Bucket O' Toys

Saturday was an exciting day for our little boy. He took his first long car trip with a forward facing car seat. This was an exciting trip for me as well because I finally had all my leg room back. (Well okay, all the leg room that I can get in a Honda Civic.)

The boy is getting very active and to the stage where he likes to roam and cruise so I stole an idea from this friend. She came to visit with her little girl and we went on a nice long trip so that could I soak up her creative traveling ideas and amazing car loading abilities. (Really, you should see her load the car with stuff for 2 women, a baby, and a 2 year old. I was in awe.) The tip that worked this Saturday was to place a nice full basket of toys on the back seat next to the boy so he could grab toys and entertain himself. This worked a little too well because he wanted to play and not sleep. Admittedly, we had to sing songs from all of our favorite musicals the last hour of the trip because he was over tired and cranky, but who doesn't have to do that sometimes?

For more fun tips check out Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday

I discovered that Works for me Wednesday is really every Wednesday over at Rocksingmydryer.com Now, I can't commit to every Wednesday, but I'll do it when I can.

What works for me is a kind pediatrician that listens to me. We moved to a different city 10 weeks after the baby was born. I had severe post-partum depression, a colicky baby, and no mental ability to look for a good pediatrician. I just would fly back to visit my parents for the baby's check ups. Then the baby got sick.

We were directed to the nicest doctor in the whole wide world. Not only is she very knowledgeable, but she listens to me. She asks questions and then explains why she is doing things over the baby's screaming.

Why does this work for me? Because I've had many bad experiences with doctors in general. One doctor yelled at me when I asked about the hospital's rules on receiving an epidural. It went something like, "You don't have to get one. Why does everyone assume they have to and that I'm going to force them? (in a nasty sarcastic tone) Do whatever you want." Granted he wasn't my doctor, just one in the group that I was meeting in case he was on call when I went into labor. I'm glad he wasn't on call because I would have been the patient that threw a fit until another doctor came to deliver my baby.

Then there was the pediatrician that told me to give my baby gas drops because he was crying. I knew that something else was wrong because my baby was crying inconsolably for HOURS every day. Not just a few minutes at a time, but HOURS. This particular doctor did not seem the least bit concerned and sent us on our way. The next week we switched to a doctor that listened and were so much happier when he found the reflux and gave the poor child some medicine.

So, that I randomly found an excellent pediatrician that let's me ask stupid first time mom questions is a near miracle in my book. Not only that, but today she complimented me on my hair cut. It was a compliment, but made me realize how much the baby's been sick the past month so that she even would notice that I had cut my hair, and how grateful I am that God provides good doctors in this world to take care of children.

So, my advice is that if you as a mom have concerns and a doctor is rude to you, ignores your questions, or blows you off then, switch doctors.

Works For Me Wednesday

I have a friend that does this the first Wednesday of every month and I love reading all about what works for her. So, I thought I would jump on the bandwagon. Today is What Doesn't Work For You.

What doesn't work for me is to get a colicky baby on a sleep schedule. I laugh now when people mention that they used Babywise and did I try it? I had about 4 strangers mention this book to me and our dentist even gave us a free signed copy. (This was not funny at the time). A friend, who also had a colicky baby, gave me the advice to respond to this with, "That really doesn't work when your baby has acid reflux. but thank you for the advice." Most people would look at you like you were the worst parent in the world, but it did help me to remember they: 1. Have never had children or 2. Had really easy children that never had reflux. or 3. Don't remember what it was like the first 6 months. My advice to new moms. Get sleep, any sleep, no matter what. If your baby is staying up all night screaming and the only way to get it to stop is for them to sleep upright, in a swaddle blanket with one arm poking out, on top of you while you are propped up on pillows on the couch, then do it. Your baby will not be scarred for life and never learn to fall asleep on their own. Yes, eventually they will develop a routine and you can work with them, but the first 6 months the motto is Sleep By Any Means Necessary.

What does work for me is those wonderful Overnight Diapers that Huggies make. The boy, who now is the best sleeper, was waking up with wet PJ bottoms. We bought the overnights and haven't had a problem since. I love them. They are worth the extra money.

For more tips head over to Rocks in My Dryer.