Thursday, August 16, 2012

Bumbos, marriage and school oh my...




Did you hear that Bumbo’s are being recalled?  It’s because several children have had skull fractures from falling off high surfaces while in their Bumbo.  So they have to recall ALL the seats because some parents aren’t watching their kids?   It’s like punishing a whole school class because 1 or 2 kids are misbehaving.  This time it’s the parents misbehaving by setting their baby on a table or countertop and then walking away.

I am not guilt free from setting my child on a countertop in a Bumbo, but I never was more than arms length away.  My baby boy was the Bumbo escape artist.  He could arch his back and squirm in just the right way to escape from it.

I say bring the Bumbo’s back, they are fabulous!  I honestly don't care that much since I'm out of the baby stage and gave my bumbo away a year ago.





My husband and I celebrated 16 years of marriage yesterday!!  It seriously does not seem that long, I chose wisely when I married.  How was I to know that he would be the best, most involved Dad I know, as well as so kind and good to me?  That he would always build me up, and he has never spoken an unkind word to me.  To me it speaks volumes about a person’s character when they treat their spouse and children with respect and kindness.   They are the most important relationships in life and yet sometimes they are the hardest people to treat with kindness because there is so much emotion and investment in the relationship.  It is also easy to focus on the negative when you know a person so very well.

Yesterday we were able to go on a lunch date (how I love having older kids to babysit!) and we were talking about some of our favorite memories of the past 16 years.  It was so interesting that some of our best memories are from the really challenging times.  Our college days when we were extremely poor and crazy busy, my last pregnancy and our preemie baby, our infertility issues and other trials.  It was eye opening to realize how much those times have bound us together and how much they have strengthened our marriage.  Interesting to think about.




School starts on the 27th!  I haven’t been ready for my kids to go back until this week.  But man alive I am ready to have some routine and structure back.  I’m ready for my pantry to stay full for more than 3 days, I’m ready for my house to stay picked up for longer than 5 minutes.  It’s stinkin’ hot here and nobody wants to go out and burn off energy,  the kids are bored and when they are bored, they act up.  Bring on school!

All of my kids are wearing uniforms this year.  My oldest son wears any solid colored polo with either khaki, navy or denim shorts or pants.  My 2 middles wear a polo with the school logo on it and either khakis or navy.  It simplifies things significantly I must say!  Now my boys don’t have to worry about matching (they are fashion challenged) because any combination of shirts/shorts/pants match!  Woohoo!

First grade has always been harder for me to send my kids to than kindergarten.  It is all day, they don’t feel like they are “mine” any longer because they are gone from me for so long, HOWEVER this year I have a first grader and I don’t feel that way!  He did kindergarten twice and is so ready to go all day!  I say bring on 1st grade, he is super excited and will flourish!


What are your opinions on the Bumbo recall or marriage or school uniforms?

6 comments:

Jenn Shields said...

I've wanted to tell you that I admire you for driving 30 min to a different location when you didn't get in down the street, instead of sitting around and complaining about the lottery and how its unfair, etc. I honestly could say to me it wouldn't be a big deal and if it was the best thing for my child(ren) I would do it in a heart beat. Besides, secretly I love driving in my car - it's where I do the BEST thinking. :) PS - Julie Brown is teaching 4th grade there and I just love her.

chercard said...

You are nice, but I have done my fair share of complaining about the school system, the lottery etc, just not on this blog. :) But I feel much better about things by being proactive and I know it was an answer to my prayers to get in, just not what I expected it to be. It will be a challenge with significantly more gas $$, A LOT more time (our other school is 1 minute away)and my little ones don't love driving in the car. But it will be worth it and I am so excited for my kids! I met Julie Brown, unfortunately I don't have a 4th grader :)

Stephanie said...

I didn't know the bumbo recall thing. Sad days, but really if you are a responsible parent are the bumbo police going to come and get you if you don't stop using it.
Also I read somewhere that they aren't good for the baby's spine, there spine isn't strong enough for the sitting position when they are in the bumbo so it is doing damage to it. I don't know just read it somewhere.

chercard said...

lots of things are "bad" for babies. sleeping on their back, oops, now it's sleeping on their tummy. Feeding them rice cereal early, the cribs with sides that go up and down, the slats on the crib that are too far apart...oops too close together. The "experts" are so worried about litigation that they make super paranoid parents. I did what was best for my babies and slept 2 of them on their tummies from the time they got home from the hospital. Our society is so paranoid and anxious that everything is of great DANGER!

Wendi said...

Happy anniversary! Our 17th is later this month. It's hard to believe it's been that long. :)

Sarah said...

I would totally stick my baby in a bumbo (if they had had them when I was having babies) AND I had one stomach sleeper! It's my rebellious nature.

I think choosing your spouse is the most important decision you will ever make.

And, I LOVE school uniforms. Makes morning very easy.