My Scariest "Mom Moment"

This weekend, on a casual Sunday afternoon trip to Costco... it happened. I was reminded that I don't have it all figured out.  Mayhem's forehead felt hot when I picked him up. I could tell he didn't feel well, and I mentioned to my husband that we should bring him right home. As we were driving home, his eyes rolled back into his head, his pacifier slipped out of his mouth, he began to drool, and his head was 'tick' 'tick' ticking to one side. I jumped into the back seat of the car, unbuckled him from his car seat and started screaming.  All I got in return was a blank stare. I cannot get the image of his face out of my head.

His body was limp, and he wasn't responding to me. My husband headed for the hospital, luckily we were very close. After driving through a few red lights and up a few sidewalks, we were there. I ran into the hospital lobby, screaming, "Where's the Emergency Room?!" I must have looked crazy, not that I cared. A nurse took us back, and took his temperature 104. "It's a febrile seizure," she said nonchalantly. "Is he OK?!" "The doctor will be right in."

[caption id="attachment_382" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="my poor baby mayhem"][/caption]

Meanwhile, I have no idea that a 'fever seizure' means he'll be fine. All I know is that I'm freaking out- can someone tell me what's going on?! Someone comes in to take down all our information, since we didn't come in through the usual route. At this point, for whatever reason... it all started hitting me.  And, Little J wanted to hop up on the bed and told me, "I'm sick too, Mommy. Is he going to be OK?"

After x-rays, a flu test, a respiratory virus test, and some baby Motrin- we were sent home. The doctor's parting words, "He'll be just fine." Well, I won't be. I am scarred for life. I'm so happy that this horrifying event is somehow not that big of a deal (medically, anyways). But I am still trying to calm down, 2 days later.

Apparently, a febrile seizure is something that happens to about 5% of children between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. He will grow out of it. He likely is more prone to them, because his father used to have them. There is no long term damage, and as long as he 'comes back' quickly- no cause for alarm. I had never seen a seizure, and I had no idea what was happening. Now that I know, I can't say that it will be any easier the second time...

Here is a happy picture from yesterday, of Mayhem enjoying his Rody horse. Just to counter the depressing hospital picture. I needed to look at this a lot over the past couple days...

[caption id="attachment_383" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="I'm fine, Mommy!"][/caption]

Have you had a scary 'mommy moment'?  Please share, so I know I'm not the only one!

His First Memory

An offhanded comment, "He won't remember this anyway" got me thinking. Little J is 3 and a half years old. He is approaching the time when most adults have their 'first memory'. I wonder what he will remember. He seems to remember EVERYTHING right now. He knows the words to songs we hear on the radio, he knows all the names of the dinosaurs, he can even 'read' me some of his favorite books because he knows all the words. The kid is amazing.

[caption id="attachment_371" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Can you pronounce these names?
image source: www.dinosaurtypes.net"][/caption]

But what will be his first memory? My husband swears that his first memory is of his little brother being brought home from the hospital.  Little J was only two and a half when that happened. I remember going to the hospital to visit my mom and my little brother, but I was four and a half.

It is kind of sad for me (I know, I'm selfish) to think about things he probably won't remember.  The special moments that he and I have shared in the past few years.  The bedtime rituals, the silly habits, and the many smiles. Even the hundreds of photos and videos on my iPhone don't tell the complete story.

[caption id="attachment_372" align="aligncenter" width="180" caption="Mommy dressed me like we're going to the Hamptons, but then we put the clothes back on the rack in JCrew..."][/caption]

All I can do is hope that Little J's first memory isn't, "When Mommy was mad at me because I pooped in my pants AGAIN."

What was your first memory? How old were you?  

Am I supposed to feel old?

This Saturday, I am turning 30.  My office was decorated this morning in "Over the Hill" party items, and "CAUTION: OLD ZONE" tape. While I'm grateful that someone took the time to decorate my office, in an effort to make me feel special... I don't feel 'over the hill'! What's the big deal about 30? OK, so I haven't made it onto any lists like, "Millionares Under 30" or "Top 30 Bloggers Under 30"- but other than that, I'm feeling OK with turning 30. 

[caption id="attachment_366" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=""Caution: OLD ZONE""][/caption]

If it's true that you are only as old as you feel, then I am 90 years old every Monday morning at 6 a.m. And pretty much every weeknight around 9 p.m.! 

[caption id="attachment_367" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=""Welcome to Over the Hillville""][/caption]

I feel lucky, at 30, to be able to say that I have two wonderful, healthy children and a husband who I love very much. I have a stable job, and a stable home.  At this point in my life, I know who my true friends are and I know myself.  I do not have any big regrets... I am turning 30, and I'm happy about it!! I don't feel old, my parents aren't even old!  So, bring it on '30'- I'm ready for you.

Are you upset about an upcoming milestone birthday?  Why or why not? Tell me!

What's for lunch? Pink slime?!

This article, honestly, horrified me.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/seven-million-tons-8220-pink-slime-8221-beef-180500764.html



 The list of places where 'lean beef trimmings' are banned: McDonald's, Taco Bell, THE UK! Not the United States. In the article, Carl Custer, who worked at the Food Safety Inspection service for 35 years states, "My main objection was that it was not meat."  I would really like to know who thinks this is OK to serve to school children? Where is Jamie Oliver on this one? Thank you, Yahoo news... I'm glad someone is paying attention! What do you think about this 'food'?

Toddler Lunch Tips

We have had some struggles with getting little J to eat lunch.  Toddlers are notorious for making meal times difficult.  I wanted to share a few tips that I have learned along the way.

1.  Cookie Cutters: Use a cookie cutter to make a 'boring' peanut butter and jelly sandwich a little more exciting.  And as a bonus, it takes the crust off for you. We love the dinosaurs or hearts at our house!

 

2. Make It Interesting: My son loves tri-colored fusilli pasta. He likes to eat one color at a time.  For me, this works great because I can keep some plain and feed Baby Mayhem too!

3. Let them help: Eating a sandwich is much more exciting if you get to make it, right? For the tots struggling with independence, making the meal is an accomplishment. Add it to the list. We love Trader Joe's pizza crust- topped off by J himself!

4. Divided Plates: Side dishes sometimes distract from the main dish, but if they are healthy options- who cares?! Apples slices, banana slices, or carrots all work well on the side. I often find these plates in the 'dollar bins' at Target. A nice aspect to these plates is that if you have a toddler that doesn't like things to be 'dirty' (I won't mention any names)- any sauces that you are using won't touch the food, until they are ready!