Things I’ve Learned about Sick Babies

Filed under: Maya
Saturday, February 26, 2005 —

(TMI alert)

There’s something inately satisfying about using the “sucker” and getting a six-inch long string of snot out of a baby’s nose.

This activity is not as satisfying to the baby, who will scream bloody murder at you for trying to help her breathe.

Sick babies don’t sleep. Well, at least MINE doesn’t.

Orange-flavored amoxicillin doesn’t bring on the “yuk face” that zantac does.

But it does create a lovely case of yeast rash.

Yeast rash turns a baby’s bottom red like a baboon’s.

Babies with baboon-red bottoms scream bloody murder when you change them, and act like you’re pulling their toenails out when you’re putting diaper cream on said bottom.

Probiotics are the baby’s friend. Getting the baby to actually swallow the probiotics is a bit of a trick.

Amoxicillin also turns my normally “slow digestion” baby into a Princess of Poop — about 8 poop diapers per day.

The Princess must be changed immediately following royal pooping activities, for royal poop irritates monkey butts.

Just because the Princess has pooped already this morning, that doesn’t mean she’s done. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

Liquid poop can spray an impressive distance out a baby’s bottom.

Satin-finish paint scrubs clean with all-purpose cleaner.
I knew there was a reason I didn’t paint my walls with a flat finish!

Dooce Baby

Filed under: Maya
Friday, February 25, 2005 —

(for lack of a better title)

Heather at dooce.com gave step-by-step instructions for creating the nifty effect of her masthead…had to try it.

A week for firsts: first “mei tai”

Filed under: Maya
Thursday, February 24, 2005 —

No, not Mai Tai, although one of those might make this nasty cold seem a little more bearable…

After taking Maya for a hike using the Infantino carrier (like a snugli), my lower back was dying. My kid doesn’t even weigh 11.5 pounds, and this hurt my back! Time to get something with back support.

After shopping around online and at REI and reading a bunch of product reviews, I realized that I liked the basic idea for a mei tai, but wanted more support in the waist. A few sketches later, I had my concept, and on Tuesday, since I wasn’t much use for working (and Maya wouldn’t let me sit still…but didn’t mind if I was moving around, go figure), I put together my first prototype.

Coolness! I love the wide, padded waist strap, even though the cheap walmart fabric bleeds like crazy (took washing it in hot with a teeny bit of bleach for it to stop turning my hands black)!

I’ve still got some “tweaking” to do to the design, then I might do what people keep telling me I should do anyway — make these things for sale. I already have two orders, if I’ll get in gear and sew.

Nice, secure hip carry. Unlike with a sling, I’m not afraid she’ll slip out the bottom — this is REALLY hands-free.

Back-carry.

Back-carry again. Next time we do this, I’m folding the waist under once so that her head is actually above the carrier…walking the dogs earliers today, she was just a teeny bit irritated at not being able to see.


Slightly narrower at the hip, but still wide enough that the baby doesn’t “hang” from the crotch (instead is in a seated position). Padded waist strap.

A week for firsts: first illness.

Filed under: Maya, Stats
Thursday, February 24, 2005 —

It couldn’t last forever, right? *sigh*

February 19: I finally admitted that Maya WAS going to get the cold she’d been avoiding for so long. Hey, making it nearly 5 months isn’t too shabby, right?

By yesterday, it was clear that BOTH of us were in pretty bad shape, so we spent the day running to our respective doctors’ offices, and I wondered why the *&^% I don’t see a family practicioner instead. I know…it’s because I love my pediatrician…

Anyway, we’re both on Amoxicillin — me for a sinus infection, and Maya for her ears. She’s been whiny here and there, but overall is taking it like a champ. She’s just a whining, screaming, angry champ when I suction her little nose.

At five months, her weight is 11 pounds, 6 ounces.

A week for firsts: first bottle.

Filed under: Maya
Thursday, February 24, 2005 —

February 21: I finally sucked it up (pun entirely intended) and pumped a bottle so that I could leave Maya with my folks for a few hours on Monday night. She took to it no problems at all!



A week for firsts: first solid food.

Filed under: Maya
Thursday, February 24, 2005 —

February 17: Somehow, Maya wasn’t too tentirely impressed with rice cereal. At least she swallowed it…today we tried banana, and after grabbing the spoon and putting it in her OWN mouth, she made a face like, “what are you trying to do, poison me???”




Assigning Blame

Filed under: Maya
Tuesday, February 22, 2005 —

Someone around here keeps leaving the top open on the diaper wipes! Since I have no dh to blame it on, I think I’ll pin it on the dogs. Katie! Clay! Close the wipes already!

(d’oh!)

Show, Don’t Tell

Filed under: Maya
Sunday, February 20, 2005 —

From church this morning:

O God, we would be true. Hear our prayer:

As we respond to the Gospel, grant us increasing reliance upon you. We may commit a few spectacular sins, but we need to discern and acknowledge the less apparent sins that are easier for us to ignore. Our casual wandering from your will and our subtle aimlessness of spirit require forgiveness as well.

As we respond to the Gospel, grant us a gentle enthusiasm. Forgive us when we lapse into a style of faith that draws attention to ourselves rather than to you. Help us walk with spirited humility and to live with a flair for showing forth your light in our lives.

Charge our worship with attentiveness, alertness, and awareness. Grant us a sense of grace that we might understand your ways and serve your people. We ask it in Jesus’ name…

Amen. I especially appreciated this: “forgive us when we lapse into a style of faith that draws attention to ourselves rather than to you.” So much of Christianity (especially in this town!) seems to be all about people parading around letting everyone else see how “good” and “righteous” they are. Barf.

Show, don’t Tell.

Beer-free Fraternity

Filed under: Maya
Friday, February 18, 2005 —

(Maya)
Aaaaaah! Ieeeeeee! Brrrrrrrrr, brrrrrrrr….braaaaaaaap (spitting all over me and the floor, magically missing her own clothing).

(Me)
Good one! Clay!

Clay runs over and cleans the floor.

Good dog.

Clay’s Cleaning Service

Filed under: Maya
Wednesday, February 16, 2005 —

Clay still calls it his job to clean up anywhere a baby might spit. Maya doesn’t seem to mind; in fact, now she pets him while he licks her. Ah, true love!








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