What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's been a while since I did a 'What I'm Loving Wednesday!' But, I think it is good to just stop and think about the things that make your cup half full. It is good to be grateful, even if it is for stupid stuff, like television. :)

This first Wednesday in February, I am loving...

...alright, I'm going to say it...television! I really am. Some of my favorite shows are on this time of year and I have missed them the last two nights. So, I have Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, Switched at Birth, Glee (Michael Jackson themed) and Last Man Standing waiting for me at home on the DVR. Glee had me at Michael Jackson. He might have been a weirdo; but, I love the man's music - and the Jackson 5's music as well!

...Lucy's 2nd Birthday Party is this weekend! She is having a Tangled themed party. She is going to have a blast. We all are, hopefully!

...my cell phone cover. Well, kind of. I currently hate it; because, it's busted. On the other hand, I love it; because it probably saved my phone's life. Here is one of the three breaks.
 

 ...babies. Two of my best friends had babies recently


...that Lucy is playing with her very first Barbie (thanks Kiki).


...price matching! I saved approximately $50 the other night at Walmart. Whoop-whoop!

...the YouTube tutorial I made at work. With screen-shots and other step-by-step processes, it ended up being 40 pages long! :) I'm proud.

...that our neighborhood is finally getting a little less trashy. The neighbors got rid of the couch on their front porch and we literally saw a car in a dump truck the other morning. Sorry it's so blurry. How weird? Wow...I just now realize how trashy our neighborhood sounds. haha.

...my husband. He has been running in the morning. As a result, he has all sorts of crazy energy. He has been cleaning the house like a mad man. He even made me breakfast in bed, again, this last weekend. I sure do love him!

...that Lucy is a girly girl. :) She likes to wear my work heels. Oh, and pay no attention to the laundry basket in the background. :{ Oops. My half of the room is often a disaster. Sorry Heath! :[

 ...of course, my baby girl, Lucy. She makes our world go round. :)

...all my family, friends, and readers out there! Love you!

Happy Hump Day! What are you loving this Wednesday?

"My Search for the Perfect Fry"

You know in that one episode of Sex and the City, when Carrie isn't in a relationship and has nothing to write about? She ends up writing about her search for the perfect french fry...

I feel like that is what this post is about, kind of.

I really wanted to go on an unpleasant rant about mothers bringing their children to DayCare sick (with fevers). But, I don't want to offend anyone or single anyone out....although I may have already done so. In addition, Heath said that my recent posts have been too "emotional". I think he is embarrassed by me...

So, I will stick to non-controversial topics and mild, non-dramatic stuff, like french fries.

Now, I understand that french fries could very well be controversial, especially McDonald's french fries. Yum, by the way. A lot of people out there are very against their children eating fast-food...again, especially McDonald's. But, I'm not going to get into all that. We have McDonald's on average, maybe once every two or three months and I don't see a problem with that. Anyway...again, we aren't getting into that.

We stopped by McDonald's one day in a rush. We had somewhere to be, so we went through the drive-thru and got Lucy a Happy Meal. Usually they ask if we want fries or a apple slices; this time, they didn't. I didn't think much of it, until we got the order. She had both! What a nice surprise! The package of apples was smaller and so were the fries. In fact, the fries were so teeny-tiny!

They were so cute! I loved the miniature cardboard holder they were in. I think that maybe 10 or 15 fries could fit inside.

Here they are, next to Heath's iPhone. So cute....is that weird to think fries are cute?

When we handed them to Lucy she said, "Baby fries!" Ha ha. Even she recognized how small they were.

A plus, McDonald's, A+. Perfect portion sizes while pleasing little tummies with fries AND fruit.

Weird, pointless post. But, it happens...

Advice on Parenting

When is it acceptable? And, when is it offensive?

I've had advice range from -

"Put two sets of crib sheets and liners on the mattress; so, in the middle of a messy night you can just take off the top two layers and go right back to sleep."

to

"You need to get out of your bubble and experience more things, to be a better mom."

Helpful information to downright infuriating comments.

Yes - someone actually told me that I needed to get "out of my bubble" to be a better mom. The bubble I live in? I'm careful and I think about consequences before doing something. How awful of me, right? Anyway, enough of that irritation...let's just say that Heath said my face became visibly red during that particular conversation.

Anyone with a brain knows that you should never utter to another mother, "To be a better mom, you should..." However, I've also been given advice that I didn't agree with and I felt like I was being told that my way was somehow "wrong." This is also difficult to deal with.

Don't get me wrong. I love giving my opinion and advice. I am the first one to do it...through blog even. :) If you are going to see a movie and I've already seen it? Be prepared; I'm going to tell you what I think about it. Having a problem? I can help! Or, at least I think I can. And, if I know some amazing fun fact or work-around, I'm going to share it with the world.

So, I've had to tread carefully. I don't want to offend or irritate any other mothers out there. I don't want them to say, "Gosh, Cori always has something to say!" Or, "She thinks she is such an expert." 

Believe me - I know I'm not an expert. I just worry sometimes that my mouth gets ahead of my mind. So, I've come up with some rules for myself, about parenting advice:

1) If the mother seems uncomfortable with the conversation (or her face turns red), abandon your point and shush!

2) If the mother continues to stand up for what she does, she disagrees with you; abandon your point and shush!

3) If someone says they read it in a book, you, not the author of said book, are probably not going to change their mind.

4) Ask yourself, "Is this information helpful or are you just spouting off knowledge?" Sometimes I think I'm John Tesh and that I need to make everyone aware of what I have read or heard.....Sorry! I am most guilty of this!

5) Ask yourself, "Did this person ask for advice or does this seem like a good time to give advice?" If there wasn't a question before hand and there isn't a lingering pause of eye contact, they probably don't care for your in-depth advice. However, if it is a helpful tip, bring it on!

6) Ask yourself, "Is this lifestyle advice?" Because lets face it, you wouldn't talk religion to an atheist. Or, in baby terms, you aren't going to convince a cloth diapering momma that she should go with disposable.

7) If a mother does something and she feels the need to explain her actions to you, don't challenge it. She isn't asking for advice or approval. She is probably trying to nip your advice in the bud.

8) If the mother has more than one child, don't give her advice. She has probably been through it once already! Again, this applies unless it's a helpful tip that you read about on....say....Pinterest. :)

Wait a minute. Am I giving advice on giving advice? Oh, the irony.

I just find it very interesting. Advice is probably one of the most hot-button issues with new mothers. I've read about it, heard about it, and experienced it as well. All mothers want to feel like they are doing their absolute best for their little one. It is tough to hear others give advice; it sometimes seems like criticism. And, I'm not too sure that "constructive criticism" is allowed in parenting...

Now, what did we all learn today?

You make your mistakes and I'll make mine.

Okay, okay, enough of the lecture. I'm not even sure where it came from. It all started from me wondering where the line is. When is it okay and when is it offensive? We shall never know.

Maybe we should just all have our babies wear this:

Until next time...Happy Wednesday!