Birthday, Piercing, Etc...

Yesterday, Jan. 21 was Jay's 43rd birthday.
Yes, Jay is 16 years older than me.
We all know that I am ONLY 27 years old!

Four years ago last Sunday (Jan. 20),
Jay and I found out that we were having a baby.
That same embryo that was growing inside me four years ago
finally got her ears pierced last Saturday.

She also reminded me to buy her Daddy a birthday cake,
and then helped me bake and decorate the cake,
eat the left over M&Ms, and lick the spatula.

Speaking of piercing...

I was planning to get her ears pierced last Christmas
but ,1) I was too chicken to do it, and 2) Emma kept saying "no."
Until I asked her again and reminded her that
her BFF Ella has pierced ears.

I received different reactions to this whole
ear piercing event.
One half said "Finally!"
Then there's the other half who thinks it's just silly,
and that it just shows how people were raised differently.
(That was actually said in a way that did not sit well with me.)

Is it really just silly?
Should I have waited until she's old enough to want it?

But waiting for me just does not feel right.
In fact, I feel like I have neglected this part of motherhood.
I know some of you will think it's weird but look at MY facts.

1) As far as I can remember, I've always worn earrings.
2) Almost every female that I know of had their ears pierced at
an early age. Some in fact, even before they leave the hospital.
3) I have not heard any one of them ever regretting or even
blaming their mothers for doing it.
4) My Dad, who has strict rules on things did NOT even object
to getting my ears pierce as a child.

Ear piercing is second nature to us!
It’s like a rite of passage.
It is another way for mothers and daughters to bond.
The easiest way to end gender assumptions.
I can even say its tradition.

But to call it silly?
I feel like my whole existence and beliefs just got trivialized.

SILLY MY FOOT!