Patience, Please!

I have always been told not to pray for patience because the Lord will send you situations that make you have to use your patience.  I struggle with this... I have never been a very patient person.  I am a "I will just get it myself." or "Just let me do it," type person.  I have learned instead to pray for serenity.  Dear Lord, please don't let me freak out on this person.  Dear Lord, please help me hold my tongue.  Dear Lord, please help me watch my temper.  Amen.

I have realized during my three months off from work and away from civilization that I am, in fact, I very patient person compared to a lot of other people.  It appears that in today's society patience is most definitely a virtue.  Maybe it is my hormones making me more sensitive to other people, or maybe it is the fact because I am in the house home alone, when I do go in public, I am much more aware of other people.  Anyways, I have had several different situations in the last two weeks of people acting stupid because of their lack of patience.  They all tend to occur while in my car... so maybe I am just a bad driver?  With a baby in the backseat, it was like I had to learn to drive all over again!

The first happened when I was getting off the interstate.  I was waiting patiently to make a left turn and didn't want to pull out in front of anyone.  Well, Mr. Huffy Britches in his Prius apparently thought I wasn't going quick enough, he swerves around me and makes a left turn.  Funny thing is, I ended up right behind him at the stop sign half a mile down the road and stayed behind him on most of my ride home.  Talk about resisting the urge to ram into his car!!

Second incidence was at Walmart.  In case you don't know, parking spots are way to small these days.  I was trying to get the baby out of the back seat in her car seat and my car door bumped a pretty little Mustang GT.  (In my defense, the car was not there whenever I parked... I try to make room for myself because I know I have troubles.)  Well the lady gets out of her car and chases me down.  "You hit my car!  You hit my car!"  Excuse me?  I walk over to her car and look at this tiny little white mark that is about this --- big.  Yep... that tiny.  "You hit my car so hard it shook!"  Oh, I am really sorry.  I didn't mean too.  "I mean, you REALLY hit my car.  God, look, it's even scratched!!"  Geeze, I am really sorry... is there something I can do?  (This is when I was resisting the urge to lick my finger and rub the scratch mark... I knew it probably would come out.)  "No, don't worry about it." (In a really huffy voice) So I walk away...  And she is just a fussin' the whole time behind me. 
Really lady, it's not that big of a deal... I am sure it has happened to you.  Do you want to call the police and right up a police report over a measly little while mark that you could literally spit shine out?? (Of course, I don't say this because I am praying "Dear Lord, help me bite my tongue" the whole time.)

Third time, I was waiting in line at Zaxby's Drive Thru.  I saw a friend of mine and rolled my window down to speak.  Well, apparently the line had moved up while I was talking.  The car behind me pulled around me and cut in front of me in line... which would have been alright had I been holding up the order...but there were like two more cars that had to order.  So then, she is sitting awkardly in front of me in line waiting to order.  Again, I am resisting the urge to rearend her Jeep.  Patience Katie, be patient.  I wasn't in that big of a hurry anyway.

On the way home from Zaxby's I am thinking about these three events and I realize just how impatient and angry people are in today's society.  If you take the time to really listen to people around you, you will realize that we are all a big bunch of complainers.  In the grocery store, in the doctor's office, driving down the road, at the restaraunt... everyone seems to be in a bad mood and unsatisfied... impatient.  No one expects to have to wait for anything anymore.  I think it's our own fault.  You can get express shipping and have stuff sent to you over night, self check out at the grocery store, automatic banking, pay at the pump, fast food and drive throughs.  No one really has to wait on anything... so God forbid something take a little longer or have to wait at a stop sign or wait in line at Walmart (I mean really, it's Walmart, when have you ever not had to wait in line?)

I am just as guilty as the next person, and it is something I plan to work on.  I especially want to be patient with my children, and teach them to be patient as well.  If they see me losing my temper in the grocery store, or driving like a mad woman, what lesson am I teaching them?  Matt has got to be the most patient person I know, so I have learned lots from him too.  He is going to wonderful with our kids because he is ten times more patient than me! 

Remember there used to be a time that people had to make all there meals from scratch, it took hours (not minutes) to get to town, and women actually hand sewed clothes!  Can you imagine the patience that our ancestors had to have?

