Not a parental unit, but when my mom taught me how to change diapers so I could babysit my nephews, she told me she preferred Handi-Wipes [link] (don't know if they have 'em where you are) over pre-made baby-wipes, because she could use warm water from the tap. She believed that was less of a shock to the system of sensitive little bottom. They are washable, inexpensive, and when they get really cruddy, can be tossed out.

Ooh, that's a great idea. I like that.

For those first few weeks I used unmoistened wipes that I rinsed in warm water, after that I will 'fess up that I just used the unscented, premoistened kind. The main thing is to use a diaper creme on that little bottom so it's protected.

Have him turn it down. Way too loud.

I kind of feel like, he's already compromised by using headphones rather than the speakers, so if it's still not good enough, it ought to be my turn to compromise next by getting earplugs. (Which will also have the benefit of stopping him from interrupting me while I'm working to ask, "You get distracted really easily, don't you?")

Have him turn it down. Way too loud.

Ok, serious double-take moment there.

Why the double take?

Does anyone with more experience than I've clocked have any thoughts on how best to clean him right now? The websites are a little contradictory. I'm gathering that a water-soaked face washer is pretty reliable, a couple of other sites have suggested things like mild soap or olive oil. Possibly cotton wool too. (We have a zinc cream for afterwards.)

We used cloth wipes (basically small, very soft, washcloths) with either just warm water or a very diluted soap and water solution with a dash of jojoba oil.

Emmett had some pretty bad diaper rashes on his long torturous path to potty training. They can really hurt.

Stay away from the alcohol!

You're getting good suggestions but just remember to be thorough and patient. My general impulse when wiping up is to get it over quick, but with a serious rash it's best to go slowly. I used to work the perimeter of the rash first, as much as possible and then slowly and lightly wipe where it was actually rashy. Then slather on the medicine. Then much cossetting.

The good news is that Ryan will remember none of this. Even the next day, not so much with the remembering. Though he will start to make the owie association with changing.

Hil - this is the same guy you're always mentioning? Mr "Wow, you Jewish people are so quaint and whacky!"? 'Cause if it's him, I think you should compromise by hitting him over the head with your chair until he doesn't need to listen to music anymore.

Norah - is there any possibility of an Option 3: You cancel on them with "I'm sick" or whatever, and you go to a movie with Tom/go out for dinner/treat yourself to a relaxing bubblebath/ go get a haircut/otherwise treat yourself to something feel-good and not stay-at-home-ish?

Hil, he can listen to music at lower levels. Or, get closed muff headphones rather than earbuds, which will seal around the ears and not let out as much noise. It is your workplace too. Stand your ground. And ya, if it's the same idiot, I think the hit-with-chair idea might be a good one.