As I've said before, I'm pregnant, approximately 22.5 weeks along. To give you a little history about what lead up to where I am now...I had to get a new doctor with this pregnancy because my doctor moved further away. If I didn't have a toddler in tow and all the time in the world, I'd probably continue to go to her, because she was amazing. Since I do have a toddler in tow and very little time to get out and get errands done, I was forced to look closer to home for a new doctor. I was originally looking for a female doctor. I just feel more comfortable with a female, especially one that has given birth. At the time I made my first appointment at this new office, there were 5 doctors there, 4 being females. I went into my appointment, which was supposed to be with one of the female doctors, and was surprised to learn that something had happened and I would be seeing the only male doctor in the practice. I was a little uneasy about this, but went ahead with it anyway, because I have heard great things about this practice. Anyway, from the time I had my first appointment to the second one, 4 of the doctors had left the practice, leaving me with the only male. He seemed nice enough...
As I continue to see him, I am becoming very weary of him. He seems like his head is elsewhere, which is not where you want your doctor's head to be. He is doing more and more that makes me believe he isn't the right doctor for me. He delivered my friend's child and she said he was awesome in the delivery room. I guess that's why I don't get why he is so different in the office. He doesn't ask me any questions. If I tell him that something isn't right with me, he ignores my ideas of what it may be and comes to a conclusion of his own, which happens to be the wrong conclusion, while mine was right. I know my body and I've done this before. I know how I react to pregnancy. When I ask him to do a particular test, he refuses to do it, even after the test he ordered came back normal. Then he tells me If I want to, I can get some supplements and take them, but that's completely up to me. It's like he doesn't want to admit that he had something wrong and his patient knew it from the beginning. It's not looking good for him.
A doctor that doesn't ask questions, spends very little time with their patients and doesn't listen to their patients is assumed to be a bad doctor. I have another appointment with this guy next week. I think if things don't improve, I'll be looking elsewhere for my medical services in the future. I really hate to leave, because the nurses at this office are top-notch. They couldn't be any more wonderful!
I have been reluctant to leave because this doctor was absolutely fantastic during my first visit. He listened and spent time with me. I am starting to believe that with him being the only doctor left in the practice, he is in way over his head. Maybe he has too much going on to pay attention to his patients. Still, that's no excuse. His duty as a doctor trumps his overwhelming practice.
It's a bit scary to even think of seeing a new doctor more than halfway through your pregnancy. I mean, this new doctor doesn't know anything about my pregnancy, aside from what they read in my file. Nonetheless, you have to do what's right for you and that unborn child.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
From Crib to Toddler Bed Transition...Success!
While we were recently on vacation, visiting family, our son started crawling out of the playard he was using to sleep in. It's much more difficult to get out of the playard than the crib, so we used this as a sign that it's time for the big transition from his crib to his toddler bed.
I've noticed the boost in independence and self esteem since. I think it really makes him feel like a big boy. By using fun, colorful bedding and placing familiar objects on his bed, he was thrilled to hop right in and lay down. His blanky and two of his favorite stuffed animals made the transition with him. The other stuffed animals had to find other places to stay.
(The new toddler bed and bedding)
He happily gets in and out of bed for his naps and at bedtime. Even when it's not time for him to sleep he wants to be on his new bed. Our bedtime routine has changed a bit, but he doesn't seem to mind one bit. Rather than sitting on my lap reading a book, he wants to be in his bed, while I (over 5 months pregnant) have to sit on the floor beside him. I know getting up from the floor is going to become more difficult as I grow in the next few months, but I guess the payoff is greater. We have kept his bedtime book the same. When he hears me read that book to him, he lays down. When we are finished I tuck him in and he goes right to sleep.
His naps have become more difficult in one sense. He will play for up to 2 hours in his room. Since he has the independence of getting up from bed as he chooses, he destroys his room for the 2 hours until he is tired enough to sleep. When that happens, he crawls into bed and goes right to sleep. I end up with a mess to clean up, but at least he eventually takes his nap.
Ahh...SUCCESS!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The big 2nd birthday!
My big boy is turning two this weekend, so it's up to me to plan the big party...on a very tight budget. We are doing a Micky Mouse theme which turned out to be a great idea. There are so many resources on the internet for great ideas and free printouts.
For the invitations: I created the invitations on the computer by coming up with a cute phrase that goes along with the theme that explains what the party is for. Toward the bottom I put the details of the party (date, time, location, rsvp, etc.). Centered at the top I placed a simple picture of Mickey Mouse and printed them out on white carstock. Then I cut them down to the size I wanted and glued (elmers glue stick works best) them to pieces of black cardstock (centered) that were cut down to a size that was approximately 1/2 inches larger on each side. I ordered envelopes from LCI Paper, Inc. online for a great price and had invitations for the price of a postage stamp.
For the decorations: I am only purchasing a few items with Micky Mouse on it. That stuff can get quite pricey! By using red table covers and red or white napkins, with white cups I can get away with only using Micky Mouse plates. I am making Mickey Mouse napkin rings with paper, glue and a printer. Other things that can be made using the same idea...centerpieces, cupcake picks, coloring book favors (for the kiddies) danglers and other decorations. The colors for Mickey Mouse themed parties are red, black, yellow and blue. Some simple, inexpensive streamers and balloons and you have a Micky Mouse themed party fit for any child.
