Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Does It Make Me Less of a Mother? Part I: My C-Section Preference

Being a 25-year-old fairly new mother,  I have a ton of people in my social network who are pregnant and new mothers. Through all of those people I have seen several different opinions/ideas in regards to birth, breastfeeding and child rearing. Both birth and breastfeeding are very hot topics for new mothers, especially breastfeeding. Being respectful is sometimes difficult when I read and hear other people's opinions regarding these topis especially when I disagree with them. I totally understand that it is okay for everyone to have their own opinion but, I don't think that other people do. While I know that Nylah has the best mother, when I hear certain comments I sometimes second guess myself and my decisions.

While I was pregnant I discussed with my husbnad my fear of having a vaginal birth. Tying that makes me feel a little crazy...lol. Why? Well, I am a woman and women have been delivering babies vaginally and drug free since the beginning of time. And I wanted NOTHING to do with neither of those oprions for 2 simple reasons. One, I know that my pain tolerance is not very high so I knew that I would be opting for meds. I couldn't imagine myself in agony for too long. And secondly, I was afraid of vaginal tearing and having to receive stitches. I have heard some horor stories about that and it really scared me! Now don't get me wrong, I didn't want a c-section either but the baby had to some out some way and in weighing the pros and cons of both, I felt that it would be better for me. I mentally prepared myself for both but was secretly relieved when my daughter was delivered early via c-section.

I have no problem with sharing my birth story and how great my c-section was but I sometimes get crazy looks when I say that I preferred my c-section. Women tell me how they wanted to hold out as long as possible in hopes to avaoid a c-section and I do not understand why. I've heard pregnant women speak of c-sections negatively and how they will do it the "natural" way and I don't understand it. I may be jumping to conclusions but it seems to me that some women feel that the decision to have a vaginal birth is better than a c-section. But, for what reason? Am I supposed to want a giant baby to squeeze out of my body simply because I am a woman? Or, I won't feel a connection to my baby if they don't come through the birth canal? Or maybe it's the scar that scares some. I am so very curious as to what people think. As I stated above, I am very content with my c-section but I'm just wondering if I am missing something.

Quick & Easy Frozen Birthday!

My little sister turned 4 back in November and my parents had no idea what they wanted to do with her. But since her birthday fell on a Saturday we knew that we should do something fun. A few days before her birthday she suffered a serious injury to one of her fingers so her parents were afraid to take her out of the house to do anything since she wasn't wearing  a cast but her finger was still in pretty bad shape. Me being me and LOVING parties the way that I do decided that I would go and buy some decorations, make a cake and have a little party at her house with just family. My sister and my daughter are the only kids in the family but they play together pretty well because my Nylah thinks she is 3 and can hang with big kids. My little cousin is 11 but she acts like a little kiddo sometimes so we count her in too...lol. I decided to do Frozen because my little sister LOVES it like all of the little girls in the world! I went to Wal-Mart to purchase party tabkeware and decor to match the theme, made the cake myself and her parents ordered some pizza and wings. We ended up spending no more than $50.00 for the party which was awesome and I know that my sister thoroughly enjoyed herself. If I had more time I am sure I would have went all out with the decorations and sweets but she loved all of it so that made me happy!

Lavish parties are the thing now but I don't think that they aren't always necessary. Pick a theme, go to Wal-Mart/Target/Party City and grab a few things, cook or order Pizza, get a cake, invite family and/or a few friends and your little one will have a ball! My family is fortunate in the bakery department because they know that they can always get a custom creation for just about free to match their theme but seriously, it's the thought and effort that counts. Celebrating my birthday as a kid always made me feel special. It was my personal day and I have nothing but great memories of it! I plan on doing the same for my sister & daughter.

My Nylah and my sister posing in front of a Frozen backdrop.

The birthday girl!

Table set-up!

The birthday cake!


My Nylah & Her Daddy having cake (silly big cousin in the background).

Birthday girl having cake!

Birthday girl & her big cousin.

My godson came to join the party too!