The Diaper Daze February 2010 The Maiden Voyage

Welcome to The Diaper Daze

where we read, write, laugh and cry about how much we love our kids, how much they make us crazy, how we uniquely raise them and how we manage a life of our own between the diaper em, h t ! ow changes. u tgr igger This is anything and everything to do with life while being a parent.

n’t os t g e t b o d K id s pe rs j u dia

These are articles, essays, poems, jokes, quotes and more capturing observations, reflections, reactions, convictions, and feelings in the midst of being a parent. They are written by parents of all ages, with kids of all ages, about their adventures living in the diaper daze.

From the Editor — You are invited to Write! I am so grateful and honored for these articles written by my friends to help me launch The Diaper Daze.

perspectives and styles to an otherwise often isolating experience.

My observations about parenthood that brought me to create this newsletter include how much we love our kids, how much they make us crazy, how we survive the daily tests, how we raise them in our unique ways and how on earth we manage to squeeze in a life of our own around them.

I’m the editor, so all you have to do is let the words flow, email them to me, and I’ll make it fit. I wish raising my daughters was that worry-free!

Also, as most agree, we’re all in this parenting experience together with the same goal of raising healthy, well adjusted kids, yet, it’s very easy to feel alone.

So, let’s have fun. There’s much to say, much to learn and even more to laugh about.

I hope you will accept my invitation to write for this newsletter which will eventually be a great collection of articulated thoughts and observations bringing together many voices,

No matter how old you or your children are, you are invited to write!

I hope you find this fun reading and will forward it to your friends, friends of friends and to their friends.

Here’s to living in the diaper daze. -KayLinda Crawford, Editor/Publisher Mom to: Megan 4 and Natalie 2

-Inside This IssueJust Bigger Diapers -Kirsten Bond

How To Submit An Article

• •

• Try for 150 to 500 words about anything to do with your parenting experiences, You can write in the body of an email or attach a Word Document, You are welcome to send a picture that relates to your article

Vulnerability -Amanda Mankowski Getting the Flu May be Easier! -KayLinda Crawford Sick Bed -Jenna Sanders

Please email your article to: [email protected]

The Boy is 8! -Mike Sanders

Thank very much for reading AND writing!

What Have You Done For You Lately? -Robin Craig Please Pass The Peas Amy El-Khashab

Just Bigger Diapers I met KayLinda the Fall semester of my Freshman year at Texas Tech, in English 1301. I don’t remember much about the class, but do remember that KayLinda had a great creative writing talent. So, it’s no surprise to me that she is passionate about starting a friends / parents newsletter for all of us to be a part of. A sharing, encouraging point of view; to me it sounds just like KayLinda. I often use the phrase: “It’s just bigger diapers,” and can’t remember which wise mom I heard it from.

Remember when you had the struggle of the wiggly child with the dirty diaper and you could just lay them on the floor, throw your leg over them to pin them down, and change them in 20-seconds flat? Well, there are days when I feel like I’ve done just that — or wish that I could! My daughter is 15, my son is 12, and they are developing into wonderful people. But there are still days that shape mother and child that are exhausting and make me want to hide my head under my pillow.

My mom gave me some sage advice years ago: When my mom-friends “...motherhood is the with younger children find “You’ve only got as out I have kids who are same throughout much experience in older than theirs, and motherhood as your kids life&still changing they say, “Oh! You have are old. You’re doing diapers, just a different older kids!” (as if to say the best you can.” size.” I’m lucky to have older And while sometimes it’s kids), I say, “Yes, but it’s you who’s wearing the diaper, the hujust bigger diapers, that’s all.” mility often does us good. Meaning, of course, that motherhood is the same throughout life; you’re still -Kirsten Bond mom, still doing your best, still changing Mom to Allison 15, Logan 12 diapers, just a different size. Some days are messier than others, their problems are bigger, and other days are a breeze.