Nowadays, we all need to be a little more patient.  Everyone is a little more stressed, overworked, and more than likely underpayed.  We all seem to have a trouble or stress of some sort.  Before you lose your temper next time in Walmart, or chew out your waiter because your meal took a little longer than necessary... take a deep breath and be patient.  You do yourself much more damage by getting all worked up!  If we were all a little more understanding and kind to one another, I really think we would all get further (not be all philisophical!).

So next time you go to swerve around that person at the stop sign, just think, they may be driving extra careful because they have a sweet newborn bundle in the back seat!

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12 NIV

Beach Bums

I know it has been a while since I have last posted, but I have been trying to spend as much time as possible with Little Girl and do lots around the house before I go back to work.  This past Monday though, I found the time to go to the beach.  My sister-in-law and I planned a spur of the moment trip Sunday afternoon.  We got up early Monday morning and took off to Jacksonville Beach, FL.  Norah Kate's first beach trip!  The Sunday before, I had taken her to Florida to see my dad's side of the family, so I knew she would do pretty good in the car. 

Even though I started packing late the night before, it seemed like I was never going to get out of the house Monday morning; I was running late as always.  I keep forgetting that it takes twice as long to get everything ready than before I had a baby.  I have to make sure the diaper bag is stocked, pack healthy snacks for me so my nursie don't dry up, change of clothes for me and her in case spit up incidences or explosive diapers occurs, and ensure that if we get stranded we have enough stuff to survive for a week (well not really, but almost, we really would be okay for a night or two).  I would get in the car and get ready to head down the drive way and "Oh, crap... I forgot...." and run back in the house.  This happened at least three times.



Anyway, we made it... it was a B-E-A-utiful day at the beach.  It was just breezy enough to keep you cool and not a cloud in the sky.  I actually had to keep her covered up under the umbrella because it was chilly.  Man, if you weren't careful you could have gotten blistered.  I put on sunscreen at least twice.  Because this was my first beach trip with Norah Kate,  I was really nervous about her precious baby skin getting sunburned.  I had bought Coppertone SPF 100 and made sure she was under the umbrella the whole time.  I was afraid that the sun would reflect off the water or something and still get to her under the umbrella... you know... the same way you can get sunburned if you have a shirt on.  I would have been in big trouble had I let her get sunburned!



Getting All Sunscreened Up

My sister in law probably looked like the Clampits on the way down to the beach because we were trying to carry everything in one trip...between the baby, umbrella, lawnchairs, towels, bags and coolers we were packed down...  That was only with ONE kid.  By the time we have more kids, and their toys, we will have to get a wagon, or Uhaul, or something.

Norah Kate loved the beach... not to brag or anything but I have an angel baby.  She slept the whole way to Jacksonville.  While we were on the beach she only took two little cat naps, but mostly just chilled and played.  Even the ride home she was good, she pitched a little fit for about 20 minutes, but then slept most of the way home.  I could not have imagined her behaving any better.  We even survived the five o'clock Jacksonville traffic!!



Mama's Beach Bum

 

Gettin' in some Tummy Time.  She loved the view!

It was such a relaxing trip, and I am already wanting to go back, especially now that I know she loves it and is a good car rider!!



Baby Essentials

When I was registering for my baby showers, I had NO clue where to start.  I took Mama with me, and she was not very much help.  To her defense, you didn't really register for stuff when she was having babies, and too things have changed so much.  I ended up registering for a little bit of everything and  kinda learned the hard way about the things I love, couldn't live without, and things that haven't been very helpful.

Of course, some things will be no-brainers, so I will skip over those (stroller, car seat, ect.)

Here are a few of my favorite things:

• Diaper genie:  her room never smells like dirty diapers
• Wipe warmer:  get a good one!  The first one I got dried my wipes out, so I went and bought the Prince Lionheart wipe warmer.  It is AMAZING.  It has a wet pad in the bottom so the wipes always stay nice and moist!  Norah Kate don't know what to think when I wipe her bottom with a cold one, she is spoiled ;)
• Snug a Bunny Swing and Bouncy Seat:  She loves her swing!  It has different swinging motions and an overhead mobile.  I like the neutral colors too, so that I will be able to use it for a little boy.  My bouncy seat stays in our bathroom.  It's my babysitter while I am in the shower or getting ready!
• Nap Nanny:  This thing was a life saver during NK's first couple of weeks/months, when I would jump up at every little cry or wimper.  She went through this stage where she didn't like to sleep laying flat, and the Nap Nanny let me safely put her in the bed with me while she was so tiny.  Now it stays in our living room and she will take naps in it.  Be sure not to put it in their cribs though!!



