First let me give you the Campbell update . . . as you can see from the picture she's now 6lbs!!!! Our first doctor was the gastroenterologist and in his office Campbell weighted 4lbs 8oz. We quickly told the doctor that his scale must be wrong since she was 5lbs 7oz just last Friday. Anyway, she did great. He took her off her jaundice medicine . . . yeah, one less. Then we went for her weekly follow up from her pediatrician (the one we like at Palmetto Peds). Anyway, it was a good visit. Her blood levels have remained the same, however, her color looks much better so the doctor doesn't seemed to be too worried. We'll go for another blood test next Wednesday and we'll get the results Friday. She did get three shots though . . . poor Campbell.
Okay, I need the moment to vent (it's robbie). So I had this perfect post planned because Campbell had some things that she'd like to say . . . but I need to do this one. So let me tell you about the post-doctor outing today. I finally convinced Martha to let us take Campbell somewhere. We needed to pick up a prescription and some baby tylenol (because of her shots) so our family went to Target together. No one knows us at Target and there weren't many cars in the parking lot so we weren't worried about anyone messing with her or us. Our first minute in Target was okay . . . until we passed this middle-aged lady in the pharmacy section. I swear . . . no exaggeration, this lady spotted Campbell, and she did a u-turn and began following us. I kept slowly walking away . . . and she got closer and closer and began calling her "sweat-pea." Martha and I did a pretty decent job of politely ignoring, but she was persistent. Two aisles over, she finally caught up with us since we had to stop to pick up the Tylenol. As we stopped she leaned into the cart (where we had her carrier) and got about 8 inches away from her face and was still calling her "sweet pea". . . I HAD ENOUGH of this lady and pulled the cart (including Campbell) away from her leaving her behind with Martha. WHAT A NUTTY OLD LADY!!!!
So at this point I've decided that Martha was right and I was wrong . . . people will just randomly come up to your baby and start poking around. We had to wait a few minutes for them to finish filling our prescriptions so we headed to the baby section and guess who we ran into there? You're right . . .ANOTHER nutty middle aged lady who followed us from the main aisle to a side aisle, just to realize that we were not stopping . . . she did a u-turn and returned back to the main aisle. Just like the other one, she tried to talk to Campbell as she tried to follow behind us . . . "what a cutie . . . ahh, how cute and little."
I don't get it . . . why? Why do people do this? I would never "chase after" someone and their child. People. . . give new parents and young babies a break!!!! We don't want you gawking over our baby!
Finally . . . to those two people . . . thanks!!!! Thanks for making our first experience out as a family a not-so-positive one . . . . because of you, Campbell's going to be 3 and a half years old before we take her out in the public somewhere other than the doctor.
9 comments:
Robbie, Robbie, Robbie, now give us middle age old ladies a break!.I know your frustration, but people just love to look at new babies. It is a sign of new life that we miss. Campbell will be fine she is surrounded by Angels and please take her out again when she is closer to 12 pounds! You do have to be careful about germs and also always keep a hold on your precious baby.
Campbell way to go girl just keep getting bigger and better we all want to hold you and get to know you. Martha tell Robbie that everything will be fine it will come a day when he will be so proud when some middle age old lady tells him what a beautiful daughter he has.
Love
Cousin Susan
No offense intended to any middle age ladies out there, but we have this problem, too, with both of our kids. Unfortunately, we haven't really come up with a nice way to handle it. Our parental instincts flare in the moment, and while we want to say, "Hey, Lady, get your stinkin' hands off my kid! NOW!" - we really are totally flummoxed. I mean, a complete STRANGER - what is she thinking?!? Once, someone came up to our table in a restaurant and HUGGED our daughter - she was sitting in a high chair at a little square table, so no one was right next to her to wand off the vulture. When my kids were babies, I just pulled up the sun shade on the infant carrier and sometimes even threw a blanket over the top. Also, the Bjorn, when she's big enough to be worn, is a great option. People are way less likely to invade an adult's personal space like that. On the bright side, Campbell is quite a cutie and is bound to attract loads of attention. She's an example of God's awesome blessings. You are so generous to share her with all of us via this germ-free blog ;) Best to all of you - we will continue to keep you in our prayers.
