Recent Blog Comments : Raising Bakersfield

daddy in a strange land : "Contest winners, fun stuff to do, and a welcome..."

Thanks again Im sure we will have a great time this weekend. BobbySaka

First Time Mommy : "First Time Mommy"

Congratulations on being a mom! My only piece of advice is this: Enjoy every minute! They really do grow up too fast. My son just turned 15 months in the blink of an eye. He went from a tiny, snuggly, easily managable baby to a running, climbing, noise making, sweet toddler jin ust barely over one year. Where did the time go? It amazes me. So don't get caught up in things, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Slowing Down the Blur : "When should they know??"

Hi,

I think kids know and pick up on more than we give them credit. My step-daughter is now 7 years old but from the time she was very young she had questions about the reason her mom and dad separated. One day she shocked us both by saying, "My mom cheated, huh?" After recovering from our shock, my husband and I looked at each other and said, "what makes you think that?" She said, "oh, I don't know" and went on talking about something else. Feeewww! We left it alone. I think as long as you keep it age-appropriate and you don't bad-mouth the other party, it's good to be honest with them. They will appreciate it when they grow up.

There's my two-cents!

when is it to many sports : "birthday"

I can only imagine how fast those nine years went by. I want my little guy to stop growing already and he is only 7 weeks! Congratulations on raising who I'm sure is an amazing little girl!

First Time Mommy : "First Time Mommy"

Enjoy it while you can, They grow up so fast. My daughter just turned 9 and I still think back to when she was first born. I keep telling her to stop growing, she then looks at me and laughs, saying how she can't wait to grow up. Record them as much as possible, that way you can always look back at all the fun times you shared together. Enjoy being a new mom!!!

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

Congratulations!

There's a first time for everything : "7 week countdown"

Deep fried smore? Yumm!!! I can't believe I missed the fair. Oh well, Jillian was worth it.

mr.oscat's jukebox : "hey, guess what.... we're playing... no, really"

Woohoo! We can't wait to hear the new material! Now I gotta go find The Pumpkin's kazoo...

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

Congratulations to you and your family!

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

Yay for a new baby! And girls rule... in case you didn't know before now...

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS : "POPCORN"

RIGHT ON! Go Cubs!

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

YEAH, I'm so happy for you. Congrats.

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

Congrats on your new addition!!!!

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

congrats to your family from ours, Jason..... if your girls are anything like our two, you are going to find out what the opposite of The Pumpkin is........ (just like the differences in the pregnancy, and so it goes....)

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

I've always liked that song by Toto:

"Meet you all the way, Tusana yeah!"

Ha, ha. Congratulations, Jason!

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

Thanks for the nice comments. So cool coming from you, Mr. Oscat!

JJS, there's still time on the Jackson Browne thing. :)

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "The Power of the Written Word"

So glad that running your story in The Californian had good results!

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

This is absolutely awesome. In my goals listed in my senior yearbook, I proclaim my ultimate life would be to be rich and famous and married to Jackson Browne. Still hasn't happened, though in the early 80's I spent a lot of time at No Nukes events. LOL.

I can talk about liner notes like nobodies business... even got a nod from bassist Leland Sklar once, who usually plays with James Taylor and folks like that... with a not-long-ago friend of mine we found we both liked Leland Sklar's work and I tell you, it connected us for life.

YAY for the Bangles!! Yay for YOU!

: "KC Fair Time"

The pics are great - my dog ate through my camera cord, so I can't download any of my fair pics til I get a new cord! (crossing my fingers for next week!)

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

Here is an updated list of available places to pick apples in Tehachapi, hope it helps. R B Family Orchard/ 1437 Casey Drive/ 822-5969/ Rborchard.com Knaus Ranch/ Tucker and Cheery Lane/ 822-4142 Mossner Orchards/ Bear Valley Road/ 821-6272 Pulfords Appletree Orchard/ 19440 Highland Road/ 822-5021 Ruhman Orchards/ 1431 Robin Lane/ 823-0816 Tanglewood Farm/ 21192 Old Town Road /822-8806 Morning Cloak Ranch/ 22101 Old Town Road/ 822-1661

I got this list from a friend I have not been to all of these. Some of them do not open until October, some are only open on certain days and times and others say to call ahead so that they can open the gate for you. I would definitly call ahead to all of them to make sure that they are available for you and your family and to get more info. on them. Have fun!

