My Awesome Choice- Being a Parent

     So I have been reading (sort of by accident ) several blogs by "child-free" people (aka CF and that is what I will call them from here on out, and this is who "you" is throughout this post) I am pretty much shocked and amazed and extremely sad and disappointed. All I have read so far is how horrible children are, how much we (parents) suck, and how much better CF people are than us.
      I never knew such hatred existed for little people. Do these CF people realize that they were once children? That they screamed and cried and threw fits once upon a time? The world will always have children, just like it will always have old people and middle aged people and bad people and good people. Deal with it. If you weren't a baby or a child, then guess what-you wouldn't be here! I respect people who don't want to have kids, until you disrespect me for being a parent. I honestly don't give a damn if you want kids or not, but don't diss my decision to have kids. If someone asks a newly married couple when they are going to have kids, it's just a question or conversation piece. Don't be offended-most people genuinely do not care what your answer is, no matter what their response is. It's just something to talk about. (Only your mother, grandmother, sister, or mother in law probably actually REALLLY cares.)
     Kids cry. Kids throw tantrums. It's part of them growing up and communicating. I cannot make my 4 month old stop crying because guess what-I more than likely have no idea why they are crying. I can't force them to instantly go to sleep. Just like I can't force an adult to stop talking or being obnoxious. I have been to the mall or Walmart and seen lots of babies and children who were acting perfectly fine, just enjoying being out. I have seen many adults who were talking loudly and being obnoxious or running around. If I want to go out in public, I have to expect to deal with the public and all the behaviors a person can display. I understand that yes, there are some places you shouldn't bring your children, like a bar or a nice restaurant. I get it. But if I want to bring my kids to a "family restaurant" or a grocery store, don't I have a right to? They don't ban elderly people or rude people or loud people, so why should they ban children? I might have to walk behind a reallllllllly slow person at the mall, or get behind someone who uses a million coupons and takes forever at checkout. Should those people be banned because they made my experience less than enjoyable? I don't think so. I am not a "shitty parent" because my baby cried in the shopping cart. Are you a "shitty person" because you were talking loudly in the aisle or taking too long to pick out your wine?  
     Yes, there are some bad parents out there. But the majority are great parents. You don't know why their child is upset-there could be a million things wrong. Who are you to judge me or my child? I'm sorry you have nothing better to do than sit there and judge all the parents and their children. I'm too busy living my life and raising my children to care what you are doing.
     I chose to become a parent; most people do. Yes, anyone can have a baby. But if no one had children, then where would we be?! No where. We would cease to exist. Is that what needs to happen? Because I must have missed that memo. I chose to be a parent because I wanted to bring life into this world, and help create a little person to bring something great to the world. I wanted to experience all the emotions that come with being a parent, including joy, frustration, sympathy, and excitement. I wanted to give someone the opportunity to succeed in life and become everything I couldn't.
    I am overjoyed with my awesome choice to become a parent and can't wait to have another child. Is this selfish? No. Is you not wanting children selfish? No. It's a choice, and I've made mine. Respect mine and I will respect yours.

10 Months Old!

Well, it's been awhile (to say the least!) Kinley Grace is already 10 months old! Wow, how time flies! She already developed into her own person so much. She has so much personality for a 10 month old, and is very social. My little social butterfly! She loves going shopping just so she can look at all the people and talk to them and wave and smile and laugh. She is such a little ham and loves attention! She is crawling like crazy, and standing up to anything and everything. Kinley also loves to use her Activity Walker to walk up and down the hallway! Check out the video from today!

Miss K is quite the adventurous baby. There is nothing she can't crawl through or on top of! And when she does find something that tries to defeat her, watch out! She is already throwing tantrums! I didn't know babies even knew how to do that! She is super super stubborn (don't know where she gets that!) Kinley is also super smart (which I know every parent thinks this!) and loves to read (Mommy is soooo proud of this one!) She has a little bookshelf and every day she goes to her books, pulls a few down, and then sits there and flips through the pages and points to things! And I swear she is already saying "Who's that?" and "What's that?" but there is no telling at this point I guess. She is quite the talker though! She is also a little girly-girl! She loves to crawl around with my wristlet! She seriously puts it around her wrist and just crawls all over the house with it!

I know there is much more probably to say, but as you know, I could go on forever about this little girl. She truly is a joy in our lives! Here are some pics for you to enjoy!

Kinley playing in her playhouse.

Kinley and Momma at the zoo!

Kinley playing with Daddy!

Kinley is accessorizing with Mom's Coach wristlet :)