Tempess has reached a stage where only Mommy can do everything. Daddy can't do it. Regardless of what it is.
Unless it's skate. Then in that case, "Mommy you can't skate. Your foot hort. You stay here and me and Daddy go so you don't hort your foot."
How thoughtful!
Tové: DaaaaaaaDaaaaaa
Todd: How about Ma Ma?
Me: You tired of her saying DaDa?
Todd: Yes!!
Not that being toothless has stopped her from enjoying the finer things in life, such as her sister's chips or her daddy's chicken.
And if you're in denial - like I am - about just how big she's getting, check out these videos of her getting around:
Dinner time with T4 and here's why:
Since I went back to work 2.5 years ago, I have struggled with my decision to do so. It was always my dream to be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to raise my kids and give them the solid foundation they needed. I wanted to invest wholeheartedly in them. I didn't want them to feel that anyone or thing came before them. I didn't wanna be that workaholic who missed those treasured moments.
Then I got pregnant unplanned. And people talked. And the joy I was supposed to feel was replaced with this ever-burning need to prove myself.
→Prove that my innocent child wasn't ruining my life.
→Prove that I wasn't just some non-contributing member of my family laying around, waiting for Todd to take care of me. (Man, the way some people talk about stay-at-home moms is heartbreaking, to say the least.)
→Prove that I wasn't a failure at life.
→Prove that I could take care of this little person that I had brought into the world despite being told to do otherwise.
So, I went back to work. I had this child that I did not plan, but that was not going to stop me from giving her the world that I wanted her to have. It would just have to be modified.
☆★I want to stop here and say that Todd was 100% on board with whichever decision I made - stay at home or go back to work - so long as our bills were paid. And, our bills would be paid if I stayed at home, but that's all. There would be no saving, no room for growth. And, if something happened to Todd, I'd be in no position to carry us.★☆
So I went back to work, so we could give our daughter the childhood we wanted her to have. Only I felt like I was failing her. Our commute made for long days and I'd come home tired, then had to cook and off to bed she went. Our only "time" together was in the car.
Even after having another child and going through the routine a second time, I still hadn't figured it out. I wasn't giving my children the time and piece of me that I felt they deserved. Rolls on the floor and dance parties were reserved for Saturday's. There was little time to just sit in the amazingness that is them. Because there's always something to do.
Then we moved and bought a dining table. And BAM! Instant family time.
This little piece of furniture has added so much to my life in the past month. We went from eating in front of a Netflix-playing TV, not saying one word to each other to sitting around a table talking to each other. And, I love every minute of it. I suddenly feel like I've gained extra time with my daughters.
And the best part? Temi insists on leading us in grace every meal.
To keep this little piece of happiness, our table is a device-free zone during meals. No phones, iPad, TV or laptop.
And, this-a make-a me happy! ♡♥
*Don't mind the shirtless girl who wants her "shirt off like Daddy!"
"Respect Your Elders."
That was one of my mom's golden rules growing up. Disobeying that was a cardinal sin. It made her look bad, and among other things, she would not have a disrespectful child. She'd kill you first. As a result, my family will tell you I had manners. Instinctively, I still say "Hello, how are you?" on the phone.
Talking back was a huge no-no. If someone older than you said something, it was fact. You didn't disagree. You didn't correct. You didn't argue. No ands, ifs or buts about it.
I never thought twice about this rule until I started working in corporate America. I went from my peers being the same age as me to being the youngest on my team, even if I wasn't the lowest salary grade.
I faced an even stronger internal struggle in Kansas where my friends were 10+ years older than me. I had friends that were the same age as my aunt! Luckily, they never made me feel like I was just some youth's that needed to stay in a child's place. However, there would be times where I was reminded that they were closer to my parents' age than my own. And in those times, I would often wonder if my conversations with them were perceived as disrespectful. There were times where we had some pretty intense debates, and though there was no love lost I couldn't help but wonder if my speaking my mind was taking as me talking back.
I've been reading a lot of professional development articles lately and I've noticed that I have a lot of mild mannerisms. In other words, I lean out when I need to lean in. I know why this is. I don't want to be seen as confrontational or disrespectful. But the problem is I've been employed because they want me to challenge them. The powers that be decided I bring a fresh new perspective and they welcome me speaking up.
I'm just not always good at it. But I need to be. If I want to have the career that I desire, I need to find my voice and use it - loudly and clearly.
I also need to teach my daughters how to find their voices. To navigate the lines of respecting others without silencing themselves. I want them to know that they should always have respect for others as human beings, regardless of age. And, that their opinion is not any less significant because they may be younger. It's important that they know they can speak up and offer a differing opinion without being considered disrespectful.
Their future careers depend on it. Their value and worth, the way they see the world depends on it.
