10 Essentials for Teething Babies

The screaming. The crying. The incessant chewing. The telltale signs of a teething baby. The combination of misery and pain that is enough to drive a parent to the edge of sanity.
Having a teething baby in the house is unlike dealing with any other stage of the child’s early years. The stress it can cause ranks right up there with a colicky baby who must be walked up and down the hall all night long. The end result is often an exhausted parent, a miserable baby, and a strained marriage.

So, before your child begins cutting that first tooth and chewing on your leather sofa – a real possibility – gather these 10 items to make your life a little easier during teething time.

The first 5 items are for your baby:

1. Pain relievers: This is one time that I use the hard stuff. I push Ibuprofen and Tylenol like I’m on the street corner and it’s my job. I’m normally a homeopathic person when it comes to giving my babies meds, but desperate times call for desperate measures and I resort to the big guns during teething time.

2. Chamomile: I SWEAR this stuff helps calm kids down when they’re uncontrollably sobbing from sore gums. There are many homeopathic products out there that contain chamomile, but my go-to is a product by Boiron called Chamilia. It comes in pre-measured, individual doses, so it’s easy to give your child and seems to have a very fast effect.

3. Chew toys: Not the ones out of your dog’s crate. No, you’ll need cold, frozen, rubbery, plush, and soft teething toys. Some kids like the ones out of the freezer, some like the rubbery ones shaped like keys or elephants or toadstools (not sure I’ve ever seen toadstool ones, but wouldn’t that be a great shape for a chubby little hand to hold onto??). Buy a variety of types and figure out which one your child can’t live without when that tooth is cutting through.

4. Teething tablets: I know, I know, there was the bru-ha-ha and the controversy a couple of years ago with the Hyland’s teething tablets. But I still swear by them because (a) they were taken off the market and reformulated and (b) they are lifesavers and work really well when you follow the directions on the bottle. These can be the difference between a full-night’s rest or a sleepless night with a teething baby.

5. Numbing ointment: Rub this on their gums while they have their mouth open wide screaming and the numbing begins almost immediately. It’s a huge relief for the poor child. There are a variety of products out there. If your baby hates the numbing feeling, you don’t have to resort to the super-powerful Orajel that numbs their lips and entire mouth. I love the homeopathic teething swabs by Babyganics. They don’t seem to over-numb. They must taste good, too because my son loves when I rub it on his gums. These are also wonderful because you don’t use your finger to apply it. I say the less germy, the better!

So, stock your medicine cabinet and toy box with those 5 items to keep your baby comfortable during teething time. But don’t forget about taking care of yourself during this stressful time, too.

The next half of the list is full of items to make sure you get yourself prepared for the stress of teething.

1. Caffeine: Have that extra cup of coffee and drink a diet coke with lunch. Stay caffeinated so you can keep up with your non-stop baby who probably is not napping at his normal time because his teeth are KILLING him.

2. Chocolate: I say on super-stressful teething days, eat that piece of candy. If you want to maintain some semblance of your baby-weight-loss diet, go buy a box of Special K double chocolate bars, or Slim Fast chocolate mint bars. They do the trick without all the extra calories. But, by all means, make sure you have some sort of chocolate nearby.

3. Yoga pants: No, you’re not going to yoga class while your baby is teething, but you will want to be as comfortable as possible during those LONG days when he won’t let you put him down and he just constantly clings to you. Grab some yoga pants, a sports bra, and a soft shirt because fashion is the last thing you’re thinking about while bouncing a screaming baby. Your main concern will be that your pants don’t have a button pressing into your post-baby muffin top while you rock and rock for hours on end.

4. Patience: With yourself, your baby, your spouse, and your other children. You’ll be tired, sensitive, and frustrated that the baby only wants you. You are often the magic switch that can take him from wailing in your spouse’s arms to quiet against your chest. So you may get no break throughout the day. It’s exhausting and it’s easy to have a short temper with everyone else in the house. So patience is essential to avoid a strained marriage or a blow-up with your other children.

5. Tequila: Or vodka, or wine, or Kahlua in your cup of decaf after dinner. Whatever your preferred libation is, make sure you have a bottle on hand. Because once you finally get your crying baby to sleep in his crib and you have two hands free again, you deserve to treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in silence.

So if your baby is anywhere near the teething phase, go hit the baby aisle at Target, the homeopathic pharmacy, and the liquor store soon. Because you don’t want to be caught unprepared when that first tooth decides to make its appearance.

*I have not been financially incentivized for promoting any products in this post. These are just products I love and want to share with my readers*

Calming the Crazy

We’re only 43 minutes into the day, and my son has already thrown sausage all over the floor, flailed himself onto hard tile in a massive tantrum, and hurled a cup of orange juice across the kitchen. So, this post is just a classified post seeking out a babysitter, or better yet a temporary mom so this one can go sip a margarita and lay by the beach for a couple of days.

No, not really. This post is actually my attempt to calm the crazy. I know my children feed off of my energy, be it anxious or relaxed, so I’m making an attempt to turn this day around and have a peaceful, easy-going day.

