Yet another day in the life of a momma in training

Friday we made yet another trip to the Instacare down the street from our house.  After running a few errands and a fun trip to the zoo, Park appeared to have some troubling pain.  I noticed that he didn't like me to hold him like I normally do, shying away from any pressure on or near his bum.  What in the world could be wrong?  First I thought maybe his diaper was dirty and needed a changing...but I checked and that wasn't the case.  Next I thought maybe his diaper was pinching him somewhere.  So I laid him down to change him and he began to cry.  When I took off his pants, he really let it out.  But when I took off his diaper, what appeared scared the hell out of me.  My sweet little boy's private part was super swollen near the tip...I had never seen anything like this on him before.  I tried to touch it to look at it closer and he cried even harder so I quickly put his diaper back on, through on our jackets, and ran down to the clinic.

Once I got there, I thought to myself, am I one of those crazy mothers who thinks his son has something wrong with himself down there when really it's normal for this to happen because he is a boy?  They are going to laugh at me!!!  When the receptionist asked me what they were going to see him for I was embarrassed to say my son's penis is really swollen and doesn't look right.  But I thought...who cares?  I would rather be overprotective and laughed at then risk my son having something seriously hurting him.

So the doc came into the room and I showed him the "situation".  He acted calmly and said it looked as though he had edema of the penis.  I asked what that meant with which he replied that he didn't know and stepped out to look some information up.  He later came back into the room and wanted to look more closely.  We laid Park down on the table and while I held his arms and two nurses held his legs, the doctor inspected it. My son was crying so hard that I had my face right next to his talking to him and trying to sooth him.  During this time I glanced down to see what the doctor was doing and to my horror, saw him attempting to pull back the foreskin of my intact child.  He then asked me, "is it normally this difficult to pull back his foreskin?" with which I replied...YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO PULL IT BACK!!!  IT DOESN'T RETRACT UNTIL THEY ARE OLDER!!

So when he was finished torturing my child he wrote a Rx for Cephlexin (antibiotic) and told me to put cortisone .5% cream directly on his penis.  I asked what we were dealing with and he said he wasn't sure but that he thought it was an allergic reaction.  I told him that there was nothing new I had given him and that I couldn't imagine what it would be.  I asked him what I should do if it gets worse and he told me to call a urologist.

So we came back home and I let him take a nap before I did anything else.  After consulting with a friend who didn't circumcise her sons either, I realized that Park probably had a yeast infection.  I didn't know this could happen to boys.  After he awoke, I changed his diaper to see how everything looked and to my horror as well as a bit of relief, (I will spare the details) I definitely knew that my son had a yeast infection.  So we rushed back down to the clinic to tell the doctor what I found and to ask for a Rx for Diflucan.  Now there is a lot more to this story but because I am still so upset about the doctor's words and reactions, I don't want to get into them.  But let me just tell you that by taking my son to this clinic, I not only ALMOST gave my son a Rx that would make his situation worse, scarred him from ever being comfortable with doctors, but allowed for someone to hurt him even more when he attempted to retract his foreskin.  My son was bleeding from it.  I'm still in tears when I think about it and how I trusted that the doctor knew what he was doing when in fact, most don't know the proper care of an uncircumcised boy.  Is that as crazy as it sounds?   Where has this country gone when they are not training their physicians...those we pay for their services and trust to make us better...the proper care of a baby boy whose genitals have not been mutilated?  You know, in the past I have always had a passive tone when it came to whether or not parents chose to circumcise their boys but enough is enough!

There is such a cultural lockdown and stigma in this country and no where else when it comes to the topic of circumcision in boys.  Tell me all of you who disagree, how is this different from a female being circumcised in Africa?  How is this NOT genital mutilation?  There is NO scientific evidence that shows it is in anyway healthier for males to be circumcised.   No where.  In fact, std stats are higher here than in Europe where most males are uncircumcised, cancers of the genitals are not higher, etc. etc.  You tell me that it is so gross or that it looks weird to have an uncircumcised penis well, I think that every itty bitty body part on my son is just the way it is meant to be and beautiful.  After all, if a penis without foreskin was healthier for humans then wouldn't we have seen the disappearance of it throughout evolution?  The way some people think sometimes amazes me.  And not in a good way.

