Don't Let the Pigeon Read This Post!

Client One is a book reader, and she comes by it honestly. When we moved last year, nearly half our boxes were books and I'm not exaggerating. We have actually caught her "reading" under her blankets with a flashlight when she's supposed to be sleeping and she's not even quite three yet! 

There are many books she loves but her favorites are definitely the pigeon books by Mo Willems.

 As favorite books go, these are some of the best! I feel for anyone who's kids' favorite books are Dr Seuss. As awesome and inspirational as Dr Seuss books are, they are not a fast, easy read, and when it's a favorite book, you have to read it over and over and over... The pigeon books are perfect. They are relatively short and very funny! Even the illustrations are fun. The first book even won a Caldecott Honor. My husband and I actually purchased the first couple books before we even had kids. Yes, they are that entertaining. 

You can tell Willems knows kids. Each book presents you with a situation during which the pigeon argues with you to try to convince you to come to his side. The first of the books is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The pigeon presents every possible argument as to why he should be allowed to drive the bus to no avail. My two favorites are Don't Let the Pigeon Stay up Late! and The Pigeon Needs a Bath! because the arguments are pretty much the exact arguments I hear from Client One every night! And the funny thing is that Client One giggles and giggles at the ridiculous pigeon, not even realizing she does the same thing!!!

Mo Willems also has a few other books he writes, but the pigeon books are our favorites. So, the next time you're looking for a good, entertaining children's book try one of these! You won't regret it!

Perfect Parents

Critics are trying to say that social media outlets such as Facebook and Pinterest are putting too much pressure on moms to be the "perfect mom." They claim that when moms post pictures of the creative crafts, beautiful baking projects, awesome adventures and perfect parties that moms who aren't doing all that stuff can feel bad about the way they parent. Well, let me tell you, when I post a picture of my clients doing a craft, don't come to my house for at least two weeks because that is how long it will take me to clean up the mess we made. No matter how perfect a picture may seem, that mom has a problem. On some level, I think we know this, so I don't blame Facebook. I blame Netflix.

Netflix? How can Netflix make you feel like a bad mom? Glad you asked.

Netflix provides instant child entertainment. Many of your kids' favorite shows are right there, waiting to be watched. And, let's face it, you're happy they are there because that means you may just be able to make dinner and eat it. Just maybe. But that means that you and your kid are watching the worlds most perfect parents, often in animated firm. 

Let's take Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, for instance. Daniel's parents have near perfect patience with Daniel. There is one episode where the mother almost gets a little upset when Daniel brings sand inside and dumps it on the clean living room floor, but with a cute quippy song, she is good to go. And, on top of their infinite patience, they do activities with Daniel and his friends. They build him a playhouse and take a walk to pick fresh strawberries for strawberry pancakes for breakfast. They cook together and craft together and play together. And, on top of all that, they can explain everything perfectly, usually with one of the aforementioned quippy songs.

And there are many more examples in many more shows. Curious George never listens correctly and constantly gets in trouble, but he never faces any real consequences. In fact, for George, everything always ends up being perfect! And Barney, although techinically not a parent, just an "adult" in charge, has all the energy to teach valuable life lessons, educate in creative ways, craft using everyday objects and dance and sing. I have enough energy for one (maybe two) of those activities per day and Barney does it all in one episode! In Clifford the Big Red Dog, Emily Elizabeth and her friends and all the dogs have free reign over Birdwell Island. I barely let Client One in the backyard by herself!

Yes, Netflix presents us with "perfect" parents and parental figures. Now, we can roll our eyes because they are fictional, but the real problem is that our kids see this parental perfection. I can see the judgment in Client One's eyes when I can't dance endlessly like Barney or instantly create strawberry pancakes from scratch like Daniel Tiger's mom. And why does it always work out for George and she gets punished? And why can't she just waltz outside to draw with chalk whenever the feeling arises?

