In a Nutshell - Or am I a nut?

OK - This is going to sound like a rant so I will not post until I have re-read. (Then it will probably still sound like I am ranting-but truly I am not the mad hatter - ha ha) I am somewhat opinionated for the two of you who didn't already know this. I recently while browsing the Internet ran across a website that seemed to be judging while implying not wanting to be judged. How does this work? Let me say this first before I begin -
I really truly (honestly) love all of you mom's who made your own baby food and breast fed until you were blue in the face. I never judged you while you were feeding your baby at the park or on the airplane. I never judged you because I envied you. I was fortunate enough to have breast fed Gage until he was 6 months old. With Ella however, I could not make it work. Anyways, back to my point. Today as I was reading about how wonderful slings and breast milk are I was also reading about how awful swings are - and baby food and formula and bouncy chairs and baby carriers (other than slings) and television and well you get the picture. The author of this was at the same time asking not to be judged for feeding her children in public??
I think that almost every mom can say that whatever was used in rearing her children she did the best she could with what worked best for her family. Don't judge us mom's who use baby food from a jar and formula and toys that may not last very long - because the truth is we are probably just an insy bit jealous of you moms who don't. That being said - GO MOMs everywhere!

This takes me to my second wind of chatter. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get Ella to get rid of her sippy cup! Can some one help me?! I don't know if Gage was easier to transition into new phases in his life or what, but I don't remember it being this hard with him.
Those two are so different, it really amazes me.

Gage is my shy guy. He is extremely competitive, sometimes to the point that it's upsetting because of his fiery temper. I think he forgets that we started by just having a good time. He is not like this all of the time though..only when he is losing..haha..not really haha though. He is also very compassionate and can be a great big sweet heart. I found a note he wrote while cleaning our basement last night. It said "My mom is the prettiest mom in the world. I love her a lot". What a way to get the eyes teared up. He has given his extra change to classmates for freezy pop Friday's when they didn't have any and he once let his friend hand out his snacks on snack day because the friend forgot his snacks and became very upset. He even tears up at sad parts in movies. He listens pretty well, or pretends to at least. He is definitely more of a morning person like his dad. He takes chances but doesn't like to get hurt, and when he does, he never minds a little healing kiss or an ice pack. He really is my little guy. He loves dinosaurs and bugs and sports and if the sun is up, he is outside. He will still hold my hand and give me a kiss good bye (when no one is watching) and let me tell you, I will take what I can get.
Ella on the other hand - is wildly outgoing. She will say hello to anyone. She may be waving to the car next to us, or starting a conversation with the person behind us at the grocery checkout line, or just making a new temporary friend at the park. She is just like her mom when it comes to wanting to stay up late at night and sleep late in the morning. She is my wild child. She has no fear of the unknown, which completely freaks me out. She is bruised and scratched and doesn't much complain about a skinned knee. She is as opinionated as any two year old could possibly be and everything has to be done the way she wants it done. She hates bugs and sprinklers but loves being outside and playing in the rain. She loves to give BIG kisses and hugs and tells everyone she is no longer a baby, but a big girl with big muscles.
With each new person they become as they get older and enter new stages in their lives, I fall in love with them all over again. I hope that if I can give them anything in life, I can give them the ability to look back and be able to say they had good childhood memories. I hope to give them the ability to see, hear, smell and touch the world around them. I hope to give them the confidence that they can do anything and go anywhere in life. I hope they don't judge others but feel free enough to share their opinions. I hope they will always know they are loved.

(pillow case racing)