"Our Potty Princess"

I have a couple more weeks to be a stay at home mom with Peanut while I finish orientation duties for my new Urgent Care position.  I feel so lucky to have this time with her, even though some days I feel like I spent 90% of my day trying to prevent head injuries for this rambunctious child, who feels the need to jump off of everything.

Peanut is adjusting well to our new home, and even said, “This is our house in Califona!”  So, we’ve got an adjusted child, a short-term stay at home mom, and diapers that are the price of gold in this city.  Let’s potty train!

Day 1: Peanut picks out big girl underwear.  I notify her how much faster she can run in these and she is ready to try them on.  Pink Princess potty is set-up in the bathroom (yes, we are in the princess phase – not sure where it came from, but more on that later).  It was a bit of a rough start, but I expected that… no success in the potty today, but luckily we have wood floors. 

Oh, wait, just when I thought we wouldn’t have a potty success, Peanut runs to me, in her super Peanut speed, and with a huge smile she excitedly gasps, “Mommy, Mommy!”

She’s going to tell me she went on the potty - I know it.

“I had brown poopies in Mommy’s room! On the floor!”

I followed the little poopy footprints into our bedroom.  The “brown poopy” clean up was a bit much for this pregnant mama.  Ok, that’s enough for today – we’re gonna need some bleach.

Day 2: Peanut won’t wear the big girl underwear.  I am second-guessing everything. Did I try too soon?  I don’t want to push her too much, because you know when toddlers figure out you really want them to do something, that’s the last thing they want to do.  So, ok, day off - I want to check out the library with Peanut anyway. We’ll pick up some children’s potty books.

Day 3: Time to break out the reward system.  Peanut and I make a potty chart together, and Peanut puts a sticker on the day for each potty success.  We’ll celebrate at the end of the week if there are stickers on each day.  I’m thinking of taking Peanut to the museum, to explore with the other big girls.

I’m not sure if it was the stickers, or just the extra praise that went into recognizing each potty accomplishment, but we are back on the potty track.

Day 4: Holy cabin fever. Peanut is bouncing off the wall wanting to go to the park and I would love some exercise so we’re not quite as consistent as I had planned with the potty today.  I let her wear some pull-ups and out we went.

Day 5: We’re getting there. However, it didn’t take long for Peanut to figure out, “I want to go to potty” gets her out of her crib at nap and bedtime. And… my reward system is breaking down.  Not only did Peanut convince me to get her out of bed tonight, after she sat on the potty for a minute, she asked, in the sweetest voice possible, “stickers for trying?”  I could be a lot more stringent if this child wasn’t so darn cute.  I had to enforce a new rule on the spot.  No stickers at nighttime.  Not sure if this rule will backfire…

Day 6: Complete success.  While I’d like to take the credit here for “training” Peanut with my “expertise,” honestly, it was all her.  Once she decided she was ready, Peanut did her own Potty training.  Just a little encouragement, smiles, hugs, and minimizing accidents with, ”It’s ok, try again for the potty next time,” was all I really contributed.

She’s been dry all week – day and night.  Peanut said to me after using the potty, “I make Mommy happy!”  Yes, Peanut, you make Daddy and I so happy.

If I had just one tip to share on potty training, it would be: look for signs that your child is ready.  If he or she is truly not ready, no amount of coercion is going to work, and it will only delay the process.  Here are a few signs your child might be ready for the potty:

·      Staying dry for 1-2 hours.

·      Seeking privacy for bowel movements.

·      Discomfort in a soiled diaper – asking to be changed.

·      Imitating adult behavior.

·      Verbal expressions of interest in the potty.

"June"

June has been a hectic, eventful, and fabulous month.  We sold our first home.  Daddy MD and I celebrated five years of marriage.  Daddy MD graduated from his plastic surgery residency, which means he is now an Attending Plastic Surgeon.  We shared the news of our pregnancy with family and friends.  Peanut’s little sister is due to arrive in December.  And, finally, we made it to California. 

I have so much to update, and actually started several blog posts only to run out of time before finishing them… so here is my stream of consciousness for the last month:

June 14

I really, really should be packing right now. But, I just stared at a half-full box of Peanut’s stuff for ten minutes trying to decide what to take and what to store, then sighed and left it on the basement floor.  Packing would be easier if someone would come over here and organize everything for me. 

