drugs

i learned yesterday that baby orajel can be toxic to infants.  This medicine may cause a rare, but serious blood problem called methemoglobinemia.  also listed are nearly two dozen side effects.  crazy.  well, i read that online, and had in my mind that i would dutifully go straight to Walmart to get some teething tablets to help us in our time of need.  but i stopped by Old Navy first to check out those $8 dresses that they were advertising.  well, as it turns out, Mo just cut his fourth tooth yesterday, the most intense moment of which was in the dressing room of Old Navy.  sorry that you had to hear that, Old Navy patrons.  so, as he was screaming bloody murder, and the both of us were becoming sweaty hot messes (him from crying and me from trying to get him to stop crying), in my moment of weakness, i actually pulled the toxic orajel from my purse and used it one last time.  he cried for another few minutes, and then he calmed down.  and he survived one more use without getting that rare but serious blood disorder.  whew!

oh yeah, by the way, he had ONE tooth for TWO MONTHS, then he cut THREE teeth in three WEEKS.  poor guy.

anyway, i got the teething tablets home, and opened it up, and guess what?  it was completely empty.  sheesh.  i went back, and walmart was pretty cool about the whole thing and let me go get a new box without even looking at my receipt.  and i was, surprisingly, on my way back home in no time.  i didn't feel mad about it, i just thought, man, if my baby was in intense pain from teething and i didn't have an extra $8 to spend on teething tabs, maybe i would be desperate enough to steal them too.  i prayed for that family, and hoped they were doing okay.

also, Shane and i went to buy some more infant motrin (also for the teething-pain-and-feverishness), and found that infant motrin is TEN TIMES more expensive than children's motrin.  the only difference?  the dosing.  but you know what?  i couldn't bring myself to get the children's motrin, because it says right on the box that it's for children ages 2 and up.  our little baby is only 8 months.  :OI  Shane tried to be the voice of reason, telling me that he uses children's motrin for babies all day at the hospital, that it's very normal and okay for the babies... we  could still use the syringe from the infant motrin we had, and he could bring more syringes from the hospital... but i just couldn't do it.  i don't know.  he's our little baby!  my crazy, illogical, mom-worry brain was on and i couldn't turn it off.  i'm sure i'll come around before the next time we have to purchase motrin.

and shame on you, motrin-makers.  ripping off parents of babies like that.

love,
me