More Humble Pie

For those just tuning in I did a post shortly after the birth of my cub about eating humble pie. Quick synopsis...1) I hate having to admit when I'm wrong 2) I was arrogant to think I didn't need a class or book to help me with breastfeeding 3) Breastfeeding ended up being a challenge for me and I had to eat my words hence the whole humble pie thing. The link to that post which I find hilarious now is pasted below.

http://cassandracorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/breastfeeding-and-humble-pie.html

Well, I'm eating some more of that good humble pie. Before becoming a parent there were many things I observed of other parents and in my little to no knowledge arrogant mind concluded I would never do. I made judgements and accusations that let's just say I shouldn't have. Now that I know what I know and the shoe is on the other foot I'm once gain having to take large chunks of humble pie and I'm eradicating from my mouth the sentences "I will never be one of those parents..." and "I bet you my child would never..". Too often I've said these words and basically I've become "that parent". For example, I used to watch parents in restaurants as their child made a mess while eating. I watched  parents hand the child item after item to try to distract or entertain the child. All the while, I would say to those around, "I will never be one of those parents". Well, I am that parent. When we go out I always take Antonio's high chair cover, table mat, plenty of toys, and a variety of food. I have learned that what my cub gobbled down on Monday he may only nibble at on Tuesday. I've also learned that the toy he loves on Wednesday can become the toy that bores him on Thursday. That being said I also pack various toys or items that will entertain him. I am "that parent" offering her child several things to see which one will catch his fancy. I am "that parent" with a bunch of stuff for one child. I am "that parent" whose child has ripped napkin paper into shreds, threw Gerber cheese puffs on the floor, and knocked his cheerios of his place mat onto the floor. Motherhood has been quite a humbling experience for me. I've never considered myself to be arrogant but a know-it-all was a different matter. I'm honestly working on this though because like I've said....I hate eating humble pie. Check out the video. Just another example of me being one of those parents.

Family Gatherings and Car Shopping in One Weekend....Whew!!

We had a wonderful weekend. I'm finally getting that feeling of loving being a mom. I've loved my cub since the day I learned I was pregnant but honestly I haven't felt like a mom until recently. I don't know why that is. Maybe partly because I didn't feel like I was doing anything special. But now...it's such an adventure and every day with my cub brings something new. I often find myself sitting and smiling as I watch him cruise around the house or play with/investigate a new toy. I think we have a future engineer on our hands. I can't explain the way Antonio interacts with objects. It's something you have to witness. He seriously takes everything, and I mean everything, twist in his chubby little hands and does a full investigation of it before he actually plays with it. It's almost as if he wants to know how each nook and cranny works before putting it into action. Even more hilarious is the way he furrows his eyebrows as he investigates. I love it. He definitely got this trait from the daddy because the mommy is impulsive and was the kid that would start playing with something and not even know all of its functions and capabilities. I'm still like that. I swear the other day I just learned a new feature on my phone and I've had it for almost a year now. The Husband scolds me about this all the time. Especially with new CDs. I will go straight to the songs I know, play the heck out of only them, and it could be months later before I discover the other songs on the album. This usually happens when I hear someone play a song and I like it and ask "ooh when did Beyonce release that song" and they reply "on her first album". Then I go, "oh, I have that CD". Yeah, horrible I know. Sadly I'm not exaggerating. As usual I've digressed. back to my weekend.

On Saturday we had a family luncheon at a buffet place. I love the opportunity to take the cub to these huge family events because I have a huge family. I also have a young family. On my paternal side my Great Grandmother is still alive. On both sides of my family I have tons of great aunts and uncles. Antonio is fortunate to not only get to meet his grandparents but also his great grandparents as well as his great great grandmother and a ton of great great aunts and uncles. How many children are blessed with that much history? It was great watching Antonio interact with everyone. He even gave out several kisses. I was shocked and a little jealous. His kissees (that's how I pronounce it when I'm talking to Antonio)  should be only for the mommy. I'm glad to see the little charmer in him though. He knows his kisses make people smile. It brought him so much joy to have every one smile at him and squeeze him after he would kiss them. I don't want my son to sound like a Casanova or anything. He gave my sisters and my niece kisses. I usually have to beg for them so I thought this was a big deal.

After the family luncheon we headed out to some car dealerships. Unfortunately, the Husband and I are car shopping. This is a grueling process. I absolutely hate car shopping because I hate car salesmen. Why do people try to sell you the exact opposite of what you ask for. I don't mind up selling when you're talking about fries or soda. Yeah whatever ask me if I want to super size. But don't try to super size my vehicle then try to guilt me into buying the car. We took my mother and brother with us so someone could entertain the cub while we shopped for cars. I was amazed at how the cub hung in there. He was a real trooper.