Now, the obvious answer is to just not let them watch Netflix or any TV for that matter, but as I said before, sometimes we need the break. Plus, they do learn other important things. I guess, in the end, we just have to grin and bear it. One day they will understand. It may be 20 years in the future when they have kids of their own, but they will understand. Hopefully.

So, stop blaming other moms for making you feel bad or incompetent. We all have areas where we fail and we all have our triumphs. For some, it's more obvious than others. We need to stop comparing ourselves to other moms, whether they are real or not. Why? Because we're awesome. That's why. 

Save Tilly

So, this post has little to nothing to with being a mom. Well, not a mom in a normal sense. This is all about a friend of mine whose child is a dog- a sweet little puppy who is very sick. 

Here is her story:

Tilly was a beagle, a beautiful beagle. At first glance, Tilly was the perfect pet, but there was something wrong with her. Tilly was blind. Now, for most people, that was enough for them to walk away. After all, a puppy is enough trouble without special needs. But Emily and Will didn't care. In fact, they loved her all the more for it and they adopted her and made her a part of their home. Everything seemed perfect. Tilly got along great with their other dog and the two would tumble and play until they were both too exhausted to move. But then, something happened.

Tilly bagan to bark and growl, but not in the way that most puppies do. Something was wrong. Sometimes these episodes would last almost 24 hours. Her loving parents tried everything from calming treats to Thunder shirts, but nothing really worked. After a couple trips to the vet, they discovered little Tilly had hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition where the brain takes on too much fluid, causing a lot of pressure and problems. Many cases can lead to death. But Tilly's vet believed that a surgery could fix the problem- a very expensive surgery.

Now, some people might roll their eyes at this and say, "it's only a dog!" But this puppy is their baby. She is sweet and precious. Friends have chipped in to help and even started a website selling a cute t-shirt to raise money. So, if you have the heart to help and would like a cute t-shirt, please, go to this site: https://www.booster.com/savetilly

Please, help save this adorable puppy! 

*actual photos of Tilly taken from her owner's Facebook post*

Being a Mom

This is just a quick post to let you know what it's like being a mom. Right now, I am covered in snot and baby drool. My "good baby" is sick and fussy. My toddler has been up from her nap for less than fifteen minutes and she had already undone all the cleaning I did in the living room. Yesterday, I asked my toddler where she wanted to go for dinner. She replied, "Rainbow restaurant." Having no idea what she meant I asked what she liked to eat there. This was her response:

After consulting the grandparents, we figured out she meant IHOP. The crying stopped.

I have become a master at eating with one hand, even if it's with my left hand. I can understand toddler babble enough to make a decent translation app if I had to. I can change a poopy diaper with my eyes closed. I've given up being able to go to the bathroom or shower without at least one intrusion. I never expect me or my kids to be in the same outfit at the end of the day that we put on in the morning. 

My clothes barely fit after two kids and my favorite pair of shoes has been missing a mate for months now and no one- not even the shoe-thieving toddler- knows where it went. My bed sheets smell faintly of stale breast milk and  there's a baby poop stain on the mattress. I have a stack of more socks without matches than I have socks paired and put up. 

Yesterday, I didn't dress client one until 4:00 when she got up from her nap and I only did it then because we were leaving the house. Some days even I stay in my pajamas all day. To make breakfast easy one morning last week, I let my toddler have chocolate Teddy Grahams for breakfast. Okay, two mornings. 

I could go on and on and on about my life as a mom. It's stressful and exhausting but you know what else? It's incredible. 

I have two precious, irreplaceable children that I love immensely. One kiss makes putting up with all the tantrums worth it. One smile can chase away a bad day. Their excitement is my excitement. Their good news is mine. 

It is a wonderful world to live in and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Footed Pajamas Are Evil

Last night I dressed Client Two in an adorable pair of Dino footed pajamas, but I forgot something very important. Footed pajamas are evil. They were probably invented by a man who did not have to change a diaper in the middle of the night. Yes, they can be quite adorable, especially when the foot part is a cute little animal. And yes, they are often very soft and snuggly, but they are evil nonetheless.

