Say Cheese!

We gave EW cheese on Monday night after getting the go ahead from Dr. Song to try a small amount of processed milk (cheese or yogurt) to gauge the reaction. He woke up with croup symptoms on Monday night, and since his allergy may have lead to some respiratory issues in the past, we are back on hold again. His stomach seems just fine, so I think that we will pick right back up with the cheese once the respiratory virus clears. Despite being on hold, we are feeling optimistic around here!

Cider House Rules

Today was Elgin's second day of being sick with the latest respiratory virus, and since he woke from a long morning nap with no fever, Henry and I decided that it would be a good day to head to Sky Top to pick some apples. Fresh air is good for the lungs, after all.

The lady who pointed us towards the orchards was quick to tell us (yell) that the wagons are not for riding after I told Henry to pick one to ride.

I told Henry we could break this rule once out of their site.

Well, as it turns out, there's good reason not to ride those wagons.  Henry was my passenger as I pulled the wagon along a bumpy road that traversed a relatively steep ravine. Squirmy Elgin was in my arms, refusing the Bjorn. I stopped to adjust Elgin, let go of the wagon, then turned to see the heavy wooden vehicle carrying my Henry down the hill.  I could either toss Elgin to the side to be able to dive after the run away wagon, or I could try to catch it the best I could without endangering my other child. I. could. not. catch up. Henry started screaming, "Mamaaaaaaa!"

Henry mercifully crashed into a line of fledgling vegetation, stopping a dangerous decent down the rest of the mountain side, and catapulting just inches away from the wagon. His knee was scraped, and his finger was scratched.

He declared it the worst thing that ever happened to him.

So, Sky Toppers, heed the rules.  The wagons are for apples only--not your trusting children.

At least I was able to produce a cider slushy and an apple cider doughnut to amend for my error.

Here are my two beautiful boys.

Picking up the ones off the ground... stupid wagon back there.

Trying to help his little brother who loved running down the hills but didn't really love the face planting

What H thinks is an appropriate apple orchard pose.  That damn wagon's in the background. 

A climbing/ jumping thing.  The play area there is... different.

For me?

Always the observer:

It was right after he picked this apple that he declared, "That's enough." We came home with six apples, and I'm pretty sure that we only paid for five.  I don't know where the sixth apple came from--maybe Elgin is a smuggler. 

True colors

Henry and I both woke up early this morning and had some quiet minutes together before the rush of the day began.  He chose to begin coloring his assignment from his Wednesday night church group.

For the first time, I noticed that he's coloring intentionally within the lines, intentionally choosing realistic (but still imaginative) colors, and intentionally holding the crayon in a tripod grasp.

I'm amazed.  We never really pushed him to color within the lines, especially since it's a little out of Henry character.  We used to try to see if he could hold pencils and pens with the tripod grasp but haven't really pushed it, either. I think he just practiced until he got it.  And, now, he seems to actually enjoy coloring.

My lover of white space took just a couple of years to embrace the colored wax medium.  What's next?

Results

It would seem that Elgin either didn't really drink the tiny sea monkey egg water, or his digestive system is cool with it.  He's on augmentin for an ear infection (which isn't supposed to happen due to tubes placed at 7 months), so his diapers are a mess, but his stomach seems to be fine.  Perhaps he won't be allergic to crustaceans? We have a particular affinity for lobster and oysters in this house, so I sure hope he can participate!

Instant pet... Food

Today we will find out if Elgin is allergic to teeny tiny shrimp. Not sure how much Amazing Live Sea Monkey water he ingested, and poison control says it's not toxic but to watch for an upset stomach.

Who put the container within his reach? I'll give you a hint. It wasn't this Total Elimination Dieter.

Cheeeeese

Oh, my! At just twelve months, Elgin is giving me a fake smile when he detects a camera flash!

Supermom!

Tonight I managed to nurse EW while providing a breathing treatment and clipping his finger nails, all while instructing Henry on his next steps for bedtime.

I'm finally ready to admit that I'm a supermom.