Beauty

They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. We, as humans, but especially as women, can be so hard on ourselves about our appearance.

I thought this was a good reminder...especially for the moms of daughters! We have a big job ahead of us, ladies.

Daughter - Guest Post by Becky Christman

Today we have a guest post by my friend, Becky, from Naptime Confessional.  Becky and I did our Masters together at Marian University. She is now the mommy to her beautiful daughter, Lia (seriously, she has the most gorgeous eyes!!) and she has a baby on the way! I'm excited to share her post with you! Enjoy!

Miz Independent

So Kady asked me to write a little bit on having a daughter. I thought a lot about a lot of things. I could go sentimental about how I keep a journal of notes I write to Lia about once every couple of months because hopefully one day she'll be a mommy too but also so that she knows how crazy in love I am with her. Then things popped into my head like my fear of princess loving mean girls and eating disorders. Or about how I watch Teen Mom and pray that my daughter never ends up on MTV... or on any reality show. I assume most moms of only boys don't worry so much about these things...

But what I've really learned is to let Lia be Lia, even if it's not always what I want. Lia is a go getter, not a cuddler much to my dismay. She is spunky, bright, and tough. In fact just last weekend she fell down and scraped her knees in her Mimi's driveway. I didn't even know she hurt her knees until I took her tights off! She wears a pink and yellow cape, a monster hat she calls "pokey hat," and will pull any hair bow out of her hair faster than you can put it in. She talks in a monster voice even when it embarrasses me. Like when I told her to "come here," as I was trying to put her coat on, and she repeated it in the monster voice in front of company. I definitely lost my Mother of the Year nomination after that one. But then she amazes me with her ability to learn. She has a memory better than anyone and soaks up knowledge like a sponge. As a teacher, I didn't want to push any formal learning on her too early. But Lia lit a fire under me by learning her letters basically on her own. Now we play learning games and she loves it. She asks me for games all the time. 

When I dreamed of my little daughter, I saw cuddles and kisses and all those sweet girly things. But what I got was so much more. I don't get cuddles and kisses nearly as often as I like, but that makes them more precious. Instead I get to laugh at her silly style, marvel at how she learns like a sponge, and be proud of how she need can swing on a big girl swing and slide all by herself. I only hope that she stays independent and makes choices using the brain in her own head... and doesn't end up on reality tv.

Daughter - Guest Post by Kate Erdel

Today, I introduce you to Kate of Expanding Erdels! Kate married one of Tyson's best friends & Beta brothers, Blake.  I've known Kate since we were freshman in college.  Our sophomore year we became neighbors - as she lived in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house, which is next door to the Alpha Phi house. This past May, Kate and Blake proudly welcomed their beautiful daughter, Audrey.  I absolutely love following Kate's blog! She has such a unique writing style and I almost always find myself in tears when I'm finished reading her heartwarming & insightful posts.  I know you'll enjoy Kate's guest post today! 

What I Learned About Raising a Daughter from Being One

I have high hopes for this beautiful little girl we call Audrey…

I hope that she will be good at things. I hope that she will have friends and be popular enough. I hope that she is smart, athletic, creative, and successful. I hope that she has big dreams and that I can do something to help her reach them (other than just dressing her for the part – even though that is a super fun thing about having a little girl). 

But more than anything, I just hope that she loves herself, even when the world tells her not to.

I hope that she laughs in the face of self-doubt and self-loathing. That she emphatically tells anyone who tries to tell her that she’s not skinny, pretty, witty, or bright enough to “bug off.”

This hope, though, isn’t one I can just send out with luck and a prayer. If she’s going to love herself as much as I love her, I’m going to have to teach her.

I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to do this yet, but I’m pretty sure it starts (and maybe ends) with just setting a good example. I’m lucky because my mother loved herself, as far as I know, unconditionally until the day she died. She was a perfect example to me of self-love and respect. Her example has given me no alternative but to love myself as much as she loved me and to pass that lesson along to my daughter. To do anything less would be a dishonor.

So with that… I will emulate my mother and serve as the best example I can for Audrey by loving myself. By never expressing self-doubt or self-loathing. By never tearing myself, or other women, apart. I will love myself unconditionally and in the moments where I find myself not so in love with myself, I will make myself someone I can love.

Cheers to loving ourselves and our daughters,

Kate {www.expandingerdels.blogspot.com}

P.S. Just so we’re clear, it’s a father’s responsibility to teach his daughter everything else.

Thank you SO much, Kate! Everyone make sure you jump over to Kate's blog to see what she and Audrey have been up to!

Guest Blogger: Brooke Jakobsen, mommy to the Birthday Girl, MOLLY!

Today is a very special day. Two years ago today, Molly Karoline, came into this world. I was almost 9 months pregnant with Jack and I was anxious to hear how everything had gone.  Brooke and I had become fast friends. We bonded over aches & pains, sleepless nights, and our OB/GYN visits (TMI? Doesn't exist in a pregnant woman's world). I remember waking up at 4am and checking Brooke's blog. I cried tears of joy when I learned that Molly had arrived safely. I'm honored to call Brooke a friend. And thankful that Jack & Molly have enjoyed the first two months as best buds! Enjoy Brooke's post!

I am very happy for Kady and new baby Josie.  (Welcome to Michigan!)

And since blogging is probably one of the last things Kady has time for, I am happy to be a guest blogger.  My name is Brooke Jakobsen, and I am the mor (danish for mom) to a little girl named Molly.  A little birthday girl.  Today, Molly turns 2.  Two years ago to the day, I checked into Beaumont Royal Oak hospital while Kady checked out with Josie.  Two moms with two girls. They say Mother Nature has a way of making it so you don't remember much about labor and delivery.  However, Mother Nature didn't plan for my husband to document every single minute on our blog.www.littlejakobsen.blogspot.com.  And thanks to his constant updates, I unfortunately remember most of my experience.  There was complaining, pushing and screaming, "I can do this!!!"  And in the end, I took home the best early Christmas present ever.

I remember the day I found out I was having a girl.  My husband couldn't make the ultrasound appointment, so I was on my own.  Deep down, I knew it was a girl.  So when I put my phone on speaker and the nurse confirmed it with my husband on the other line, I smiled to myself because I knew all along.  (damn, feels good to always be right)  The first person I called was my mom.  No answer.  Not cool. Then I called my dad.  He was the first to actually get the news.  And I remember his exact words, "Damn, I owe your sister money."  Guess they had a bet going.  And he lost.  Molly turned 3 months old the day of my dad's funeral. So as you might imagine, Molly is extra special to me.  She is a part of my dad, just like I am.

I have learned that having a little girl is like having an instant best friend.  She gets me.  If I am sad, I know that she will hold me and pat my back to comfort me.  If I am happy, I get the best smile in return -- Molly will scrunch up her nose, just like my dad use to do. And if I curse under my breathe...yep, you guessed it.  She will repeat, "oh - my - god."  She likes to have her nails painted, wear "nunnies" when the sun shines and sing out loud.  She is a girl; sugar and spice and everything nice.