Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Golf Lessons

We've already played in the yard this morning, even before the Babe's morning juice (she never wants food first thing in the morning).  Today its supposed to storm in the afternoon, and I'm trying to keep her out of too much sun right now.  So, shortly after 8 a.m., we were in the yard with her brand new golf set. 

Before you get too excited there, its bright pink and purple, made of plastic, and meant for people about 3 feet tall.  Well, maybe that is exciting news.  Anyhow, its new to her, and she loves it.  So I was watching how she was gripping the clubs (not that I'm an expert), and was impressed.  She was alternating her grip with two hands, either next to each other, or with thumbs overlapping.  The two-handed grip inspires me that one day I may be able to teach her how to swing a baseball bat (hey, just because she's a girl, doesn't mean she shouldn't be able to play sports).  Anyhow, at one point I was swinging my club one handed (because I'm a lot taller than the targeted user of this set), and she instructed me to use two hands.  A little later, when I observed the proper golf grip she was using, I thought I may have a natural golfer here.  I must have said something because she said she would teach me.  I asked her how she learned this, as my husband wasn't home when we took the set out yesterday, and he doesn't watch golf on t.v....like my Dad.  Well, Duh!  She told me Grandpa showed her.  Yesterday, when I went inside for a few minutes, he must have given her a little lesson on how to hold the club.  I wished I had seen that.  Anyhow, today she clearly remembered and was doing a good job at it.  Maybe with a little practice, we can put her on the tour.  I'm guessing they'll want her potty trained first.  Oh well.

Monday, May 30, 2011

One Step at a Time

My parents came over today for lunch.  Afterwards, we went outside for a bit.  Here I was complaining about the cold, and thrilled that today I finally put away my sweaters for the summer (very late in the year for me), when fifteen minutes in the sun I was ready for air conditioning.  The Babe loved being outside, but she is so fair her cheeks were bright pink within minutes.  I have a new sunscreen to try out this year, but have to test it first on her.  That will be one day this week.

Later during my parents visit, we showed them her new big girl bed.  After displaying her jumping talents, she told my father that she wanted to go play in the basement with him.  They were about ready to head home, so he delicately told her it was too many stairs for him (not true thankfully).  Her response was that he should take them one step at a time.  As my mother said, she's a problem solver. 

Today being Memorial Day, we grilled for lunch and had fresh sweet corn.  We also made fresh fruit juice, and I made dessert using the leftover pulp.  If you have a juicer, we made a large pitcher of juice using 2 pineapples, 7-8 naval oranges, and 2 apples.  The following is the muffin recipe I made using the leftover fruit pulp.  I made 12 large muffins, and 12 mini muffins, but for simplicity, you can do it with 2 regular muffin tins.

Fruit (and Fibre) Muffins
3 Tbsp ground flax seed meal
1 3/4 cup fruit pulp (from juiced combination of 1 pineapple, 4 oranges and 1 apple)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare 2 muffin tins with paper liners.
2. Combine 3 tbsp Flax seed meal with 9 tbsp water.  Let sit 3-5 minutes.
3. Mix sugar, vanilla, fruit pulp and flax seed.
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
6. Spoon out the mixture evenly into the muffin tins.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until done.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Time Out

Rather than updating you on the Babe, I would rather be putting away laundry right now.  Crazy, I know.  I probably want to do this because I just did several loads of laundry that are stacked in my bedroom, the Babe is asleep in her bed, and someone else has taken over my bed so I can't do it [yeah, I know, its his bed, too, but not when I need to put stuff away].  As soon as he wakes up, the urge will probably leave, or the Babe will be awake.  Murphy's law!

As for the Babe, we had a major tantrum this morning.  Tears for a good half hour.  Why?  Because I turned off the t.v.  Again, why?  Because she'd already been watching it for 2 hours, and had started behaving badly.  The final straw was her striking out at me.  Time outs don't work too well, although we do try them.  I repeatedly instructed her no hitting, to use her words for what she wanted, and even if she doesn't get what she wants, hitting is still not allowed.  Another thirty minutes got her calmed down with a sippy cup, and happily laying next to me while we read a bunch of books.  Several hours later she got to watch the much coveted television.  And now, she's asleep and I'm avoiding doing a few things I should be taking care of.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Stomp Those Feet

Its funny how you see certain behaviors are passed down through generations.  Its not just the color of one's eyes, or food likes and dislikes.  While visiting my grandmother today with the Babe, my lovely daughter did something that was definitely a trait she comes by honestly.  With complete knowledge, she is at least the fourth generation of female in my family to stomp her foot.  As soon as my grandmother saw the Babe do this, my grandmother looked at me chagrined and asked if I knew where she got this from.  I knew immediately who she meant- herself.  However, the person I saw do it the most was my mother.  Particularly when she was cooking and wanted us out of the kitchen.  It was a sign of true frustration. 

