Yes, it's true. Can you believe it? Hives in patches the size of a dinner roll with little white welts inside the red. And oh, the itching which brings on the scratching, crying, kicking and tears. Hives are quite troublesome!
But it is not as you assume. The hives this time belong to Nathan. Can you believe it? (I feel like I've already said that.) He had them last night. I gave him Benadryl. They went away. Today, they are back. We made an unplanned stop at a community clinic we've never visited before (at least it was an adventure of sorts).
The diagnosis: Nathan is allergic to the amoxicillin he's taking for the Strep. Lovely. Now we're up to two kids with allergic reactions to something. That's 1/3 of our children. So instead of taking the antibiotic for 10 days, which would have ended Wednesday, he's taking an antihistamine for 7 days, which now ends on Sunday next week. (Are you paying attention to our drug habits, G-ma B?) It wouldn't be so daunting if he didn't fight taking medicine so much.
Sheesh. That's all I have left to say.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Innocence
Daniel is nearing the end of 4th grade. Next year he starts middle school. That will be a whole new world for us. I'm not exactly looking forward to it, though I do look forward to watching him grow and hope to see he can make positive adjustments to the trials life will present to him.
For now, I am enjoying the innocence we still in our home.
When Rebekah says she wants to cut the cheese, no one snickers or makes negative comments. Chad and I simply enjoy a smirk and hand her the cheese cutter.
Now we just need to work on Daniel's reaction to when she really does "cut the cheese." It's usually during a meal or when company is over...sometimes at the same time.
For now, I am enjoying the innocence we still in our home.
When Rebekah says she wants to cut the cheese, no one snickers or makes negative comments. Chad and I simply enjoy a smirk and hand her the cheese cutter.
Now we just need to work on Daniel's reaction to when she really does "cut the cheese." It's usually during a meal or when company is over...sometimes at the same time.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Cranky Baby
Sarah must be teething. She is just a bundle of 'joy' lately.
Since there isn't a whole lot I can do while I hold her, I end up at the computer a lot. She doesn't like it when I sit down at the computer. Oh well!
Today, I finally did a scrapbook page. I haven't done one in a long time. This one was simple because I didn't have a lot of time. But hey, it's something!
I'm hoping to get some free time over the next few days to finish up Easter dresses. I'm a little slow and just realized last week that Easter Sunday is also General Conference Sunday. So we'll need to have the dresses done a week earlier. Yikes! I was counting on that week.
Unfortunately, every time I think Sarah is down for a nap, she wakes up WAY too soon. I filled her full of baby cereal and nursed her until I could hear her tummy sloshing. She still didn't sleep very long. Isn't a full tummy supposed to make babies sleep a long time?
I'm sure it doesn't help that she's on the main floor of the house where all the activity is and that she shares a room with Joseph. (Although, today she messed up his nap!)
Since there isn't a whole lot I can do while I hold her, I end up at the computer a lot. She doesn't like it when I sit down at the computer. Oh well!
Today, I finally did a scrapbook page. I haven't done one in a long time. This one was simple because I didn't have a lot of time. But hey, it's something!
I'm hoping to get some free time over the next few days to finish up Easter dresses. I'm a little slow and just realized last week that Easter Sunday is also General Conference Sunday. So we'll need to have the dresses done a week earlier. Yikes! I was counting on that week.
Unfortunately, every time I think Sarah is down for a nap, she wakes up WAY too soon. I filled her full of baby cereal and nursed her until I could hear her tummy sloshing. She still didn't sleep very long. Isn't a full tummy supposed to make babies sleep a long time?
I'm sure it doesn't help that she's on the main floor of the house where all the activity is and that she shares a room with Joseph. (Although, today she messed up his nap!)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Coloring Contest
Rebekah was in charge of the FHE activity tonight. She decided to do a coloring contest (which we've never done, so it was an interesting choice). We asked her what the rules for the contest were. She said we had to draw a princess AND a prince.
You should have seen Chad's face. It was a special expression. He suggested maybe we could draw a fish. But Rebekah was already set on royalty. I asked him what did he expect from a 4-year-old girl?
Nathan did not participate. He's on his 6th day of a fever. He started on antibiotics today; it appears he has Strep. That's really just an assumption, since the PA didn't do a test. But his throat was flaming red and swollen. Lucky for Nathan, he didn't have any pain.
Daniel didn't participate either. He'd been looking for his crayons in his room and couldn't find them so he was mad.
It's too bad, really. I would have liked to see their drawings.
Anyway, I was really impressed with Rebekah's drawing. And then I started comparing it to Leah's. (I know, I know. Don't compare your children. I can't help it this time...it's the teacher in me.) Rebekah's and Leah's pictures are almost identical in developmental stages. Leah's picture has more fingers and there seem to be teeny, tiny shoes on the girl.
But there is a two-year age gap between these sisters. And that's why I'm surprised at the similarities. And another reason why I'm really glad Rebekah made the deadline for kindergarten (by one day). I don't think she'd be happy at home one more year.
You should have seen Chad's face. It was a special expression. He suggested maybe we could draw a fish. But Rebekah was already set on royalty. I asked him what did he expect from a 4-year-old girl?
Nathan did not participate. He's on his 6th day of a fever. He started on antibiotics today; it appears he has Strep. That's really just an assumption, since the PA didn't do a test. But his throat was flaming red and swollen. Lucky for Nathan, he didn't have any pain.
Daniel didn't participate either. He'd been looking for his crayons in his room and couldn't find them so he was mad.
It's too bad, really. I would have liked to see their drawings.
Anyway, I was really impressed with Rebekah's drawing. And then I started comparing it to Leah's. (I know, I know. Don't compare your children. I can't help it this time...it's the teacher in me.) Rebekah's and Leah's pictures are almost identical in developmental stages. Leah's picture has more fingers and there seem to be teeny, tiny shoes on the girl.
