;)
Tuesday
Mar042008
Really? A not fabulous post.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 1:37PM
I promised really boring baby updates yesterday, and so I will deliver:
Night Terrors: Y'all really gave me some awesomely radical advice on night terrors. So, thanks. This is why I'll keep the internet, you know? Anyway, after doing some serious googling, I took care of those night terrors with one strategically placed nightlight, a disconcertingly ritualist new night-time routine, and forced naps. Lattemommy and Mommy's Martini were kind enough to remind me that sleep begets sleep. (Thanks, ladies!) We have been almost one month night-terror-free.
Dehydration: The whole emergency room trip for the kid that wouldn't pee? Total. Waste. Of. Time. Huckdoll likes to giggle at me when I call the nurse-line, and I know she's right, but when it's just you with 3 kids and one of them is showing 2 of the 10 signs of severe dehydration and it's almost bedtime, well, you do whatcha gotsta do. I just couldn't get the kid to drink, you know? I tried everything, and the only thing that worked was a popsicle. The popsicle also gave her all the gusto of a spider on crack, and we knew we had to come up with a better plan. Celticbuffy recommended gatorade mixed with cranberry juice, and that sounded as good as anything else, so we tried it. No go. She wouldn't touch it.
(This is where I need to interject a little somethin'. See, I had one kid who superglued* himself to his binkie when we dared try to take it from him at three and a half. I had one kid who still, at seven years and 11 months and 20 days, still wants a sippy cup. Kid three? Got nothing. There were no binkies { truth be told, we offered; she declined } and this kid has only ever gotten a bottle at bedtime. We own two and only two sippy cups, and she loathes them. She uses the same glasses her brothers use, and up until 2 days ago, this seemed like a fine arrangement.)
I was beside myself. The kid would not drink. Thanks to the popsicles, she had managed to squeeze out 3 little, sad, pathetic tinkles of peepee. And then she fell, and fell hard, and really clonked her head, and while she screamed and cried I noticed something. There were no tears. NO TEARS.
Just as I was bracing to pin her to the floor and force some fluid down her throat, or take her to the ER again for IV fluids, The Donor chimed in. "Have you put the juice in a bottle?"
I. Never. Thought. Of. That. We filled up the one bottle we own with gatorade and she chugged it down like she was trying to pledge a frat. And then she asked for MoMo OwrJoosh (more orange juice). She chugged another one. We got 18 oz. of fluids in her in under 3 minutes. The Donor ran out right then and bought all the bottles Safeway had in stock, and most of the gatorade.
And so, at the ripe old age of 2 1/2, my daughter is starting on bottles. I know what you all are going to say, and I totally appreciate your input, but seriously...if you try to talk me out of this I am going to smack you. I know what I'm getting myself into here. Hell, I am 40 days shy of beginning my 2nd decade of parenting. (Excuse me while I go throw up.) The important thing is that she's drinking, a lot, and she is re-hydrated. The proof of that is that someone whom we shall not name mistook her big girl panties for a diaper last night and put her to bed in those big panties, which got my buttercup up nice and early this morning in the middle of quite the puddle.
My kids hate me: Lastly, yes, I had a hot date planned with the Notorious Lattemommy yesterday, and she even had cinnamon rolls waiting for me, and all three of my kids decided that yesterday morning was the perfect time to give their immune systems a little vacation. Oh well. Maybe another day.
*Not true, but close.
Night Terrors: Y'all really gave me some awesomely radical advice on night terrors. So, thanks. This is why I'll keep the internet, you know? Anyway, after doing some serious googling, I took care of those night terrors with one strategically placed nightlight, a disconcertingly ritualist new night-time routine, and forced naps. Lattemommy and Mommy's Martini were kind enough to remind me that sleep begets sleep. (Thanks, ladies!) We have been almost one month night-terror-free.
Dehydration: The whole emergency room trip for the kid that wouldn't pee? Total. Waste. Of. Time. Huckdoll likes to giggle at me when I call the nurse-line, and I know she's right, but when it's just you with 3 kids and one of them is showing 2 of the 10 signs of severe dehydration and it's almost bedtime, well, you do whatcha gotsta do. I just couldn't get the kid to drink, you know? I tried everything, and the only thing that worked was a popsicle. The popsicle also gave her all the gusto of a spider on crack, and we knew we had to come up with a better plan. Celticbuffy recommended gatorade mixed with cranberry juice, and that sounded as good as anything else, so we tried it. No go. She wouldn't touch it.
