Thank you for this! Now I don't have to respond to the smug parents...I can just email them a link to this post. ;)

Red and purple. Red and purple!! *drool*

So cute, I love it!

I totally agree, especially if there are stories behind them. :)

Awesome, amazing post. Tangentially-but-substantially-related: my parents are work martyrs. They own a business together, and they work harder than anyone else ever has in the history of humankind. They have employees, and volunteer offers all the time, but since no one else can do it like they do....they end up doing everything themselves. It's definitely all about control issues, the same as with mommy martyrdom.

My sister-in-law just had baby #2, and they're really feeling the impact of the extreme mommy martyrdom with baby #1....baby #2 came by c-section so they need more help than last time, but everyone seems to have backed away because baby #1 won't let ANYone other than mommy help her with ANYthing. It's definitely a family learning process for everyone, myself included!

My friend remembers repeating to herself "my husband needs to find his own path and equilibrium with the baby" whenever he wasn't doing it her way. She was aware of her own control issues, and sometimes left the room or the house to make sure she wouldn't jump in there. :)

This reminds me so much of the OBB post about expectations...because sometimes you may not realize what your expectations are until someone violates them, around marriage, child rearing, and so many other things. I love that you are so aware of this and actively working to strike that balance, as hard as it is, because you want what is best for your son. :)

A gift seems like a lovely idea - though I'm all about giving presents just because, and not for any specific reason like birthdays or other festive occasions.

...I think I just object to the term "push present".

I've been obsessed with Treehouse28 since you posted about them a while back (I think a post about wardrobe remix?). The red wrap top gives me an itchy mouse/trigger finger...

(Plus, I heart blue and green together)

Yes! I hate this too, it's so sad. :(

That skull is perfection!!