Frogs, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

Okay, I know in the beginning when I found out about our little accident, er, I mean blessing from God. . . I had hoped it would be another boy. My thought was that a boy would be "easier" since I've already experienced parenting a boy up to age 4.

Well, now I cannot wait for more estrogen to enter our household! My son is slowly evolving from a sweet, docile little mama's boy into a straight up maniac! If he's not jumping from the highest point in the house (apparently thinking he can fly!) he's running through the house screaming battle cries and doing high kicking karate. Often he won't respond to you unless you address him by his superhero name or unless you know the secret password.

I know that for the most part this is normal "boy" behavior but I am in such unfamiliar territory. I grew up in a single mother household with a sister. We operated on emotion and logic. Right now my son is operating on pure IMAGINATION! I think he sees something else in his mind instead of what's real. Like perhaps when he jumps off the top of the couch he sees himself landing in an ocean or perhaps a bed of soft cotton instead of hardwood floors! This boy has banged his head, foot, arm, knees and shoulder so many times in the past few months I am shocked he hasn't broken a bone yet.

Ah, the joys of boys. . .WHATEVER. He's nutty as a can of Planter's! I can't wait for my little princess to make her debut. I'm actually looking forward to Barbie dolls, tea parties and manicures! And I know pink is kind of passe when it comes to being the color of choice for girls but I cannot wait to buy a cute PINK frilly dress with a bunch of flowers and lace that screams I AM A GIRL!!! Ha ha! I do absolutely ADORE my son but I can't wait to even things out in our household.

Confused

I am confused about something. Why is it when some people decide life is not worth living anymore they also make that decision for others? I seriously don’t understand the murder-suicide phenomenon. I hate my life so much that not only am I going to kill myself but I don’t want you to live either so, I guess I hate your life too???

I mean if a person is so determined to end their life then DO IT and claim that one way ticket to hell. But by all means don’t take other folks with you! I was shocked to hear about the man in L.A. who killed his family and then himself. How in the hell do you kill FIVE little children, your wife and then yourself? Because he got laid off (I think his wife also lost her job). Sorry if this sounds crass but if he really wanted to turn a selfish act into a selfless act he should have found away to terminate his life that would appear to be an “accident” and then perhaps his family could have collected some type of insurance policy. I’m just sayin’. . .

The other thing that shocked me is that this was a BLACK man. Surely he was aware there were other options. Was he that proud or just an idiot? I’m thinking the latter. I have had some low points in my life, which when you really think about it is what makes life well. . .life. You have peaks and valleys. It’s never perfect and there are ALWAYS tests of strength, will and faith that you have to get through and I guess it’s true that only the strongest survive. The weak apparently take their lives (and the lives of others) because they figure it’s easier. Like I said, I’ve had some low points but NEVER, EVER, NEVER would I ever kill myself.

In all honesty I can say that I’ve thought about what “life” would be without me. Would I be missed? But those thoughts always had to do with me either never having been born or dying of some natural cause. I can barely swallow those big ass prenatal vitamins so I know I couldn’t take any pills. I would never try to shoot myself because what if my aim is slightly off and I become paralyzed instead? And why in the world would someone stick a knife in their chest over and over? I like to think I have a high tolerance for pain but come on. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Life is already short enough and regardless to how much we dread it or even fight it the fact is we will ALL die someday anyway- why hurry along the process. Find the light, the love and the goodness in life and enjoy it while you can. Sorrow don't last always. . .

Untitled

Man, it's been a whole week since I even THOUGHT about this blog! It's getting kinda sad. . .

Hmm, I guess I could recap my week:

1. BARACK OBAMA is in the WHITE HOUSE!!!! Was that not the most AMAZING inauguration ever?! Although there were some white conservatives HATING on the event because- get this- they were focusing too much on black people. I ain't making that up. They felt the media focused "too much" on black people in the crowds and that the majority of the entertainment and speakers were black. So, when things are reversed and a white president has white supporters and white entertainers/speakers. It's okay? Got it. Moving on from all things ignorant. . .

2. Had another doctor's appointment and the little princess seems to be growing and doing fine. April 13th will be here before you know it and I will NOT be ready. But it's been my experience that it all ends up working out. :-)

3. Enrolled in a Psychology course. Theories of Personality. I can already tell it's going to be an interesting semester. Maybe I'll continue this blog to psychoanalyze people in my family and the media.

