Author: steelemommy

You’re not trapped in a glass cage of emotion…but instead a tiny plastic tub that your chub won’t allow you to esacape. You also just dropped a crayon and a necklace you just can’t reach. This isnt going to end well.
#toddlerproblems

When you’re so hungry you can’t hold your head up. #toddlerproblems

And shamefully yes, those are “Old McDonald’s” nuggets. Woefully under prepared for a growing gal’s appetite. I am weak, & 8.75 months pregnant. …i caved.

Everyone who knows how to make me smile knows that Dough from NYC really brings it. If you’re lucky enough to be in the NYC area, drop by for one of their many amazing flavors. This is not sponsored, I just like sharing the good news.  Better than doughnut factory, who also makes a killer jelly filled.

Means a soft velvet chair and no table.  No mess, no screams, and time to stare out the window.  Had an adult conversation without interruption. Sometimes it’s okay to have a little me time.  I do love me some velvet chair seat at 7am. Unfortunately, I’m  still programmed to rise with the sun.  Thank you my little monsters!

P.S. I’m thankful for this moment, but don’t want it everyday…I thrive in chaos.

into the world of dance.  With 3 girls, it will be unavoidable.  We have Big E’s first recital tonight.  Well, dress rehearsal really.  They let us know that we can put them in make up or not- no big deal.  I initially thought to myself, ” HA makeup.  Dream on”  Then Evie came home with Dad asking if she could wear makeup.  I guess it’s better me than someone else who will give her the first experience with makeup.  I searched online to try and find all natural makeup lines for children’s stage- I mean, it is a whole industry.  Everything I found was full of nasty chemicals and the looks required as much of an investment as my personal makeup.

On a personal mommy level, I find so much wrong with putting makeup on little girls for any reason.  They are beautiful, and this early intro to makeup seems to suggest otherwise by the very folks who are teaching them confidence. However,  as someone who loved the stage I also understand putting on a persona and makeup helps you to alter into someone else.

SO, on goes the makeup for picture day.  It was so much fun.   When we got to the pictures only 1 other mom in her age group had put on makeup.  Several other moms made snarky comments about how they were too young, and they had thought about it too but didn’t have time.   I secretly feel the same way, and almost explained myself. I didn’t, because it hurt my feelings a little.  Another mom said of Big E’s hair, “oh, look at her hair, it looks so cute.  We don’t have time for all that.”   A wonderful compliment had we stopped with sentence #1.     Clearly, all the moms are in the same area and 2 of us chose to make a different decision for our child.  Some of us were better at hair than others (not me- another little girl had a stunning professionally done style).  Some moms had done a better job pressing their daughter’s tutu.

So, at the end of the day, all mommies have a different set of strengths and weaknesses.  I’d love to promote not making other mommies feel bad about either one.  Stop your compliment before it turns nasty because you feel bad about something you might not have done as well.   We set the bar for our daughter’s behavior.  Let’s celebrate each other’s strength and give grace for our weaknesses.

We also make different choices for our children, and that’s okay too.  Let’s not make moms feel bad about their choices, whether you agree with them or not.  Once again, our daughters model this behavior and will follow suit.  Help them to build a sisterhood instead of a coffee clutch intent on making others feel bad to build themselves the confidence we as moms never gave them.

that is coming.  We are having a third girl this July.  Much like animals, our children instinctively sense that their place in the world is about to change.  It’s a novelty right now, and Big E is super excited to be a big sister again.  Little L, not so much.  They’ve started early waking and trying to snuggle under my left arm.  They BOTH want the exact same spot over my heart to lay their heads.  Unfortunately, this resolves in a Battle Royale at 3am.  We may not be ready for this….

The thunder rolled, and the lightning was invisible of course.   My daughter ran into my room to ask me, “what that noise?”

I with a smile, “It’s elves in the sky, bowling.”

“what?”

“it’s ELVES, in the SKY, BOWLING”

“what?”

“it’s ELVES IN THE SKY- BOWLING, playing a game that makes noise”

“what?”

“It’s something scientific that means a storm is coming called thunder.”

“No it’s not, you’re wrong. that’s Jesus coming out of my heart.”

I don’t know why they ask if they’re so sure of the answer.  I don’t know why I try to be sarcastic with a 3 year old.   I’m clearly still an amateur.

For new mercies every day. Today my youngest has been solidly fascinated for hours with my bed side humidifier & her fingers are too fat to fit through the fan grill. In sight & safe, no roaming. I have no idea where the other one is… Happy Weekend morning!

I totally snapped at my mother when she was just trying to help.  I imagine that I actually bit her head off, and left bloodied chunks by the side of the road as I ran away in shame.  This woman BIRTHED me, and raised me (pretty well, too).  Yet in my own house, with my own children I cannot stand to have her tell me what to do.  Even when she’s right.  It has to be a base instinct to snap at grandmas.

I used to watch my other friends get so hyper when their mother or mother in law told them what to do when their kids mis-behaved.  This is my pre-toddler years of course.  I thought to myself, “oh relax, they’re just trying to help.  They raised you okay, so why not listen?”  I’m SO reasonable and advanced.

Then my perfect little baby turned into a monster, and the advice began.  She even handed me a book.  OMG.  I lost my mind. I still lose it.  Now that I have perspective & am not enmeshed in the turmoil of a tantrum and running on 2 hours sleep & a twizzler for dinner…I still get mad, even though I know she’s right.  It’s a vicious cycle.

I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation that has to do with territory, and right now I cannot reason it- except to know that my behavior is shameful and sometimes I need to eat humble pie. I’m sorry momma.  I love you!  Just don’t give me advice when I’m trying to hold it together.  Let me know AFTER the situation is handled how you would do it next time. After you feed me.

Am I alone?