"at" = hat
"ot" = hot
"oggie" = doggie
"octie" = kitty
"ock" = sock
"uck" = duck
"all duh" = all done
"ot duh" = hot dog (sounds exactly the same as 'all done')
"all gah" = all gone
"tay-to" = potato
"ah-no" = Elmo
"ca-ca" = cracker
"na-na" = banana
"onk" = honk
"boo" = Pooh
"da-da" = Da-da
"ma-ma" = Mama
"gah" = junk (Mama's favorite exasperated utterance) :)
"bbbbbbbbbb" = bubbles
"noggin" = noggin
All words should be uttered in an excited tone of voice, with the emphasis on the first syllable- i.e. "NA-na". Sometimes it may be appropriate to squeal the first syllable, especially if you see an "octie" or "oggie" on your porch, or you really want a banana. If the word is only one syllable, you may repeat it over and over, i.e. "at at at at at" or "uck uck uck uck" until someone understands what it is that you want and hands it to you.
If someone does not hand you the desired item, it may be necessary to throw a tantrum to get said person's attention. Infuriatingly, sometimes the person may sit there and watch you throw tantrums, and even take pictures of your tantrum without handing over the object of your desire. At this point, it may be best to calm down and take another approach. :)
...at least I'm hoping he'll start to learn that last sentence at some point.... :)
These last few days, Z has just been extra-naughty. He has really started to just look me straight in the face and defy me...over and over...and then, of course, he receives a swat, but, oh, how I hate spanking him... :( And when he tests me over and over, I just feel so discouraged, and I think, "Will he ever learn? Is he getting anything from these swats???" I know it's just a stage, and it won't last forever, but I feel like a terrible parent on the days when I look forward to naptime & bedtime with all my being.
Some parts of parenting a toddler are NO fun, but his adorable emerging vocabulary is one of the more delightful parts. :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Eight Is Enough...Isn't It?
Right now, a lot is being said about the octuplets, and about their mom, Nadya Suleman and the decisions she's made involving choosing IVF as a single mother. Over at Jason's blog, he pointed out that no matter what your standpoint on this news story is, it raises some important questions, and shouldn't be taken lightly. Mary also wrote a great post about it over here, and I could not agree more with everything she so compassionately said. However, I feel the need to share my own personal viewpoint on this news story.
I watched Ann Curry's Dateline interview with Nadya, and came away concerned. For her and especially for her 14 children. Yes, that's right, 14. Nadya said that she 'tried the marriage route' first, but it didn't work out-she wasn't able to conceive. But 'her dream' was to have a big family, because she was an only child who always wished for siblings. So, even after her marriage ended in divorce, she pursued IVF (in-vitro fertilization), because 'nothing was going to stand in the way of her dream'. She saved up money and ended up having the same fertility doctor implant her with embryos, fertilized from the same $perm donor, a family friend, several times. The first four times, she gave birth to one baby each time. A couple of times, the embryos 'didn't take', and the next-to-last time, she gave birth to twins. Then she decided to try once again, and her fertility doctor implanted six embryos (which he said he had done each time). A few weeks later, she discovered that there were seven babies growing in her womb (some of the embryos had split into twins). She carried the babies nearly full term, and gave birth via C-section, and after seven children had been born, the doctor reached to remove the placenta, and discovered an eighth baby waiting to be born! Miraculously, all eight babies survived the birth and weighed between 1 lb 8 oz & 3 lb 4 oz.
The birth of these octuplets has raised a lot of controversy having to do with IVF itself, specifically the process that Nadya's fertility doctor used in implanting SO many embryos. I have heard comments to the effect that a typical IVF implantation would involve 2 embryos. As far as my own opinion about IVF, I have not thought through the issues surrounding it enough (many of these issues affect a pro-life standpoint) and I do not know enough about the process to comment on the responsibility of this doctor's decision.
At the beginning of the interview, I was pleased with Nadya's pro-life comments...she talked about how every pregnancy is a life, each child is a precious gift from God, and she wasn't going to entertain the notion of 'selective reduction' for her octuplets, and I nodded in agreement. By the end of the interview, however, I began to be disgusted as she contradicted herself many times. At one point, she said that 'if her (other 6) children would have told her they didn't want her to have any more children, she wouldn't have'. But in the beginning of the show, she said that one of her reasons for getting the embryos implanted was that she believed that they were lives that God had created and deserved a chance to live. Do her other six children's desires cancel that belief out?