: "KC Fair Time"

LOVED your pictures. i felt like i experienced the fair right along with you. thanks for sharing.

by the way, about the bunnies... only the promiscuous ones wear eyeliner. ha, ha!

when is it to many sports : "tooth ache"

I really, really, really like the group and dentist at Dr. Small's office. He's in the Wild West shopping center on Stockdale. I myself do NOT like going to the dentist but they're very nice and patient and also use N.O. Plus they're all very nice which also helps to calm your already frazzled nerves.

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

what a great story...... it all worked out because it was supposed to....... good for you, superha

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

thank you for the Doctor offices, I will give them both a call and see what info I can get out of them and then go to the facility to see how it feels for us.

: "The Women Are In Agreement!"

How funny is that! It is nice to know I am not the only one out there who has a husband who sounds like a freight train. My daughter sometimes can hear him snoring from across the hall in her room. When I first moved in with my hubby it was so hard to get used to the noise. I went a lot of nights with no sleep. Even now that I am used to it, there are night he still wakes me up. It drives me crazy!!! You can only kick them in the back so many times. The part I don't like the most about it, is when he falls asleep before me, then I am having a hard time getting to sleep, his snoring sometimes can hurt my ears. :) :p

Good luck!

: "The Women Are In Agreement!"

poor hubby. a locomotive, huh? poor wife! :)

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

Nope, still haven't popped. I'm 5 days overdue. Ugh!

Musings on Motherhood : "Moving And Shaking..."

Hey, I wish you the best. And I love the first day of school pic on the cover of RB, btw.

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

Murray Family Farms is the best place to go if you have little ones - or older kids also! They have hay rides, a petting zoo (with soap and water hand washing area - VERY nice!) and they have many different fruits, pumpkins, apples, berries, gords...it's a great day trip for any family or preschool group. They also have tables to sit and have a picnic lunch at and a play area for the kids to enjoy.

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

Well, the crib you are considering is just about like the crib we had, which also made into a toddler bed and is now a full size big-boy bed. I loved it then and really like the versatility now! When #1 son was born, we also had a bassinet (in the locked position) in our bedroom. BIG MISTAKE! From day one our firstborn would fight sleep unless he was being rocked or in bed with us...would never sleep in his crib. So, with #2 on the way, we vowed not to make the same mistake again! We brought #2 son home from the hospital and he went straight to sleep in the crib. To this day, our #2 son will fall asleep on his own, and has never fought falling asleep like #1 son.

Another lesson learned with both sons, don't be afraid to make noise while they are sleeping. While we kept the house church quiet when it was nap time with #1, at the time of #2 son's arrival, #1 son was definitely the noise maker extraordinaire! So, #1 son wakes up with the slightest noise, at least until he reached 6 years old....and #2 son can sleep through anything - and I mean ANYTHING!

BTW, if you plan on traveling, doing yard work outside, or enjoy camping with your little one...the pack and plays by Graco are nice, not too expensive, and are lightweight and easy to cart around. I would recommend the crib and the pack and play with the works.

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

We went to one in Tehachapi last apple season but I can't remember the name - but so many of the farms that HAVE been there in the past are no longer in business... this one was the only one we could find. We did pick some berries, though, at this cool herb farm... and we also couldn't find pumpkins to pick so we wound up at Murray Family Farms, which is on the way toTehachapi off the 58 right before you start up the hill.

Dries Farms, where we picked Raspberries and inhaled delightful herb fragrances:

http://www.driesfarms.com/Home_Page.html

I think this is the place we went last year for apples:

http://www.knausappleranch.com/home

Murray Family Farms:

http://www.murrayfamilyfarms.com/

: "Goodnight Sweet Girl"

So cute. Sometimes I still need to talk to my Mommy!

