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January 13, 2005
Nerdy diapering
Oh yeah and I've been meaning to tell you all about a diapering experience the other night. Bob and I have different ways of changing Caleb's diaper. Basically I think its a male/female thing. He takes the diaper off, then wipes, then gets the new diaper out while casually talking to Caleb. Well I was watching him do this the other night and suggested that he'd probably get peed on because he was waiting too long to put the new diaper on. He replied "I haven't gotten peed on since my birthday!" And with impeccable timing Caleb proceeded to soak Bob's jeans, I couldn't stop laughing!
The reason I say its a male/female thing is because I get out the new diaper first, open the tags and have it at the ready. Bob just kind of goes with what's in front of him at the moment, but I have the need to plan ahead to prevent sprayage. I've noticed men and women drive this way too. Men tend to deal with the cars right around them and women tend to look a mile up and start preparing what lane to be in, if they should break, etc etc. Maybe this is why many women are control freaks having the desperate need to plan all that will or might happen. I know these are sweeping generalizations, but I still think its true. (or at least true for us, yes I'm a control freak)
Posted by michellew at January 13, 2005 10:39 PM
Comments
Joseph and I are very much like this -- especially the driving thing. I describe it like so: Joseph drives like he hasn't got a clue where he is going (even though he does) and I drive like I am having someone follow me and I need to give them plenty of time to know what to expect next.
Posted by: AmyN at January 13, 2005 10:50 PM
Oh with the diapers, I have to be prepared before I even take off Fuller's clothes. At least one wipe has to be out of the box and the diaper is out and completely unfolded. Damon may have a less strict routine, but I get distracted by the welder's mask that he insists on wearing when changing Fuller.
Posted by: mrscrumley at January 14, 2005 07:07 AM
I still can't believe that Damon continues to wear that mask. You think Fuller will grow up thinking darth vader is his father? ;)
Also I wonder if what we're really talking about here is women tend to be defensive diaperers and drivers and men tend to be offensive diaperers and drivers? I tend to assume the worse (I'm gonna get sprayed) and maybe Bob just hopes for the best? Ah once again, I'm overanalyzing, but its fun!
Posted by: michellew at January 14, 2005 09:06 AM
I will admit that a bit of pride wenteth before the spray. but he just doesnt pee on me that much anymore (in the 3 or so diapers I change a day), so I dont consider it a big deal. and pee just doesnt bother me that much. and he just LOVES being nekkid!
Posted by: bobw at January 14, 2005 10:03 AM
I changed my ways and started having the diaper ready before I start the process. BUT, sometimes with Gideon I go put the dirty cloth diaper in the bucket before putting the new one on. This way I don't hit if an accident should happen becuase I'm out of the room. I have had to wash the sheets a few times though. THere's always the struggle in my head, "Take care of the dirty diaper now so I don't put it have to put it down and get the floor nasty, or take care of Gideon first so he doesn't have an accident." With Isaac (the newborn), I always put the diaper on first.
My driving just continues to get worse.
Posted by: andy at January 14, 2005 12:18 PM
Oh, where to start? I've declared to Andy that I'll smack him upside the face with the next wet diaper I find lying around the house, so I can understand the struggle, but I'm also considering what'll happen the next time I find poop on the sheets where Andy changes him. . . and I love the "not knowing where he's going" thing. That's exactly how he drives! It's a great spiritual discipline in letting go for me, though. Who, me? A control freak?
Posted by: lynnp at January 14, 2005 04:37 PM
Very interesting, we JUST had the whole diapering method conversation yeasterday! We found that Chris is the "everything is ready" person, he even unsticks the tabs on the new diaper. While I just take it in stride and do each step casaully. Granted, we have a daughter so I have time to bide...lol Although she does "double pee" a lot...lol BTW~Caleb is sooo adorable!
Posted by: Kim at January 15, 2005 05:15 PM
Have you or Bob seen this?
http://www.sozousa.com/product_category.aspx?pGroupCode=PC&pCatId=18
Posted by: mrscrumley at January 19, 2005 12:08 PM
that's hiarious. but there's no way it would stay in place with our wiggler, and somehow it seems a little weird to me.
Posted by: bobw at January 19, 2005 01:04 PM
Ok Alli that is just weird. Plus I don't think it would be very practical, especially with poopy diapers because it would get all messy.
Posted by: michellew at January 19, 2005 01:27 PM
Oh, I think they are strange too. I just saw them mentioned elsewhere and thought of ya'll!
Also, question since you have a tummy sleeper. Do you also have "tummy time" with Caleb so that he knows that it is ok to play on his tummy as well? When I put Fuller on his tummy I think he thinks it is time for another nap, which he doesn't like. But I wonder if he needs the tummy time... I don't know. Fuller loves to be on his back to play.
Posted by: mrscrumley at January 19, 2005 02:48 PM
yeah we have him play a little on his tummy but not a whole lot. he likes holding his head up and looking around. I like to do "crawling practice" with him, but so far he just swims in place. check out this picture: http://www.wiegersfamily.com/photos/photo_5009_lg.jpg
he definately can tell when he's been put down for a nap or sleep (sometimes whimpering when we turn the lights off before we put him down), and he holds his head up and cries until he gets too tired or perhaps is resigned to his fate. thankfully he's not too stubborn.
I imagine tummy sleepers dont need much extra "tummy time" since their neck muscles are developing fine as they lift their heads up. not that I really know any better.
Posted by: bobw at January 19, 2005 02:58 PM
Yeah he likes having time being on his tummy to play. We have a baby mirror that he just loves looking into when he's on his tummy. I'm not sure whether he "needs" tummy time or not, but he gets it here and there. But he definitely knows the difference between when its nap time and when he's playing, like Bob said.
Posted by: michellew at January 21, 2005 09:26 AM
Short of whether there is, or isn't any actual scientifical evidence to support "It's a male and female thing", the important thing is that the diapers get changed.
21 years of marriage, 6 children, cloth diapers, safety pins, rubber pants, and a diaper pail meant both me and my husband changed diapers all the time in our home. Everyone has their very own style of changing a diaper and as far as i'm concerned, there is no "right or wrong way".
The fact of the matter is simple, any stay-at-home mother is naturally going to be better at changing diapers because she's doing it all the time, compared to her spouse who may only change a diaper or two every now and then.
So cut your husbands some slack here ladies and if they occasionally change a diaper be thankful!
Posted by: Linda at September 28, 2005 03:49 PM