Hamilton County Libraries

Hi Hamilton County Parents! Did you know that after January 1, 2010, if you are a Hamilton County Resident that you can check out books from any Hamilton County Library?? That is the best news that this Westfield Resident has heard in a long time! Carmel Library here I come! Fishers and Noblesville I will be there next! This is great news for those of us who need to keep our children busy in the winter. We're going to hit all of these wonderful, free storytimes. Here are the websites for Hamilton County Libraries so you can check it out yourself.
http://www.carmel.lib.in.us/
http://www.wwpl.lib.in.us/
http://www.hepl.lib.in.us/

See you at storytime!

What is up with these Nicknames?

So you just found that you're going to have a baby? Well, congratulations! And one of the first items that you're going to buy is a baby name book, right? A child's name is very important. Most parents spend months and months agonizing over just the perfect name.
There are so many baby name books to choose from, too! Most baby name books are as thick as 'War and Peace'. They go over every possible name (including Apple and Suri) in every possible spelling, making every effort to give you all of your choices.
My only problem is this. With all of the time and energy spent choosing our child's name, why in the world do we end up calling them by the most bizarre nicknames??
Oh, some nicknames are pretty close to a child's name. For example, I know a Mark whose parents call him Marky or Mar Mar. And then there is little Addison who is often called Add. Okay, so I get those.
I also get calling a child by the initials of their first and middle name, though I'm not sure why the initial “J” always has to be apart of it. I think that we all know a T.J. but have no idea what his real name is. I also bet I am not the only one who does not know what J.R. Ewing's real name was.
And then there are the nicknames that are names of affection. A lot of parents that I know refer to their child as Pumpkin, Sugar, Baby, Sweet Pea, Lovie, Honey, Sunshine or Bear. Sure, those are sweet and a natural occurrence considering the love we feel for our children.
And then there are the nicknames that are spun out of pure laziness. I often hear parents calling their child by just their first initial. I've heard a name of “D” for Dylan, “T” for Tammy or “E” for Eli. Now, are us parents really that busy that we don't have time for the rest of the letters?
Some nicknames also depend on what part of the country that you are from. In the good ol Midwest hasn't every girl been a Sis or a Sissy? I was even Sissy Pal. Boys are often called Butch or Bud here. I've even heard of a Junior who's dad was not a Senior. If you are from southern Indiana like me then you've probably heard of Judge “Tiny” Barthold but still don't know what her real name is.
But some nicknames are very far fetched. I spent a great deal of time calling my first son De De because that is what his baby brother said for brother. I would yell De De to call him at the playground. Other soccer moms must have thought that I was mean for naming my son such a weird name! My daughter's nicknames have gone from Morning to Tiny neither of which have anything to do with her given name.
But my all time, favorite nicknames are those that are body parts or even mucus that comes from body parts. I've heard of a little girl whose parents call her Liver. And, I know this one is hard to believe but I've heard several children with nicknames of Booger or Boog. I personally even know a Booger Boy!
So, new parents, go on and spend a lot of time choosing a name. I've done that too and am now enjoying being a mom to DeDe, “G” and Tiny.

There are some things that I am fairly certain about in life and I can't wait to share one of them with you. I'm pretty sure that there are certain comments that you should not make to a family with 2 or more children who are all the same sex. Parents who had boy and a girl out of the gate might not completely understand this, but, those of us who's family began with two boys (myself included) or came from families of three girls (me again!) can be extra sensitive on this subject.
'Are you trying for a boy?' is probably not a great question to ask someone who is contemplating a third baby and has all girls. This is especially true if the parents' girls are present. Their therapy bill may one day show up at your door if you ask this. In addition, how exactly you try for a certain sex is beyond me. I've heard of certain positions or certain diets all of which sound a little bogus. Maybe this mom and dad are just trying for another baby and I'm sure that they have a lot of hopes for a possible future child which may or may not include a sex preference.
'I hope that you have a girl' is not the best thing to say to a mom who is pregnant and has even one boy. I heard this so much during my second and third pregnancies that if charged everyone who said it a dollar then I would have had money to pay for my unborn child's college education – at Harvard!
'Oh no!' is also not a good response to a mom who had just told you that she is having her fourth son. I once overheard a conversation between two moms where one mom told another mom that she was having her fourth son any day now. The other mother responded with the good ol' 'oh no!' with a look of pain on her face. Let's just say that that is not nice.
'Are you hoping for a boy?' is also not a great question. If a mom or dad is hoping for another gender than what they already have then let them tell you that. Some dads don't care if they get to play catch with their sons and some moms know that their children can be a lot of fun without the color pink being involved. If you don't believe me then just ask Olivia Manning.
All boy or girl families can be beautiful too! So if you need to say something the next time you see a family with all pigtails remember that a simple 'that's wonderful' will suffice.
So, I'm sure you're wondering what the sex of my third baby is. She is a girl, and as cute as the day is long. But rest assured, I still remember the joy of having just boys.