My almost-seventeen-year-old daughter insists on still calling me Mommy. I am not arguing with her! :-)

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

I used a bassinette with my son and really liked it. It wasn't too frilly and the size was perfect. He learned how to calm himself early on by kicking his legs against the sides and when I transitioned him to a crib at about 4 months, I just made sure to put him against on the the bumpers on the side... worked like a charm.

I also enjoyed turning on my side and watching his little legs move while he didn't realize I was watching him. :-) One of my favorite tiny baby quiet memories. He was my best sleeper, too. Could be the magical basinette! LOL.

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

THE ONE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO UP THE HILL TO TEHACHAPI HAS ALOT OF ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS APPLE PICKING. A MAZE AND A FEW OTHERS.

New Here : "New Here"

Hello and welcome (almost) to Bakersfield! :)

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

We used a cradle, and just kept it in the locked position. By the time they started moving around a lot at night (3-4 months), they were sleeping longer at night and we transitioned to a crib in their own room.

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

I put my crib in my bedroom and my daughter slept there for about the first year. Once she got where she could walk (and more importantly, escape from the crib) I put it in the nursery. I had a very small house so there was no need for baby monitors. I could hear my daughter cry in the nursery very easily.

The first couple nights my daughter got out of bed and cried at my locked bedroom door, demanding entry. But I stood fast, and eventually she figured out that she was simply going to HAVE to learn to sleep in her own room. Same thing happened when my son reached that age.

The one exception was thunder storms. We are all Midwesterners, originally, and the rule of my childhood, which I passed on to my kids, was you could always sleep with Mommy in a scary thunder storm. This made for much comical negotiation at times. A big truck would roll by the busy street behind our back yard and my daughter would insist it was thunder and ask to crawl in bed with me. I'd open the curtains and show her it wasn't raining, and she would reluctantly return to her room.

When we moved to California, and I told the kids there were almost never thunder storms here, my son was relieved but my daughter was deeply disappointed because it meant she couldn't sleep with me anymore.

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

My first one I put right into the crib. I am SOOOOOO glad I did. Night time was never a fight as he got older, he didnt want to sleep with me and he gained a sense of belonging ang grew comfortable to him room. I have never had a problem getting him to go to bed.

New Here : "New Here"

We have some really good MOPs groups here in town, too. There are quite a few ways for parents with little ones to connect. We can get you contact numbers now, or let us know when you arrrive in Bakersfield, and we'll get you the contact info.

Hang in there. Having a baby is such a huge life change.

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

You haven't popped yet, girl?? When is/was your due date?

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

We got a Graco Pack N' Play that has a bassinet and a changing table on top, similar to this one. It seems stable to me. I put it together a couple weeks ago. So that's what we're going to use. If she ever decides to show up!

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

Try Dr. Tracey Levens. She's my doctor and I love her. I remember her mentioning she does kids too. Never a long wait in the lobby, she will take her time with you, is very personable and the office setting is super relaxed :) Good Luck!

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

we go to Dr. Farrer . He is a MD and his wife ( a very lovely lady) is an P.A. they even have urgant care after hours right at his office from 5 - 9 m - f and some Sat. hours.

New Here : "New Here"

Hello,

There is a great group of SAHM you should meet. The group is through Meetup.com. It is the SAHM moms group. I moved here 2yrs ago. My husband's job moved us here, and I knew nobody. I found this group, and love it. I look forward to maybe meeting you one day.

There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

One thing I loved about the stroller we had for our first born....the infant car seat snapped into the stroller - that way you don't have to wake the baby up to get them from the car into the stroller - very handy for shopping or taking walks. As far as cribs, it's all a matter of personal preference. I loved the fact that we chose a crib that changed into a toddler bed, and eventually into a big boys bed. Although, when #2 came along, we had to move our big boy into a twin bed until the crib/toddler bed could be his when his sibling got old enough for a twin bed....enjoy the time shopping and registering!!

There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

Have FUN while you do all this. Enjoy your shopping- such a special time.

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "More Like Sam"

What a kid! Many people need to be more like Sam.

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "Get Your Fangs Out, It's Fall Ball!"

