motherhood

overcoming the mama bear instinct

Melissa 8 Comments

Friday afternoon my cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mrs. Girlymama. This is Mrs. C, the school principal. Ellie is here in my office. There was an incident on the bus."

My mind was racing. Ellie? In a fight? What? Ellie doesn't even fight with her siblings! She and her sister argue, but there's never any hitting or out right fighting! Was this the bully from before?

"A little boy bit her on the bus. And she's very upset, so I took her off the bus."

WHAT?

I stopped mid-email and threw the other kids in the car and raced over to the school. Ellie was sitting in the principal's office in a chair, an ice pack on her hand, and a tear-stained face. As soon as she saw me, the tears started again. I took her in my arms and began to get the story…

The boy who was sitting in the seat in front of her  grabbed her, tugged her arm into his seat and bit her. She didn't know his name or what grade he was in. I calmed her down and the principal looked me straight in the eye and said, "This WILL be taken care of. I'm calling his parents and he will be in my office first thing Monday morning."

Ellie asked if we could stop at the playground – and of course I said yes – and we got home about an hour later. I was getting dinner on the table when she came up to me and said her hand hurt.

I could see the teeth marks on her hand. And the nail marks from where he grabbed her.

I'm livid that someone hurt her like this. And as I held her in my arms and praying with her and talking about how she needed to forgive this little boy, I realized I was talking to myself as well.

I don't know why he did this. I don't know what his story is or where he's coming from. But this is the first time this has happened so maybe he was just reacting to something outside of Ellie. I need to forgive him too and pray for his little heart.

Even though my motherly instinct is to smack him.

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I realized as Ellie was about to get on the bus this morning that I needed to talk to her about not gossiping about this little boy. We had a quick chat about not saying mean things about him to other people. The whole bus saw this happen and I'm sure people will be talking about it. But I don't want her to start bad mouthing this kid – lets not provoke him more, shall we? Talk about a hard thing to explain!! Any advice?

i really thought i’d be happier about this

Melissa 9 Comments

I'm done nursing.

If you had asked me a year ago how I would feel when I was done nursing, I would have guessed "happy," "excited,"or "ecstatic!!" I would have talked about having my body back, not having to come home early to feed the baby, not having to wake up at night to feed the baby…

But instead, I'm sad. Sort of happy, I guess… but sad. Happy to be done, happy to be independent again. (Or as independent as a mom ever gets.) But I can't kick this sadness.

I really miss it. It felt like those times nursing were the only times all day that I sat down. Colin was easily distracted, so it was usually just us, alone in a quiet room.

I miss that. I miss that quiet time just with my baby.

I miss him falling back asleep in the morning and cuddling him between us in our bed.

I miss looking into his eyes as he stared at me.

I miss how he used to play with my hair or pat my face as he nursed.

Despite my new found independence and losing those last lingering nursing pounds, I wasn't prepared for this. A big chapter of my life has closed forever. And I actually miss it. (Nevermind that I am no longer his favorite person – I've been replaced by Daddy 😉

I just keep kissing his chubby little cheeks and cuddling him close, trying to enjoy his babyhood before he gets any bigger.
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old wives tales

Melissa 3 Comments

According to old wives tales, I’m having a boy. Now this is all very extremely scientific, so you can feel free to go purchase all the baby gifts you’re going to send me.

You have a 65% chance of having a boy.
 And you have a 35% chance of having a girl.

You are carrying the extra weight out front, so it’s a boy.
Your belly looks like a basketball, so it’s a boy.
Boys are carried low. You are going to have a boy.
Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy. You are having a boy.
You prefer the heel of a loaf of bread. You are having a boy. What the heck does this show?
Dad-to-be is gaining weight right along with Mom-to-be, which means that you’ll have a boy. Disclaimer: I’m not sure if Dad is gaining weight, but he’s awfully hungry and having cravings, which I’m finding totally hilarious.
You had morning sickness early in pregnancy, so you are expecting a girl. Hum. Not true of my other two pregnancies….
Since the sum of the mother’s age at conception and the number of the month of conception is even, it will be a boy.
Your chest development has been quite dramatic during pregnancy. You should expect a girl. I bet my brother really wanted to know that.
The hair on your legs is not growing any faster during your pregnancy, so it’s a girl. Um, people pay attention to this?
Your urine is a bright neon yellow color, so you will have a boy. Cause I’m sure you wanted to know my urine color.
You have a craving for salty or sour foods, which means that it is a boy.
You have been craving fruits, so it is a girl.
You have no desire for orange juice, so it’s a boy.
Your nose hasn’t changed during pregnancy, which indicates a girl. How does one’s nose change, exactly?
You are not having headaches, so it’s a girl.

Wow! According to this quiz, there is a 79% chance I’m having a boy! Better go shopping for sweater vests and tiny ties, people!
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I am currently watching a freakin’ hilarious VH1 special on wacky celebrity baby names. HAHAHAHA! My husband needs to watch this, since he is reverting to childhood and trying to come up with all possible ways to make fun of whatever name I suggest. (We’re totally at a loss about naming Bump this time around.) Example: Me: “What about Oliver?” Husband: “Did he take Oliver cloths off!” This is what I’m dealing with people.