First time walking in hard sole shoes. It’s a brand new world for her.
My baby is growing up. ::sniff sniff::
Tag Archives: Baby
Wordless Wednesday – My Baby and Her Doppelganger
16 Feb
My Baby and Her Doppelganger ~AmyonthePrairie
Requesting a Frequent Customer Punch Card for Dr. Visits
15 FebWe have two young girls, ages one and three. Our girls attend daycare three days a week and it’s Winter here in the frozen tundra. We have been sick for months and this week is no exception. I have a lovely lingering sinus infection and our youngest has strep. There are weeks where it seems we are always at the doctor office for a mystery rash (aren’t they all a mystery?), ingrown toenail, ear infection, fever, diaper rash, pinkeye, or the new and interesting illness that I have yet to learn about. I know other parents are in the same, sick and coughing boat.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we received a frequent customer punch card? After the 12th visit a free coffee or a box of kleenex? Honestly, even a pat on the head would feel good sometimes.
On a related note, these are some of my tips or lessons (take your pick) for surviving repeated doctor visits.
1. Our clinic posts a sign, “No Food or Drink Beyond this Door.” I am a repeat offender of breaking that rule. If I have to bring both girls into the clinic I stock the diaper bag with sippys, dry cereal, and a bag of fruit snacks in case of emergency. Some visits can take up to an hour. I need every trick up my sleeve to just make it to the diagnosis.
2. Need a diaper rash cure? Ask a mom and skip the copay at the doctor’s office. My friend, Susan, advised me to use a mixture of Aquaphor and Lotrimin for severe diaper rash. Our pharmacist confirmed her advice. That is the best salve for our babies’ bottoms.
3. If a doctor does not have kids, chances are they will not put your child’s diaper on tight enough after the exam. Do it yourself and spare your child a leaky diaper in the car ride home.
4. My child has perpetually cold fingers. Finger pokes for various tests were excruciating until I learned to ask for a warm pack for her finger in advance. Much better now!
5. For some reason the clinics we take our daughters to do not have safety latches on any of the various drawers and cabinetry in the exam room. I spend most of my time keeping them out of the trash and drawer with the sharp pokey things. New moms, beware of the lack of babyproofing in exam rooms.
I’ve run out of steam. Moms, what tips should I add?
Mommy Badges
5 JanI was thinking today that I was a veteran mom. And then I thought, says who? So, I thought I would post about all the mommy badges that I think I’ve earned.
This isn’t an entirely original idea. Well, I had the idea and then I googled “mommy badge” to discover that Mama Merit Badges existed. I like her style. She posts 10 badges that include breastfeeding, medical, tantrum, travel, diaper, sleeping, and first birthday. Perfect. In my head though, I had a lot more specific badges in mind. Get comfy, this could take a while.
Constant Morning Sickness Badge – I earned this badge for two pregnancies. I was sick from conception until delivery with both girls. Awesome times included throwing up at work and a trip to the ER for dehydration. Two badges please.
Extreme Puke Badge - Like most parents, I have been thrown up on, lots of times. But, I have one memorable car trip that I call “the puke mobile” that earns me one major badge – a big one! On New Year’s Eve 2009 my mom and I drove 6 hours to North Dakota with both girls. Twenty minutes into the trip my nearly two-year old daughter threw up. That was a bad omen. The poor sweetie puked pretty much the entire trip. Puke on a car seat is horrendous. And the lesson learned from that trip means that I pack a roll of paper towels, wet wipes, plastic bags, and 3 outfit changes per girl minimum. My mom was a champ. I owe her.
Extreme Poop Badge - This badge can be earned for extraordinary poop events. I have photographic evidence of at least one momentous poop with my youngest. 
I definitely earned this badge several times over. The last time involved toddler poop all over a bean bag. Disgusting.
Crying Badge - I earned mine for crying during shots and at daycare drop off.
Being “THAT” Family Badge - This badge can be earned for making a scene in a public space in a way that disturbs the peace and wrecks your sanity. Usually it involves a series of embarrassing events that spiral out of control. Our latest incident involved a diaper leak, a dramatic strawberry milk spill, outfit changes for both girls, and a major meltdown when I threw away the remainder of the milk after the toddler said she was done – then changed her mind. We got out of there as fast as we could.
What other badges should I add? What badges have you earned?
