Open mouth, insert foot.

Although I do like to keep my personal and "mommy" blog separate, I feel like expanding on a certain issue about being a mom. I'm just going to jump right in...

Parenting is not easy. No one can prepare you enough for being one. Everything is trial and error and you learn as you go. I in no way think I'm the "perfect" parent, but I do think that I'm doing my absolute best at being one. Even so, I don't think I have the right to voice my opinion on how to parent to anyone else. For some reason I have had to deal with people that think it is there job to do so. Now don't get me wrong, I'm all about advice, suggestions, and help from family and friends that have had more experience than me, but when people start to make such bold statements that suggest if you do or don't do something you are a bad parent or bad mother it really gets under my skin!
If you want to express your opinion on what a good parent/mother is to someone why don't you write a letter to the recent mothers put in prison for killing there children.There are so many recent stories on the news about abuse, I'm sure you could spend hours trying to voice your opinion on parenting to someone who clearly shouldn't be one. My point is, until my daughter is not being taken care of like she should be, please do not try and tell me that I am a bad parent. For those of you that don't know me on a more personal level, only communicate with me on a social network, ohh lets say facebook, see's pictures of me out with my friends, or talking about planning a night to go out might be quick to have an opinion about how much time I spend with my daughter, so let me clear things up.
I am lucky enough that I get to spend everyday with my daughter. From the time she wakes up till the time she falls asleep I'm with her. I am up at 7am everyday to feed and have play time with her, I put her down for her nap then do it all over again. I bathe her, dress her, make sure she is happy, all while trying to do what I need to get done. I do laundry, dishes,clean and try to make dinner almost every night. On top of all this every other week I take care of my handicapped brother while my dad works. My brother has autism, and needs someone to watch after him 24/7. So I do all the above not only for my daughter but also while trying to do the same for my brother. Come Friday, I'm so glad for the weekend, that I have time to spend with my boyfriend and have the extra set of hands, but also that I am able to spend time with my friends if id like to. Does this make me a bad parent? No! The point I'm trying to make is that I go above and beyond to make sure my family is taken care of and if I want to go out on a Saturday night, and if I happen to have a few drinks, well damn it, I think I deserve it!! Anyone that has kids knows that having time for yourself is just as important. Sometimes you get so wound up and the stress of bills, household chores, etc. Gets to you, and you just want to take a breather. Even if its just to go get some dinner, I don't think getting a babysitter is wrong, especially when she gets to spend time with her grandparents, aunt, and uncles.
I don't feel that my social life needs to come to a stop just because I'm a mom. Things change, responsibility's change, and I get that. But when people try to cross boundaries and tell me "Your a mom now.." Followed by something like, you need to set an example, or you need to act like one, it really makes me mad, and quite honestly I want to punch you in the face. My daughter is 5 months old, she has no idea what I'm doing when she is not around, nor to I plan on telling her in detail what mommy does or what me and daddy do when she is asleep. (haha) duh,people I'm not that STUPID.
I'm not throwing back "mommy drinks" and passing out before I can put my own kid to sleep. The thing is, everyone is going to think they are better than the next, of course you want your kids and everyone else to think you are the best. You are going to have your own ideas on what makes a good parent, how you should discipline, what they eat, wear, religion, school, friends, the list goes on. Is it going to be easy for me? No. But I'm going to do my best. People should keep there opinions on these issues to themselves, and try not and tell other parents that their way is the right way. Like with the recent recall on a certain formula, some moms, or in my experience someone who is not one went as far as saying that if you can breastfeed and you don't, you are simply a bad mother. Excuse me?
I'm going to end this with saying that opinions are great, but you might want to do your research and educate yourself on a certain issue, and also get to know someone before you make such bold statements. We are all human and make mistakes, and with parenting, it is one of life's most challenging yet rewarding things we get to experience and I'm going to do all I can do to make the best of it, with or without supporters.

Recent Pics.

Just a preview of some of Harper's newest photos! I did not buy the disc this time, so I had to take pictures, of the pictures. I edited them to make them look a little better! Harper was not the happiest for these, but we got some cute ones, and I was dying to get her in that tutu!

