Veteran Mom = "Salty" LTJG

While at a party for a friend's child's one year birthday, I got to have an awesome Mom moment...  I was able to channel whatever skills I've attained as a mom of 2.5 and 1.5 year olds to gently rock a fussy newish born into nearly sleep.  You know, I've perfected the rocking motion, the gentle pat, the shushing sound, and I play a mean game of peekaboo.

On the way out, the Dad commented how I was a "veteran" Mom with "veteran Mom" skills.

And that's when I realized being called a "veteran" Mom of two young kids is like being called "salty" as a LTJG.  This is what I mean...  My kids are still young.  I haven't done anything super challenging yet like start them in school or fight through teenage rebellion.  Heck, I haven't even really tried potty training.  And let's be honest, celebrating birthday's for young kids is more like high fiving yourself that your child -- despite your "best" efforts -- has managed to survive another year as a generally well adjusted tiny human being.  (Do I need to mention the chef's knife incident?)  

It's just like being a LTJG.  It means that you have managed, despite some of the terrible decisions made as an Ensign, to have gained just enough requisite knowledge that the completely clueless Ensign standing next to you makes you look somewhat knowledgeable and dare I say it, "salty."

And now as a Lieutenant with my vast experience of... um... 8 years, I am finally starting to know how little I actually know, just like as a new Mom, I am starting to understand how completely amazing my children have celebrated multiple birthday's.