Mommy Fails Thus Far

Here are the Mommy Fails thus far for me...sigh...I'm sure there will be more to come so stay tuned...

1. Halloween at Mother Goose

We attend a weekly Mother Goose class with other moms and their babies. We sing songs and tell stories for an hour each week. For the class during the week leading up to Halloween, all the babies were supposed to come dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Guess who forgot...moi! Eep! Poor Sebastian was one of three babies who weren't dressed up...boo! Evidence is below...notice we headed straight for the back of the group during picture time (in order to hide in shame...) One of the moms even tried to make me feel better by saying that his Canucks bib can count as a costume...really reaching for that one to try to make me feel better...boo...

For the record Baby S does have a costume...Mommy just forgets to put him in it when it's time to dress up!

2. Pumpkin Patch

We had every intention of taking the babe to the pumpkin patch this year...the husband and I were reminiscing about our childhood visits to the pumpkin patch too. Unfortunately a series of weekends with poor weather, rugby games and being sick as a dog resulted in us not attending the pumpkin patch this year. Argh! We were so looking forward to it too... =(

I must say that thoughts of photoshopping our child into a pumpkin-patchy-esque scene has cross my mind...but my skills are non-existent in the realm of photoshopping...please email me your attempts if you so desire and help a mom out! =) Revisionist history... =)

3. Driving home without kid...

We go and have dinner with my parents once a week and we often use this as an opportunity to run errands without the baby...my wonderful parents thoroughly enjoy the alone time with their grandson and granddog while we go out.

This week...after running a bunch of errands...I proceeded to drive home...without the baby or dog...I think the husband found this amusing because he very calmly asked me if I forgot about something...to which I replied, "Huh? What are you talking ab...OH CRAP!"

Yes...it's not as bad as the parents who leave their children at the gas station or daycamp leaders who leave their kids at a park without knowing... (see link below for the story about the daycamp! It's the 4th story down...) but it's still a fail...

http://www.newwestpolice.org/mediaReleases2009-07.html

4. Buying EcoTraction for the sidewalk and almost missing our Christmas Mother Goose class...

We're getting some winter weather...ice...snow...cold...and we're out of sand. Our stairs and sidewalk are notoriously slippery. We don't use salt because of our dog...so we use sand...that is until I saw this product on CBC The Dragons' Den...EcoTraction...http://www.ecotraction.com/

Knowing that it'll probably be sold out pretty soon (just like snow shovels) I rushed off to buy some after I located it at a local hardware store. Ever so pleased with myself for the find I headed home with the baby in tow. He was fussing in the car, so I proceeded to sing a song that we learned in our Mother Goose class...one line into the song and I realized that today was the day of the special Christmas Mother Goose class...and that it was about to start in 10 minutes!!! Yikes! A quick pit stop at home and we made it to the class in time for the start...phew! That was a close call! For the record, I had it written down in my planner...now whether or not I looked in that planner recently...that's a different question! =)

5. Injury during story time...

Baby S and I read books together. One would think that this is a relatively safe activity for a mother and child to partake in...apparently not in this household! Poor Baby S suffered his first boo boo while we were reading a book! He was trying to grab the pages in order to shove them into his mouth...typical...but then he suffered a paper cut on this thumb! Poor guy! I personally dread paper cuts more than any other injury (I'm wincing as I type this by the way)...but my little guy was a trooper! It didn't even phase him! He didn't even cry! I didn't even know it happened until I noticed that there was blood all over my hand!

The ridiculous irony in this is that we were reading a book called Boo Hoo Bird by Jeremy Tankard. (We bought the same book for our friend's daughter because we loved it so much!) It's about a bird that get INJURED and how his friends try to make him feel better afterwards. Of all books to hurt my child with...sigh...

Cloth Diapering Update

Yes, we took the plunge into the world of cloth diapering! Thanks to some good information from a couple of my friends who were kind enough to share their experiences and some good ol' internet research...we were off! =) Everyone else thought we were crazy...but we were so thankful to have a couple of fellow cloth diapering moms to lean on! =)

Our two main reasons for choosing cloth were the following:

-reducing the amount of waste going into our landfills (both the husband and I teach kids about doing our part for the environment...we needed to continue to "walk the walk") Here are some stats: http://www.ec.gc.ca/envirozine/english/issues/45/any_questions_e.cfm

-cost savings...kids are expensive! Although the initial investment into cloth diapers is hefty...the long term savings are HUGE! Check it out: http://www.tinygem.ca/cloth-vs-disposables.shtml

If you want to try to do the math yourself, here's a tool to help you (you'll need the prices of your choices though...) http://www.diaperpin.com/calculator/calculator.asp

We didn't start using the cloth right away...adjusting to parenthood was new enough thank you very much...but once we had a handle on everything, adding cloth diapers to the mix wasn't too bad at all! We were using cloth wipes from the very beginning...they just go into the same wash as the diapers.

