Mama Envy

For the first time ever, I was the object of Mama Envy. Usually, I'm the mom struggling with a screaming, belligerent toddler, dropping/spilling things, looking totally overwhelmed. People ask me if I need help a lot. I am equal parts impressed by and jealous of the moms that manage to be so put together in public. And I'm even more envious of the idyllic mommy bloggers talking about just being 'present'. Just being present? I'm just trying to keep the stinkin' kid alive most of the time. 


But today, all that was different. Lily and I had lunch at the Morton Arboretum, one of the best places in the world. It's totally kid friendly, and there are always a ton of kids in the dining room in various stages of meltdown. Today, Lily sat in her high chair, crossed her little feet, and said "Hi!" to everyone that walked past. She happily munched on some goldfish in between bites of chicken and spinach tortellini soup. And when she was thirsty she calmly pointed to the milk carton with a straw and didn't try to grab it out of my hands while she neatly sipped some milk and didn't spill a drop. In short, she was acting the perfect child. 


There were two moms with five kids seemingly all under the age of three between the two of them sitting within earshot. The table was covered in baby food jars, food packets, sippy cups, various types of puffs, and cookies. And the kids didn't want to eat anything. Not a single one of them. Amidst the chaos, I hear one of the moms say to the other "That baby is eating spinach. None of my kids will eat spinach." It was all I could do to not ask Lily for a high-5 right then. (She totally would have done it, too.)


Don't get me wrong, we have our terrible days for sure where all Lily will eat is cheerios and applesauce. And I have nothing against baby food and puffs. The thing is, Joe and I are lazy. (We ended up co-sleeping for the same reason.) It takes a lot of planning and effort to pack up food for your baby every time you leave the house. I'm just not that with it. So from the very beginning, we've been giving Lily basically whatever we eat in a form that she can handle. And so far, so good. I know the day will come when she rebels and won't eat what I want her to. But until then, Lily, you keep lovin' that spinach. 


And for ONCE, I looked like the Zenned-out Earth Mother.