I WANT TO BE MORE

Obviously I am not perfect, not really a news flash there. But like most of us I just keep trying, somedays are better than others. I want to be more; more patient, more loving, more forgiving, etc. Often I find myself, especially in my current state of never ending sleep deprevation getting annoyed and aggrevated easily and wanting to blame others for things; when really I should accept things as they come and do what I can to change what I can. Serenity prayer anyone? So today driving in the car while listening to one of my favorite CD's by one of my favorite singers the lyrics of two of the songs just hit me, so I submit the following as some thoughts to ponder:

"We must demand more not from each other but more from ourselves"
"In the end only kindness matters."
- Jewel -

Here's to trying to be More.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

I love Netflix. Honestly, I am addicted, our queue is over 100 movies long and just seems to get longer and longer. It's great to be able to see new movies with out paying the outrageous ticket fee (locally it's up to $9!!!) and also with a baby on board now it's so convenient to be able to watch from our own couch too. Last night we watched the new "Transformers" movie; very enthusiastic two thumbs up! They did a really good job of bringing one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons to life. I was a little sad that Bumblebee is now a Camero and not a beloved Beetle anymore, but I guess somethings have to change with the times. And it got me thinking about the good ol' Saturday morning cartoons of my childhood. They were awesome, why don't they make cartoons like that anymore. They weren't overly violent or just funny, they were exciting and had characters you loved and also had a message to teach, a good message. Oh how I miss the days of ThunderCats, American Superheros, Gummi Bears, Smurfs, and of course my personal favorite Voltron. And that is my vote for next great Saturday morning cartoon to be made into a movie. Voltron was awesome, my sister and I would always argue about who got to be the princess. And that brings us full circle back to the wonder of Netflix. You can find all kinds of great memories from your childhood there. We have had lots of fun watching old cartoons and movies that we loved from our younger days. Some have not held up so well like "Explorers" and some are just as great and fun now as they were then even if the special effects aren't the best like "Willow" and "Flight of the Navigator". So for anyone that has yet to start a Netflix account, I encourage you to join in on the fun and memories, haha! They really should put me on a commercial, haha.

CRAZY BABY TOUCHERS

Ok, when I first got pregnant everyone warned me about how total strangers would feel it their right to counsel me on how I should care for myself and my unborn baby. They even warned of strangers touching my belly without asking. However I managed to get through all of my 41 weeks ( I was a week late ) of pregnancy without a single stray hand touching me that I did not welcome. And no unsolicited advice either.
Oh how the times have changed. Apparently I am making up for my intrusive-free pregnancy by running into every child rearing "expert" I can while out and about with my baby boy. Do these people really think I am listening to them? It's not really the advice that bothers me, honestly I could care less how people think I should raise my child. I am pretty good at brushing off other's opinions when I am not seeking them. However, I can not get past the fact that there are people out there who think it is perfectly okay to touch a strangers baby!!!! Are they kidding me? HANDS OFF MY BABY!!!!! For instance, the other day I went to Target. Baby boy was happily snuggled in the Baby Bjorn and I was talking to my husband on the cell phone while trying on shoes. An old lady approached me, you would think that fact that I was on the phone, trying on shoes, and holding my baby's hand all at the same time would signal to her that I am not really in the position to chat but apparently not. She proceeds to talk to me, telling me how un-hygenic it is to try on shoes with out socks. Uh-huh sure whatever, true but honestly do you always have the little nylons handy when you are trying on shoes. But here is where it crossed the line to the are-you-freaking-kidding-me side. Just after she finishes telling me how un-hygenic it is to try on shoes sockless, she grabs my baby's hand and as if that isn't bad enough she starts to kiss it!!!! WHAT THE &$%#!!! Now remember I am still standing there a-la Cinderella with one shoe on and a cell phone up to my ear, all I can see are images of beating this woman over the head with the cute Mary Jane I have just tried on. Obviously realizing that beating an elderly person with a shoe would not be the best idea I have had, I drop the shoe, stuff my foot as far as I can into my own shoe while simultaneously pulling my baby's hand away from this woman and making a hasty exit around the corner all the while my husband oblivious to my situation is waiting for an answer regarding reservations for an upcoming trip.
As soon as I thought I had made a far enough retreat, I let loose to my husband about the craziness I have just experienced while also applying some hand gel to my baby's hand and holding it away from his mouth while it dries. Good husband that he is he lamented with me about the absurdity of the woman's actions. Now common sense would tell you that if you are concerned with germs on your feet wouldn't you be aware of germs from your mouth and hands? But apparently this woman though concerned for the safety of my feet had no such concern for the health of my baby! My feet thank you, my baby does NOT.
Unfotunately this was not my last encounter with what I call a crazy-baby-toucher, people who can't resist the urge to touch and coo at strangers babies. Please coo away but DON'T TOUCH. I have found a way to deal with the problem however. While at Costco there was a couple with triplets, you know they have had their fair share of crazy-baby-touchers, but alas no more. They had these great little signs sitting above each baby in the triple stroller. You can find them at http://www.healthylittleones.com/ and thanks to them I am ordering one now and hopefully can avoid any future run-ins with the crazy-baby-touchers. And don't worry about my feet either, I will be sure to stick a pair of socks in the diaper bag in case I feel the urge to try on shoes.