Thursday, November 20, 2008

Don't Call My Daughter Pretty

Yes, I am her mom and I know I am biased, but I do think she's a striking girl. Nevertheless, I try not to focus on her looks but on her personality instead. I want to instill in her that your integral self is more important than your looks. I want her growing up without thinking she must be a little princess, a damsel in distress, or that her value lies in her looks.

Mina in the morning

I am at a loss however, in how to deal with other people's compliments. I guess I'm not so biased because other people seem to agree that she is beautiful. I have all sorts of people coming up to me in public telling me how gorgeous she is. I think it's partly because people are so drawn to babies, but anywhere from Target, to dining out, to people on the streets, they stop and tell her how pretty she is.

I'm no scrooge, I don't go tell them off and spout off my beliefs. They're just being kind. I guess I have to take it for now, and explain to Mina as she grows older that her worth is firmly in what she does, and what she is, and now how she looks.

And for the record Moms out there, if you wish to do the same, the first thing you have to be prepared to do is to not let your daughter watch TV or monitor it very closely. We're not planning on getting cable but will have the TV for DVDs, which can be pre-approved before watching. There's so much fluff out there, and parents aren't as dilligent as they could be in what messages filters through their daughter. The second, no fashion magazines. They are truly a haven for unrealistic expectations to go roost.

I'm planning to treat my daughter as if she's a kick-butt, tough, heroine. She can still be feminine and strong can't she? Like Cinderella in Ever After, not Cinderella in the usual fairy tales.

Mommy Wears Glasses

I've worn glasses since I was 15. The first pair I had was a terribly old-fashioned gold-framed one that I was forced to wear for years. Once I got my first full-time job, I got myself a Guess frame glasses and it cost me. Not as much as my D&G update that I got just last year. Those cost me a whopping $500. I'm now wondering, what the heck was I thinking? If I had known that I could have gotten a pair of eyeglasses from Optical4less I would have saved that money and parted with as little as $15, $25, $39 instead.

I know there's always that unknown factor when ordering online, but they have a virtual try-on system, free shipping (worldwide!), and you can read testimonials regarding their service and quality. Believe me, they're options are not geeky some gold frame ones. And they have all the features you would need in your prescription lens: whether it be anti-reflective, bifocal, or tinted.

In these financially uncertain times, you'd do very well to visit their site and order from them instead of the usual places. I'm really kicking myself for not going with a more reasonably-priced glasses. But oh well, at least you won't have to live with my mistake, right? :)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Words Mina Can Say

They're not perfect, but she's definitely saying the right words for the right objects.

Apple
Elmo
pasta
light
Bye
Hi
Uncle(!)
Mommy (Meh-meh)
Mama
Papa
Daddy
Book
Nose
Eyes
Please
Up
Puppy
Water

Incidentally, Belated Happy Halloween!

Halloween At The Mall