|
Our discussion forum is open for business. Come say hello. |
Sunday, March 12, 2006
What's That Motto?
Growing up, I never had a desire to be in the Girl Scouts. Something about the green uniforms? Maybe. For whatever the reason, I am regretting it now. What's their motto...always be prepared? Or is that the Boy Scouts?
My husband and I recently went to an all-day basketball tournament. A bunch of 12- and 13-year-olds playing basketball is THE most fun to watch (Not to mention the several heart attacks I had when we tied a game). I thought I had prepared the diaper bag with everything we needed. Or did my husband do it? See, that was problem #1. No checking of the bag before leaving. Problem #2, I forgot my purse! What woman forgets their purse...with the cash to get into the game, cell phone, the extra pacifier?!?! I should have known disaster was coming.
The games were ALL DAY. My daughter was doing wonderful. A little cranky at times but all we had to do was get up and walk around and she was fine. Then we went to dinner before the championship game. We had one more jar of baby food, thankfully. Before we left the restaurant we wanted to change her (just in case) before we went back to the gym and there was nothing to change her on. And since there was a changing station ONLY in the women's bathroom (that is a whole other soap box--don't get me started), I got the honors.
While waiting for the mother ahead of me whose son was crying because apparently he liked having warm wet urine on his butt, I started to smell something. Assuming it was the boy on the changing table (maybe he went poo-poo and not pee-pee), I didn't think anything of it.
Finally, my turn. As I lay her down and take off her pants I notice...it. Aw, man. The smell is coming from her! Poo coming out of the diaper....uh-oh. I'll spare all the weak-stomached people all the disgusting details. Long story short, it was EVERYWHERE. Back, arms, legs, feet, it even got on the pad underneath her. All the while, she's turning her entire body to look behind her at the shiny metal bar (Whoever was the brilliant planner behind THAT decision should be fired). So, while trying to hold her down I'm looking for another shirt, another onesie--ANYTHING. And there's NOTHING. Oh my gosh. So I clean her up, praying I've got everything off of her, put on her jacket and head out.
And for those of you wondering, the poo-drenched shirt she was wearing was tossed in the trashcan. There was no saving it.
My husband looks at me with an exasperated look, "Honey, what took so long?"
Did he just say that? Oh no he didn't. Then he notices the jacket on and no shirt underneath. "Uh-oh," he says, "What happened?"
"I would have given $20 if you could have come in there to help me."
Then we had to go to the Dollar store for some extra onesies (since it was 38 degrees outside and no good parent would let her daughter wear nothing but a teeny sweatshirt jacket) and to the grocery store for some extra formula (since she had already eaten all her baby food PLUS the two bottles we made) before heading back to the game.
Moral of the story--ALWAYS bring more than you think you are going to need. Yeah, you will feel like you're taking a suitcase for a weekend getaway. But believe me, so much betterto have it and not need it than need it and not have it, especially with infants, toddlers...heck, even teenagers. To avoid the stress of the day I had, here are some things to pack for an all-day trip:
-At least two extra onesies/shirts/outfits (it's amazing how kids can dirty the clean onesie 5 seconds after you put it on)
-Extra diapers with a full case of wipes (did I say it was everywhere?)
-Two extra burpcloths (picture the first one getting drenched in some kind of accident...milk, juice, water, bodily fluids...)
-An extra bib (especially for the droolers out there)
- When it comes to food, you can't bring enough. It's impossible. If the baby is going to eat 3 jars of baby food--bring 6. This is what we do (or what we're going to do). Fix two bottles and then bring the can of formula. Put two jars of baby food in the diaper bag and keep 4 or 5 in the car.
We keep what we need in the diaper bag then put any extra in the car...just in case (notice a theme here?).
-Any medicines you might need. In a ziploc bag we keep diaper rash creme, baby orajel, Infant's Mylicon gas drops, etc.
-Extra toys. And extra pacifiers. We have a bigger ziploc bag that we keep several toys in that stay in the diaper bag. She might not see it for awhile and then it becomes a whole new toy since she only sees it in the car or when she gets bored when we're out.
Are there any other suggestions from any mothers/fathers?
Think of preparing the diaper bag like preparing an emergency kit when going to the wilderness. You have to think ahead for ANY emergencies that might come up.
