Potty Training

We aren't exactly hard core potty training right now. With a new baby (the reason why I have blogged only twice in two months) it is nearly impossible to try to potty train Danny.

If Layla were the easy baby Danny was then it might be different, but this little firecracker of a baby girl is the complete opposite. She doesn't like to be left alone while awake, so when Danny would have loved to sit in the swing to pass the time, Layla will claw your eyes out if you so much as glance in the direction of the swing while she is awake.

She is her own little person with her own personality. I don't know why I thought she would be so much like her brother. She doesn't even like to nurse for any reason other than nourishment--Danny would nurse to calm down regardless of how long it had been since he had a full nursing session.

We, the four of us, are all starting to adjust and learn how to live as a family of four, where Danny is still king, but now we have a queen. We are even able to enjoy our little Layla now that she isn't nearly as fussy as she was for the first several weeks.

BUT. . .

If one other person points out that "I need to get that kid potty trained" I might be tempted to throw one of his dirty diapers at them. Obviously, I don't like wiping his butt anymore than the next guy, but it isn't as easy as people think. My son likes sitting in a dirty diaper, and until his sister learns to be a little more content on her own I can't exactly do potty bootcamp.

But oh the day will come. . .

For all the idiots out there. . .

There is a reason

. . . Why "I mommy by my own book."

Toddler Milestones

Check out that link and, if you have a child in that age bracket be prepared to have a complete meltdown because your child hasn't reached a certain milestone yet or feel like the best parent ever because your child is well ahead of the curve. Now, I get it. These "guidelines" are important to be somewhat aware of because they can alert you if your child is not developing on track but they should still be seen as very vague guidelines.

My son did everything early until he was about a year old. Every milestone was reached about a month early. So what? I must be supermom who has impeccable genetics making all other children inferior to mine. Right? Not at all. My son may climb, run, wave, kiss, play, dance, jump blah blah blah all day long but the kid doesn't say a single word (I don't count "dada" or "mumum" to be words). He does communicate all of his needs to his father and I just fine. He "just doesn't have anything to say" according to my lovely cousin/expert mother.

My scenario is this. At my sons 12 month check up his doctor put the fear of God in me. "If he isn't saying three words by the time he is 15 months old then we will have to send him to a specialist and consider it a real problem." Que mom's three month panic attack. So here I am, spending the next three months desperately wanting my son to say one word. Just. One. Word.

He didn't.

We go in for his 15 month check up, after a sleepless night for mom wondering what Dr. Must-Be-Right-On-Schedule will say to us. As soon as he enters the room I start explaining what Danny does babble, how he communicates and point out that he does not have any "real" words. Dr. MBROS says "oh he is communicating just fine, don't worry about it." Thanks, asshole. Thank you so much for letting me spend the last THREE MONTHS worried that my kid was behind. Now Dr. Asshole isn't really an asshole. He was actually my pediatrician growing up and took care of most of my cousins and friends. I do trust him for medical advice and care. But, just as my instincts have always said-mommy by your own book!!! Don't follow some chart and agonize over ensuring that your child meets every mark. If you're a responsible mom (or dad) and are paying attention to your child's development then you will know if there is something wrong or at least you'll see a red flag if you get a suspicion that something is off. Don't let the doctor freak you out, don't let other moms make you feel small because your kid isn't where theirs is, and don't let overbearing mothers/aunts/sisters try to tell you about your child. You are the mom and you know what it best, you know if your kid is doing ok better than anyone else.

By the way, Danny is totally dancing like an 18 month old. . . isn't he great!

I kid, I kid.

To Bring or Not To Bring. . .

Ok.

So I have a toddler son, as I'm sure you know. I had to attend a bridal shower today and decided that I should leave my son at home for several reasons. One being that he is a boy, boys don't go to showers like that. Two being that I wanted a Mommy break (Daddy was happy to spend time with Danny alone). Three being that I thought it would be slightly inappropriate to bring a young child to an adult party.

Anyway, like I suspected would happened did, I got a load of crap for not bringing my son to the party. No one was mean about it, just kept pestering me about not bringing him. It would have been nice to go to a party and not be pestered about why I didn't bring him, where he is and what he is doing. I know that everyone LOVES my son, but way to make me feel like you only want me around if I bring my little ball of entertainment. . .sheesh!

So, my Mommy tip of the day: If a mom shows up somewhere without her child, just take a chill pill and leave her alone. Sometimes us Supermoms (ha) need a break, we want to go to a part without a diaper bag, we want to have a little fun without worrying about the baby catching on fire because of the 350 candles lit all over the place. Just ask how the child is doing and then leave her the hell alone.

Unless you suspect she might be pulling a Casey Anthony-then ask a lot of questions.

(Too soon)?

P.S I found my ipod in the couch cushion this morning.

OMG. No you didn't!!

OMG. Yes I did. I cut my sons hair. Well, actually, a lovely woman at Pigtails and Crewcuts cut his hair, but I made the decision to do it and I took him.

I'm sure for the next two weeks I'll be hearing all about how much I suck for cutting his hair (like I did when I had his hair cut for his birthday three months ago). His curls did grow back in-spite of everyone saying they wouldn't, and they were adorable, but he is a little boy and I want him to have a clean haircut. When he is old enough to have an opinion about his hair I'll let him do whatever he wants to it (someone remember that when I hate his mohawk or green stripes), but right now he is a little boy, my little boy and I get to make these menial decisions for him.

I think he looks adorable with his hair cut anyway. So in the words of the funny Mexican guy from the movie Heartbreak Kid "Screw off" if you don't like my sons hair cut!

Quote of the Week

Yes, it is only Tuesday and I've already decided that nothing can beat this one.

"Danny looks really cute, his outfit isn't very masculine though."

Oh crap! I hope my son doesn't become gay because he wore a not-so-masculine outfit!!!

I wouldn't mind a good shopping partner though :):)