I do not even want to look at the garage, because it reminds me that I have no idea where we are going to put all that stuff, and I just can’t bear another garage sale.  We actually left the grill outside overnight, but weren’t lucky enough to have it stolen, despite our best efforts.  The thought of Salvation Army rolling up in their large truck to take care of my immense project in one heavy swoop is becoming tempting.

June 22

Peanut and I stood in the driveway of our first home, nearly all of it packed up, as Daddy MD put the final load in our car to start his solo drive across the country.  Daddy MD gives us each a long hug, and I notice his eyes start to well - something I’ve seen only a handful of times over the last nine years.  Leaving our first home to start our new adventures was bittersweet.  Thank goodness I’m not the only emotional one this pregnancy.

We say goodbye and I offer my last minute travel advice as Daddy MD rolls down the driveway, “No driving while tired!” “Call Onstar if you lock the keys in the car!” “Bye!!” Peanut and I wave.  We’ll meet him in CA in 10 days.

June 30

Peanut misses her Daddy.

Peanut is a true “Daddy’s Girl.”  She loves the gentle roughhousing, the chasing hide and seek games, pointing out worms, ants, and centipedes that are hiding under rocks, and the snuggling during baseball games.  Needless to say, when her number one hero is gone, she notices. 

Now, I’ve been able to entertain her this week sans Daddy MD, with lots of visits to family members and friends, and fun summer activities.  She’s always a little tougher to put to bed when Daddy’s not home, but with all the commotion it hadn’t been too difficult.  Until tonight.

Past midnight EST and Peanut is still refusing to go to bed, climbing right out of her travel crib, running up the stairs of our gracious friends’ home (who offered us to stay with them after we closed on our home.)  I’d been a little lenient on my discipline considering everything going on, but I was exhausted and had to work in the morning.  “Alright, you are going to lay in your crib or you are going to lay up here with Mommy!”

Oh, dear.  Peanut entered toddler meltdown.  “I want my Daddy!! I miss my Daddy!  Call Daddy,” she cried.  Break my heart.  I call him and he calms her down, but Peanut sobs when we hang up.  I tell her that Daddy is sleeping on the phone and place it next to her. 

Peanut cries, “I want some medicine.” 

“You do?” What hurts sweetie?”

“I want some medicine.” My poor baby was hurting and didn’t understand why, but knew we give her medicine for the bad owies.  Bless her little heart.

“Mommy will hug.”

“Ok, Mommy hug,” Peanut agrees and falls asleep in my arms.

In 2 days, we fly to California to see Daddy.

Being away from a parent is hard for a child, and when I think of some experiences others have had, especially military families, I know our situation is only relative.  Here’s some advice to help children cope with being away from a parent.

•        Listen to your child and let her know you understand and are there for her.  Even with lots of fun distractions, your child still misses her parent, and whether or not she can express it through language, she will express through behavior.  Talk with her using very simple phrases and pause to give her time to respond.
•        Keep routines as consistent as possible.  Try not to slack too much on discipline, despite the commotion and extra responsibilities.  Consistency is reassuring for your child.
•        Tell your child your spouse doesn’t want to be away, but has to do this for work, etc.  Young children may have guilt about a parent being away, and might even worry that he or she did something wrong.  Remind him that Daddy (or Mommy) love him very much and can’t wait to see him again.
•        Communication between the away parent and your child via phone, email, or ichat/skype.  Peanut loved to see Daddy’s face on the computer at the end of each day.

"There's No Place Like Home"

While heading down our street, Peanut starts to recognize we're getting closer to home. "That's my house!" she exclaims as we pull in the driveway.  Proud mommy is so happy she knows her house, but sentimental mommy is worried about how she will handle the move across the country.

I mean, I'm not totally sure how to explain all of this to a two year old.  Sometimes my explanations are misunderstood, like they were this week after a toddler temper tantrum restaurant disaster. 

Daddy MD and I had enacted a no restaurant ban for the last year (basically since the last restaurant fiasco).  But, Peanut did so well at our Chipotle trial run, so I thought it was time for another chance.  Like mother, like daughter - the child loves Chipotle.  However, as we have learned, past performances cannot predict future results.  Verdict on a sit-down-and-order restaurant: not ready yet. 