For the food: To save money I am making cupcakes rather than ordering a cake from the local bakery. Also, I have to be sure of the ingredients, since one of the little boys is allergic to several things. I don't want him getting sick because of something I served. Cupcake liners are very inexpensive and the cupcake pick decorations can be made using simple pictures from the internet cut out and taped onto toothpicks. Since it's a midday party (between lunch and dinner), We can get away with serving very little food. We are getting pizza (the owner of the pizzaria gave us a really good deal), watermelon chunks, chips, salad and a trifle, with some pop (2 liter bottles) and water. By keeping things simple it also makes it easier on you.
For the favors: I found coloring pages of Mickey Mouse along with activity pages to create a Mickey Mouse coloring and activity book. I printed out the wording on a piece of cardstock and positioned the picture in the center of the cardstock folded in half to make a 1/2 page book. Then I compiled several coloring and activity pages I found on the internet onto pages, again going with the 1/2 page-size book format. Printing 4 color pages to on full sheet (front and back) meant less paper waste and easier construction. After all of the pages were printed and put together I folded them in half (to make a 1/2 page book), then aligned the pages and stapled the middle twice. Very simple and easy. There are so many websites that provide coloring pages for children, so it's free too (aside from the printer ink and paper). Along with the coloring books, the children are getting packs of crayons (24 pack) which can be purchased for nearly nothing when you buy them during the back to school sales. I only paid $.20 per pack. By throwing in some mini flying discs, which you can buy in packages of 3 or 4 for only $1, and a few pieces of candy into the Mickey Mouse themed favor bags, you have favors for about $1 (maybe slightly more). The kids will love them too!
Being on a very tight budget causes you to be more creative than you thought possible. Just use the internet for resources and your noggin for how to use those resources and you can throw a great kids birthday party for less than you could imagine.
After the big day, I will add photos of the party and decorations that I so easily made.
For the invitations: I created the invitations on the computer by coming up with a cute phrase that goes along with the theme that explains what the party is for. Toward the bottom I put the details of the party (date, time, location, rsvp, etc.). Centered at the top I placed a simple picture of Mickey Mouse and printed them out on white carstock. Then I cut them down to the size I wanted and glued (elmers glue stick works best) them to pieces of black cardstock (centered) that were cut down to a size that was approximately 1/2 inches larger on each side. I ordered envelopes from LCI Paper, Inc. online for a great price and had invitations for the price of a postage stamp.
For the decorations: I am only purchasing a few items with Micky Mouse on it. That stuff can get quite pricey! By using red table covers and red or white napkins, with white cups I can get away with only using Micky Mouse plates. I am making Mickey Mouse napkin rings with paper, glue and a printer. Other things that can be made using the same idea...centerpieces, cupcake picks, coloring book favors (for the kiddies) danglers and other decorations. The colors for Mickey Mouse themed parties are red, black, yellow and blue. Some simple, inexpensive streamers and balloons and you have a Micky Mouse themed party fit for any child.
For the food: To save money I am making cupcakes rather than ordering a cake from the local bakery. Also, I have to be sure of the ingredients, since one of the little boys is allergic to several things. I don't want him getting sick because of something I served. Cupcake liners are very inexpensive and the cupcake pick decorations can be made using simple pictures from the internet cut out and taped onto toothpicks. Since it's a midday party (between lunch and dinner), We can get away with serving very little food. We are getting pizza (the owner of the pizzaria gave us a really good deal), watermelon chunks, chips, salad and a trifle, with some pop (2 liter bottles) and water. By keeping things simple it also makes it easier on you.
For the favors: I found coloring pages of Mickey Mouse along with activity pages to create a Mickey Mouse coloring and activity book. I printed out the wording on a piece of cardstock and positioned the picture in the center of the cardstock folded in half to make a 1/2 page book. Then I compiled several coloring and activity pages I found on the internet onto pages, again going with the 1/2 page-size book format. Printing 4 color pages to on full sheet (front and back) meant less paper waste and easier construction. After all of the pages were printed and put together I folded them in half (to make a 1/2 page book), then aligned the pages and stapled the middle twice. Very simple and easy. There are so many websites that provide coloring pages for children, so it's free too (aside from the printer ink and paper). Along with the coloring books, the children are getting packs of crayons (24 pack) which can be purchased for nearly nothing when you buy them during the back to school sales. I only paid $.20 per pack. By throwing in some mini flying discs, which you can buy in packages of 3 or 4 for only $1, and a few pieces of candy into the Mickey Mouse themed favor bags, you have favors for about $1 (maybe slightly more). The kids will love them too!
Being on a very tight budget causes you to be more creative than you thought possible. Just use the internet for resources and your noggin for how to use those resources and you can throw a great kids birthday party for less than you could imagine.
After the big day, I will add photos of the party and decorations that I so easily made.
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