What better way to do this than to start with the 10 Things of Thankful Blog Hop?? So as my son runs around screaming, I’m reminding myself that I really do love being a mom and here’s why:

1. They Were Precious As Newborns

2. They Are Best Buddies

3. They Are Advenutrous

4. They Are Great Cuddlers

5. They Are Friendly

6. They Are Playful

7. They Are Sweet 

8.  They are Hilarious

9. Very Hilarious

10. They Are The Lights of My Life

So now I will clean up the sausage, the orange juice, the dirty diaper, and call off the babysitter because even just this little bit of positive thinking has put me in a happier, more relaxed mood.

Now, to just get through the day in this mood without the help of a huge margarita…now that might just not be possible.

Check out some other bloggers attempting to have a positive day at the 10 Things of Thankful Blog Hop

I Meme My Kids

today’s blog hops

Sweet Little Boy Blue

My nose is pressed against his forehead,

Pausing the moment and soaking up his scent.

I hesitate and squeeze tightly before placing him in the bed,

And think of how a year so quickly came and went.

 

I cringe as I realize these moments will soon become far and few

As he grows and becomes a wild toddler and a full-fledged little boy.

With steps and jumps and school and sports and everything that’s new,

I’ll be loud and proud and there to watch, beaming with pride and joy.

 

But in this very moment, he is still my baby boy

My cuddly, precious bundle whom I met one year ago

When he entered my life to expand my heart with a smile that fills me with joy.

My son, my friend, my baby whom I have watched flourish and grow.

 

It’s moments like these that make memories

These quiet, dark sentiments known

To all moms of sweet little babies

Who grow up and venture out on their own.

 

You one day will be a cowboy or a fisherman out on the sea.

But please don’t sprint towards the future; don’t rush yourself towards the end.

Please take your time and be patient as you become the man you’ll be,

The chivalrous, generous person whom all will want to have as a friend.

 

You’ll grow and have children someday

Maybe have your own son, or two.

I look forward to watching you blossom

My sweet Thomas. Sweet Little Boy Blue.

 

This archived post has been linked up with some other great writers through the

The Crazy Lady & The Magnolia Tree

7:16. I saw the clock through my just-woken-up blurry vision. Normally this would be a pleasant surprise – both kids still asleep past 7:00. But on this morning the joy of getting to sleep in was immediately flushed away by the sheer panic that caused me to jump out of bed and run into my daughter’s room. Sleeping late today was just not how we needed to start this day. It’s a school day, and not just any school day. It’s my daughter’s end of year performance and class party day. I mentally changed my original plan of squeezing in a gym workout after dropping her off, but before having to be back for her performance, and simply rushed into survival mode. Get me dressed. Get both kids dressed – my daughter in a nice dress for her performance – not always an easy task with my strong-willed preschooler. Sure enough, she comes to me and says, “I don’t have to wear one of those new dresses with a horse on it that daddy bought me that I don’t like, do I?” Dear Lord child…they are beautiful Ralph Lauren Polo dresses. And yes, she was going to wear the pink dress “with the horse on it.”

Microwave pre-cooked sausage (thank you Jimmy Dean!) for my 11 month old to gum to death as a throw together my Weight Watchers 3 point egg white concotion. A quick bag of Litle Debbie blueberry muffins will have to suffice for my daughter’s breakfast as she watches Nick Jr. Strap my son into the carseat to contain him, shoving a bottle in his mouth, and begin to pack the diaper bag. All is well until I realize that I can’t find his bear lovey. We have THREE that are all exactly alike, but they ALL have disappeared. I glance at the clock. 8:28. School starts at 8:30. And it’s 15 minutes away. I’m turning over every pillow and blanket in my bear search when my daughter brings me her sandals, demanding help. I pause the bear hunt and sit down to buckle her pink sandals. I see her red Cars band-aid on her shin and smile as I remember her telling my mom “it’s a car race” when asked what happened on her leg yesterday. Ha! But, the ugly thing must come off before the performance today. So, I simply rip it off. I KNOW, I KNOW. Rule #1 of taking off kids’ band-aids is doing the 3-2-1 countdown. So SUE ME. I didn’t have time for a NASA-style countdown for this one. Well, low and behold, this un-warned band-aid removal started a full-blown screaming tantrum. I simply rolled my eyes and walked off. I still had a bear to find. My son has finished his bottle and is now crying because he wants – what – THE BEAR. My daughter is screaming and mourning the loss of her band-aid, and I’m now to the point of moving beds away from the walls looking for this lovey. I don’t know why, but I called my mom. I’m 30 years old and I still call her when I’m feeling crazy – which happens more than I’d like to admit. I carry the phone around with me, looking for the bear and recounting the morning’s events to her and I come across the bear – lying in the middle of the floor. I’m pissed. At what, I’m not sure. But I just feel pissed. This morning has been crazy and it’s only – gasp – 8:40. Dammit. They lock the school doors at 8:45. I’ve never been locked out. Why not try it out during the last week of school??