Let me admit that before having a child I was at times puzzled about why parents couldn't control their children in restaurants.  Lesson learned - don't judge it before you've been there.  The waitress could not bring my box for untouched food and the check fast enough.  After carrying my kicking, screaming, sack of potatoes directly out the door, I sat her down in the car and explained, "You were naughty in the restaurant.  Mommy is very upset."  Peanut looks at me with concerned eyes, and with her sweetheart voice replies, "You ok now, Mommy?  You feel better? Want me kiss it?"  Yeah, all Peanut heard was mommy was upset, and didn't connect it to her behavior.   What could I do besides smile, and say, "yes, Mommy's ok now."

Although, she's also at a stage where I can't believe all that she does understand, and has even started using expressions that cause Daddy MD and I to look at each other with a simultaneous, "Where did she get that?" Just to name a few cute ones this week, Peanut said: "I found it! That's crazy!" when pulling her longed-for bubble wand out of the couch cushion. Then yelled, "I can't stand it!" in a playful tone while building her tent.  She also told Mommy to "get outside, right this minute" and Daddy to "be patient."

So, I am talking with Peanut about the upcoming move, and hoping that little by little she is absorbing that our little family will soon have a new house and that everything will be ok, because "home is wherever I'm with you."  So far, the only response I have gotten is, "I don't want to move to Califona."  However, she is very excited about the airplane ride, which means she clearly has forgotten the last airport experience (See blog post on traveling with baby).  

Here's a little advice I have read about preparing your young child for a move:

•           Babies and young children thrive on routine, so try to get back into a consistent day as soon as possible after the move.  Also, take your child's favorite household/bedroom items to your new home.  We decided to take nearly Peanut's entire bedroom and will set it up very similarly once we arrive in CA.
•          Children express themselves through play, so you may want to act out a move to a new house using toys.  "Little people" work well for this.  Then, let your child lead you in play to help you understand how they might feel about the move.
•        Avoid making other big changes at the same time.  For example, we are not even trying to potty-train Peanut until after we are well settled in our new home.
•           Involve your child in the packing and moving process and make it a family event.  Praise your child for helping.  Although, warning: seeing toys packed away can be traumatic.  If they are old enough to help with this, be sure to remind them you are keeping them nice and safe to take to your new house.
•          Recognize your child will have many emotions about a new home and leaving familiarity, family, and friends.  Encourage them to express these feelings.  For younger children pointing to feeling faces in a book can help.  Let your child know you understand them.

"Peanut, the Patient"

I've said it before: my practicing style as a physician changed after our Peanut was born.  Something as routine as ear tube surgery suddenly doesn't seem as simple when it's your child that will undergo the general anesthesia. 

We battled through six ear infections with Peanut over the past winter.  We kept hoping each one was the last - the warmer weather was coming we could feel it! After talking with Peanut's ENT, we decided surgery was the best option.

Of course, once we arrived to the surgery pre-op area, Mommy MD was the nervous one.  Peanut was smiling, playing with the blood pressure cuff, "stickers" (heart monitor patches), and the cool surgery hat that was just like Daddy wears.  Even despite no food or drink that morning - Peanut was a champ.

They allowed me to walk back to the operating room with Peanut and to hold her tightly until she was put under anesthesia.  The doctors and nurses took over as I was holding her, and my eyes welled with tears.  I tried to fight them back.  I would not cry in front of Daddy MD's co-workers!  But, as I walked back to the pre-op holding room, the tears streaked down.  Daddy MD was waiting for me in the room, and after his hug and reassurance, I felt calmed.

The actual surgery took less than 10 minutes.  Gave me quite a perspective about what some of my patient's parents endured while their children had longer surgeries.  I heard Peanut's cry from down the hallway.  Should I go to her?  It seemed so strange to hear my baby cry and not be able to check on her.  She recovered quickly just down the hall from us, and I had to restrain myself to wait for the nurse to bring her back to us.   Peanut did great.  As I rocked her, I took in a deep breath of her baby shampoo.  Is there any sweeter smell?

We were told Peanut would be drowsy after the surgery.  But, the anesthesia team obviously had never met Peanut.  Not even general anesthesia will wear this child out.  She was bouncing off the wall eating her kid's Cliff bar as soon as we got home, and enjoyed having both Mommy and Daddy home during the week.

The following week, Peanut randomly said, "ears all better - Daddy did it!"  Of course, Daddy gets the credit, but I just smiled and said "yes, Daddy helped."