Educate yourself.  I don't mean listen to what your friends say about it or what you were brought up to think about the topic, really educated YOURSELF.  Look up the information at your library, on the web, whatever means necessary so that instead of continuing to think that it's "better" to circumcise you will actually learn the truth.  Oh and by the way, I treated my son for a yeast infection despite what the doctor thought was the problem and in 15 hours, my son was 95% back to normal.

And one more thing, my husband and I are making a special trip to the Instacare where Park was "treated" armed with some information to leave with the doctor.  I would like to think this would prevent what happened to Park from ever happening to another boy again by this doctor.

Below are some great sources to begin your education:

http://www.nocirc.org/publish/pamphlet6.html

http://www.circumcision.org/
Also, check out the blog www.drmomma.org

Mommy Bridget

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence : Chapters

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence : Chapters

Posted using ShareThis

ksl.com - Woman shot and killed; 70-year-old being questioned

ksl.com - Woman shot and killed; 70-year-old being questioned

Here is a great example of why I so strongly believe people shouldn't be allowed to have concealed weapons...

Super Female Beings

A friend of mine and I were talking on the telephone about putting our children down for naps and for bedtime.  I remarked how I never thought the day would come that I would be able to do just that as well as have my son sleeping through the night.  Looking back, I can't believe what a struggle both inwards and outwards the whole sleep situation truly was for me and Park.  Holy crap I can't even express in words how difficult my days were living so sleep deprived.  I remember feeling like I could tip over and land flat on my face at any time.  I remember talking nonsense half of the time because all I had the energy to focus on was taking care of Park.  I really truly from the depths of my heart feel so strongly for those of you who are suffering from the sleep deprivation motherhood can bring upon you.

However difficult these times are for you struggling to rest, I can tell you that this too shall pass and one day you will look back and see how large of an accomplishment you made getting through that period.  Women are truly amazing.  During our struggles it's wondrous what our minds, bodies, and hearts can endure as proven through motherhood...
 

Mommy Bridget

ksl.com - Experts: Baby's death was preventable

ksl.com - Experts: Baby's death was preventable

This is a tragic story of a young mother who wasn't able to cope with her crying infant and chose to suffocate her child to stop the baby's cries.

I urge other mothers, fathers, and caregivers alike that if you are ever in a situation where you are overcome with feelings of desperation, please please please seek help from others. This was a sad case of just that and the child's death could have been prevented.

Group - foodiemoms - MixingBowl.com

Group - foodiemoms - MixingBowl.com

What a cute blog for Mommies who love to cook!
Check it out...
Mommy Bridget

Are they for real?

Park and I made our weekly trip to the two grocery stores we get all of our essentials from, Whole Foods and SuperTarget. Usually at Whole Foods we pick up our fruits and vegetables, meat, milk and yogurt, frozen veggies, toiletries, and any supplements.

Lately, as we walk in the sliding glass doors of Whole Foods we are greeted by blueberries (Park's fave), strawberries, and blackberries...none of which are organic lately (wrong season I guess). And every time we pass by them Park yells out to the blueberries, helplessly wishing he could jump right out of the cart and climb the berry mountain to eat to his desire. And so I give in...I buy the blueberries even though it makes for a daily struggle to get him to eat anything else. Well, that and despite the dark scary looking poo that comes out of him later on.

So our next Whole Foods trip was different. Again, we were greeted with the berry mountain. But instead of grabbing a pack of blueberries, I picked up the strawberries.       