• Summer Infant Mother's Touch Baby Bather: I love it!  It is mesh, so it's way more comfy than a plastic tub and it keeps them from sitting in the dirty bath water.



• White Noise machine:  It helps during nap time.  She almost can't go to sleep when it is stone cold quiet.
• Ameda Double Electric Breast Pump:  Medela makes a good one too, but I love my Ameda!  I would highly recommend buying a good one if you are planning on pumping a lot or continuing to breastfeed once you return to work.  Even if your aren't planning of pumping, you may find a handheld pump helpful at some point!  It saved me when we were having issues!
• Backseat Mirror:  It allows me to see her when I am driving, and now that she is a little bit older she talks to and flirts with herself in the mirror!

Things you can't get enough of:

• Onesies/sleepers:  I especially love the zip up sleepers.  Fumbling for buttons at 3am is no beuno!  That first month we changed outfits AT LEAST three times a day.  Leaking diapers, spit up, and breastmilk everywhere!
• Homemade burpcloths:  the ones made out of cloth diapers = my favorite!  They are absorb wonderfully!
• Extra crib sheets/basinet sheets/changing pad covers:  Same thing as the outfits... they get pretty messy, so extras are nice :)
• Clothes hangers:  I had to keep buying more!!

Things to keep in mind:

Don't panic if you feel like you have too many of something, chances are you will be grateful for the extras.  I thought I had way too many burpcloths and blankets at first.  After I had Norah Kate I was so excited when I got a few late gifts with homemade burpcloths and things, because I was thinking about buying more!!

Don't open up or take the tags off of every little thing.  Because I had such a big baby, I had to return some of her newborn size diapers, she was in size 1s pretty quick.  I had actually opened up one pack too many, and I HATED wasting those diapers!  I also only washed up and took the tags off her newborn and most of her 0-3 months clothes.  You can always return extras OR regift ;)

Don't stress too much about the nursery.  I was bound and determined to have her nursery finished a month before she got here.  Haha!  She has yet to sleep in that crib at night, and has only taken a few naps in it!  I am trying to gradually get her used to her room.  We have just started our bedtime routine in there, I rock and nurse her in her room after bathtime, and read a story to her.  Then she gets laid down in the Pack-n-play in our room.  Really, if you had room for a basinet/Pack-n-Play and changing station in the master bedroom, you could probably get out of not having a nursery for the first few months all together (unless your were one of those that wanted your baby to start out in her own room from the get go, not this mama!).

Don't get your heart set on one particular brand of bottles/pacifiers etc.  I literally have almost every brand paci and bottle.  We had to test run several brands until we found what she liked.  NK is pretty picky about what goes in her mouth!

Go ahead and register for things they might use/need later.  Walker, electric socket covers, sippee cups, eating utensils, ect.  Also register for gender neutral things.  That stuff is expensive, and a lot of stuff you will not get at second baby showers.  If we have a boy next, most of the high priced items are gender neutral!  Yay!

Have a little first aid/ medicine kit handy.  I would have hated to make a trip to Walmart in the middle of the night for Tylenol, or a thermometor, or gas drops!  P.S.  Don't leave the hospital without their suction bulb!  The store bought ones don't hold a candle to it!  It's big and orange and ugly, but works like charm!!

You could probably talk to ten different mothers and they would all give you a list of different things they "had to have" but these were my favorites and things I learned!  Hope it helps!

Baby Blues

After having Norah Kate, I could not wait to get home from the hospital.  I mean, they weren't really giving me anything or doing anything for me that I couldn't do at home.  Things seemed easy enough...



Well, as you all know from my previous blog about breastfeeding... things didn't continue to stay easy once I got home!  Between the breastfeeding fiasco and the hormonal surge... I was an emotional wreck.  I had learned about the baby blues in nursing school, but experiencing it was completely different!  It was probably a good thing that I did not have to have a C-section, because had I stayed in the hospital for three days (that was right around when things got tough) I probably would STILL be there!  Haha.

