Your Family Blog

As we spring into summer our children will be out and about playing in the grass... and in my little one's case, POPPING it in his mouth. As a reminder kids are at greater risk for some pesticides. According to the Home Safety Council, their immune systems may provide less protection than those of an adult. Because a child's internal organs are still developing, exposure to a toxin could permanently alter their biological system.
It's a good idea to wash your child's hands, toys, and bottles often.

Worried about residual toxins on your fruits and veggies?
The Fruit and Veggie Spray below was taken from Oprah's Earth Day show
"I Just Love Oprah!" She's hip, fun and is always looking for ways to share great insight... hope it works for you!

FRUIT AND VEGGIE SPRAY TO WASH AWAY CHEMICALS
1 cup water
1 cup distilled white vinegar
1 Tbsp. baking soda
20 drops of grapefruit seed extract

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.

According to the Home Safety Council, adverse effects of pesticide exposure range from mild symptoms of dizziness and nausea to serious, long-term neurological, developmental and reproductive disorders.
If you have questions about exposure, even if your child isn't showing problems, poison control recommends giving them a call at 1-800-222-1222

It's that time of year, when kids head for the water and It's important to keep a close eye on them at all times.
"We know, we know, we know... we've heard it before, how a child can drown in seconds... in less than an inch of water... Awwww but does it go in one ear and out the other???"
We're all busy and most of us at some point have taken a "quick second" risk... You know like running back in the house for your sunglasses with the car still running...
Anyways, on to what happen to me the other day as I bathed my 3 year old daughter. There was nothing out of the norm. While She frolicked inside the water filled tub, my 1 year old son stood on the outside, stretching in to the toys floating on top.
I sat where I usually do, 5 or so inches away, lathering my hands with shampoo when, without warning and through my peripheral vision I saw my baby boy slipping head first into the water. He was going down and I WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE!!!! I quickly grabbed him by his waist and pulled up. With a startled wet face, he let out a cough or two... I'm almost sure he got water in his nose. Thank the heavens that was it and that he was fine! I can't stop thinking, "what if?" What if I needed a towel and decided to go grab one "real quick," or the phone was ringing and I went to grab it "real quick." The "what if," still haunts me and quite honestly I'm glad. It doesn't matter how quick you are, a drowning can happen quicker. My first hand account proves it. Bathtub, pool even a bucket of water it doesn't matter.
For CPR and First Aid training you can log onto americanredcross.org. Click on "Get Trained."

Did you see our Weatherkid on TV this morning? This is our second week and both have been great. 8 year old Ginny was cute as a button and soooo smart. She's a great speller, she's earned a purple belt in karate and on her farm she helps to care for twenty... something animals!!! Wowsa!!! She wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up. I know she's going to do spectacular.
So while our viewers got to know a little bit about Ginny in our short time on the air, even were able to hear one of her weather jokes... cute and funny, I want to add just how remarkable I think this young girl is. Ginny has fought her way back from a very rare disease called Juvenile Dermatomyositis. As her mom explains it, Ginny's immune system was attacking her muscles and skin, causing her pain and weakness to the point that Ginny could not dress herself or at times climb onto her own bed. According to Ginny's mom, their doctor, at the time, chalked it up to growing pains. Thankfully one of Ginny's nurses took note and referred her to a doctor that got her the help she needed. Kudos to the nurse who didn't give this sweet young girl and her family the brush off. Because Ginny was finally diagnosed properly, she's made her way back to good health. I've personally known Ginny for just one day, but I want to say to Ginny's nurse, Thank You... really though, Thank You.

Again Juvenile Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune disease that reportedly manifests itself in children. According to one report I read, it affects 3 children per million per year in the U.S.
Symptoms include a pinkish purple rash that often affects the face, eyelids and hands.. and sometimes the skin above joints, including the knuckles. A second symptom is muscle inflammation.

My littlest one has reached a major milestone... He's 1! He might not be able to walk yet, but boy can he dance! He wiggles, bobs and shimmies to any song, cartoon, commercial or toy! It's the melt my heart, cutest sight. And you can bet we're grabbing the video camera each time he comes up with a new move!
Little bummed today. This afternoon I'll be marching him into his doctor's office for his Wellness appointment and Shots! There are so many shots in the first 18 months. The tears, the yelling, the look of betrayal... It's too much to bare! But I'll do it... I'll go through it, reminding myself along the way that it's important for his health, that he won't remember it, and as my husband puts it, "We all go through it."
I know we do. Twenty five years later and I'm still trying to forget about the shot in my leg that hit the muscle and left me limping for a week! Ah yes we've all taken this painful passage. Too bad for my little one he's only part way through the journey with four more in store later today... poor kid doesn't know what he's in for.

A few tips, you may already know, from doctors I've talked to... when taking your child for shots, remain calm. Our kids pick up on our temperament. Ask your doctor about anesthetic creams that numb the skin (why they don't just hand these out is beyond me). Not sure how well the numbing cream could handle an area getting multiple shots at once. A small dose of tylenol before the shots will help your child to relax. Wish me luck!

I'm still not sure how it's come to be... what changed or made the difference but my 3yr old has just about accomplished one of her biggest milestones so far... she's clearly on her way to being fully potty trained!!!

