Semi-practical Notes for ER visits

I interrupt regularly scheduled blogging to make this list:

-Bring your own pillow from home. (Thank you Bradley Class, Boston 2001!)
-Don't ever say "That was the last one" when referring to blood draws or other testing.
-Bring ones.
-Don't ask child if he wants to be held, he does.
-Pack child backpack as if packing for a plane trip--layered clothing, travel games, ipod, protein snacks.
-Mamas, wear socks and bring lip color (balances any crying and harsh lighting) and all the water you can drink.
-Bring a chapter book you can both get lost in.
-Allow child to take photos so he can feel sort of in control of the situation. As in, "Do you want to take a photo of the X ray machine?"
-Geoff says, make it as possible as you can to have child rest.


Special Thanks:
-God for the network that played America's Funniest Home Videos, 3 episodes in a row. Thanks for having tv in the ER bay! Having never seen it, he laughed for an hour and a half-- spitting, belly-roll laughter, that kept us all buoyed.
-The entire staff of ER at St. Chris. They will have the table with Chanel goody bags in Heaven, I just know it.
-The other parents at the ER, who kept me real. We were there for 5 and a half hours, heard 4 different languages, heard tens of babies wailing, parenting and marriage tested as in fire. Mamas dressed in their postal uniforms, fast food uniforms.
-Heidi and Jill, who have taught Manny to self-soothe and pass time with hand work. We both had yarn, I untangled a huge bunch and he made a ball the size of his fist.
-Everyone who called, came over, and counseled with this whole scenario.