Dance Recital

My niece had her dance recital last night and at first, I was a little peeved. 1) They didn't allow cameras??? WHAT! I couldn't take pictures of the most beautiful little dancer????I mean, just look at her

2) They made her wear lipstick--red lipstick. She's 4??? Dont' start this already!!!
3) Since you couldn't take pictures, you could guess what else ticked me off. NO VIDEO! ACK! What kind of place is this??? Apparently pretty normal as I have now heard other people saying the same thing, but still annoying. Anyway, enough griping about it.....
After getting there and seeing the 30 acts that were scheduled to perform, I was a tad in shock. I thought they would have them perform by age and then you could just clap, squeal and bolt. Yeah, not so. Anaka was in performance #21 and couldn't leave until the end so I had to sit through all of it. IT WAS AWESOME!!! I was so amazed at how adorable the little ones were and how incredibly talented the rest were. It was just a wonderful show and I was in complete awe at the stamina of some of those dancers--some danced in, like, 10 acts! I have to be honest though. I was almost in tears almost all night. I don't even know why dancing gets to me like that, but it does. Maybe it's because I was too much of a tomboy to stick with it as a child and now I am ticked at myself. If only I would have stuck with dancing and piano instead of playing soccer....I could be on Dancing with the Stars or something. Hush! I can dream, can't I.....

Am I Asking Too Much?

This will be short and sweet. I know my mother will have something to say about this, but oh well.
Is it asking too much to be able to go to the bathroom in peace? Do I really have to have 2 little boys in there with me when we are at home smacking my legs, tickling me, trying to open and shut the door on me, asking me a thousand questions, getting into the cabinets (trying to anyway), playing in the shower.....I just want to pee in peace!! Okay I feel better. And if you are wondering why I say my mom is going to have something to say--apparently, we never left her alone when she was in the bathroom either. She always says "PAYBACK". Could I get a little sympathy.... just a little?

My previous life...

Before I had kids, I used to work as an athletic trainer. Most people would ask one of a few questions:
1) What is that?
2) So you work in a gym and get people in shape?
3) You're basically a water girl right?
As you can imagine, these questions didn't always sit well with me or other athletic trainers. What was worse is once, my mom told someone I was an Athletic Supporter. BIG OOPS. Yes, Mom just called me a jock strap. A little education is in order and then the explanation for why I am even posting about this.
Education--Class, take your seats:
An Athletic Trainer (and yes, we prefer to be called by the full title and not just trainer--you'll see why) is a person who is trained in injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, education and counseling regarding injuries. There are many settings we can work in--high school, collegiate, amateur or professional sports, physical therapy clinics, industrial settings--just to name a few. Athletic trainers earn a degree (BS usually) and many go on to their Masters (like I did--not that I am bragging....;) ) and some even earn their doctorate. As you can see, when we are compared to Personal Trainer's--not that this is a horrible profession, it's just very different from what we have done--it's frustrating. Being called a water girl/boy is frustrating--water is a part of it as injury prevention and people just looking at me like I am an idiot, is, well, frustrating also.
Explanation--
Athletic Training students at my alma mater--James Madison University, recently made a video about the profession and it's pretty good. It's actually gotten them a lot of attention and they will be presenting it at the National meeting in June. I thought this was outstanding and wanted to share it so this is why I have even brought it up so please, check it out. Here's an article and the video which is linked with the article:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/events/Training-For-Fame-93062889.html

Class Dismissed!
Now please never refer to an athletic trainer as a water boy/girl or athletic supporter again!

In the News

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/36918788/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/

A horrible thing happened recently--a lacrosse player brutally beat a female lacrosse player (his ex girlfriend) which resulted in her death. It's a horrible and sad story--one that I have been following closely. See above link for information--there is a video on that link where you can watch the story I am referring to. On the Today Show, they were discussing if her murder could have prevented because the male had a history of abuse and her friends had seen it and done nothing. Here is my problem with this story--it seems like they are now blaming the victim and her friends for her murder. This is insane! How many times have women reported abuse and there was nothing done about it and they were attacked/murdered regardless of what was done. Do restraining orders really prevent this? NO! Should she have reported it--sure. Should her friends--sure, but could her death have been prevented--NO! Don't put the blame on the wrong person here. The male went in, couldn't control his anger and murdered her--and has admitted it. Period. We should not be analyzing this and saying that fault lays in the hands of her or her friends who said nothing. Also, listening to the defense attorney calling this a tragic accident--HIDEOUS and disgusting. He admitted to shaking her which caused her to repeatedly bang her head against a wall--that doesn't sound like an accident to me.


Next item--less important but disturbing to me as well. On the View--Elizabeth Hasselbeck made some unkind/ridiculous remarks about Dancing with the Stars cast member Erin Andrews regarding her costumes. Here's the link:
http://www.etonline.com/news/2010/05/86800/index.html
WHAT! So it appears to me saying that she deserves to be stalked because of the costumes. Has Hasselbeck seen what the other women are wearing??? Yes--the costumes are revealing but does that mean they deserve to be stalked/harassed.... because of them? Get real! That goes back to the old feeling that if a women dresses a certain way, they are "asking for it". At least she apologized--but still it's just plain stupid.

So many more things to think about now

First off I want to say that I am not bashing any diets/food restrictions,.....whatever at all in this post. So if I offend anyone, believe it or not, it's not intentional.

