*Baby Corner*

[Eveline 9]

I took allie to the pediatrician the other day only to find out that she AGAIN has bronchitis. So she's back on four nebulizer treatments a day plus Zithromax abx. I'm not a big fan of abx and neither is our pediatrician but this time I asked for it since we need something to get that cough out of her before we go on an airplane with 300 people. She's doing pretty good so far. Only two days into the abx treatment she's hardly even coughing anymore and finally it's a wet cough, she's getting that stuff out of her lungs. PLUS she's on her regular vitamins and extra-Sinupret which is supposed to strenghten her rhespiratory system and sinuses. I'm glad to see my little girl feel better.

Adam had some kind of bug and threw up all over the place in Golden Corrall a few days ago and then again at home. He's been having the runs ever since but other than that he's fine.

both kids seem stable so far...I guess we'll make our trip to Germany without any major illness and I just hope that once I can give the kids to my parents my immune system won't collapse so I get sick haha.

Countdown to Germany T- 3 days...wohoooo

[Nizzy 1]

Yep, Sweet home Chicago! I live about 20 mins south of Downtown. Small area called Midlothian. Virginia has to be a big change from Chitown huh?

okay, you don't have to rub it in! : P Yeah after all these years I still am not used to this place. I tell my husband I hate it about 2-3 times per week. If I win the lottery, I would not hesitate to move back...but until than..I'm stuck here...in the land of the unfriendly...lol...

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I took allie to the pediatrician the other day only to find out that she AGAIN has bronchitis. So she's back on four nebulizer treatments a day plus Zithromax abx. I'm not a big fan of abx and neither is our pediatrician but this time I asked for it since we need something to get that cough out of her before we go on an airplane with 300 people. She's doing pretty good so far. Only two days into the abx treatment she's hardly even coughing anymore and finally it's a wet cough, she's getting that stuff out of her lungs. PLUS she's on her regular vitamins and extra-Sinupret which is supposed to strenghten her rhespiratory system and sinuses. I'm glad to see my little girl feel better.

Adam had some kind of bug and threw up all over the place in Golden Corrall a few days ago and then again at home. He's been having the runs ever since but other than that he's fine.

both kids seem stable so far...I guess we'll make our trip to Germany without any major illness and I just hope that once I can give the kids to my parents my immune system won't collapse so I get sick haha.

Countdown to Germany T- 3 days...wohoooo

I hope they get better soon!

Saludos,

Caro

[Vi Mazzella 4]

Eveline@ Good luck , how long are u staying in Germany?

Christmas, As every year I get a little sentimental around this time, I miss my family so much + my hubby being a pain the neck about my trip in January makes it even worst. Our tradition is to set te X-mas tree on December 1st, but this years I have no idea of were are we going to place it, there is some room for it, is just my little hamster who pulls down everything and I can see her going crazy with the tree.

We got a bucnh of gifts at Toys R Us this past Saturday but we juts found out thta some of the items we bought are 30% already so I'm planning to go back this week with my receipt to see if I can get some money back. Some of the toys we bought are: Jammin Band Musical Microphone, Peek a block, Jammin Piano, Crawl a long drum roll , all of them from Fisher Price, plus some clothes. I agree, I know she doesn't even know what x-mas is but my dear husband went crazy this year buying gifts

[Autumnchik 6]

Wow, I had a lot of reading to do. Our computer broke over Tgiving and is currently in the shop. I only get to check internet at work now and I have been missing Baby Corner!

Welcome to the new mommy to be

Happy Bday Enzo!!!

So, Declan is teething and has been super clingy. And the doctor called last night with the results of his lead test. Levels are too high. His level is 8, and they want it to be under 5. I am so freaked out but trying to stay sane and just make sure I have done everything I can to safety proof the home (all the trim has been painted, have vacuumed with a HEPA filter, scrubbed walls and toys, etc.) They are going to test him in 2 months. His iron levels were really good, so at least that is something (she said anemia is one sign of being affected). I talked to daycare today too to have them check over their environment.

For Xmas: we're trying not to go overboard. My mom has already bought him a kitchen set, a rocking horse and a sit'n'spin. Hubby and I plan on getting books, maybe some art type of toy and this awesome stuffed horse that they have at a local store (when we are there, he loves to take it and sit on it on the floor and pretend to ride).

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I Christmas!!

and I just finished my Christmas shopping.

For baby: A hand-knit blanket (made by yours truly )

An anniversary edition of the book "The Little Prince"

Stocking stuffers: bottle labels (by inchbug), a winter hat, and a "my first Christmas" teddy

For hubby: A new grill!

and a "Zappa Plays Zappa" CD

Saludos,

Caro

[Nessa 23]

hey girls, could you share everything you've done in the house when you babyproofed the place. I'll go buy some stuff this weekend because he is getting there, he moves everywhere but within a space limit, soon he'll be moving all around the house.

[Staashi 371]

So far not much babyproofing. But we do totally need to do it this month. E moves all over the house but with our supervision. I think he'll be walking by 9 or 10 months, so we're gonna be screwed.

[Autumnchik 6]

Forgot to add earlier - hope Adam and Allie feel better and your trip is a fun one.