5 Months!!

I cant believe my little doobie is 5 months old! time goes by so fast. She is getting soo big! She is now in size 3 diapers, and I can tell she will be out of those soon enough! (she is a chunky little thing). We started giving her cereal, and she loves it! At her 4 month check up she weighed almost 15lbs and was in the 75 percentile for height, which means she will probably be taller than me! We went ahead with giving her one vaccination, and will slowly give her the ones she needs throughout the years. Vaccinations still scare me, and i still have issues with all the scares out there about them! But she is healthy and growing well!
Harper has definitely outgrown the bassinet, and its getting crowded in our bed, but she will not sleep in her crib, so we have moved the play pen into the bedroom. I know, I know, I just need to go through with a few nights of crying and get her to sleep on her own, but its exhausting and I hate to hear her cry! She will though, sleep for a good 4-5 hours in the play pen, then she wakes up and I give in to putting her in bed with me, but she goes right to sleep! Hopefully now with cereal feeding she will sleep through the night. Other than that, she is progressing well, rolling over, but she hates tummy time! Grabbing and putting everything in her mouth, and holding her bottle! I love watching her grow and learn things, being a mommy is the best!

Soon to come... Harper's newest photos!

Ducky.

Harper has this toy duck, that she absolutely loves! Its soft and easy to hold. You can find them here! I don't know why, but she loves to put it on her head, and face. She gets so excited and almost acts like shes trying to catch her breath! She does this with her blanky's too, and pulls them up over her face! haha She is getting the cutest personality and I can tell she will be funny and dorky just like her mamma!

Road Trip!

Yes, I did watch Hannah Montana..in Montana. Be Jealous.

The last few weeks have been busy, so I have been slacking on blogging,But to update.. On August 7Th, me and Harper made a trip out to Montana! We spent a whole week out there, spending time with her Grandparents(Mike's mom and step-dad) Aunts, Uncle, cousins, etc. This was not only Harper's 1st time meeting most of these people, but mine too! Talk about scary! haha not really, but I honestly didn't know how it would go, or how I would feel being there a whole week... but it was awesome!
I love my extended family, and so does Harper.
She did soo good! Leanne came down to Utah for a bridal shower, that I attended with her, then the next day we hit the road! A normally 8 hour trip for her, turned into 12 hours for us! We stopped in Yellowstone to eat, and look in all the gift shops, then took a drive thru the park, where we got to see some animals, and some great scenery! Harper was so wide eyed, and taking it all in as we walked around. She hardly cried, and did well when we made stops to change and feed her. We made it to Huntley a little after midnight, and I was ready for bed!! Let me tell you, that bed was the most comfortable bed I have slept in!
I wont go on and on and do a day by day explanation, but to sum it all up.. I got to relax, have good food, 4wheel ride with my cute youngest sister in law Nova, who definitely made the trip exciting and entertaining! ;) Harper got to sit on a horse! We did a little shopping, pedicures, and nails with my sister in law Dakotah... (I'm calling them sister in laws, because its just easier, and I like it!) I also stayed an extra day and went to a family members wedding, I'm horrible and cant remember who it was! It was freezing, and I looked ridiculous in my summer dress, but it was fun! I did some dancing and had drinks with the in-laws. I learned how to make biscuits and gravy, and successfully made them at home!
Leanne and Pat were sooo kind, and gave Michael and me a car! Well It's Michael's, but I get the luxury of driving it! Soo yes, in order to get home with the car, me and Harper hit the road alone! Scary, I know. She did so well tho and slept most the way. She started getting fussy around the time I got into Utah, so I had to make some extra stops, but she was just not having it! She cried for probably an hour on and off until she fell asleep... that part was stressful, so close to being home, crying baby, and had been driving for 10 hours!!!
But we made it safe and sound, with a new car, and a bunch of stuff for our small apartment, haha I'm still trying to find places to put things and hang pictures. I'm so grateful for the time I got to spend with the Murphy's and all they did for me and Harper. Cant wait to visit again!
I took a few pictures on my camera, but Michael's talented sister Deanna took so many pictures of Harper, and us at the wedding I have yet to get them, so I will update as soon as I do!

Yellowstone!

Me & Nova 4Wheelin'.

This is as close as I got to riding the horse... maybe next time!

Grandma Balan(Leanne) and Harp.

Harp Enjoying the weather, you can see the clear sky in her shades! ;)