#7

TIPS FOR MOTHERHOOD 

by Traci Lavois

Motherhood Tip #7 

The art of compromise, you guys. It's a delicate balance that can sometimes be tough to strike between you and your little one. When you find yourself, toe to toe (or nose to nose) with your pup, just remember there are ways to implement that "mom knows best" mentality without stomping on your pup's independent spirit. 

For example, Carl the Dog decided on a cover photo for his pup memoirs:

He said the photo has a very "hip" vibe with the background bike and his apathetic stare. 

While I love this picture of Carl I think the attitude is of a puppy who's too cool to care and I think Carl is a dog with a love for life, an infectious curiosity, and a sweet rascally streak that this photo (while adorable), fails to capture. 

But instead of telling Carl, no you can't use this hipsterpupapathypic for your memoir cover, I suggested we go over a few more jpg possibilities before we made our final decision. 

 An older picture, yes, but sweet as can be and I think 

it captures beautifully the universal transition 

from pup to young gentleman. 

The classic Carl Through The Screen Door shot is 

another favorite of mine. You can see his deep 

pup-yearning for adventure and freedom and his 

youthful spirit is evident in his silly pup posture. 

Growing up, breaking free, missing mom 

while she's at work, not understanding why I 

can't go everywhere with her...

.I think this shot accurately represents a lot 

of themes that are present in Carl's life and 

ultimately his memoirs.

This dapper pup portrait is another mommy-fave. 

This could be Carl's online dating pup profile pic. 

Sophisticated, cool, casual, and full of swagger, 

this pup is one handsome little nugget bachelor. 

This wee hours of the morning kitchen shot shows a lot about 

who Carl is as a pup and the ideals he believes in. 

He is first and foremost a companion and a son, a side kick, 

and a ray of childish sunshine for those around him. 

The implications of this picture are this: 

I will be here, to lay beside you on the cool hard kitchen tile 

at 4 in the morning while you attempt to re-hydrate 

after a night of bad decisions...

because I am your pup, loyal, tried, and true. 

No judgments, just love, and my sweet calming pup gaze.

And of course you can never go wrong 

with the sweet classic, bandana-ed lap dog pic. 

We are still in the selection process for Carl's cover pic. But we are working on it, together, give and take and compromise. 

This is being a mother.

...lavois

Braz & Rainbowz.

thrifted shorts, Good Will button down, Leopard Lounge belt, Victoria's Secret Bra (buhhh, yes) the oldest falling apartest boots

So for the most part, you guys, I hardly ever wear a bra. I like the way clothes fall better without one and let's be honest, it just feels fuckin right, ok. This is where my boobs are supposed to be, society, here in this honest and humble place on my chest, not strapped back and hoisted up to my collarbone where they can then be thrust into the faces of male mate hopefuls who want to buy me a gin and tonic and do that "im not really listening" head nod while I talk. I get that some women wear them for "support" or "modesty" (fear of nipples) or whatever, and I respect that, but places like Victoria's Secret fail to embrace the complexity of female beauty in their advertisement and product, you guys. There's something fuckin elegant about the natural distance from clavicle to nipple on a woman, sans bra. You could sensually snowboard down those lady slopes right there, man. All I'm saying is it's a lovely and gradual dip that can be absolutely ruined by a perky push up bra. Right? I mean, exactly, right? 

Anyway on a visit home to Texas this past Christmas I agreed to attend a NewBraDay-Trip to the mall with my sister and mom. For them, being conservative, well raised women who, Bible abiding, strap those boobs in, a NewBraDay-Trip is a fun lady day outing to buy a practical wardrobe staple. Not wanting to miss out on this prime female family bonding time, I joined, despite my lackluster feelings about bras in general, fueled only by my blacksheepdesire for the love and acceptance of my family. 

I exclusively shopped for bras that could be worn as tops. A bra as a top is the kind of bra I can get behind. Especially if it has two rows of frills and a sweet little bow. I bonded super hard on that day in December and this is my NewBraDay-Trip treasure. 

My sister was torn between admiration for my boldness in bra selection, and sorrow for my surely damned soul. 

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...lavois