And it didn't skip a generation.  Granted, I haven't done this in a long time.  However, when I first started cooking for my husband, I didn't have a vast area of experience in the kitchen.  He was used to his family all working around each other in the kitchen, whereas my mother would often ask us to get out.  So when my husband would hover, and by hover, I mean two feet from me, peering over my shoulder or into the hot oven while I was trying to figure something, I would request he go away.  By go away, just out of my peripheral vision.  And he felt that I had to get used to him being in the kitchen with me.  I don't know how this was useful in any way if he was only standing there sticking his nose in things, so inevitably I would stomp my foot and point him in the opposite direction.  His response was that I shouldn't be like my mother.  Ok, my Mom isn't too thrilled by this, I'm sure.  [Don't worry, Mom, this is only in reference to the foot stomping- apparently its annoying to him.]  However, he knew that she liked to have her kitchen to herself, and he liked to "share" the kitchen.  Eventually, I got over the stomping, and used to him being in arms reach...most of the time.  And we can work side by side in the kitchen very nicely.  Its just that if I'm in the middle of cooking, and you're not assisting, please get your nose out of what I'm doing. 

So, while I don't think the Babe has witnessed my foot stomping, she has beautifully mastered it on her own.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Groundhog Day

Apparently its Groundhog Day around here.  No, its not a snowy day in February (although it is rather chilly for late May).  I'm referring to the movie.  Somehow, my life as a Chamber Maid has begun.  I keep washing sheets over, and over, and over again.  When we got the Babe's new bedroom set over the weekend, I washed all the bedding.  The next night we had a wet diaper leak, so her sheets and blanket got washed in one load, mattress pad in another.  Yesterday afternoon, once the bed was fully made, she napped on top of her comforter.  Yep, another leak, so I had to wash her comforter.  That was ok, because she doesn't use it.  So, last night she went to bed on top of her freshly laundered sheets (comforter was still in the dryer).  I think you can guess what came next...middle of the night diaper leak.  Since everything was in the wash today, I let her nap in my bed.  I'm certainly a risk taker, and lost that bet (not surprisingly).  I at least made sure the quilt was far away from her.  So now I'm washing my sheets and mattress pad. 

So, two nights in a row and two afternoons in a row she's had a leaky diaper requiring several loads of laundry.  That is leaving me with a few options now, if I am to learn from this. 
     Option 1: No more liquids for the Babe= unrealistic and unhealthy. 
     Option 2: Buy bigger diapers= possibility. 
     Option 3: Potty train= on the horizon (not sure how soon though). 
     Option 4: Buy several mattress pads and sheets and layer them (thanks to a friend for this suggestion). 

Hmmm, what's the easiest and laziest route, cause that would be the one I'm going to pick for now.

Educational Addiction

I know I've mentioned that there is a lot of t.v. watching in our house.  I still don't know what most cable channel numbers are because the main channels watched here are Sprout, PBS, Food Network, and the Cooking Channel.  The Babe has a fit if its not her channels, but when it reaches a point that she's gone non-stop for a long period of time, I switch to a cooking show whether I want to watch it or not.  She somehow finds that less offensive than turning the t.v. off.  So yes, we have a bit of a problem here, or rather, addiction.  Now that there is no t.v. watching upstairs, some of the t.v. time has been reduced (and no, its not on every minute of the day).  And with the weather slowly getting better, we've been spending more time outside. 

While I cringe knowing that she's a bit of a t.v. addict, and I am an enabler, at least I know the majority of the shows are educational.  I don't recall any particular educational messages from most of the shows I watched as a child.  While "Tom and Jerry" may have played major classical works of music, I didn't realize it at the time, and certainly didn't learn that factoid until I was much older. 

