{27} Candles

 A birthday. A celebration. A day of relaxation, of pampering, of being all about you.

Until you become a parent.

To be honest I never thought about having my birthday not be about me.

I like to consider myself a fairly giving and caring person (fingers crossed I'm not wrong!) and 364 days of the year I focus on everyone else.

But March 12....March 12 is my day. My day to be selfish and celebrate me. My day to have all my friends and family surrounding me...singing to me....celebrating me.

This year was different though. My little woman was ill. Like really ill. Like I don't want anyone else to catch her cooties ill. So out went the party, the celebrating, the fun. March 12 was about her. My girl. My love.

I never considered this aspect of parenthood before and although I was feeling pretty down this weekend (yeah I felt sorry for myself) I now am starting to feel blessed.

You see I got to spend my day with the two loves of my life. I ate sushi and had a nice glass of wine. I relaxed. I snuggled with my little lady. She gave me hugs and kisses all day and my husband did the dishes. My mom stopped by and relaxed with us too.

So even though the day did not go according to plan I still had a great day. It's just these littler reminders when it comes to our lives as parents about how things really are different. I really don't think you are ever prepared (even if you think you are) to change every aspect of your life.




***I did not create this post in hopes of pity. I created it so that if you are ever presented in a situation where you are feeling down you can think back and remember that you are not alone and that it is ok to  be a little selfish sometimes. That is is normal to have your world turned upside down and that sometimes you forget that it was. That parenthood is tough and no matter how ready for it you are...there are aspects of it that you just never really consider.***


**Looking for something to get me for my birthday? How about checking out the RLM sponsors! Promise it will make my day! :) **

{Worry}

Hello. My name is Michelle and I'm a worrier. Yes, I worry about too many things.

I think as a mother this is something that is just ingrained in us. Did I sanitize everything properly, is she growing quickly enough, is she learning enough? Do I spend enough time reading too her or do I feed her the right things? Am I teaching her how to be kind and loving...am I teaching her to share?

I'm not going to lie...these are questions (along with about a zillion others) that cross my mind each and everyday.

My latest and greatest....is she saying enough words? For the last few weeks I have been obsessed with the idea that the girl is not speaking enough. Don't get me wrong...she babbles and babbles and babbles some more (typical girl) but actually words...is she actually saying enough of them. Well the other night at work while chatting with a dear friend (who also happens to be a nurse practitioner) I asked her what I should be expecting of Averee. Well to my shock the average 18 month old speaks somewhere between 5-20 words (this was also confirmed by her Pediatrician this week). That's it?!? Well no wonder I've been worried....for some reason I had in my head that she should be speaking many many more and even worse...I realized that I don't give Av proper credit for all the words she does say...

She says about 30 words....she can sign the word more, which she does when she is hungry and she has even combined a few things like "juice please" or "what's that". She understands almost everything we say and she listens (most of the time).

Yeah...I was worried about this little cutie.

Parenting.

Is there something that is always on your mind in regards to your child/ren?

***Just thought it was important to note there is almost always a level of sarcasim in my post's. And as always I can be a bit dramatic. :) ***

{Reminisce}

Do you ever look back and remember what it used to be like to say....eat a meal without being interrupted or leave the house when you want to and not have it focused around nap time. How about cooking meals because you want to or just simply making a meal because it is your favorite not because it is the only thing your little one will eat. Or eating a meal and being done...never mind cleaning the high chair, cleaning the floor, cleaning the dishes, cleaning your child, pre-treating all the clothes involved, washing said clothes...And remember those times when you could take a nap just because you were tired and felt like it or even go to the restroom by yourself. Yeah....I remember those days.

Yes, I remember. But you want to know what else I remember? All these amazing times that I am having. I feel like a kid all over again (I'm just a lot more tired this time around!) I remember the sweet kisses my little lady leaves for me, the snuggles that she provides, the giggles.....oh the giggles! You know....I don't think you can ever quite be prepared for motherhood and I don't think you ever really believe that it wont be just perfect. But the great thing about motherhood is you get to make it your own. You get to help this little being learn to be part of this world. You get to teach them how to be a good person and how to love. And remember my favorite thing is the "imperfect"! If we were all perfect where would the fun be in that! Take advantage of these times we have, if you need help ask for it! We have all been through our own struggles and can all offer our advice or a helping hand. Through the screams of a wee one to the tantrums of a toddler...even if we can't do anything to fix it...I've always found comfort in knowing.....I'm not alone. Here's some of our memories from this week...Memories we will have forever...

Yes, I remember.....and I wouldn't trade these memories for the world!

                                                                     

I decied to participate in a photo challenge! You can check it out here :)

                                         

The case of the missing bottle...

Dunnnnnn dun dun dunnnnnnnn.

Ok so that is probably not how you spell the sound of the ridiculous music that is sure to play in every cheesy thriller but I felt it appropriate as I have a flare for the dramatic (shhhh don't tell my husband....I am constantly telling him that Averee has learned to be so dramatic from him!).

I wish that I could say the bottle in question here was maybe say a nice bottle of red or heck I'd even take white and that when I found it alls I would need is a cork screw and a dear friend to enjoy it with.

But it was actually one of Averee's bottles that was missing. Silly me assumed that it must be at Averee's sitters house or one of her grandparents homes since she has been traveling between the three quite a lot this week.

So imagine my surprise when Averee so sweetly comes running to my side with a bottle...half filled with what I can only assume used to be milk!!! I'm not sure as to where said bottle was hiding and I'm sure I probably do not want to know but alls I can say is thank goodness she did not attempt to drink it. I mean I'm not positive on this but I'm pretty sure any thing that is suppossed to be liquid but is filled with solids has probably reached it's prime!

Oh the joys!

Poop....

Ok. So if you are totally grossed out by the subject...Well you should probably just stop now. That's right. Step away from your computer...NOW!

Now that we have cleared out those who clearly can't hand it I'm sure you thinking to yourself...Hmmmm she's lost her mind.

But as any mother knows poop is apart of your daily life from the moment that you say hello to that beautiful baby. For it it was actually from the moment before I was able to even say hello. My sweet little dolly greeted her mommy for the first time with a beautiful display of meconium right down my leg. You better believe I cherished that gift for a lifetime....well because pretty much that is how long it takes to get meconium off of your skin! Just in case you were wondering.


I bring this topic to the table because for the last 24 hours it has literally been surrounding me! At work last night there was an event that can only be compared to the explosion of sewage plant with a scent that lingers for days. To be honest.....I didn't think we were going to make it. It was deserving of gas masks and a bio hazard clean up committee.

I then come home to learn of a friend who was out just for a leisurely shopping trip when it happened. That dreaded event that you truly, as a first time mother, believe will NEVER HAPPEN TO YOU. Well let me be the first to tell you. It will...so be prepared. As she was strolling through the store she thought to herself  "well that is weird...my shirt feels wet." As she looked down she was shocked to not be greeted with a bit of drool or a spilt sippy cup. But instead she was covered from head to toe in the delicious brown stuff.

Sorry but I LOL'd :). Because well I have been there before...more then once to be exact. You will learn soon enough that my little family is filled with their share of bowel issues and I am sure this will not be the last of this topic.

My best advice is...Always. And I mean ALWAYS have extra diapers, wipes, change of clothing for your child and at minimum and spare shirt for yourself. The last thing you want is to be the one getting those "looks" from those passing by. Just look for a fellow mom....I'm sure at the very least she can offer a warm smile as she chuckles inside... so happy that it is not her this time.

Any poop stories to share?