So I was not planning to post this morning, but I just had to get something off my chest (no pun intended).  You may have heard by now of the imminent U.S. release of the Breast Milk Baby Doll.  It’s a baby that…. wait for it… breastfeeds!

See it here:

http://thebreastmilkbaby.com/

Now let me be clear, I breastfed all 3 of my babies, two of them for 8 months and one for a full year.  I wholeheartedly advocate it when its possible, but understand its a personal choice for every mom… and that’s totally fine with me.

This morning I saw a facebook post from my local news station about this doll.  There were only a few comments, but all were negative.  Of course, I felt the need to contribute and here is what I said:

“Not sure why anyone would be offended by this. Children mimic what they see anyway. I nursed all 3 of my kids and the older ones were always ‘nursing’ their baby dolls. They have dolls that do everything else… personally, I’m more disgusted by the ones that poop all over the place and stain my carpet.”

And then the firestorm.  I didn’t exactly start my day with the intent to incite controversy, but I am truly astounded by the flurry of mean, distasteful comments. 

Perhaps I am naive, but I simply cannot understand the angst so many feel against something that is so natural and nurturing.  For my girls, it would be strange to give a bottle to their baby dolls, simply because they did not witness it happening much in our home.  Would I purchase this doll?  Probably not, because my girls have done a fine job of make-believe up to this point. 

Some argue that its too sexual or wonder why the emphasis on breasts at that age?  What?  Really?  For girls growing up in a home where they see their mother breastfeeding a younger sibling several times a day, its absolutely not sexual.  Its dinner!!!  I am much more concerned that Walmart is marketing padded bras to my 7-year-old.  (Believe it. It is disgustingly true.)

Stepping off my soapbox for now… time for coffee #2.  (Sorry, I’m still a bit grumpy from this hot weather.)

It’s 10:30 pm.  It is still 86 degrees outside with a heat index of 102.  More of the same for the rest of the week.  I am not made for this!  Seriously, I am one of those people that could live quite comfortably in Alaska. 

Lucky for me, the a/c in our minivan is being characteristically tempermental.  I bravely ventured out of the house to take my girls to tumbling (only 2 blocks away) and then a quick trip to the grocery store (just barely across this little town).  Me and my sweet babies were swimming in sweat by the time we got home.

My menu for the week has been blown to smithereens by this weather event… no way am I turning on that oven!  We beat the heat with subs, salads and ice cream for dinner tonight.  Tomorrow, I’m thinking wraps or pitas, but then that would require another trip out in this mess.  Ay yi yi.

Please, forgive my grumpiness.  I am hanging in there, but until then, you can find me in front of the fan sipping an iced mocha.

It is 10:23.  At night.  That would be PM.  And I’m drinking freshly brewed coffee.  (Starbucks Caffe Verona again.  I’m really stuck on that stuff at the moment.)  I hate when I do this, but its one of those nights where I wish God would pretty please grant me just 2 extra hours to get everything done. 

So off I go… and praying that the caffeine will wear off when I’m finally ready for it to.

There’s hardly anything better than my afternoon coffee break… EXCEPT for an afternoon coffee break with a Ghirardelli chocolate (extra dark, of course.)  Baby is napping and the big girls are cleaning their room.  Perhaps they are fooling me, but I will “carpe diem” this moment and relish the fleeting solitude. 

I love being a mom.  And I love being a wife.  And I love being home. 

Today, I got to perform surgery on my 2-year-old’s beloved puppy, whose stuffin’ was leaving a trail up the stairs, down the hallway and into her bedroom.  It was a 2 minute procedure and patient and owner were thrilled with the outcome.  “Puppy no boo boo!”

Coffee is kinda like that.  Stitches on an open wound, holding the stuffin’ in… and “Mama no boo boo!”

“He makes me like down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul… ”  Psalm 23:2-3a

Woke up this morning to a jumbo size bag of Ghirardelli chocolates (never knew they came in such a size!) and a talking Hoops & YoYo card.  The only thing that could make this morning better is jumbo size Starbucks… so off to the kitchen for some hot brew! 

9 years. 8 vacations. 7 vehicles. 6 houses. 5 family members. 4 states. 3 kids. 2 lovers. And a partridge in a pear tree. Happy Anniversary! Glad you picked me. 🙂