Too much

The past two days while reading the news, I can't help but feel that we take things way too serious nowadays and we as Americans can't just take things for what they are and let some things go.  First, it was the principal that threatened the valedictorian with his future because the student didn't use the speech that was edited for him by school officials and, here is the kicker, he mentioned God and Jesus in the speech. Having read the speech, I personally didn't think that the mention of God and Jesus was appropriate for the commencement speech, but I certainly didn't think it was worth taking the student's appointment to the Naval Academy away.  And the beauty of living in this country is that everyone can have their own opinion. 

Today, I read the news and see that there as in issue now with the Zesty Italian commercial.  Again, everyone has their own opinion and I personally find the ad quite amusing.  But I can see where some people wouldn't like it, but, yet again, is it worth making a stink about it?

I feel like too many times we focus on the frivolous and we have lost our sense of humor.  We have also lost our ability  to be tolerant of others and their beliefs.  Let's stop taking everything so seriously, focus on the issues that are truly important, and let other people express themselves too!  Be tolerant of others and let things go!

Welcome Summer, Welcome Baby, Welcome Change

It's hard to adjust to change.  Just when I think that I have the hang of things, I get what I want and welcome another member in my family.  In April, we welcomed our baby girl and, after six weeks and many sleepless nights, we still haven't gotten the hang of things.  I don't remember my first crying so much or not sleeping as much, but this little one seems to always want to know what's going on.  As hard as I work on getting her to sleep for longer periods during the night, she seems to sleep less and less.  Maybe it's because she senses that this will be my last baby and she knows that I need to spend as much time enjoying it as possible.  And in my quest to make things "perfect," I won't take the time to cherish it unless forced to (hence the many sleepless nights).

Change is everywhere.  Just the other day, my husband and I were talking about how, now that I am no longer "with child," we need to take more time for us....which is a big change because for the past four years, I have dedicated myself to my family and sort of lost myself in (and to) that.  I don't regret my decisions, but I realize that there is time for just me and my husband to.

I am also determined to make a change to myself, both physically and emotionally.  For my own happiness (and hopefully my husband's) I need to get myself back into shape.  Not just losing the baby weight, but losing the weight I gained before my son was born almost 4 years ago and getting healthy again.  My goal is to get to where I was when I got married (fingers crossed).  Emotionally I need to change too.  My patience has certainly been tested while I have been home on leave.  I realize that I do need to take more time to enjoy the little things and not worry so much about the laundry or the groceries.  I need to feel good about myself again and really find where I belong outside of being a mom and a wife.

I dedicate this summer to change and I hope that you will follow me as I embark on this journey.  There will be some highs and there will be some lows, but it won't be boring.  It's time to embrace change!!!

Maybe I Read Too Much Into Things...

Okay, I will admit, I was always the child that questioned EVERYTHING?  If my mom told me to do something, I asked why?  If my teacher told me something as fact, I asked, "how do you know that?"  And, as long as you could give me a plausible answer to back up what you said, I was fine with it.  I guess I have carried that trait into my grown-up personal life (I know I carried into my grown up professional life, though I try to ask it internally more).  Maybe I think too much, or maybe I don't think enough, but I have to say, something that I read last night really bugged me....and maybe I am reading too much into it, you decide.

As everyone knows, I am pregnant for the second time. And, as most of you know, I quit breastfeeding with my first after four days.  I know, I held on for as long as I cold, I don't like to be known as a quitter.  But, looking back on my decision, I know I gave up too quickly, and I know I put too much pressure on myself.  However, I decided it was in the best interest of my child and myself to switch to formula feeding (and yes, there is something to be said for feeding your child and sipping a glass of red wine at the same time...)

I have made the decision to try again, though.  I feel that I owe it to myself and my baby to try, and we'll decide together what's best.  So, this time, I am actually trying to educate myself on techniques and other things that I probably should have known the first time around.  I am the type of person that I am fearful of the unknown - if I have the "know how" then I feel more prepared and a little less overwhelmed. 

A friend of mine gave me a book to read so I started last night.  And it really is a good book in terms of the facts about correct positioning, how to store your milk, how soon after delivery to do you start, etc, etc, etc....however (and now to the point of this blog) I was a little offended by the insults the author made to women that did decide to formula feed, to the women that gave up on breastfeeding, to the women's "support" that didn't give the proper support when a woman was thinking about quitting, and to the woman who made the decision and the "harm" she has caused her child.  Now, with that said, I can say, "I am a formula fed baby that, aside from some genetic issues with my tonsils and adenoids, I rarely ever got sick, I finished in the top 11 of my graduating class (out of almost 400) and graduated college in 3 1/2 years....so I don't think that breastfeeding would have made much difference.  I can also say that my son, exclusively formula fed except for his first 4 days, has had 1 ear infection (can you hear me knocking on wood?), been sick maybe twice, and, if I do say so myself, is very smart for his three years.  When he was 6 months old, his doctor told me that he was very advanced in his social skills.

Now, I do know that, scientifically, there are benefits to breastfeeding, I am not debating that.  What I am debating is the idea that mothers who choose not to breastfeed are somehow "bad" mothers, the way this author was insinuating.  There is enough pressure on every mother out there today, do we really need more?  Do we really need to question our decisions, and then have someone tell us that we are wrong?  While a part of me wishes that I had educated myself more with my first, I think the decision that I made actually made me a better mother, because, after I made the decision (through frantic phone calls and lots of tears), I relaxed for the first time and held my baby with all of my love while he ate formula - and he was happy.  So, to all of you mothers out there, do what is best for you.  Do not listen to the insults or the judgements.  And all of you other people out there, think twice before passing judgement on someone else.  You haven't walked in their shoes.

New Year, New Resolutions

It’s that time of year again – time for the New Year’s resolutions.  But this year, I’ve resolved to be simpler.  I am not going to resolve to get back into my pre-pregnancy jeans….I’ll do it, but I’ll do it on my own schedule, I am not going to feel pressured to do it by the end of the year.  And, I’m not going to resolve to be debt free.  Heck, with being a federal employee, and almost going over that Fiscal Cliff, I can’t count on any big pay raises.  I will be smart with my money and continue paying down my debt.  But, I would do that anyway, regardless of it being a new year.  No, this year, I am going to go much more realistic, much more simple….I resolve to stop allowing the judgments of others affect me.  I resolve to be more confident in who I am and where I am going, regardless of what people’s opinions are of what I “should be doing.”  I have let this type of negative behavior lead me for too long and now I am going to work on stopping it, living my life for me and for my husband and children.  By doing this, it will help me to stop passing judgment on others and realize that life isn’t easy, people do the best they can, and whatever they are doing may just work for them.  I am going to live by the motto, “Unless you walk in my shoes, you can’t possibly know what’s best for me.”  Now, this is not to say that I am going to become all “self-righteous” and not care about other people.  No, not at all, I think this will help me care more, starting with myself!  Here’s to a great 2013!!!

Happy New Year!