A Few of Mommy's Favorite Things

A lot of things change when you have your kids as far apart as I did. There have been some great advancements in parenting since the Teen was a baby, and even some big changes from the Angel's time. It may not seem like much, but all these product make child care so much easier. Examples:

• Dye-free infant's Motrin drops- I always wondered why drug companies insisted on adding Red 40 to something that is most likely going to be spit all over the place, and possibly regurgitated onto the carpet. I guess Product Development finally hired a woman...
• Ear thermometers- Because taking baby's temperature rectally is an emotionally scarring experience for everyone involved.
• Baby seats in public bathrooms- I love, love, love places that have these. When mom is out shopping with baby, it is almost impossible for her to go to the bathroom. Have you ever tried to buckle a belt with one hand, while trying to prevent your baby from licking the toilet paper dispenser? These little seats are in the stall, and mom can buckle baby to the seat so she can use both of her hands and the baby isn't on the floor trying to catch Hepatitis or something. And while we're on the subject...
• Family bathrooms- For the Husband, the very thought of taking the Angel out in public, just the two of them, is terrifying. She has only recently reached the age where she can use a public restroom by herself, with nervous daddy freaking people out by standing right outside the door. But even a year or two ago, he didn't want to take her anywhere, mostly because he didn't want to take her into the men's room, which in my imagination is always completely filthy. (Although, I'm not sure ladies rooms are any cleaner.) And I understand. I'm always a little surprised when I see 11 year old boys in the ladies room, but what else is mom supposed to do? Presenting the Family Restroom. Because mothers have sons, and fathers have daughters. And it wouldn't kill dad to change a diaper every once in a while.
• DVD players in the car- I have no idea how anyone traveled with kids before these came along. It sounds like a luxury item, but I think like airbags and seatbelts, it has probably saved lives. (Driving while refereeing backseat squabbles is unsafe. And leaving your kids on the off ramp because you simply can't take it anymore is frowned upon.)
• Spill-proof sippy cups- Great for little kids. I wish I could get the big kids to use them. In fact, we'd probably have fewer wine stains on the couch if everybody used them!
• Attractive diaper bags- Because even babies don't want to carry around something with dorky looking ducks on it! Granted, the Peanut's diaper bag is blue silk with an asian flower pattern, but who's carrying the thing, him or me? (And I don't think we have to spend too much time worrying about Daddy carrying it either. Like that'll happen.)
• Baby Entertainers- Kind of like walkers, but with solid bottoms so they can't go anywhere. And baby videos with classical music and spinning color thingys. Yes, I know I'm probably supposed to wear my baby all day and do nothing but interact with him, but sometimes Mommy has other stuff to do. How did June Cleaver manage to do the ironing and have her hair perfectly coiffed when Wally and the Beave were babies? One word: playpen. So back off.