Thursday, July 23, 2009

Child Proof is for Other Kids

Just so you all know, it turns out that toddlers can handle a large amount ibuprofen. Trust me, poison control told me so. After I called because my amazing two year old ingested an unknown amount of Children's Motrin the other night.

You see, Londo was on the phone dealing with something while I was nursing the Pookie and when Londo turned to look at the Pumpkin, she was standing on her steps at the sink, drinking from that measuring cup that comes with the medicine bottles. She had apparently opened the childproof container, poured an unknown amount of medicine in the cup (spilling a lot in the sink), and then drank from the cup. The cup is pretty small, so we are sure there was no more than 3 teaspoons in it, which is only two times her dosage amount. We've been giving her a dose every night before bed because her two-year molars are coming in (one of four is in!).

We have only a vague idea of how much was left in the bottle before she opened it and no idea how much spilled in the sink. She might have had just a taste, she might have had 3 teaspoons. No clue.

We called our doctor (they paged her and she called back). She wasn't worried and said it was probably not a problem, but told us to call poison control to be sure. We did, and they were so helpful and reassuring. Apparently, children's bodies can handle way more than the dosage they are prescribed. They said she might have some gastronomical intestine issues like diarrhea or nausea, but that it would work out of her system and she'd be fine.

Whew!

So now we know that children can handle a lot of Motrin (not that they should get a lot if you can help it). And we also now know that our daughter can open childproof bottles. Wheeee!

Oh, and she's getting really close to figuring out how to unlock the deadbolts on the doors that lead outside (and yes, she can reach).

Life with the Pumpkin is going to keep me on my toes. At least it will be interesting.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

DC Meet Up 8/1 and Email List

Hey, DC Area people.

First, I think that August 1st sounds best for most people. So let's say we meet that Saturday at about 10:00 in front of the train depot at Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD? IIRC, there are a couple benches right in front of the building where you buy the train tickets. I'll try to grab those, probably nursing the Pookie while Londo chases the Pumpkin. (Note to self: check to make sure Londo can make it that day, otherwise phone a friend/family member to chase the Pumpkin.) I figure we'll spend a few hours there riding the train, playing on the playground and maybe eating some picnic food. Who's in?

Second, I've been thinking about those of us in this area who need support. I think we could be doing more than just getting together 3 or 4 times a year. What if we had some sort of email list that we could use for venting, for requesting help and for doing more impromptu get togethers (like if someone is going to Butler's Orchard and sends out an email to the group to see if anyone else wants to join them).

What do you guys think? Want to send me your email addresses so I can put together a list? We would all have each others email addresses, so be sure to send me one you are comfortable giving out to people. I won't send it out to anyone who isn't in the email group. If you want to do this, email me at caramamamia at gmail dot com with the email address you would use.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Question of the Week - Parenting Books

The Pookie has been super clingy lately--especially for me. Even when he was just fed, he wants to nurse again... but only for a few minutes before falling back asleep or just snuggling. It is sweet, but CONSTANT! And that's when he's not fussing. Because there are many times when he just keeps fussing. He'll be on and off the breast, bounced, slinged, walked, snuggled, whatever and still fussing. But I also noticed that he seems a lot more aware and different in some way I was having trouble putting my finger on.

This combination of fussy and more aware reminded me of a fantastic book I learned about from Ask Moxie and read when the Pumpkin was going through various stages. It's called The Wonder Weeks, and it talks about the fussy periods that babies go through right prior or around the time of major developmental leaps. And the first one? At 5 weeks, which is how old the Pookie is. I am so relieved to have remembered to check that book and figure out what's going on. It makes me realize that this is a normal phase, just a phase, will end soon, and I'm not alone.

The Wonder Weeks is one of those parenting/child development books that I think everyone should have and read. It really helped me get through the fussy periods with the Pumpkin, and I'm sure it will help me with the Pookie as well.

This week's question of the week is...

What parenting/child development book(s) do you think are good reads?

I'm also currently reading Raising Your Spirited Child. This book is FANTASTIC! For those who have a child like my Pumpkin, you really should read this book. From the first page on, I was SO glad I had bought the book and was reading it. My girl is definitely a spirited child, and I'm lucky to have her! As the author pointed out early in the book, spirited children have all these qualities that we admire in adults but find frustrating in children. I'm already changing how I view traits that were frustrating me, and it helps me appreciate my amazing girl even more. Seriously, if you have a spirited child, get this book!

The other books that have made a huge difference to me are:
- Between Parent and Child by Dr. Haim G. Ginott, which focuses on communication techniques and how we interact with our children.
- How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, which is another book that focuses on communication and it is developed from the communication techniques in Between Parent and Child. It really walks you through how to use the communication techniques and is a great read!
- Playful Parenting by Lawrence Cohen, which talks about how important play is for children's developments, including how to use play as a parenting technique.
- Happiest Baby on the Block (I watched the DVD but didn't read the book) and Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp, which has great information about baby and toddler development and has some helpful techniques for calming babies and parenting toddlers.
- The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears, which really lays out all the information you could think of about vaccines. I feel so much better about medicating my child knowing how the vaccines are made, what the diseases do, and what the risks are of both the diseases and vaccines.
- The Baby Book by Dr.William Sears, which has so much great information that you can refer to help understand what is going on with your baby. But as with all the books, take with a grain of salt.

I'm sure I have more that I've read and would recommend, but that's all I can think of now. Oh, I know there are a few breastfeeding books that were great, but I can't think of them off the top of my head and I'm holding the baby so I can't go check.

How about you all? What books or even DVDs or websites helped see you through? What would you recommend? Why did you like it so much? Share with us!

Learning I Have Hypertension

This past winter, I discovered I have developed high blood pressure. This came as a surprise for me, since I generally had always had blood ...