But there is a two-year age gap between these sisters. And that's why I'm surprised at the similarities. And another reason why I'm really glad Rebekah made the deadline for kindergarten (by one day). I don't think she'd be happy at home one more year.
The purple smiley faces are from the judging. All entries received a smiley face. That is mostly because it became quickly apparent that Leah needed such recognition for her effort.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Doggone!
On Thursday, Leah asked if she could take some pictures of the dogs. I hate saying no all the time, so I let her take the camera and cautioned her to be careful.
When she returned the camera, she appeared a tad apologetic and admitted that she took more than one because she was trying to get a good picture. I browsed through the pictures. Yep, I'd say 15 is more than one.
Here is a little of what Leah saw through her lens:
Not every picture was so bad. She got several shots of each dog (there were 15 total, after all). This was the best shot. The funny thing is...it was the FIRST picture she took!
On Wednesday, Nathan went to sleep early with a fever. He seemed fine the next day and went to school. By the end of the school day, he was fevering again. He got up to 104 that night. So he stayed home from school on Friday. This is what he looked like much of the day.
While I was trying to get the dining room put back together and the curtains ironed, I noticed that I hadn't noticed Joseph for a while. I found him on his bed, asleep under his jumbled up purple blanket, with his little bare legs poking out. Ahh! I hope he isn't sick, too! I covered the rest of him up and left him alone. I wasn't planning on getting a nap that afternoon anyway.
He awoke about an hour later and so far (fingers are crossed) he hasn't turned out to be sick. It was just my cute little Joseph having a nap. :)
When she returned the camera, she appeared a tad apologetic and admitted that she took more than one because she was trying to get a good picture. I browsed through the pictures. Yep, I'd say 15 is more than one.
Here is a little of what Leah saw through her lens:
Behind the post
Behind the fence
Behind the post
Still behind the post
Finally! The whole dog. The camera focused on the wire (rats!).
Not every picture was so bad. She got several shots of each dog (there were 15 total, after all). This was the best shot. The funny thing is...it was the FIRST picture she took!
On Wednesday, Nathan went to sleep early with a fever. He seemed fine the next day and went to school. By the end of the school day, he was fevering again. He got up to 104 that night. So he stayed home from school on Friday. This is what he looked like much of the day.
While I was trying to get the dining room put back together and the curtains ironed, I noticed that I hadn't noticed Joseph for a while. I found him on his bed, asleep under his jumbled up purple blanket, with his little bare legs poking out. Ahh! I hope he isn't sick, too! I covered the rest of him up and left him alone. I wasn't planning on getting a nap that afternoon anyway.
He awoke about an hour later and so far (fingers are crossed) he hasn't turned out to be sick. It was just my cute little Joseph having a nap. :)
Meet Periwinkle
We are testing the kids' ability to be responsible. We're starting with a little fish (I will be much less upset if a fish dies). We got him on Saturday last week. He lives in the bathroom, because I thought that was the best place for a water disaster. His name is Periwinkle. I thought that was a better choice than Blue Fish.
I think the fighting over who gets to feed him is almost over. I anticipate the fighting to turn to who HAS to feed him. We have to change his water today. That is likely to cause some hurt feelings (though I can't really understand WHY).
I think the fighting over who gets to feed him is almost over. I anticipate the fighting to turn to who HAS to feed him. We have to change his water today. That is likely to cause some hurt feelings (though I can't really understand WHY).
Spring Green
Did I ever mention the painting project we started this week? Sometimes I think I've blogged about something only to realize that I only mentally composed it (or wrote it in my journal instead). And that's usually wasted effort anyway, because when I type, the words are formed in my head at almost the same instant I type them out. So why premeditate anything?
Regardless, we did start a painting project. Here was the targeted room. The teeny, tiny dinning room that was never meant to host a family of our size and energy.
Regardless, we did start a painting project. Here was the targeted room. The teeny, tiny dinning room that was never meant to host a family of our size and energy.
I didn't think to take a before picture until after I'd already removed one curtain. I should have turned the light on, too. Sorry for the dark pictures. But you can see that the walls are white. We decided, based on dedicated observation (the outlets and woodwork) that the walls had not been painted since the remodeling painting. As we understand it, that was in 1992. These were walls that really needed a fresh coat of paint!
I wanted a color to match the curtains. More specifically, the green in the curtains. I took my fabric remnant to WalMart to make the match. The thing with paint is that you can't really judge what it will look like from a 1 1/2 inch square paint sample. And if we're going to have to buy a tiny bit to try out first, we're never going to get anything done. So we did the best we could, summoned the paint guy with 4 separate rings of the bell (I was pulling out my cell phone to call the store from the number on one of my receipts when he finally showed), and chose Basil.
On the night of St. Patrick's Day, appropriately enough, we started painting.
Wow! It was GREEN! I was hoping that it would be less green when we woke up the next day. It was less startling in the sunlight, but it was still green. But we are not quitters! We just hoped that the curtains would help the situation out.
And here is the finished room. It's starting to feel OK to me, but it's still really GREEN!
I wouldn't mind lightening it up and adding a little bit of grey to change the energy of it a bit. Maybe I'll save that for the next paint job. When will that be due? 2028?
A friend stopped by yesterday and said it's very "springy." Well, that's lucky. How will I feel about it in the Fall? Maybe I'll barely notice it by then. It's not that it's a bad color. I have seen color choices MUCH more offensive. It's just not my usual style.
We did the work after the kids went to bed to eliminate any wet paint disasters that are sure to come with this many kids this young. The only one we couldn't just put to bed was little Miss Sarah. So Chad did most of the painting work and I did the baby work. Often times, painting involves stripping first. This time it only applied to Sarah. She like to go through a lot of outfits occasionally.
