Countdown

"As the tea kettle said, full steam ahead," (from Higgleytown Heroes).  That's rather fitting right now as it seems we are in countdown mode.  Part of the reason I haven't posted in a while is that we've been busy in anticipation of another move.  We are less than a month away from packing, moving, closing, and unpacking from one state to another. 

In late June we learned that my husband had received a promotion, requiring us to relocate.  By mid-July, he and I were house hunting.  My sister left her family to spend three night with the Babe at our house, and my parents covered the last night, so my husband and I could find a house a few states away from where we currently live.  He left a few days ahead to jump start our search.  The Babe had a lot of fun, and still tells me about certain things she did with her aunt.  She will also mention riding in my parents car (which might have been more memorable for her than the art museum they took her to).  During the three full days I was with my husband, we were able to contract on a house currently under construction. 

Now comes the time where details are important.  We are fortunate that we will have movers fully pack our house.  If we're not careful, garbage in garbage cans could be packed, that's how much they pack.  That means I should be going through closets and drawers to organize or dump unnecessary stuff.  It also means that if I don't do it now, it will be waiting for me in a few weeks to figure out.  We've already gone through our basement and garage.  In addition to this, I need to figure out what items will be essential for the time period that we will be in transition between houses, and therefore not packed by the movers.

What does all this mean for the Babe?  Well, she's sad to leave our house, which we all love.  She's also sad to leave her friends.  I don't think she realizes that we will be further away from my side of the family (currently about an hour away).  However, as I like to look at any of our moves, it is an adventure.  Its better to focus on the positives, so you don't get bogged down in things you can't change. 

I'm hoping we will be able to enroll her in preschool there.  I've already identified a school, and spoken to their administration.  I just need to make sure the physical environment meets my expectations.  Our new neighborhood looks to have a lot of kids in it.  We've told the Babe she'll get to help decorate her bedroom.  In addition, there are a lot of interesting things to do in the immediate area and also within a three hour drive. 

In the meantime, the clock is ticking, and lots to do.

Kitchen Headache

If you don't have a child with food allergies or other food-related special needs, then you may not realize how much freedom you actually have.  We are tied to our house because of this.  There is no last minute stop to pick up a snack or a meal while out.  In addition, we are highly dependent on our appliances.  Nothing fancy, just refrigeration and cooking sources such as a stovetop or oven. 

When we bought our house, I was concerned about what if we lost power because we have an electric stovetop.  While I prefer gas in general to cook on, the other advantage is that if you lose power, you can start a burner with a match (cautiously).

Right now we are dealing with the issue of refrigeration.  The compressor in our refrigerator/freezer is not working now, and we are waiting on repair of it.  For someone without our special food issues, this isn't the worst thing in the world.  You can pick up fast food, eat bread that doesn't require refrigeration, buy meals or meal kits that require little to no work, or eat at friends or family.  We don't eat nut butters, she's allergic to fish so tuna is out, and the only safe bread requires refrigeration after opening the package.  We only eat at home with her.  Her diet mainstays include sliced turkey, hummus, and hot dogs.  Dinner usually is chicken or beef.  We live at least 30 minutes away from a store that carries kosher meat, which is why I usually buy chicken and beef to last at least a week, and store it in my freezer.  And yes, its nice to have filtered water from our fridge, but I can live without that for right now. 

We are fortunate to have a smaller refrigerator in our garage.  Its inconvenient, but better than nothing.  Meals require frequent trips in and out to get what I need.  Again, it could be worse.  A headache, yes.  We also were lucky in that we were able to save most things in our fridge and freezer, although not all, when we realized there was equipment failure.  Anyhow, just feeling frustrated that it will probably be at least another four days before we have it fixed.   Its not forever, just annoying for now.

Safe Travels

Well, we made it through another road trip to my in-laws.  Each way we drove 21+ hours over two days, with one hotel stay each way.  This required planning and panic, but in the end, things went well.  In fact, way better than anticipated. 

Some may dread a visit to relatives because of the people, but we dread it because of the allergies and asthma.  In the past few years, any visit usually involves several doses of Benadryl and Albuterol, and on one occasion a visit to the emergency room.  Thankfully that did not happen this time.  We even brought along our babysitter for an added set of eyes and hands.  We warned her of all that could happen, not exaggerating past experiences.  Again, thankfully all that warning and anticipation were for naught.  Phew!

So what extra steps did we take to be able to travel with our Allergy Babe? 

