exalt His Name...

Thursday, 16 July 2009

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D. (given to me by my friend Jaeme) has a few good tips in it on how to calm a fussy baby. I really don't agree with his theories but he does have a few good ideas on how to calm your baby down.

My favorite is called the Five S's. They really work, and I really don't know what I would've done sometimes without them. Here they are in the recommended order of action:

1. Swaddling: It helps your baby feel secure and like he's back in the womb again. Some babies resist swaddling, but that doesn't mean they don't want to be swaddled. (Babies cannot control their flailing arms)

2. Side/Stomach: This will eliminate that feeling of falling which causes panic in a baby.

3. Shhhing: The soothing sound. A loud, harsh shushing sound will recreate the sound of the blood rushing through the mother's veins and will be familiar to the baby. The louder the baby is crying the louder the shush needs to be, as the baby quiets, so the shushing should be quieter. This has worked miracles with our babies.

4. Swinging: Rythmic, monotonous, jiggly, swinging movements are what the baby is used to, having just come from the womb.

5. Sucking: After you have done the above four steps, the final step is to use something, like a pacifier or a finger, to encourage sucking. This creates relaxation within the baby's nervous system.

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

Fourth Of July

Boston (Joshua's Friend) going down the slide:

Rachel going down the slide:

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Summer, Mmmm

Summer has come to the North Shore. July is usually hot and dry. Well, hot for living by a lake. It got up to 80 yesterday. That's hot. We're outside a lot now. Going to the park at the elementary school is one of our favorites right now. There's a great playground next to a good sized basketball court, perfect for riding tricycles. Because, you know, Joshua has a tricycle now. (Thanks Dawn!)

Summer brings all sorts of stuff that winter cannot offer. So I try and enjoy it to the fullest. (Twice now, Joel has commented to me "Winter is coming. Winter is always coming"...)

This past weekend there was a birthday party for Joshua's friend Boston. It was in the evening and I, as usual, was rushing around trying to get everything in order so we could get to this party. Finally most everything was in the van. I told Rachel to pick out a diaper as I hurried around. Two year olds are slow, so I reminded her again. Finally I put the diaper on her and we hurried out the door.

Fast Forward two hours.

We're getting ready to go home. I, as usual, am trying to get everything together in one spot so we don't forget anything. Finally most everything is in the van. Joel comes holding Rachel.

"She's wet." he says.

Confused, I wait for him to confirm this statement. Yes, indeed. She is very wet. Oh well, all part of parenting. I take her diaper off as Joel changes Rachel's dress.

Hmm. This diaper seems different... I look at it closer. I see a number "1" on the front. My jaw drops and I start laughing.

"It's a size 1 Joel! Rachel was wearing one of Madelynn's diapers!"