Big Boy Bike!

Last week, Chad took Jordan out to ride his bike around the neighborhood for the first time.  He had ridden in the driveway a little, but not for a long time.  He actually made it all the way around.  At first he was really cautious and wanted Chad to be holding him but then he got more and more comfortable and he was cruising before long!  He had to announce to every person we passed that he was riding his new bike all by himself.  

He's a Stud, She's a Slut

He's a Stud, She's a Slut, 

and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know

By Jessica Valenti

I've had this book on my list of books to read since at least last year and I finally got around to reading it (mostly while sitting on a hard, wooden bench while Chad and Jordan rode rides at Great America).  I wouldn't necessarily consider myself an outspoken feminist, but I am proud to be a woman and there are some things that really bother me.  This book is full of double standards evident in society today when it comes to men and women.  The title refers to the fact that if a guy sleeps with lots of women he's considered a stud, while a woman can sleep with lots of men - or not even - just have the reputation as dating lots of men and she is labeled a slut.  It was interesting to read about how many double standards there are that I kind of overlook.  

One that I have realized now that I am raising Jordan has to do with the gender-biased toys.  Jordan hangs out with lots of girls at daycare all day so he knows all of the Disney princesses and has seen pretty much all of their movies.  When given a chance he would much rather play with trains and trucks but he does like all kinds of toys.  He likes imagining and making food and I considered getting him a microwave for Christmas (because we have no room for an entire kitchen setup) but a certain French store I visited only had pink microwaves.  Hmm...what kind of message is that sending our girls?  Hate.

The other thing that really drives me crazy is that boys are supposed to be all tough, and then if they're not, there are those like-nails-on-a-chalkboard comments that refer to boys as being weak like girls: "Don't be such a girl," "You're such a sissy," (or insert another such words I soooo hate).  And here's one that drives me insane: "Don't be such a Sally...or Mary."  It's so not cool to be a girl.  What about girls who want to play sports or play in the dirt or like dinosaurs - oh, they're tomboys and that's really not all that big of a deal.  Extra-hate.

I'm proud to be a strong, opinionated woman.  I'm a mom and I love it.  I'm a wife and I love it.  I have a college degree and post-graduate degree and a career and I love it.  I'm a woman and I love it!

What do you think about the state of women in our country?  Have you experienced any of these or other double standards?  Please, share!

Great America Fail

I said earlier that we went to Great America on Monday to try out their water park...but it poured on us before they even opened.  We were in the park riding rides when it just started to rain and then really drench us.  We had to race back to the car.  Jordan and Chad at least got to ride one ride!

Water Park Mania!

I cannot even being to describe to you how elated I am that the water park is open now!  We had a great time there on Saturday and Sunday!  We get season passes so we can go whenever we want for as long (or short) as we want.  It's awesome.  It's perfect that it's barely a five minute drive, too.  

On Monday I convinced Chad to take us to Great American to try their water park because we've never been...but it poured on us...I'll post a pic of that later.  We did, however, get to the water park on Tuesday night after work.  I just love it.  I especially love it being as pregnant as I am because my belly floats and it doesn't weigh me down and make me tired and whiny like it does when I'm out of the water!  

Here's my little peanut sitting in the water!  You can tell by his smile that he loves the water park, too!

Jordan and mom

BFFs!

All my fun baby shower craftiness was for Emily this weekend!  Emily and April are my two bestest friends from college.  It was fun to get my belly together with Emily's belly.  I just had to post this picture.  I feel like I don't get to see these girls enough!

Emily, April, and Jen