4. I think I might be mildly obsessed with the Twilight book series. Yeah, I know that's supposed to be a "young adult" series. I don't really want to elaborate except to say although Stephenie Meyer is not the most prolific writer in the world she has to be given credit for creating one of the most enthralling modern day fictional characters (Edward Cullen) in a long time.

5. I am tired of working. 'Nuff said.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some more interesting/relevant postings in this week.

Sing Sing Celebrate

Keep the dream alive! I LOVE this song/video!! One of my favorite to commemorate the King Holiday! I remember having this blonde hair spray/dye that I put in the front of my hair like Stacey Lattisaw! Ha ha! Not only is the song poignant but looking at all those old school artists takes me waaay back! Whodini, Fat Boys, New Edition, Stacey Lattisaw, Melle Mel, EL DEBARGE (OMG! I had the biggest crush on him!), JT Taylor, Stephanie Mills and of course the incomparable Whitney Houston. ENJOY!

Enough Already

Okay, there is one downfall to having a child that's so smart. Sometimes they are too smart. I mean smart as in shut-your-mouth-before-I-have-to-slap-you-in-it smart.

I subscribe to the 65-35 method of parenting. 65% old school and 35% new school. I realize that we are living in a totally different time than when I was a child but at the same time there are some things that will never change:

1. Children have no business in grown folks business!
2. Children should not talk back and/or disrespect their parents.
3. No negotiating with children. It makes them think they have the upper hand.
4. No telling children to do something 3 and 4 times.
5. Spankings help children see their options a lot more clearly.

I incorporate these old stand-by's into my daily parenting routine because of the simple fact that I have a FOUR YEAR OLD asking me questions like, "Why do we have to always do everything you want?" "Why can't I get to choose when I go to bed?"

I have NO patience for stuff like that!! I suppose I could get down on his level and say something like "because Mommy knows what's best for you" or "because Mommy wants you to get your rest". But I prefer that old adage "BECAUSE I SAID SO". You give these kids an inch they want to take a mile! I don't want to set a precedent that everything is up for discussion!

I don't know if it's hormones or what but me and my little MISTER have been bumping heads a lot lately. I've got to nip this in the bud with the quickness before Baby Girl's arrival. So I have been known to walk around the house with a belt over my shoulder to let him know I mean business however I never get to use it ;-( because all it takes is one word from his father and he's scrambling and tripping over himself to straighten up his act!

I think that he will probably end up being a lawyer because not only does he ask questions- and I'm not talking about typical inquisitive kiddie questions- he ask questions directly related to him getting what he wants and he has already developed this ability to make you second guess your answers so that he can prove his point which is- THERE IS NO REASON I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY WAY. I pray for him daily that he does not become a victim of a back hand from his hormonal mother. If he's starting this mess at FOUR. . .I'm thinking he better have a back up plan like where he can go and live by the time he's TEN because I ain't having it!

Momversation

I found this clip over at dooce.com (one of my guilty pleasures). I thought it was very interesting and although most of my experiences are from the perspective of a black woman I found myself wholeheartedly agreeing with these women on many different levels. I guess the one truism in life is, regardless to your race, motherhood and marriage ain't no joke!!

(Sorry about the Christina Aguilera commercial be patient it's worth the wait.)

Condolences

I felt compelled to write this post this morning before I started my work day. I have always really liked John Travolta. Not saying that I'm a big fan but I do enjoy his work. At the risk of dating myself, I remember original episodes of Welcome Back Kotter and I found his ditzy Vinnie Barbarino character adorable. Not a big fan of Saturday Night Fever but loved him in Grease (I'on care who you are, you KNOW you had at least two songs memorized from that movie!) But one of my favorite roles of his was from Face Off with Nicolas Cage. I know I've seen that movie at least ten times!

So when I heard about his son, Jett (whose name I knew from seeing him in random interviews and he mentioned him practically every time) dying for some reason it really pierced my heart. I'm sure it's mainly because I'm a mother and I don't ever want to think about my son leaving this Earth before me. . .but also because it was so apparent that he absolutely adored his son. It is so tragic for a life to be taken so young (16) and I pray that the Travolta family can get through this tragedy.