Would you like some advice with that salad?

So today I was out for lunch with a friend and I forgot to bring any toys for Kiddo to play with. I'll chalk that up to being new at the "busy boy" stage.

Anyways. I gave Kiddo a napkin to tear and chew (which if you asked him, he would prefer to the toy any day). I am chatting away and the man from the next table came over to me and told me that Kiddo was going to choke on the napkin if he tried to swallow. I thanked him for his attention.

Now I wasn't really offended. I will admit that I had been chatting more than I had been paying attention to the chewing of the napkin. And I did pull quite a wad out of his mouth. I rummaged around in the diaper bag and found Kiddo's sunglasses. He promptly took them of his head and played happily.

And then our concerned neighbor came over again to let me know that Kiddo was poking his eye with the sunglasses. I smiled and said, "I guess he'd better learn not to do that pretty quick." In my defense, they were child sunglasses and not particularly pointy. Kiddo is also getting coordinated enough that I'm not too worried about him accidentally gouging out his eyes.

Again I was not too offended. But later in the meal I did check to see if our neighbor was still there before I gave Kiddo the straw to play with. Maybe I should be more concerned about these things. Or maybe my neighbor should be less concerned. Who knows?

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Job Satisfaction

I love being a mom! I really do. I always thought I would love being a mom, but I am still somewhat surprised that the whole thing hasn't overwhelmed me. Of course, I'm only six months and 1 kiddo into the process, so maybe I'm just naive... On the other hand, I am hopefully learning things at a pace that will keep up with the challenges in parenting.

Some of the things that have allowed me to not get overwhelmed:

1. A wonderful, supportive husband. There is not enough space on this blog for me to explain how wonderful he is in supporting me at this mother thing. Suffice it to say he is the best dad/husband we could ask for.
2. I have ample opportunities to get out and do other things. I get to do tutoring a few days a week, I get out on my own every couple of days, etc.
3. I have many other things to focus on. Things which make mothering not as intense, but that don't distract me for long periods of time: I volunteer with a youth exchange program, with our church, etc.
4. I have absolutely the cutest little boy there is!
   

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Home Sweet Home

We just returned from a week long trip visiting the relatives. It was an 11-hour drive each way so I was a bit nervous to see how Kiddo would do.

He did great.

On the way there we drove much of the night and then slept in the car for a few hours before completing the last bit across the border. While Kiddo didn't love sleeping in his car seat, he did sleep quite well in our arms! =)

He took the change in schedule, unfamiliar surroundings, and many new faces right in stride. He charmed everyone, including his own parents.

He even made the mostly day trip home in good spirits; especially if someone was sitting next to him in the back seat.

I am glad to be back and on a bit more normal schedule, but we had a wonderful time and truly enjoyed all the relatives!

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