I don’t recall the obscene amount of homework in elementary school as they have today. I see my niece have homework everyday and she’s only in grade 2! We gradually got into ballet, jazz, gymnastics, piano lessons, and guitar lessons. Not all
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Over Scheduled
I don’t recall the obscene amount of homework in elementary school as they have today. I see my niece have homework everyday and she’s only in grade 2! We gradually got into ballet, jazz, gymnastics, piano lessons, and guitar lessons. Not all
Allergic Reaction
Scary. If it is only one word I could use to describe seeing my baby’s eyes start to swell, red blotches appear on his cheeks, neck, arms, behind his ears, around his lips and the irritable crying and scratching of his face.
It couldn’t be the banana. He’s had it before. Not his favourite compared to the sweet potato, but he didn’t have a reaction like this. If I was to play Columbo (he was an old detective from a show back in the day), I would deduce that it was the Milupa rice cereal that I mixed in with the banana. It was the first time that I’ve used it. When I introduced rice cereal for the first time before, I used a different brand. Gerber I think. I can’t recall since it was my mom who did some grocery shopping for me for a couple of weeks while I had both kids and Franklin was going through his complications.
Considering Franklin had allergies when he was young (he grew out of all of them, but he did have to take allergy needles once a week for several years) I have been following the general rule when introducing food to your baby. Feeding him one food every 4-7 days to see if there is a reaction before introducing a new food. Once all foods (except honey, peanuts, high nitrate vegetables, etc) are sampled, you can start combining foods. Then the flavour bonanza really begins.
But, I digress. We first called Emergency. Then they directed us to telehealth (1-866-797-0000) to speak to a registered nurse to help us decipher if we should go to Emergency, doctor’s office, or stay put. Since his breathing did not seem impaired and after several other questions, she recommended giving him Benedryl. We decided to go to the doctor’s office. Emergency would be several hours, his breathing did not seem impaired, his lips were not turning blue, and I wanted to at least have a medical professional see him.
As soon as he saw him, our doctor said ordered for us to have him tested for allergies right away and get him some benedryl. Stop feeding him bananas, the new rice cereal, and avocado (he had some a little bit of blotches on his skin). Seeing him in the daylight, he looked worse that I thought. Both of his eyes were red and swollen. But, at least he was not crying and was laughy baby again. The doctor said to give him 7ml. The benedryl bottle said 2.5ml/dose. We gave him 5ml. After a few hrs he was looking better. His eyes were still a bit swollen, but he seemed to be on the mend.
I am not looking forward to him going through an allergy test when he is so young. It is a necessary evil to scratch his tender skin.
Now, I’m a little freaked out to move onto the next food. Hopefully, butternut squash is not a problem.
Gave him another dose (3ml) and it’s almost all cleared up. Thank God.
This makes me re-think the ‘no nuts at school’ rules they have. Is it fair? How about if it’s one kid out of a school of 100? I remember some of the teenage baby-mama’s I knew who would complain right left and centre. They would argue that peanut butter was the only thing their kid would eat or it was the only thing that would be affordable for them since the baby-daddy didn’t pay up. Why stop only allowing peanuts? Should they ban other foods also?
I just know that I support it. Peanuts are in many snacks or may be in a contact due to the way it is made in the factory. It’s not worth the risk to our little kid’s life. I pray Lucas doesn’t have that problem. Carrying around an epi pen to save his life sounds very scary. I feel for those kids and parents now. You just never know what or when it may happen.
It couldn’t be the banana. He’s had it before. Not his favourite compared to the sweet potato, but he didn’t have a reaction like this. If I was to play Columbo (he was an old detective from a show back in the day), I would deduce that it was the Milupa rice cereal that I mixed in with the banana. It was the first time that I’ve used it. When I introduced rice cereal for the first time before, I used a different brand. Gerber I think. I can’t recall since it was my mom who did some grocery shopping for me for a couple of weeks while I had both kids and Franklin was going through his complications.