Today we watched, "The Cat in the Hat", on PBS, based on the Dr. Seuss book.  I enjoy hearing Martin Short voice the Cat, and the program is deceptively educational.  Today we learned about hibernation, which had several additional hidden messages, from wearing a seatbelt and asking one's parent permission before going on an adventure, to brushing one's teeth before bed.  So while many pediatric experts recommend children her age not watch more than 2 hours of t.v. a day, the positive is that she is learning and gaining an amazing vocabulary while watching (how many two-year-olds mention skyscrapers in conversation?).

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sticky Chicky

I have another new recipe.  I'm not a big fan of chicken drumsticks, but saw them in the store, and decided to try this out.  The Babe even ate some of the meat, although she was more interested in her roll (Chebe bread mix). 

Sticky Chicken
3 lbs chicken drumsticks
3/4 C orange marmalade
2 Tbsp Tamari or soy sauce
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground ginger

1. Mix together orange marmalade, Tamari, lemon juice and ginger.
2. Place Drumsticks in slow cooker.  Spoon orange mixture over the drumsticks.  Add a little water to base of crock (about 1/4 cup) to prevent any burning.
3. Cook 4 hours on high.  About 2 1/2 hours into cooking, turn over drumsticks so both sides darken.

A Little White Lie

The great thing about toddlers is that they generally will believe what you tell them.  Now, I'm not encouraging lying to one's child.  But bending the truth sometimes can be a good thing.  Like when my sister told my eldest nephew that he was eating "chicken-fish".  He hated fish, but somehow didn't mind fishsticks, hence "chicken-fish".  So when we finished our basement, somehow the t.v. down there doesn't get any of the channels that play children's programming.  It gets cable, but somehow (wink-wink) only "Mommy and Daddy" shows play on it.  The reason was that the basement is meant for her to play in and be creative.  I didn't want us to spend money on a recreational area for her just to have her space out in front of a t.v., which she could do elsewhere in the house.  So now that she has her big girl bed, I don't want to spend time in our bedroom watching t.v. before bed.  Again, miraculously, our bedroom t.v. no longer plays her shows either.  I don't know how this lie will work when I need to bribe her while I take a shower (didn't think that far ahead), but I can live with that if it means no more t.v. before bed for her.

And speaking of beds,  the new bed is working out.  The princess didn't go searching for the pea, and has now had 2 nights in it (well, 1 1/2- I'll explain in a moment), and a nap.  Yesterday she got worn out running around outside, plus an early morning wake up, so she took a great nap.  Then, I got her to fall asleep in her bed, and she stayed asleep despite loud thunder and lightening that felt like it shook our house several times.  Around 3 a.m. she woke up, but only because she leaked through her diaper.  For that reason only, she spent the rest of the night in my bed.  Otherwise, I would have stayed with her till she fell back asleep.  Her sheets and mattress pad are now being washed, hopefully in time for a nap today.  Now, perhaps its time to wear her out by running around in the sun.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Big Girl Bed

I'm sure you're wondering how last night went.  Well, I'm tired....very tired.  But the Babe did sleep the night in her bed.  Of course, I wonder what my husband was thinking when he just asked me why I didn't take her into our bed around 6:30 this morning when she woke up.  Hello...we just spent a large amount of money on a new mattress and bedding, there is no way we did it for nothing.  The new rules of this house- she does not sleep in my bed, and she does not get to watch television before 8 a.m.  Ok, the 8 a.m. rule was never really necessary to impose, but its a rule now.

First, the Babe LOVES her new bed and the bedding.  She spent a good hour last night jumping around on it, hiding under the covers, and posing for my husband to take photos with her pretending to sleep.  So around 9:30 p.m. last night, armed with a sippee full of juice and water, she and I went to lay down in her bed.  We listened to soft children's music on my IPOD for an hour.  Of course, no sign of sleep.  Soon after she asked to go watch her shows in my room...ahem-NO!  So, then some songs were sung, and we played a new game, the Going To Sleep Game.  She really liked playing it, asking for me to keep doing it several times.  It involved discussing every part of her going to sleep, from her hair down to her toes, with me stroking her hair, rubbing her tummy, arms and legs.  That somehow didn't put her to sleep, but eventually we both were out.  Around 1 a.m. I awoke, and then was torn.  To stay or go.  I know, I had an option to sleep in my own bed and not get hit by her (cause she got me a few times last night).  Well, I went into my room where my husband had our big bed all to ourselves.  That nighttime conversation I was looking forward to was a little later- when he offered to leave and go back into the guest room since neither of us could sleep.  So we all had our own beds last night, until the Babe woke at 6:30.  We snuggled, then went downstairs for juice, then back up, then down again for a bite of banana, then back up.  And she still didn't go back to sleep.  However, one night of sleeping in her Big Girl Bed accomplished. 

