Ode to Mommies

I knew everything there was to know about having children.  And then I had them.  My dear friend Erin is a mommy that I've always looked up to.  I looked up to her first as a friend, and then as a mom.  She became a mother before me.  Her oldest is fifteen months older than Lillian.  I will never forget the day her newly crawling son picked up a dog toy and put it in his mouth.  She didn't flinch.  Um, well, okay, I love you and all, but um, maybe I'll just skip that particular technique.  Then Lillian was born.  I always wanted to be a laid back mommy.  And I think, for the most part, I was.  As laid back as you can be with your first born.  I remember washing paci's when they fell on the ground, laying down a blanket for her to crawl on while in the waiting room at the doctor's office (um, yea right, that was a winning technique...good luck with that one), and dressing her in adorable, brand new, stain free clothing.  Then...she began to take a liking to raw hide, bathroom floors, and boy's clothing.  Yup, the jig was up.   Um, Erin...do you have any extra dog toys your kids aren't chewing?

Erin and I have always had sleep stay over parties with our kids, trading houses.  It is a chance for us to drink and smoke  chat about the love we have for our darling children and husbands, and the kids to wreak havoc play.  We're  up to five kids put together, with one on the way (Erin...not me...thank you Jesus it's not me this time).  Erin's twin sister, Maureen, another dear friend and mommy idol, often joins us with her daughter.  I don't think Maureen was too fond of the dog toy technique.  And I'm pretty sure she's not jumping on that bandwagon.  But that's okay.  Because she's quite fond of the candy technique.  I like that one too.  I can remember giving Lillian her first piece of bribe candy.  She had a dreaded well child visit,  shots included, and I needed to find a dress for my cousin's wedding.  I gave her a Dum Dum lollipop.  I won't tell you how old she was because you'd talk about me.   But it worked.  All of my children are now lollipop addicts.  I only have myself to blame.  Me and my pop technique.  I'm known for it actually.  Can you see me puffing my chest out right now?  I'm quite proud of myself.  Kids know me.  I'm the pop lady.  They track me down.  I buy them in bulk at Sam's Club, 360 to a bag.  Yup, that's me.  I am mommy...hear me roar.

Everyone needs mommy friends.  You are all great mommies and great friends.  And this is what I've learned from you.

1. Amanda, Always say please and thank you
2. Melanie, Birthday parties and a playground = instant success
3. Kristin, God always has a plan
4. Krysta, Love our Earth...and our Christmas trees
5. Erin, Make everyday fun and fun of everyday
6. Maureen, Celebrate every holiday...and always have lots of candy on hand
7. Faith, Chickens in the backyard...that just plain rocks
8. Asheley, Moms sometimes have to be the dad too
9. Rachel, Spoil your kid's teacher
10. Emma, Patience
11. Lynda, It's okay to slow it down sometimes
12. Amy, Speak honestly with your children
13. Katie, You want your two year old to poop on the potty...feed him blueberries
14. Tricia, Being an aunt, makes you as dear as a mommy
15. Maryann, Laughter works every time
16. Moe, You can never love your daughter too much
17. Jenny, Be true to yourself

And to all the mommies out there...you rock.  Just because you're you.  A mom.  Puff your chest out a little bit today. You are mommy...ROAR.