(This is where I need to interject a little somethin'. See, I had one kid who superglued* himself to his binkie when we dared try to take it from him at three and a half. I had one kid who still, at seven years and 11 months and 20 days, still wants a sippy cup. Kid three? Got nothing. There were no binkies { truth be told, we offered; she declined } and this kid has only ever gotten a bottle at bedtime. We own two and only two sippy cups, and she loathes them. She uses the same glasses her brothers use, and up until 2 days ago, this seemed like a fine arrangement.)
I was beside myself. The kid would not drink. Thanks to the popsicles, she had managed to squeeze out 3 little, sad, pathetic tinkles of peepee. And then she fell, and fell hard, and really clonked her head, and while she screamed and cried I noticed something. There were no tears. NO TEARS.
Just as I was bracing to pin her to the floor and force some fluid down her throat, or take her to the ER again for IV fluids, The Donor chimed in. "Have you put the juice in a bottle?"
I. Never. Thought. Of. That. We filled up the one bottle we own with gatorade and she chugged it down like she was trying to pledge a frat. And then she asked for MoMo OwrJoosh (more orange juice). She chugged another one. We got 18 oz. of fluids in her in under 3 minutes. The Donor ran out right then and bought all the bottles Safeway had in stock, and most of the gatorade.
And so, at the ripe old age of 2 1/2, my daughter is starting on bottles. I know what you all are going to say, and I totally appreciate your input, but seriously...if you try to talk me out of this I am going to smack you. I know what I'm getting myself into here. Hell, I am 40 days shy of beginning my 2nd decade of parenting. (Excuse me while I go throw up.) The important thing is that she's drinking, a lot, and she is re-hydrated. The proof of that is that someone whom we shall not name mistook her big girl panties for a diaper last night and put her to bed in those big panties, which got my buttercup up nice and early this morning in the middle of quite the puddle.
My kids hate me: Lastly, yes, I had a hot date planned with the Notorious Lattemommy yesterday, and she even had cinnamon rolls waiting for me, and all three of my kids decided that yesterday morning was the perfect time to give their immune systems a little vacation. Oh well. Maybe another day.
*Not true, but close.
Reader Comments (30)
HEY Whatever works and gets you through the day alive and your kids alive!
SO GLAD to hear she's drinking and I'm sure peeing now!
:)
Alison's last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/mountainmomma/~3/244556484/rainy-days-and-sundays.html' rel="nofollow">Rainy Days and Sundays...
"We own two and only two sippy cups, and she loathes them"
Yeah, kids don't usually care for whiskey. :P
I would have been totally freaking out over the drinking thing, too.
I must have missed the night terrors post but man those are some fun times, huh? I thought my son was possessed and was going to start spitting pea soup at me the first time he had an episode. THANK GOODNESS they did not last long!
Wait, didn't you do a post years ago about 2of3 having scared-of-the-dark issues? I seem to vaguely recall some ritual solution involving a sqirt bottle....
Marge's last blog post..http://wheremytruthlives.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/more-than-hoping-to-survive-with-our-sanity-intact/' rel="nofollow">More Than Hoping To Survive With Our Sanity Intact
don't you just LOVE it when kids decide to get sick around 10 p.m. on a friday night? i have spent plenty of long sometimes pointless hours in the ER and i feel your pain.
you just want to do the right thing.
hope your days (and nights) get better real soon :)
missy wiggins's last blog post..http://revelationsofmissy.blogspot.com/2008/01/13-songs-that-really-hit-spot.html' rel="nofollow">13 songs that really hit the spot.
I'm glad you found an easy solution to the drinking problem. I would have been freaking out if my kid exhibited 2 of the 10 signs of dehydration. I never would have thought of using a bottle. I don't even know if we have any bottles. Whatever works, though, right?
Carrie's last blog post..http://www.queenoframbles.com/blog/2008/03/03/bits-and-pieces-3/' rel="nofollow">Bits and Pieces
Who cares how you get liquid in?!!!??? As long as she gets it in! I'm struggling with the same thing here, not even the bottle is working for us though!
