baby steps: tattooed barbie

I thought I would weigh in on this tattoo Barbie issue. I know a ton of parents out there are up in arms about the company that created a Barbie with pink hair and tattoos, I can semi understand what they are concerned about. No one wants their 8 year old to run out and get a tattoo but how about we don’t let it get to that point, huh?

Tokidoki Barbie

There is no hiding the fact that my husband has tattoos. I have one also but it’s a little more under wraps. I don’t plan on hiding our “body art” from our girls. They are going to see people all over with tattoos, piercings and rainbow colored hair I don’t hide it from them. I want my girls to understand the permanence of that sort of thing.

I think everyone knows someone who regrets a tattoo or piercing. If I would have known my belly button was going to look this gross after having two kids I probably wouldn’t have gotten it pierced. However I don’t plan on showing of my belly anytime soon so it’s not that big of a deal.

I really believe that if you have a very open and honest communication with your kids they will respect your wishes. I want my girls to understand a few things about tattoos. First, they aren’t allowed to get any tattoos until they are 18. That’s the law and that’s my law also. Second, they have to really think about what they are getting done. Thirdly, they have to discuss it with their dad and I. Lastly, Make sure whoever is doing the work is clean and an experienced artist.

Just like how I don’t want them going around drinking and partying behind my back, I don’t want them to permanently mark their bodies either. My parents made it very clear to me that tattoos were a HUGE “no no” in our house. I think my mom would skin me if she knew I had a tattoo. They were okay with some others things though. They didn’t mind that I wanted to dye my hair blue. My mom actually encouraged me to get my belly button pierced. I think those little things made me okay with not getting a tattoo until I was out of their house. When I got it I was fully able to understand what I was doing and I’ll never regret it.

Maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m not a parent of a teenager yet so maybe all of this is going to blow up in my face. I just know that getting upset over a Barbie with tattoos seems silly. People all over the world have tattoos. How are you going to explain them to your kids? Just because someone has tattoos and pink hair doesn’t make them a bad person. If you an honestly tell your kids what you really believe I think they will listen to you. Well, at least I hope so.

baby steps: breastfeeding

With our first daughter, Aurora, I made the decision to breastfeed. It was a pretty easy decision to make finically it just seemed like the smart thing to do. Formula is crazy expensive and God created breast to feed children, it just made perfect sense to me.

In the beginning it was extremely difficult. It was uncomfortable and challenging to be up all night for feedings. Sometimes when I was up for what felt like the fiftieth time, I would throw things at my sleeping husband. I was so jealous that he got to sleep and I didn’t. At one point I even got an infection. One of my milk glands got so clogged it back up into my arm pit. I couldn’t even put my arm down. When I finally got the hang of it I went back to work. Pumping at work wasn’t easy. I think it had a lot to do with where I was working. A busy coffee shop isn’t really the best place for that kind of thing. It wasn’t the company or the people. I just couldn’t find time or a place to do it. Needless to say after three months my milk ran dry and was had to switch to formula. Aurora made the switch very easy. She was already using a bottle when even I was at work. I just felt guilty that I couldn’t make it work for longer.

I’m happy to say that breastfeeding Carolina has been much more successful. I think I’m much more confident this time around so it makes a huge difference. Also, I have no worries of heading back to work at this time and having to pump. It makes life that much easier. It is hard to do with a three year old running around. Aurora seems to always want something right when I start feeding Carolina. We’ve gotten a pretty good routine down now and the little one doesn’t stay latched on for nearly as long. I used to have to walk around carrying Carolina while she was feeding to help Aurora but she’s much too big for that now.



One thing I had a lot of trouble overcoming was breast feeding in public. I’m not talking about letting it all just hang out there either. I stay covered. I’m a pretty self conscious person. I feel uncomfortable showing too much skin to beginning with. I don’t even feel comfortable breast feeding in front of family. I’ve read horror stories about what people have had happen to them when they try and nurse in public. I didn’t think people could be so cruel and rude. I mean, this is a mother trying to feed her child. I can understand some people feeling uncomfortable if everything is just out there on display but still. It’s a part of nature. The mother is trying to do her best to keep she baby happy and healthy. It drives me crazy!

I’m very thankful for the support other breastfeeding mothers have given me. Maya, a friend and blogger has given me wonderful advice. Other mothers have also been very encouraging. There was an article on Hello Giggles that also really helped me. It really encouraged me to keep pushing through. It’s amazing the support that is out there. I’ve even mustarded up the courage to feed Carolina in a public place. I stay in a corner and stay covered and I haven’t had any problems and it’s so much less stressful for everyone.

So, if you are a breastfeeding mother know that you are not alone. It’s hard but you can push through it. You have a wonderful support system of mothers to help encourage you. Best wishes.

baby steps: and then there were four...

We have been a family for four for seven weeks now. I can’t believe that time has flown by so fast. We all still in transition. Everyone is trying to find their place and routine from the dog to our daughters. I have to say Aurora has been wonderful with her baby sister, maybe a little too wonderful. She won’t go anywhere without her! It’s really cute. She won’t even take a bath unless Carolina is in the bathroom with us. I try and take her out of mother daughter dates and she won’t go unless the baby is with us. It’s a little frustrating but I think it’s really great at the same time.



Don’t get me wrong, Aurora has her bad moments too. That little green monster typically comes out when I’m trying to breast feed Carolina. Then suddenly Aurora is STARVING! Or needs to go potty or needs a drink or something. It’s pretty irritating. I try and make sure she’s all settled before I start feeding the baby, but somehow it doesn’t seem to help. I’ve gotten in the habit of putting snack out on the counter and I just hope that the dog doesn’t get them but at least Aurora can reach something she wants. She’s always been playing a lot of games on the computer. I don’t know if it’s good that she’s spending so much time on it but SesameStreet.org and NickJr.com are educational right? She’s like a wise kid on the computer! My parents don’t even know how to turn a computer on and here my three year old is navigating websites like a champ. She cracks me up.


Well, we’ll figure out how we all work together in time. In the meanwhile I’m enjoying watching my two little princesses grow. I have so much love and frustration for them I could pop!


How’s your family?