I also had strong concerns about the fact that she has no income at this time. She and her children have been living off disability payments and student loans, which have now run out. She is going back to school, and claims she will have income after her education is complete, but until then, who will feed her children? Not to mention take care of them while their mother is at school?
I think for me personally, the most concerning thing is Nadya's attitude, which implies that 'her dream' of having a large family is more important than the well-being of the children that she's choosing to bring into the world. To follow your own desires and dreams, not caring how your actions will impact your children's lives, this is NOT love. In fact, this is the epitome of selfishness.
Now, I understand as well as anyone the desire for children. My own dream has always been to have children and be a stay-at-home mom, taking 24/7 care of my babies. I'm very thankful that God has blessed me with a husband and blessed us with a child. If I were single, I know that my desire for a husband and for a child would be very strong and very painful.
But I would hope that I would choose what was best for the children whose lives would be involved, instead of following my own dream at any cost.
I watched Ann Curry's Dateline interview with Nadya, and came away concerned. For her and especially for her 14 children. Yes, that's right, 14. Nadya said that she 'tried the marriage route' first, but it didn't work out-she wasn't able to conceive. But 'her dream' was to have a big family, because she was an only child who always wished for siblings. So, even after her marriage ended in divorce, she pursued IVF (in-vitro fertilization), because 'nothing was going to stand in the way of her dream'. She saved up money and ended up having the same fertility doctor implant her with embryos, fertilized from the same $perm donor, a family friend, several times. The first four times, she gave birth to one baby each time. A couple of times, the embryos 'didn't take', and the next-to-last time, she gave birth to twins. Then she decided to try once again, and her fertility doctor implanted six embryos (which he said he had done each time). A few weeks later, she discovered that there were seven babies growing in her womb (some of the embryos had split into twins). She carried the babies nearly full term, and gave birth via C-section, and after seven children had been born, the doctor reached to remove the placenta, and discovered an eighth baby waiting to be born! Miraculously, all eight babies survived the birth and weighed between 1 lb 8 oz & 3 lb 4 oz.
The birth of these octuplets has raised a lot of controversy having to do with IVF itself, specifically the process that Nadya's fertility doctor used in implanting SO many embryos. I have heard comments to the effect that a typical IVF implantation would involve 2 embryos. As far as my own opinion about IVF, I have not thought through the issues surrounding it enough (many of these issues affect a pro-life standpoint) and I do not know enough about the process to comment on the responsibility of this doctor's decision.
At the beginning of the interview, I was pleased with Nadya's pro-life comments...she talked about how every pregnancy is a life, each child is a precious gift from God, and she wasn't going to entertain the notion of 'selective reduction' for her octuplets, and I nodded in agreement. By the end of the interview, however, I began to be disgusted as she contradicted herself many times. At one point, she said that 'if her (other 6) children would have told her they didn't want her to have any more children, she wouldn't have'. But in the beginning of the show, she said that one of her reasons for getting the embryos implanted was that she believed that they were lives that God had created and deserved a chance to live. Do her other six children's desires cancel that belief out?
I also had strong concerns about the fact that she has no income at this time. She and her children have been living off disability payments and student loans, which have now run out. She is going back to school, and claims she will have income after her education is complete, but until then, who will feed her children? Not to mention take care of them while their mother is at school?
I think for me personally, the most concerning thing is Nadya's attitude, which implies that 'her dream' of having a large family is more important than the well-being of the children that she's choosing to bring into the world. To follow your own desires and dreams, not caring how your actions will impact your children's lives, this is NOT love. In fact, this is the epitome of selfishness.
Now, I understand as well as anyone the desire for children. My own dream has always been to have children and be a stay-at-home mom, taking 24/7 care of my babies. I'm very thankful that God has blessed me with a husband and blessed us with a child. If I were single, I know that my desire for a husband and for a child would be very strong and very painful.
