Update on Nolan

Quick background... Right before Thanksgiving Nolan had a double ear infection.  It took two rounds of antibiotics before it finally went away but he still had fluid in his ear.  He was better for about a week and then got a cold.  That turned into another double ear infection.  A round of antibiotics and a round of antibiotic shots he still had fluid in his ear.  Through all of this he has not been sleeping.  He wakes up about 3 times a night sometimes for an hour or two.  Today we went to see a specialist and he will be getting tubes in about 2 weeks.  I am apprehensive about the surgery but I'm counting down the days till I may get some sleep again.  I am sooooooo tiiirrreeeddddd.......................

Our Favorite Baby/Toddler Products

I've been inspired by Jamie so here it is a list of some of my favorite baby/toddler products.  I was unable to narrow it done to just 10 things though. 

1. Bumbo Seat

I love the Bumbo Seat for many reasons.  It helps them sit up and gives them a different view of the world before they can do it on their own.  That means less fussing and less back pain.  It is rubber which means EASY cleaning.  Huge blowout diaper?  No problem just wipe it down with some Clorox spray.  

2. Hand Sanitizer 

Praise God for the person who came up with this idea.  It has so many uses.  

BABY USE: Standing at the changing station in a restroom, which by the way is NEVER located close to a sink, changing a diaper when you see it.  You got poop on your hand.  You need to wash your hands, but you carried the kid into the bathroom and have nowhere to put him down,  you can't leave the kid at the changing station because you are defiantly NOT buckling him in with the strap.  I mean look what is on your hand who knows what's on that strap!  NO problem.  You now hope that there is at least one more clean wipe in your case.  Bingo, 2 left!!  You wipe off your hand,  clean it with about a quarter size squirt of hand sanitizer, yes it says just a small squirt but we're dealing with poop here!  And of course some lotion to cover up what may be left of the smell.  Crisis averted.  

TODDLER USE: After above incident you manage to also take the toddler to the potty and get his hands washed, and in the process get your "poop hand" wet and dried, hey bonus!  You then proceed to order your food.  At this point you are feeling pretty good about your self.  You are in line and both of you actually have clean hands.  You look down to ask your toddler if he would like chicken or a hamburger.  This is when you realize said toddler is doing a crab-crawl across the floor.  No worries you have ONE wipe left and hand sanitizer!

3. Dreft Stain Remover

This stuff gets out everything infant and toddler related.  Between this, Dawn dish soap for grease stains, and hydrogen peroxide from blood there hasn't been a stain in a long time I have not been able to get out.  Thank you Mandy for this baby tip!
4. Boudreaux's Butt Paste

Pricey yes, but it works and it smells good!
5. Baby Carriers

This one was Andrew's suggestion.  We love our Baby Bjorn and so did/do the boys. 
With Nolan I also wanted a prettier option.  I bought this baby sling from Hotslings.  I love it and now that Nolan is sitting up I can carry him on my hip.

6. Baby Shoes

You can buy these from so many different companies now at all different price ranges.  These are great for the winter when you need something more the socks or when baby is crawling and learning to walk since they are not as bulky as regular shoes.  They also help keep socks on!

7. Color Wonder Markers

These are awesome for church and when visiting other people's houses.  If your kid gets to the songbook with the marker before you can, no problem.  He just dragged it 2 feet across the pew, who cares.  He left one on the pew where you are currently sitting while you were standing to sing, whatever.

8. Luvs Diapers

I almost didn't include these but I love these diapers.  They are cheaper but work just as well then the other leading brands but better then most of the really cheap diapers. 

9. Our DVR Recorder

We can watch Curious George whenever I am ready to get in the shower, take a nap, or lock myself in a room for 20 minutes of quiet.

10. BumpyName Orbit Labels

These can be found at www.inchbug.com and they are worth the investment.  They can be wrapped around any bottle or sippy cup and they are printed with your kid's name.  I like them because I don't have to rewrite names on cups every time I take them out of the dishwasher, they label their cups but they person across the restaurant can't read it and they go in the dishwasher!

11. Bumpkin Bibs

These bibs are the best.  They are soft like fabric but whip off just like plastic bids.  You can also throw them in the washing machine and let them air dry, which they do very quickly.  These were on Nolan's Christmas list this past year.
12. Tiny Diner

This is great for eating out.  It suctions to the table and your kid has a clean eating area.  It really does roll up like the second pic too.  It will come unrolled easily but we solved that with a hairband.  It will also stain but at least I know what caused those stains., curse you carrots and sweet potatoes.  Plus, it can be washed in the dishwasher.

13. Gerber Baby Food Containers

Yes, the plastic containers.  After Nolan has devoured these delicious Gerber treats I wash these containers and hoard them.  They are perfect to send fruit/veggies/crackers in for Ty's lunches.  It is a lot easier to carry puffs around in these then those huge canisters.  I will also fill empty ones with baby food I have made and freeze them.  I have found them useful for buttons, beads, safety pins, etc.  They also come in three convenient sizes 1st Foods, 2nd Foods and 3rd Foods.  And yes I am currently hoarding them.  I have the false belief they will solve ALL of my organization problems when we finally get moved into the new house.

14. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Kapp

I believe a MUST read for all new parents.  He has some great tips for soothing newborns and what to expect.  If you can get your hands on the video/DVD he summarizes the whole book in about an hour.  A lot of libraries actually carry the book and video.

If you are actually still reading this post:  Congratulations you have won yourself a set of Gerber Baby Food Containers!!  Please contact host with desired sizes,  currently 3rd Foods is unavailable.

He gives and takes away

A person whom I love and respect passed away today.

Brad Carpenter entered into True Peace today.  He left behind his wonderful wife Karen (Caples), two precious boys, his sister, Ann and many family and friends.  Brad went to Auburn with me.  He was a Christian man of integrity.  He was loving, honest and could always make you laugh.  Karen was one of the older girls who reached out to me when I started college.  Ann was my roommate and continues to be one of those friends.  You know, one of those that even though you don't talk every day, maybe even for months, she is always there, always cares about the things that really matter and can always be trusted.   This family will always hold a special place in my heart.  They all played great roles in my Christian walk.  

Craig is preaching on Sunday mornings from 1 Peter.  Last week he talked about "suffering in the body."  Craig talked brought up the Matt Redman song "Blessed be Your Name."  The chorus says "You give and take away."  I never would have imagined how much those words would impact and support me this week.

We are blessed to know God's purpose and desire for each of our lives; to bring us closer into His presence on the Earth and in Heaven.  I would never claim to fully understand the journey He has chosen for me or any other person.  I can only rest in the assurance that His Perfect Will will be done.  God may take away and yes it hurts, but thank Him for the blessings He gives so freely.  This is the second family, whom we love deeply, who has lost a husband and father.  I cannot begin to imagine the feelings that go along with those losses.  I know the pain I feel for the loss of these men is nothing compared to what their families feel.  I also know that I can continue to love these families deeply.  I have shed many tears for them and I will continue to.  I have prayed for them and I will continue to.  

"Know that the LORD is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture"

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say 
Lord, Blessed be your name