Taking care of your Pride

All is well in the house we call home.  We are dancing and singing, having parades full of circus animals, listening to baby giggles, watching him crawl, stand, cruise and push anything and everything anywhere and everywhere... We listen to our 2 3/4 year old sing, watch her change clothes every 15 minutes and wear crowns (as she is a princess)...  We have had company, been company, missed family and skyped family since I last posted.

We have continued on our resolution journey and have been living life, each day another adventure.  (Life with a high-drama toddler and a mobile baby makes for an emotionally and physically draining day)

I am reminded though, through this resolution journey - just how amazing life is.  It is right here, at our fingertips. It is our moment. Each moment.  My laughing children, who can now take my breath away with any one of their dimples... I am so proud to be their mother.

I never really knew what motherhood would be like before I was married and had children.  Back when dating was a sport, dancing happened at bars, and research was done because of a college assignment.  I did know this: I would be a mother someday.

Dating has now become a family affair, as we wouldn't have it any other way.  Dancing happens in our living room with tutus, magic wands, music, and normally a glass of wine ;)   And research, well research is something that I thought I would leave behind after my college days; however, after becoming pregnant and feeling this obligation to not only birth and care for a human being, but to do it with 100% of my soul - research became my best friend.

I have learned that anything occurring in this "Herd Mentality" of a population we live in should be challenged.  Not everything is black or white - not everything is as easy as just taking advice from your friends who have all done it before you...  Educate yourself on this: Parenting.  You only get one stab at it (per child of course) and it is your responsibility to do the best job you possibly can.

Take mental (and actual) photographs of the tutu dancing, tea parties, dress up sessions, and even date nights, but please don't forget to mentally (and physically) document the things in which you do that you KNOW make an amazing mother.

A few items on my "Pride" list:

1. Co-sleeping with two children... because I know just how much my toddler still needs/wants/craves those night time snuggles.  How can you blame her? We could not exactly tell her to sleep in her room as Mommy, Daddy, and new baby brother slept together in another room.  I am even more proud that we are listening to her needs and not moving her (or baby brother out) 9 months after the birth.

2. Nursing Olympics...    You know - when you are sitting leaned over on the couch and baby can stand and nurse in front of you.  Or when baby can find his snack at any angle imaginable...  Not "breastfeeding olympics" because breastfeeding is what you do when you purely breastfeed. Nursing takes it to the next level. You nurse when you feed on demand, for comfort, and for an extended period of time (meaning after you have introduced foods, after a first birthday, after baby can sign or "ask" for it... knowing the benefits it provides to your child).  I nursed Scarlett for 20 months and wish that she would have continued longer, but my milk changed at that point of my pregnancy and she weaned herself :(   With Emmett, I am hoping that he continues going strong and hits 2 or more years of nursing.  I say nursing because I will nurse him when he falls and gets a boo-boo, or when he has his feelings hurt, or just when he is thirsty and wants it. 

3.  Baby-wearing...   Scarlett gave me no choice.  She had to be worn throughout her infancy.  However, I am proud because after researching, I learned just how wonderful baby-wearing is, and not just at infancy.  Scarlett will still bring me the ergo and ask to be worn.  I do not deny her (unless Emmett is already on me - and then she just has to wait until Emmett is down).  Emmett is worn pretty much 24/7.  We have to keep up with Scarlett somehow.  ;)

4. Cloth Diapering...  I will say that I was against this before Scarlett was born, but John stood firm and talked me into "trying" it.  Joke is on him, right?  You should see the stash of fluff we have in this house.  My biggest point of pride in this field is that Emmett has never had anything other than fluff on his butt. From day one.

5.  Extended-Rear Facing...  My 2 3/4 year old daughter is still rear-facing, as it is the safest way to have a child sitting in the car.  She will stay this way until we cannot fit carseats in this position or she outweighs the limit.

6.  Baby-Led Weaning...  call it healthier (or lazier), but we do not use baby food - or purees at all in this house.  Baby eats what we eat when baby is ready.  It is healthier in the long run, yes - but it sure is easier too :)

7. Wet Nursing...  I didn't know if I would ever discuss nursing another woman's child. Let alone the thought of someone nursing my child.  But when your child will not take milk from any other source but a boob, will not eat table food, and you are in need of just an hour with your husband, a best friend who is also nursing comes in handy :) 

8. Delaying (until who-knows-when) Vaccinations...  mercury? aluminum? formaldehyde? nah...  no thank you.

9.  Natural Birth...  I am grateful for doctors to be there for those who are in need a c-section (true need - not elective need) - but every woman is capable of giving birth naturally... It is the most "Super Woman" feeling you will ever have. EVER.  

I am even more proud of my husband though - with each of these points, he has read, researched further, and supported me in every way possible.  It has to be hard when you do not have milk flowing to stop tears. He is by my side and is the greatest father I could have ever asked for my children.

I will say though that the most prideful moment(s) have been after bringing these babies into the world... all of the moments I have followed my gut, researched, learned, and grown as a mother.  Each day presents opportunities to take the easy road, or the road most traveled by mothers.  I am proud that I can look at this road and realize that it is easier not because it is right, but because it has been paved by those following in step of the others around them - unquestioning, unknowing that there is even another road available. 


So thinking back to my college days, I realize just how much I have changed. I also realize just how proud of myself I am.  I am now the woman (and mother) that I never even knew I could be.  Take a look around you - take pride in the little things as well as the big.  Take pride in giving up a job to be with your babies. Take pride in learning to love finger painting. Take pride in falling asleep while reading books to your little one.  Take pride in being an amazing parent.

What are you proud of?