But I would hope that I would choose what was best for the children whose lives would be involved, instead of following my own dream at any cost.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Praise Baby CD
A few weeks ago, I won a copy of the Praise Baby Collection: Born to Worship cd from a giveaway on the Praise Baby blog. Z and I have listened to this CD several times, and we both really enjoy it. The CD is a good mix of modern worship songs (We Bow Down, etc.), hymns (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing), and at least one new song that -to my knowledge- cannot be found anywhere else (Made to Praise).
As a sidenote, when I hear the first song on the CD, Step By Step, I can't help but relive many nights of standing in my summer youth camp's chapel, stomping my feet to the words "STEP. BY. STEP. You'll lead me..." For some reason that song tends to remind me of junior high angst...usually with some now-long-forgotten boy at the center of my concerns... but, really, I love that I can share with my little son songs that I sang as a child & teenager, and songs that I enjoy and worship with as an adult.
I am enjoying the song "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting"- I believe I've heard it before, but I've never been familiar with the words, and I'm loving getting to know this song better.
And my favorite song? On the whole album? The one that makes tears well up whenever it comes on? Made to Praise. The song that's unique to this album. Want to see why? Well, you'll have to start by imagining that all you've ever wanted in your whole life is to be a mommy, and to raise children that love and praise and serve God. And then you waited years for God to bless you with a sweet baby. And then He did! And then, one day, as you're driving down the road, listening to your Praise Baby CD and glancing in the rear-view mirror at your sweet little boy, who might be sleeping or quietly listening in the back seat, you hear these lyrics:
From the earth to the sky,
I'm the apple of your eye
You created my form,
and knew me long before I was born
I was made to praise You
I was made to love
I was born to worship
the Father, the Son and Spirit of God.
Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love
From the sky to the earth
Lord, we celebrate Your birth
That You came as a man,
revealing to us Your wonderful plan
We were made to praise You
We were made for love
We were born to embrace You
The only God and Father above.
Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love.
Are you crying yet??? Anybody? Well, you may have to add some time-of-the-month hormones into the imagination mix if you're not... :) I seriously just cried re-reading the lyrics. :)
I just love the gentle reminder of this song that each of us are created and set into our place by God, FOR His glory- not just our own happiness (although happiness is found in serving Him as He has designed).
In short, Z and I adore this CD. We will be listening to it many times in the years to come, I can assure you. Check out the rest of the Praise Baby line over at www.praisebabycollection.com- they have videos that look really neat, too- and you can watch clips from them on their site!
As a sidenote, when I hear the first song on the CD, Step By Step, I can't help but relive many nights of standing in my summer youth camp's chapel, stomping my feet to the words "STEP. BY. STEP. You'll lead me..." For some reason that song tends to remind me of junior high angst...usually with some now-long-forgotten boy at the center of my concerns... but, really, I love that I can share with my little son songs that I sang as a child & teenager, and songs that I enjoy and worship with as an adult.
I am enjoying the song "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting"- I believe I've heard it before, but I've never been familiar with the words, and I'm loving getting to know this song better.
And my favorite song? On the whole album? The one that makes tears well up whenever it comes on? Made to Praise. The song that's unique to this album. Want to see why? Well, you'll have to start by imagining that all you've ever wanted in your whole life is to be a mommy, and to raise children that love and praise and serve God. And then you waited years for God to bless you with a sweet baby. And then He did! And then, one day, as you're driving down the road, listening to your Praise Baby CD and glancing in the rear-view mirror at your sweet little boy, who might be sleeping or quietly listening in the back seat, you hear these lyrics:
From the earth to the sky,
I'm the apple of your eye
You created my form,
and knew me long before I was born
I was made to praise You
I was made to love
I was born to worship
the Father, the Son and Spirit of God.
Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love
From the sky to the earth
Lord, we celebrate Your birth
That You came as a man,
revealing to us Your wonderful plan
We were made to praise You
We were made for love
We were born to embrace You
The only God and Father above.
Made in Your image and wrapped in Your love.
Are you crying yet??? Anybody? Well, you may have to add some time-of-the-month hormones into the imagination mix if you're not... :) I seriously just cried re-reading the lyrics. :)
I just love the gentle reminder of this song that each of us are created and set into our place by God, FOR His glory- not just our own happiness (although happiness is found in serving Him as He has designed).