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Nighty Night

"Tonight's the night we're gonna make it happen."  That would be because our little girl just got a very big girl bed.  Her new mattress was delivered today, and brand new bedding is being washed for tonight.

When I say she's getting a very big bed, my petite little one is going to sleep in a full size bed that sits very high off the ground.  It makes me think of the "Princess and the Pea".  She's never heard that story, and she better not be getting any ideas tonight.  Because after months of her sharing my bed, tonight will be spent in her own room.  Granted, I suspect I'll be sleeping in there for the next few nights with her (lets hope not, but trying to be realistic), but eventually it means that I will have my bed back.

I know this is a transition to show she's getting bigger, and I should be a little sad over it.  I'm not.  Because once she adjusts to sleeping her room again, I get mine back.  I can watch whatever I want to on t.v. again (no more Angelina Ballerina or Caillou before bed).  Or no t.v. at all.  Or file my nails without her bugging me for the nail file.   Or actually talk to my husband without interruption.  The options are endless.  Oh, and most importantly, I get to sleep without risk of injury from a random kick in the head from a restless toddler.  Yippee!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Entertaining

I like to entertain.  No, I don't make animals out of linen napkins.  I just like to have company, and make sure they are well fed.  Now that we have a different eating lifestyle, I especially like to entertain to show first off that I can cook decently (hopefully my guests feel its better than decent), and secondly, that you can have "normal" food despite all the missing ingredients.  I opt to show how good the food can be even though we aren't eating dairy, eggs, or gluten. 

Today I had a girlfriend over with her one-year-old son.  For lunch we had chicken breasts, oven roasted potatoes, green been casserole (and no, there was no cream soup base), and chocolate chip cookies.  This would qualify for a nice dinner here too, but I like to feed whoever comes over, no matter the time of day.  I couldn't help but brag that the casserole was totally from scratch, and the cookies had no wheat or eggs or dairy.  She still indicated she enjoyed it all, and couldn't tell the difference.

The other benefit to having company is that our house is clean.  It was her first time over at this house, so of course had to give the tour.  That meant that the upstairs bathrooms I put off cleaning and piles of laundry that needed to be put away got taken care of.  Now I can enjoy the afternoon without thinking I need to do something.  Well, ok, the lunch dishes are in the sink, but they'll get done before dinner.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Picky Situation

Here's a general kitchen tip- when stirring batter with one hand, do not pick your nose with the other. Yes, it may be considered multi-tasking, but its not particularly hygienic.  I tried to convince the Babe of this, but she kept doing it.  Don't worry, we were stirring batter for pancakes that only she will be eating.  And nothing from her nose came in contact with the batter (I don't think). 

She has been picking her nose a lot lately, and despite repeatedly telling her to use a tissue (or at the very least, wipe whatever she digs out onto one), she isn't paying attention.  And when we catch her in the act, she gleefully tries to find places to leave it.  As I think I previously mentioned, walls are not to be painted this way (YUCK).  She really is a sweet, pretty little girl, if only she'd keep her fingers out of her nose!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Shhhhhhh

Did you hear that?  It was the Hallelujah Chorus being sung....oh wait, it just stopped because our lawn service just arrived.  The melody started in my head as soon as I got the Babe to fall asleep, and got her tucked away into her bad.  I'm hoping she sleeps through the lawn being mowed. 