Here she is, awaiting a new outfit. I gave her a toy ring to play with and this is what she did with it. I was quite impressed with her dexterity! She didn't care about the toy; she just wanted me to pick her up (and put clothes back on her body).
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Non-Compliant
Joseph has slowly been adding words to his vocabulary. I think we're still under 20. One of his best words - OK...it IS his best word - is "no." It's very clear, he can say it without any trouble and is gifted at using it appropriately.
This is in contrast to "mommy" which is what he says to signal that he wants something (regardless of who is in the room) or when he wants to name the paper bag he's decorating. I think that's what he did. He kept holding up his little bag, pointing to the coloring on it and saying "mommy." He showed everyone his mommy-bag. It's cute, but personally, I wish he'd pick someone else to call repeatedly throughout the day.
But back to "no." Yesterday, he made a developmental leap! He put two words together for the first time (unless you count "no-no-no", which I don't, but it's really cute to hear him saying it to Sarah). Yesterday he started saying, "No way!"
So many possibilities and this is what we get. I can see this being quite fun now. Not only is it NO, it's NO way. Does that mean he can't be persuaded? Is he firm in his decision? Maybe he's just really enjoying talking and it's fun for him to say. I do see a little gleam in his eye. I choose to believe it's an innocent gleam.
This is in contrast to "mommy" which is what he says to signal that he wants something (regardless of who is in the room) or when he wants to name the paper bag he's decorating. I think that's what he did. He kept holding up his little bag, pointing to the coloring on it and saying "mommy." He showed everyone his mommy-bag. It's cute, but personally, I wish he'd pick someone else to call repeatedly throughout the day.
But back to "no." Yesterday, he made a developmental leap! He put two words together for the first time (unless you count "no-no-no", which I don't, but it's really cute to hear him saying it to Sarah). Yesterday he started saying, "No way!"
So many possibilities and this is what we get. I can see this being quite fun now. Not only is it NO, it's NO way. Does that mean he can't be persuaded? Is he firm in his decision? Maybe he's just really enjoying talking and it's fun for him to say. I do see a little gleam in his eye. I choose to believe it's an innocent gleam.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Dirty
I used to think that my house was clean, but just really cluttered and unorganized.
I now change my claim. My house is dirty.
I am prepping the dining room for a paint job (green of all things...on St. Patrick's Day!) and have only removed the curtains and washed the windows and sills. Already, I've made the decision that my house is dirty.
The curtains are in the washer. I may find out that they aren't the color I thought they were. I cleaned a lot of fly poop off the window sills and cobwebs off the tops of the window trims. I was wiping down the china cupboard. It's going to need more than wiping down. This is only one corner of my house.
I've never been a spring cleaner. (Or a fall, summer or winter cleaner, either!) I didn't grow up in a house that used that method. I may be reprogramming myself here. Of course, the kids have no idea what is in store for them! I may not get much productivity out of them while they're still small, but the training might as well begin!
It can only end up being a good thing, right? I'll find stuff I forgot I had, be able to organize as I go and end up with a healthier home. After all, Daniel does have a confirmed dust allergy. It really is no wonder. It's a miracle we don't all have one!
I now change my claim. My house is dirty.
I am prepping the dining room for a paint job (green of all things...on St. Patrick's Day!) and have only removed the curtains and washed the windows and sills. Already, I've made the decision that my house is dirty.
The curtains are in the washer. I may find out that they aren't the color I thought they were. I cleaned a lot of fly poop off the window sills and cobwebs off the tops of the window trims. I was wiping down the china cupboard. It's going to need more than wiping down. This is only one corner of my house.
I've never been a spring cleaner. (Or a fall, summer or winter cleaner, either!) I didn't grow up in a house that used that method. I may be reprogramming myself here. Of course, the kids have no idea what is in store for them! I may not get much productivity out of them while they're still small, but the training might as well begin!
It can only end up being a good thing, right? I'll find stuff I forgot I had, be able to organize as I go and end up with a healthier home. After all, Daniel does have a confirmed dust allergy. It really is no wonder. It's a miracle we don't all have one!
St. Patrick's Day tom foolery
For the Family Home Evening activity last week, we made these mobiles. (I cut out those little shamrocks by hand...it took all day!) I asked everyone to think of if they found a pot of gold, what would they do with their wealth? They were supposed to write it on the shamrocks.
I put things like take a trip to Thailand (although I'd wait until the fighting stopped), buy a new dryer (to match my new washer), travel the 50 states, etc. Daniel was a little more general: food, clothes, toys, etc. Nathan put things like "spend", "save", "buy", "give." Leah only did two. One was buy a horse (what a surprise). Rebekah's four choices were: treats, clothes, strawberries and a doll for Sarah (so nice of her to think of Sarah!). Joseph make a lot of circles on his shamrocks.
I was thinking I'd get great insight into Chad's secret dreams and private shopping list. I should have known something was not going right when I saw the length of his strings on his mobile. I gave it the shortest clearance from the ceiling and the lowest shamrock came within 1/2 inch of the floor. Chad had 6 shamrocks. Here is what he wrote on them to do with his pot of gold: "Hide it from Daniel", "Hide it from Nathan", "Hide it from Leah", "Hide it from Rebekah", "Hide it from Joseph", "Hide it from Sarah". Good thing we only have 6 kids...someone might have felt left out! Good thing he only had 6 shamrocks...he might have hid it from ME!
This morning the kids awoke to find that a leprechaun (or two) had been a little naughty during the night. All the chairs and benches were on the table, the couch pillows were stacked in the middle of the floor, their backpacks were dumped and scattered in the living room and the milk in the fridge had turned green! Additionally, there were little segments of crumpled green paper streamers throughout the room.
