Baby Things I Don't Do.

This comes with a little bit of hilarity, a seriousness that's flippant but grounded, and perhaps a warning...

My beloved author Shauna Niequist writes a chapter in her book, Bittersweet,  "Things I Don't Do" and I think back on it often with such freedom.  Because the worlds ideas or expectations, the feminine or self ideas or expectations, the should do, would do, could do, don't do list sometimes seems endless, but her list was like, "ahhh... thank you!"

My friend Bekah Wallace wrote a post a few months ago I loved too, regarding these concerns as a mom, and I thought, "whew... thank you!" as she took the pressure off.  Somedays I feel like if I don't do cloth diapers or make my own baby food or feed fruits and vegetables at dinner.... If I do let my child watch TV or drink straight apple juice or cry until they sleep, then somehow I have let someone, or myself, down.

So perhaps this is just the beginning of the freedom, and the learning.  Noting now, first, the baby things I don't do, won't do.  To myself, and to prewarn, re-warn others so questions are averted and disappointment can be handled internally, without me.

So here's the start.  Baby things I don't do:

1. Seven Day Baby Pictures:  I'm not into awkward poses, naked gestures, and babies coming from buckets.  Sorry.

2.  Maternity Pictures:  Again, sorry to disappoint.  Those monthly Facebook post glare at me, and the professional photos find me squirming.  So I'll be hiding this belly with prudence and poise.

3. Weekly Sticker Pictures:  I know this is the big trend, but I think I'm going to choose to miss out.

4. Smocked Dresses:  Welcome to the South.  But my mama heart is still midwest and that means no smocked.  No way.  Never.  Why smock when there's Gymboree and Janie & Jack and adorable matching floral anything...

5.  Southern Boy Outfits:  Oh dear, rolling my eyes.  Hate them.  Give me a boy with John Deere and brown boots and mud on his hands any day.

6. Princess Themed Anything: Sorry, but happily ever after only happens in heaven.  And that's what I want my girl to learn.  Not about false truths that princes' here finish your life, and that body is perfect and you are the center of the world.  Can't do it.  Against my convictions.

7. Elf on the Shelf:  Seriously, what happened to Advent, awaiting Emmanuel?