Considering Franklin had allergies when he was young (he grew out of all of them, but he did have to take allergy needles once a week for several years) I have been following the general rule when introducing food to your baby. Feeding him one food every 4-7 days to see if there is a reaction before introducing a new food. Once all foods (except honey, peanuts, high nitrate vegetables, etc) are sampled, you can start combining foods. Then the flavour bonanza really begins.
But, I digress. We first called Emergency. Then they directed us to telehealth (1-866-797-0000) to speak to a registered nurse to help us decipher if we should go to Emergency, doctor’s office, or stay put. Since his breathing did not seem impaired and after several other questions, she recommended giving him Benedryl. We decided to go to the doctor’s office. Emergency would be several hours, his breathing did not seem impaired, his lips were not turning blue, and I wanted to at least have a medical professional see him.
As soon as he saw him, our doctor said ordered for us to have him tested for allergies right away and get him some benedryl. Stop feeding him bananas, the new rice cereal, and avocado (he had some a little bit of blotches on his skin). Seeing him in the daylight, he looked worse that I thought. Both of his eyes were red and swollen. But, at least he was not crying and was laughy baby again. The doctor said to give him 7ml. The benedryl bottle said 2.5ml/dose. We gave him 5ml. After a few hrs he was looking better. His eyes were still a bit swollen, but he seemed to be on the mend.
I am not looking forward to him going through an allergy test when he is so young. It is a necessary evil to scratch his tender skin.
Now, I’m a little freaked out to move onto the next food. Hopefully, butternut squash is not a problem.
Gave him another dose (3ml) and it’s almost all cleared up. Thank God.
This makes me re-think the ‘no nuts at school’ rules they have. Is it fair? How about if it’s one kid out of a school of 100? I remember some of the teenage baby-mama’s I knew who would complain right left and centre. They would argue that peanut butter was the only thing their kid would eat or it was the only thing that would be affordable for them since the baby-daddy didn’t pay up. Why stop only allowing peanuts? Should they ban other foods also?
I just know that I support it. Peanuts are in many snacks or may be in a contact due to the way it is made in the factory. It’s not worth the risk to our little kid’s life. I pray Lucas doesn’t have that problem. Carrying around an epi pen to save his life sounds very scary. I feel for those kids and parents now. You just never know what or when it may happen.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Birth
I remember it like it was yesterday. Well, last week at least. I'm still sleep deprived.
well, here's the short version:
6 lbs 11 onces. born at 11:54pm. epidural AND a top up! From first contraction to birth - 28 hrs
The long version:
I went in on Sunday to have them gel me to ripen the cervix at 4:30pm...then went home.
Labour pains started at 8pm
Water broke at 11pm
Labour pains was every 4 minutes and lasting 1 minute long by 12:30. went to hospital
Was only 1 cm. They cannot admit until 3cm. walked around hospital for 2 hrs. Now only 1.5 cm. Went home
Tried to sleep and breath through the pain every 4 minutes.
Called in 7:30 am to hospital to confirm to come in for 8am inducement.
8:30 am at hospital
10 am epidural
Franklin is tired as shit and didn't do any dialysis the night before. He tries to sleep in the room.
He goes to get food from the caf.
He goes home at 2pm to do an Exchange (manual dialysis) and comes back.
He looks even worse. I'm still labouring on. He goes home at 8pm to do another Exchange.
At 8pm I am now at 6cm and they say it can start moving quite quickly now. Franklin's not back!!
My brother Alex comes to visit. He asks if I have a back up. He saw franklin and he doesn't look well. he's at home puking. Yikes!
Call Wendy (my ex-sister-in-law). He can't get a hold of her. double yikes!
Call Sila (Alex's girlfriend in Mississauga). Ask her if she wants to come, but, if Franklin comes back, he's my first choice.
Wendy and Sila both come. Alex is relieved cause he didn't want to come in, but would if I was by myself.
