Right On the Nose...Frida

Diana got her first cold this week.  After mildly freaking out and thinking we would have to go to the hospital and I was the worst mother ever, I calmed down.  I realized this cold, like many other things, is out of my hands, and she's going to be ok.  I brought her to the doctor just to be safe.

While at the doctor, I was told we were doing everything we could--humidifier, baby Vick's, snot sucker thingy, smaller amounts of formula more frequently, basically she confirmed I'm the best mother ever.  But then I received the worst news possible:

"I know this is kind of gross, but a lot of moms are saying it's amazing, you might want to think about getting the Nose Frida."   Oh. Em. Gee.

John and I were introduced to the Nose Frida when we were registering for the baby shower.  A nice lady led us around "Buy Buy Baby" and promptly pointed out this little machine that's supposed to be all the rage.  Our first reaction, and I'm not kidding, was "oh, ________ naw."  Fill that in that blank with what you believe should go in there.  You may get a better idea of the vocabulary used when you see this picture that gives you a better idea on what the Nose Frida is:

 

You can begin gagging now.  That is an actual mother SUCKING THE SNOT OUT OF HER BABY!  There are many things wrong with this picture.

1.  Mom is joyfully sucking the snot out of her baby like it's a milkshake. (I can't even.)

2.  Baby is enjoying this process.  (Diana would be screaming and scratching at my face.)

3.  Matching outfits.  (I literally can't even.)

So John and I went on our way scanning and laughing about this snot straw.  We called all of our friends and showed pictures.  Then a crazy thing happened.  When we showed our parent friends and, THEY SAID IT'S AWESOME.  We were stunned.  They said it's the best product and there is a "filter" and supposedly "nothing gets through" but I was still not buying it.

But, here is the power of peer pressure people.  So many people were saying this was awesome we were thinking WE were the crazies who needed to have a snot straw in our lives.  We might be bad parents if we are not inhaling the boogers for our baby.    

Then I got the word from our doctor.  The Nose Frida is the best invention in the world.  Oh. Em. Gee.  I called John.

"We need the Nose Frida"

"Seriously?"

"I think so... the doctor said."

"You're doing it."

Thank God for my sister.  I called her to let her know it was going down and we HAD to buy the nose sucker.  

"Ror, we are buying the Nose Frida"
"Oh my God, you CAN'T"

"We are"

"I'm puking right now"

"I'm a bad mother if I don't"

"I'm vomiting just thinking about it.  I didn't even use those bulb things for my girls.  I can't even."

That was all I needed.  I'm standing my ground.  The Nose Frida is disgusting and I'm not mom enough to be a human mucus drain for my child and that's ok.  So, the moral of the story is... do what you do.  If you are the kind of parent that sucks snot out for your baby, bully for you.  For now, I'm just going to use the bulb thing and call it a day.  In the end we are both getting the job done.  Also...babies are disgusting.  

   

 

Raising a daughter

Why are so many girls told they are "princesses?"  I hate it.  I absolutely abhor people coming up to me and saying Diana is "my little princess."  I hate the t-shirts that say "daddy's little princess."  Part of me regrets even naming Diana after a princess because the comparisons and comments inevitably follow, "oh she's your little princess Diana."  Sadly, what people don't remember is that 'Princess' Diana was so much more than a princess.  She was strong, stubborn, independent, vocal, caring, loving, beautiful.  So let's get one thing straight.  Diana was named after a strong, stubborn, independent, vocal, caring, loving, beautiful woman who just happened to be a princess.  Diana will not be a princess.  We will do better.

In an age when girls are sexualized younger and younger and told their importance is found in men who "treat them like princesses" Diana will learn that her importance will be found in her compassion and empathy towards others.  Her importance on this earth will not rest in how a man determines her worth.   She will make her own worth and she will be worth more than diamonds. 

I thank God every day that I have a man next to me that agrees that women should be equal to men in all respects.  Diana will see her father treating me like an equal and NOT like a princess and will search for that in her own companion.  And if she determines that she does not need a man in her life and would rather travel the world, we will be so proud.  Whatever my beautiful girl determines will be praised, because I know I have raised a woman to think for herself, and I know that we will not lead her astray.

I thank God every day that John and I are giving Diana a Christian household.  Diana will know that not only do her parents cherish and love her, but she also has a savior in heaven who values her and even died for her.  She will not need society to tell her to shorten her skirt or highlight her hair or lose a little weight, because no matter what, she is beautiful in her savior's eyes.  

I'm clinging to these truths.  It is SO HARD to raise a girl in today's world.  There are so many people saying that a woman HAS to be beautiful and sexy and powerful and perfect.  She can't be flawed and unique or special in her own way.  So, my dearest Diana, your father and I are going to try our hardest to raise you to balk at society and to be strong, stubborn, independent, vocal, caring, loving, and  beautiful, because in the end, you were named after a woman who was all of these things NOT a princess. 

Sunday Inspiration

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Parenting is Hard

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A Nod and a Smile


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