Some random thoughts after reading and article and the comments that followed

I am fascinated by all the "advice" out there when it comes to babies and children. I'm sure there is someone (maybe many) who have done studies on the people who give and who use the advice. People get extremely judgemental when someone does things differently when it comes to raising children.

Example: Breastfeeding vs. Bottle feeding. Huge debates there. Those who are able to breastfeed exclusively sure look down their noses at those who either can't or choose not to. I ran into it with Bear too. I was rather amused since the gal had no idea who I was or what our situation was and yet she looked at our small supply of emergency formula with such disdain. She was still breastfeeding her two or three year old along with her 6 month old. More power to her, but that wasn't gonna happen for me. And on a bit of a side note, I don't want teeth near me in such personal places. Especially when they involve a hungry mouth. Now, that isn't to say that if that was our only option for keeping the kid fed I wouldn't do it. Of course I would. But, I have other options this day and age.

Another example: Cloth vs. disposable diapers. More controversy here. Cloth is great. Albeit disgusting to clean after the kid starts eating regular food. Strictly breast fed kid, no problem. Disposable sure are convenient though. Gotta say we used a mix with leaning heavier on disposable. Maybe if I were a stay-at-home mom that liked laundry and/or used a diaper service cloth might have been more of a choice. Besides, it sure is nice to get rid of the nasty diaper when you are travelling. Carry the nasty thing with you? Ugh. Especially if you are travelling for any length of time with out access to a washer.

Example: Slings vs. Strollers. I like both. The sling worked well when Bear was a little guy, not so well once he got bigger. He's been 30 pounds since just over a year old. While it would be much more convenient to use a sling, my back says use the stroller. Especially when he starts to wiggle. I know lots of sling advocates would say get a better sling etc. I used several styles depending on age and weight. They all had advantages and disadvantages, just like a stroller. Our other problem we ran into... They just don't make slings, carriers, or backpacks, that fit a man the size of my husband. Well, it might fit him, but not with the Bear in there too. Things get too tight and uncomfortable for both of them.
I've heard plenty of criticism on both ends for these. I'd love to see some of these tiny sling women with their tiny babies carry my bear of a child around without complaint from either one of them.

And lastly: Crib vs. Co-sleep. Completely "to each their own" here. I say, kid's choice. Bear never did like sleeping with us. None of us slept well. Didn't like the cradle either. But, when we laid him in his crib he would zonk out. Now, this is unless we were travelling. In strange places he liked (still does) to cuddle in bed with us. So, while travelling we co-sleep, usually, and at home he's in his crib. I'm sure every kid is different. I kinda wanted to co-sleep since I wouldn't have to actually get up to nurse. No such luck.


I guess the whole point to all of this is that every person should be able to get to choose their own method of raising their own children. True not everyone is a good parent. That still doesn't mean that if a parent has the basics covered in some form or another, isn't hurting the kid, and the child seems healthy and happy, then who are we to judge?

Latest addition

Well, here it is... First picture of baby number 2. Just a blob for now. The little kidney bean shaped blob in the lower left is the kiddo. We had our first doctor appointment and got the ultrasound there. Yes, there is a baby in there and we saw the heart flutter. Good thing there really is a kid in there or else I've been queasy for nothing. Other than that... nothing much from the doctor appointment other than the next couple of appointments got scheduled.

Now that I'm pregnant again, I've begun to wonder why. We want another kid, but I don't want to be pregnant again. I really don't understand those that enjoy this. They must be masochistic. Being tired, queasy, and becoming large as a house just isn't my idea of fun. The munchkin at the end of it is wonderful though. I think I'll chalk it up to one of those things we just have to do if we want the treat at the end. Kinda like saving up you money as a kid for that big toy you want. The waiting is the worst...

It will be fun to see Bear's reaction to a baby. And my growing belly. He loves to point out bellies anyway. He has also shown lots of interest in friends' babies lately. Hopefully good signs. I can see Bear being a great big brother. He'll be plenty "helpful" I'm sure.

I do have a list of things that will have to get done in the next several months... It includes going up in the attic and sorting out Bear's baby stuff. Ugh. I have a feeling there won't be much we need. Maybe another dresser? Not sure where we'll put it. My house is going to start to be even smaller. Maybe we'll get the gumption to finish the attic and re-do the stairs to the attic. Ha! Now I am dreaming. Although as I sit on the couch writing this I'm noticing how threadbare it is getting. Maybe that's what we'll do. Especially with company coming that will need a bed. New hide-a-bed couch. I think this one is only about 20 years old or so. Who knows what we'll end up doing. First will be sort through the attic and get rid of a ton of things and see what is what up there.

At least I'm down to working 40 hours a week again so that will give us a day or two that we can sort. Especially if the weather stays as rainy as it has been. Then I won't be inclined to spend the time out in the garden. Oh! This fall's canning just had a twist thrown in. Guess I'll have to can some blended peas and that for baby food. Looks like it is going to be a busy year.

Tom starts teaching this fall too! He'll have his own class at 30. Met his goal. It will be only working summers for the airlines so our flight benefits will be cut. Bummer there.

Well, off to hang laundry. We finally have a nice day to dry clothes on the line.

June Already?

Where does the time go? The first week of June is already gone. I think it rained the whole month of May. Ugh. We are so soggy. Of course that means not nearly enough playing outside time. Somehow it just isn't fun to play outside in a downpour.

I think the water is watering Bear. He just keeps growing. He is 3T (size) height but 18month to 2T around. For some odd reason when they make clothes for kids that are about 30 pounds they seem to think they are complete chunkers and not very tall. Poor Bear is stuck with the same problem his dad and grandpa have: tall and skinny. It certainly could be worse, but it can make it difficult for clothing. Cute 3T outfits get split up. He can wear the top, but will have to wait on the bottoms.

In addition to his growing Bear's vocabulary is exploding. He uses a fair amount of sign language too. That is whatever I've bothered to learn. Even a few other people can understand what he says now. A few words anyway. He's also learned to jump. It is funny all of the things we take for granted knowing how to do. Probably one of the cutest things he has learned is to say "excuse me" when he belches or farts. It comes out more of a "moo-me."

Now that Bear is done with his PB and J I'd better wrap this up and try to keep going on the laundry. Goody.