Bad Mommy Move #374

I feel pretty badly about it. It's always terrible when you accidently hurt your child. An accidential scratch with your fingernail or a pinch with the car seat buckle. Those things happen. You feel bad, but really, it's a fact of childhood. But this? This was like something on a bad reality show... "Confessions of a Neglectful Mother" or something...

Last night a baked potato dropped on Katelyn's head.

Now, not that I'm trying to defend myself, but I didn't actually drop it on her. I put it on the counter after I took it out of the microwave. As I was reaching for the other one in the microwave, the one on the counter rolled off. Kate happened to be right underfoot, as she usually is when I'm trying to make dinner. Smack on her noggin. Let me tell you, she was not happy.

Immediately I stuck her head under the sink faucet so that she didn't get a burn. I was a bit upset to say the least. She's screaming, I can't fathom what just happened, and Padyn is standing by asking what happened. Not the best moment in parenting. Fortunately, she didn't get burned, but she did have a red spot on her head for a couple hours. But how tough is my kid? She cried for like 1 minute, then went right back to playing with her Leap Frog Magnetic Fridge Farm as if baked potatoes fall from the sky everyday.

From now on the kitchen is off limits to people shorter than 3 1/2 feet when baked potatoes are on the menu.

Helpful Big Sis

Padyn is so helpful with Katelyn.

• always trying to give her back the paci
• rocking her carseat or bouncy seat when she is crying (with mommy in the background repeating, "Be gentle, be gentle.")
• watching me with concern while I change Kate's diaper
• showing Kate toys that Padyn has picked out for her (read: shoving them in her face with mommy in the background repeating, "Be gentle, be gentle. Show her it from a distance.")

But today was the best helpful sister yet. Today she decided she wanted to burp Kate. So, with a baby washcloth over her shoulder, she "burped" her baby sister. It consisted of me holding Kate up against Padyn while Padyn gently pat her back. It was so sweet. Of course I have no picture because I don't have three arms. But trust me it was sweet.

While I was relishing in the sweetness of the moment and congratulating myself on what a good mother I was that I had raised such a caring, loving little girl, Padyn said, "I want to feed Tate." and lifted up her shirt. Umm...no. And what was my reply? I should have said something like, "Only Mommies can make milk for babies." or "Only Mommies can feed the baby." or "Only Mommies....(something informative yet toddler friendly.)

What did I say instead?

"I don't think your boobies are gonna work."

Good one, Mommy.

"When Dogs Die" and Other Lighthearted Children's Books

We went to the library yesterday, because, as you all know, Padyn loves books. Actually, she loves the library because in the children's section they have a number of toddler friendly puzzles. She'll sit there for an hour and do each and every puzzle. She won't do a puzzle twice, mind you. Only once. But she'll do every one.

Anyway, I asked her before we left if she wanted to bring any books home. Deeply concentrating on her puzzle, she said no, so I didn't bother looking for any. Finally Daddy and I decided we'd had enough, plus Katelyn was doing her "I'm about to lose it because you need to feed me" grunt, so Joel picked Padyn up and said it was time to go. Of course, she lost it. I love tantrums in quiet places like the library. She's crying and saying she doesn't want to go, then she spots this book on the table. Now, it's, "I want the doggie book. WANT THE DOGGIE BOOOOOOOOK!" Well, we did what any good parent would do: we gave her the book and hightailed it out of there.

Later that night she wants to read it at bedtime. So, Daddy's reading it. It's a nice little story about a boy and his family who adopt an older dog. It goes through what the family and the dog do together every year. Then you know what? The dog DIES. And they have to BURY HIM. Poor Daddy. He heavily edited it as not to scar our 2 year old. But really, this is the reason you should preview your toddler's books before you leave the library. I am not ready to start explaining DEATH to my 2 year old. So, like good parents, we hid the book. It's going back to the library as soon as I can manage without Padyn noticing.


And you know what book she asked for all day long? You got it.

You know you're a bad mother when...

One child decides to decorate the other...and you encourage it...

Your child's hair looks as if it hasn't been combed in weeks...








You let your 2 year old play with your new expensive camera.