Now, for some "tips on tubes:"

Who needs them:  Well, there isn't really clear criteria, but we consider ear tubes in:

• Children with recurrent ear infections, a minimum of three infections in 6 months and four infections in a year.
• Children with persistent fluid in the middle ear that lasts longer than 3 months after an ear infection.
• Children with hearing loss affecting speech and language development.

Tips on ear infections:

          How to spot them in little ones: fussiness, fever, not wanting to eat as much, pulling on ears, trouble sleeping.

          How to prevent them: Even with our best efforts we won't be able to prevent all of them, but the following should help:

• Discontinue pacifier use.
• No bottles in the crib. 
• Immunize child, especially against strep pneumoniae (the most common bacteria causing ear infections).
•  Avoid any second hand smoke exposure (even old smoke particles on clothes are irritating to baby).  
• Breastfeeding for at least 3 months helps prevent ear infections for the entire first year.

"Dora, Blue's Clues, and IQ"

"Dora?" asks Peanut as she places the remote in my hand. "No, Peanut, we're going to play now. " "Blue's Clues?" "No..." "Diego?" "Sweetie, no TV tonight."  What a good little negotiator - as if I would be more agreeable to turning on the TV if I preferred the show we would watch. I swear I had only let Peanut watch Dora the Explorer twice when she quickly learned not only the word for "remote," but to scavenge the couch cushions for it, then hand it to me with puppy dog eyes while whimpering, "Dora?"  So. Stinking. Cute. Subsequently, the first day she did this cute little combo, we headed straight to the library.  What had I done!? How bad is TV really?  The AAP recommends no television for children under age two, and to limit TV to 1-2 hours a day from children ages two and older.  Turns out,Baby Einstein videos won't create baby geniuses, hence the lawsuit.    Well, if they won't make baby smarter, are these videos and television shows actually harmful?  I mean, the producers of Dora the Explorer have been helpful to me on several parenting hurdles.  For example, buckling Peanut's seatbelt became much easier after reminding her, "'so we can be safe!' Just like Dora!" Oh yeah, it must be cool, Dora wears a seatbelt.  Plus, Mom can be a little crazy behind the wheel.  This weekend while driving, I glanced back at Peanut after rounding the corner a little too tightly and she was hanging onto both sides of her car seat squealing, "wee!!"  Yep, Daddy MD found that amusing. I've been weighing my experience with "educational programming" with what I've read on the subject and I decided to do my own Pubmed literature search.  I found enough studies to write a thesis, but I'll try to summarize my findings here.   Take Home Points: Television is in general NOT beneficial or educational for children two and under, and in excess, (one study in over 2 hours a day) can be harmful to brain development, and language development.  For preschool age children, some television shows can actually be educational.  In the studies I reviewed, Dora, Blue's Clues, and Sesame Street were among the best.  Shows that encourage audience participation were better because kid's brains were not locked in a passive state.  However, learning from television was still inferior to learning from parents and social interactions. Educational television is better if you, the parent, are watching and participating alongside your child. Television should not replace learning in a social environment, and children should have adequate time for creative play.  Children learn to express themselves through play. Adult content TV shows (news, soap operas, sitcoms, and action shows) are the worst.  Some studies showed that even background exposure to these shows were harmful to brain development because of the rapid scene changing, and because having the TV on in the background interfered with children's creative play.  There were so many studies on television and cognitive development alone, that I didn't even get into the other harmful effects of television overuse.  For example, childhood obesity and violent behavior, but these are topics for another day. Bottom line: Do your best to limit television especially for children under two.  Over two, allow programs devised for children, but keep total TV time to less than two hours, ideally less than one hour a day.  If you need a rest, don't feel guilty about 30 minutes of "educational programming."  An exhausted parent isn't any more stimulating than Dora.  After all, Peanut said "abre, open" the other day and I know she didn't learn Spanish from us! If you find yourself singing, "Dora, dora, dora, the explorer," while walking up the stairs, as I did this week, it's probably time to turn the TV off for awhile.

"That Darn Paci"

Pacifier, you and I are no longer friends.  Our love/hate relationship must come to an end.  Gone are the days when I appreciated your instant soothing effects and sleep-inducing powers.  Now, you are an unwanted alarm clock sounding at all hours of the night when you are lost in a sea of blankets and stuffed animals.  You may be our MVP of sleep props, but Paci, you are a thorn in my side when you are lost, and yells for "Paci" ensue at 3am.

