Dentist appointment yesterday

Lilian had to get a potential cavity taken care of yesterday. They coated her tooth with a plastic substance to make sure it doesn't get worse. I was nervous of course, because this office has a policy of not letting parents in the back with their children. And since I am a stay at home mom, Lilian and I are rarely apart, so I thought she might be a little nervous. Well right before her procedure they call us in the back to give us a run down of the procedure. Right before the dental asst. starts, she pushes a paper in my direction with a pen and asked me to initial the bottom. I asked what it was. She said it's a consent form for them to use a "papoose" Blanket....."umm, ok. What is that?" Her words "It's just a blanket to refrain the baby from hurting her self or anyone else." She said blanket, the form said blanket.......it's not a damn blanket. When I got home and looked up images of this said "blanket" I was upset. It's pretty much canvas straps they put around the babies chest/arm area to pin her down during the procedure . When I visited this website that showed what a papoose blanket looked like for babies, a video started playing of a news anchor interviewing a pediatric dentist on his view of the use of such restraints on babies and children, he said "Papoose restraints and blankets should only be used for extreme cases and disabled children, not everyday procedures. Doing so is traumatic for the patients and often times fosters a fear of the dentist. It's a efficient way for dentist to restrain patients rather then doing it themselves or having a parent involved."
When I heard this I was upset. I was misled. I am not going back. I am traveling out of the county to a pediatric dentist that allows parents to be involved and doesn't restrain a baby in such a aggressive way.
Lilian's procedure took about 35 minutes. When she came out her eyes were puffy beyond recognition. She was inhaling very sporadic and intense as if she cried for a long time and very hard, and when she did inhale her whole body shook. I cried instantly. What did they do? I just grabbed her quickly, she layed her head on my shoulder and we walked out. I didn't say a word to anyone, just left. While she was in the room getting her tooth fixed, my mother got her a balloon because she loves them so much, it made her feel a little better. I am still upset. I feel like I let my little one down. My husband wasn't too happy once he heard the ordeal. Here is Lili as soon as we walked out of the office. That's a mosquito bite on her forehead by the way.




On to a different subject. I am chopping off my hair...yup and it's getting colored. So we are going from long as hell, undyed hair to short, completely colored hair.....wonder what Lili will think of her new mommy.

Is it morning already?

I am so tired. I didn't go to sleep to late I guess, around one in the morning.
Ahhh what I wouldn't give to be able to sleep in until ten thirty in the morning. But waking up to such a cutie makes waking up at 8 o'clock seem like nothing. When she wakes up, she puts her nose right to mine and starts babbling, like she knows how to be cute or something. She's dangerous. HAH.
Here's the subject for this post. It's kinda long, but here we go.

I am generally a nice person. I think so. I mean I speak my mind and sometimes it comes off as rude or mean or a b!tch I guess, but I think people just misunderstand. I say what I feel, and try to be tactful and not rude, but it doesn't always happen. Anyways, my point is this, I try my hardest to be courteous of people, I am speaking of strangers that is. I let people into traffic, all the time, even if it means I'll miss a light. I let people cut in front of me in line, if I have more things. I help little old ladies open doors or pick up things they've dropped. You get the picture. I do those kinds of things numerous times a day (especially the little old lady thing, we are over run with old people here.) But I can't tell you how many times people just over look me when I need obvious help. For example. I'll have grocery bags in my hands, a baby in the other and I'm trying to get to my car, but I drop my keys, a person will see this, even make eye contact with me, but keep on waking. I cannot tell you how many times that has happened to me (yes, I've dropped my keys that many times.) Oh another example, I was at the movies with my husband and two friends. The movie was over, we just stood up to walk out of the aisle, not even 30 seconds passed when the couple behind said "Could we get a move on here?" "Yeah, what the hell is the hold up?" I just looked at them, blank expression and proceeded to walk. I didn't say a thing. Now usually I would have tore them a new butt hole, but it wasn't worth it. But it's things like that, that make me think, "is it even worth it to be nice to people?"
Another example. I was 40weeks pregnant, I was walking from my work during lunch break to get some lunch down the street. I was walking behind some restraunts when a oncoming van forced me to the side of the road. As I walked to the side of the road I slipped on some algae that was growing in a puddle, I fell instantly. As I fell, the van passed right next to me. Did they even brake? Nope. Look, yes, make sure I was ok? No. Not even a little. Bastards. What if I was seriously injured? I was nine months pregnant for goodness sake, but they didn't care that they just passed a pregnant woman that just ate some concrete. Needless to say, I was fine, but I started crying like a baby...well..because I was pregnant.

Even after that I still treat people with courtesy and go out of my way to be polite. But honestly mankind makes it hard to be nice when they're such jerks. And I'm not trying to imply anything, but I am just throwing this out there, most of the time, it's men that totally ignore my need of help....I am just saying...that's all.

So I guess I'm giving a disclaimer here, if you drop something or need a door opened, or if you fall and need a hand...don't count on me, I might give up this whole "be nice" gimmick. It's overrated, and people don't deserve it.

Wordless Wednesday

Attachement Parenting?

So I guess by guidelines yes, I follow attachment parenting, per say. For those that aren't too clear on this term here is the correct definition of attachment parenting.

Attachment parenting: a phrase coined by pediatrician William Sears, is a parenting philosophy based on the principles of the attachment theory in developmental psychology. According to attachment theory, the child forms a strong emotional bond with caregivers during childhood with lifelong consequences. Sensitive and emotionally available parenting helps the child to form a secure attachment style which fosters a child's socio-emotional development and well being. Less sensitive and emotionally available parenting or neglect of the child's needs may result in insecure forms of attachment style, which is a risk factor for many mental health problems. In extreme and rare conditions the child may not form an attachment at all and may suffer from reactive attachment disorder as defined in DSM-IV and ICD-10. Principles of attachment parenting aim to increase development of child's secure attachment and decrease insecure attachment.

1. Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting
2. Feed with Love and Respect
3. Respond with Sensitivity
4. Use Nurturing Touch
5. Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
6. Provide Consistent Loving Care
7. Practice Positive Discipline
8. Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

These values are interpreted in a variety of ways. Many attachment parents also choose to live a natural family living (NFL) lifestyle, such as natural childbirth, home birth, stay-at-home parenting, co-sleeping, breastfeeding, babywearing, homeschooling, unschooling, the anti-circumcision movement, natural health, cooperative movements, naturism and support of organic and local foods.

To get the full aspect of AP, I would highly suggest looking it up and doing more reading on the subject.

Now I know this is sometimes a touchy subject for some moms, but to me it's not. The only reason why I don't get all hot and bothered, is because, frankly, I don't care how you raise your child. As long as your child isn't abused and they are healthy, do what you feel is best.

I've done most things listed above, I had a natural birth, I breastfeed, we co-sleep and Lili determines most things in her schedule. If she is not tired when it's bed time, I let her play, if she is not hungry, she doesn't have to eat. At that moment. I'll give her some time and then I proceed with her schedule. I am not rigid, but I'm not a push over either. What mommy says goes...eventually. I personally believe AP, is the best option. I personally believe breastfeeding is best, I personally believe that if a child wants to sleep in the family bed, it should be allowed. I personally believe that letting a child cry it out is a little cruel. I personally believe that AP creates a fantastic parent-child bond. BUT, I also believe some parents take AP a little too far. Now, I don't do the whole "only organic" thing, I am not going to do the home school thing and I do not do the natural health gimic either. I don't think I want to deprive my child from public schooling, vaccines or regular food, but hey, that's me. I think when AP is pushed to the limit we come out with pasty, immune defiecent, whining, stubborn children.

There needs to be a balance, hopefully I've captured that balance. I want Lili to learn on her own, so when it comes to a lot of things, I let go.If I see she is about to fall on her tush, I don't run to put a pillow under her bum. But I also still nurse her because she decided it isn't time to stop yet.

So yeah I guess I am a baby-wearing, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby scheduling mom. What are you?

Let's take a break and view some adorable pictures! YAY!

I guess I've upset someone enough to unsubscribe from my blog?! Wow.

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Today Lilian has a playdate with a little boy, he is only two months younger then her. He is already walking and he is so adorable. I really hope they have fun, Lilian doesn't really have anyone else her age to play with. I mean she has a cousin, but ever time I try to get them together, the plans always fall through or I just don't get a call back. ANYWAYS.

As we all know, my camera is in for repair, so I took some pictures of my little girls with my sucky phone.


This is Lili's "I'm done playing, I'm ready for a nap." position.



She is frustrated that she has to eat lunch.





Lilian got a balloon from a cashier at the grocery store....she wouldn't let it go...even when she was eating some peanut butter crackers.



Lilian with her new balloon, right now it's the greastest thing ever!




Lilian got a grocery cart toy, she loves it, she walks around the house putting stuff in it and taking stuff out....she takes it very seriously.






My little boo boo.

Mixed bag

Alright so I promised a juicy post. This is my attempt. Sorry ahead of time if it sucks.

I'll ask a couple of hypothetical questions for you guys.
We all have at least one close girl friend right? The one that we knew for a long time, we always told them our secrets and troubles. Even if you didn't keep in touch, you still talked to them like you never missed a day. Well say you two were lucky enough to get pregnant and have your children close together. How awesome. Say months went by and you two were on the phone constantly. "Well my baby just did this, what should I do?" "What did you do?". You were always exchanging advice, asking questions....the typical first time mom thing. The novelty of being a first time mom eventually wears off and you aren't talking as much again, but of course you still keep up with her. And in the act of keeping up with each other you start to notice her mother skills are slacking....bad. You notice she's never spending time with her baby, instead, the baby is spending 85% of it's time at the baby sitters instead of with your friend....because you know....your friend likes to party. Every time you are at your friends house, you notice a new guy coming out of her bedroom, you also notice her baby's diaper is usually falling off because it's so full. You also pick up on that the baby usually always smells like spit up. You ask when the last time the baby had a bath, and the response is " I don't know....3 days?".
By this time the baby is 18 months and still mainly crawling and not really talking besides saying the usual "Dada" and "Mama".
What would you do?
Now remember, this is your best friend. Would you bring it up to her that she's not being a good mother? Would you report her for inspection? Would you bring it up to her family? Would you leave it alone hoping it would work itself out?



If someone approached your closest friend or significant other and asked them what your most annoying quality was, what do you think their answer would be?

Mine? My husband would probably say I look for instant action. For example, if I come up with a good idea, I want it completed instantly....that very second. A couple of years ago, after one of our dogs had to go to a rescue, a couple of months later my husband said, " Maybe it's time we look for a playmate for our other dog, now that Cali is gone." I got a dog that afternoon. So what's yours?

Whew!

So my hips are hurting. I am so glad I got to rest and not run today, because I'm in pain.

Thanks for all the comments on my last post, you gals are awesome. I have nothing really exciting to post about, mainly just wanted to thank you girls for your comments. I just got Lili down for the night, my sweet man of a husband is coming back soon from the store with some beers for me, and we are going to relax and spend some time together. I feel relaxed just typing that. HAH. I promise I will post something juicy tomorrow, I have some topics I would like to discuss, hehehe. Toodles!