Comparing Kids

Over the weekend Madi had her first playdate. This was also the first time that Madi was around another baby that is so close to her own age. And let me just say it was so much fun to watch the little ones interact with each other. 

Seeing the girls together also reinforced how even at this very young (and innocent age) that they are unique individuals with different personalities and learning styles. Yes, they both love to chew on books and play with blocks; however Madi is an in your face explorer, while our new little friend is content to sit back and observe what happens around her before getting involved. One method is not better than the other - they are just different.

Yes - I have compared Madi to other kids. If Madi is 'behind' the comparison kid than I feel inadequate as a parent. If Madi is 'if front of' the comparison kid then I feel as if I have earned a gold star. So is the comparison for Madi's benefit or my own? I think that too many parents get caught up in comparing their children to other children they know and in doing so they forget that their baby is unique. All I can do is try not to focus on it because where does that get me?

Babies will reach milestones, grow, and learn at different rates. The important part is letting them do so at their own pace and loving them every step of the way.

Cleaning Up The Ick Factor

One of the things that the parenting books don't talk about is the ick factor that comes along with being a parent and how to clean up the ick factor. Of course I knew going into this that what goes into baby must come and that it would come out in various forms and that it would occasionally be very icky.

Well today was one of the days that had a high ick factor. But I will spare you, and teenage Madi, all the icky details. Instead I will say that Madi had on three different outfits over the course of the day. So it is a good thing that I was planning to do laundry today. Which brings me to my point of cleaning up the ick factor - Oxi Clean. I have always had Oxi Clean in my laundry room, but now with a pooping machine, I mean baby, in the house it is essential. Seriously, we should buy stock in this product - it gets every type of stain out of fabric (not to mention its many other uses). 

Just about every load of laundry that we do has some Oxi Clean in with it (to get rid of spit-up and formula stains that can be hard to see). But when we have icky messes like today, the worst gets rinsed off, then I put the clothes to soak in a shallow basin with a sprinkle of Oxi Clean. After the clothes have soaked for awhile (okay, sometimes they sit for a day or two) into the wash they go - and out comes perfectly clean and ick free clothes. I am happy to say that none of Madi's clothes have been ruined due to being icky and not coming clean.

A Blog Is Born

After much debating and lots of encouragement from friends - a blog is born. I forewarn you all that I have never done this before and I haven't read very many blogs either, so I have no idea what direction this blog will take. This is what I do know: I enjoy writing and hope that someone will enjoy reading what I write. I also hope that it will allow you to get to know, or stay connected to, my family as well as, the military lifestyle. If there is a topic/question that you want me to blog about please feel free to let me know in a comment. :0)

PS - I have no idea how to get rid of the highlight. Why is there not a box that says none??