Jenty's last blog post..http://jentyrambling.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/just-arb-stuff/' rel="nofollow">Just arb stuff
Whatever works is right!! I remember using a syringe filled with Pedialyte. Have you ever tried that stuff? N A S T Y. But kiddo liked it. Weird.
Jennifer's last blog post..http://justuniquelyordinary.blogspot.com/2008/03/70-days-and-counting.html' rel="nofollow">I'm 30 Weeks as of TODAY...
Whatever works! I'm the laziest when it comes to weaning from paci's or bottles . . . we have four and yet have one to go to kindergarten with either. Nor are any of them bucktoothed!
As far as calling the nurse-line? You go right ahead! I'm a nurse, the Mr. is a respiratory therapist. As a result our children are SO medically neglected. ie. "Oh, you think you need stitches? Hold on, I think I left a suture kit in my lab coat . . . here, bite down on this." :p
Honeybell's last blog post..http://thebellpages.blogspot.com/2008/03/some-things-id-rather-not-know.html' rel="nofollow">Some Things I'd Rather Not Know
It works! I'm not throwing any stones when it comes to bottles and sippy cups...there are blackmail photos of me with these things far too late in life.
Whatever works for a sick child. I would do anything. I would have never thought bottle either. Glad to hear she is doing better.
ohmommy's last blog post..http://www.classychaos.com/2008/03/amongst-them-all-help-me.html' rel="nofollow">Amongst them all... HELP ME!
well, some kids, they just start stuff later. mine started bottles at like 8 months, yours at about 30. milestones, shmilestones.
zoeyjane's last blog post..http://mommyismoody.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/the-problem-with-me/' rel="nofollow">The Problem With Me
Hey! You do what ya gotta do for your kids! Make no apologies. At least it was OJ and Gatorade and not JD you were putting in the bottle. =)
Tara R.'s last blog post..http://ifmomsaysok.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/now-that-the-writers-strike-is-over/' rel="nofollow">Now that the writers? strike is over
My philosophy on parenting can be summed up in two words : whatever works.
So who cares if she's 2 1/2 and drinking out of a bottle. She's drinking and can now supply you with the appropriate tears. ;)
CableGirl's last blog post..http://cablegirl.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/ugh/' rel="nofollow">ugh!
Please, please school me on the night terror thing. We've essentially given up, and at some point we just bring our three-year-old son into our bed so he can sleep without waking up screaming.
It's cute how he loves to cuddle, but my wife and I are exhausted.
Hank's last blog post..http://lastnameunknown.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/some-people-should-simply-not-wear-some-outfits/' rel="nofollow">Some People Should Simply Not Wear Some Outfits
Yeah I must have missed the night terror post too. I need some tips, I am just plain beat!
amy's last blog post..http://amysbratpack.blogspot.com/2008/03/now-thats-sassy-boot.html' rel="nofollow">Now that's a sassy boot!
It wasn't soda. Go you.
daysgoby's last blog post..http://jessalogic.blogspot.com/2008/03/not-to-sound-like-britney.html' rel="nofollow">not to sound like britney
So glad that she's better. Sorry to hear that your plans were nixed. Better luck the next time.
Diane's last blog post..http://onemomsopinion.blogspot.com/2008/03/house-2-perhaps.html' rel="nofollow">House #2, perhaps?
Whatever works!!
Maria [Immoral Matriarch]'s last blog post..http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/immoralmc/~3/244974917/my-life-hollywood-style.html' rel="nofollow">My Life. Hollywood Style.
I say bravo to you.. u flipped the hospital the bird and did what you knew was right for your kid..
Kim's last blog post..http://www.joggingincircles.com/journal/2008/3/5/feeling-much-love-this-week.html' rel="nofollow">Feeling Much Love This Week!!
The nurse hotline can bite me. (I hope they didn't read this, though, because I'm going to keep calling them, even though I hate them so.)
My parenting motto -- which is genius, even if I am the only one saying so and I've only been doing this for 19 months -- is "whatever works". Boo to the naysayers.
BTW, try the Pedialyte popsicles if you've got a sick one. They dig 'em, and there's no sugar. I think. I should probably read more labels.