I have been debating about blogging about this because it is pretty personal to me still... but I think that people who may be experiencing or will experience the baby blues need to know they aren't alone.  I think there are a multitude of things that make up the "baby blues:" 

1.  Suddenly being completely and totally responsible for a little human being that depends on you for everything.  Food.  Comfort.  Cleanliness.  Nuture.  Whew, talk about stressful.

2.  Sleep deprivation.  I had my alarms set on my phone.  Crazy, yes, I know.  I had nightmares before I had Norah Kate that I would forget to feed her or change her.  Needless to say, I set alarms for every three hours during the day and every four hours at night so that I wouldn't skip a feeding.  I would try to take a nap when she was sleeping during the day, but because of my issues with breastfeeding I couldn't actually fall asleep... I was constantly researching, Googling, reading, worrying about my milk supply and breastfeeding techniques.

3.  Hormonal changes.  Like PMS on a whole different level folks.  Worse, mainly because you can't just put on your pjs and crawl in bed until its over.

4.  Bodily changes.  Umm, yeah, enough said...

(For more info, visit this site Baby Blues)

It was the craziest feeling... Things were perfect.  My baby was healthy, beautiful, and an absolute blessing.  She was not "colicky."  I had a WONDERFUL delivery, not traumatic experiences.  I had a huge support system. (Later, I told my mom that I don't see how single moms, or teenagers do it.)  But at the same time, all I wanted to do was cry. I wasn't really sure if I was cut out for this, you know, being a mom thing.  She was so perfect, I dang sure didn't want to mess things up by being a bad mom!  I had created a lot of pressure on myself by my own expectations of motherhood.

I remember sitting in her nursery, about that 4th or 5th night, holding and rocking Norah Kate and just crying.  Then I would feel guilty, because I didn't want the baby to think she was doing something wrong. I would laugh about how much I was crying.  I also remember, I think it was the 4th day, a lady from the church came to visit, bless her sweet heart, and I just looked at my mama panicked.  I gave Mama the baby and went and hid in my bedroom.  I just started weeping.  I told Mama, "I just want everyone to think that everything is okay!"  I finally got myself together and put a smile on for my visitor (I don't think I was very convincing.)  People weren't supposed to see me like this, I was supposed to have it all together.

The weepiness was worse when the sun went down.  I could be fine all day, then when it would start getting dark outside, bring on the tears.  I can laugh about it now, about how ridiculous I probably looked, but at the time it was not funny.

I started to get worried after about two days of my emotional craziness, and I told Matt that sometimes women can get post partum depression or psychosis and if I started acting too crazy to get me some help.  Luckily though, after about a week things were back to normal.  By the time I went to my 2 week post partum check up, I was much much much better.  My nurse practioner asked me about post partum depression, and I told her I had experienced the "baby blues," and she assured me it was normal.

Note:  If you are so emotional that it gets in the way of your ability to care for your child, or if you feel like you could harm your baby, get help right away, because that is a condition more serious than the "baby blues!"

I am glad that my baby blues didn't last, and that I feel better.  It is common though, to experience a little case of the blues after having a baby, just know that you are not crazy, take things one day at a time, and you aren't alone.  Rest as much as you can, and embrace the help if  you have it.  Talk to someone and most importantly, talk to your doctor if you think you need to.  Those first two weeks are rough, but I promise things get sooooo much easier as you and your baby get used to your new life!  Now two months later and there are very few tears shed, much more sleep at night, a lot less craziness, and somewhat of a do-able routine!! So hang in there! Believe me, when you start getting those precious smiles that melt your heart, you too will be able to look back and laugh (how could I ever question something so sweet?) :)

It's a Love Story

This past weekend we celebrated my husband's grandparents 70th wedding anniversary.  Amazing!  That truly is a lifetime of love.  I felt so honored to even witness such an occasion.  It inspired me to blog about mine and Matt's little love story.



The Bride & Groom



I am not going to go on and on about how it was love at first sight, and so on.  We are not a really mushy gushy couple and I don't talk about how we came about to often.