In other news, I think the Babe is really trying to get me a nose job.  I like my nose and would like to keep it the way it is.  However, she once again slammed into my nose, and I heard a lovely crunching noise.  No nose bleed, and so far no black eyes. However its been a few hours and I still have a headache.  I don't think this round requires any x-rays, but the more she keeps it up, the greater my chances.  I don't want to wind up in an E.R. with the lame excuse that no, I didn't walk into a wall, nor had a bar fight, or get to say, "you should see what the other guy looks like", just because my daughter miscalculated a flying leap into my face.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Making Me Feel Better

For whatever I may kvetch about (Yiddish= to whine, complain), I know I'm very fortunate.  During the night, the Babe woke up to a wet bed.  While trying to get her changed out of her clothes and diaper at 2 a.m., I suddenly felt ill and had to lay down.  Dressed in a diaper, I put her down and told her I'd be back.  My husband came in and picked up the slack.  He tried to get her to bed in her room, then together in the guest bed.  Eventually, they joined me again.  We put a towel down over her wet spot, and she came over to snuggle.  I still wasn't feeling well, so she leaned over to give me a kiss to make me feel better. 

During the day, I still wasn't feeling quite up to par.  Late in the afternoon, I mentioned going outside, maybe for a walk or at least to get the mail.  When I hesitated, she told me I needed some fresh air to make me feel better.  Smart kid- taking care of me, and getting what she wanted at the same time.  Despite the beautiful sunshine, its been windy and cold.  I still can't believe I put on black cords and a sweater today despite it being mid-May.  Anyhow, after getting the mail I told her we needed to go back in because it was too cold and I still wasn't feeling good.  Like a super good girl, she hurried on in without complaint.  And to top that off, she's presently napping.  If only I could fall asleep, too, we'd have a perfect afternoon.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Listen

I don't know where the Babe got this move from, but clearly she knows how to get your attention.  I was sitting on the couch, looking at my IPod as her DVR'd episode of Curious George was ending.  So she stands in front of me, puts her hand on me knee, and says, "Listen".  I'm looking her in the eye at this point, and again she says, "Listen".  I have no idea what she's up to or about to do.  Then she says in a demanding voice, "Put your hair back", gesturing to one side of my hair as if to push it behind my ear.  I do as she says, and again she says in a stern voice, "Listen".  Pause a moment.  "I need another Curious George."  This little pint size person sure knows how to command a room.  Does she have a future as a Chairwoman of the Board?  (Not that I'm planning her professional future).

Friday, May 13, 2011

Realistically optimistic...

I thought for sure today would be bad.  Why?  Because yesterday was really good.  I'm ever the optimist, right?!  Today I was pleasantly surprised because the Babe cooperated.  She was good at the gym, got into the car without a fuss when we left, and didn't have the t.v. on for a while at home.  Of course, eventually it was on, but not the minute we walked in the door.  I even got her down for a nap at a decent (well, by my standards decent) time.  And I've done several things during that time that needed to be taken care of, rather than surfing the net or watching a cooking show.  Hmmm, this doesn't bode well for tomorrow, but at least my husband will be here to help, and my parents will hopefully be visiting.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Riding a See-Saw

One of my favorite scenes from the movie, Parenthood, is when the grandmother describes life as a rollercoaster.  Well , I prefer to think of today as a see-saw.  Constant ups and downs in the moods and moments of my toddler. 

After weeks of being unable to attend, we finally made it back to the gym.  From her surgery, then holiday closures, to then illness, we missed several weeks.  Finally, we got there.  The Babe was happy to play with her friends, and when I came to pick her up, she ran to me ready to go (but clearly after having enjoyed herself).  This was her first outing (other than to Target) since she got sick one week ago.  Afterwards, she wanted to go up and down the hill that is adjacent to the building- just like Jack and Jill.  No really, we referenced that as we climbed up, with thankfully no injuries to crowns nor any tumbling down after.  She then played in the dirt a bit with sticks and bare hands (yippee!). 

All was fine and well, until it was time to get to the car.  She opted to stand in the middle of the parking lot, and after about five minutes, and thankfully no cars, I got her into the car.  It didn't end there.  She wouldn't get into her car seat, and did the body lock to prove it.  She wanted to "snuggle" with me- hence sippee cup, her on my lap, sitting in the back seat of my car for several minutes.  Finally, that was it, and she was forcibly put into her seat.  Five minutes home with a wailing child, not so fun. 