In short, Z and I adore this CD. We will be listening to it many times in the years to come, I can assure you. Check out the rest of the Praise Baby line over at www.praisebabycollection.com- they have videos that look really neat, too- and you can watch clips from them on their site!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
This morning, as I played with Z in the living room, I happened to glance into the kitchen, and there on the table were a dozen roses and two gifts for me- one was a gift basket of rose-scented bath & body things, and the other was this:
I let Z play with the frog a little, but I drank all the coffee. :)
The thing is- Hubby had to work at camp last night with the group until 11:30 pm. And of course, being the master plan-ahead-er that he is, he did not have a Valentine's gift for me yet. I really didn't expect one & it wasn't that big of a deal to me. Anyway, he decided he wanted me to have a nice surprise, so last night, with his lingering cold, in the middle of a tiring retreat, he headed to Wal-Mart (a 30-minute drive). I think I remember him crawling into bed around 1:45, maybe... but I guess that's love for you. :)
So...as far as how we spent our Valentine's Day? Well, we have about 150 teens at camp for a retreat this weekend. So Hubby spent about 3-4 hours driving the tractor in the snow so the teens could enjoy the Snake...and in between that and Z's naps, we spent our day in the kitchen.
Here's our family in the camp kitchen:
Here's Z checking out the syrup boxes under the pop machine counter:
Here's my little 'wild thing' in Jill's fun hat:
And here is my musical prodigy, playing the recorder (a Valentine's Day gift from my aunt & uncle). He loves to walk around the house toodling away on it. In case you were wondering, he can only play one note. And, no, it's not really that annoying. :) He also received a tambourine & several other instruments, none of which have driven me crazy as of yet. :)
Did you all have a good Valentine's Day???
Friday, February 13, 2009
Will You Pray?
Okay, internet friends, I know I've already posted once today...hope you're not sick of hearing from me...
But I have a friend, Ashley, who really needs prayer. She and her husband are expecting a baby in August...she went for an ultrasound today, and they could not find a heartbeat (last week they did hear a heartbeat). This and several other factors lead her doctor to believe that she will miscarry this pregnancy...and there is nothing to be done but to wait. Ashley already suffered a miscarriage- in January of 2007, and then delivered a healthy baby girl in December of 2007 (five days after my Z was born).
So, please, take a minute to ask God to heal her baby. God's will is perfect, and un-knowable, I know, but I can't imagine why He would choose to bring Ashley through this pain again. I will update when I find out more. In the meantime, thank you for praying.
But I have a friend, Ashley, who really needs prayer. She and her husband are expecting a baby in August...she went for an ultrasound today, and they could not find a heartbeat (last week they did hear a heartbeat). This and several other factors lead her doctor to believe that she will miscarry this pregnancy...and there is nothing to be done but to wait. Ashley already suffered a miscarriage- in January of 2007, and then delivered a healthy baby girl in December of 2007 (five days after my Z was born).
So, please, take a minute to ask God to heal her baby. God's will is perfect, and un-knowable, I know, but I can't imagine why He would choose to bring Ashley through this pain again. I will update when I find out more. In the meantime, thank you for praying.
The Sweetest Sound
My ears have just begun to hear the sweetest sound.
The sound that I have been waiting and longing to hear for so many years.
A tiny voice, knowingly calling me 'mama'.
Sure, he's babbled the 'm' sound up to this point, so I've heard the sound 'mamamamama' come out of his mouth, but for him to lean towards me from Daddy's arms, or point to a photo of me on the wall, and joyfully proclaim, "Mama!" is an amazing experience. Each time I hear it, my heart overflows with love for my boy, and gratefulness to God for blessing me with this sweet lil' guy.
And can I just say...people-don't steal my joy. I know that on some long day I'll get tired of his chattering and of hearing, "Mommy, Mo-om, Mommy, mommy mommy mommy mommy MOMMY..." ad infinitum. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, in response to my jubilation about Z's emerging vocabulary, "Oh, yeah, it's fun at first, but before too long, you'll be wishing he would just be quiet." I understand that. I have taught preschool, after all. But for now, I'm enjoying it immensely, and will not give those statements the time of day. So don't waste your breath. :)
And I'm off to cherish some more minutes with my little boy before he grows even more before my eyes.