Vulnerability I always thought that the newborn advice from friends. These are intricate period was the height of vulnerability in nuances that some adults struggle with! What large expectations we have of our childhood. Holding each of my children when they children. were seconds old absolutely reinforced Gone are the days when I could sooth this belief - a fresh life completely my children through the warm embrace dependent upon another for nourish- of nursing. Gone are the days when I m e n t , l o v e , a n d c o m f o r t i s could tuck a child into a sling and know they were protected. Gone are the days awe-inspiring. A small person unable to hold up his when the simple beauty of diapers on the clothesline reminded own head, take a step, or speak a me at a glance word seemed so fragile. that one part of “Infancy was, really, pure This week, I realized I was their comfort mistaken. My son was hurt by and utter security.” was assured. another child—most likely one But, these are of his sisters! lovely days, too. I love We sat on the floor and I held him in my the conversations I have with my chillap whispering in his ear that it would dren. They are complete people who stop hurting soon when suddenly, I truly engage me. I have never been so found myself gazing at his legs. challenged at any job as I am as their This year, the downy translucent hair on mother—and that is mightily rewarding. his legs has become coarser and But, I also know these are the darker. Maybe it was the juxtaposition vulnerable days; watching them launch of this evidence of young boyhood next into independence and all the pitfalls of to those fine small ankles. life. I was captured by the thought that my Infancy was, really, pure and utter six-and-a-half-year-old boy was so security. exposed to the world. He will have his feelings hurt and have to learn how to -Amanda Mankowski, Mom to Emma 8, Ethan6 and Sophie 4 adjust or respond. He will need to figure out how to deal with good and bad

Sick Bed When we married 14 years ago, we agreed to purchase a queen size mattress and box springs set. For two adults raised in twin beds, we felt as if there was room to spare.

Baby Girl’s snores and jerks seem in rhythm to the ticking clock down the hallway. On this little bed, I cannot get close enough to take away her sickness or soothe her aches.

As our bed collects little people to share naps, cats at night and over a hundred extra pounds between us, we’ve even contemplated a king size bed. But, economics prevail.

This bed is filled with memories of my past and her future, and I am grateful. Grateful for the knowledge to help her rest through the night, washing machines to clean the linens, a shower to rinse away the germs, and a kind pediatrician available if

It would be poor budgeting to buy another bed requiring all new sheets and bedding. How did our parents rest comfortably in a double bed for decades? Really, a double bed is the width of two crib mattresses. Amazing when you think about the logistics. Tonight, these thoughts clang around in my head as I snuggle with my sick little girl in her twin bed. I pat her back in rhythm with her snores. Her fevered skin is a stark contrast to the cool sheet metal headboard. The bed frame belonged to her GreatGreat- Grandfather. My mother bought the mattress and box springs when I moved out of the college dorm.

we need him. I’m now sure we won’t get a larger bed. I don’t ever want to be so comfortable by myself that I forget that others need me close by; and I need to be near them. -Jenna Sanders, Leander ISD Attendance / DropOut Prevention Coordinator and Mom to Jessie 8 and Olivia 6

Getting the Flu May be Easier! Megan is afraid of the doctor. She panics just driving by the doctor’s office. But, it was time for flu shots, so off we went. I barely got Megan into the waiting room before she started crying and screaming that she wasn’t sick, so why was she there??!! Once Megan was mostly calmed, I discovered Natalie pooped so big it came out of her diaper sideways and is all over the inside of her shorts. I had to borrow a diaper from the doctor and she and let us in the exam room early so I could change her. Megan, who wanted nothing to do with heading to the exam r o o m e a r l y, w a s n o w screaming at the top of her lungs and pulling on the back of my shirt begged me to go no further! We got into the room, I shut the door, put Natalie on the exam table to change her and Megan, still terrified, starts banging on the inside of the door screaming to be let out! I can’t take my hands off of Natalie, who wants to jump off the table, so, after lots of being patient with Megan’s fears, I pretty much tell her to sit down and shut up! Cleaning Natalie’s mess was taking most of a full box of wipes, and Megan was growing impatient. Soon Megan was back up by the door crying and begging to go home. About this time, the nurse walked in, bringing the office manager with her for extra help because of the unusual crying, and the moment the door opens, Megan lets out the loudest high-pitched scream of terror you may have ever heard. I’m still trying to get Nat’s shorts less soiled while she’s wiggling all over the

table trying to look at all the cute animal pictures on the walls, which, of course, are meant to distract kids from what’s happening. Going as fast as I can to clean up Natalie, Megan is once again holding onto the back of my shirt scared these nice ladies are going to touch her, and now, the nurse is holding a pen in my face needing me to sign-off on all of this! Finally, Natalie is clean, Megan is sitting down, and Natalie is first to get her shot. She was a little surprised, but was fine. Then it’s Megan’s turn. I hold Megan in my lap, she knows what’s coming and screams. I try to distract her by turning her head to look at her favorite swimmer, Nemo, but she fights back. So now, I hold her arms still while the office manager holds her wild legs. The nurse gives her the shot, and Megan decides she’s just been stabbed with a knife. We all clap that it’s over, Megan is insulted, and now I hurry to gather them and our things and get the heck out of there. I open the door, Megan goes the wrong way, gets terrified at the sight of other exam rooms, I suddenly back-track to Natalie who has found an ‘inner-ear’ demonstration, which is now in pieces on the floor, gather it up, put it back on the shelf, get the girls to the waiting room to pick ‘reward’ stickers, get in the car, listen to Megan relive the emotions, then suddenly, Natalie freaks out because her little band-aid fell off of her shot ‘booboo.’ Lucky for me, Mommy had a fresh one. -KayLinda Crawford Mom to Megan 4, Natalie 2