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)'s last blog post..http://missivesfromsuburbia.blogspot.com/2008/03/you-say-tomato-i-say-tomahto.html' rel="nofollow">You Say Tomato, I Say Tomahto
Darn. I just realized Maria's motto is also "whatever works". That chick follows me everywhere!
Deb (Missives From Suburbia)'s last blog post..http://missivesfromsuburbia.blogspot.com/2008/03/you-say-tomato-i-say-tomahto.html' rel="nofollow">You Say Tomato, I Say Tomahto
So many things...where to start... ok: Night terrors fixed = good; drinking fixed = good; bottles? who cares if it works; peepee in bed? sorry.
Date with LatteMommy = MommyTime is seriously jealous. And now that I know cinnamon rolls were supposed to be involved? GREEN with jealousy. Oh, yes, if I'd been there, there would have been some throw-down for the last cinnamon roll. Just sayin...
MommyTime's last blog post..http://mommysmartini.blogspot.com/2008/03/in-memoriam.html' rel="nofollow">In Memoriam
Date with Lattemommy??? Talking to another cool mommy?
Sigh....
And no....no hate or derision. We did NIGHT TIME BOTTLES of milk for both kids..so they would rot their teeth. THAT was a painful habit to break.
Now caity only drinks milk out of one coffee cup..because it has WonderWoman on it.
Adam only drinks Orange Juice, water or er..pop.
And my feeling is we all have to do what works NOW and then deal with therapy down the road.
crunchy carpets's last blog post..http://crunchycarpets.com/archives/374' rel="nofollow">WE SUCK!
Glad she's drinking again. The crack spider? Hilarious.
Isnt that the way life goes, they are always sick when you have plans. I hope they feel better soon!
Christy's last blog post..http://2princessandaprince.blogspot.com/2008/03/sensory-processing-disorder.html' rel="nofollow">Sensory Processing disorder
Oh boy . . . I've gotta remember this post! Hey, you know what I did? After a trip to ToysRUs, we strapped ourselves in the car, little J was quiet and I was relishing in our little perfect family outing. I reached to caress his tiny little head and WHOA--I felt an indentation. I know he has a soft spot, but I swear it felt SUNKEN in down to his brain. I FREAKED OUT. Screamed at my husband to RUSH to the hospital. Where we waited. And waited. The nurse looked at him. She's got this "no big deal" thing going on. His skin was great. He was moist. He cried. He was alert. She said that the slight indentation (I think it was a crater) in his head was nothing to be alarmed about. I waited TWO hours to have the doctor come in and tell me it was completely normal. One nurse smiled knowingly at my freaking out. The other just made FUN OF ME. And the doctor gave me his card and said I could call him anytime if I was worried again. I didn't. It was at that moment I knew I was not the cool, chillin' mom I thought I was going to be. I could freak out with the best of them . . .
laskigal's last blog post..http://laskigal.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-heartbreak-do-you-remember.html' rel="nofollow">First Heartbreak . . . Do you remember?
I'm all for "you gotta do, what you gotta do"!
Secret Agent Mama's last blog post..http://secretagentmama.com/blog/2008/03/05/project-365-195365/' rel="nofollow">Project 365 (195/365)
Hey, she's drinking, it's all that matters. It's worth a load or two of laundry. And sleeping too? Bonus.
My cinnamon rolls will be waiting here for you. Well, ok, not the ones from the other day. They're gone now. They'd have been stale anyway. (Or so I tell my waistline.)
Latte Mommy's last blog post..http://lattemommy.blogspot.com/2008/03/only-good-die-young.html' rel="nofollow">Only the Good Die Young
i'm of the whatever works school, too! and...i would have freaked out also!!
my son used to have night terrors...every.night! it's only been around 6 months or so, that he hasn't had any. i never could figure out what to do about those...i think it might have been that he was too young to be watching the power rangers. since he hasn't been watching that show, he hasn't been having terrors. but, he still wakes up in the middle of the night...to come into my bed...and he is 4!!
well...have a good one!
xo
Whatever works is my motto. Course it should be fun when you take the bottle away as quickly as it came, a good entry anyway. ;)
Kay's last blog post..http://specialk513.blogspot.com/2008/03/because-i-amahemsocoughfrickin-hawt.html' rel="nofollow">Because I am(ahem)so(cough)frickin' HAWT!!