No one was cranky this morning. There was too much fun for negativity. Leah and Nathan both took a piece of green streamer to school. I think it was for "evidence". Nathan is hovering right around make-believe and reality. I told him leprechauns were just for fun, but the results of the morning, along with Leah's complete belief, are almost too much for him.
Since this morning, the magic has worn off for Joseph. He's been throwing tantrum after tantrum. I think the leprechauns are playing a joke on me, now!
I put things like take a trip to Thailand (although I'd wait until the fighting stopped), buy a new dryer (to match my new washer), travel the 50 states, etc. Daniel was a little more general: food, clothes, toys, etc. Nathan put things like "spend", "save", "buy", "give." Leah only did two. One was buy a horse (what a surprise). Rebekah's four choices were: treats, clothes, strawberries and a doll for Sarah (so nice of her to think of Sarah!). Joseph make a lot of circles on his shamrocks.
I was thinking I'd get great insight into Chad's secret dreams and private shopping list. I should have known something was not going right when I saw the length of his strings on his mobile. I gave it the shortest clearance from the ceiling and the lowest shamrock came within 1/2 inch of the floor. Chad had 6 shamrocks. Here is what he wrote on them to do with his pot of gold: "Hide it from Daniel", "Hide it from Nathan", "Hide it from Leah", "Hide it from Rebekah", "Hide it from Joseph", "Hide it from Sarah". Good thing we only have 6 kids...someone might have felt left out! Good thing he only had 6 shamrocks...he might have hid it from ME!
This morning the kids awoke to find that a leprechaun (or two) had been a little naughty during the night. All the chairs and benches were on the table, the couch pillows were stacked in the middle of the floor, their backpacks were dumped and scattered in the living room and the milk in the fridge had turned green! Additionally, there were little segments of crumpled green paper streamers throughout the room.
No one was cranky this morning. There was too much fun for negativity. Leah and Nathan both took a piece of green streamer to school. I think it was for "evidence". Nathan is hovering right around make-believe and reality. I told him leprechauns were just for fun, but the results of the morning, along with Leah's complete belief, are almost too much for him.
Since this morning, the magic has worn off for Joseph. He's been throwing tantrum after tantrum. I think the leprechauns are playing a joke on me, now!
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Census is coming
There's been a lot of hype concerning the upcoming 2010 Census.
I vaguely remember the 2000 Census. We were living in Las Vegas. A Latina woman came to the door and asked me a handful of questions. I don't even remember what the questions were. And I can't remember if Daniel was born or not (his b-day is 2 June). I told you it was a vague memory! I do remember feeling a little bit of excitement to be part of the process. I was being counted, and not just as a child in a household. This was a sure sign of independence! (OK, maybe it wasn't THAT momentous, but you get the idea.)
I can't believe that it's been a whole decade since the last census. I don't feel like I've gotten that much older. But now we've got more than a handful of kids and a whole lot more pages of journal entries. So I guess time does go on.
But back to my point of this post. I've heard the PSA's from the government agencies encouraging the populations to fill out their census forms and send them in. Individual cities are begging their residents to cooperate in order to get their full funding possibilities.
Then I hear the other side. I think this side is mostly "anti-government." (I've yet to hear an opinion from a middle-of-the-road source.) These people are crying foul and claiming this census is against the constitution, that the big shots are getting too nosy and it's no one's business what color their skin is. Apparently, Rush is telling everyone to write AMERICAN where it asks for race.
Through all the arguments and complaints, I constantly think of all the census records I've searched through while doing genealogy. While I want to beat the tar out of the workers with bad handwriting, I've been very grateful for the information that's been on the forms. I'm glad to know that THIS particular "John Doe" was from Norway because I'm looking for "John Doe" from Sweden. And it's been very helpful to have the ages of their whole households so that I can be sure I'm following the right person throughout the years. The fact that they worked for a certain business (ex. railroad) is not only helpful to trace the family, but it's also great for family history stories.
So when the 2010 Census comes to my mailbox, I'm not going to write any of my own answers. I'm making no statement to anyone who cares when I refuse to tell them I'm a white female, aged 36 years. I have a SSN...it's already "out" there.
If the questions start to get too personal, and I haven't seen anything to prove either way, I may decline to answer. But it would have to be a really personal question. Instead, I'll be thinking, what will my grandchildren's children (if the 2nd Coming hasn't come by then) need or want to know about me.
I'm more worried about the cranky guy down the lane who wants to sue than the government finding out too much about me.
I vaguely remember the 2000 Census. We were living in Las Vegas. A Latina woman came to the door and asked me a handful of questions. I don't even remember what the questions were. And I can't remember if Daniel was born or not (his b-day is 2 June). I told you it was a vague memory! I do remember feeling a little bit of excitement to be part of the process. I was being counted, and not just as a child in a household. This was a sure sign of independence! (OK, maybe it wasn't THAT momentous, but you get the idea.)
I can't believe that it's been a whole decade since the last census. I don't feel like I've gotten that much older. But now we've got more than a handful of kids and a whole lot more pages of journal entries. So I guess time does go on.
But back to my point of this post. I've heard the PSA's from the government agencies encouraging the populations to fill out their census forms and send them in. Individual cities are begging their residents to cooperate in order to get their full funding possibilities.
Then I hear the other side. I think this side is mostly "anti-government." (I've yet to hear an opinion from a middle-of-the-road source.) These people are crying foul and claiming this census is against the constitution, that the big shots are getting too nosy and it's no one's business what color their skin is. Apparently, Rush is telling everyone to write AMERICAN where it asks for race.
