At three months old her dad and I took her into the Irish Rovers open door pub/restaurant at Expo 86. It was a festival atmosphere with full Celtic band playing. Older women scowled, men smiled welcoming affirmations, and some addressed us saying this is how all families should be. Many young people hovered with positive comments.
Alert and bobbing on my knee in time to the music, she ate, then slept while the band played on. Fastidiously changed and fed, (probably too much,) she never cried once.
From the beginning I promised myself I’d never be a whiny mom complaining about being tied down. Instead I had a diaper bag full of everything necessary to keep my treasured baby happy, plus a little Oscar cooler with a six pack of baby bottles. Off we went to discover the day! My daughter could sleep through anything and still can!
We enjoyed expo with our season’s passes, ambling through each exhibit, listening to different music along the way. People constantly stopped, remarking what a good baby she was. Most rewarding was a comment from a child care worker who’d been observing us all evening at Irish Rovers pub. Expressing how impressed she was with my mothering, and interaction with baby. Continuing to praise me, by saying she sees hundreds of children, but Pepper was the most well adjusted happy baby she’d ever seen. Her beautiful statement was just what a new mother needed and trumped all the negative gestures from the judgmental women glaring at me! In that instant I knew my indulgence was Okay!
14 comments:
you are ONe awesome mama! from the beginning, for forever. xoxo
Not only do you have a beautiful daughter, you have a beautiful new blog design!
this is a great post.. and you raised a beautiful and unique daughter.. bravo!!
Adorable pictures of Pepper - she's a doll...I'll bet you are the finest mother goddess!
irish pubs look fun and i love celtic music. i have seen flogging molly play twice!
I can see you're very proud of your daughter, yay!
you are a goddess mother!!!
beautiful daughter :) and great post!
you done good. she is a free spirit a tribute to her mama.
That's the best kind of indulgence! Pepper is a very lucky young woman to have such a wonderful mom.
PS - I used to love Irish pubs! There was one that was my local hangout in my younger days.
So blessed she is. And blessed are you, too.
Aloha Sherri,
It's a lovely post, I love the lady..I feel for her, I know how she feels.
I love your stool below too :)
peace, Kai
She gets more beautiful with every photo. I loved this post. Your memories always leave me feeling so happy.
Hugs,
Donna
A lot of parents could learn something from this. I hope I am as good a parent one day. All the best.
Your post made me smile. What lovely memories of a new mother, somewhat insecure but definitely loving her daughter -- and the love remains. Your Pepper's smile says it all! Great post and great photos! One of the hardest things to accept is being far away from those we love.
Post a Comment