Okay--a little history. I live in a nice neighborhood and attempted to start a Mom's group. That diidn't pan out for whatever reason, butI met a couple really awesome mom's and we just decided to hang out whenever we could, not just based on a schedule. The idea was a good one, but just not enough interest I guess. That being said, I am still open to the idea so when I find out that someone in our neighborhood has a baby, even if I don't know them, or if a new family moves close by, I try to do something nice--usually a meal of some sort. You know, just to suck up a little and make new friends. Whether they eat it, get freaked out and throw it away, who knows, but I just do it anyway. Make an effort you see. Well, here's my problem. I know so many people who are following diets of some sort--gluten free, strictly organic, low sodium, vegetarian.... so my question is, if I don't know the family, what the heck do I make?? I like for it to be somewhat of a surprise because if you call/stop by and say what you want to do, you'll get the "You don't have to do that......" response. So do I do my usual (baked ziti and a salad if you must know) or what? It's quite the dilemma I am in. I guess I could do nothing or buy gifts but then I have to wonder--will they cloth diaper, breastfeed or formula, do they use "Green" wipes/products..... SIGH. Way too many things to think about anymore!

What I have learned

In honor of my cousin Brandie preparing for her 1st baby due in just a few weeks (YAY!!!), here is a list of things I have learned since becoming a mother:
1) Toys are not needed--your baby will prefer keys, cell phones, the remote, pots, pans, spoons, cooking/kitchen utensils. Save your money :)
2) Because you will be given lots of toys and all toys now require batteries--STOCK UP--yep, buy these in bulk and while you are at it--just buy stock in Duracell or Energizer or whatever brand you prefer (Dollar Store batteries work fine and are CHEAP!)
3) Put extra clothes for you in the diaper bag as well. You'll figure out why. And always check the bag before you leave. I can't tell you how many times I forgot that I used the extra outfits or left the wipes somewhere
4) You will be asked stupid or very personal questions--be prepared to be asked about breastfeeding, your labor, sex (yes, some people do ask), poop (yours and theirs....)....and so on. Plus someone will refer to your baby as "She" even if he's dressed in all blue and something very boyish (thinking sports or construction). Or vice versa--wearing all pink and in a dress with a bow, someone will say "He" (Don't laugh, I was referred to as a boy while wearing all pink--who cares that I was 10 at the time......)
5)Don't forget to eat and drink. Think this will be obvious? Yeah, not so. You will find yourself wrapped up in what your baby needs and will forget about you.
6) On that same note--take time for you daily to shower. Take the bouncy seat or whatever into the bathroom and just shower. Your baby will love the sound of the water. If they don't, do this while they nap or why the husband helps out.
7) And on that same note--accept help. Don't feel like "This is MY baby and I can do it all". Yep--did that and it's tough. Allow anyone you trust(key phrase there--don't just accept help from total strangers) to help, even if they simply offer to clean your kitchen or run your errands.
8) Be prepared to feel overwhelmed with love and cry because of how happy you are. This is not always a sign of postpartum depression--if you are like me, you'll cry over everything, especially things that make you think about your beautiful baby. This could be commercials, seeing a toddler hug his mother, a song.....
9) Don't rush to every sound when they are sleeping. Babies are very loud sleepers so expect to hear grunts, groans, murmurs....
10) Don't let people scare you. You will hear horror stories. Ignore these, cover your ears and say LALALALALA if you have to. Tune out, go to your happy place, PLEASE. I don't know why people feel the need to do this to new moms???
11) Accept handmedowns. If you feel like your baby should only have new clothes, be prepared to be in shock at how much something so small can cost--especially the shoes. ($50 for baby shoes--not kidding)
12) Go to 2nd hand stores/yard sales for this stuff if you can't get handmedowns! You can find great stuff
13) Forget reading all the sleep help books--your baby hasn't read these so they don't know what they are supposed to do. It may not be easy (or it may be super easy depending on your baby) so you will figure what works for them. I PROMISE--these books will make you crazy. Although if you do choose to ignore this--read "No Cry Sleep Solution"--it's the lesser of many evils
14) Join a mom's group or stroller group--you'll love the adult interaction and the chance to talk about your new baby! They can be a great source of information!
I could write all day, but I will end with this:
15) You will wonder how you ever went through life without a child. You will be amazed at how strong you can feel and expect to fall in love with your husband all over again when you see them snuggling up with him. You will see your parents in a whole new light as well. It's an amazing, beautiful and challenging time in your life. Congratulations!

Mother's Day is coming...

My husband and I aren't big on gifts at all for each other. We would rather spend money on the kids or something we need for the house and I am fine with that. It was actually my idea believe it or not. People think I am crazy, but honestly as a SAHM, I can't justify the extra expenses so we save where we can and gifts were the logical place to start. So when he asks what I would like to do for Mother's Day, I feel like a horrible person. Here's why--I want to do anything that involves not being a mom. Not that I don't love being a mom, it's just that day would be awesome to spend time away, doing something with friends, doing something I don't normally get to do and just relaxing. Here's why I feel like a horrible person. When I ask him what he wants to do for Father's Day, he always replies, "Just hang out with you and the boys". Yep, enter the guilt. I love that too--just this weekend, we really did nothing special. Just hung out as a family, played, did usual household and parenting things, ...nothing exciting at all. We just.....well, we just were. It was nice and it left me feeling so wonderful and happy. So why is it I want to run off on the one day a year we are celebrated for being Moms? Shouldn't I want to just be with my family and enjoy time with them? Well, of course I do, but here's my reasoning---That time away to relax, be with friends--ADULT friends (huge cheer for adult interaction!!!), helps me to be a better mother and have a better attitude. So guilt, could you please leave me alone????