Being a Mom in 2008...

I had to get an oil change today, and normally I just go through the quick, sit in your car for 10 to 15 minutes and get an oil change place. But I had a coupon for a $16 oil change AND tire rotation. You can't beat that! But I was either going to have to drop off the car, which is a pain, or wait. So, I opted to make an appointment for this morning at 9, and wait.

Waiting with a 2 1/2 year old might be pushing it, but I thought, "I'll just pack lots of snacks, and some toys. We'll be fine." Right after I made the appointment last week, I talked to a friend of mine who had just gotten back from doing the same thing with her two boys. They were very good, but she ended up waiting over an hour and it was a lot of work to keep them entertained!

So as I was getting ready this morning, the lightbulb went off. Charge the mini DVD player and waiting with Brendan should not be a problem at all!! If you read my blog on a regular basis, you're already aware of the times this DVD player has made my life SOOO much easier! The last time I used this, I brought it to the dentists office. He sat there in his stroller and watched it while I had to have a 15 minute procedure done, and I didn't have anyone to watch him. He was great! The ladies in the dentist office thought the idea was ingenius! Me, too :-)

I think I charged the battery for 15 minutes before we had to leave. I was hoping that would give me enough juice for at least one short video... and there was a donut shop next to the oil change place so we could always stop over there for some treats.

Never in a million years would I think that waiting for over an hour for my car was RELAXING... Yes, I said relaxing!! It was similar to my plane ride home from Florida, when Brendan was so tired he watched movies for 2 1/2 hours while I read a magazine!! Today, I brought a magazine, which I read, caught up with some phone calls on my cell phone, got caught up on the news thanks to CNN that was on the waiting area television, we went and got a donut, and the car was done! Easy enough!

I took the above video so I can document Brendan's "rhythm". He would probably dance to water dripping from a faucet! The battery ran out in 10 minutes, so I located an outlet in the lobby of the automotive place, pulled over a chair, and had him sit in his own little spot for the rest of his video where I plugged in the adaptor... :-)

Thank God I found that outlet! And after the video was over, well, I just popped in a new one! Yes, I could've played a game, or walked in the pouring rain down to the Dollar General store... but, WHY?? I deserve a nice break, don't I??!! I spend my days entertaining this child, so I wasn't about to ruin a good thing! Would you??

So this whole situation got me thinking about all the perks of being a mom in 2008, most of which my mom usually brings to my attention, because I take them for granted, or I don't realize that she didn't have these amnenities back in 1977...

* Obvi, the portable DVD player!

* DVR -- recording the shows, then letting your kids watch it when it's convenient for you!

* Kid play places and classes they can start taking to get you out of the house when they are 6 months old, sometimes younger! (My mom had to lie and tell the library story-time lady that I was 3, just to get me in a class!) Now, you can bring your newborn to the class if you want!

* The video monitor!!

* Crib tents -- even though I never needed this, I think it's an awesome invention! I even blogged about this a few months back (Reoccuring Dream)!!

* Portable car seat carriers (even though Brendan grew out of his by the time he was 6 months!)

* Battery operated swings -- I still remember winding up the crank on our swing for my brother. I think it lasted about 30 minutes until you had to wind it up again...

* Fun "Mom Blogs" that I love to read, so I know I'm not crazy, and other moms are going through this craziness too!

Can anyone think of more?? If so, post them to my comments section, or email me, and I will add them. I know I am forgetting a lot!

Additions!! Here are some additions emailed to me, and some from my comments section, too! I totally agree with these too! Aren't we lucky??

Shopping Cart Covers


"Hooter Hiders" -- that's seriously the name!! http://shop.bebeaulait.com/nc

The Baby Whisper and Baby Wise Books where it is suggested to feed baby, play with baby, let the baby go to sleep and then take time for yourself, and it really works!

Electric breast pump - the best invention EVER for a modern Mom, on the go!!

Swaddlers - oh how soundly and content those babies sleep for such long hours

Boppy pillow

Bumbo Seat - I think the babies are thankful for that one so they can view the world independently sitting up at an earlier age

Baby Einstein - how mesmerized they are for a few more minutes to get the dishes done

The Nanny - such good discipline practices that WORK!!!!