I'm entering this post in Scribbit's March Write-Away contest!
The sound that I have been waiting and longing to hear for so many years.
A tiny voice, knowingly calling me 'mama'.
Sure, he's babbled the 'm' sound up to this point, so I've heard the sound 'mamamamama' come out of his mouth, but for him to lean towards me from Daddy's arms, or point to a photo of me on the wall, and joyfully proclaim, "Mama!" is an amazing experience. Each time I hear it, my heart overflows with love for my boy, and gratefulness to God for blessing me with this sweet lil' guy.
And can I just say...people-don't steal my joy. I know that on some long day I'll get tired of his chattering and of hearing, "Mommy, Mo-om, Mommy, mommy mommy mommy mommy MOMMY..." ad infinitum. I can't tell you how many times I have heard, in response to my jubilation about Z's emerging vocabulary, "Oh, yeah, it's fun at first, but before too long, you'll be wishing he would just be quiet." I understand that. I have taught preschool, after all. But for now, I'm enjoying it immensely, and will not give those statements the time of day. So don't waste your breath. :)
And I'm off to cherish some more minutes with my little boy before he grows even more before my eyes.
I'm entering this post in Scribbit's March Write-Away contest!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Why I Heart Blogging :)
This weekend, Mabel's Labels is running a contest, and the prize is a trip to the BlogHer conference in Chicago on July 24-25, 2009- now, wouldn't THAT be fun???** The question that we are to answer is "What have been the rewards and benefits of participating in the blogging community?" Now...where do I even start???
I have been reading blogs since the fall of 2007, and blogging since May 11, 2007- just a few weeks after I found out I was expecting my son, little Z. I never realized that I would enjoy writing, but the platform of blogging has helped me to discover that it is a great way to articulate my feelings about the things that God is doing in my life, and to share with others the things that I am learning on my parenting journey.
Through my involvement in the blogging community, I have learned a lot about parenting. For example, I had never heard of babywearing before I came across some babywearing bloggers. Now I wear my 14-month-old son in his Patapum often, and my new ring sling should be arriving in the mail next week! (yay!) I also didn't know that not all Christian parents spanked their children every time they disobeyed- there are so many different viewpoints that I have had the opportunity to be exposed to! It's so encouraging to read posts from mothers across the country and around the world, whether those posts focus on cherishing each moment they have with their children, describing their difficult day, or discussing tips and sharing wisdom they've gleaned from their years of parenthood. It's such a blessing to be able to drink in all this wisdom and counsel from women who have been at this years longer than I have and who have felt the way I'm feeling and yet, somehow, survived. :)
I also see my involvement in the bloggy community as somewhat of an opportunity for ministry. When I get time to 'fool around on the computer' during my son's naps, I pray that I would use this time to be an encouragement to someone, whether I've met them in real life or not. Through my blogging, commenting on other's blogs, twittering, and facebooking, my goal is always to bring glory to God and to encourage others through each word that I type.
I do believe that I am a stronger, wiser person for the time that I have spent blogging and reading others' blogs. I believe that God has used other bloggers and the difficult times that they have gone through and so graciously shared about to change and grow me and to deepen my relationship with Him and my appreciation for the blessings that my husband and my son are. The blogging community is unique because, to a point, you are free to be as anonymous as you choose, and you can share feelings or ask questions that you wouldn't dare to ask out loud. It is unlike any other forum, and can have great benefits, as long as it is used wisely.
**(the deadline for this contest is Monday, February 9th, so if you want to participate, you'd better get your entries in!!!)
I have been reading blogs since the fall of 2007, and blogging since May 11, 2007- just a few weeks after I found out I was expecting my son, little Z. I never realized that I would enjoy writing, but the platform of blogging has helped me to discover that it is a great way to articulate my feelings about the things that God is doing in my life, and to share with others the things that I am learning on my parenting journey.
