Just A Mom?

From a listener...

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is,' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a......?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'
said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same
situation, this time
at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official
Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.

'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as
though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing
the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my
pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,

'I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters,
(first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the
most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day,
(24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most
run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are
more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants --
ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby)
in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished
and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'
Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
'Senior Research associates in the field ! ! of Child Development and
Human Relations'
and great grandmothers
'Executive Senior Research Associates'?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
'Associate Research Assistants'

Please send this to another Mom,
Grandmother, Aunt,
and to her friends you know.

May your troubles be less,
your blessings be more
and nothing but happiness come through your door!

Thumb Sucking & Easter

Easter!

What to do for the thumb sucker....Both thumbs. Abby's little thumbs look horrible..all dry and scaley....gross looking. So this is what we have to do....Wrap her whole hand up and hope she doesn't suck through the gauze. UGG...She's such a wonderful calm baby..she's a self soother as my sister-in-law said. Now what.? The Dr. says maybe a binky? Doesn't she look funny, Ah poor Abs she looks like a boxer in training. It's her first night tonight without her thumbs. I'll let you know how it goes! ;)

Happy Easter!

I can't believe Easter is here already. It's my favorite holiday. I love the colors and the eggs and The Easter Egg hunts. Everything about it. I remember when I was a child our tree would be decorated with colored eggs and balloons and my family would hide all the eggs. I just loved it. I hope I can make Abby's Easters just as memorable as mine. It's already Abs third...No way is that right?! Crazy! Time flies.

We were in Pennsylvania the other week with my family and we started her early on hiding the Easter Eggs just to see how she'd do. She loved it. She found every one. We were so excited. We were jumping up and down with my aunt and uncle...and Abs was looking at us like...."I have a crazy family." And you're part of the craziest now! The Easter Bunny will show up at our house with lots of plastic eggs.....some filled and some not. Just finding them is fun! Happy Easter and love from my family to yours!

Big Girl Medicine

Little Abs was sounding like a seal the last couple of days and a fever. Her nose was so congested---I think I used a whole bottle of saline in 2 days. Crazy I know! She's taking that thick Amoxicillin..YUCK for adults...what is she thinking when I put it into her mouth? Thank goodness for the bubble gum flavor. It doesn't help that much but it makes it a little easier. Is it right to say with medicine? The flavoring makes it more like candy...oh boy!

So when we were at the Dr. I asked him about her feet turning in. Very interesting what he told me about girls from birth. Abby's right hip is not as loose as her left one and he said this happens to a lot of girls during and after birth. Wow! By Kindergarten it should straighten out. He did say I could put high-top sneakers on her for a while to hold her ankle straight so she can't twist her foot. Do they make hightops in pink or with flowers on them?

And guess what! She's taking my favorite as a kid: Flintstone Vitamins...she's a big girl now. Only half of the vitamin but no more of the horrible smelling infant vitamin. If you're a Mom or Dad you know what I'm talking about.

Thank you so much for all of your emails asking about Abby...She's doing much better....Thank You! I love you guys and so does Abby..;)

Abs X 2

Over the weekend I took Abs to Big Brothers and Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake. It was a lot of fun. If you look at the photos though Abs isn't smiling. Her big infactuation was Buster from the BlueClaws. In every picture she is finding where he is and just watching him. I wasn't sure if she was scared or in love. Finally she hugged him.

Eveything is 2 with Abs. 2 cookies, 2 apples, 2 crackers and 2 kisses. I love that 2. And she always has to be carrying 2 things in her hands. Crazy little girl.

Abby Meets Buster

Abby went with me to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County Bowl for Kids Sake on Sunday and met Buster BlueClaw! You can see all the pictures on the Shawn & Sue page at wobm.com.