Am I a bad mommy?

We have a Britax Marathon carseat for Emma in our car. I love it, she loves it...well, until lately. I think it is because of this independent streak that she has been on the last week or so. She screams and arches her back as you try to strap her in...people stare! So after telling her no, sternly and holding her little cheeks together (hard to explain but it usually works) several times as we were leaving Target this evening...I decide to turn the carseat around right there in the parking lot. She is now an officially a forward facing baby even though the carseat says it is best to stay rear facing until 33 pounds. Emma is only 22ish pounds and 30 1/2" long but she is now a happy baby. So why do I feel like a defeated mommy?

Is it best to be "more safe" or "more happy" therefore letting me drive easier and more safely? What if she fights me again in the morning even though she's still forward facing? Why must she scream and then giggle at me while I scold her? Do the "terrible two's" typically start at 13 months?! My oh my...

Here is the picture that I snapped on my camera phone as soon as we pulled into our driveway tonight. So sweet when she isn't screaming at me from her carseat!



Okay, I need to go to bed!

Look at the...duck?!

Emma thinks that this alligator is a duck. She kept pointing at it and saying "duck" which caused some giggling among the other kids at the Zoo. I will definitely have to teach her "gator" soon. Its funny since every time she sees something yellow it is a "duck" too. I am loving this stage with her. It is something new each and every day. She will point at your nose or her nose and say "ose" now. She even started saying "Eydon" for Peyton while we were at the Zoo! Speaking of the Zoo...it is quite the workout with a curious 3 1/2 year old, a sleepy 20 month old and an independent 13 month old who always wants down! It was impossible to get the three of them to all sit, smile and look at the camera!







It was such a hot and fun yet exhausting day...and we only accomplished about half of the Zoo! This was how Emma was most of the day...she finally tuckered out and was nearly falling asleep in the wagon on the way to the exit. Call me crazy but I can't wait to do it all again!



Well...maybe we can get my dream stroller before the next time. I have been drooling over it for two months...it is red, has tall handles, solid rubber wheels and UPPA rocks! :o)