Toddler art {Outdoor messes}

I have no problem with Leila getting messy.

I just don't want it happening in MY house.

The outdoor space at our apartment is limited which leaves us Leila only a few opportunities to get really messy.

We will happily crash your patio if you invite us!

Finger painting

Sponge painting

Shaving cream with finger paint

Messy girl

Thanks Mommy to Elodie for letting us make a mess at your house!

You should know...

I talk about not having Mommy friends and how hard it is to meet other moms, but in reality my long-time BFF has a girl just seven months younger than Leila.

I don't think of Amy as a mom-friend though. We've been friends for twenty years, so we were friends long before any of this baby talk. We are friends that happen to have daughters. (It really is pretty nice!)

Kennady will be turning one at the end of this month!


It seems that every time Amy and I try to get our girls together one of them ends up napping. A couple of weekends ago when Amy and Kennady came to hang out, Leila and Kennady got a chance to play together.

This is how it went down...

Starts off pretty cool.

Someone was not a real fan of sharing her toys. Notice the chicken leg? Yikes! Kennady could care less, she was willing to put anything in her mouth.

Looking forward to Kennady's party at the end of the month!
Any suggestions for a cool gift?

That was easy.

Second dates are fun. Third dates are exciting!

I wrote about our first play-date with our new found friends. I was worried about being myself around her, you know, because she's a mom.

Then I realized...

I'm the one who feels like I should have it all together. I'm the one judging me.

Really, all moms are way too busy chasing the kids around, making snacks, and cleaning food off our butts to care what the mom next to us is drinking at night.

So here's to being yourself...It's really all you've got.

I was right.

We had a wonderful third play-date at the zoo! Our kiddos were on the same page the whole trip. We stopped for snacks, took our time, and played in random spots along the way. It was easy.

Guess who would rather play in the dirt than see the elephants?

Leila!

I did hold myself back a little bit.

Mom-friend didn't need to know how hilarious I though it was to see a very excited male zebra. However, I did mention that I can't lose these last five pounds because I drink wine every night.

We'll see...

Mommy-friends {Be yourself}

I am sure it is no surprise that this third Mommy-dating rule has me questioning everything.

Mommy-dating Rule #1: Put yourself out there

Mommy-dating Rule #2: Don't give up

Mommy-dating Rule #3: Be yourself

Be myself?!? See, this is where I start questioning things.

Who am I?

I am still figuring that out. I thought I knew who I was, kind of, then I had Leila. (I told you motherhood changes everything).

I never thought about if I was "being myself" or not before Leila. I knew I was myself. I always seemed to have an opinion, loved a good party, and worked a lot. I don't remember worrying about being judged for anything other than wearing flip-flops with everything.

Now as a mother, those traits aren't always popular.

I don't want to be the one preaching about how important it is to have a consistent nap time while we push our kids on the swing. No one wants to hear about the wine bottle party I had by myself last night. And well, I'm sure you all heard, I don't have a job other than cleaning yogurt off everything within a three foot radius of Leila's highchair.

Instagram!

It is hard to be yourself when who you are is constantly changing, when you doubt yourself, or when you are afraid of being judged.

Judgement. Yep, that's what I am scared of. Wondering what other people think of me is was holding me back.

What happened to that confidence I use to feel?

Motherhood is a club with a lifetime membership. You are a part of it the second you find out you are pregnant.

No club exists without rules. The problem is, I can't seem to figure out who is making the rules!

Oh wait, it's me.

I'm the one who feels like I should have it all together. I'm the one judging me.

Really, all moms are way too busy chasing the kids around, making snacks, and cleaning food off our butts to care what the mom next to us is drinking at night.

So here's to being yourself...It's really all you've got.

I still don't know who I am, but luckily I realized my new mommy-friends don't have the time to notice.

Cheers!