It's Not a Competition

Sometimes I have to remind myself not to compare me or Milo to other people. I see kids about his age already potty-trained and I start worrying that he should be potty trained. Yet, I've heard and read from multiple sources that forcing potty training usually leads to set-backs. (Not that I'm saying those other parents forced it, just that I would be forcing it right now because Milo is definitely not ready.)

I have to remind myself that every kid is different and while there are milestones that probably should be met by a certain age, some kids reach them earlier and some later. Milo is taller than some older kids. He was big when he was a baby. I remember our first few visits to The Little Gym, wondering why the other kids could sit up by themselves and Milo couldn't. It was because he was two or three months younger than those kids but the same size. He's no giant but he's in the 75th percentile for height. So, he's above average.

But there I go again, comparing him to other kids.

And no one compares to my little cowboy in my eyes

He's smart and bright and funny. He's adorable. He's trying out new words and new skills all the time. I don't worry that he isn't progressing "normally." So, when I find myself comparing him to other kids -- and wondering about my parenting skills -- I have to remember that it's not a race. And I have to cherish every age and every stage. Because it's going by way (way, way, way) too quickly.

Reading, 'Riting and What not

I signed Milo up for our library's summer reading program. The baby/toddler portion of it involves me (or Milo's daddy) reading to him and doing other activities. I kind of feel like I'm cheating a little because we already read to Milo every day -- at least a couple times and at least a couple books. So, he's going to get prizes for doing the things we do anyway.

I love to read and I hope I pass that love to Milo. He enjoys our story times so I think he'll grow up as a reader. I know much of that is up to the S.O. and me. Milo needs to see us reading -- and enjoying -- books. He needs to know the importance of reading and understand the joy and knowledge it can bring.

He has a few favorites right now: Anything by Sandra Boynton (especially "The Belly Button Book" and "Blue Hat, Green Hat"), "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight" by Jane Yolen and "Llama Llama Home With Mama" by Anna Dewdney. He especially enjoys the rhythm and rhyme of these particular stories. He also enjoys how silly Mommy can get while reading a silly book. And I enjoy reading them to him. And that's pretty important too.

Moving on up

Sorry for the recent radio silence, but I'm back and making a concerted effort to write more.

We are in the process of moving into a new house. I say house because it won't really be our home. The plan is to stay there while we figure out where we want our home to be. Will it be in our current town? Will it be somewhere near by or somewhere far far away? We just don't know right now. And moving is stressful enough without having important things up in the air.

We really like our current neighbors, but many of them are also moving away, so it's time to go. Plus, Milo is young enough right now to not miss this place. Our next home will be the home we all chose together.

We have had many ups and downs in this house -- this home -- but it wasn't a place the S.O. and I picked out together. I moved in here with him. So, while it's been my home for the past eight years, it's never exactly felt like *my place.*

I think Milo is resilient enough to quickly bounce back from any stress he might experience in moving. And besides, he will get some extra time with his grandma -- who spoils him terribly. And he's getting some new toys out of the deal.

I'm sure the S.O. and I are also resilient enough to bounce back from the stress of moving. It just might take us a little longer. Grandma won't spoil us as much.

Shutterfly shout out

I've been using Shutterfly.com for a while, creating photo books for myself and others, as well as creating birth announcements, thank you cards and Christmas cards. It's pretty cool. You can also store and save your photos there.

With the wildfires raging in Colorado, I've been thinking about where my photos are stored. They are backed up, plus many are stored at Shutterfly. If we had to evacuate would try to get my laptop and photo books out, but if I couldn't, I know I would be able to retrieve most of them.


Here is my latest creation, for Milo's grandma:

Click here to view this photo book larger

Start your own Shutterfly Photo Book today.