The Boy is 8! The Talker is now 8 years old, and he screams, yells and even keeps score. says it has been a great birthday, maybe The Talker has several team jerseys and t-shirts, but so far, his only even “the best ever!” football helmet has been from We are bypassing the big birthday party a Houston Texans play set he extravaganzas for the kids this year, in has had for a couple of years. favor of smaller, more family focused Now, he can dress like a real (meaning cheaper!) events. Besides winner! that, I turn 40 this year and I want to Today at lunchtime, I visited the kids at have the cool party! school with celebratory chocolate Last night The Talker picked the dinner covered donuts in hand. Then for dinvenue and he got to take one of his best ner, I whipped up one of the kid’s favorbuddies. The Talker chose to have his ite meals - pork chops, mashed taters birthday dinner at our favorite steak- and green beans. (OK, the kids could house. That’s my boy! We celebrated a do without the green beans.) The Boss day early since the boy’s basketball Lady made an awesome birthday cake team practices on Wednesand we chowed down after basketball day evenings and The practice. Talker could not be disConsidering we started his party at dinsuaded from attending nertime yesterday and things are just practice. now winding down, 28-hours later, I This morning, before think The Talker’s 8th birthday will be school, he got to open one gift. The one for the memory book! boss Lady, Little Sister and I picked out a Dallas Cowboys football set for his gift -Mike Sanders, At Home Daddy, Dad to Jessie 8 and Olivia 6 from the family. The Talker loves to play pretend football games in the backyard. He dresses in all of his gear, runs plays,

What Have You Done For You Lately? My name is Robyn Craig, and I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. KayLinda asked me to write a health column for the newsletter. KayLinda and I have known each other a very long time and I am happy to be a part of what she is doing! I’ll write about various health topics and if you want more information or have a question, just let KayLinda know and I’m happy to help. Motherhood is a tough job and we all need to be in the best mental, physical and spiritual shape we can to help our kids grow up in this crazy world. I have two teenagers; my son Alex, is 15, and my daughter Haley, is 14.

Remember the first day of Kindergarten, dropping your child off at school and crying the whole way home wondering how your child grew up so fast? It was hard for me, but nothing compares to the emotions this year as Alex entered high school, and next year I’ll have TWO in high school! Bring on the red wine! It’s good for your heart, right?? I’ll be happy to share some stories about life with teenagers. I’m sure I’ll have a doozy to tell after Valentine’s Day! Looking forward to meeting you all! -Robyn Craig, Family Nurse Practitioner, Mom to Alex 15, and Haley, 14

Tips for Heart Health and a Happy 2010 February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month, and I know I’m not alone when it comes to taking better care of my husband and kids than I do myself, so I thought I’d share some easy-to-do tips for better heart health and for a better day in general! 1. Take a 10 minute walk everyday. 2. Give yourself a lift—lift 2 pound weights a few times a day. 3. Have a handful of nuts. Walnuts, almonds and peanuts are good for your heart. 4. Eat more seafood. 5. Sit in silence for 10 minutes each day.

6. Make breakfast count. 7. Eat one extra fruit or vegetable a day. 8. Play more games and read more books. 9. Live with the 3-E’s—energy, enthusiasm and empathy. 10.Dream more while you’re awake. 11.Drink green tea and plenty of water. 12.Try to make 3 people smile each day. 13.Clear the clutter and let positive energy flow in your house and your heart. 14.Smile and laugh more cause life is too short to waste being angry. 15.Don’t take yourself too seriously. No one else does.

Please Pass the Peas! Ayman's turning 36, and gettin' fixed. I can't believe it's come to this! Two down and no more to go, As far as we know. 18 months of begging, "Please!" He's finally gonna stop the tease. Even though it's nothing new, he has my sympathy where it's due. Since the thought brings him to his knees, Would you please pass the peas? -Amy El-Khashab Mom to Avrum 4 and Asher 1 (and no more!)