I went and did something fully ridiculous the other day: I got a full set of acrylic nails. Mind you, I used to have acrylic nails back in the day when I didn’t have young children and wasn’t much of a chef or housekeeper, so I don’t think I realized back then how much these things get in the way.

They’re pretty, but the other day I spent almost a full minute trying to pick a piece of flat plastic off the floor.

There comes a point when a mom of young children just needs to do things to pamper herself and make herself feel pretty again. I know many new moms don’t even miss a beat, applying makeup directly after labor and always looking well put together. I, on the other hand, am not one of those moms. For the first couple of years after my babies were born I usually walked around in comfortable pants, a messy ponytail, and mystery stains all over my shirt. This ensemble matched the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep quite nicely.

I’ve reached the point nowadays when I feel justified in treating myself to salon visits and other forms of pampering. I know that not all women enjoy the whole salon experience and many would cringe at the thought of getting fake nails, but I’m getting a real kick out of having pretty nails.

Never mind that I can’t peel a sticker off the table.

Wish me luck with these nails. I think I may have them removed after my vacation, but then again I might grow used to them and have a hard time giving them up. Did I mention they look awfully pretty?

Okay, now I get it.

I always wondered why other moms would stare so longingly at my newborn, especially when they would start to tear up or literally look as though they wanted to eat my baby right then and there. I naturally assumed it had something to do with how incredibly adorable both of my babies were (yes, I’m biased), but sometimes the whole encounter just seemed a little weird.

Fast forward to present day. My youngest is no longer in diapers and I know that we’re not going to have another baby. Whenever I see a woman walking along with a newborn baby I’m drawn to the baby like a moth to a flame. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know the woman, or if the baby is crying, cooing, or asleep. Whatever the circumstances, I can’t help but gravitate toward the baby and hold myself back from reaching out and trying to snuggle with him or her.

Now I get it. Now I understand what it is like to have experienced having a newborn baby in your arms, and then when your kids start to grow you miss the feeling like crazy. You forget all about the sleepless nights, the sore nipples, and the really gross diapers. All you know is that you would love to recapture the feeling – if only for a minute – of having a newborn baby nestled in your arms.

So if you see me longingly staring at your newborn, don’t worry. I’m not insane. I just miss the feeling of a newborn in my arms. I speak on behalf of all moms who have toddlers and preschoolers, by the way. Don’t be afraid of us…just take our staring as a compliment of how incredibly cute your baby is.

Babies Online would like to wish you all a very happy and wonderful Mother’s Day.

Please feel free to share any of your special moments, surprises, or experiences from your special day.

Last week my kids both came down with bad colds. Having both kids sick at once was a first for us and it was, unfortunately, also my 7-month-old daughter’s first cold. Needless to say, it was a rough week at our house!

One night I was up ALL night (literally). My two-year-old son would wake up coughing and I’d go to his room and get him calmed down and back to sleep. No sooner had I gotten back into bed than my daughter would wake up, so I would go and get her settled down and back to sleep. This continued all night long. I don’t think I need to elaborate on the fact that I was a zombie for the entire day after this. (I didn’t think there were worse nights than those first ones back from the hospital – boy was I wrong!)

My kids are finally starting to get better now, thank goodness. Having two kids sick at their ages at the same time was a whole new experience for me and I hope I never experience my kids and me sick all at once (although, I’m sure at some point I will). This time was definitely enough of a challenge!

The thing I realized during their colds was that Moms may not be Olympic athletes or world leaders, but we are strong in our own right. Moms wipe runny noses, are up in the middle of the night consoling sick babies, and we dispense medicine to unwilling children (this is no easy task, as I’m sure you well know!). It takes a tough and selfless person to take care of a sick child and the more children you have, the harder it gets. So, to all of you Moms out there who are fighting a sickness with your child or children – I salute you. We’ve all been there and we know that battle is a tough one – may you come out better for worse or wear.

Everyone is familiar with the Food Pyramid. A colorful diagram of food groups you should eat on a daily basis and how much of each group will give you your daily nutrients. Simple and easy to use, but what guidelines are in place during pregnancy? According to the My Pyramid Plan for Moms, expectant moms should increase their calorie intake approximately 300 calories per day. This increase will depend on several factors such as weight before pregnancy, height, and physical activity and should be under the advice of your Doctor.

Always remember to eat a good variety and balance of foods from each food group. Making sure you get complete nutrients from the foods eaten will help to avoid taking extra supplements during pregnancy. If you do take supplements during pregnancy for added nutrients, do so at your Doctor request and under their supervision.

To gain a better understanding of the servings suggested of each food group during pregnancy, please visit My Pyramid Plan for Moms. This information is dependent on personal information prior to pregnancy. Once you have submitted your information, you will see a guide built based on your specific input. Print it out and take it to your next appointment to discuss with your Doctor.

Tip: If you do take a pre-natal vitamin or additional supplements, try to take them during a meal or snack to avoid nausea or possibly at bedtime with a small snack. Ask your Doctor for his recommendation.

Source:

My Pyramid Plan for Moms, MyPyramid Web site
Pregnancy Nutrition, American Pregnancy Association Web site