@ Nessa - For babyproofing, we put outlet plugs into all the outlets, made sure furniture was secure (sometimes people bolt dressers to the walls or use straps to attach them so they don't tip over), removed any knickknacks that were unsafe from his reach. Put latches on the cabinets, but we allowed him to have one cabinet he could explore with plastic bowls and measuring cups in there. We also put baby gates up in the house so he can't access the stairs without one of us with him. We have those childproof doorknob things on the doors. We have a cat. Initially, we put his bowls out of Declan's reach. As Declan is now climbing, we just watch him closely when in the kitchen where the cat's food is (cat is old and cannot jump onto a high counter to get food). Also, we don't allow Declan to get into the bathroom where the cat's litterbox is without one of us there. We also put bumpers on the corners, sharp edges of furniture. We did this in stages ... babyproofed for him crawling, then cruising, then walking.

[Nessa 23]

whats the difference in crawling and cruising?

this is my checklist to buy so far:

- Stairs gates

- Toilet Lock (2)

- Cabinet locks

- Oven lock

- Trash can with a locked cover

- Electrical covers- installed swivel kind, not the plastic covers.

- Ipecal or activated charcoal

- Adhesive locks for fridge

- Thingy to put shampoo etc that you hang on the wall next to the tub so the shampoo, soap etc won't be at baby's reach

- bumpers for corners of coffee table, dunno what else needs those bumpers

[Eveline 9]

Nessa, we just babyproofed as we went. My husband did the bumper for the table but I pulled it back off cause the kids were pulling on it and actually biting chunks out of it. The toilet seat lock never worked on our toilet or I couldn't figure it out gg. Trashcan and fridge lock aren't necessary. The kids aren't interested in either one of them (anymore...Adam was very interested in it for a while and we did use the adhesive lock for the fridge, not the trash though). Shampoo thingy..hmm..we're usually in the bathroom with them to supervise.

All we did was a babygate, the plugs for the outlets and some locks for some of the kitchen cabinets. The oven lock is also a good idea. We did use that in the old house. Now the oven is too far up to reach.

Cruising means that they pull up on furniture and walk along it holding onto it.

[Autumnchik 6]

Here is something I read that describes cruising:

Cruise Control

About a month after your baby first pulls himself up to a standing position, he will start cruising. (No, that doesn't mean he will start frequenting bars and looking for dates.) Your baby will start by pulling himself up to standing using a couch, chair, or low table for support. Then, using sideways shuffling steps, he'll slowly, carefully move along the edge of that piece of furniture. Without letting go, your baby will slide both hands in the direction he wants to go. Then he'll move his lead leg over without lifting it off the ground. Finally, he'll catch up with the trail leg, sliding it over next to the lead leg.

Your list looks good Nessa.

Okay, I am signing off for the night and computer is broken at home. Does anyone have any wise words of advice to help relieve a bit of my anxiety over Declan's lead test? I am feeling like such a horrible mother for allowing my child to be exposed to lead and am terrified over the possible effects. I know I am probably making myself crazy too .....

[Anna C. 4]

babyproofing: We covered the outlets, baby gates, cabinet locks, moved everything out of his reach in the bathroom. Toilet locks never worked, he got those off in no time (it is a glue side, easy to peel off!). We covered the corners of the coffee table and media center and added the padding there. So far he hasn't tried to eat it off the furniture... I also have door stoppers, it's a plastic thingie that makes it impossible to close the door so no fingers get stuck. You have to close it slowly to close it. But they come off a lot. Our oven has a built in lock, so do washer and dryer. Fridge lock is not necessary yet, but might be soon.

I also have little plastic cord rollers for the ropes of the blinds, so he cannot pull those. That's about it. Other measures include making sure baby cannot reach any cords

@ Autumn: Google it, I think that might really help. I can ask my homeopathy group if you like, they usually have great advice and know a lot about detoxing. I'd strongly recommend buying those lead test kits for the home to put your mind at ease - test everything and toss all toys that contain lead, and remember that NH website? I think they listed professionals who know how to remove lead hazards and how to deal with it, like if it is better to put a sealant paint layer over it in your case or to remove it completely. Declan isn't over the limit that is currently deemed safe by the FDA (10), but reducing the level will be good. And since he is developing nicely, I wouldn't worry too much. I'm sure though that once the levels are lower he will feel better overall - I have read about lead being linked to allergies, asthma and respiratory infections.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Anna C.

[Nessa 23]

Shampoo thingy..hmm..we're usually in the bathroom with them to supervise.

the bathroom door is open and if he gets inside the tub, everything that's in there is reachable. we will keep an eye on where he is in the house, but what if he gets there fast while we're busy or something and he gets in the tub and can grab everything thats in there, you know? and keeping the door option is not an option, because the main heating comes from that bathroom. i don't expect that ever to happen, but better safe than sorry.

[Mommy2ZaidnSalma 11]

We just always kept a close eye on zaid. I used electric outlet covers but thats about it. Anything hazardous I just moved up high. We keep the bathroom door closed at all times, he has stuck his hand in the toilet one too many times.

The only hard part we had with zaid was cat hair bc we have 2 cats. he would find the smallest hairball and shove it in his mouth. I vaccumed and swiffered 2 times a day for months

Edited December 3, 2009 by ZaidsMommy