Through all the arguments and complaints, I constantly think of all the census records I've searched through while doing genealogy. While I want to beat the tar out of the workers with bad handwriting, I've been very grateful for the information that's been on the forms. I'm glad to know that THIS particular "John Doe" was from Norway because I'm looking for "John Doe" from Sweden. And it's been very helpful to have the ages of their whole households so that I can be sure I'm following the right person throughout the years. The fact that they worked for a certain business (ex. railroad) is not only helpful to trace the family, but it's also great for family history stories.
So when the 2010 Census comes to my mailbox, I'm not going to write any of my own answers. I'm making no statement to anyone who cares when I refuse to tell them I'm a white female, aged 36 years. I have a SSN...it's already "out" there.
If the questions start to get too personal, and I haven't seen anything to prove either way, I may decline to answer. But it would have to be a really personal question. Instead, I'll be thinking, what will my grandchildren's children (if the 2nd Coming hasn't come by then) need or want to know about me.
I'm more worried about the cranky guy down the lane who wants to sue than the government finding out too much about me.
Do you want to feel smart?
I took an IQ test online while I was waiting for the rest of dinner to cook tonight. The test wasn't very long, but it took almost as much time to decline all the offers that came after it.
I took an online IQ test several years ago and got a score much lower than this one (I think it was only 130). So if you want to feel like a smarty-pants, try this quiz! (I scored a 147 this time.)
Go here to play. Have a paper and pencil handy (probably not fair to the test, but it helps your score).
Maybe I'll go find another test (if I find the time) and see if I can get a more realistic score.
***
I did find another test. (Which proves just how smart I am...I shouldn't be sitting here, doing tests - I should be doing more responsible things!)
The 2nd test gave me a lowly score of 126. I must be getting less intelligent in my old age. I think I like the first test better! You can find that test here. It doesn't have a ton of offers to decline at the end. :) It's already the smarter choice!
I took an online IQ test several years ago and got a score much lower than this one (I think it was only 130). So if you want to feel like a smarty-pants, try this quiz! (I scored a 147 this time.)
Go here to play. Have a paper and pencil handy (probably not fair to the test, but it helps your score).
Maybe I'll go find another test (if I find the time) and see if I can get a more realistic score.
***
I did find another test. (Which proves just how smart I am...I shouldn't be sitting here, doing tests - I should be doing more responsible things!)
The 2nd test gave me a lowly score of 126. I must be getting less intelligent in my old age. I think I like the first test better! You can find that test here. It doesn't have a ton of offers to decline at the end. :) It's already the smarter choice!
I Don't Care!!!
...stomp, stomp, stomp
It was a lovely morning in Leahland today. I don't think Daylight Saving Time was kind to her.
I'm grateful for a kindergarten teacher who will attract the nice little girl being held prisoner inside Leah somewhere and allow her to come home at lunch time.
And I'm thankful that I have 3 hours to see if that really happens.
It was a lovely morning in Leahland today. I don't think Daylight Saving Time was kind to her.
I'm grateful for a kindergarten teacher who will attract the nice little girl being held prisoner inside Leah somewhere and allow her to come home at lunch time.
And I'm thankful that I have 3 hours to see if that really happens.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
My kids are going to sleep in tomorrow
And that is about the only silver lining I can find in the fact that we lose an hour of sleep between sunset tonight and sunrise tomorrow.
Theoretically, they went to bed at 10 PM tonight (even though it was still 9). That is normal time for some families. It's about 2 hours too late for us.
Wait until they find out they have to go to bed in the daylight tomorrow. Oooeee! It's going to be fun around here!
Theoretically, they went to bed at 10 PM tonight (even though it was still 9). That is normal time for some families. It's about 2 hours too late for us.
Wait until they find out they have to go to bed in the daylight tomorrow. Oooeee! It's going to be fun around here!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Hives - the Saga continues
Daniel did NOT get a vitamin last night and he did NOT get hives last night. It was a small step towards victory.
This afternoon/evening, Daniel was bawling (it was quite attractive and pleasant to experience) because his jaw was hurting. Twenty minutes after I gave him some children's liquid ibuprofen, he had hives. Are you just as outraged as I was? I think I hear some of your groans.
I compared the inactive ingredients on both bottles. They both had FD&C yellow #6! (That's all they had in common.) But then I got to thinking that I'd given him children's Motrin on the way to his TMJ appt. on Wednesday and he didn't get hives from that. And that's when I remembered that he'd had hives just around his left eye. It was a different place than what we'd dealt with before. I originally thought he'd gotten splashed with something at his appt. I looked at that bottle. It didn't have yellow #6, but it did have yellow #10 as well as another color.
So I was convinced that it was the food dyes. Now what? Why now? What do we do? I checked with the clinic and the doctor I needed was in tonight, so we drove in. I gave him a brief history and my theory.
As it turns out, he doesn't really care much about the dyes at the moment. He says we need first to try to "turn off" whatever is reacting to the dyes (or whatever it really is). So the course of treatment for now is to give him 1 tsp of Zyrtec every day for a month (to try to override his allergic response) with added Benadryl if he actually gets hives despite the Zyrtec. If the month ends and the hives don't, we move on to more specific measures...whatever those are.
That's probably when we'll have contact with an allergist. The doctor wasn't sure there was an allergy test for specific dyes. Of course, I have no idea.
With the jaw pain that he was very vocal about and the hives that resulted from the medicine, Daniel has been center stage most of the day. As soon as we decided to take him to the doctor tonight, he was all cheery smiles and pep. Is this kid so starved for attention that something like this turns him into the best of personalities? Am I not meeting his needs?
I remember LOVING the individual attention I would get in elementary school when I got sick. I even created reasons to go to the nurse's office. (Are there any schools out there that even have nurse's offices anymore?) I don't think I was deprived attention at home, but the extra stuff still fed me in some way. Daniel is following in my footsteps already! What a special boy.