Don't get me wrong...Park LOVES strawberries too. But the fact that regular strawberries (not organic) are so saturated with pesticides makes me not want to let my beautiful baby boy ingest them. However, this day I gave in. I mean, what's the harm once in awhile (head tilt, one eye winced, question mark)

So once home, I opened the package of strawberries to my son's glee and began washing them. While doing this, I couldn't believe what I was looking at not to mention what I was about to let my son eat. They looked odd, like artificial fruit that one displays for, I don't know, a house showing? Anyways, I still gave Park a few bites. I would have destroyed his spirits for the day had I not let him take a bite. But really, you should see these "strawberries". How could anyone not agree that farmer's should be practicing farming without pesticide use? I guess the answer lies in supply and demand...and look what I did. I purchased the bad fruit! All I can say now is please help in the demand for healthier products so our children can eat real strawberries.  Thank you to those that already do...

Check this alien strawberry out.  It was huge and rubbery in texture.  So strange!

Hope you have a good evening,

Mommy Bridget

Hair Troubles

My son has been so fortunate to have a mixture of both my husband's and my hair (this is sarcasm).  While he has his Daddy's beautiful curls in the back of his head, he has my very fine very straight hair in the front (a gift from me).  Lately, I have seen his hair grow into what looked like a blond plate on top of his head while in the back, a curly mullet.  As I have watched my son's goofy hair get longer and longer the past month, I've dealt with the increasing dread of the struggled hair cut that needed to take place.

Three days ago, the scissors came out.  It sat on the bathroom counter as a reminder of what needed to be done.  Finally this morning I pulled Park aside, grabbed the scissors and something to keep him occupied, and began the scary endeavor.  First I wet his hair and combed out his locks to view.  My priortities were as follows:  trim the front, trim the sides, then trim the back.  And that's just what I did.

Pleased with myself for getting the trim done before Park even knew what I had done, I marveled in the satisfaction of completing the task.  It looked better...wet.  But when it began to dry, I knew something was wrong.  And when I saw my son from far away, I knew what I had done.  I achieved giving a bowl hair cut to my child.  It looked awful.

So I decided when Park was sitting still in front of a movie, I would try to fix it.  Worried about making it worse, I tried to remember the advice my hair stylist  gave me for cutting his hair.  Pull his hair straight out from his head then trim.  So I did just that a few times all over, closed my eyes, and cut.      


Although it looks much better than the bowl cut, my son's locks are a bit goofy.  His hair is super short in the front (but isn't that the style?).  I also cut most of his curls out of the back.  Oh well.  I decided not to let it bother me.  It will grow out.  And maybe then I will decide it better to let a professional cut his hair.  Fortunately, since my husband has been so busy with the Sundance festivities he has yet to see my "work".

He is going to kill me.  Hopefully it will grow out enough before he ever sees it.  So if you happen to see us out someday soon, don't judge my son's hair.  We live and we learn right:)  Oh, and attached is an instructional video for cutting your kid's hair..

Good luck!

Mommy Bridget

ksl.com - Fingertip amputations prompt Graco stroller recall

ksl.com - Fingertip amputations prompt Graco stroller recall

Ya Ya Ya!

We have perfectly clean air here in Salt Lake finally!!!  I can smell the mountains again:)
The running has reconvened.

Mommy Bridget

Some Good News

I've got some really great news...in regards to my most recent post on the BRESMA orphans and volunteers in Haiti...

A statement from the McMutrie family:

“We are so thrilled to be able to share with you that Ali McMutrie and the children from the Brebis de Saint-Michel de L’Attalaye (BRESMA) orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, arrived safely at Pittsburgh International Airport a short while ago.  Jamie McMutrie will be following behind shortly.  We will release a full statement as soon as we are able.  In the meantime, thank you for your support during this trying time, and please continue to keep Haiti in your thoughts.”

I am so thrilled that they were able to get out of Haiti safely.  My deepest thoughts and prayers are with them and to all affected by this horrible disaster.

Mommy Bridget

May the Power of Blogging be with You

The last few days I have found myself sitting in my comfortable little chair in my comfortable little home curiously checking the news every few hours for updates on the earthquake disaster in Haiti.  I see the pictures, I read the stories, and try to imagine the reality of the situation.  Reflecting on the many lives lost and of those suffering, reflecting on especially the children who need help I ask myself,  what could I possibly do to help in any way when I am all the way up here?  I am not a rich woman, I have little money to offer.  I don't see any opportunities to catch a plane to Port au Prince to help with the rescue effort.  I feel helpless...but I realize that I do have something...I have the power to reach many.  Gotta love the internet!