I get this with my daughter all the time. I once had an old lady who was coughing back around Feb. stick her face in my daughters. And it's true... you think you'd go "GET AWAY FROM THE BABY" but instead you're just totally flumoxed and such. I even tried nice diversions like putting my hand on my daughter and going "Time for us to get going and get nummies"
I had some guy today at the gas station as I was cashing out come up behind me and place his hand on her head. Soon as I saw it I shifted and twisted her away and he kind of backed off...
I COMPLETELY understand!! Anna attracts all kinds of attention and the funny thing is I thought it was bad when I was pregnant. Random people touching my belly is not cool, but random people touching my new infant even MORE not cool. They just come out of the wood work to make you feel really uncomfortable. At least their intention is good, but I'm sure the "parent-dar" kicks into full gear. I second the sun shade on the car seat.
Anyway, way to go Campbell! I'm glad your feeling well and congrats on surviving your first trip out. Don't worry...mom and dad will take you out again. Just give them a little while to get over this last incident.
Heather
PS Target is one of my favorite day time outings with Anna. Way too much to buy there!
Yes- this is not unlike people in public wanting to touch the pregnant ladies belly. I mean, if I really wanted your (likely) not cleaned hands on my belly with all of it's already weird pregnancy induced rash and a child who will not stop hurting my tendons and skin as he cartwheels into my spleen, well then I would have publicly ask you to "Please, make me feel violated and touch my belly!". I understand and say "no" immediately, but frankly some people get to their target before you can say no. UGH! Also, I love the South, but it is much worse there. People up here are rude and don't wave, but at least they mind their own business.
We went through this ALOT!!! and we didn't even go out to much it was more for our eye appts and such./ What we did was covered Caitlin with a blanket over the car seat and would either say she was sleeping or we would be very blunt and say she is a preemie and we can't let anyone get to close to her. We had our nasty looks trust me but I didn't care I wasn't going to see them again.
We had even taken Caitin to church and I was super careful who came near her and it got to the point when people just eventually knew.
I do know that middle age people and just alot of people in general love touching seeing babies but they also need to respect your space and you. I have no probalme now with people gawking at Caitlin but she is also 2 1/2 now.
Melissa
Dillon 5
Caitlin 2.5 ( 24 weeker)
ok not sure if the gawking part came out right but I basiclly mean ohhhing and ahhhing ;0)
I think my kids are the cutest kids and it doesn't bother me when people come over and tell me how cute they are. But I understand the need to keep folks away from Campbell. The blanket is a good idea when she's in the carrier, b/c it's like a 1st line of defense and allows you time to explain that she can't be touched or gotten too close to. (Plus it can help block airborne germs). These women are mothers and grandmothers and simply love children. Try not to get too upset and when she's a bit older and not so susceptible to (serious) infections, enjoy the attention! Campbell will probably love it!
Robbie, CALM DOWN! I think all of us middle aged (i guess i'm past middle aged because if i was middle age I would live to be 106 yrs old!!!)people are a bit guilty of looking at newborn babies. I bet you and Martha have done that at some point and time before you had my granddaughter!!!! If you take her out, cover her with a blanket, and tell people why THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SEE YOUR DAUGHTER. The only other advise I can give you is to stay home with her and don't take her out until she is 15 yrs old, but then you will have the boys to contend with looking at your daughter and she will be too old to cover with a blanket, so maybe wait until she is MIDDLE AGED to take her out! You know I love you, but I know when you get mad, no one but maybe Martha and Campbell can reason with you. Robbie and Martha know that God gave you this precious angel and HE will protect all 3 of you. I love you, MOM
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