This afternoon/evening, Daniel was bawling (it was quite attractive and pleasant to experience) because his jaw was hurting. Twenty minutes after I gave him some children's liquid ibuprofen, he had hives. Are you just as outraged as I was? I think I hear some of your groans.
I compared the inactive ingredients on both bottles. They both had FD&C yellow #6! (That's all they had in common.) But then I got to thinking that I'd given him children's Motrin on the way to his TMJ appt. on Wednesday and he didn't get hives from that. And that's when I remembered that he'd had hives just around his left eye. It was a different place than what we'd dealt with before. I originally thought he'd gotten splashed with something at his appt. I looked at that bottle. It didn't have yellow #6, but it did have yellow #10 as well as another color.
So I was convinced that it was the food dyes. Now what? Why now? What do we do? I checked with the clinic and the doctor I needed was in tonight, so we drove in. I gave him a brief history and my theory.
As it turns out, he doesn't really care much about the dyes at the moment. He says we need first to try to "turn off" whatever is reacting to the dyes (or whatever it really is). So the course of treatment for now is to give him 1 tsp of Zyrtec every day for a month (to try to override his allergic response) with added Benadryl if he actually gets hives despite the Zyrtec. If the month ends and the hives don't, we move on to more specific measures...whatever those are.
That's probably when we'll have contact with an allergist. The doctor wasn't sure there was an allergy test for specific dyes. Of course, I have no idea.
With the jaw pain that he was very vocal about and the hives that resulted from the medicine, Daniel has been center stage most of the day. As soon as we decided to take him to the doctor tonight, he was all cheery smiles and pep. Is this kid so starved for attention that something like this turns him into the best of personalities? Am I not meeting his needs?
I remember LOVING the individual attention I would get in elementary school when I got sick. I even created reasons to go to the nurse's office. (Are there any schools out there that even have nurse's offices anymore?) I don't think I was deprived attention at home, but the extra stuff still fed me in some way. Daniel is following in my footsteps already! What a special boy.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Thank You!
I have recently been organizing all my 2009 blog posts to prepare them for printing. I am happy enough with the first two books that I'm looking forward to getting a 3rd one done.
My only complaint about the books is the binding. The pages are not attached to the spine of the cover. Actually, the only thing holding them on there is the paper glued to each cover. I'm thinking of dropping some hot glue down the spines to give them some strength before any of the paper rips from the covers.
As I go over my past posts and try to get them into a layout I like, I can't help but read some of them and reminisce. And here is where I must say a big thank you to all of you out there that make positive, helpful comments on the posts. Because I have such a great (and small - though growing) bunch of readers, I am encouraged and sometimes inspired to write with detail and humor that rarely makes it into my personal journal each night. If I had a private blog or didn't have any feedback for my writing, I would probably write a lot less, have less detail and possibly quit altogether.
As it is, I have a treasury of family stories that now spans over 4 years. Sometimes the funny things I post are posted within minutes of their occurrence and then I just go back to what I was doing.
So thank you for helping me keep up this blog and giving me a reason to return often. And thank you for putting up with the self-centered stories. After all, it's a blog about my family...and some of you don't even know some (or any) of us.
My only complaint about the books is the binding. The pages are not attached to the spine of the cover. Actually, the only thing holding them on there is the paper glued to each cover. I'm thinking of dropping some hot glue down the spines to give them some strength before any of the paper rips from the covers.
As I go over my past posts and try to get them into a layout I like, I can't help but read some of them and reminisce. And here is where I must say a big thank you to all of you out there that make positive, helpful comments on the posts. Because I have such a great (and small - though growing) bunch of readers, I am encouraged and sometimes inspired to write with detail and humor that rarely makes it into my personal journal each night. If I had a private blog or didn't have any feedback for my writing, I would probably write a lot less, have less detail and possibly quit altogether.
As it is, I have a treasury of family stories that now spans over 4 years. Sometimes the funny things I post are posted within minutes of their occurrence and then I just go back to what I was doing.
So thank you for helping me keep up this blog and giving me a reason to return often. And thank you for putting up with the self-centered stories. After all, it's a blog about my family...and some of you don't even know some (or any) of us.
A Good Read
I recently discovered and read a book by Louisa May Alcott. It was suspenseful and entertaining. And nothing like what I remember about Little Women.
The title is A Long Fatal Love Chase. Follow the link to Wikipedia to learn more about it. I highly recommend it!
If you do read it, come back here and tell me what you thought of it. (It will be our own teeny, tiny book club.)
The title is A Long Fatal Love Chase. Follow the link to Wikipedia to learn more about it. I highly recommend it!
If you do read it, come back here and tell me what you thought of it. (It will be our own teeny, tiny book club.)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
VITAMINS!
I think we've discovered the source of the problem with Daniel's hives.
I'll tell you right now, it isn't the laundry detergent. He broke out in hives tonight after going to bed, which is when he usually comes to us. He'd changed his shirt (because he got it wet) and put on a newly laundered one. So I know it wasn't the shirt.
I was trying to figure out why he keeps breaking out at night. Then I thought of the vitamins the kids get each night on their way to bed. I bought new vitamins at Albertson's two days after getting the new washer. They would have gotten their first dose of these the next night. I think that's the night Chad mentioned Daniel's hives.
There are some nights we skip/forget vitamins. Daniel does go some nights without problems. We don't take vitamins with us when we travel. Daniel didn't get hives the night we were visiting Grandma.
Now we just have to wait 4 or 5 nights to know for sure. Hopefully, we're on to something here. It's much cheaper to stop buying vitamins than it is to buy fancy schmancy laundry detergent. Though I do lament the time spent doing laundry today. Those are some CLEAN clothes!
I'll tell you right now, it isn't the laundry detergent. He broke out in hives tonight after going to bed, which is when he usually comes to us. He'd changed his shirt (because he got it wet) and put on a newly laundered one. So I know it wasn't the shirt.