Why? 

Trying  to get a wiggling, kicking infant to cooperate in a well-lit room when you are wide awake is a difficult enough task, but trying in the middle of the night with nothing but a nightlight while still half asleep is nearly impossible. Factor in an evil pair of pajamas and you have an impossible task before you. At least with a normal pair of non-footed pajamas, once you get the foot through the foot hole, your struggle is mostly over, but with footed pajamas you have to get the foot perfectly stationed in the footed portion. An exorcism might be easier (and by the time you're done changing the child, chances are he'll be so fussy you'll think an exorcism might be needed). To put it simply, there is no way you are getting out of that struggle without completely waking up your infant and yourself completely. This means that it will take twice as long to get back to sleep. 

There are two types of footed pajamas: the evil kind and the really evil kind. The first have a zipper that goes from about the ankle of one foot up to the neck. If you are quick enough, once you finagle those feet into their position you just jerk that zipper up to finish the task. It should only take a couple of attempts. The really evil pjs are the ones with snaps. There is nothing quick about snaps. You not only have to get the foot into position you but also have to align a dozen snaps perfectly before your baby moves again. And just when you think you may be done, a little foot slips between two of the snaps that weren't lined up like you thought. Then, you start again. By the end, if you don't give up, you feel like you deserve a really big prize.

Now, you know what is awesome? Those sleep sack pajamas and sweet pea gowns. They keep your baby warm and comfy but require no acrobatics. In fact, you can even change your baby's diaper without waking him up! Just unzip, change and zip back up! We even have one that unzips from the bottom so we don't have to unzip any more than necessary! 

So, next time you're cruising the baby clothes looking for a gift or maybe even something for your own little one, don't even pause at the footed pajamas. They are deceptive. Remember what the preachers told you- evil looks good but it isn't worth it! 

The Tough Life of an Introvert Mom

When I was in high school I went to the occasional basketball game with my friends and cheered on our team (Go Panthers!). I even went to the occasional party or two- if I got invited. But I kind of hated it. I never really knew quite how to "fit in" so I usually just became silly or left the crowd for a quiet corner. My idea of fun was hanging out with just close friends or spending the day home with a book.  Even when I got to college I made few new friends and of those few I am friends with maybe three on Facebook.

Back then I figured I was just awkward and not cut out for a mainstream lifestyle. I didn't want to be popular or anything but I couldn't figure out what my role was. Now, I realize that I am, and was, introverted. I don't enjoy crowds of loud people and hoards of friends. I don't need social engagements to be me. As an adult I found my groove in life. I made social acquaintances at work- people I enjoy being around and talking to but people I seldom hang out with outside of work- and a few friendships that I hope last the rest of my life. All my other close friends (like two of them) that I keep in constant contact with are friends from high school. And by constant contact I mean we text at least every so often. In fact, there are only a handful of people in my life that I will actually go up to and speak to if I see you in the grocery store or Target. (If you are one of those few, you should feel honored.) I barely feel comfortable commenting on "friends'" Facebook statuses for fear I'm intruding. If I comment to you, you should once again feel honored!

I liked my introverted lifestyle. I had my rhythm down. I worked with people all day and came home to blissfull solitude. But then I had kids.

Now, kids themselves don't ruin an introverted solitude. It's the socializing that follows them in. When they are first born, people come to visit on a regular basis, starting within minutes after you give birth. They come to the hospital and then into your home. Now, don't get me wrong. I love showing off my babies and seeing friends and family, but for an introvert, socializing is an exhausting task. But, I was a good sport and I put up with it, even enjoyed a bit of the attention for awhile. At least when you are breastfeeding, you can slip away for privacy reasons and recharge. Eventually, everything returns to normal and you can crawl back inside your shell. 

Then you hit phase two.