Through my involvement in the blogging community, I have learned a lot about parenting. For example, I had never heard of babywearing before I came across some babywearing bloggers. Now I wear my 14-month-old son in his Patapum often, and my new ring sling should be arriving in the mail next week! (yay!) I also didn't know that not all Christian parents spanked their children every time they disobeyed- there are so many different viewpoints that I have had the opportunity to be exposed to! It's so encouraging to read posts from mothers across the country and around the world, whether those posts focus on cherishing each moment they have with their children, describing their difficult day, or discussing tips and sharing wisdom they've gleaned from their years of parenthood. It's such a blessing to be able to drink in all this wisdom and counsel from women who have been at this years longer than I have and who have felt the way I'm feeling and yet, somehow, survived. :)
I also see my involvement in the bloggy community as somewhat of an opportunity for ministry. When I get time to 'fool around on the computer' during my son's naps, I pray that I would use this time to be an encouragement to someone, whether I've met them in real life or not. Through my blogging, commenting on other's blogs, twittering, and facebooking, my goal is always to bring glory to God and to encourage others through each word that I type.
I do believe that I am a stronger, wiser person for the time that I have spent blogging and reading others' blogs. I believe that God has used other bloggers and the difficult times that they have gone through and so graciously shared about to change and grow me and to deepen my relationship with Him and my appreciation for the blessings that my husband and my son are. The blogging community is unique because, to a point, you are free to be as anonymous as you choose, and you can share feelings or ask questions that you wouldn't dare to ask out loud. It is unlike any other forum, and can have great benefits, as long as it is used wisely.
**(the deadline for this contest is Monday, February 9th, so if you want to participate, you'd better get your entries in!!!)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Let it Snow...in my Kitchen?
Have you ever wanted to play in the snow with your kids, but you didn't want to pull out that hated snowsuit and wrestle them into it? Well, I have. Then I got this GREAT idea from MckMama- to bring the snow inside!
So, we did. Z isn't big enough to stand on anything & play in the sink, so I just brought a bowl of snow inside & put it on a towel on the kitchen floor.
So, we did. Z isn't big enough to stand on anything & play in the sink, so I just brought a bowl of snow inside & put it on a towel on the kitchen floor.
You can see from the next picture that he's pretty excited about it:
Digging in the snow:
wiping the cold snow off his hands:
of course, eating the snow:
and a silly face about the snow:
It was so much fun!!! Thanks for the idea- I know we'll be doing it again! :)
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mommy Guilt
As Denise addressed in her post, most of us Mommies feel guilt about a LOT of things regarding our kids. I think it's a natural part of being a mom - we'll never be perfect, and there are always things we can do better! I think I need to read the book that Denise recommends in her post! :) But here are my 'guilty lists', just to share, and hopefully make some of you feel better about your parenting. :)
10 Things I do NOT Feel Guilty About: (this list is MUCH harder than you might think)
1. Leaving Z in the nursery at church and MOPS.
2. Letting Z go to sleep on his own in his crib.
3. Giving Z fruit instead of veggies at 4 of his 5 meals/snacks a day.
4. Letting Z watch Sesame Street in his exersaucer for an hour every day while I get a shower and check email.
5. Wearing Z while I work in the kitchen at camp or do housework.
6. Singing songs & reading books to my little boy all day long.
7. Hugging & kissing Z as often as I can.
8. The state of his wild hair, and the fact that it really does 'need' to be cut.
9. Letting him wear the same jammies two nights in a row.
10. Not making Z wear real shoes- Robeez work great for right now.
10 Things I DO Feel Guilty About:
1. Feeding Z junky 'toddler food' like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and fish sticks every day.
2. Finishing a post or an email while Z cries or plays in his bed after he wakes up from his nap.
3. Wishing Z would quit being grouchy when I know he's in pain from teething.
4. Letting Z watch more than one hour of Sesame Street a day.
5. Z doesn't drink NEARLY enough whole milk, so I supplement with cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
6. When Z's schedule gets messed up by things I want to do like Mother's Group, camp or church activities.
7. Leaving Z with his Daddy so I can hang out by myself for a few minutes (and write this post). :)
8. Leaving Z with a babysitter so his Daddy and I can go out.
9. Not leaving Z with a babysitter more than we do.
10. Not disciplining Z consistently enough for certain things he shouldn't touch.
I am tempted to add lots MORE to the guilty column...and this doesn't even touch the other areas of my life- I feel guilty for the way I keep my house, the way I do my job at camp, the state of cleanliness in my office, how long it's been since I've written to certain people or called them...and on and on.
