It’s time, once again for Meme Monday.  Anyone can play along, so if you’d like more information about what Meme Monday is you can get that right here.

For the first time in a really long time, no one tagged me or gave me an award this week.  Woo Hoo!  Oh, that’s too bad.

Anyhoo, last week Pam did a couple of Mommy Memes and then said we could play along if we wanted to.  And since no one tagged me I decided I would play along with one of the Mommy Memes that Pam did.

Momma Meme #1

Baby’s Name?
Hailey

Male/Female?
Female

Birthday?
October 7th

Where was he/she born?
Hospital

What time was he/she born?
1:34 pm

Weight/length at birth?
6 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long

Age as you’re typing this survey:
30

Are you a paranoid mom…?
Most definitely

Do you sterilize everything (like boil nipples or wash every toy)?
I don’t now but I did for the the first several months of her life.

Do you buy “sensitive skin” wipes because they’re “better” for baby’s skin?
Yes, but only because Hailey does have sensitive skin and she gets a rash if I use the regular ones.

Do you worry that your baby will stop breathing in his/her sleep?
Not as much now as I used to.  I used to check on her constantly.  Now that she is older I still check on her but not much as I used to.

Do you freak out if they happen to doze off during tummy time? (SIDS!!)
When she was an infant I did and I would roll her over onto her back.  But, she’s 18 months now, so I don’t anymore.

Do you overdress your baby, whether it’s warm or cold?
I probably did overdress her during her first winter, but I didn’t this year.

Do you wash your baby’s clothing in Dreft or other baby detergent?
I used Dreft up until a few months ago, now I just use our regular detergent.

Do you refuse to dress baby in anything with buttons (choking hazard)?
I used to refuse to put her in anything with buttons but I have relaxed about that.

Do you watch (and critique) when someone else changes baby’s diaper?
Not now, but at first I did watch- not critiquing, but just watching.  Now I am happy to have anyone who will change Hailey’s diaper.

Did you buy all of their furniture (crib, changing table, stroller) NEW?
Yes.  But, my parents bought Hailey’s changing table and my in-laws bought her crib, so we didn’t actually have to buy everything.  But since we didn’t have any baby stuff we had to buy everything else new for her.

Do you have to wash a pacifier that fell on the floor before giving to baby?
Not now, but for probably the first six months I would boil her pacifiers if they fell on the floor.

Do you worry about anyone else holding your baby?
No

When you leave baby with a sitter, is all you do worry about baby?
The only sitter Hailey has ever had has been my parents.  The first time we left her with them I worried.  Since then they have watched her a few other times and I don’t worry about her anymore.

Do you jump out of bed the second baby starts fussing during the night?
Yes- Hailey gets up in the middle of the night and then I bring her to bed with us for the rest of the night.

Do you worry about making baby bleed when clipping his/her fingernails?
Yes, I hate clipping her fingernails.

Do you call your pediatrician at least once a week?
Not now, but at first I called a lot.  I’m sure they made fun of the paranoid new mom when I was calling all of the time.

Do you cancel playdates because your baby has a runny nose and coughed once?
If the playdate was being held at my house I would just let the other parents know if Hailey had a runny nose and tell them I wouldn’t feel bad if they decided not to come. 

Do you refuse to go shopping without a shopping cart cover?
Yes, those carts are so gross- I always use a cover.

If you have a cat, do you worry about toxoplasmosis?
We don’t have a cat, but I would worry if we had one.

Is your baby allowed anywhere near your pets?
Yes, Hailey loves Dottie (a bit too much sometimes).

Do you only feed your baby organic baby foods out of fear of preservatives?
No.

Do you think you are or ever have been a paranoid new mom?
Absolutely!

If you want to play along, feel free- just let me know so I can check out your answers.

If you participated in Meme Monday this week, sign Mr. Linky so the other participants can visit you.

