Nap Time

Lately we've been having afternoon naps together.

And it's a special kind of lovely.

Should-ing All Over Ourselves

Parenting is hard. Really hard.

And, even after 20 months, I'm still learning so many new things about how to parent. How to be a good parent.

And the more I "try" things, the more I'm learning about myself as a parent. The more I'm learning about how I parent.
I'm learning that more and more I'm finding myself in the 'Attachment Parenting' camp.
I'm learning that parenting with love, kindness, patience, and gentleness is what makes me feel like a good mother.

I'm also learning that there are plenty of people out there that want to tell you how to parent 'properly'.
There are plenty of people out there that want to tell you what you should do, and what you should not do.
.... children should not sleep in their parent's bed ....
.... babies should be sleeping through the night at 6 months old ....
.... toddlers should not have soothers .....
.... you should let your baby cry until they fall asleep ....
.... you should breastfeed, but you should not breastfeed longer than a year ....


And then an article like this comes out.

And all it does is make people feel guilty.
Guilty because they breastfed their child 'too long' and that's gross.
Guilty because they weren't 'mom enough' to breastfeed their child until they were 3.

So who wins? With this kind of an inflammatory, divisive debate -  nobody wins.
Why can't we all just recognize that everybody parents in the way that works for them and their child?



So here's to stopping all the should-talk and letting go of the guilt.
Because, at the end of the day, aren't we all just doing the best job that we know how?

Game-Point Conversations

Me: Ayla, let's put a bib on.
Ayla: No bib.
Me: But it's gonna be a messy supper. So we'd better put a bib on to make sure that your shirt doesn't get dirty.
Ayla: No bib.

Ayla - 1   Me - 0

Me: No bib? OK.

Ayla - 1    Me -  0 1



Ayla (to Greg): Happy Mother's Day Daddy.
Greg: ........

Ayla - 1    Greg - 0

Me: Hey, did you hear that Kim Kardashian is dating Kanye West?
Greg: Who's Kim Kardashian?

Greg - 1   Kim Kardashian - 0

Me: Ayla, do you know how much mommy loves you?
Ayla: Yup.
Me: How much?
Ayla: So much.

Game. Set. Match.

POTW

Found this little gem on my phone yesterday.
A 'self-portrait', if you will.

Her idea of a good time

It's My Birthday

When I turned 15, my mom said to me "You know, you're half way to thirty."

It was a weird thing to say to a 15 year old. And it actually felt kinda mean.
Because, let's face it, when you are 15, people who are thirty are...well....old.

But today I turned 28. And now that I am on the doorstep of that dreaded thirty, I'm realizing that really you are only as old as you feel.

And this is about how old I feel today:

Turns out 28 is actually pretty great.

Just a few snapshots from the long weekend

And (as another blogger that I love would say) that's all my iPhone has to say about that.

This Happened.

I'm not saying that I'm proud of it. All I'm saying is that it happened.

I happen to think that Croc-type shoes are among the ugliest shoes available (right up there with UGG-type boots). However, I also happen to think that their practicality is undeniable.

So, yes, Ayla and I both have a pair.

But we will only be wearing them in the backyard.
And maybe to the park.

A Downtown Adventure

Yesterday morning Ayla, my mom, and I ventured downtown.

We took the bus, which was thrilling in and of itself.

First stop was Uncle Scott's office. He's pretty busy these days, but he was able to take a few minutes out of his super-busy-high-powered lawyer schedule to snuggle his little niece.

Next stop was Holt's. Ayla really liked Holt's - what can I say?...the girl already has impeccable taste. One saleslady gave her some stickers to play with, and so she promptly sat down right in the middle of the store and started stickering herself. Plus, their displays are so whimsical and fantastical that she just enjoyed wandering around and looking.

Next stop was Starbucks, of course. We found a sunny bench and Ayla found a puddle.

Last stop - the bus stop. To take us back home.

The whole reason for the excursion was to pick up these babies (my birthday present),

but it never hurts to have a little fun along the way. =)

POTW

::Mama's Day morning::

A morning at the park

As I know I've mentioned before, my best friend happens to be an ultra talented photographer. She, being the modest gal that she is, would shrug off any compliments and down play her talents, saying that she is "amateur" and "self-taught". Be that as it may, one look at these pictures and anyone would agree that they are nothing short of professional.

Her subject: Ayla
The setting: the playground
The background: a wonderfully sunny and clear morning

Check out her blog to see more of her amazing photography. Or perhaps you want to book her for a little photo session of your own...I happen to know that she will work for Starbucks.

Popsicle Party

Why?

Why do I always have to work on the nicest days?

oh well. Only 14 more work days until I get 7 glorious weeks to enjoy the sun and warmth every day.

And check out this sweaty, rosy little face.

Now that's the face of summer.

Love & Be Loved

Mother's Day is extra special when you both are and have a mom. Then you really get to experience the joy from both sides. I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with both my mom and my daughter yesterday.

I love my mom. So much. And I love my daughter. So much. It was a very happy Mother's Day.

Wanna Smile?

This picture makes me smile.

It really captures Ayla's curiosity and determination. And her love for her Auntie Corrine.