New babies can rock mom's world.

Oh how I love Clover. She is the perfect addition to our family.

If you haven't already picked up on this, since her arrival, I have been guilt stricken. This is nothing new for me, I have mastered the art of feeling guilty. It's a terrible, detestable habit. Feeling like I'm not doing enough of the "right" things, being enough of the "right" kind of mom. This feeling comes and goes, and especially flares up when times are particularly busy.

As much as they sleep, new babies still seem to take a lot of attention and time. It's another little person to take care of, one that wants what they want, when they want it and unless you're a fan of infant crying, you better be ready to meet those wee one's desires, immediately.

Although one of my greatest joys, being at her beck and call, leaves less time to hang out with the other kids.

Poor Onyx, I have felt. Poor Onyx is getting the shaft. I'm not doing enough of the RIGHT things with poor, poor Onyx during his last year before K. Boo hoo. Guilty mom, neglected Onyx. (Meanwhile, what I like to overlook is that Onyx is happy as a lark.)

I spoke to my very good friend and very best therapist today, JZ. She has a master's degree in early childhood special education, and she is well versed in all things child related. She helped me let myself off the hook, which I desparately needed to do. She reminded me that these early years are the only time in a person's life that they can be free. Free of time constraints to go here and go there, to do this and to do that. Free to play. Play is developmentally necessary. Onyx is smart. He can read. He practices writing every day. He is very bright. Onyx is fine. Poor, poor Onyx is actually thriving. He is in fact, right now, asking Tyden to bring him a piece of pretend banana pie and telling him not to put any salt in it. That's a well adjusted boy. It's his mom that needs to get a grip.

Thank you God for good friends who can lend a helping word. Thank you JZ for being that kind of good friend, and thank you my little Onyx, for being such a wonderful boy and for making your mommy so proud as you requst salt-free pie, that's the way I like mine too.