The sunscreen quest

For the most part, I consider myself a relatively (note use of word "relatively") laid-back mom.

I mean, I don't let my little Tank juggle knives or anything, but if he tosses his favorite rubber giraffe or firefly-bug toy on to the carpet, I don't ALWAYS wash them off before giving them back to him -- even if I know they are going right back in his mouth.

The dog walks on the blanket right next to the baby? Eh...Baxter hasn't stepped on him yet. I am sure it will be fine.

Scott spits up on his shirt? Blot it off with a burp cloth, but it'll dry..no need to change him when I JUST PUT IT ON, right?

Those pajamas that fit last week too tight? He can probably wear them one more time before they go in the outgrown clothes box.


So I was sort of surprised when I started to obsess -- like really, really obsess -- about my baby and sunburns. You'd think I was preparing the kid for a field trip to the equator or something.

Maybe its because I live in Arizona, a state that averages more than 330 days of sunshine a year. Or maybe its because I know that my husband and I literally live in our swimming pool during the months of June, July and August.

Most likely its because my "Ginger, make sure you wear your sunscreen" broken-record-sounding mom, has -- in recent years -- had several painfully unpleasant bouts with skin cancer. And it stems from sunburns she suffered as a child and a teenager.

Now every mole I find on my skin is something to be taken seriously. Very seriously.

My obsession started innocently enough, with a simple post on Facebook querying friends about their sunscreen recommendations. Then I went into full-on research mode. The Environmental Working Group's listing of safe and effective baby sunscreens. Newspaper articles. Comments on BabyCenter.com. Customer reviews on Amazon.com.

In the end, I couldn't pick just one. In fact, I now own five different kinds of baby sunscreen. I have sunscreen in stick form and in powder form. I own organic sunscreen and sunscreen that comes in a bottle that changes color when exposed to UVA light.

Baby sunscreen takes many forms (California Baby brand not pictured.)

But it didn't end there.

No, my obsession took a new turn.


Hats.

Scott will wear one every day while he is outside. I'll make sure of it. And I have plenty to choose from, because he now owns four of them. Three are plaid in various colors. One is reversible. Two have chin straps to ensure they stay on more securely.

I have also decided that he will not just wear swim trunks. No, my son also has two matching rashguards to go with his uber-cute summer swimsuits (and no, I had no idea what a rashguard was until a few weeks ago). If you are wondering, its basically a shirt made of spandex and nylon that protects against the sun's ultraviolet rays.

It's very helpful in the summer, because it helps covers the little guy's torso, back, shoulders and arms without me having to slather him with sunscreen every 30 minutes.

The fully array of Scott's sun protection gear.

And yes: I am determined to protect his eyes too. Scott is also the proud owner of baby sunglasses, complete with a strap that wraps around his head so he can't pull them off.

For the record, he hates them.

How can I not do everything in my power to protect this perfect little face?

I haven't used any of my other products yet, so I can't say which sunscreens will come out on top and which will be abject failures. But the weather is turning, Spring Training and pool days are right around the corner, and I feel like we're ready.

Now, if you'll excuse me...Scott just threw his giraffe on the floor again.