Client One is now entering that phase. It's the one with parties and classes and play dates. Now, I don't mind throwing a birthday party. I actually love planning parties. I am In control so I can make sure people I like are there. It's other people's parties I dread. You never know who is going to be there, so you come prepared with a mental list of easy conversation starters. If you're lucky another mom that you're friends with will be at the party and you're good to go. Otherwise, you're stuck. To be honest, the idea of attending a party where I can barely pick the kid, let alone the mom, out of a lineup terrifies me to the core. I will literally count down the minutes and seconds until I get to leave, or come up with a good excuse to rush away. Of course, my initial response is to come up with an excellent excuse why we could never make it, just like I do in 99% of most social engagements, but Client Two is extroverted it seems. We can be at a playground for two minutes and she can find a friend. She is a little social butterfly and she loves being around other kids. I want her to stay comfortable being more extroverted, so, for her sake, a little part of me wants to take her to parties and story times at the library. 

Kids make life harder and make us stretch our comfort zones. I'm learning that more and more each day. I fear the day both my kids are in school and my home finds itself invaded with friends. I want them to have lots of friends, but I don't need necessarily want to be friends with their friends' mothers. That seems so rude to me, but that's who I am. Who knows? Maybe it won't be so bad. It's probably a good thing not all moms are introverted like me or the world would run on text messages and emails instead of actual conversations. Facebook and the occasional play date with a close friend is all I really need for my social life to be complete, but my kids need more. Client One has dance class and AWANAS on Wednesdays. I take her to story time at the library on Fridays. We do play dates when we can and we hit up all the fall festivals and spring flings and holiday parties. And now, we're starting into the birthday parties. Do I like it? Well, I like seeing her have fun. Am I happy when it's over and I come back home? You betcha. Am I going to keep going outside my comfort zone even though I dread it? Yep. Because parenting isn't always about you. It's about doing the best for your kids and if that means torture in the form of parties and social engagements for a few years, then so be it. 

Client One with her best friend at an Easter party from this past weekend.

Addicted

Hi. My name's Amber and I'm addicted to the dollar store.

It's true, I'm afraid. I have developed a true love for the dollar store, Dollar Tree in particular. They have just about everything you could desire. A good chunk of stuff for Client One's birthday party is coming from the dollar store. They have a pack of 80 candles for just a dollar. Awesome, right? And they also have those plastic table cloths and paper streamers for decorating and oodles of candy and goodie bag stuffers. They even have balloons.

But party stuff isn't all they have. Pretty much everything in my clients' Easter baskets is from the dollar store. I'm talking sunglasses, a chocolate bunny, stuffed bunny toys, an Easter book, egg shaped sidewalk chalk, a bunny sunglasses mask, sandbox toys, a Princess Sofia jump rope and, of course, candy. They even have super cute Easter baskets and buckets to put the stuff in.

The dollar store has great organizational stuff, too. Tons of buckets and baskets and containers in all sorts of fun colors. And there's food. Real food as well as chips and snacks and candy. They sell these things called "Muddy Bears" that are gummy bears covered in chocolate. They might sound gross but they are AMAZING! And, of course, the dollar store sells every day items. Client One picked out a Minnie Mouse hairbrush while we were at the dollar store earlier. This child HATES having her hair brushed but for a mere dollar I bought her a brush that she wanted that somehow magically does not hurt her hair. She spent about ten minutes just brushing her hair. I also got her a shiny spray bottle for monster spray to spray the monsters away at night.

The dollar store isn't great just for the merchandise. It's also the experience for my clients. Client One loves going to the dollar store because she gets a treat she can afford. She prances right in, her purse slung over her shoulder, and picks out a treat or two. Up at the register she pulls out her dollar bills and happily pays. She can even pay with spare change. She loves it and she feels so grown up. I love it because I don't have to price check everything. I know everything is a dollar so I don't have to worry that what she picks will be too expensive.

So, yeah. I'm completely addicted to the dollar store. I always check there for what I need before I go to another store. I love it and so do my clients and I don't imagine is giving it up any time soon. But, hey, there are more expensive addictions out there.