I am going to put the PS first. P.S. I am not angry with anyone, just thinking my thoughts out.
Pushover; softy. Two words used to describe me this week. I am not proud of this attribute, but I am happy with my big heart and understanding of others and their situations or who they are even. I am not perfect at it, but I do try and live by the code "Don't judge a man till you've walked two moons in his moccasins." So when it comes to parenting, I want Juniper to be respectful, to be understanding, to have manors, to not get what she wants all the time, and to understand that you have to do what you don't want to sometimes. But I also don't want her to be pushed around and taken advantage of by others, of course. I guess that is another great reason why it is nice to have two parents. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as picking and choosing their good attributes only. The world would be full of perfect people by now if that were true, and I suppose it could be quite boring, maybe. Actually, I think it could be quite pleasant....but people would have fought over which attributes are the best anyway. Sorry I digress from what I was trying to say.
Raising Juniper. So I have become worse at realizing when I may be being "pushed over" and I know kids are particularly good at manipulation, so I worry. She has started to manipulate me already and already I am telling myself that she is trying to communicate with me, so I should assist her with her needs. And I believe in letting a child explore their curiosity and to let them figure out things on their own; to let them realize natural consequences; and let them make their own decisions. But I am worried that I won't recognize what exactly is happening between her and I; our give and take relationship. I know all mothers, especially with the first, worry more than necessary. And also that kids are a lot of whom they are whether they parents do something or not.
My conclusion: she will stop indulging in the BOOB when she is ready. I am not worried that she will be 8 years old like the girl in the following video. I think she is slowly learning to fall asleep without it (another mummy downfall; her slowness). I do want her to know how to sleep on her own so I don't have The Nanny at my house in 4 years. It is hard sometimes in the middle of the night, but then again I am lucky to be home with my daughter to be able to give her what she wants. I know I/we will raise a respectful child. She will be independent like both her parents. And she can't be too spoiled because there will be another sibling to compete with in the future. I was the first child and grandchild and I was spoiled, but not too much (I think). Plus I am a bit jealous of Juniper. It is so hard to pull her away from nursing when her eyes are rolling back in their socket into sleep and slumber because the taste, feeling, and comfort of the mama's boob is just so wonderful, apparently. I wish I could feel that relaxation and escape too. Lastly, I will rely on daddy to help me out and maybe I can learn too! After I get some guts.
After the great Christmas dinner Kirby made, after driving to London Heathrow and back to pick parents up in our brand new Saab, rented that is.
New toys!
Chillin after the long travels.
Presents!
A plate and bowl for Junie
A new baby doll from mamaw, picked out by daddy.
Her favourite was the package of tights.
Night night time. So happy to see her grandparents.
After a day spent in Cambridge and a day in the near by village of Grantchester to have tea and scones with clotted cream and jam, we made it to the Stonehenge.
Which does she like more Stonehenge or....the camera?
Love this photo!
This one too!
Salisbury Cathedral in the fog.
Sleeping baby, time for a drink by the real fire. I wonder how many people have had a drink here over the 500 years.
Getting ready for bed in our really old bedroom.
The naked girl.
Oh it was the best continental breakfast ever, well better than all the ones I had travelling for work.
Lovely English garden along the Avon.
Supposedly the oldest clock in the world. It was attached to the church bells.
In Salisbury Cathedral.
Hanging glass tear drops.
Gorgeous cloisters.
Back side of St. Paul's Cathedral
Mom and Dad at the Tower Bridge
Grandpa and Grandma at the Tower of London
Tower of London at night
Trafalgar Square
This is huge!
DAD at Picadilly Circus. Great photo.
The Tower from the inside. It had closed early the day before so we had to come back to get in.
Wonder how many times he's been photographed
He was very nice
Junie and mummy at Big Ben
Junie and Daddy in front of Westminster Abby
Time to leave :(:(:(:(
Although we did try to leave Junie with them for a while the night before to get a drink alone and she gave some good screams.
Since we had too much gas in the car after dropping my parents off at the airport, we drove to the eastern shores of England in East Anglia to check out the ocean and say goodbye to 2010; a year that will not be forgotten. Spent our New Year's Eve here eating a good Indian meal and listening to fireworks in a town called Great Yarmouth, which for you Mainers- it was much more like Old Orchard Beach than Yarmouth and multiply that a few times. Luckily it was the winter; the miles of beaches were empty.
And home again.
Happy New Year 2011 says Juniper!
This says it all.
Our great Christmas visit with my parents!
