Lately.

Madelyn has been having a hard time lately sharing me with her sisters--or anyone for that matter. I knew that this day would eventually come, but I also assumed that it would have hit a little sooner than now.

She cries constantly if I am unable to hold her right then and there when she wants me to. This is usually when I am feeding Brynlie or rocking Brynlie to sleep. It breaks my heart that she is hurting so much with adjusting to a new baby sister.

I am trying to make it easier on her and trying not to get frustrated with the amount of tears and tantrums that are occurring on a regular basis around my home. Believe me when I say she cries a lot. It's hard being a mom and seeing your child hurt in a way that we try to fix, but all that will truly fix it is time and acceptance on her part.

Until this phase passes I will keep showing her how much I do love her. I hope that when she is old enough she will understand how much I love her and how much this is hurting me to see her struggling like this.

Parenting. Pour a Glass of Wine for This One...

Last nite I was browsing through blogville and came across a blog that at first I thought sounded interesting, but it soon left me, well, pissed off.

The post that made my blood boil was the one where she ended it saying something like this:


If your child doesn't know how to act, don't bring them in public.

Um. Excuse me? I realize that in your line of work {retail} that you come into children every. single. day.

But guess what? Most of us have to shop with our child/children. It's not as if we always want to--believe me--when they start crying and screaming? I want to shrink back into a hole until they come down. I want to turn us all invisible and soundless until the storm clears away. But we can't.

It goes on and on and on--about trying to "help" the parent in the situation {which fyi? stay out of it. you aren't helping and it usually turns the situation even uglier}.

I was thinking of leaving a comment and decided not to. Until I read the comment from one of her readers. Here it is--and I am quoting this to not get it wrong:

"Hahahaha!!!!!! I was a cashier (at Wal*Mart of all places, so you know I saw A LOT) for 3 years (during hs and college) it's hillarious because this sounds like rants I went on *all* the time! :D And trust me, as someone who is now a mom I still totally and 100% feel the way that you just wrote!!! My daughter has never once had a temper tantrum in a store. If you raise your kiddos RIGHT they DON'T!!!! It's that easy!"

Ohnoshedi-int.  I was furious. I quickly clicked on her name to see if she, herself, was a mother. And *gasp* she was. So, what I gather is that her child has never thrown a fit? A tantrum? Anything?!

This woman should write a book--because clearly myself, who thought I was raising my children "right"--am doing it all wrong. I would LOVE to hear her thoughts. Her tricks. Her secrets. Maybe she is this "Super Mom" I hear so much about all the time, but that I have never been able to be.

Maybe it's me and my PMS, maybe it's because my girls were grumpier than ever--but the whole post and especially that ignorant comment made me irate. What happened to moms supporting other moms? Is that just the way our country is now? I know that anytime I hear/see/witness a child acting up in any way, shape or form, I feel for that parent. I know exactly how it feels when everyone is staring at you and saying rude, inconsiderate and uncalled for comments about your parenting skills.

So, readers and followers, what is your opinion in this? Do you think that parents who have a child that throws a tantrum or dares to misbehave in public should be belittled and made to feel like they aren't parenting correctly? Or do you just want to give them a hug--as is the case with me.

Can't wait to read your comments--this should be an interesting topic...

Cows, Tractors and Tantrums...

Thank you, Mommy, this looks like fun!

Get me out of the cow!!

Stop taking pictures and get.me.outofhere!

What the...this thing is fast!!!

Where did my hairbow go and why is that boy always staring at me?!

I promise I'll never throw a tantrum again...

As long as you don't make me do that again...

Lets go over it all again.

Lost my hairbow.

Got laughed at by all of the adults.

And all mommy would do is take my picture.

Lovely.

A Fun (Sorta Kinda) Day at the Park

Today I decided to take Isabella to the park.

It's gorgeous out. No clouds, light breeze, didn't get above 75 degrees.

In other words, the weather. was. perfect.

"Perfect Park Day" was declared.

Shoes on. Sippy cup full of ice water. Camera in my hand.

I just knew fun would be taken to a whole 'nother level.

But Isabella did not.

She pouted.

She screamed.

She tried to even force out tears. But due to the real lack of any problem all that came out was a "cowardly lion" type of voice...very strange, very funny.

Threw a few tantrums.

And by few I mean at least three. Three is where I draw the line. I start to lose count and before you know it we are packed up in the car on the way home.

I thought she would have fun. She had a temperature yesterday and took a three hour nap this morning.

Maybe the three hour nap should have been my clue that the park was just not going to be a fun time...

I did, however, manage to get a few pictures.

The good and the bad.

PS--please don't tell her I posted the tantrum ones. She wants everyone to think of her as a darling, sweet, non-fit-throwing one year old. Ahem. I think we all know by now that she has her, um, moments....although she is one of the cutest tantrum throwers. Ever.