I came across a blog post from another mother blogger (who I adore...www.dooce.com) that posted a link to an orphanage in Haiti and thought that if there was something powerful I could do right now...some way to reach as many people at once...reposting this link to the orphanage (and opening up my home) was it.  So here it is.  There are two amazing women who have devoted their lives to orphan children in Haiti who need our help.

Please see the web site http://thatschurch.com.  Read their current status and if you can help in any way, I urge you to please do so. 

Be thankful for we are all so lucky to be alive, to have our families..our loved ones, to live in a country where we can depend on one another, and to be so lucky to be in the situation where we have the ability and opportunity to help those in need.

Mommy Bridget

Product Recall on Tylenol/Motrin and more

It looks as though more Tylenol/Motrin/Benadryl/Rolaids products have been recalled due to an unknown chemical that causes nausea and headaches.  I checked the products and didn't see any for children.  They also appear to all be tablet in form.

If you would like to check to see if any of the above brand of products are in your home, you can go to www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

Good luck!

Mommy Bridget

Z Recommends

I found a great web site/blog created by a husband and wife duo that researches baby/child products and posts results for all.  For example, they could tell you which companies still use BPA in sippy cups.  I also created a link to it on my site under Mommy Sources.

www.zrecommends.com

Diet Soda is NOT better for you than regular soda

A few years ago I ran across an article regarding artificial sweeteners and the information really stuck with me.  I have always hated the taste of artificial sugar...my first memory of it was with Diet Cherry 7-Up where I drank it then got a migraine (vomiting and all).  There are so many reasons not to opt for artificial sweeteners but it is so difficult to convince some people not to drink diet soda because in their mind, it's better for them than regular soda.

Anyways, the information I read is kind of fuzzy at this point but it went something like...your brain recognizes artificial sweeteners as regular sugar therefore your body processes it in the same way (sorry I don't have a source but could find one if you really want it).  Therefore, if you MUST drink soda, you might as well drink the real thing.

The article attached to my title from the ever wonderful Dr. Mercola is a good explanation of the above statement.  I highly recommend reading it...and to those of my family members who still drink Diet Coke..I love you so please stop drinking it:)  It's bad for you.  And regular Coca-Cola tastes so much better.

Mommy Bridget

Useless, Costly Medicine

I ran across an article yesterday in the November 30, 2009 issue of Forbes discussing the $2.5 TRILLION dollars our country spent on healthcare services in 2009 and how many of these costs for services are unnecessary and sometimes more dangerous.  It was very insightful.   The article discussed everything from back pain treatments to heart stints to fetal heart rate monitoring during labors...I wanted to quote what they said regarding the fetal heart rate monitors because I feel that the majority of times it is used is unnecessary and leads to stress for the mother and baby in labor and often times to unnecessary Caesarean sections.

In regards to fetal heart rate monitoring, They don't lower neonatal death rates, but they do boost the number of costly caesarean sections, big studies have found.  Robert Langreth, Useless Medicine, Forbes, Vol. 184, Number 10, 2009.

In my experience with the above medical service that was provided for me during my pregnancy, I first found the enjoyment of hearing Park's heartbeat followed by the annoying duty of having to go in all too often during my last trimester for tests to ensure he was safe.  Okay okay, I admit that this was a form of preventative care for my unborn child and I respect that.  However, in one experience I had to lie there for over 2 hours (which is a lifetime to a pregnant woman who has to pee every fifteen minutes) because Park was "awake" during the time of monitoring and they "needed" his sleeping heart rate.  Let me just mention that in addition to the necessity of his sleeping heart rate I was also charged triple for the amount of time needed to get those final numbers.  Please somebody tell me why his sleeping heart rate was so necessary and why I had to pay so much for the time to get it!!!