The pacifier actually treated us quite well over the first two years.  At times, it was our solace for "the child who never sleeps."  Instantly Paci would heavy her eyes; it seemed almost miraculous.   How would we ever live without Paci?

We tried to eliminate the Paci at 6 months, the point when pacifiers may transition from fulfilling the natural sucking reflex of infants to a potential object of affection. An object of affection seemed much more difficult to eliminate.  Somehow, Mommy and Daddy MD's need to inhibit any further sleep deprivation (from Paci deletion) overcame the risks of further Paci use. 

Suddenly, we are at 22 months, and the Paci is still with us.  Luckily, Paci is only for nap and bedtime.   But, tricky Peanut has started to say, "Paci, tired, night night," as a ploy to have her Paci during the daytime.  If given the Paci, she then immediately is no longer tired and tries to escape from her bed with her Paci intact.  Smarty Pants. 

Now, our goal is to say "Bye Bye" to the Paci by Peanut's second birthday. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) , this is when risks of ear infections, dental malocclusion, and potential speech impediment outweigh benefits of pacifiers.  Click on AAFP link above to read a great review of the evidence on pacifier risks and benefits. FYI for the article: otitis media means ear infection. There is also a Patient Information Handout.

Here are some ideas to help wean the Paci:

• If the pacifier is a sleep prop as it has become in our house, prepare for a few sleepless and tearful nights.  I've read the restless nights should resolve after the third night.  We'll see...
• Collect all the Paci's in the house in a basket and tell your child you will be giving them to other babies who need them.  Praise your child for being such a big girl/boy and no longer needing the Paci.  Don't let your child see you throw them away, as this can be traumatic. 
• Replace the pacifier with a loved blanket or stuffed animal.
• Consider your own anxiety (as a parent) of losing the pacifier.  We can be just as nervous about this as our child! Have some other calming, soothing methods in mind when you are ready to wean the pacifier.  For example, soft classical music, rocking, singing, and rubbing your child's back might help.

I'm taking any other suggestions!

"Miss Independent, and Her Toothbrush"

"Shirt on, please" I ask nicely. 

"My do it, " replies Peanut ("My" = "I."  We're working on pronouns.)

Peanut yanks shirt, runs around the room, swinging shirt a few times, then hurls shirt over the gate. "Throw!" She exclaims.  It's so hard to be mad when she explains what she's doing so enthusiastically.

Shirt retrieved; "Mommy help?"  "Keep Peanut warm," I add, sounding a little like Yoda meets caveman.  I'm trying "toddler-ese" speech, only to dissipate meltdowns, per Dr. Karp, author of "The Happiest Toddler on the Block."

"My do it?" Peanut asks again sweetly.

I allow one more attempt, although Peanut gives just enough effort to fool Mommy again.  Peanut runs a couple more laps, then slams the shirt back in the dresser. Mommy = Sucker!! 

Fifteen to twenty minutes of "let her try, then distract and sneak on clothes" later, and we are ready for the real challenge.  The toothbrush. 

She's such a cutie patootie trying her hand at little brush strokes, but she can't completely fool Mommy and Daddy.  We both know we'll have to brush after her. Too bad M &M bribes to let us brush would be counterintuitive.  Thus, we resort to the hold her down and quickly clean approach, which isn't really striking that "brushing is fun" sentiment for which we had hoped.

We've been brushing since the first tooth popped through at 6 months.  Nearly a year and a half later, brushing is still a test.

I asked a friend of mine, a dentist, for some tips, and he gave me some great ideas:

1. Behavior modification. From the very first sighting of a tooth, get something soft in baby's mouth to clean (washcloth, a finger-brush, a toothbrush, etc) a couple times a day.  This helps baby become accustomed to having you brush their teeth.
2. Make brushing fun!  Find something that your child enjoys and incorporate that into the brushing routine.  For example, play your child's favorite song while they brush.  Name it the "tooth-brushing song." Or, have the whole family brush together and make it a "tooth-brushing party."  Some music, dancing, and family brushing can be a very fun nightly tradition.
3. Show your child "it's ok."  At one year of age, have your child accompany you to your own dental appointments for regular cleanings.  Some dentists will allow children to play with the air/water sprayer and suction or ride in the very cool up and down chair.  Some children prefer to sit and watch.  By the third visit with a family member, some more adventurous kids will allow the dentist to touch their teeth with a glove and maybe even brush! When your child is two and ready for his or her own dentist appointment, hopefully they will think the dentist is awesome! 