Then everything was fine...until what I loosely call nap-time.  That is because I do not rely on her actually taking a nap anymore.  It is the time of day I wish and hope she takes one.  This did not happen.  I told her if she did not nap, no more t.v. for the rest of the day.  That meant attempting to entertain with art supplies, except most wound up on the floor, and she wanted me to color for her.  I ignored both.  Next came dinner prep.  She now wants to help in the kitchen, but doesn't quite follow all instructions (like staying out of drawers).  I gave her some sliced up carrots to nibble.  That started out fine, until carrots and raw zucchini had been chewed and spit out in various places in my kitchen.  I was most definitely screaming...in my head, because it would not have been productive at that moment.  While trying to handle raw chicken, and then eventually sauteing it in hot oil, I still tried to keep her moderately entertained.  Finally, she requested that we snuggle and that she wanted to go upstairs to sleep.  I told her to go lay down in the living room or go up to her room.  Well, wouldn't you know it.  Just as dinner had just finished cooking, she fell asleep on the couch.  I had been watching from a distance as her eyes drifted closed.  Well, I carried her to bed, then ate dinner in peace, and now I get to go clean up macerated carrot bits from my kitchen floor. 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Highlights from Mother's Day

We didn't do too much today for Mother's Day, but here are a few things that were special for me.

- The Babe had her first bite of corn on the cob.  She's eaten corn kernels before, just never on the cob.  I loved watching those little teeth voraciously bite into the cob, and hearing the juicy pop as she did it.

- Watching my husband draw with the Babe.  It was interesting to see, both his style and thought process that went into something as simple as drawing a bouquet of flowers.

- Dinner with the Babe was wonderful!  She ate everything.  Ok, not everything on her plate, but she tried everything that was made.  My husband grilled burgers, and she had a few bites.  I made (first time for this recipe) polenta stuffing, and she ate a good amount of polenta pieces.  I also made steamed cauliflower in the microwave.  The Babe hasn't eaten cauliflower in months, if not more than a year, and she actually had a few pieces.  That was amazing!  What might have helped was having her "assist".  I had her press the start button on the microwave, and then together with a butter knife added some margarine to it after it was cooked.  I think she will be "assisting" a lot more, especially because she keeps asking to cook with me.  If giving her a few safe tasks to do gets her to eat, even if it adds a little more time, then it looks like I have a new sous chef.

- Most especially, that the three of us were together for the day.  My husband spends a lot of Sundays in his office, and today he sacrificed the weekly prep time for us. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Vegan Lasagna

Tonight's dinner was a mouthful.  Yes, the food itself, but the title, too.  I made Gluten-Free Basil Tofu Ricotta Lasagna.  The recipe is from Veganomican, by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.  I used non-bake rice noodles, made faux ricotta with tofu and basil, sauteed some spinach, and assembled it all with bottled tomato sauce.  Now it may not sound particularly appetizing to those who haven't tried tofu, but it was in fact very good.  It was fascinating to see how a block of tofu could eventually resemble ricotta.  It was also fun to put it all together.  My husband tried to convince his mother over the phone that it tasted like regular lasagna, but she will unlikely try it if I were to make it again.  And based on my husband's and my taste, it will be made again. 

Afterwards, we had a treat.  My in-laws gave us a juicer that we finally tried out.  This was mostly my husband's work tonight, so he deserves the credit.  With the Babe's and my limited assistance, he made a combination of orange, apple, mango, and pineapple juice.  Delish!  Two new menu items, two successes. 

Friday, May 6, 2011

Day Off

Call me crazy, but I was probably one of the happiest persons today getting their oil changed.  In fact, telling me I had an hour wait was great.  Delivering the car back earlier than that was not cause for celebration.  The reason- my husband was home with the Babe.  I had time to sit quietly, read a book, and not have to do anything.  Plus, I haven't been out of the house in four days, except for the pediatrician's office (and you know how that car ride went).  Afterwards I did some grocery shopping, and headed home.

When I arrived home, the Babe and her daddy were on the couch watching her morning shows.  The plus was he had gotten her dressed for the day, and given her food.  Other than that, nothing was any different in the house.  No dishes washed, no toys picked up (not that I do that often), no laundry going.  I didn't ask, but it would have been nice if something more was done.  Then again, this was his day off to relax... when do I get to call in for my day?