So, this is your "other" personality??? :)

There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

I had my doubts about whether or not we'd be able to get it all done, but we did. Of course people told me this and it didn't calm my anxiety one bit. I just figured they were way more organized and put together than me with bigger support networks helping them to get it all done.

: "Night Time Pull Ups"

I love the good nites pull-up style...the youngest wakes up dry all the time - the oldest is such a sound sleeper, he won't wake up unless I turn the lights on, uncover him completely and practically jump on the bed singing....

So happy the good nites worked out for you and the kiddo! :0)

: "A Wonderful Report"

What awesome news!! Enjoy the festivities....and celebrate life!

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "Get Your Fangs Out, It's Fall Ball!"

I am a theatre mom more than a sports mom. My son being in sports actually scares me. Team sports? ehhhh. So he is doing swimming and is like a little barracuda. I am going to start him in track this Spring. Soccer and T-Ball? Not so much. Soccer and he didn't get along. But he is a bruiser, so we will see what the future brings.

Musings on Motherhood : "Moving And Shaking..."

Moving is definately not fun. I think I'm still unpacking boxes from my last move which was 5 years ago next Monday. And we downsized in our move, instead of getting a bigger house for a growing family!

I'm happy for you and your family, I pray things work out for you and that you'll be happy and safe and the girls too.

Have you started school again, how's that going?

: "A Wonderful Report"

Wooo Whooo! Let the celebrations begin!

The sanity during my insanity. : "I mean really????"

Carla,

This post truely made me LMAO. I can't believe that. Even at 9+ months pregnant on the closing day of the Sping LFR event as tired and randown as we all were, you did NOT look like a grandma. What the.... To funny, love the new family photo, can't wait to see you in October.

: "A Wonderful Report"

YAY!!! Congratulations! That's wonderful news!

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "Lightbulb Moment for Katherine"

Yeah! She will go very far! Those are some great schools!

: "A Wonderful Report"

yes, it's definitely time to celebrate!!!

Slowing Down the Blur : "getting closer"

Amazing what a long journey this is. You'll be able to write a whole novel about it once you're done. :)

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

We're friends on facebook right? I don't go on often, but it's a lot easier on the eyes than myspace.

: "It's All About Ariel"

I didn't know this was the latest Disney to make it to the stage! How cool! (There is some great theatre here in Bakersfield, performed by local talent you probably had no idea existed here...you need to know what's going on across stages in town, ask me. I probably know some one in the show even... LOL)

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "Mom's Night Out"

YES! We do! We women need to remember to give ourselves permission just to have fun, to remember we are Moms, yes, but we are also human beings separate from our precious babies.

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS : "WAY TO YOUNG TO FEEL THIS OLD"

Nope, not alone at all. I swear I don't know how my oldest got to be almost 17. Is she actually a junior in high school? How does all this growing happen when I stay so youthful?! LOL

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

Thank you both!

Hugs.

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

I use to do respite for K.R.C., worked at NAPD /SEED. if you find yourself in a pinch, I wouldn't mind helping out.

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "Mom's Night Out"

It sounds like you guys had a blast! :) I love Mom's Nights Out.

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

i'm on facebook and love it! understand about the addiction, especially since i love to play games. let me try to encourage you that the addiction fades. it took about a month, but i'm not on it as much as when i first started.

The Crayon on the Wall : "Oh the tears!"

This is adorable. One of my favorite theological lessons came from my daughter, Katherine, when she was 5.

We were sitting in church somewhere around Palm Sunday or Easter. Something like that. There had been talk about Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. I could tell she was thinking about something quite intently.

She turned to me, so solemnly and said, "Jesus didn't want to die. He really didn't want to die. But he did, anyway. For us."

You might not think they are getting it, but oh do they ever.

And my little Katherine whoi is now 16 took two mission trips this year, one to Mexico and one to Argentina.

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

Thank you I will keep that in mind

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

I hear you. I was talking about goals for Samuel just tonight with a theatre buddy of mine. You know, if you need a sitter, I have a 16 year old who lives with Asperger's in her brother every day. Exceptionally patient. Call me, talk to her. She is a great kid.

