The Hardest Part

I was watching Katie (Katie Couric's talkshow) a while ago, and one of the topics for the day really resonated with me.  She was talking about postpartum depression and how so many women get it, but no one wants to admit or accept it because of the stigma involved with that.  That's what really prompted this post.

The hardest part about being a parent is admitting AND accepting that it is hard.  We...I...anyone just can't do it ALL.  Anyone who says they can is either lying or has no concept of reality (or both).  Simply put, life just changes.  In my opinion, there is really no way to be completely ready for this change.

Everyone says how hard parenting is, but it's so hard to accept and admit because you want to do the best job possible.  Admitting that it's hard makes you feel like you're not doing something right.  I think that if more women felt like they were allowed to admit the specific difficulties of parenthood they'd feel a lot less stressed and a lot more normal.  I have been lucky to have so many friends and family members who have had kids withing a few months of me.  They have really been my crutch.  Not a day goes by without a text or email about something crazy that happened that day.  Having someone who is actually experiencing the same things has made it easier to laugh, relax, and sometimes cry.

There's no doubt that women worry so much about doing what is right for their child.  I just fear that we are so wrapped up in that, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves at the same time.

3 Month Wrap Up

The last month was really a month of milestones and firsts for Alivia. With warmer weather (finally) and Liv developing more fine and gross motor skills, some exciting things happened. Tony and I finished up work (ok- so Elissa only worked 3 days, but it was still work), so as we move into month 4 we are really anticipating some fun!  Here are some memories from month 3.

This month Alivia:

- visited Daddy at work and met his friends there

- began to interact more with books by staring, grabbing pages, and making noises 

- started grabbing for dangling objects like linking toys and other items

- grasped onto her ball and waved it around

- started wearing some 3-6 month clothes

- went to her first parade (Memorial Day)

- had her first overnight trip for her great grandparents 65th wedding anniversary

- pulled her pacifier out of her mouth and tried to put it back

- was awake a lot more during the day

- started kicking her legs like crazy at dangling objects and when playing with Daddy

- started to drool A LOT

- started making bubbles in her mouth

- babbled and "talked" rather than cooing for sustained periods of time

- was able to hold her head up completely on her own with no bobbling or support

- became more cranky at certain times

- went to lots of parties

- engaged and played a lot more with people

- got some new toys

- went for lots if walks in the stroller around the neighborhood 

- was able to stand being in a carrier for five minutes without fussing

- was able to entertain herself for longer periods of time

Here are some pictures:

Alivia's First Vacation

We're heading to Wisconsin Dells, and in true Tony and Elissa fashion the weather forecast stinks for the two days we will be there. Of course, it has been beautiful for the past week, and looks to be great the day we leave. It never fails!  However, we will make the best of it. Liv is too young to be in the sun and water anyway. We will take a "silver lining" or "turn lemons into lemonade" perspective on the weather. She won't get overheated or sunburned. There is an indoor water park too. So it may actually work out better than expected. She's as happy as can be right now in the car. 

                             

Getting ready to get in the water. She loved the indoor lazy river, and the cold outside water didn't bother her little feet.

                             

Dinner time