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Never 100% Sure

When the Babe gets sick, it goes straight to her chest.  Usually she has a bronchial cough, and lately, trouble breathing.  This is due to her asthma.  While sick, she's been pretty good about taking her inhaler, but medicine is another story.  Yesterday, when it was really bothering her, she'd ask for medicine, only to turn away when I would try to give her any.  I probably threw out five different doses, which was very frustrating.

The challenge with the Babe is knowing when something is just a common cold and what is a reaction.  When she threw up Monday, it was pretty clear it was from the cold.  Yesterday, she again vomited, but I wasn't sure what was the cause.  My confusion was because we tried something new.  She's been asking lately to make pizza.  So, using the GF Bisquick mix, together we made the crust (she's had this product before, so it wasn't this).  Then, added bottled sauce and some Daiya soy cheese.  There was nothing in the sauce she hasn't had, so it shouldn't have been that.  The soy cheese though created the conundrum.  In the middle of the ingredient list is coconut oil.  She hasn't had coconut in over a year.  Her last skin test showed she was negative, and could have it, but we haven't tried  it yet.  When she previously reacted to coconut, she had a minor case of hives (one or two, immediately treated with Benadryl). 

When the "pizza" was done, she had a few very tiny nibbles.  She probably didn't even have one full thread of the soy cheese.  I watched her, and she seemed fine.  Then, about thirty minutes later, she wanted more but I opted not to.  Instead I gave her banana.  After having half a banana, she started choking and gagging.  And then throwing up.  So if she wasn't sick, I would definitely say she reacted to something.  However, this cold is causing a lot of mucus, and on occasion, gagging.  Later in the day she had the same pre-vomiting symptoms which was clearly from the cold.  As such, I think the earlier incident was from the cold, but not 100% sure.  No more soy cheese for her, and I'll be watching next time she has a banana. 

Living with a child with food allergies requires constant observation and questioning.  And a lot of time there are no answers.  We avoid what we know is a problem, and hope there are no new ones on the horizon.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Best Medicine

It was inevitable that I would become sick.  Yesterday, the Babe repeatedly coughed in my face, and a few times licked my face too.  She likes to pretend she's a kitty-cat or dog.  I try to avoid the licks, but am not always successful.  Even if she hadn't, just being around her probably would have done it.  So now I have the start of a sinus headache, and was just about to go get some medicine for it.  The Babe told me not to.  I informed her the medicine was for me, not her.  She then leaned over, kissed the top of my shirt, and said, "you don't need medicine, I gave you a kiss."  That's my little sweetheart.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Starting Early?

While the Babe is sick, trying to get medicine in her is a challenge.  The first night, she was so sick, she actually asked for it.  Believe me, this is a kid you need to hold down who will spit out most of whatever you actually get in her mouth.  Now that we have been to the doctor, she has to have a steroid, which apparently has an awful taste.  So for dose one, we tried about everything to get her to take it.  She wanted it in a cup instead of the dosing syringe, so the only one small enough was a souvenir shot glass. 

First off, I've never done a shot.  We really don't drink much around here, and definitely no drinking games.  That is why this morning was interesting.  My husband thinks I put her up to it, but she did it all on her own.  She wanted some water in the little glass, so I put some in the shot glass.  Sitting at the table, next thing I hear is, "1-2-3...its time to drink!"  She did it a few more times followed by, "hurray!"  Uh-oh.

Sick Little One

The Babe has an amazing vocabulary for her age (no, not bragging, just a fact).  We just added a few more words to it yesterday.  The main one= puke.  That's right, puke, vomit, throw-up.  All words not in her vocabulary prior to that. 

As an infant, she rarely spit-up.  Since then we've had one or two occasions with clear liquid after a hearty cough.  But we have not had actual vomit.  Yesterday, not only did she vomit, but she projectile vomited- in my car. 

The Babe has a bit of a cold, with a frequent cough.  So just after pulling out of our driveway on our way to her pediatrician, she coughed, and just a little something came out.  Then, just down a block, a cough, and out shot green.  Lets just say, I'm very happy I have leather seats.  Of course, what I didn't get, my husband had the pleasure of cleaning when he got home from work.  I know, this will be TMI, but it actually didn't smell.  Hopefully that's it for a long, long time.  In the meantime, she still has a hearty cough, but seems a little bit better than yesterday.