I get top up of Epidural cause I can start to feel the contractions and I don't want to wait until it really hurts and it's too late to get a top up.
11pm - Dr. says we are finally at 8 cm. We can wait a bit for the Epidural to wear off a bit. Nope!! let's try NOW! Ask the doc, if i'm a few minutes past midnight, can we fudge the birth certificate...nope.
All I remember is Wendy saying it's 11:15...11:30...11:45! 11:45! Wendy and Sila each hold a leg...I push...
Baby is born 11:54pm.
Call franklin....we have a son...waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
I remember walking in that morning asking the nurse to knock me out and wake me when we're done. the contractions all night were painful. but, now I can't even remember any of that. I just know I can't stop looking at him and am filled with so much love.
i go home on thurs. franklin is holding the baby and fell down the stairs on saturday morning. jesus!! thank god the baby is ok. franklin is on the ground screaming. he can't breath. i call 911. i pray he hasn't broken his
back. thank goodness there's no internal bleeding or anything broken. he's just super sore and can barely move. greaaaaaaat.
anyways, time for a feeding! and another diaper change....agaaaaaaaain.
ttyl!
well, here's the short version:
6 lbs 11 onces. born at 11:54pm. epidural AND a top up! From first contraction to birth - 28 hrs
The long version:
I went in on Sunday to have them gel me to ripen the cervix at 4:30pm...then went home.
Labour pains started at 8pm
Water broke at 11pm
Labour pains was every 4 minutes and lasting 1 minute long by 12:30. went to hospital
Was only 1 cm. They cannot admit until 3cm. walked around hospital for 2 hrs. Now only 1.5 cm. Went home
Tried to sleep and breath through the pain every 4 minutes.
Called in 7:30 am to hospital to confirm to come in for 8am inducement.
8:30 am at hospital
10 am epidural
Franklin is tired as shit and didn't do any dialysis the night before. He tries to sleep in the room.
He goes to get food from the caf.
He goes home at 2pm to do an Exchange (manual dialysis) and comes back.
He looks even worse. I'm still labouring on. He goes home at 8pm to do another Exchange.
At 8pm I am now at 6cm and they say it can start moving quite quickly now. Franklin's not back!!
My brother Alex comes to visit. He asks if I have a back up. He saw franklin and he doesn't look well. he's at home puking. Yikes!
Call Wendy (my ex-sister-in-law). He can't get a hold of her. double yikes!
Call Sila (Alex's girlfriend in Mississauga). Ask her if she wants to come, but, if Franklin comes back, he's my first choice.
Wendy and Sila both come. Alex is relieved cause he didn't want to come in, but would if I was by myself.
I get top up of Epidural cause I can start to feel the contractions and I don't want to wait until it really hurts and it's too late to get a top up.
11pm - Dr. says we are finally at 8 cm. We can wait a bit for the Epidural to wear off a bit. Nope!! let's try NOW! Ask the doc, if i'm a few minutes past midnight, can we fudge the birth certificate...nope.
All I remember is Wendy saying it's 11:15...11:30...11:45! 11:45! Wendy and Sila each hold a leg...I push...
Baby is born 11:54pm.
Call franklin....we have a son...waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh
I remember walking in that morning asking the nurse to knock me out and wake me when we're done. the contractions all night were painful. but, now I can't even remember any of that. I just know I can't stop looking at him and am filled with so much love.
i go home on thurs. franklin is holding the baby and fell down the stairs on saturday morning. jesus!! thank god the baby is ok. franklin is on the ground screaming. he can't breath. i call 911. i pray he hasn't broken his
back. thank goodness there's no internal bleeding or anything broken. he's just super sore and can barely move. greaaaaaaat.
anyways, time for a feeding! and another diaper change....agaaaaaaaain.
ttyl!
Your Wish is My Command
On one's birthday you can have anything you want. For some its birthday weekend, then it turns into birthday week, and I've even seen some people celebrate their birth month! The ridiculous. The selfish. The outrages. It's all yours for the taking.
