How did we ever survive as kids??!!!!

Well today is part of National Infant Immunization Week and ironically we just returned from our baby's 4 month wellness visit where he received his 2nd round of immunizations. He gets extra love and care from Mom today as he is sleeping in my arms as we speak. A little extra TLC is well worth the stress of getting shots which will one day prevent him from getting a disease.

Just about everyday another Mom will stop and admire our adorable baby boy and just about every time I hear the phrase, "How did our kids ever survive back in the day?" This of course comes up after bringing up a topic like infant shots or when to start solid foods. Well today I'm expressing my two cents and shining light on the other side of the story...well my story at least.

Now, I'm surely not a professional in any sort of baby field or any field for that matter. In fact, I'm a young, first time mom just trying to be aware of what's best for my baby. I can agree that most kids survive just about anything that parents do these days. Kids are tough and can adapt to things that happen to them and I am a firm believer that parents know exactly what their baby needs. Books, blogs, doctors, and health nuts can say whatever they please, but a mom or dad are the only people that understand what their baby is asking for. The key factor here knowing what the best option is before we do it. I think we all owe it to our kids (as educated parents) to take the time to listen to what "they" say and decide what's best from there ("they" being those authors, doctors, bloggers, and etc).

Being 24 years old in this lovely modern world makes it seem like "everyone" around me is announcing the birth of their new baby! So naturally, I watch and enjoy all the status updates and photos of these new babies. How could you not enjoy hearing about a new life in this world? And well...if you don't enjoy it, you better deactivate your Facebook account, cuz everyone is talking about their baby. A big trend right now is sitting those brand new babies in their state of the art ergonomical chair and feeding them some sort of solid food!! Last time I checked "they" said that babies do not need anything but formula or breast milk during the first six months. Those cute little bodies need to be able to sit up so they can even attempt to swallow food and their digestive systems need to fully mature in order to process that same food. There are dozens of popular sources that list each and every reason to delay solid foods. Does this mean that it's wrong to give your baby solids and you want to because your mom did the same thing for you? OF COURSE NOT!! You survived and most likely your baby will survive too. If those extra 5 calories will help you get more sleep at night....that is great because sleep these days is like winning Mega Millions. I'm personally choosing to delay solids because the research was done and the statements were published for parents to decide. They want to make us aware of what they know now and what they know now is very useful information. It's all in our best interests. Read the statements and do the research..then decide what to do. Yes your child will survive, but keep in mind that anything can happen to you and any baby has an equal chance of being that one in (how ever many) kids that develop diabetes, allergies, obesity..etc.

Look at it this way:

Your grandmother kept a very fashionable basket in her car for carrying her baby while on the go and you're here today to say that her baby survived. Now are you going to use a tested and approved infant car seat because "they" say it safer, or are you going to dig out that that gorgeous basket just like they did back in the days?

The answer to this question about how kids survived is very simple: most kids WILL survive!!! Statistics, journals, publications, etc state only percentages, approximations, and chances!! All of their lovely statements express what portion of kids suffered from whatever it is. The majority of people can all say they survived. My thoughts here are...I don't want to be the mom who falls under one of those stats. Anything can happen to us and we should know our stuff before taking on such a huge responsibility of raising a healthy human being. Sometimes "they" know what they are talking about and I personally like what "they" say (most of them..hehe). So moms and others who seem entertained by some of my new mom ways, please remember that I know your kids survived and they are beautiful kids at that.....just respect my decisions as I respect yours.

Links I like:
Why delay solids?
6 reasons to delay solid foods.
Healthy Children

Spring Break: from dance parties to baby milestones.

Well we made it to Spring Break already and I smile when I think about how much my life has changed. So many events have taken place over the past few years that have really molded me into a completely new person. I must say it's fun to look back.

Here's my ever so important binder cover from year 2003. If you didn't have one of these, you certainly missed out on what everyone was doing those days. In order to have the perfect binder, you needed the following ingredients:

• Family
• Best Friends
• Digital Camera (3 mega pixels)
• Spring Break memories

2003 Spring Break meant spending evenings in the garage waxing my 1988 Honda Accord with my Dad. I remember that day like it was yesterday as the second I started my grey little beauty I noticed that the blinkers didn't work. I drove myself to the nearest gas station on Regal and blushed as I stuck my arms out the window to signal my next move. As excited I was that my Dad bought me a car; I was a horrified thinking about how "everyone" would witness me using arm signals on the South Hill. I'm here today to say I survived the long week without turn signals and was super lucky to be able to drive myself to school.

In 2004 I was spent my week doing my little sister's hair and dressing her up in cute pink outfits. It was even more fun when our cousins came over to play. The photos that I have are priceless.

Jump to 2005 when buying surprise grab bags at the dollar store was the most exciting day of our lives. I wonder if things would have been different if we grew up in FL where MTV hosts all the bikini wearing Spring Breakers.

I spent Spring Break 2010 on the Western Coast with my fiance at the time. Still no tropical, crazy bikini wearing vacationers yet again. This time though I at least found the ocean (a rainy one that is). You seriously have to love clouds and rain if you want to live there. We also went hiking at Mt. Saint Helens as well as Multnomah Falls in OR.

Finally in 2011 I found all the Spring Breakers at South Beach in FL!!!! For the for first time I knew what it was like to step into warm ocean waters during the biggest vacation time of the year. The sand was hot and the drinks were cold. It was an amazing honeymoon vacation. We joke about not planning our trip right, but honestly Spring Break was the perfect time. The weather was great and the destinations were crowded and busy...just how Spring Break is supposed to be! What's a party without a bunch of people?

This year I'm a mom and Spring Break has an entire new meaning. Instead of looking out for MTV Spring Break, seeking out the best pina colada, or hiking up the tallest peaks, I'm spending it with my family. I'm more concerned about what new skill our 3 month old learns this week. Today I witnessed his first signs of the giggles and my heart melted just as it did when I saw his first smile. Hopefully soon we'll hear his entire laugh. It's amazing how the smallest little moments feel so much bigger than any Spring Break party. My best Spring Break memories are with my new family and I can't wait for the many years to come.