On being a mom to Everett -

Can I just give everyone that gave me so much unsolicited advice when I was pregnant a big fuck you? No, seriously. It bothered me then and it bothers me more so now because it seemed that everyone was trying to tell me my life was going to be over and tried to scare me into motherhood. It's sad that woman cannot shut their mouths OR support a mom-to-be in her choices..even if they are a bit odd. Get ready to be offended. Sorry Not Sorry. I need to rant. And here's what I mean:


Cloth Diapering:

You know how many people told be it would last a week and I'd be over it? Or it's "too hard?"
Let me tell you, this has been so much fun. I'm loving all the different designs and colors. I'm loving that I'm not putting all those horrible chemicals straight up on my kids genitals. I'm loving to never have to go to the store all the damn time to buy diapers. I'm loving that I don't have bags of shitty diapers waiting for the trash man. I'm loving that I'm not contributing to the piling of trash in dumps.. which by the way since disposables have been invented, not a single one has been decomposed. That's sad and sick to me. I cannot and will not be a part of it. Best part? Every three days, I throw the diapers in the washing machine and I have them all over again! They last from birth to potty training AND if you care for the diapers properly, you get to use them for more kids. Talk about a one time fee. I also use cloth wipes. It's been great for our family. This is something we stuck too and we absolutely love.

Funny thing, my husband and I had to buy a pack of disposables for the few days we moved because well, our washer and dryer was in transient so we bought Huggies Naturals..and you know what the directions said? To throw the poop in the toilet before throwing the diaper away. Funny how families who use disposables say that cloth is gross when in my eyes, looks like more work! Read on your diapers folks. True story.

Baby Wearing:

You know how many people also told me I'd get over that quick because it's easier to haul the cars eat around? And a stroller is more comfortable?

Our Maya Ring Sling

Our SSC Boba

I don't need a stroller to be my babysitter. I sure as hell don't want my kid on his laying on his head 24/7. He was on his back 24/7 in the NICU. No reason to make him do that more. Everett is 20lbs and 5 months. He's never seen nor sat in a stroller once. I cannot imagine hauling a huge ass stroller all over the damn place and maneuvering it in and out of isles and crowded areas. Transitioning him from the carseat to the carrier takes two minutes tops and sometimes he stays asleep, other times he's just content looking at everything. He's so sweet, quiet, and calm being so close to moma. I see moms struggling for thirty minutes at their car in the rain in a parking lot...trying to put everything in the stroller and a screaming child. I have yet to experience that. Baby wearing for the win. Babies are meant to be close to a parents warmth. Fuck you to the people that told be to distant my child from myself would be more convenient.

Parenthood isn't about convenience. It's not about doing what's easiest. It's about doing what's right for MY child. And at 5 months old, he needs his mom. 

Co-Sleeping

We are co-sleeping and bed sharing

What some people refuse to understand is their is a difference of both. Co-Sleeping is sharing the same room or area to sleep. We have a co-sleeper which is like a mini crib that scoots right up against the adult bed. Bed sharing is, well, sharing one bed. With all of Everetts medical issues, I wanted him extra close to me. Sometime he sleeps in his co sleeper, other times he's in bed with us. I practice safe bed sharing. We don't drink, smoke, or take any prescription drugs. Everett is NEVER in the middle of my husband and I. A mother has a natural sense to not roll over a child versus a father doesn't. That doesn't mean every man is going to roll on their baby. But a mom usually wakes up over every move a child does, every noise, every off breathing pattern. I sleep in the middle and Everett goes on my side. Once he starts the rolling then a bed rail will be going up on our side of the bed. I'm very intune with my son which honestly, surprised me. I wake up naturally whenever he needs his medication at 1am and 9am. I wake up as soon as I notice his breathing is off, and last week I woke up moments before he starting projectile vomiting and choking on it. If he was alone in a crib, I don't want to think what could have happened. 

This was us Christmas day. Exhausted. We were NOT sleeping here but I have no co-sleeping/bed sharing photos. So there!

How about over all Baby Led Parenting?

Infants clearly cannot care for themselves. Someone has to do that. And as my husband is the bread winner in this house, I care for Everett. We didn't have a child to fit into our current lives and train to do what we tell him to do and when. We don't force him to sleep at certain times or eat only at certain times. He sleeps when he wants and he get's fed when he's hungry. We pick him up when he wants to be held, and we don't put him down till he feels secure. We don't train Everett like a dog. Infants need their needs met. They cry because they need something, not to manipulate(that may come later)

I see mothers complain about how horrible their babies cry and never sleep. I don't experience that. I wrote the other day on facebook that I went to lay Everett down for a nap. We laid down in my bed nose to nose and skin to skin, and you know what happened? He fell asleep. No fuss, No crying, No fighting. Just another sweet moment with my baby. I read his q's and took him to lay down like I do daily and I never had to fight him for a nap. Asleep in 30 seconds. 

I have such a happy and peaceful baby and I truly believe it's because I give him my heart and complete attention. I do this while keeping a house neat and tidy and caring for quite a few boisterous pets, two that are seniors and need extra attention. I cook daily too and I even manage to shower. 

What may have worked for you doesn't mean it's a must for other moms. How dare you shame another mom for her intention on caring for her future newborn. I stuck with everything I wanted to do before Everett James was born. 

Suck It.

End of Rant.

I promise that future posts won't all be like this but I had to get it out. 

And by no means do I claim to be this perfect crunchy mother.

My husband loves his diesel trucks, we don't have an organic garden, and if we want a soda or fast food here and there, we eat that shit up. We do however strive to give our son the best possible life that includes love and peace. Things I never had as a child.