It seems that we are becoming a world of busybodies. Everyone that I talk to these days is busy. The first sentence that comes out of someone's mouth when you ask how they are doing is, “We're just so BUSY!”
So, what in the heck are we all doing out there? Something major? Is it true that we are overbooked and over scheduled? What I've found when talking to my mom friends is that every family falls into a different category of busybodies. Read on and you may find one that describes your family.
Lots of Tots Busybodies – These families are so busy due to the large amount of children in their home. Any family of 4 or more automatically falls into this category. Even some families of three can claim lots of tots if their children are spaced close together. These families are busy just getting through the day. Getting everyone dressed, teeth brushed, fed, shoes on, diaper changed, bathroom break and out the door can take two hours in of itself. And that time is only within reach if you don't have a major catastrophe such as a blowout diaper or meltdown from one of the tots due to what they are wearing or (not) eating. The unfortunate reality for these families is that by the time that you've completed all of these necessary tasks it is time for another meal, diaper change or nap.
Socialite Busybodies – These families love to party. They love to attend parties, throw parties or just hang out and invite anyone on the street over to their house for an impromptu party. They are the family in the neighborhood that is always sitting out front with a cold beverage in their hand. If you are even remotely acquainted with them you have been invited to one of their parties celebrating Memorial Day, the 4th of July or Groundhog Day.
Indy Busybodies – These families have one or both parents from the Indianapolis area. They have lived in this area for all or most of their whole life. They have so much family living within 30 minutes that not only is dating tricky, but weekends are jam packed with Aunt Trudy's 80th birthday, or cousin Jack's christening. Did I mention that these busybodies usually come from large families? Even larger than their circle of family in the area is their circle of friends. These are the same dear friends they've had since Kindergarten and they all want to get together with the Indy Busybodies.
Keeping Up With the Jones' Busybodies – These families are busier than you are. They say they are busy just because that is what everyone else is saying. If they are truly not busy, then they will find something to do to make them busy. While this family complains about being busy, they actually love it because it makes them feel more important than the other busybodies.
Joiner Busybodies - This busybody family loves to be a part of the action. The dad of this family coaches his children's', sports teams. A lot of time for this family is spent driving to and from extracurricular activities. The children always want to join a playgroup which has formed outside in their neighborhood. The mom of this family is on the PTO Board at school, has a weekly workout group as well as a monthly card playing group . . . . .
Sorry, I'm going to stop writing about this family because they are sounding an awful lot like mine!
I'll have to end this blog here, because, you guessed it, I'm busy!

I'm an author!

OH MY! I was just chosen as an author for WonderDads! I will be published soon and how exciting is that? SO busy now but will blog later!

The grass is always greener . . .

It's true that the grass is always greener on the other side. I know this but sometimes you have to experience it for yourself, right? I definitely will appreciate being "just a mom" more now after a brief fling with a kind of job. A fling that left me feeling used, abused and lied to!
Anyway, I love hanging out with the kiddos and having nothing more in life to do but take care of them. Who needs money anyway? I need to suffer with the others in this piss poor economy! So, look for more funny blogs from me :)

The difference in raising our children
There is an old Chinese proverb that describes how a mother reacts when her child drops their pacifier on the floor. (Okay, so it's not Chinese but that makes it sound more appealing than saying some random mom at the park said it). Anyway, the saying goes like this - when your first child drops their pacifier on the ground you pick it up, sanitize it properly and hand it back to them. No germs for your pride and joy! When your second child drops their pacifier on the floor you pick it up, run it under some water and hand it back to them. You're pretty sure the water got most of the germs off. By the time your third child drops their pacifier on the floor you pick it up, spit on it and rub it on your pants to dry, and hand it back to them. Germ scherm! Who's got time to worry about such trivial things!
Those with only one child, please stop your 'it will never happen to me' thoughts because, well . . . . IT WILL!. Most moms change their parenting style the more children that they have. We get more laid back and relaxed than we thought that we ever would.
The first change in our parenting style occurs with our children's milestones. With our first child we read our official 'First Year' books which are placed prominently in our bookshelf where they are easily accessible. We look ahead at every month to make sure our child is exactly where they are supposed to be. If they are walking, talking or even blinking ahead of schedule we tell the whole world. We're bragging to grandma, our friends and even the clerk at the grocery store! If they are even a week behind in what they are supposed to be we are in a panic. By the time we reach our third child things have changed a bit. That official 'First Year' book is now buried behind an “Us Weekly” magazine. You have no idea when your child is technically supposed to roll over or sleep through the night but are smart enough to know it's somewhere between three months and a year. And (thank goodness!) you are so much more relaxed when your child grows at their own rate and not little Jack's down the street.
Following milestones by a close second are naps. Your first child always slept in their crib. Your entire day was planned around their nap schedule. You left the zoo in plenty of time to get home and place them in the crib before they would drift slowly off to sleep. Your second child was a little different. You might leave the zoo a little later, so they fell asleep in the car. If you're lucky, they will stay asleep as you transfer them from their car seat to their crib. And if they wake up during this transfer, oh well, they just had a shorter nap today. Now, by the time your third child comes around your trip to the zoo does not include nap plans. Your third child will take their nap in the stroller for thirty minutes without missing a beat and you will not think anything of it.
Another way us moms get more relaxed is with what tv programs our children are allowed to watch. Your first child probably only watched one or two of those 'Baby Einstein' videos to enhance their brain development. The ones and twos were spent watching the educational Sesame Street or Blue's Clues. By the time your third child came around they quickly skip over all of those younger shows. They want to watch Sponge Bob and Hanna Montana from the age of 9 months. It's not that you've planned it that way, but seeing their big sister or big brother watching those cool shows makes them want to watch them also. And the house is so quiet with all of your children watching tv that you don't see the point in arguing.
Moms, don't fret if you see yourself in any of these situations or have many more of your own. It is these relaxed ways which make our subsequent children more adaptable. I, for one, (a second child) am a much better person for it!