After waiting 6 hours after labor began where my contractions were about 4 minutes apart, I decided it was time to head to the hospital.  The nurse who began "treating" me told me I needed to lie down on the hospital bed so she could get Park's fetal heart rate...not just for a few minutes but for much longer.  It was torture.  I don't think lying on my back for 30 minutes during labor is going to help with the progress of my situation in any way.   If anything, it probably delayed it further.  I know I have some good information on the natural rhythm of a baby's heart rate during labor but my book is out and still waiting for it's return...I will have to postpone that information to a later date.

I understand that in high risk maternity patients, the fetal heart rate monitor can be very beneficial to mother and baby.  But in my opinion, which is not professional but based on experience alone, I feel that it creates stress, is medically unnecessary in healthy pregnant women and can be very dangerous.

Mommy Bridget

Coupon Mania

Just a quick note to let you all know of some good coupons this week on www.coupons.com such as Loreal make-up, skincare, and hair products, Aveeno products, Burt's Bee's skincare products, and Caribou Coffee.

I love getting my coupons each week and saving money on our grocery bills because of it.  $10 a week goes a long way...all the way to equal over $500 in savings each year!  I could name plenty of things to spend $500 on...:)

www.coupons.com
www.couponmom.com

Mommy Bridget

Spanking for Better Behavior?

This article is interesting...(that's sarcasm on my end).  I am surprised to find it on our local news...there isn't much credible about any of it and it seems almost ignorant and silly to read.

Thought I would share as I love to hear comments on the subject of spanking to get your child's attention.  Click on the title of this post for the link.

Mommy Bridget

Christmas Miracle

I think we can all agree that the death then back to life experience of the mother who gave birth on Christmas was nothing short of a miracle.  However, a friend brought to my attention the question of why the mother went into cardiac arrest in the first place while giving birth.

The attached article may shed some light onto the subject and make us question again the risks involved with receiving the epidural during childbirth.

Click on the title of this posting for the full story.

Mommy Bridget

The Benefits of Sleep

I came across an article about the importance of healthy sleep habits and being a mother, a multitasker who lives by a set of daily tasks no matter how busy or tired I am, and a super light sleeper...I value (and when I say value I mean VALUE, RELISH, APPRECIATE) a good night's sleep.
I remember awhile back when it was commented to me an opinion on sleeping/napping for adults. I can't remember the exact words but it went something like, "what's the point of sleeping...I'll save sleep for when I die". I guess not all agree with the importance of sleep for your health and well being.

I truly agree that the amount of healthy sleep is based on the individual.  My husband doesn't need as much as sleep as I do to feel good.  My father only sleeps 5-6 hours a night. He wakes up the same time everyday without an alarm. It's his own internal clock. However, most experts agree that the 7-8 hours of sleep/night is best for most people.  I remember before I was pregnant, I would sleep exactly 8.5 hours a night and wake up on my own right at that time. Ahhhhhh the glory days!

So anyhoo, below are some facts I find interesting on sleep:

•  100 years ago, the average amount of sleep a woman got was 10 hours.  Today, the average woman in America only gets 7 hours/night (a 30% decrease)
• compelling evidence shows that a lack of sleep is linked to everything from obesity to heart disease
• when you get less than 6 hours of sleep/night, "your brain releases stress hormones and can get you cranky, forgetful, and unable to concentrate," says John Winkelman, MD, PhD, medical director of the Sleep Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
• after 2 weeks of sleeping only 6 hours/night, your mental performance and memory are impaired as much as if you stayed awake for 48 hours, according to a University of Pennsylvania study published in 2003
• sleeping less than 6 hrs./night is associated with an 18% greater risk of heart disease, according to a 2003 study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston (I would argue it's even greater)
• research at the University of Chicago of college students found that after 4 hrs./night of sleep for 6 nights led to higher blood sugar and a weaker immune system than those students who got a full 8 hours of sleep per night (I would say other variables were also involved such as drinking caffeinated drinks to stay awake and eating unhealthy on-the-go foods)

So reconsider the importance of getting good rest.  Your body will thank you for it!