I know God doesn't want us to live in guilt, but in His grace. I guess I still need to learn this even more each day. :)
10 Things I do NOT Feel Guilty About: (this list is MUCH harder than you might think)
1. Leaving Z in the nursery at church and MOPS.
2. Letting Z go to sleep on his own in his crib.
3. Giving Z fruit instead of veggies at 4 of his 5 meals/snacks a day.
4. Letting Z watch Sesame Street in his exersaucer for an hour every day while I get a shower and check email.
5. Wearing Z while I work in the kitchen at camp or do housework.
6. Singing songs & reading books to my little boy all day long.
7. Hugging & kissing Z as often as I can.
8. The state of his wild hair, and the fact that it really does 'need' to be cut.
9. Letting him wear the same jammies two nights in a row.
10. Not making Z wear real shoes- Robeez work great for right now.
10 Things I DO Feel Guilty About:
1. Feeding Z junky 'toddler food' like mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and fish sticks every day.
2. Finishing a post or an email while Z cries or plays in his bed after he wakes up from his nap.
3. Wishing Z would quit being grouchy when I know he's in pain from teething.
4. Letting Z watch more than one hour of Sesame Street a day.
5. Z doesn't drink NEARLY enough whole milk, so I supplement with cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
6. When Z's schedule gets messed up by things I want to do like Mother's Group, camp or church activities.
7. Leaving Z with his Daddy so I can hang out by myself for a few minutes (and write this post). :)
8. Leaving Z with a babysitter so his Daddy and I can go out.
9. Not leaving Z with a babysitter more than we do.
10. Not disciplining Z consistently enough for certain things he shouldn't touch.
I am tempted to add lots MORE to the guilty column...and this doesn't even touch the other areas of my life- I feel guilty for the way I keep my house, the way I do my job at camp, the state of cleanliness in my office, how long it's been since I've written to certain people or called them...and on and on.
I know God doesn't want us to live in guilt, but in His grace. I guess I still need to learn this even more each day. :)
This should be a law of physics...or something.
If you put a tuna sandwich on your toddler's high chair tray, and you eat a piece of pizza yourself, your toddler will refuse the tuna and cry for the pizza. Smart kid, right?
The next day, if you feed your toddler a piece of pizza, and try to eat a tuna sandwich yourself, your toddler will scream, refuse the pizza, and cry for a bite of your tuna sandwich.
I think my new mealtime strategy will involve putting Z's meal on my plate and my meal on his highchair tray.
**Also, my cousin's son Weston needs prayer!** Weston is 15 months old, was born about 5 weeks prematurely because his kidneys were blocked & failing, but then after he was born, he wasn't toxic, so they decided to wait until he grew & got stronger to do surgery. He has been doing so well all along, that they still haven't done the surgery. But now his kidneys are toxic, blocked, and beginning to fail, so the original surgery they were going to do may not be enough now. He may need dialysis and a kidney transplant. Please pray for Weston, and for encouragement for his parents, Tausha & Matt! I can't imagine what God's plan in this could be, but I know He does have a plan.
The next day, if you feed your toddler a piece of pizza, and try to eat a tuna sandwich yourself, your toddler will scream, refuse the pizza, and cry for a bite of your tuna sandwich.
I think my new mealtime strategy will involve putting Z's meal on my plate and my meal on his highchair tray.
**Also, my cousin's son Weston needs prayer!** Weston is 15 months old, was born about 5 weeks prematurely because his kidneys were blocked & failing, but then after he was born, he wasn't toxic, so they decided to wait until he grew & got stronger to do surgery. He has been doing so well all along, that they still haven't done the surgery. But now his kidneys are toxic, blocked, and beginning to fail, so the original surgery they were going to do may not be enough now. He may need dialysis and a kidney transplant. Please pray for Weston, and for encouragement for his parents, Tausha & Matt! I can't imagine what God's plan in this could be, but I know He does have a plan.
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