Pam Connell's comments

New Moms Beware of Your Painkiller in the Hospital - Blog Entry

30 Aug 2007 01:14 PM

After my C/S I was given Percocet at first, then the dr. tried to "step me down" to codeine saying it was less strongly addictive (though still addictive). I got terrible headaches and little pain relief. I finally persuaded the dr. that I could break one Percocet tablet into quarters, take one quarter tablet and get more relief than with the max dose of codeine. I'm glad now that I did! I wonder if docs are changing their recommendations in light of this new info. Although I guess they could find something dangerous about Percocet too, I know from my time in La Leche League that it is very commonly used in breastfeeding women.

Talking About Tough Issues: Abandonment - Blog Entry

25 Aug 2007 11:02 PM

You make a good point that it's not just about helping the kids feel good about themselves, but these talks also let them know that we are okay wtih who they are.

My Favorite Color is Colorful - Blog Entry

23 Aug 2007 03:10 PM

My daughter always answers "rainbow" when asked this question. My son (and my husband when he was a little boy) always give their two favorite colors and refuse pressure to choose between them. Fine with me!

Discipline in the Homeschool Classroom - Blog Entry

23 Aug 2007 03:08 PM

Right now I'm struggling with a kid with a learning disability which, at least as far as we know so far, requires auditory processing drills and phonics drills--she has memory issues as well as auditory processing and dyslexia. In general I know I can make things better with personal stories, visual methods, video and computer-aided instructions, etc. to take advantage of her visual abilities--but I think there will still be stuff which is not "fun" any more than my own physical therapy exercises are "fun"--they are downright uncomfortable and boring. I'm struggling with the tension wanting to give her the one on one and tutor her in the way I think best, and with the opposing advice to be the encouraging mom and let the tutor be the "bad cop".

Book Review: Making Sense of Adoption by Lois Ruskai Melina - Blog Entry

15 Aug 2007 01:13 PM

I've also struggled with not wanting to overemphasize talking about my son's birth, baby pics, etc. In another book I read one mother said her adopted kids were fascinated by her son's birth story--it was their only personal connection to a birth story and didn't seem to upset them at all. Yesterday we watched a short video of each of our girls in korea, sent by the adoption agency before their arrival. So then I put on my son's ultrasound video as well. They seemed interested, didn't seem to have issues with it.

What You Need to Know about Soy Formula - Blog Entry

12 Aug 2007 11:42 PM

I have no medical background but from my reading, I don't think an infant can exactly be allergic to mother's milk but there are a couple of conditions like PKU or galactosemia which can make it necessary to restrict breastfeeding and use a special formula. This is very rare. It is possible, however, that the baby is allergic or sensitive to something in the nursing mother's diet, whether that be dairy, nuts, soy or whatever, so if there seems to be improvement on the formula that could explain it.

From what I've read, lactose intolerance doesn't usually start until around 2 years of age.

"I Don't Like My Skin" - Blog Entry

11 Aug 2007 03:04 PM

A few years ago there was a line of dolls called "Get Real Girls" which came out with lots of publicity and featured girls who did different sports. Each came with a passport journal telling of her travels, friendships, community service, hobbies and pets. The girls were about Barbie's height but athletic-looking and realistically proportioned. One was Japanese-Canadian, one Brazilian-American, one African-American, and three mroe with different coloring. I found some on ebay because I really like them--I guess they just couldn't compete with Barbie.

I Don't Like My Skin, Part Two - Blog Entry

11 Aug 2007 03:00 PM

Thanks.

What NOT to do When Your Toddler Refuses to Move - Blog Entry

11 Aug 2007 02:46 PM

I'm struggling with this now because I can't lift my preschooler due to a neck/shoulder injury. I have sat and waited (and she's gone on for 30-60 minutes on a few occasions!) but it's hard when you have older children who have to be somewhere. Two days ago I actually resorted to holding her on my lap while I scooted down the stairs on my rear. The things moms do! LOL

Feeling Different from Family? - Blog Entry

08 Aug 2007 07:29 PM

Welcome centraloregon mom! Domestic adoption definitely needs more publicity. Two past adoption bloggers and a frequent guest blogger have blogged on adoption from the US foster care system, and one of the first adoption bloggers (circa Dec. 2005) adopted an infant domestically, I believe through a private agency. Maybe some of their blogs will be of interest to you--although I think all of us as adoptive parents have a lot in common; I look forward to hearing more from you! Thanks for reading.