Bad Mom Award and bonding with Maxwell

Yesterday, I truly earned the Bad Mom of the Day award. I have gone with Avonlea Jane to a few mom and baby movie showings where the lights are kept up and the sound down. She has nursed and slept through all of the movies. I decided to see if the same would happen if I went to a matinee of a regular film with my friend Michele. Michele came over and we were running a little late and I quickly handed her Avonlea Jane as I went outside to install the carseat in her car. Normally, before letting someone hold Avonlea Jane, we hold her for a little bit while she looks at that person and gets comfortable with them, no matter how often she has seen him/her. This was not the case, and after I was gone for a couple minutes, she started frantically looking around and crying hysterically because I wasn't there. For the rest of the day she wouldn't let Michele hold her, and anytime Michele tried to hold her she would immediately whip around her head to look for me and start to bawl. It was quite sad, but I must admit somewhat heartwarming. We can tell that she remembers who people are but this showed that she can remember incidents and is starting to understand cause and effect.

She nursed and slept through most of the film, but there were a few minutes of fussiness that could not be calmed by nursing and as not to disturb the few patrons who were there, I succumbed to letting her look at the screen for those few minutes. David and I do not let her look at the television at home, as all studies show that it can be harmful and lead to slower language development, cognitive development, and attention development. I think she was upset because she couldn't see me in the dark, as she can see me at the baby shows. The whole time I was muttering to Michele about how I was lowering my child's IQ for a $7 movie, so I think this is an experience that will not be repeated. In addition to making her feel like she was abandoned, it was not a good day for the parenting.

Sleepy baby

Standing up is one of our favorite things.

Being explored by Mabel

Here Avonlea Jane is holding onto Maxwell's tail. He is so patient with her, especially when it comes to sharing time on Daddy's lap. As long as he gets to be on Daddy as well, he is more than happy to put up with ear grabbing, drool, and little fists pulling his fur. Every day the cats show more of an interest in her, and when she was crying with Michele, Maxwell came running to her rescue.