Mommy Bridget

This ones for you, potato lovers

Stuck Indoors...again

I find it interesting...well, sad is more the correct term when I describe how I make some daily choices based on the air quality of the oh so beautiful city we live in. Yesterday I kept thinking to myself, "oh good I'm so glad we have a storm system moving through so I can go outside and run". But wait, how silly does that sound?! That is my reality. I can tell you that my exercise routine is based on the air quality chart below:

Wednesday	Thursday

And for those of you not living in beautiful Utah, the red means stay indoors, reduce driving, burning prohibited.

As of today, it looks like I won't be able to work off those holiday calories until Friday....and my son and I cannot go sledding like I promised him yesterday.   After moving away from North Dakota's winters, I never thought I could have it worse during the cold months.  In ND, we grew up staying indoors 7 months out of the year not because we had poor air quality.  In fact, the air is so clear in Bismarck (one of the many things ND should be so proud of).  But we were forced to stay inside because the minute we stepped out, the frigid air would freeze my nose hairs in an instant. 

As soon as we can, my family is moving to higher ground.

Mommy Bridget

New Year Resolutions

Before I begin, I must announce that my baby boy seems to be feeling much better. He is playful once again, has little to no fever, and his cough seems to be much better. I am SO thrilled to wake up to such a wonderful state of health! Oh, and although we were up at 5:00am I am pleased to say Sesame Street rocked this morning with Keb Mo singing some tunes and (it was all brought to you by the number "4"...:)

It's January 4th and I am still deciding about 2010 resolutions. What sort of resolution should I give myself? What do I need to work on to become a better person, a better mother, a better wife? Working less would be good for my relationship with my son. Driving less would be good for the environment. Learning how to cook better meals would be a good goal to please the hubby. Bi-monthly dates with my husband. Eat less meat, eat more veggies. I would like to find the cure and spread the word for the common cold (fat chance). I could get over the incident with my next door neighbor and become her "friend" like she so adamantly wishes. Hmmmm....I think all of them would be good resolutions.

I also want to take more time to be creative. I would like to work on designing my kitchen we've been working on for a year now. I would like to create a picture collage in my bedroom of my beautiful family. And I would like to make a cozy guest bedroom for when my Momma comes to visit. (love you mom!) There are so many resolutions to help start off the near year on a positive note. I can't wait to begin. Babysitters anyone???

What are your resolutions?

Mommy Bridget

The Holidays, oh ya

I've been horrible when it comes to my goal of daily blog work....but I have more than one excuse. The holidays are hectic. With family engagements and and entertaining at our home, it seems as though the last few weeks have been filled with errands, cleaning, cooking, more cleaning, drinking, and more cleaning. And then the worst happens...my family falls inferior to a cold virus. First me...Christmas Eve of all days. I was asleep at 8pm. Then Christmas day. Park didn't open his presents from "Santa" until the afternoon hours. Good thing he has no idea what's really going on.

Then my husband gets ill. The worst is during the night when he coughs and tosses and turns so he can breathe. I think it had been a handful of days at this point where I was reliving the infant stages of motherhood with the sleepless nights and the zombie like appearance.

Then little Park gets sick. He spends a day listless in my arms half asleep, not eating, and feverish. It's now day 3 or 4 of the endless fight for freedom from the cold bug. He finally seems to be over the fever and chills but his cough and sniffles are at hopefully its peak just about to begin its indefinite decent.

Mind you, Park has never had more than a few days of the sniffles and a low grade fever. This is terrible...seeing your little one wimper in agony of the cold oppression. I realize at moments like these that I would do anything to help my child. I love him more than anything imaginable. Holiday plans broken? Done. New Year's Eve plans broken? Done. Do I miss the New Year's Eve night when we all have an excuse to get hammered and dance the night away...not in the least. Ask me if I would rather have spent the last few days doing anything else and I would say never. Being with my son while he needs me most is all I could ever do. And I can tell you that my husband would say the same thing.

So to ring in the New Year, I would like to say may this year be wonderful for you all, may it bring the end of the sniffles, and most of all may it bring prosperity in the love you have for one another.

Mommy Bridget