Matt and I met through a mutual friend when we were in the tenth grade.  He caught my eye that night.  Something about his quietness, and those blue eyes.  I can't remember now how we ever got on that first date, if he called me, or I called him... I guess it don't really matter now.  Anyhow, I remember my mom taking me shopping that day so I could have something cute to wear.  I also remember Matt being late... haha... that should have been a sign there.  He had to work and was like an hour late.  I thought he had stood me up.  We went on a double date to a little country restaraunt.  Matt and I "talked" for a few weeks after that, and kept in touch through high school, but it never turned into anything serious.  We went to different high schools so it wasn't like we saw each other every day, and I eventually started dating someone else.

I didn't know Matt was the one I wanted to marry, but I knew I wanted to marry someone like him.  He was always so hardworking, and I think that is what I admired most about him.  At sixteen years old, to work as hard as he did, is something to speak about.  Matt called me during my first semester of college and said he thought we should go on another "first" date.  I was going through a break up at the time and didn't really know if I wanted to start dating anyone else.  I finally decided that I should give it another try, but then it took almost another month to get Matt to take me out!  What?!  I thought he wanted to go on another date.  Matt always played a little bit "hard to get."  Anyways... we went to a Halloween party for our second "first" date.  I primped and primped in front of the mirror and changed outfits a dozen or more times.  I was so excited!  I don't think either of us really knew that it was going to be the first night of our lifetime together :)

That night, something did spark, or it did for me atleast, but I wasn't sure about it.  Things were on and off between us for the next six months.  It was that next summer that I realized he was the one I wanted to marry.  I just couldn't picture the rest of my life without him.  I had visited Auburn University school of veterinary medicine,  (I was a Chemistry major with intentions of going to vet school), and I was working in a vet's office.  On the way home from Auburn, I just had this bittersweet feeling... it just didn't feel right.  I couldn't imagine going there (or anywhere for that matter) without him and I knew we couldn't pick up the farm and move it to Alabama.  I was only 20 years old though, did I really know what I wanted? 

I remember the night I told my daddy I was changing my major to nursing.... He knew he was in trouble then.  Even though I wouldn't come right out and say it, I think he knew I was bit by the love bug.  He told me I was NOT getting married until I finished school.  I would have married Matt that summer, had he asked me, but he respected my daddy's wishes.  He proposed to me the December before I graduated and we got married the following October.  I have three days in my life that make me get a little emotional every time I think about them... the day Matt proposed, the day we got married, and the day I gave birth to my baby.  I don't think anything else can top those three days!



Even though our love story  is not like something you see in theatres or read in a book, it is ours... He is my other half....  God created him special for me and I couldn't imagine my life without him.  I have no regrets about changing my major or career path.  Even from the time I was a little girl, I knew regardless of anything else, I wanted to be a wife and mother.  Just like I thank God every night for my little girl, I thank Him for my husband also.  Matt is a wonderful provider, a loving husband, and a great father.  Seeing him with Norah Kate makes me love him that much more.  Even though there are always things that get on my nerves, make me mad, or just plain drive me crazy, there are so many more things that make me smile, make my heart melt, and make me love him that much more.  Dirty laundry, dirt tracks in the back door, and shaving cream in the sink isn't enough to make me search for something better, because I know I wouldn't find it. 

People can be so negative about marriage and discouraging.  They tell you how hard it is.  I don't know many things in life that come easy, being a mother is difficult, being a wife is harder, but I would not trade either for anything, my life wouldn't be worth living if I did!  My husband and my daughter are just a part of who I am.  I pray that we are blessed enough to have 70 more years together!  Thank you Grandma and Papa for sharing your special day with us, and more importantly for setting a wonderful foundation for your children and grandchildren!  We love you!

"What ever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." -Emily Bronte

Shopping with Mommy

I have figured out that my shopping experiences will never be the same.  First of all, clothes just don't fit the same as they used to.  I was ticky before about what I wore, now if I find something it isn't likely that it is going to fit like I want it to.  I miss my maternity clothes!!  I loved showing off my baby bump... now I have bumps that I am trying camoflauge!  Also, when picking out something to wear, I have to think about comfort... I don't have time to be fighting with sleeves, straps, or strings along with an infant.