Just when I had flushed the idea of her ever finding the potty more important than playing with her toys or watching cartoons, she came through! I know, I know, I've been hearing it for more than a year, "she'll go when she's ready," but after realizing that she completely understood how it all worked, even asked to be changed right after she went... I began to wonder for how long she'd be ok in diapers?

Well I must say it's been a long worthy battle. From raving about big girl undies to handing out stickers, trips to Chuck E Cheese, even skittles, which appears to have done the trick... even though it seems to be more about the timing and not so much the treat.

It doesn't matter, She Did It (I'm so proud of her) and We' Made It! Or have we made it... made it to where? Well... as I made a trip to the store Thursday with my two little ones in toe, I quickly realized how far we were from our cozy, convenient potty chair and how soon it could be that I'll be running my daughter into the public restroom everytime she yells, "I need to go potty." Even if she really doesn't need to go, I can already see myself on the freeway, making a mad dash to the nearest exit (safely of course) and rushing my daughter from her car seat to the first public place I see.

Ah yes, we're very happy about being diaper free... but as you can see, we still have quite a journey!

My youngest bundle of joy turned 1 this weekend. Boy was it a blast. My initial thought was invite everyone we know. After realizing family and a few close friends = 50, our dream list was abruptly cut short.
Now almost 48 hours later we're left with Beautiful Memories and a Ton Of Leftovers!
I know how it happens... A certain % of guests who plan on coming have a last minute change of plans, I made the B-Day menu list while I was hungry, I've got a huge fear of not having enough food, My dad, who is an awesome cook (and by the way made ALL the food) wants to show off his great talent... Thank God For Grandparents!

I handed out "to go" plates to everyone who would take one and I'm still left saying "what on earth am I going to do with all these leftovers???" I've still got about 15 servings!!!! Oooh, I'm going to freeze it for another day... Life is wonderful!"
Unless you don't eat leftovers. I can respect that, but man, too bad for you!

Anyhow, so yes... my Bouncing Baby Boy has reached a Major Milestone and I have to admit, it's Bitter Sweet. With my daughter is was mostly excitement that I felt. But this time around it's a bit sad. Maybe because with my daughter, I'd planned on having one more. This time, I know this is it! All those special months and moments leading up to the first year are over. To think he went from not being able to hold up his own head to now tearing across the carpet after his new toys, all in a matter of months... absolutely amazing. I'm tearing up, so I'll stop here (how soon we forget the midnight feedings, spells of crying and bouts of spit up). I guess I'll end by saying what is often said to me ... "Enjoy every moment possible... They are years you'll never get back."

Does anyone answer the door anymore? After hearing a story on FOX40 Morning News
(a little plug for my favorite station) about an Ohio Mayor who implemented a "Do Not Knock" registry for his area, I began to wonder, how do people feel about answering the door these days? At times I've missed out on talking to a neighbor or two. However overall, I think my decision not to answer the door, unless I'm absolutely sure of who it is, is better safe than sorry. With little ones in the house with me, I have no idea what I would do if I answered the door and someone stormed in... I couldn't leave my children behind! I might be stuck! Ok, maybe a little over the top, but I did say better safe than sorry. Although, what if it's someone who might need help? Then I'd feel terrible.

I think I smell a story coming on... "Dos and Don'ts for when answering the door." If it’s a stranger, should I act like I'm not alone, not home? Could it more dangerous if a stranger thinks no one is home? What should I ask or say before opening the door? Is it safe for men to answer the door to a stranger? Andddd what about the children? I've try to explain to my three year old, why she should not open the door without me there, yet she heads straight for the door knob when the door bell rings!

If you're wondering too, stay tuned. I've already got it on my "story to do list."
Have a great day!

As a taste of summer rolled along this weekend... so did my kid!

A fun filled, active weekend was scarred, so to speak, when my three year old scraped her knee twice in as many days, removing the skin in the exact same spot both times!

I know... "It's part of life," "She'll survive," "It could have been worse, " and as some of the real positive thinkers might says, "It's preparing her for a complex, sometimes painful world." But as she lay there screaming at the top of her lungs and yelling, "don't touch me,"
(My apologies to those who had their pleasant day at the park abruptly shattered) I couldn't help but wish it were me instead.

After concluding that she falls more when her knees are bare (only my imagination, I'm sure) I began to wonder if I should throw out every dress and pair of shorts in her wardrobe? Of course not, but the pain on her face quickly took me back to those excruciating knee scraping days. The ones that don't even surface when I catch a glimpse of my own battle wounds. Like I said, I wish it were me instead.

I'm doing better now. My daughter... well she forgot about the "owy" right after we stopped paying attention to it.

In my search on how to treat her wound I found a few tips interesting:

DON'T Use Hydrogen Peroxide. It cleans but it also destroys skins cells immediately growing.
DO Cover a Cut. Neosporin and a band-aid for a week. The goal is to keep it moist and prevent a scab from forming. Continue with vaseline or something similar and keep it covered until new skin begins to grow
DON'T Expo To Sun. It could discolor the scar.

This might actually lead to a story idea.
Please feel free to offer up any ideas of your own.