My wishes used to be a getaway. Montreal was a favourite. The cottage was a good one too. And of course the end of summer jam would top it off. A nice dinner had to be in there. And a great gift. Jewelry preferably. Oh how easy the husband had it back then. The wish list these days are a bit different.
Now, for my son, unless he will physically get hurt, almost anything goes. A sprinkled donut, pop rock candy, root beer float, time with his Godfather, 3 books to bed, stay up past his bedtime, on top of the Medieval Times, Spidey cake, and tons of presents, over the weekend. It was nice to have our loved ones call and wish him a happy birthday. He was so happy. He doesn't totally get the concept. He kept singing happy birthday mommy. LOL
If it is your birthday, ask for all that your heart's desire. You only get that once a year without looking like a total selfish jerk.
Question: Reader, please leave a comment and share what was the best/craziest/cheapest/most expensive/weirdest/worse thing you got for your birthday. Should be some laughs :)
My wishes used to be a getaway. Montreal was a favourite. The cottage was a good one too. And of course the end of summer jam would top it off. A nice dinner had to be in there. And a great gift. Jewelry preferably. Oh how easy the husband had it back then. The wish list these days are a bit different.
Now, for my son, unless he will physically get hurt, almost anything goes. A sprinkled donut, pop rock candy, root beer float, time with his Godfather, 3 books to bed, stay up past his bedtime, on top of the Medieval Times, Spidey cake, and tons of presents, over the weekend. It was nice to have our loved ones call and wish him a happy birthday. He was so happy. He doesn't totally get the concept. He kept singing happy birthday mommy. LOL
If it is your birthday, ask for all that your heart's desire. You only get that once a year without looking like a total selfish jerk.
Question: Reader, please leave a comment and share what was the best/craziest/cheapest/most expensive/weirdest/worse thing you got for your birthday. Should be some laughs :)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Should boys play with 'girl' toys or activities?
Companies buy commercial air time to be exposed to their target market for their product. Well, watch any Treehouse or Disney TV and the commercials are mesmerizing. I see my son's pupil dilate and the "I want that" begins. Even for the Strawberry Shortcake dolls.
When I signed Marcus up for some extra activities to take him to while I'm on maternity leave, there was so much to choose from. I wanted to choose just a few so he can be exposed to different activities and figure out what he likes, but not too many where it's hectic. Ballet was one that I wanted to stick him in. All the males in my family were not very supportive. Not my father, husband, or brothers. Jeeze. A man who knows how to move on the dance floor is hawt, right?!
How about if he chooses to become a nurse? Although giggles were had in "Meet the Fockers" where Greg is stigmatized for being a nurse and not a doctor in the movie, I'm sure it's not that far off in real life.
Be it toys, activities, careers, I won't even get into dressing (the 80s was quite the mascara era for boys and girls alike), males seem to get the short end of the stick. If a girl plays with 'boy' toys, then she's a tomboy, but if a boy plays with 'girl' toys he's called a sissy.
Not FAIR!
When I signed Marcus up for some extra activities to take him to while I'm on maternity leave, there was so much to choose from. I wanted to choose just a few so he can be exposed to different activities and figure out what he likes, but not too many where it's hectic. Ballet was one that I wanted to stick him in. All the males in my family were not very supportive. Not my father, husband, or brothers. Jeeze. A man who knows how to move on the dance floor is hawt, right?!
How about if he chooses to become a nurse? Although giggles were had in "Meet the Fockers" where Greg is stigmatized for being a nurse and not a doctor in the movie, I'm sure it's not that far off in real life.
Be it toys, activities, careers, I won't even get into dressing (the 80s was quite the mascara era for boys and girls alike), males seem to get the short end of the stick. If a girl plays with 'boy' toys, then she's a tomboy, but if a boy plays with 'girl' toys he's called a sissy.
Not FAIR!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Religion in School Necessary? Is Private schools the only way to get smaller classes?
