Juliane was my worst labor experience, hands down. Add the labor with it being winter in Detroit Michigan during the beginning of a snow storm and you have a night you will never forget.

I could retell the details but if you have been in labor, you know what it is like . If you have not been in labor, I do not want to scare you off from experiencing the joy yourself:)

But then, just like the first labor I went through, when you see that face…

I will never forget that moment.

She was going to be my girl and if the labor was any indication, she was gonna be a feisty one.

Her face was perfect.

She had this full head of hair.

Her eyes would just stare at you and she soaked you in and in return I soaked her in too.

Nine years later she is still my girl.

She is still beautiful.

Happy Birthday Jude

Here I am with Day 2 of the SITS Back 2 Blogging Challenge! This whole challenge is sponsored by Standards of Excellence, Westar Kitchen and Bath, and Florida Builder Appliances. Which is why those pretty ladies are at the top there {No. Not the vector ladies. The Aqua ladies:)}.

So. Day 2. We are supposed to re-launch a post that we wish more people would have read. I really do not know how many people read this post, but it was the one I decided on. I think as parents, we all go through this with our children on varying levels. Is it the most well written, spiritual, deep, thought provoking post? Nah. But it stood out because it has been a year of change for my youngest daughter, Hannah. She has gone from little girl to big girl and has struggled through the process that brings. Can I make the decisions for her? No. She has to make some herself. But I am here as a mother and her biggest supporter while she travels this new road.

Dora PJ’s, Bullies & the Social Status

Post from December 30, 2009

dora

Ever have those times when you want to tape some strange kids mouth shut? AND maybe the parent who raises the child as well? Me too. I have recently had such an urge. An intense urge.

My Hannah. 6 yrs old. Still loves Dora. LOVES. DORA! Now, I have no psychology background (other than visiting a couple) but I think it’s fine that Hannah still likes Dora. She’s SIX! Yes, she is at the top age, but still there!

Well, around early September, Hannah came home and announced she was going to give away all of her Dora things. She was too big for Dora because Dora was for babies. “Big girls don’t like Dora” she said.

What? Okay. Fine. But why the sudden change? What was the real reason here. Just the day before she was all over her Dora dolls.

We finally got out of her that she is the only one with a Dora backpack in her class. Understood. She wants to fit in. Fine. So we just exchange the Dora for a Princess one. Did the trick. She was thrilled and decided she still liked Dora, just didn’t want the Dora pack at school.

Yay. Score for mom.

Fast forward to a recent PJ day at school she went to. She has PJ’s that are so cute, but she wanted to wear her Dora nightgown over the other PJ’s. Fine. didn’t think anything about it. Had forgotten about September all together.

But she gets home and later she is down spirits, teary. I of course do my mom thing and comfort. Ask her what’s wrong.

She was made fun of at school for wearing Dora. “The girls said Dora is for babies. And Dora Jamma’s are baby”

My six year old Hannah was heartbroken. I, on the other hand, was furious at the little snots that keep telling her that! Seriously, I’m Native American. I wanted to take someone out like the Godfather.

So as any good mother would do, I asked for their name and address. Mommy would “take care of them”:)

Not really of course. But it was a perfect time to talk to her about her confidence. She doesn’t need these girls to tell her what to play with and what to wear. Good friends do not act like that yaddy yaddy…

So here we are. A little girl who enjoys being a little girl. So when I heard about this new Dora doll coming out, I was thrilled. Now the moms with kids younger than mine thought she was going to be “too sexy.” Whatever. She is so NOT too sexy. She is cute as a stinkin button! And perfect for ages 5-8!

dora_tween This doll quickly found its way under our tree for Hannah. And she is in love! So will tween Dora be okay with these Bratz at school? Probably not. Part of me doesn’t give a flip if they do or do not. Part of me hopes Hannah will not care.

But she will, for now. She wants friends. She wants to fit into her new school. I cannot blame her. I’ve been in her shoes. I just don’t want her to lose who ‘Hannah’ is along the way.

Those little parent moments are so important to who your child is and who they become. I want her to know that no matter what brand of flippin doll she owns, she is okay with mommy. Just as long as she loves herself enough to defend herself. And loves others enough to defend THEM when they need it as well.

How about you? Have you had an experience with a child in that in between stage? How did you get them through?

**Since this post, All Dora dolls have been given away {Believe me. We had a lot}. All Hannah’s decision. She wanted to give them to another little girl that would like her. She went back and forth and decided to keep her videos and books. And the Tween Dora Doll, she is still on Hannah’s bed.**