Motherhood Mondays: Tattoos

Anyone who knows me outside of work knows I have tattoos – seven currently. I got my first one at age 18 and my last one a few months before I got married. I’m not sure if I’m done either. Only time will tell. People often ask if I wish I hadn’t got them or regret any of them. The answer is no. Sure, a few are ready for some touch-ups but I still love each one and what it represents.

A while ago I read about a mother who was arrested for taking her 10-year-old to get a tattoo. You can read the article here. Now her son wanted to get a tattoo to memorial his older brother who had been hit by a car at age 12. Many tattoos are memorials. And I can see where the child is coming from.

Cameron and I have had discussions about tattoos and what we would do if London came to us asking for one (obviously, we hope this is many years from now). And obviously, I can’t condem them. Cameron doesn’t have any tattoos, so technically he could, but most likely he would refer London to me. So here are my tattoo rules:

1. First, London will have to wait until she is 18.
2. Then I would want her to think long and hard about what she wants, where and why. The where definitely will be important when it comes to her desired career. I figured I would need to keep my tattoos covered in the workplace before I got my first one, and I do. Which means you will never see me in a skirt, capris or shorts at work. And that’s why I’ve never gotten a wrist or arm tattoo.
3. And finally, I have to take her to get her first. I want to make sure it’s safe and that quality work is completed. It’s permanent after all. I’ve seen far too many tattoos I would be highly upset about having with the way the black outlines are almost as thick as the design, taking away from the detail.

How would you handle it if your child came home wanting a tattoo?

 ~Sarah

Tulley's Mother's Day

The Friday before Mother's Day, Tulley got a surprise visit from her pup Molly from across the street. Molly is already half of Tulley's size! They had fun romping around the back yard and Molly really loved the water bowl. But when Tulley got a little over zealous and made Molly yelp, she ran straight to her new mommy, our neighbor Kelsey, for comfort.

It's official - Tulley is now more of a playmate than mommy. Molly didn't even try to nurse. It''s kinda sad for us to see but we're also happy that Molly has bonded so well to her new home.

~ Sarah

16 Week Bump

Here's the 16 week bump. And after only a day of using the Bio Oil, Cameron and I both agree the stretch marks look better!

It's All Done!!!!!

Ok, so not completely. I still need to get some fabric and turn it into an actual stocking, but the hard part is over!
~ Sarah

Baby Bump Wednesdays: 16 Weeks

How far along: 16 weeks

What Fruit or Vegetable size is Baby: Avocado

Average Size: 4.6 inches, 3.5 oz.

What’s going on with Baby’s development: Bones are forming in baby’s ears which means baby can pick up voices now. Guess we should start talking to it rather than about it. Also, Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to come in and taste buds are forming.

Total weight gain: 9 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Yep

Stretch marks: Not sure if they are new or just old ones being re-stretched, but there a 3 bugging me right now. I don't think my lotion is working even though I don't use it twice a day like directed so I dragged Cameron and London up to Folsom to purchase Bio Oil at Babies R Us last night. Probably could have gotten it at Target but I wanted to look at all the options. If this doesn't work I'm moving on to Maderma. And I will use it twice daily as directed. My greatest hope is to minimize this unfortunate reality of pregnancy (that and not gain too much weight and have a healthy baby : ).

Sleep: Getting up once a night to use the bathroom. I also have to have the body pillow which makes for a crowded bed between Cameron, Tulley, Kelsey, myself and the pillow! At least Kelsey solves the space problem by sleeping on me! You'd think she could at least choose a spot on the cushy pillow.

Best moment of this last week: My dad coming for a visit over the weekend and walking the Race for the Cure with Cameron and London on Saturday morning to celebrate Mother's Day.  

Miss anything: Wine, Corona, and now running - missing amazing weather for good running

Movement: None yet but probably in the next 2 to 4 weeks I will start to feel something.

Food cravings: Watermelon and Magnum Double Caramel Bars (better not eat too many of these or I will gain a TON of weight!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: Yep. I know – I owe pictures. We haven’t even taken one yet. I feel like we’re slacking since the first belly pic with London was taken at 14 weeks.

Gender: Unknown – 4 weeks to go!

Labor signs: Nope.

Belly button in or out: Half-way out

Wedding rings on or off: Just my engagement ring on and good thing – my fingers swelled on the walk on Saturday. I thought I might escape the swelling this time around - guess not. We'll see what this Saturday brings in Napa.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and starting to feel more energized most of the time.

Looking forward to in the next week: Our annual wine trip even though I won’t be drinking (Napa makes up for it with the scenery as well as the time with friends and my hubby without London as much as I love her), getting Cameron’s office framed (mainly so I can start cleaning all the dust) and finishing the cross-stitch portion of London’s stocking, which will likely happen tonight. Stay tuned!


~ Sarah