parenting words of advice

while setting up our new office, i found the "words of advice" that my family and friends wrote, at one of riley mac's baby showers. here are some of my favorites.

"Save lots of money - Girls are NOT cheap! You cannot send them back, so love them everyday, even though there is no manual." (Chris Windham, my mother)

"You should have just said, 'No!'" (Jaclyn Schwenk; Look at you, now, Jac! Hehe)

"When in doubt, and she is into everything in your house, just look out your back window and remember - it could always be worse - a boy - or THREE!" (Gina Noble, my friend and neighbor)

"Try not to spoil her too much! Wait - maybe I should be writing this to myself!" (Kim Windham, my sister)

"Before you let her start doing something - banging on a pot - think about what it may lead to down the road - a future drummer?!" (Dianne Painter)

"Be her best friend." (Courtney Miller)

"Do not think that since the first child was so easy that the second one will be a piece of cake. I did. I was WRONG!" (Jaimee Parman; This better not be a premonition, Jaimee! LOL!)

"Dress her in beautiful outfits, everyday. Bows - LOTS of bows - in every color!! Enjoy each day and do not be afraid to ask for help." (Linda McDaniel)

"Sleep when she sleeps. DO NOT madly clean the house and do laundry!" (Tara Knipper)

"Do NOT let her become a teenager! They go crazy at that age." (Sharon Bush)

"Make the next three boys. They are a lot easier." (Gram; This one especially amused me, as my grandmother only had one girl, and it was her fourth and last child - my mother!)

"DO NOT FEED BABY and then proceed to lift baby over head for cooing and fun! BABY MAY PROJECTILE VOMIT IN MOUTH!" (Beth Ann Hensley)

"Do not be afraid to tell someone at Walmart to keep away from your baby. Gina will be the neighbor on call from 7p-7a. I will take the day shift." (Anna Younger)

"Do not stress over the small stuff. It will pass, and she will move onto something new that is even MORE stressful!" (Pat Lewis)

"Keep your marriage strong, and your baby will thrive. Do not put a TV in her room. READ to her." (Rose Sharon Hunt; Reading has become one of Mac's most favorite things!)

"All I know is that you are supposed to burp them, bathe them, and change their diapers. Good luck figuring out the rest!" (Brooke Feltner)