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "Update on Emma-The-Wanna-Be-Middle-School-Dropout"

Good grief Mama! Will miss you Saturday love to see you Tuesday!

Slowing Down the Blur : "getting closer"

Yay! :)

The Crayon on the Wall : "Oh the tears!"

I can't think of where my joy came from before having kids...

So true!

It's moments like these that totally make up for all of those moments when I want to pull out my hair... :)

Slowing Down the Blur : "she said..."

Oh, how she melts my heart with the things she says.

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

I have a myspace, too... but all the advertising is annoying to me. I know, facebook has it too, but it's not nearly as obnoxious and in some cases near pornographic! And I noticed that the majority of my friends on myspace are the high schoolers from church... I haven't been a high school student in 16 years! Anyway, I was thrilled to find more people from my generation on facebook. So this week, I like that one better... but next week is always something new.

Slowing Down the Blur : "getting closer"

how exciting for you guys!!!

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

I have one but I'm NEVER on it. I'm a myspace girl :) Yes, I know so juvenile but I can't help it! :)

The Crayon on the Wall : "Oh the tears!"

way cool! Today my daughter and I were have "Special Holly and Daddy" morning. We went to storytime at Berean and then over to Red Robin in the mall for lunch. We held hands across the table to pray and I noticed she was repeating every word I said in a whisper. Then I said Amen and she said "Daddy, I was praying with you because this is our special time together."

I can't think of where my joy came from before having kids...

: "Yeah, Right"

So sorry to chuckle at the new shoe comment.....but, you obviously purchased "white shoes" and now have brown/black? I'm sure the socks were new and white too....so sorry for your laundry! ;) I learned this from the oldest son...don't buy white shoes, shirts, socks....well, unless you want to have to buy new ones quickly! Jeans, blue and brown are my best buddies! You obviously have a little girl that loves to play in the fun stuff!.....LOL!

There's a first time for everything : "Oh, THOSE ligaments!"

Your squirmy little boy sounds so much like both of my boys! Our first, I swore he would come out with a soccer ball. He is still quite active and strong is not the word I would use for him....Monster kicker is his middle name! At 4 months he would lay on his changing table (the pad ontop of the dresser) and arch his back while I tried to change his diaper.....I have a great picture of this that I'll get on my scrapbook if you want to see what I mean! He did this all the time - and he developed great muscle definition as he began to "crawl/climb". If your little one is anything like mine.....beware of mischief! Colby, the oldest, was the master escape artist, climber on the table, countertops, sitting in drawers and pulling out of tupperware, pots and pans and any thing else noisy to get into. Even though I sigh at times, and occasionally may wonder "what were we thinking???" I love having my boys, and the sweet smiles, mischievious giggles and fun exploration times we have with all of the creepy crawlies in the yard (which usually come into the house too!).

My advice on the ligament tearing.....get the belly support belt now! You'll definitely need it to make you more comfortable - especially since you are about 11 or so weeks and counting to delivery. (Have your hospital bag packed and ready EARLY, like 2 weeks before your due date at a minimum.) I thought I would have plenty of time, and my first come nearly a week before his due date....weighing 9 lbs. even. Once my water broke (at 6 a.m.), I had to throw a few things for me in the bag (I had the baby stuff already packed), shower and the husband insisted on getting going to the hospital at the mother in laws prodding.....by that late afternoon, our first born was with us in the hospital room.

There's a first time for everything : "Oh, THOSE ligaments!"

He is definately squirmy.

It was really funny to see the reaction of the nurse practitioner . But it was even better seeing the look on Jen's face. She had this wonderful "Oh lady, that ain't nothing!" smile on her face.

It was charming.

There's a first time for everything : "Oh, THOSE ligaments!"

I'm so sorry.

Sounds like your boy is extremely active!

There's a first time for everything : "Oh, THOSE ligaments!"

Some tips for you... hope this helps!

