Mistakes Of A First Time Mom

I couldn't decide on a good title so I choose 'Mistakes of a first time Mom' because that's what I feel like I do, all day and everyday. Hopefully I will learn from them and actually remember what I've learned the next time the same situation arises.

Photo 1 left to right: Garret the birthday boy, Parker, Ciela and Abygail

Photo 2 left to right: Westin, Parker, Ciela and Abygail

The Zoo with Friends:

Thursday we went to the Zoo. We invited everyone we could think of to come and meet us there so that it would be fun for the kids and the grown ups could socialize. It was really fun to see so many people come...and it was nice to see so many familiar faces at the zoo, there were at least 10 parents plus their kids. I think the kids really enjoyed it and it's always fun to see the animals. I really enjoyed it to because I have really been craving adult interaction lately. Jackson wanted to go a bit faster than everyone else so we had to split off from the group for a little bit. Then he wanted to be fed so we headed to the play ground. Normally I don't stop at the play ground because it's so busy I'm scared that my child will wind up missing, but this time it wasn't very busy so it was a great shady place to sit. Abygail didn't discover the slides until the very end and then she didn't want to go...but being the first time mom that I am I forced her to get back in the stroller and continue on when the other kids/parents were ready to go. This started a screaming fit that got us lots of looks ('I've so been there' and 'O, that's so funny' - you know the nice kind of looks not the 'your a horrible parent' kind of looks). In retrospect I realize now that I should have stayed and let her play - the zoo was really for her, who cares about my socialization needs or wants, I should be making sure she is having fun and remembers the zoo fondly. In situations where it can't hurt to stay longer...than just do it, the kid will remember the fun time rather than a mommy that makes her stop playing. O well, I make lots of mistakes. Impatience is my biggest.

Story Time with Miss Lucy:
Today we went to story time and I'm so glad we did! We should have gone so much sooner.
Miss Lucy is the Librarian that directs it and she is so good. Abygail got to sing and dance. They talked about colors and body parts. It was a lot of fun. Abygail seemed to be very out going though, since we were in a closed room I decided to let her do her own thing. Most of the time she was paying attention and participating...but she also walked around, tried to open the door, tried to take another kids food (why are you feeding your kid at story time?) Handed several books to another mom and asked her to read.. and the list goes on. I'm not sure if this is because we haven't taught her manners very well or if she is a confident and secure child or just a free spirit. I will try to believe it's that she is a confident and secure child. Oh, I should mention, we were at the library early and got to wait outside until it opened, we saw a huge flock of geese and Abygail wanted to go and play with them. I didn't let her for fear of them getting mean and 'bitting' her. She took it ok, I just distracted her by showing her the beautiful flowers that were planted all around. I really feel like I should be doing more with her...story times, art projects, educational one on one time, singing and dancing, GOING TO THE PARK, and kid/parent stuff like that. I love doing these things with her but I have to remind myself to put forth the effort and remember to do them.

If 15 mins of sleeping in the car doesn't equal a nap than 90 mins of crying must...right?:
She didn't want to take a nap today because she had fallen asleep in the car and unfortunately woken up before I could lay her down once we got inside. So I thought, ok well, we'll just act like you haven't had a nap yet and do everything just like we normally do...well...it didn't work. After an hour and a half I decided that it just wasn't worth trying anymore.

Sweet Kisses:
Abygail has been such a kisser lately. When I buckler her into her car seat she gives me kisses over and over again. It's so sweet and cute and endearing. She also does this when she goes to bed, and when she wakes up. I really should just enjoy those moments instead of rushing around to get places or hurrying her to bed.