Changing Your Newborn Boys

Why is it that baby boys prefer to pee outside of their diapers- as if they associate the changing process itself with free pee time?!

Here are a few quick and easy ideas to help you with baby boy diaper changes!



Happy diapering!

1. Use your barrier cream as an adhesive :)  Dab a bit on, er, the "coin purse" and "stick" his man part to it so that it is facing downward.  This will help prevent sideways and upward leaks by preventing things from getting a little crooked down below!

2.  Buy disposable/waterproof pads like these.  You can cut them in half so they last longer.  Lay them on top of your changing pad to cut back on the amount of laundry you'll need to do!

3.  Leave a box of tissues or washcloths near.  While you're changing your little man, place these on top of his privates so that they will absorb and help localize any accidents.

4.  Always keep a few extra onsies and PJ's on a downstairs changing table.  Accidents are inevitable and by keeping a change of outfits near by, you'll save yourself time and energy- two items you are already running low on as a mom with an infant!


Do you have a son?  Would you agree?  Leave your comments and advice in the section below!  And share for all of the soon-to-be moms of boys :)

So Much for Being Proactive

Dear Universe,
I would like to ask for your cooperation moving forward.  When the stars align and I actually have the means and the motivation to proactively plan a busy day of Kidville, pre-school and drive-thru errands, I need your support.  K? Great! Thanks!

XO,

Kate



Dear Kate,
Nah, I'm good. 

FU,

The Universe

-------
Everything started out so well.  The boys ate their breakfasts while I organized their clothing for the day.  They took turns letting me get them dressed and toddled back to the playroom where they played together- giving me time to take a shower BEFORE school drop off (that's happened, like, ONCE before).

It was a quick, but effective shower.  And I ran downstairs dressed and ready to go, ten minutes ahead of schedule (that's happened, like, NEVER before)!  

This "spare" time offered me an opportunity to remember that my toddler's daily vitamins were running low.  I called in a refill, crated the dogs, changed a diaper and off we went to pre-school and Kidville!

Ideal morning, right?  NOOOOPE.

I pull up to the drive-thru pharmacy- still giddy from my efficient morning and elated to find that there are no cars ahead of me.  And then....

"Your doctor denied the refill."  She said through the scratchy speaker.

"What?  "Denied the refill"?  They're his multi-vitamins." I replied with a grin and a snicker as I started to wonder about vitamin off-label usage and consider what the black-market demand was for children's .25mg chewable multi-vitamins with fluoride...pfffft, "denied"?

"Yes, we called them and they denied the refill."

I pulled out of the drive thru lane wondering if I had been flagged for "intent to sell" and quickly dialed the pediatrician's office.  As the phone rang, I could feel the anxiety rising- my quick pick-up was now turning into something a bit more involved and creeping dangerously close to lunchtime.

Did I mention how much I hate automated answering services?

"To speak with a nurse, push (toddler asks a question).  To speak with a receptionist push (screaming baby in background). To speak with billing push (toddler asks "but why").  If this is an emergency, hang up and dial 911"(Hmm....are daily vitamins an emergency?).

I finally get through to the nurse who doesn't even need to look up our info- she remembers the pharmacy's phone call and sighs sympathetically (thank you for that) as she tells me she put a hold on the prescription so that she could change the dosage but left a message over an hour ago on the pharmacy's voicemail.

Ugh- brain-scratching eye roll.

I go BACK through to the drive thru and explain this to the not-helpful-in-the-least pharmacy tech.  Who then tells me I can wait in the parking lot while she looks into it.

"How long will it be until this prescription is filled" I asked, matching her stoicism.

"Twenty Minutes" (toddler translation-- eternity).  Um, no thanks.

So, I pulled out of the parking lot leaving my well-planned morning behind, surrendering to the fact that it will likely be another week and a half before I get back to the pharmacy to pick up these vitamins.

Which makes me wonder...does the black-market vitamin dealer make deliveries?

Expert Review on Quirky!!

If you follow me on Facebook you may have seen my status update yesterday regarding my home-grown invention!

I submitted my idea a few weeks ago and was so impressed and excited with the traction it gained in just a few short days!  It was trending in Home & Garden- residing on the landing page for maximum exposure.

The idea received nearly 100 votes and made it to the next level- Expert Review!

It's now in the hands of the Quirky staff, but we can still fight to get as much exposure as possible by commenting on the idea and watching the video!

Take a look at the "Magnetic Mesh Laundry Bag" and leave a comment in the "community feedback" section with any insights or advice you might have!  You can also go right to the Quirky video here.

Why Number Two is Easier

If you are planning on having a second but worry you might not survive another, read this...

With your first, everything  is new!  Phases come and throw us for a loop and we think, "OMG, will it EVER end?!"  And, eventually, it does....

Now with two, when we go through the spill-the-dog-food phase, I think, "oh, right...I remember this with my first.  Just a few weeks of putting the bowls up high so we don't spill the water...again!!"  

It's kind of like running a second marathon- it's still hard, but you're able to pace yourself much better this time around.

Another reason why number two is easier...

I always felt like I needed to be engaging with my first- stimulating him and entertaining him with learning activities.  Even when he wasn't necessarily "asking" for my attention I felt like I should be next to him and actively playing.  And when he would "ask" me to play with him, I had a hard time saying, "no".  

Now with two, if I am feeding Finn and Liam needs me, I feel like I have an "excuse" to say "no" and to sit and nurse Finn.

And finally, now, at 14 months and almost three years, there are actually times when they want nothing to do with me and simply enjoy "playing" with each other.  So I can actually finish my coffee (sometimes), without sharing or hiding/losing it around the house!