"Rest is one of the best ways to help with this kind of pain. Changing positions slowly allows the ligaments to stretch more gradually and can help alleviate any pain. If you know that you are going to sneeze, cough, or laugh you can bend and flex your hips, which can reduce the pull on the ligaments. If you are having consistent round ligament pain your health care provider may recommend daily stretching exercises. The most common exercise is done by placing your hands and knees on the floor, lowering your head to the floor, and keeping your bottom in the air. Applying heat to the area may relieve the pain with either a heating pad or hot bath. Lying on the opposite side may also relieve the pain. You can also try to anticipate the activities that cause the discomfort and approach them more slowly."

: "Yeah, Right"

LOL!

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "First Day Funny"

LOL!

: "Yeah, Right"

LOL!!!

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "Update on Emma-The-Wanna-Be-Middle-School-Dropout"

Emma is lucky to have a mom so involved like you!!! Finding something for her to do in school to get involved that she really loves is a great idea!!! Good luck to you both!!!

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "First Day Funny"

That's so funny!!! And it shows how smart he is!!!

: "Yeah, Right"

i'm sorry... did you say "new" shoes? hmmm....

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "Update on Emma-The-Wanna-Be-Middle-School-Dropout"

Ooh, love the newspaper/newsletter idea! You go, momma! Again, keep us posted.

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "First Day Funny"

ha ha ha ha! Thank you for sharing that. I'm laughing as I imagine your hubby's voice.

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "First Day Funny"

Enjoy this time - and I know I was glad my December baby couldn't go to school when she was 4 because that meant she would have to go away to college at 17 and I couldn't imagine that! Seriously! And now that she is a junior in high school I am so glad I stuck to that.

Two of my children read at 4, self taught readers. Having brilliant children is... well? Brilliant.

3psinapod : "Pee, Poop & Pregnancy :) "

Try setting the timer to remind her to go to the potty. I did this with son #1 as he seemed to have difficulty in determining when he had to go...or taking time from playing....

As far as hitting, do you have a reward system for good behavior? Try using something she REALLY likes as the motivator for good behavior and no accidents. (Thomas the train is my youngest son's love, so the lure of a new train, or a DVD, book or something else that he really wants is just the ticket). Just my suggestions....good luck!

: "Eye Doctors"

Also, amblyopia can be a result of the strabismus....it's technically when the brain "shuts down input" from one eye and favors the other eye. My older brother developed lazy eye since the theory (back then) was surgery as the last result, try to "strengthen the muscles" with eye exercises. Early detection, a competent eye doctor and surgery is the best way to keep the brain and eyes functioning together and in unison.

Did I mention that Dr. Stainer is an M.D. as well?

: "Eye Doctors"

In Bakersfield, I would only take my kiddos to Dr. Gregory Stainer. He is amazing!! I was one of his first patients (way long ago) that he performed the adjustable suture procedure on. I was born with strabismus and had one eye surgery at 10 years old - but, needed another at the age of 12 to correct my wandering eyes. He did the second surgery and wowed many doctors and nurses with his expertise...and I have to say, he is even better now that the technology is better. He corrected my oldest son's strabismus and has him doing very well. The key to developing the brain/eye coordination (3-D vision) is correcting the vision at a very early age, like before the age of 4 or 5.....Colby's first surgery was at 8 months, the second one was a year later. We faithfully used eye patches and they helped some, but, the surgery is what did the job. My youngest also had to have his tear duct "roto rootered" as he called it, for a clogged tear duct. Caden was in and out, in less than 20 minutes. No IV at all, only a mild anesthetic and he was ready to go. The surgery center is great and Dr. Stainer makes sure to schedule the youngest patients first....rough on parents, but you are home fast and the kids are usually asleep when they go into the room with the nurse.

Dr. Stainer is available at both his offices, China Grade Loop and Planz Rd. (on different days of course) He also has another doctor, Dr. Marsh, who is good with kids and those who need contacts or glasses. But, Dr. Stainer is the only eye doctor I would trust for surgery. Feel free to give your friend my email and let them know I'm happy to answer any questions about the surgery or Dr. Stainer. It's a scary thought to trust your child to someone for surgery - under a general anesthetic, especially at a young age. However, it is SO worth it to have the depth perception and know that they will have a "normal visual" life! Since I was so much older when my surgery was done, I don't have depth perception. Colby will go back for his yearly check up and glasses assessment, and I'll have the verdict on the total depth perception then, last year, he was not at 100% that we could determine anyway....

