Yesterday I got a free
American Baby magazine in the mail. I don't know how all these companies find out when you are expecting a baby, but they do. My mailbox has been inundated with formula coupons, baby supply catalogs, and coupons to local stores. As annoying as it can sometimes be, all the junk mail are not what inspire this rant. It is the blasted magazine.
It started before I even opened it. A cover headline proclaimed, "Sexy, YES, Sexy Maternity Swimsuits." I am frigging pregnant! I am shaped liked a beached whale with stretch marks and a belly button that sticks out like a turkey timer. This is not sexy. It is bad enough that every woman's magazine in the world is telling me I have to be sexy but now I have to be sexy while I'm pregnant? I don't think so. Isn't sexy what got me in this mess in the first place?
They also had an article about "What nobody tells you about being a mom (but we will)". I was hoping for something good, like pooping during labor or getting hemorrhoids. Nope, they let me know that I wouldn't be getting any sleep and I might not love my baby on sight. Um, thanks. I didn't realize that babies woke up at night. I was sure that was just an old wives' tale.
My main hangup though was how much more difficult they make it sound to raise a baby. Having a baby is difficult enough without people telling you how you need an expensive new stroller, the must-haves in your diaper bag (if I put all that stuff in my bag I would never get it through the door) and all the dangers lurking around every corner. Among which were: never go down a slide with your baby on your lap because you might break her leg and never let a child under two climb anything taller then her on the playground. It is just too dangerous. Really, people? I've got enough valid hangups about safety and so does every other mother out there. Please don't add your made-up dangers.
I feel bad for all the first-time moms who got this magazine. At child number four I can scoff at this magazine, but when you are having your first, everything seems to be dangerous. Please
American Baby and other such publications, quit making it harder than it already is.
Oh the sheer joy. Michael is done with school! No more homework, group projects, or late nights at the library. Life is good.
All of the proud graduates. Michael got a bachelors in Information Technology Management. My brother Joseph got a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and my sister Becca got a Masters in History. Note that her diploma is twice the size of the males. Don't think she let them live it down either.
This is a picture from the big Hawks birthday party/graduation party that we had after the graduation ceremony. Michael has a homemade ice cream cake (so easy and so good), Grace has her cupcake and my redheaded niece Isabelle (in the back) has her birthday cake that could also have doubled as a wedding cake. Everyone was happy.
Grace in her birthday finery. Michael's sister bought her the dress. My sister made her a dozen of these headbands. They are so cute but Grace refuses to keep them on. To take this picture I had to plop it on her head and quickly snap the photo. As you can see she is already in the process on yanking it off her head. Don't worry - Libby is making sure they get used.