Sure enough, the doors were locked and I had to wait for the special button-pushing style entry. Luckily my daughter ran right into her teacher’s arms and I got back into my car without any additional drama. I looked in the mirror at my face with no make-up and take a deep breath. My moment of peace quickly interrupted by me remembering that I left the apples for the class party in the bottom drawer of my refrigerator! Dammit. I am flustered as I make the drive back home. I find myself wondering how working mothers do this. It’s not like they have less responsibilty at home. It’s simply compounded by their responsibility at work. I can’t imagine. I know my house looks like a tornado blew through. I know my son is being pacified by veggie straws in the back seat. And I know this day has just begun. Argh. I hate days like this.

I pull into my driveway on my apple mission and I see a white mound in the middle of my driveway. My annoyance level is very high and I am pissed that there’s trash on my driveway that I now have to go pick up. Annoyed. I get out of my car and walk over to the white mound and I see that it’s not trash at all. It’s a beautiful magnolia flower that has fallen out of the huge magnolia tree in our front yard. A wave of peace and calm floods over me. There is something about a magnolia tree that is tranquil. It’s a reminder of my childhood magnolia tree that I climbed with my brother. It’s a reminder that I live in the South where tea is sweet, my neighors are helpful, and I can hear the birds chirpping out my window. It’s a reminder of all the hours I’ve spent swinging under this tree with my babies. This white flower has turned my day around in an instant with its distinct scent and its supple beauty. There is no other flower I love more than a magnolia flower from a gigantic magnolia tree in the South. As I head inside for the apples, I smile and realize that this day can be salvaged. No fight over Polo dresses or lost lovey or band-aid drama needs to ruin any day. I live in a beautiful place with beautiful children and sweet tea. Seriously, does it get any better than this?

This post is linked up with The SITS Sharefest and Weekend Social Mix Blog Hop

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Packing Up The Past

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I am packing today. Packing up winter clothes, small clothes, worn-out clothes from my daughter’s closet as we prepare for a big family move to a new house in a new state. Inevitably, I came across baby clothes I kept from her infancy. I found my favorite pink flowered Gap onesie that brought a flood of memories to my heart. I looked at the tag. 3-6 months. I was nursing her when she wore this. I was trying to find myself as a new mother amongst severe postpartum depression. I was starting a life in a new city, in a new state, in a new world. I had left the DINK world in Georgia. DINK being “Double Income No Kids.” That world is very different than the world we’d entered into in Louisiana. I was now trying to navigate the waters of mommies, play dates, and my new role of being a housewife and stay at home mommy. Of course that time in my life is filled with memories – both good and bad – but almost all stressful. My husband worked 100 hours a week as I stared at the walls of this house by myself for days on end. Little did I know that I would turn this pain around to create a wonderful playgroup and meet lifelong friends.

I pack up the flowered onesie in the box of “keeps” and move on to taking winter clothes off the hangers. With each shirt, these 2Ts much larger than that little onesie, I feel like I’m packing up my daughter’s toddler years. I see the outfit she wore on the first day of school this year and I realize how babyish it looks and how it certainly does not reflect the style my daughter has taken on over these 9 school months. Her sense of self and her own style now pierce my mornings as we battle over clothes in front of her closet. I realize that there’s absolutely no way that she would wear that first-day, neon green, handmade, frilly pants and matching shirt outfit today. Not a chance in hell. I realize that I’ve lost my toddler. My little toddler has grown into a full-fledged preschooler. I’m a little sad about that. I realize that she’s still only 3, and that there are many years and memories ahead. But let me just have this moment, this one moment, to mourn the forever loss of my toddler. She will never again be my two-year-old. Sure, she’ll be a Girl Scout, and a ballerina, and a soccer player, and a prom date, and a college freshman, and everything else on the path that is about to unroll under her feet. But she will never again be a toddler. My toddler. My baby girl. I feel that the nights of lullabies are numbered and that the days of playing in her room with the door closed are going to come more frequently. With that, I also find a certain sense of pride in her and freedom for myself, but those emotions are mixed in with a slight sadness about this stage’s passing. But, alas, life moves forward and so does our family. Our house will be boxed up and we will say goodbye to the home that has been so kind to our family for the past 3 years. The place my daughter learned to walk and talk, the place my son came to on his third day of life. The place my husband and I laughed, cried, fought, and loved.

So I fold these shirts and say goodbye to a time we will never have again. I am excited for the future and know that we have great things ahead, but I can’t help but feel a sense of loss as I not only just pack up these shirts, but a part of her life that will only live on in memories. A cute, toddling, sweet part of her life. I feel like I don’t want to pack that up. I’m not ready. I’m not ready for this. There’s no baby book that can tell you how to deal with this moment. There’s no equation to explain the sadness, excitement, hope, expectation, and fear that’s all bundled up inside me right now. But as we close in on the last week of school and our move is looming on the horizon, I must pack it up – the emotions and the clothes. Pack up the emotions and put on a strong face for this family. Pack up the clothes and walk them across the street to the young girls whose father is fighting terminal brain cancer. Yep, I’m packing today. And it’s giving me a little perspective.

I’ve linked this post up with some blog hops. Go check out the other great bloggers!