You may be thinking the same things when I first thought about cloth diapers...

Ewww...gross!

So much work!

Safety pins and and cloths!

Washing must be gross!!!

It is actually not bad at all! (And this is coming from someone who is grossed out easily...TRUST ME!) Cloth diapers have come a long way in the last few years! The ones we use are pretty similar to a disposeable diaper...have a looksie here:

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?products_id=1279

There are SO many different types of cloth diapers to choose from...you really need to research and see which ones suit your needs best. This particular one works for us...but it may not be ideal for other folks.

We chose this particular diaper for the following reasons:

-one size--it adjusts in size to grow with your baby--don't need to buy different sets of diapers for different stages in the baby's life

-pocket diaper--ability to adjust absorbency needs by adding or removing stuffing--also takes less time to dry in the dryer

-design--easy to put on...just like a disposable diaper because it has velcro attachments...no folding...no pins...easy peasy!

-one piece--no extra cover required

Aside from some pee leaks early on (mostly due to us not putting on the diaper properly)...they have been awesome! No poopy explosions unlike the disposeable diapers we used in the beginning! I'll take pee leaks over poopy explosions any day!!!!! =)

We aren't exclusively using cloth diapers...we use disposables sometimes when we are going out (depending on the outfit)...usually because the cloth diapers are a bit bulkier and some of Baby S's pants don't fit right because of it...and we use a disposable overnight. Cloth diapers don't hold as much as disposables do...we'd have to change Baby S overnight if he was in the cloth (he would wake up more), so we figured using a disposable diaper in order to have uninterrupted sleep is okay! =) We're using cloth for most of the time...we're doing our part...but we're not perfect!

As for washing etc. I think this website does a good job of describing it:

http://www.newandgreen.com/info_diaper_care.html

All in all it is a thumbs up in our household!

Baby S's diaper rashes are minimal to non-existent...

The diaper laundry is manageable...

We are saving money...

Baby S is starting his life in this world by doing his part for the environment...

Let me know if you want to chat diapers! =)

BC Women's Hospital Milk Bank

(See website if you are interested in any of the following:)

Blood donor...check.

http://www.blood.ca/centreapps/internet/uw_v502_mainengine.nsf/page/Home?opendocument

Hair donor...check.

http://www.cancer.ca/british%20columbia-yukon/support%20services/hair%20donations.aspx?sc_lang=en

Registered organ donor...check.

http://www.transplant.bc.ca/index.asp

Registered bone marrow donor...check.

http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/E_ubmdrPKG-intro?OpenDocument&CloseMenu

Donating extra milk to Canada's only human milk bank? Might as well!! =) Everything else seems to be fair game already... =)

Yes...BC Women's Hospital is the home of Canada's one and only human milk bank. They provide milk to babies in the NICU and to babies with mothers who are having trouble producing enough milk. There are also some babies that cannot take formula AT ALL due to allergy issues and health complications...I heard of one mom in Toronto that has milk shipped to her from Vancouver and the U.S. because her baby cannot take any formula...she relies solely on milk banks to feed her child!

There used to be more milk banks around the country...but the whole HIV issue in the 80s caused the closure of most of the milk banks across the country. The one that we have in Vancouver is not funded by the government and relies entirely on donations to continue to operate.

If you are a mom / soon to be mom...please consider donating your extra milk!

If you are looking for a great cause to donate money to...this is a good one! Any amount will make a difference!

Here are some links for more information. I'm also happy to answer any questions from a donor perspective.

http://www.cw.bc.ca/library/pdf/pamphlets/Donor%20Milk%20Bank_bcw800_may05.pdf

http://www.bcwomens.ca/Services/PregnancyBirthNewborns/HospitalCare/Breastfeeding.htm

Keeping Baby S healthy...

Since Baby S is always shoving his thumb or his hands in his mouth...I am very concerned when people start touching his hands! Eep! (Let me disclose that before I had my child, I was the worst offender of this...the first thing I did whenever I met a baby was to reach for his/her hand...now that I am a parent, I have stopped...)

If hand washing is the best defence against getting sick...and babies are unable to wash their own hands regularly...and if babies under the age of 2 are in the high risk group for getting seriously ill from viruses like H1N1...people touching the hands of babies who frequently chomp on their hands are potentially going to get the kid sick! (Unless of course you wash your hands before touching the baby's hands...then you're okay in my books...) Unfortunately, Baby S cannot get his H1N1 vaccine or his flu vaccine until he is 6 months old...argh!

