Band-Aids, Cellphones and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oh, the joys of parenting. To say that I do about a million things that I said that I would NEVER do is the understatement of the century. I should have bought stock in Band-Aids. I am literally keeping that company in business. It's amazing what a band-aid can cure. In our house, it has helped soothe a hurt caused by a stolen stuffed animal, provided hours of entertainment and oh, yea, we use them when there is a cut or blister or some other random hurt that I have no idea where it came from on these little girls' arms, legs, feet, elbows... At this point, they love to cover their bodies in them. They think they are some fashion statement, perhaps all the characters? Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, Toy Story. I have given in and filled their Christmas stockings with them too.

And then there is my phone. That coveted piece of equipment that has the power to literally stop the car and head back home on its own when I have forgotten my cellphone. It has saved me in so many binds. No, not because I have needed it to call 9-1-1 or AAA. Usually my emergencies often look like someone is crying and I am in a checkout line at the grocery store and handing them my Blackberry is the quickest way for me to get out of that store with the least amount of dirty looks as possible. And as far as those tellers go, it's the store's own fault for putting candy and lollipops in the checkout line. How do they think they can quickly check me out when I now have a 3 year old and a 2 year old who I am yanking bags of M&Ms from as I am trying to load groceries onto the belt? If only I didn't lose my cellphone so much, it would come in handy more often.

Well, I am here to confess that today I have hit a new low in parenting. As most of you know, I am leaving in 22 hours to head to China to pick up our sweet son. In case you haven't done the math, Cameron is only 11 days younger than Madelyn. In another day, I will officially have 3 children who are 15 months apart from each other. One thing that Gretchen and Madelyn have taught me so far is that no two children are alike. And despite my best efforts and trying to turn them into specific people, they seem to have minds of their own :) and we are all learning and loving and growing together.

So, with Madelyn, I have succumbed to something that I never ever thought I would do- nurse a toddler. This kid is 28 months old and is refusing to wean. I have tried everything. I have read every book. I have refused, begged, bribed. You name it, I have tried it. And to think I thought I was an expert at nursing and weaning after my experience with Gretchen. Good Heavens. I apologize to anyone I ever gave nursing advice to. I also apologize to every person I ever met whom I judged when I saw you nursing your kid who was "too old."

Let's just say that I have reached the desperate stage of packing. I have family coming in to help Geoff who will be walking into a house that is um, a MESS. I have so many things to do today that I seriously doubt bedtime will be an option tonight. Oh, and Madelyn is STILL NURSING. This morning when she woke up she did her typical signs of wanting to nurse which I promptly ignored. Then she said "Mama, I want to nurse!" (See this is what happens when you nurse a toddler, they actually tell you what they want!) Me being busy and having no other comforting words for this child of mine replied "No!" Then Madelyn says "Mama, I wanna nurse. Just 5 minutes?" Look how she is so cute and offering a new choice to attempt to persuade me... My reply "No!" Madelyn begins to wail!! I handed her a chocolate chip cookie. It's 7:30 am and my 2 year old is having chocolate chip cookies for breakfast because I literally don't know what else to do. And, I NEED TO PACK!

When I return from China with Cameron, I will make a point to write a letter to the hospital lactation specialist, or perhaps Dr. Jack Newman himself that one way to successfully wean a child is to go to China! (And leave the nursing child behind.)

Mama is coming, Cameron! I will be there soon. And don't worry- I am bringing cookies!