Strollers, Chocolates & Minivans: Why I'm Grateful

04/20/2014

Happy Easter everyone!
It’s that time of year again when we get together with family and friends to celebrate. Some people celebrate Easter for religious reasons. Some simply celebrate a long weekend. Some simply eat more food and chocolate because it’s Easter weekend. I do all of the above. Because who doesn’t love a long weekend with food and chocolate?!
Anyways with many of us getting together to be with family and friends this long weekend, it’s got me thinking about things I am grateful for in my life, specifically related to my NEW life as a parent. Because life really does change when you enter the parenthood club. Some are serious, some funny, but all are truthful.
So here is my list, of things that I am grateful for in my life. Once you read it, I hope you’ll join our Mommy Connections community and share what things you are grateful in your life as well.

1. My daughter. Everything begins and ends with her. Yes, I know I have a life outside of being a mom, but seriously, she’s the best thing my husband and I have ever done in our lives. Without gushing too much, she is the sunshine, everyday of my life. We are blessed to be her parents and to guide her as she grows. My heart explodes with love for her and I am so grateful she is in our lives.

2. Chocolate. There’s two holidays during the calendar year that centre around chocolate. Easter and Halloween. Both very sacred holidays in our house. Easter for religious reasons and Halloween for pure fun reasons. I personally gain at least 5 pounds every time these holidays roll around (5 is on the low side) … but I figure anytime I can enjoy eating copious amounts of chocolate and feel normal, as opposed to feeling disappointed that I’ve stuffed myself with chocolate … it’s a reason to be grateful. So bring it on Easter bunny! Chocolate for breakfast! Yummy!
3. Modern Day Inventions. Many times in the 15 months since my daughter was born, I heard older folks say to me, “I wish we had that back when my kids were young.” So it got me thinking of things that have definitely made life easier for todays mothers. Some of these items I use, some I’ve seen and some I wish I could afford (ahem stroller!). So here are a few of those things that make me grateful (I could go on and on here, but this is a short list):
* Easier to use cloth diapers diapers: With inserts for the big messes and easier to dispose of clean ups … cloth diapers have come a long way since we were kids.

* Strollers: We’ve got some seriously easy to use, fantastic strollers on the market today including some that fold up and down with the click of a button! But really most of the new strollers on the market are pretty amazing compared to the those really old cloth strollers that almost always folded down on either sides of you when you sat in them. Remember those? And safety features? Forget it!
* Improved Car Seat Safety: As a baby I sat between my parents in a bucket seat in the front of the car and when I was hungry my mother simply took me out and nursed me while the car was still moving. Today that would be grounds for jail time. I love technology and innovation for this one. Modern improvements in car seats and safety are a big check mark in my book.
* Baby food pouches: How super handy is it when your child is hungry, to be able to reach in your purse and uncap the top of a quinoa, pears, kale and peas puree?! Gone are the days of stale crackers or unhealthy granola bars. These baby food pouches are super easy and convenient! (And thanks to Love Child Organics, every Mom & Baby participant gets on in their swag bags)!
* Diaper bags (super compact chambers of organization)
* Travel high chairs
* Ring wraps, slings, baby carriers
* White Noise Machines
* Boogie Wipes
* Electronic Thermometers
* Diaper Genies
* New Age Photography (Gone are the black and white, no smiles pictures! Love the new, super cute pics and candid shots that we’ll have forever!)

4. Rediscovering being a kid again: Think about it. From books, to games, toys, to nursery rhymes … we are exposed again to all those great things we had when we were kids growing up. Only this time we’re the ones who are giving them those fond memories. I’m loving exploring Dr. Seuss again and the Velveteen Rabbit. Crawling inside a home made fort, blowing bubbles and fingerpainting. Plus, seeing the joy in my daughters eyes as she lives these things for the first time? Simply priceless.
5. Programs/Activities for Mom & Baby: There was no such thing as Mom & Baby bootcamp when my mother had me. Instead she subjected me to watching Charlene Prickett in her bubble gum pink unitard. I’d like to think my daughter gets at least more entertainment from watching me bust my butt up a hill while pushing her in the aforementioned utility stroller (and it’s more quality bonding:). But think about all the classes and activities we can do with our babies?! Yoga, pilates, swimming, zumba, hip hop class, the list is endless! Unlike the ‘old days’ we can get out of the house, and most of us do want to get out of the house. These programs are truly invaluable. (Mommy Connections is one of these programs – see #8)
6. Bodily Functions: Admit it. When your baby farts or has a massive poo-explosion or lets out a big belch after a good milk feeding … it’s funny. In many of my Mom & Baby classes, we will be discussing something very serious, when one of our cutie babies has a massive fart. Makes us laugh every time! Yes I know I have to be the ‘adult’ and teach my daughter manners, which I am doing now. But most times, in the back of my head, it will still be funny (Except when my husband eats beans. That’s not funny – that’s cause to stay far away).

7. Mini-vans/SUV/Trucks: We became ‘parents’ in January 2014, but we became a real life ‘family’ when we purchased our mini van this last week. (It’s a Honda Odyssey – which we like to think of as the ‘Dad-A-llaic’ of minivans). I know, I know the stigma about becoming that family with a minivan. But there’s really a reason people love them and are grateful for them. They’ve improved so much with the safety ratings, SPACE, easy in and out, did I mention SPACE! From the mini van to the SUV to the new trucks, cars have improved leaps and bounds for families (not to mention all the additional things like DVD players, that make trips, especially long ones, much more bearable). I know that ‘Heidi’ our new mini van (yes I name my cars) will make my life easier as a parent shuttling around my daughter. And for that (and the safety rating), I am grateful.
8. Connected Community: Personally and professionally I am grateful for Mommy Connections. As a new mom I found this program to be a lifeline to learn about my baby, as well as meet other moms. It gave me support and gave me a place where I belonged. Where other women were going through the same things as me and together we could share and figure things out together. I know my mother had play groups when I was growing up, but in today’s world where communities are no longer close knit and technology has pulled us apart, it’s refreshing to have a group like Mommy Connections to bring us back to each other at a time we need it the most.

Now as the director of Mommy Connections Calgary South – I am so very grateful for all the mothers past, present and future who have taken classes and or gotten involved with us. My goal is to connect us as a community, so everyone has support as they continue on this motherhood journey. While I haven’t gotten to know all of you, I do hope that through our programs you’ve met and connected with others and ultimately made friendships that will last through the years. I am so grateful. For you all.
And I would be remiss on this holiday weekend if I didn’t say how grateful I am for my husband, my family and all my friends.
Now that you’ve laughed, and questioned, and ate chocolate (hopefully) as you scrolled through this … please do share. What are you grateful for?
Happy Easter weekend wherever you are!
Katherine