I am far from a "Bible Thumper", but I may sprinkle in some Merry Christmas, blessings, prayers, hope, etc here and there. I think everyone has what they need to survive this wicked world. But, how this foundation of enlightenment is established can start anywhere in this journey called Life. For some it is through family, in jail, after a life threatening experience, rehab, school, work, etc Be it God, Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah, Waheguru, Beer, The Wife, or whomever it is, that is your choice.
The Husband and I both went to Catholic elementary schools. We talked about schooling for our son long ago. We agreed to have him go to a Catholic elementary school and then he can choose for high school if he wished to go to public or catholic school. For both of us, it reinforced our foundation of right and wrong, do unto others as you would like others to do unto you, 10 Commandments, and has left me with a bright light of hope during my darkest and loneliest hours.
But, in recent news, there will be a new school built within walking distance from our home. Another path that both the husband and I walked during our young days. Walking to school. Coming home to a hot lunch. I remember running home at 12pm, shoveling the food down within 10 minutes so I could hurry back to school, but my mom would never let us leave before 12:30. I only appreciate it now, but I realize she was keeping us out of trouble. She is so smart, my mom. I want that for my son. I want him to come home to a hot lunch. I want him to be able to walk to school. Unfortunately, the school will be a Public school.
Now, here is the dilemma. Do we choose to have him close by and walk home for a hot lunch, but at a public school or drive/bus him to the Catholic school with daily drives home for lunch. It will be challenging to have The Husband go pick him up everyday for lunch. But, the foundation that our son will have for life would be worth it. The argument could be made that we provide the religious foundation while he goes to Public school. With Sunday school being the reinforcement. Neither The Husband nor I went to Sunday school. And I don't know if that will be enough.
Do we send him to a school that is convenient or to the one we feel will educate him on more than just ABCs and 123s?
And just to throw more options into a difficult decision, do we send him to a school near my parent's place so they could help pick him up/take him to school? They will be watching my Baby 2 for half day and Franklin the other half. So, it makes it convenient to drop everyone off there. Not sure if they were going to pick him up for lunch. We still have time to decide, but I just want to make sure I'm making the best choice for my son's future. So, now I'll start analyzing like a mad woman. Read Paralysis by Analysis post to see the inner workings of the gajillion thoughts that go into my decision-making.
ADDITION TO ORIGINAL POST: This is one bonus to writing electronically vs. print. I can make edits after it has been published. I wanted to add an argument to include Private schools. For most of my readers, you may have noticed or read about the increased number of students in the classroom. For those who currently have children in school do you sometimes feel like you are the after school program with the amount of homework they send home? We never went to private school, but the idea of smaller classes, individual attention, better marks, and well behaved children sure sound attractive enough to pay their mortgage fees. Ooops. I mean their school fees which is equivalent to paying my mortgage. But, even with the cost, as parents we always make sacrifices when necessary to provide a better future for our children. Is this one of those necessary charges? or is it just a bubble world that is just all hype? Montessori is the buzzword when it comes to sending your kids to school. But, you have to be careful with that too! Are they just charging Montessori prices, or are they practicing all the great techniques? How would I know?
Your thoughts? How did you choose your child's school? Where did you go? Did it make a difference to who you are today?
[polldaddy poll=4805822]
The Husband and I both went to Catholic elementary schools. We talked about schooling for our son long ago. We agreed to have him go to a Catholic elementary school and then he can choose for high school if he wished to go to public or catholic school. For both of us, it reinforced our foundation of right and wrong, do unto others as you would like others to do unto you, 10 Commandments, and has left me with a bright light of hope during my darkest and loneliest hours.
But, in recent news, there will be a new school built within walking distance from our home. Another path that both the husband and I walked during our young days. Walking to school. Coming home to a hot lunch. I remember running home at 12pm, shoveling the food down within 10 minutes so I could hurry back to school, but my mom would never let us leave before 12:30. I only appreciate it now, but I realize she was keeping us out of trouble. She is so smart, my mom. I want that for my son. I want him to come home to a hot lunch. I want him to be able to walk to school. Unfortunately, the school will be a Public school.