And please, don't get stuck 30 miles from home and have your kid go half-naked. You definitely will hurt your chances for getting Mother of the Year.
My husband and I recently went to an all-day basketball tournament. A bunch of 12- and 13-year-olds playing basketball is THE most fun to watch (Not to mention the several heart attacks I had when we tied a game). I thought I had prepared the diaper bag with everything we needed. Or did my husband do it? See, that was problem #1. No checking of the bag before leaving. Problem #2, I forgot my purse! What woman forgets their purse...with the cash to get into the game, cell phone, the extra pacifier?!?! I should have known disaster was coming.
The games were ALL DAY. My daughter was doing wonderful. A little cranky at times but all we had to do was get up and walk around and she was fine. Then we went to dinner before the championship game. We had one more jar of baby food, thankfully. Before we left the restaurant we wanted to change her (just in case) before we went back to the gym and there was nothing to change her on. And since there was a changing station ONLY in the women's bathroom (that is a whole other soap box--don't get me started), I got the honors.
While waiting for the mother ahead of me whose son was crying because apparently he liked having warm wet urine on his butt, I started to smell something. Assuming it was the boy on the changing table (maybe he went poo-poo and not pee-pee), I didn't think anything of it.
Finally, my turn. As I lay her down and take off her pants I notice...it. Aw, man. The smell is coming from her! Poo coming out of the diaper....uh-oh. I'll spare all the weak-stomached people all the disgusting details. Long story short, it was EVERYWHERE. Back, arms, legs, feet, it even got on the pad underneath her. All the while, she's turning her entire body to look behind her at the shiny metal bar (Whoever was the brilliant planner behind THAT decision should be fired). So, while trying to hold her down I'm looking for another shirt, another onesie--ANYTHING. And there's NOTHING. Oh my gosh. So I clean her up, praying I've got everything off of her, put on her jacket and head out.
And for those of you wondering, the poo-drenched shirt she was wearing was tossed in the trashcan. There was no saving it.
My husband looks at me with an exasperated look, "Honey, what took so long?"
Did he just say that? Oh no he didn't. Then he notices the jacket on and no shirt underneath. "Uh-oh," he says, "What happened?"
"I would have given $20 if you could have come in there to help me."
Then we had to go to the Dollar store for some extra onesies (since it was 38 degrees outside and no good parent would let her daughter wear nothing but a teeny sweatshirt jacket) and to the grocery store for some extra formula (since she had already eaten all her baby food PLUS the two bottles we made) before heading back to the game.
Moral of the story--ALWAYS bring more than you think you are going to need. Yeah, you will feel like you're taking a suitcase for a weekend getaway. But believe me, so much betterto have it and not need it than need it and not have it, especially with infants, toddlers...heck, even teenagers. To avoid the stress of the day I had, here are some things to pack for an all-day trip:
-At least two extra onesies/shirts/outfits (it's amazing how kids can dirty the clean onesie 5 seconds after you put it on)
-Extra diapers with a full case of wipes (did I say it was everywhere?)
-Two extra burpcloths (picture the first one getting drenched in some kind of accident...milk, juice, water, bodily fluids...)
-An extra bib (especially for the droolers out there)
- When it comes to food, you can't bring enough. It's impossible. If the baby is going to eat 3 jars of baby food--bring 6. This is what we do (or what we're going to do). Fix two bottles and then bring the can of formula. Put two jars of baby food in the diaper bag and keep 4 or 5 in the car.
We keep what we need in the diaper bag then put any extra in the car...just in case (notice a theme here?).
-Any medicines you might need. In a ziploc bag we keep diaper rash creme, baby orajel, Infant's Mylicon gas drops, etc.
-Extra toys. And extra pacifiers. We have a bigger ziploc bag that we keep several toys in that stay in the diaper bag. She might not see it for awhile and then it becomes a whole new toy since she only sees it in the car or when she gets bored when we're out.
Are there any other suggestions from any mothers/fathers?
Think of preparing the diaper bag like preparing an emergency kit when going to the wilderness. You have to think ahead for ANY emergencies that might come up.
And please, don't get stuck 30 miles from home and have your kid go half-naked. You definitely will hurt your chances for getting Mother of the Year.