Special thanks to Andrew Zucker, DDS for his contribution to this blog entry.

"The Perfect Little Lunchbox"

It's been one of those weeks, when I feel like I am either losing my mind, or "Mommy brain" has reappeared.  "Mommy brain" is "pregnancy brain" which never resolved.  "Pregnancy brain" is the feeling of forgetfulness, known among pregnant women, that is supposed to improve post-partum after a couple weeks of adequate rest. 

So, it's 8:00pm on this frigid winter evening.  Daddy MD is pounding out practice questions for his upcoming residency yearly exam.  I'm admiring his diligence; trying not to interrupt him while I surf the web for the news and occasionally blurt out tidbits about what I'm reading.  Oh, our evenings have become so exciting.

I start to get things ready for morning.  Where, oh where, can Peanut's lunch box be? K, it's definitely not cleaned out and neatly placed on the cupboard shelf where "with-it" Mommy MD would have preparedly placed it.  It's not in the pile o' crap by the foyer door that accumulated over the past week as I hauled in a snow-suit padded Peanut.  "It's like you fall apart on your way in, dropping things as you walk," jokes Daddy MD.

Alas, I painstakingly brave the cold to search my car.  Peanut's other pair of boots, check.  Two sippies, check. Peanut's artwork, books, accessories, check, check, check.  Coveted lunch box - nope.  Oh, but there is last week's drycleaning still hanging over the window, because I haven't had a second, the cold tolerance, or the energy, to go back to the car after carrying Peanut inside. 

Plan B: Meijer grocery bag as lunch bag and non-refrigerated food for Peanut's lunch tomorrow.  Search cupboards.  How is it possible I do not have one food item that Peanut will eat? I know: it's because she will only eat mac'n'cheese, grilled cheese, string cheese, and those little cheese fish crackers at this point - period. 

D and W run.  Two Chef Boyardee mac n'cheese, please. 

I arrive home, run up our snow-covered steps (despite warnings from the post-office that they won't deliver our mail any longer if we don't shovel them) and pass by the string of dangling Christmas lights that Peanut allowed me to partially remove from the tree.  Those'll be up til Spring.  Sorry neighbors, it's just too cold.

Ahh, time to relax on the couch.  I crack open the newest "Pottery Barn Kids" magazine for a moment of mind-numbing flipping, and there it is, in the middle of the catalog, staring me right in the face.  The perfect lunch box with the perfect healthy lunch made by the perfect mother who lives in the Pottery barn house.  You know, the big white one with the red door and the gorgeous Christmas decorations. 

It's a purple polka-dot lunch box filled with fresh cheese, broccoli, granola, and a whole wheat sandwich cut neatly in a circle with a decorative flower, constructed of vegies and nuts, adorning the top.  Here I am, staring at this lunch box, suddenly feeling like the most under-achieving working mama I know.  I can either cry or laugh, but I won't let Pottery Barn bring me to tears, so I laugh.  Then I brainstorm ways to get Peanut to try one bite of any one food item featured in that oh so perfect polka dot lunch box.  Yeah, not gonna happen.  But, I will keep trying, and she will keep getting her Flinstone vitamin a day in the meantime.

Not wanting to disturb a focused Daddy MD with my Pottery Barn-induced mini-meltdown, I try to reassure myself.  I think about all the things I did for Peanut today:

I bundled her up and let the car run an extra 5 minutes so she wouldn't be cold. Gave her lots of hugs, kisses, and "I love yous."  Pointed out all the interesting sights on the way home so she wouldn't cry of boredom.  Reminded her of "please" and "thank you." Snuck some rice in her bread and cheese combo dinner for extra vitamins.  Spoke slowly and annunciated every word when we were playing to help her learn to talk.  Hunched way over to push her toddler grocery cart around the house and counted the wooden fruit aloud as I loaded them in her cart.  Sang to her in the bathtub.  Covered her with lotion to prevent a winter rash.  Read books. Checked on the thermostat, vent, blankets, and temp in her room more than once after bedtime.

Alright, so I am doing ok as a mother.

My advice this week: take a step back, give yourself a pat on the back, and tell yourself, "I'm doing a great job as a parent."

P.S. I ordered that adorable lunch box.  It was on sale and I had a coupon.