Sunday was a much needed relaxation day around the house but it still held some adventures. First, Antonio stood on his own for like 3 seconds. I know I know big deal right. Well in new mommy world...YES! I was very proud. Second, Antonio tried to brush the Husband's teeth. This little act came with a bonus feature...he tried to brush the Husband's teeth with a baby hair brush. It was too cute. I also got to see his interpretation of how we groom him. He would literally take his little chubby hand and pull at the Husband's mouth until it parted then he would swiftly try to put the hair brush in the mouth. It was too funny. Lastly, the whole kid feeding the dog during dinner thing has already started. I thought I would have like 3-5 years before having to deal with this. My cub actually took some of his cookie and tried to feed it to my dog Pancho. I tried to get a picture of this to share but the camera was dead. No matter how much we said no and don't feed Pancho, Antonio was adamant about sharing his food with Pancho. They are already a dynamic duo. I'm both excited and scared about the adventures that partnership will bring. Well enough blabbering for now. Here are some great pics from our weekend.



The Husband pulled him through the house in this box. I don't know why we bother to buy toys. The cub had an absolute ball in that box. As always ignore the mess that is my house.



Some Blanket time outside. As you can see we are a soccer house. Actually, we are an all sports house with soccer and footbll taking the lead.

The Cub's new favorite toy. He likes anything that allows him to walk.

Just a few of the gang...



Playing Hookie with the Cub

I played hookie from work yesterday and it was the absolute best. The cub and I spent the entire day in Roswell hanging out with my dad and doing some light shopping. I rarely get the chance to go to Roswell. I know this sounds silly since I stay in the metro area but truthfully when you don't have a reason to go to another side of Metro-Atlanta you don't go. I can't honestly say when I was last in Roswell. I think it was when my nephew was dedicated at my old church. That was almost two years ago. Wow shame on me. They have changed a lot in the area. I was taken by surprise when I reached a roundabout at Grimes Bridge. When did that get there?! They demolished Oxbo Apartments. You can't even tell a building was there; it's just open space now. Oh and there is this fancy entrance or wall thing at the end of Oxbo Rd. I hear there is a water park or splash area at the Roswell Park by the Chattahoochee River. The cub and I didn't get the chance to go check it out but we definitely plan on doing so. They also do a movie on the lawn event like at Piedmont Park. Can we say Date Night! Oh but I have gotten off track. After I grabbed a bagel and latte from Einstein, I never get to go because there is not one by my house or job, the cub and I headed to my dad's job at the Teaching Museum North. Those of us that grew up in Roswell know this museum well due to the many field trips you take there in elementary school. That place is to us as Fernbank is to Dekalb County Schools. My dad is the Facilities Manager and Groundskeeper there and has been for like years. I should know how many years but I don't. At least 15 years though. Antonio had a blast. He thoroughly enjoyed destroying his grandpa's office as well as crawling around the museum. They have a Dr. Seuss room that he absolutely adored. Check out some of the pictures.

 

We also went to my step-grandmother's house. I shamefully admit that the last time I saw her was two years ago. It's not because I don't love her. Truthfully, I am rather self-centered. Many people in my life have shared that I don't make time for others. Those that have seen me and hung out with me in the past years have done so because they made the effort or initiated the connection. I'm slowly getting better but I recognized yesterday I need to speed up my progress. I could lie and say I don't have time to visit all the people I love but that will be exactly that a lie. You make time for what you want to make time for. Antonio enjoyed his time at his third grandma's house. How many children are blessed to say that. He even had some of her famous homemade biscuits and LOVED it. I won't let another two years go by before those two angels play together again.

Dad and I, forgetting that August 1 was scheduled as the day to show your support for Chick-fil-A, decided to go there for lunch. The crowd was absolutely crazy. I will not weigh in on this topic. Just know that going there for lunch was not our brightest idea. After lunch Antonio and I hit the stores. Roswell is one of the best areas to shop for college gear. As a Georgia Southern Eagle I have the most difficult time finding GSU gear outside of Da Boro. Roswell is the only area that seems to get this. Needless to say I walked out with me some much needed Eagle gear and something for Antonio as well. He has GT gear. They are easier to find. Not as easy as that mutt but still better than my eagle. (Sorry GA fans I married a GT engineer. Part of my wifely duties are to stomp on UGA at every opportunity. Although, as born and raised peaches we do root for UGA when they are playing other teams. It's all abut our wonderful state in my house).

Being out and about all day ruined Antonio's schedule. He was a happy baby though the entire time which I didn't expect. Normally, when he gets off schedule he turns into a monster. Much like those Snickers commercials that end with you're not yourself when you're hungry. I was proud. When we got him home he zonked out. Now it's time for me to work and I'm tired! I need a vacation day from my hookie day.