Parenting is like Family Feud

It's amazing how you have all the answers pre-parenting. I can sit on the sidelines and watch what everyone else "should be doing." It's obvious, right?

It's like watching Family Feud. It's so easy to come up with the No. 1 answer from your couch, but the people who are actually on the show end up with off-the-wall answers.

"One hundred people were surveyed ... Name a household pet in America!"

"... Um ... um ... monkey!"

Cue laughter and the giant red 'X' and the couch-shouting. "WOW are you SERIOUS!? What an idiot!"

I am starting to feel that way right now. I was a parenting expert on the sidelines. Now I'm in the moment and feeling flustered with all the decisions I am going to have to make. What if I yell 'monkey'?

In case anyone needed proof that my cat is attached to me like white on rice

This after at least an hour of following me around the house, laying on my keyboard, ripping up my leather messenger bag and laying next to me trying to get me to pet him every single second of every single minute.

What's a cat mommy to do?

To zoo or not to zoo

Since being a mom, I have heard countless stories about going to the zoo. I truly do not have any desire to go to the zoo. None.

Why, do you ask?

1. Animals smell. I don't like to be around things that smell. Exception: my husband.
2. I have a fear that I will see monkeys (or any other animal) doing it. 
3. I don't want to see animal feces. This also applies to No. 1.
4. Seeing animals caged up makes me sad. Many people see a video of a lion reuniting with its human "parents" as a moving experience. It depresses me. Not sure why. I also refuse to watch movies with animals in them. I have no idea how I'm going to handle Disney movies.

To digress about Disney movies, why are they always so depressing? Why does a character always die? I've heard it explained that it is the typical story timeline, but I'm just not a fan. If I'm going to watch a children's movie, I'd prefer I not be blubbering like one within the first hour.

To loop back around, I don't see myself going to the zoo anytime soon.

The Paradox

I have such mixed emotions when it comes to Luke.

This cat is the Tails to my Sonic. He follows me EVERYWHERE.

If I'm sitting on the couch, he's scratching at the Pack N Play to get attention. If I'm sitting on the floor (to placate him), he's laying on my computer. Sometimes when I'm laying on the couch, he sits on my lap. Or my head.

He meows when I'm not paying attention to him. He scratches at my leg. When I go to get ice from the freezer, he runs over hoping that I'll put some ice cubes in his water dish.

These are all endearing things. They also drive me crazy.

I doubt this paradox will end anytime soon.

I am, however, hoping to utilize Abby once she is old enough to throw a cat toy for him to fetch ...

Crossing the line toward discipline

It is so easy to judge other parents ... particularly before you become one.

I am just now realizing how different it is crossing that line between simply caring for an infant -- offering basic, physical and emotional needs -- and parenting. We have crossed that line.

To make a long story short, I'm realizing that I have enabled insane behavior (e.g. Abby screaming bloody murder because I was cutting carrots in the kitchen and not paying attention to her) and that I needed to make a change.

Today I decided to ignore her when she acted like that and give her positive, fun attention when she was calm. The repercussions were amazing.

After her finger foods.

She behaved the entire dinner, she ate FINGER FOODS (sweet potato and turkey burger!) and she seemed to have a ball.

I am just now beginning to feel intimidated at the magnitude of parenting. Realizing that me simply trying to get things done around the house and not paying attention to her was creating a little monster. That little monster will grow to a big, big monster (think Supernanny) without intervention.

Thank God I was enlightened.

State of the Union: Abby and her Furry Friends

What's new in the world of Abby, Luke and Leia?

Abby:

•  She would like to crawl. But she cannot. She transitions from sitting to a three-point stance of sorts, belly flops, flails and fusses. It's like clockwork. Mama is ready for her to crawl. And, yes, I know "my life is over" when said crawling occurs.
• She is reluctant to eat finger foods. You'd think we were attempting to feed her raw fish the way she reacts.
• She apparently has an intense fear of helium balloons.

Luke:

•  His current method of attention-getting is scratching at the Pack N Play. In moments of desperation, he jumps in.
• He gets semi-close to Abby before cowering away. Sometimes he accidentally lays within grabbing range. Abby got his tail the other day.
• If Abby was able to toss his catnip fish into the kitchen for him, they'd be BFFs.

Leia:

• She clearly is developing a love for Abby. She volunteers for abuse (envision Abby's eyes getting wide with excitement as she lunges for Leia's face/ear) and then goes back for more. It's endearing.
• She is still my snuggle-kitty. She is back to her old self ... the way she was before the pregnancy.
• She still loves food.

I love big, sloppy kisses

Big, sloppy baby kisses are the best.

There is nothing quite like seeing a slobbery, open mouth headed right for your nose. The spontaneous love and affection that spark those moments are enough to make anyone melt.

Is it inevitable that I will be hated?

Right now, I am the favorite. I am No. 1. It doesn't suck.

She lunges for me when she is being held by someone else. At times, she squeals with delight because I walk in the room. It's enough to make me feel like a rock star. This adorable little girl is in love with me and the feeling is mutual.

That being said, is it inevitable that she will ultimately hate me?

Adolescence threatens to rear its ugly head. It may be approximately 10 years or so away, but that's still right around the corner!

I know that I can't take it personal. I just have to buck up and deal with the hormones and life changes that will ultimately happen. I get that.

The question I have is whether it is a CERTAINTY that my daughter will hate to be in the same room with me. Is it possible she won't?