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Two Under 2
logistics of pedi appts and taking pictures?
I'm flying solo all this week as DH is on a business trip. Today's adventure is taking them for their well baby visits (including one shot each). Tomorrow's adventure is getting their pictures taken.
Can you give me any tips on:
1) maintaining sanity/sense of humor
2) how best to comfort and control each kid during the well baby visit
3) the best way to do pictures - baby first? toddler first? together first? other tips?
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Re: logistics of pedi appts and taking pictures?
1. just laugh and call people throughout the day to have some adult conversation.
2. I bring a small snack for DD 1 to eat while DD2 has her exam...I also let DD 1 go first because she quiets easier and will sit and read a book and eat her snack while I hold DD2 for shots and exam.
3. I do toddler first then baby then together...don't know why but that is how I do it...
1. Plan a play date, have a friend over for coffee during nap time, have a friend over for dinner - something to ensure that you'll have adult conversation.
Wine, wine, wine. And maybe a hot bath after the girls are in bed. Be sure to schedule some "me" time. I actually enjoy at least a couple of days without DH because once the kids are in bed my time is 100% mine. That's a rare treat.
2. My pedi always recommends doing the older child first. An older child can mentally process anxiety and anticipation by watching the younger getting things (ie: shots) done to them. But my standard rule of thumb is that if the baby is cranky in general but you've got a window of non-cranky always take advantage of it.
Snacks are a must for pedi visits. I swore I'd never entertain my toddler with food but once I had the second one I realized just how helpful snacks are. Snacks are the one thing that my toddler is guranteed to sit still and calm down for. I know they're gonna buy me about 10 - 15 minutes.
As for the "comfort" part.... we were lucky that neither of ours really had long term distress after shots. They cried when they were done and then sobered up pretty quick. If either of them ends up really upset and needing cuddling I'd recommend being prepared with a carrier for the baby so you can bounce, sing, kiss, etc while handling the toddler. Also I'd take in the car seat carrier so you can put the baby down if Katen needs your lap, hugs, kisses, wiping away tears, etc. My go to for shots is always the boob the second they're done with the shot (for the baby of course).
If you really get in a pinch ask for a nurse to come help with one while you soothe the other. I know the nurses at our office would have gladly done so if I'd asked.
3. See rule above about baby. If the baby's happy jump all over it and start with her first. Toddlers can be manipulated with toys, snacks, and even logic sometimes but baby's are more about a window of opportunity.
If it's super important to you go get them together then I'd probably start there as it's the most challenging to pull off.
For us it was always more important to get good individual shots and if we got lucky with them together so be it.
And... please tell me the photos are not scheduled the day after the shots.......
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
1. Like Howley, I also *kind of* enjoy when DH is gone for a few nights... Once the girls go down for the night, I get to enjoy some rare 'me' time - I enjoy a glass of wine or a bath, watch whatever I want, and go to bed whenever I'm ready. And to bolster your spirits, just remind yourself that this is going to be a tough time, so keep your chin up and sense of humor at the ready to get through it.
2. Not much help here, as I've not done shots together. I'd just recommend go at a time that's not around their nap or mealtime.
3. I personally would put this off until I had DH back - pictures here are too expensive to do with less than ideal circumstances. I would want the best chance I can get to get some good shots.
GL, hope you have a good week!
So.... who went first? K or A? What tricks worked for you? Or did you even need any?
I tended to find that imagining the logistics of such outings was usually more stressful than the actual event itself. I hope that was the case for you!
I hope you have a great day full of nice naps tomorrow as a result of today's shots!
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
Katen went first and then Ana. Both kids were super well behaved. Ana was crabby after her shots for the afternoon but Katen slept well. I didn't really even need any tricks. I just kept Katen busy watching Mickey Mouse on my ipod for a while and then she played with her tag jr. for a while too.
We'll see how tomorrow goes with pictures. Surely I can't win twice, right? lol!