Dear Brooke,

I feel like I don’t know where to start this letter to you.  I guess I should start out by mentioning all of those years ago when I first met you.  Daddy brought me to one of your dance recitals so that I could meet you.  You know how when you watch a dance recital there is always that one kid who is out in front and obviously knows exactly what she is doing?  And all of the other kids are watching and following her moves?  The thing that stands out most in my mind about the day I met you was that you were that girl out in front- the one leading the rest of the group.  I’ve always been one of the ones who stands back and follows and I was so impressed with your confidence.

It was love at first site- you were such an amazing little girl.  And as I got to know you I loved you more and more.  You have always had such a big heart and you are so accepting and loving. 

While I know I am not your mom I have always loved you just like you were my own child.  We have shared many happy times together and I cherish the many wonderful memories I have of times spent with you.  You mean more to me than you will ever be able to understand until the day when you have your own children.

I can’t believe that little girl I saw dancing on that stage all of those years ago is turning 16 today.  Where oh where has the time gone?  You are still that same person you were back then- full of confidence, a natural leader, always ready for some fun and laughs, and of course you still have that big heart full of acceptance and love. 

I love watching you as a big sister to Hailey.  The way you are with her makes me so happy and the way she already looks up to you is such a great thing to be able to see.

You are an amazing young woman and I know that you will be able to do anything you put your mind to doing.  I am proud of the person you are and look forward to what is ahead in your future.

Happy 16th Birthday to my favorite teenager! 

I love you,
Melanie

(P.S.- Can’t wait to get a phone call tomorrow to hear the words, “I passed my permit test!”) 

Remember the other day?  My post called It’s Been One Of Those Days?

A couple of my commenters, who have children who are all grown up, told me about how I’m going to miss these days. 

Later that day I was trying to talk on the phone and Hailey kept trying to grab the phone out of my hand to say “Hey-Yo” (Hello).  And I caught myself thinking, “Why can’t I have a moment to talk on the phone in peace?

At dinner time Hailey didn’t want to eat and made a huge mess with her food.  After I got her cleaned up and I sat down to eat my cold food I caught myself thinking, “Why don’t I ever get to eat a warm dinner anymore?”

And all of a sudden- the comments I had gotten and the thoughts I was having- reminded me of this poem.  And it made me cry.  So, I had to share it with you (so you can cry too).

No More Oatmeal Kisses
–January 29, 1969

One of these days, you’ll shout, “Why don’t you kids grow up and act your age!”
And they will.

Or, “You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do . . . and don’t slam the door!”
And they won’t.

You’ll straighten up the boys’ bedroom neat and tidy: bumper stickers discarded, bedspread tucked and smooth, toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals caged. And you’ll say out loud, “Now I want it to stay this way.”
And it will.

You’ll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn’t been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you’ll say, “Now, there’s a meal for company.”
And you’ll eat it alone.

You’ll say, “I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear?”
And you’ll have it.

No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti. No more dandelion bouquets. No more bedspreads to protect the sofa from damp bottoms. No more gates to stumble over at the top of the basement steps. No more clothespins under the sofa. No more playpens to arrange a room around.

No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent. No more sand on the sheets or Popeye movies in the bathroom. No more iron-on patches, rubber bands for ponytails, tight boots or wet knotted shoestrings.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point on it. No baby-sitter for New Year’s Eve. Washing clothes only once a week. Seeing a steak that isn’t ground. Having your teeth cleaned without a baby on your lap.

No PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree. No car pools. No blaring radios or forgotten lunch money. No one washing her hair at 11 o’clock at night. Having your own roll of Scotch tape.

Think about it. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste. No more sloppy oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No giggles in the dark. No knees to heal, no responsibility.

Only a voice crying, “Why don’t you grow up?”
and the silence echoing, “I did.”

….Erma Bombeck

One year later- Remembering Virginia Tech.

For more Wordlessness go to Wordless Wednesday or 5 Minutes for Mom.