I was trying to figure out why he keeps breaking out at night. Then I thought of the vitamins the kids get each night on their way to bed. I bought new vitamins at Albertson's two days after getting the new washer. They would have gotten their first dose of these the next night. I think that's the night Chad mentioned Daniel's hives.
There are some nights we skip/forget vitamins. Daniel does go some nights without problems. We don't take vitamins with us when we travel. Daniel didn't get hives the night we were visiting Grandma.
Now we just have to wait 4 or 5 nights to know for sure. Hopefully, we're on to something here. It's much cheaper to stop buying vitamins than it is to buy fancy schmancy laundry detergent. Though I do lament the time spent doing laundry today. Those are some CLEAN clothes!
H-I-V-E-S spells Trouble
We are STILL struggling with Daniel's hives. A very perceptive friend pointed out to me that the trouble might be the new laundry detergent we started using when we got the new washer. She may be right! It was within the few days surrounding the arrival of the washer that Daniel started having problems. We just aren't exactly sure if the hives started before or after the washer was installed.
So I stopped giving Daniel the prescribed steroids after 3 days to try to solve the problem through the laundry. I didn't want to give him medication while he was still exposed to whatever irritant we were dealing with!
Unfortunately, I'm working with a 9-year-old boy and it's been hard to make sure that ALL the clothes he's wearing are clothes that have been washed in the right detergent. Every time he's broken out, there's been some question about something he's had on.
At first I thought the offender was the dye in one of the detergents we'd been trying out. But when the hives wouldn't go away, I thought it might be the perfume. While I washed Daniel's clothes separately from the others, I would mix them in the baskets.
Yesterday, I bought a dye and perfume free Tide liquid made especially for high efficiency washers. You can safely assume I didn't find it in the bargain bin! Since then, I have washed EVERYTHING in Daniel's drawers, the clean clothes not put away and the dirty ones in a pile. I have also stripped his bed, vacuumed his mattress and washed all his bedding. I even washed a jacket I found on the floor. Then I washed Nathan's dirty clothes. So the only things I haven't washed are the towels (those are next), Nathan's bedding, the clothes hanging in the closet and Nathan's clean clothes.
Where do I stop being "safe" and start being "obsessed"? Should I pull down the valances in their room and wash those, too? He does have a dust allergy (though it's never manifested itself in hives) and those things have been hanging there since before we moved in.
I wish the hives would break out in a particular pattern and spell out the source of the problem for me. Something similar to the "SOS" marooned travelers make with rocks on a sandy beach is what I'm picturing. Is that really too much to ask for?
If this marathon of laundry doesn't do the trick, and doesn't kill me, I'll have to call the doctor and ask him if I should continue the steroids (4 days left) or make an appointment with him. Heck, I already know what he's going to say to that! I'm thankful that we had Zyrtec in our food storage supplies.
So I stopped giving Daniel the prescribed steroids after 3 days to try to solve the problem through the laundry. I didn't want to give him medication while he was still exposed to whatever irritant we were dealing with!
Unfortunately, I'm working with a 9-year-old boy and it's been hard to make sure that ALL the clothes he's wearing are clothes that have been washed in the right detergent. Every time he's broken out, there's been some question about something he's had on.
At first I thought the offender was the dye in one of the detergents we'd been trying out. But when the hives wouldn't go away, I thought it might be the perfume. While I washed Daniel's clothes separately from the others, I would mix them in the baskets.
Yesterday, I bought a dye and perfume free Tide liquid made especially for high efficiency washers. You can safely assume I didn't find it in the bargain bin! Since then, I have washed EVERYTHING in Daniel's drawers, the clean clothes not put away and the dirty ones in a pile. I have also stripped his bed, vacuumed his mattress and washed all his bedding. I even washed a jacket I found on the floor. Then I washed Nathan's dirty clothes. So the only things I haven't washed are the towels (those are next), Nathan's bedding, the clothes hanging in the closet and Nathan's clean clothes.
Where do I stop being "safe" and start being "obsessed"? Should I pull down the valances in their room and wash those, too? He does have a dust allergy (though it's never manifested itself in hives) and those things have been hanging there since before we moved in.
I wish the hives would break out in a particular pattern and spell out the source of the problem for me. Something similar to the "SOS" marooned travelers make with rocks on a sandy beach is what I'm picturing. Is that really too much to ask for?
If this marathon of laundry doesn't do the trick, and doesn't kill me, I'll have to call the doctor and ask him if I should continue the steroids (4 days left) or make an appointment with him. Heck, I already know what he's going to say to that! I'm thankful that we had Zyrtec in our food storage supplies.
Oo-Pee!
This is Joseph's new word. He's trying to say oopsie, but can't seem to find his 's.' It's very cute and he's very good at using it appropriately.
This is in contrast to Mommy, which he's also recently learned, but doesn't always use in the correct situations.
And then there is NO. NO problem with that one!
This is in contrast to Mommy, which he's also recently learned, but doesn't always use in the correct situations.
And then there is NO. NO problem with that one!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Nathan's wisdom
This was Nathan's remark at dinner tonight:
I've heard of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. I'm not. I'm not even smarter than an 8th grader. Or an 80th grader.
I think he'd do best to just focus on finishing 2nd grade and not worry about school when he's 90 years old!
I've heard of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader. I'm not. I'm not even smarter than an 8th grader. Or an 80th grader.
I think he'd do best to just focus on finishing 2nd grade and not worry about school when he's 90 years old!
Yeast and Potatoes
Sunday, as most of you know, was Fast Sunday. Fast Sunday always means a very hungry Chad and for some reason, anything I make for dinner seems gourmet. (I need all the help I can get!)