3psinapod : "Pee, Poop & Pregnancy :) "

Find the book by Joanna Cole called "I'm a Big Sister"... When our DD was 3 and will be a big sister, it was about the same time Dora came out with an episode about being a big sister... and she loved Dora... so we watched it a lot too!!!

Another thing I tried was to put her in a sibling class at Memorial Hospital but that didn't work out... I don't know if anyone else have tried that class (or if it's still offered today) but DD had to walk out of that class after 10 minutes because she was not interested and we didn't want to force her.

Slowing Down the Blur : "Culture Shock"

You remind me of how I feel when I go get my pedicure... don't get me wrong because they are all nice and sweet ladies at the nail salon I go to but when they all start talking Vietnamese, I can't help but wonder if they are talking about me, how bad my toes are, or how ugly my feet are! LOL!!!

There's a first time for everything : "Pass the s'mores ... and some ore!"

Jen, that trip sounded awesome. I LOVE camping-- something I'm learning more and more. We went camping for A night a few weeks ago, but that also included a trip to the ER. It wasn't the experience I was hoping for. :) These ladies are right, before you know it your baby boy will be here-- and they don't stay "baby" very long. Time flies even faster when they're with us. Don't believe me? You'll see. hehe. And before you know it, your body will once again be yours!! No more sharing. :)

Slowing Down the Blur : "You are an irresponsible parent..."

What a tremendous amount of feedback for this discussion! It's great to see so many people frustrated with similiar things. We too have experienced parents bringing little children into movies that are unhealthy for them. I do understand the strain parents sometimes feel when freedoms like seeing a simple movie are taken away. However, clearly movies like the Dark Knight or Slasher movies are innappropriate enough for most of us to see that children should not be there. There's always going to be "those" people-- that just don't get it. I don't know what you could do to get it through to them.

Slowing Down the Blur : "You are an irresponsible parent..."

Thought you might be interested in this. Click on Future Parents of America.

http://www.changemakers.net/en-us/competition/browse/9138?sort=desc&order=

Recent Blog Comments : Raising Bakersfield

daddy in a strange land : "Contest winners, fun stuff to do, and a welcome..."

Thanks again Im sure we will have a great time this weekend. BobbySaka

First Time Mommy : "First Time Mommy"

Slowing Down the Blur : "When should they know??"

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First Time Mommy : "First Time Mommy"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

There's a first time for everything : "7 week countdown"

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daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

BEAUTY AND THE BEASTS : "POPCORN"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising *More* Bakersfield"

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "The Power of the Written Word"

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

: "KC Fair Time"

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

: "KC Fair Time"

when is it to many sports : "tooth ache"

Superha's Speculations : "How I Met the Bangles at the Kern County Fair!"

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

: "The Women Are In Agreement!"

: "The Women Are In Agreement!"

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

Musings on Motherhood : "Moving And Shaking..."

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

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There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

2 tweens & a toddler : "apple pickin'"

New Here : "New Here"

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

New Here : "New Here"

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

There's a first time for everything : "Crib vs. Bassinet vs. "play yard""

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

when is it to many sports : "Good family Doctors"

New Here : "New Here"

There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "More Like Sam"

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There's a first time for everything : "Only two months to go - Ah!"

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Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

Thank you both!

Hugs.

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

I Have to Laugh or I'll Cry : "Mom's Night Out"

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

The Crayon on the Wall : "Oh the tears!"

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

Imagine...... : "Sad and funny at the same time"

Julie - Mom, Advocate, Life Coach, Actor, Director, Artist-of-Life and Most of All, Loving It : "Update on Emma-The-Wanna-Be-Middle-School-Dropout"

Slowing Down the Blur : "getting closer"

The Crayon on the Wall : "Oh the tears!"

Slowing Down the Blur : "she said..."

Slowing Down the Blur : "Facebook?"

Slowing Down the Blur : "getting closer"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"

daddy in a strange land : "Raising More Bakersfield"