Fortunately, during our trip to the mall she slept the whole time!  I know I will not always be so lucky :)  However, there were other incidences that made the trip challenging, starting when we first got to the parking lot.  I had gotten her stroller out of my trunk and was leaning in the car to get her carseat out.  I hear someone talking to me, "Ma'am... excuse me ma'am... your stroller is rolling down the hill."  Oh no!!  I look up to see my stroller rolling away down the parking lot.  Talk about embarassment!  I was mortified.  Thank God poor little Norah Kate wasn't in it!  Lesson number one, ALWAYS lock the wheels to the stroller.  I will NEVER forget that one!  On the other hand... there was a group of girls walking and they were like "Oh my gosh, look, there goes a stroller."  Seriously, help a girl out!  Don't just stand there!

Next is the dressing room and bathroom issue, even the handicap stalls are almost too small for me and the stroller.  Not to mention the manuevering in between clothes racks.  If I had a nickel for every time I bumped the stroller into something I would have been one rich lady!

The other issue, strangers wanting to touch my baby.  Ew. Gross.  Please keep your hands away from and off my stroller.  What is  your cold could be pneumonia for her little baby immune system.  I love it how people say, "I would take a closer peek, but I have this cold, I think it might be the flu."  Ummm no, please don't.  I really want to just take the stroller and run.  There was one lady who was talking about how she has had this funk for over a month and has been on antibiotics and yadayada... I literally kept side stepping between her and the stroller.  Thank you and have a great day.

I also have a new appreciation for automatic doors.  Have you ever tried to hold open a heavy door and push the stroller through?  Maybe there is a trick to it that I haven't figured out yet.

I was glad Norah Kate slept through her first mall experience.  I don't think I could have handled her giving me those looks with her eyebrows raised, "Mommy, what are you doing to me?"

2 Month Check Up

This week has been full of doctors visits for us!  Monday, I had to get my teeth cleaned, Tuesday I had my 6 week check up (even though it was 2 weeks late), and yesterday we had our 2 month check up!  Norah Kate was such a good girl!  I don't know how I am the lucky mama that has the well-behaved baby in the waiting rooms.  She slept through both appointments Monday and Tuesday. 

I was only 10 minutes late for all three apointments which is a huge improvement.  I am getting better with this whole getting out of the house thing.  It still frazzles my nerves a little bit though, by the time I get to where I am going I am usually a little on edge.  To get me ready, her ready, pump or nurse before we leave, make sure the diaper bag is stocked, takes a lot of pre-planning/time.  Half of the time I am leaving the house with wet hair, no make up, no jewelry, and only half matching... No one is looking at me anyways (which is just fine!) not with that pretty little girl in the picture, and she is always dressed like a model. 

At the office yesterday, she weighed 11lbs 4 ounces and was 23 inches long.  She was in the 62nd percentile for weight and 72nd percentile for height.  I am so proud of her.  We are following the growth chart to a "T"!  She is also meeting/exceeding all of her developmental milestones, not to brag or anything :)



She got two shots and did her "for real" cry... you know the one with real tears and crying so hard no noise is coming out.  I now know the true meaning of "this hurts me worse than it hurts you."  If I could have taken the hurt away, I would have in a heartbeat.  It was heartbreaking to see my baby hurting.  She quit crying right after the shots, but it was later that we had a tough time. 

Norah Kate went to sleep before we even left the doctors office and slept while we went shopping.  Because she was such a good girl we had to go get a prize.  She got two pretty little smocked dresses for the spring, a pretty bow for her hair, and a play center for the floor.  I know, I know, I am ruining her already... but you know what... I don't care.

When we got home, while we were changing a diaper, she was really sore.  She would scream everytime she kicked her feet... then she would get mad and kick her feet even more.  I wanted to cry with her.  I finally swaddled her up and just rocked her.  I felt so bad for her, she didn't get put down until later that night when she was feeling better.  My mama rocked her while I unloaded groceries, my mother-in-law rocked her while I went for my run, and Matt came home and rocked her while I cooked supper.  She got lots and lots of love yesterday.  I kept Tylenol in her system and gave her a warm bath before bed.  She seemed to feel much better before bedtime and was even smiling and laughing before the night was over. 

Today, I have my happy baby back.  It's amazing to me how much I love that little smile.  Every time she smiles or laugh, I literally get a little teary-eyed, it feels like someone is directly hugging my heart.  Haha, if she gets me figured out by toddlerhood, I am going to be up the creek, so to say.  What's the point of having babies if you can't spoil them though?  I don't want her to be bratty by no means, but I want her to feel the love.  I didn't hear "no" very much growing up, and I turned out ok.