Now, I know that I have a bit of a reputation for being a germaphobe...I will be first to admit it...but I think I'm correct on this one...at least for our child...other parents can decide what they want for their own children. Don't get me wrong...our child does NOT live in a germ-free bubble (those of you who have been to our home can attest to that...eep!)...we don't bleach anything...his toys are not sprayed down...Baby S puts random stuff into his mouth from time to time...and we have a dog! No household with a dog is pristine by any long stretch! But this hand touching thing during this flu season has really touched a nerve with us. Y'all have germy hands...germy hands touch baby hands...baby puts hand in mouth...baby gets sick! Eep!

No parent wants to see their child sick...EVER. The pain and suffering associated with illness, especially in young babies who are unable to tell you what's wrong with them, is heart wrenching! Not to mention the fact that babies can get really sick...really fast because of their young age.

Since babies rely on parents to protect and nurture them in every way, why wouldn't we do our best to try to prevent them from getting sick? I'm not naive...I fully realize that our kid is going to be ill from time to time (I'm sure he'll get his fair share of illnesses from his two teacher parents over time) and that his immunity will be built up over time...blah blah blah...but that doesn't mean that I don't try to prevent him from getting sick when I can...especially at this young age. I certainly take measures to prevent myself from getting sick...and don't we all? I have NEVER heard of any adult wanting to get sick on purpose...and in theory...we can all continue to "build up our immune system" to no end...yet we continue to take preventative measures all the time for ourselves. Yet I often find people saying, "Oh let him get sick...it'll be good for him!" or "It'll be good for his immune system!"...easy words for people who don't have to suffer (physically, psychologically, emotionally) along with a young baby for the duration of the illness! =(

Please don't be offended when we ask you if you are sick or not, or to please wash your hands before handling the baby or to try not to touch his hands...we are just trying to look out for our kid.

At the end of the day...

We are the ones who gave Baby S life (the whole development of life is truly miraculous if you ask me...so many things have to go right before a healthy baby can be born into this world...I'm sure all parents will agree with me on this one!)...

I carried Baby S for 40 weeks doing my darndest to make sure that I did whatever it took to ensure the best possible outcome for my baby...

We are his parents and primary caregivers...and we love him to no end...and we have worked so hard to give him a healthy life...

We have both worked very hard at staying healthy ourselves in order to prevent Baby S from catching anything from us...

We realize that he will be sick from time to time...we just want to avoid him getting sick when we can, especially when he is so young...

Please respect our wishes of wanting to keep our son healthy by washing your hands before you play with him...or avoid touching his hands if possible...and of course stay away if you are ill...you will save these two parents a lot of worrying...and at the end of the day he is our child and we are the ones that have to take care of him and worry about him when he is ill...just remember that...help us parents out! =)

Oh and for the record I think these people in this article are crazy...please read the following link:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/health/Doctors-warn-against-Swine-Flu-Parties-78819937.html

Here are some pics of Baby S over time shoving his hand in his mouth...

Fears of Santa Claus...

I often wonder when and why kids develop a fear of Santa Claus...

Is it because he looks scary? Is it fear that is developed because kids sense the anxiety from their parents? Is it stranger danger?

I must admit I have had a not-so-pleasant looking photo with Santa around the age of 1...tears and all...I will try to find it and post it...but for the most part I don't have any other evidence or memory of bad Santa experiences. It's always been fun ever since I can remember...and I have also tried searching for other not-so-happy photos with Santa...but to no avail.

The husband has admitted to shedding some tears around the age of 5 (which we all know probably extended a few years past that...he just won't admit it...)...

Not to mention the countless kids you see at the mall screaming (and I mean screaming...) when approaching Santa....

I am hoping that Baby S will be a friend of Santa...hard to tell with this year...we've only had a Santa photo at the Breakfast with Santa that we attended at the local community centre. We have yet to brave the mall Santa...although that is on the list of things to do before Christmas.

I'm not sure the Breakfast with Santa photo should even count...kid was asleep. He was wired when we got there...proceeded to fall asleep when the festivities began...and then woke up right when I sat down next to Santa...just in time for the photo. See photo series below...

I hope Baby S will not develop a fear of Santa...only time will tell...we will try our best to make it a happy experience for him. Any tips will be greatly appreciated from all of you seasoned veterans out there! =)

Time sure flies...

I've been saying, "Time sure flies..." a lot recently...and I truly believe it.

Baby S will be 6 months old at the end of the month...can you believe it!

He looked like this last year around this time...

And now he looks like this!

Oftentimes we don't realize how much he has grown...it's tough to notice when you see the kid every day. It is often when we look back at some of his earlier photos that we notice how much he has grown.

Here's Baby S in his carseat on the day we came home from the hospital:

Here's Baby S at 5 months of age in the very same carseat:

Advice to new parents and soon to be parents: enjoy every moment because they change so quickly! Make sure to take lots of photos too! =)