Your Kind of Mommy

Addie has a great book called "Your Kind of Mommy".

In it there are all sorts of different mommies: a bee, an octopus, a wallaby, etc. that have special characteristics unique to caring for their babies. After the introduction of each new mommy the author repeats "but I'm not that kind of mommy and I know my [fill in various attributes here] will do". The book ends with "I'm your kind of mommy and that's the best that I can be".

No crying you sappy waa-waas out there.

The best that you can be. Well, what if you suck at being a parent? What new mother hasn't stared at her bulging belly or her tiny fresh from the womb infant and wondered, "What if I screw something up? What if this kid doesn't like me?" Trust me, if you are the best that you can be then that is all they need.

The point is, as a mother, no one expects perfection. Mistakes are made, things don't turn out as planned, but you persevere. Just ask your own mother if she has ever made mistakes or mishaps in her parenting career. I am sure she has a few stories. But you still think she's awesome. That's because mothers are the masters of thinking on their feet, trusting their gut instinct and making something work from nothing. They teach you about life, love and all the lessons you sometimes wish you didn't have to sit through. But we always appreciate them in the end.

So on Mother's Day, thank your mommy, because she was the best that she could be. And she did it all for you.

Diapering Debacle

This past week my life has been consumed by my daughter's butt. I am sure there are a lot of funny quips or puns I could slide right in here - but I am taking the high ground.

But seriously it stinks.
(Couldn't resist)


At the beginning of our diapering days, when my little peanut was still smushy and stationary, I tried all different styles and brands - Seventh Generation, Earth's Best, Huggies, Luvs and Pampers. There was one category in which Pampers succeeded time and again, where the others failed miserably - containment of the projectile.

I'm not going to go into detail here, use your imagination. If you are a mother, I am sure you have experienced this at least once with your infant. Addison was simply overjoyed with each bowel movement that she gave it her full and utmost effort. Naturally I needed a diaper that would contain her... enthusiasm... and I found it with Pampers.

Two weeks ago it was time for us to move up a size. Her emerging badunkadunk was no longer contained in the previous 'sposies and I imagine a diaper wedgie is not all that comfortable. About the time we were making the switch, unbeknown st to me, the company was pushing a "new and improved" version of their diapers complete with a DryMax technology. Basically an increased amount of various new chemicals injected into the gel of the diaper to make it more absorbent.

Within 48 hours of Addie wearing these diapers she experienced blisters ALL OVER the diaper coverage area. I did not make a correlation to the diapers initially, because there had never been a problem before. But I was spinning in circles trying to determine some new food, new environmental factor. I kept jamming my finger in her mouth rooting around for new teeth. Nothing - and still the blisters grew and got worse. When I hit the Internet looking for remedies for such serious booty burns I started seeing all of the articles online about P&G defending their new diapers INSISTING they do not cause diaper rash/chemical burns on children. The same exact rash that was all over my child. Okay, who wants to get their a*s kicked first?!

Now we are on a diaper quest. Sadly I am leaving my once-trusted Pampers behind. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt (regardless of the fact that all circumstantial evidence pointed directly to them) I wouldn't want someone gambling with my tooshie, so I'm won't do the same to AG's.

The more I look for alternatives, the more I come across the new style of cloth diapers. Other mothers are swearing that this is the way to go for the potty training years. Maybe because it is more like underwear? I have been leisurely browsing several sites regarding the reusable diapers and I am actually impressed. These are not the diapers I imagined. No safety pins, no touching poop, no holding a soggy piece of fabric in your hand. There are ruffles, bright colors and sequins. Obviously they're speaking to the hearts of mothers like me. These are definitely something to consider.

On top of that we are the recent owners of a big girl potty. It came complete with a sticker book so how could I say no? Plus, she already tells me when she is either a) just gone to the bathroom or b) is about to go. I mean, it's just that easy to potty train right? Just buy the potty, grab them a magazine and give them a jellybean when they're done. Right? Piece of cake - I don't know what all the fuss is about. :)