This is Me Part Two

Feb 28, 2011 by cafebebemama

A few weeks ago, I took up the challenge of a “meme” from Tara Cain called “This is Me Meme”. The challenge was to get your child to draw YOU. My 2 yrs 9months Little Miss made a rather lovely sketch of her Mummy. I love toddler art…there’s nothing like it!

My favourite part of the drawing is that Little Miss drew herself as well. Next to me, naturally! I also find that she’s rather accurately drawn my general apple shape which is slightly distressing but she has managed to give me some nice skinny legs. Precious girl!

I’m not entirely sure what’s over my head though…maybe the sun? And of course, I love my wonky smile. I never knew I had a wonky smile!

But I digress as one does when analysing children’s art. You see, I was challenged by another lovely blogger, to further define myself. Amy from And 1 More Means Four…Plus One More has tagged me to Fill in the Blanks!

I’ve realised that the majority of my posts lately have either been about Gluten-Free eating/diet/recipes or photo related. I quite enjoy the photo themed posts but perhaps you might like to learn a little bit about the woman behind Cafe Bebe? Or not? Here goes either way:

I am…an outwardly confident, chatty sort of gal who seems quite capable but inside I wobble over a lot of things. I am eager to please, willing to bend, happy to change if it makes life easier for others. I forget about myself all of the time. When an email pings through, I ping it straight back. I’m keen to be accepted and liked. I’m still seeking approval in everything I do. I am a good mummy but I constantly wonder if I could be better.

The bravest thing I’ve done…was to leave behind my life, family and friends and take a chance on an Englishman. I was 34 years old when I left the US to start a Study Abroad Programme in France which just so happened to be a channel away from the man I would fall head over heels in love with. 6 weeks after finally meeting he proposed; 4 months after leaving the US I was introduced to a new country and the rest of my life; 3 months after settling in the East Midlands I journeyed back to the US to wrap up that part of my life; 1 year to the day that he proposed we were married. Not only was it the BRAVEST thing I’ve ever done, it was the best.

I feel prettiest when…I take the time to dress properly. I don’t mean dress “up” necessarily but when I am wearing clothes that fit me and flatter me. I also feel prettiest when I do my hair and makeup and make an effort to look less “slummy mummy” and more ME. My husband notices it and always comments which should tell me that I should do it more often. Lack of money and low self-esteem thanks to still-packed-on-post-pregnancy-pounds tend to stop me from doing this.

Something that keeps me awake at night is…fear of not being the best that I can be. Fear that one day my husband won’t look at me in the same way and will feel less in love with me. Fear that one day my daughter will hate me. Fear that one day I won’t be here to look after my daughter and husband and they’ll have to find a path without me.

My favourite meal is…difficult for me to eat now as I can’t! My favourite meal used to be lasagne. Now that I can’t eat “proper” pasta, lasagne doesn’t have the same attraction as gluten-free pasta isn’t as nice. I love pizza and chips (now both gluten-free) and I’m quite fond of Pad Thai with Rice Noodles. My meals have changed and it’s still taking me a while to get used to it.

The way to my heart is…to love me unconditionally. No matter if I disappoint you, no matter if I screw up, no matter if I’m cranky and miserable. If you can still love me and accept me with all of my weaknesses, you’re in! My husband does this every day. My daughter does this, without knowing, every day. Oh, and if you bring me a Coke and a gluten-free item of some sort, you’re also in!

I would like to be…able to add to our family by succeeding at my freelance work. Cafe Bebe Media was “launched” last week as I registered as self-employed with HMRC. I would love to be able to buy things for me, for Little Miss, for my husband. I’d love to be able to treat us to a trip to America this year as we haven’t been back for a year and a half. I would like to be thought of well in the blogging community and respected for my abilities. I would like to be thought of as a good mother with a delightful daughter. I would like to be a better wife and a stronger me.

What do you think about me then?

I’d like to challenge 3 beautiful bloggers to FILL IN THE BLANKS:

Tales from the Village (Rachael), Mummy Matters (Sabina) and Rosie Scribble (Rosie)