Sometimes the smallest gifts can be the most difficult to find. I decided to compile a list of ideas for hanging socks on your mantle. Stocking opening is something I love. We always open them at the end of Christmas morning, as a “grande finale”. It’s even more fun with a toddler at home to carry on the tradition. You can stock your stocking with cheap toys and pencils, but why not add some useful items? It’s always a good idea to have useful items, as they help reduce the amount of junk that ends up in the landfill.
STOCKING STUFFERS FOR LITTLE ONES
Construction Site Utensil set – This toy doubles as a utensil and makes mealtimes more enjoyable! This is the perfect toy for little ones during the “truck!” phase.
Melissa & Doug Water Wow Color Books – Just to keep them from getting into trouble for a moment.
Christmas Tree and Snowman Ornaments made of Play-Doh – Available in 6 packs so you can give a few to your daycare friends!
How to make it through a long road trip with your toddler
2020 was a wild year. It’s totally freakin’ crazy. January began with so much promise and potential. We had just a few flights and trips booked by February, and our calendar was clear by March. Everyone else cleared their calendars, and everyone settled down. As May turned into June, I began to doubt my sanity and realized that my 3 children needed to move on. Desperately. It was essential for survival to be able to escape from a husband and toddler who are very fussy.
We began looking into options for hotels within driving distance. There was no safe option. We decided to drive to Traverse City to visit our aunt and uncle. They are able to accommodate us, live on a lake with a boat (boats can be the ultimate social distancing device), and my uncle makes a great blueberry pancake.
How do wean off bottles and switch to sippy cups?
That night, I said to myself, “This is it.” It’s up to us to make it happen. It will be harder for him to do it as he gets older, so let’s just rip off the bandaid with the one bottle per day he still receives. That night, I didn’t give him a bottle before he went to bed. I gave him a sippy cup of milk mixed with warm water. After a few more sips, he was satisfied and I went to bed. Guess what?
The next few days, I was still eating eggshells. I did not speak about what had happened. I did not tell anyone that he had dropped his entire bottle. I did not tell anyone that we switched to milk. It was not something I wanted to do. I waited 72 hours before speaking about what we had done. It’s easy to understand if you are a mom. You should not talk about something that is going well. You will jinx yourself!
For the past month, we have been bottle-free for one month. I can confidently say that it was a more difficult transition for me than for him. It took me several weeks to see that he was fine. I stopped giving him milk in a sippy mug before bed because he often throws it away and leaves a mess. Although he may be hungry or having an early dinner, I will still offer milk if he is feeling hungry. However, it is very rare that he finishes more than a few sips. He is allowed to have milk at mealtimes, and he has a sippy cup of water all day. I do not offer milk to him except that he now drinks more milk with his meals. It’s just a mess.
The clothes he outgrew are now in his bottles. They are now off my kitchen counter drying on the Boon drying rack. My counter is empty of any cans of formula. This made me sad. My baby is no longer such a baby. It’s bittersweet, but I am so proud of my little boy growing up and becoming independent, just as he should.
Six things a labor and delivery nurse wants to tell you about delivering during a Pandemic
The world we live in is scary. To avoid getting ourselves or someone we care about very, very sick, we are told to stay at home and keep a stash of food and toilet paper. Many find the stay-at-home order inconvenient. For some, it can be devastating for their financial health. And for pregnant mothers, it can be terrifying, upsetting, and unfair.
Mothers nearing their due dates, my heartfelt condolences. Birth is a life-changing experience. It can be scary, even for those who are used to it. A pandemic can add unnecessary stress and anxiety to an otherwise joyful and exciting time. Although I am sorry that this has not been what you had in mind, please know that many people are rooting for and believing you to be very, very courageous.
To ease the anxiety of expectant mothers, Jessica, a BSN, and RN, contacted me to chat. She works in the OB, postpartum unit at a South Florida hospital during these extraordinary times. I asked Jessica some questions that many expectant moms have. These answers are valid for her hospital but can be used as a general guide. Because I gave birth at a different time than I did, I asked a few of my friends who are currently pregnant. Most of the questions were directly answered by them.
Is the support person (birthing person) required to BYOM? Is the mother required to wear a mask during labor?
Practically everyone wears a mask 24 hours a day. Although I cannot speak for the hospital, we have sufficient PPE to supply the support person and mom. It is difficult to breathe in labor. Are all mothers still wearing masks? It is not necessary for all moms to continue wearing masks. However, she can choose to reject our suggestions. Any medical treatment you refuse is your right at all times.
What are the main differences between the L&D ward before and after Covid?
The OB unit is fantastic because it is completely locked. It is not connected to the rest hospital. Since before Covid, it has been extremely secure and restricted in the number of visitors. We (and Pediatrics), allow one visitor per day, while the rest of the hospital has no restrictions. Our nurses continue to provide the same compassionate and caring care for our patients, despite having more PPE and one visitor.
