown up things". You like to help me clean the house and love using the little broom and dust pan. You could spend hours in my closet playing with my purses and shoes. Recently, you came into the bathroom while I was straightening my hair and insisted I do your hair also. You sat on the counter and stared at your reflection the entire time. Quite a little fashionista you are turning into!

You are saying more and more words every day and have even started putting 2 words together. Your favorites right now are purple, bumbo and thank you. You also love more please!

You still love your pacifiers but not really for sucking on. When I put you to bed, you insist on putting a pacifier on every single one of your fingers. I want to get a picture so badly but I keep forgetting!

Favorites right now include pushing your babies in the umbrella stroller, riding your four wheeler, feeding yourself cereal and yogurt (and you do a great job!), watching Finding Nemo (we started letting you watch tv in short 10 min increments), and covering Ada in kisses.

World Record Babies!

Back in April, Madelyn participated in The Great Cloth Diaper Change and is now part of the Guiness Book of World Records for Most Cloth Diapers Changed at One Time.

Well, last Friday I went to The Breastfeeding Cafe, hosted by The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor, to meet up with some ladies from Ada's childbirth class. Turns out it was the day of The Big Latch On. Now Miss. Ada is part of the Guiness Book of World Records for Most Babies Nursing at One Time. (I will spare you a picture of my nursing child).

Go world record babies!