This past Sunday, I was giving him the directions to get some rolls started when he got home from church. (I stay after for choir because although I am released from directing it, the memory of begging more people to join keeps my attendance up.)
I thought I was writing down very good instructions for the rolls. Unfortunately, I must have assumed that Chad could read my mind. I didn't even think to tell him that the yeast in the fridge isn't labeled "yeast" and he opened a new package.
I buy the SAF yeast that's in those big square packages at the grocery store. It's vacuum sealed and expands a bit upon opening...something else Chad didn't know (but does now).
So when I got home, Chad mentioned that there had been a bit of a yeast explosion. We probably lost about a 1/4 cup of yeast (or so). There was still quite a bit on the counter and floor. If I cleaned a little deeper, I'd likely find more.
Today, I was getting potatoes out of the bag to wash for dinner. The potato bag had been sitting on the kitchen floor because we're too lazy to walk it back down to the store room. When I picked the bag up off the counter again, I saw a few little piles of yeast. I was thinking he must have really had a big mess to have gotten this much yeast on this counter, too!
Ahh...now I see! The yeast is IN the potato bag. Wow. He really did lose a lot of yeast!
This past Sunday, I was giving him the directions to get some rolls started when he got home from church. (I stay after for choir because although I am released from directing it, the memory of begging more people to join keeps my attendance up.)
I thought I was writing down very good instructions for the rolls. Unfortunately, I must have assumed that Chad could read my mind. I didn't even think to tell him that the yeast in the fridge isn't labeled "yeast" and he opened a new package.
I buy the SAF yeast that's in those big square packages at the grocery store. It's vacuum sealed and expands a bit upon opening...something else Chad didn't know (but does now).
So when I got home, Chad mentioned that there had been a bit of a yeast explosion. We probably lost about a 1/4 cup of yeast (or so). There was still quite a bit on the counter and floor. If I cleaned a little deeper, I'd likely find more.
Today, I was getting potatoes out of the bag to wash for dinner. The potato bag had been sitting on the kitchen floor because we're too lazy to walk it back down to the store room. When I picked the bag up off the counter again, I saw a few little piles of yeast. I was thinking he must have really had a big mess to have gotten this much yeast on this counter, too!
Ahh...now I see! The yeast is IN the potato bag. Wow. He really did lose a lot of yeast!
Weighty matters
So I procrastinated posting yesterday's weight because it depressed me. I haven't done very well the whole month of February and March is not off to a great start. Additionally, I have a baby who is recently eating baby cereal before bed and sleeping through the night (which is really good), so I'm very "full" in the morning and she can't eat enough to make me empty for the weigh-in.
True, I could pump, but I rarely do that and to start puts me into the same category as new mothers...SORE! So my weight yesterday was estimated.
This morning's number was a bit lower, though also estimated. Twice lately, I've actually dropped below 174, but not on Mondays. I could change my day that it counts, but I think Monday's looming shadow keeps me more responsible on the weekend. (Though you'd never know it!)
So now I have decided to make a public goal to get below 170 by the end of this month. I should be able to drop 4-5 pounds in 3 weeks, right? It's not like I'm starting at 130. (That would actually be the end.) I have lots to lose, and in this case, that's good!
True, I could pump, but I rarely do that and to start puts me into the same category as new mothers...SORE! So my weight yesterday was estimated.
This morning's number was a bit lower, though also estimated. Twice lately, I've actually dropped below 174, but not on Mondays. I could change my day that it counts, but I think Monday's looming shadow keeps me more responsible on the weekend. (Though you'd never know it!)
So now I have decided to make a public goal to get below 170 by the end of this month. I should be able to drop 4-5 pounds in 3 weeks, right? It's not like I'm starting at 130. (That would actually be the end.) I have lots to lose, and in this case, that's good!
Friday, March 05, 2010
Criminal Masterminds
I found an interesting paper this morning. It was sitting out in the open and was a paper of doodles and a column of what looked like my hand-scribbled initials.
Of course, it caught my eye. These are the same initials I use to sign off Nathan's homework or Daniel's reading minutes for the school reading contest this month. Hmmm...I wonder who is practicing to be me?
I think the paper started out as an innocent doodle page and that the stars caused the doodler to think of the 'A' in my initials.
The most interesting thing to me is that with a little more practice, this could be a passable forgery!
Of course, it caught my eye. These are the same initials I use to sign off Nathan's homework or Daniel's reading minutes for the school reading contest this month. Hmmm...I wonder who is practicing to be me?
I think the paper started out as an innocent doodle page and that the stars caused the doodler to think of the 'A' in my initials.
The most interesting thing to me is that with a little more practice, this could be a passable forgery!
I don't think the artist here had full malicious intent. And I think that if he did attempt to use this developing skill, it wouldn't be with a full understanding of the seriousness involved. Is there a way to be innocently dishonest?
I may have to have a little chat with my boys (because I don't know who should be given credit for this fine example of forgery) and see what their intent might have been. If they are trying to be sneaky, they have a ways to go. After all, they didn't even try to hide it. Unless they were smarter than I give them credit for and were hiding it out in the open. In that case, I ruined their plan by cleaning up a little and getting rid of most of the camouflage.
I may have to have a little chat with my boys (because I don't know who should be given credit for this fine example of forgery) and see what their intent might have been. If they are trying to be sneaky, they have a ways to go. After all, they didn't even try to hide it. Unless they were smarter than I give them credit for and were hiding it out in the open. In that case, I ruined their plan by cleaning up a little and getting rid of most of the camouflage.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Vocabulary Lesson
hottening - v. to make something hotter
Example: "Why are you hottening up that?"
The credit for this one goes to Leah. It appears that I know even less words than I thought I did!
Example: "Why are you hottening up that?"
The credit for this one goes to Leah. It appears that I know even less words than I thought I did!
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