• We took with all her medicine, including her nebulizer and extra Benadryl. 
• We packed food, from Gluten Free pasta, soy milk, spices, etc. that would be needed over the course of our trip.  While we could shop along the way, it made it easier to have many of the items that are more unique or harder to find. 
• I baked chocolate chip banana bread to have as a snack or for breakfast on the way down.
• I cooked and froze meatballs for our first night on the road, so all we'd have to do was heat it up in the sauce pan and cook pasta.
• We try to stay in newer hotels or newly remodeled hotels.  They must have a kitchen that has at least a 2 burner stove-top.  This trip we lucked out with a hotel that was open less than a month.  The advantage is the HVAC system is new or newer, and the surfaces and bedding less used, hence less possibility of allergens embedded in furnishings and carpeting.
• We eat only foods that are safe for the Babe, so lunch on the road is usually packaged deli meat (not safe from a counter due to cross-contamination), avocado, hummus and potato chips.  Yes, we get tired of this, but it serves the purpose and can be found along the way.  I also pack fruit and sometime cut up veggies.
• We take with a clean sheet to cover the hotel sofa for her to sit on.
• We take the Babe's pillow with.
• We wipe all hotel door handles, remotes, light switches, and other things that she might touch with Windex or Clorox wipes, as soon as we get in the room.
• I carry hand soap that is safe for the Babe.  Its not pleasant to go into a restroom that has soap made with dairy protein.  Our first stop en route had that, although we suspect the container might have been refilled with some other soap.  Even so, we stick with what we know is safe.
• At my in-laws, we run an air purifier in the room she sleeps in.
• My in-laws wipe down their leather family room furniture, wash floors, wipe down surfaces.  My mother-in-law opts to cover tables with plastic cloths as added protection.  Its a lot of work in preparation to have us.

There were probably more things we did or watched out for along the way, but the key is to remain observant and vigilant.  We reminded the Babe to keep her hands out of her mouth and off her face.  Yes, silly faces are fun, but hives aren't.  So, while we may seem over-protective or over-cautious, we came home in one piece (mentally and physically).  There was a lot less stress this trip. 

Over the period of time we were actually with family, the Babe got to have a great visit with her great-grandparents our first afternoon in Florida.  Then, each day thereafter she spent time in the pool, played with lots of toys, and was overall entertained most of the time between playing with her grandparents and our sitter.  We also went to the aquarium one morning, where she got to see her favorite Jelly Fish.  She definitely had fun at Papa and Grams, and I think the adults did, too.

"Chocolate Crunches"

Some kids make mud pies.  Mine makes "chocolate crunches".  Initially, you might be tempted to accept one, as I unknowingly did last night.  Tonight I now know I will refrain, thank you very much. 

The Babe likes to have chocolate chips for dessert.  I buy semi-sweet, non-dairy chips, that are an acquired taste since they're meant more for baking.  However, as she's never had milk chocolate, they're still a treat.  Anyhow, tonight she told me her "recipe" for these chocolate crunches.  You take two chocolate chips, lick the base of each one, and join them together.  Voila, a chocolate crunch.  Yeah, didn't know there was licking involved, thought they were a rare combined duo in the bag.  So, if I have any, I'll take them directly from the bag. 

Dinner is Served

Tonight the Babe wanted to eat in the "restaurant".  She wanted to make a menu, and be served in our dining room.  Daddy was to be the waiter, and I was to be the chef (not a big stretch there).  My husband was meeting a business associate a little later in the evening for dinner, but came home early to see the Babe.  So, he was able to be the waiter...dressed in running shorts and a t-shirt (before he changed for the evening).  The dining room may be more upscale, but the service apparently isn't at this restaurant. 

The Babe started dinner with a salad, all by herself.  Well, when you set only one place setting, clearly you don't want to eat with the riff-raff.  We put on the radio for some background music, and every so often she would call for the waiter.  Unfortunately, this waiter got a business call mid-service, so the chef had to step up.  Then the chef was allowed to join the Babe, and chat while the Babe finished her first course.  Apparently the customer is dating the waiter, and they both have the same blue eyes that are dazzling and sparkling.  The waiter buys her secret shirts, and they dance ballet together and hula hoop.  It was a very enlightening conversation (and fun). 

Soon, dinner was ready to be served.  The waiter had to leave, and the chef was allowed to join the Babe for dinner.  It was very nice.  I suspect the Babe will be returning to this restaurant again in the near future.  Its very exclusive, by invitation (or demand) only. 

Change of Plans

The Babe isn't happy right now because our scheduled play-date isn't happening.  The other mom forgot to write it in her calendar.  While she's disappointed at the moment, from a selfish standpoint, my house is clean and dessert is baked.  Ok, not my entire house, just the first floor.  Having company is a great motivator.  Yes, I rushed around all morning, rather than "leisurely" cleaned.  But its done.  The question now is should I continue with this and tackle the second floor, or collapse on the couch with the Babe?  I don't know.  For now I am enjoying the cookie pie I just made.

Context is Important

This is going to probably sound really bad taken out of context, so please read all of this post.  My husband had called to check in during the course of his work day, and asked how the Babe was doing.  Specifically, he asked her if she was being a good girl.  We told him yes, so good, that she had even gotten some badges.  She then told him she got, "a badge for kissing, a badge for loving, and a badge for rocking".  That doesn't sound right.

Here's what she meant.  She wanted to wear badges, like what Girl Scouts wear.  So, out of some felt, I made her a sash.  Then she wanted the badges to go with it.  What to make?  She gave me a sweet kiss on my cheek, so I said she gave such nice kisses.  So we made a badge in the shape of a mouth to represent a kiss.  Then she gave me a nice hug.  So she got a badge in the shape of a heart.  Lastly, she just got a kiddie sized rocking chair yesterday, and is enjoying rocking on it.  Hence, a rocking chair badge.  And from a kiss, a hug, and a rocking chair, we get badges for "kissing, loving, and rocking".