Now, here is the dilemma. Do we choose to have him close by and walk home for a hot lunch, but at a public school or drive/bus him to the Catholic school with daily drives home for lunch. It will be challenging to have The Husband go pick him up everyday for lunch. But, the foundation that our son will have for life would be worth it. The argument could be made that we provide the religious foundation while he goes to Public school. With Sunday school being the reinforcement. Neither The Husband nor I went to Sunday school. And I don't know if that will be enough.
Do we send him to a school that is convenient or to the one we feel will educate him on more than just ABCs and 123s?
And just to throw more options into a difficult decision, do we send him to a school near my parent's place so they could help pick him up/take him to school? They will be watching my Baby 2 for half day and Franklin the other half. So, it makes it convenient to drop everyone off there. Not sure if they were going to pick him up for lunch. We still have time to decide, but I just want to make sure I'm making the best choice for my son's future. So, now I'll start analyzing like a mad woman. Read Paralysis by Analysis post to see the inner workings of the gajillion thoughts that go into my decision-making.
ADDITION TO ORIGINAL POST: This is one bonus to writing electronically vs. print. I can make edits after it has been published. I wanted to add an argument to include Private schools. For most of my readers, you may have noticed or read about the increased number of students in the classroom. For those who currently have children in school do you sometimes feel like you are the after school program with the amount of homework they send home? We never went to private school, but the idea of smaller classes, individual attention, better marks, and well behaved children sure sound attractive enough to pay their mortgage fees. Ooops. I mean their school fees which is equivalent to paying my mortgage. But, even with the cost, as parents we always make sacrifices when necessary to provide a better future for our children. Is this one of those necessary charges? or is it just a bubble world that is just all hype? Montessori is the buzzword when it comes to sending your kids to school. But, you have to be careful with that too! Are they just charging Montessori prices, or are they practicing all the great techniques? How would I know?
Your thoughts? How did you choose your child's school? Where did you go? Did it make a difference to who you are today?
[polldaddy poll=4805822]
Spidey Pudding "Poke" Cake
I had a great suggestion from Jilly about a Jello "Poke" Cake. That set me off to google and go through tons of sites and recipe ideas.
This is my version that I made for Marcus' birthday:
Ingredients:
1 box of Golden cake mix
1 box of chocolate instant pudding
1 tub of whipped cream
Steps:
Decorate:
Black rope licorice
Spiderman decal set from the Bulk Barn (or try the baking isle)
Gummy spider candy
Marcus LOVED it! Especially the Spidey decals and candy. Everyone loved it. Even my nieces who don't like pudding.
NOTE:
Original Recipe that I've seen several times during my research:
Pudding Poke Cake
This is my version that I made for Marcus' birthday:
Ingredients:
1 box of Golden cake mix
1 box of chocolate instant pudding
1 tub of whipped cream
Steps:
- Make cake as per directions on the box
- After you pull it out of the oven poke holes 1-inch apart. You can use the end of a wooden spoon, straw, thick end of a chop stick, to give you some ideas
- Only after the holes are poked, mix the pudding mix with 2-cups of milk until well blended. Immediately pour over your cake filling the holes (it's ok for spillage all over the top of the cake. we'll cover that up)
- Cover and put in fridge to have the pudding thicken.
- Take it out of the fridge, uncover, and spread cool whip all over it.
Decorate:
Black rope licorice
Spiderman decal set from the Bulk Barn (or try the baking isle)
Gummy spider candy
- Make an X using the rope on the cake
- Make an + using the rope on the cake, now it should kind of look like a star/asterisk *
- Place rope with a little bit of a dip in between to straight ropes, Web created
Add decals and spider candy
Marcus LOVED it! Especially the Spidey decals and candy. Everyone loved it. Even my nieces who don't like pudding.
NOTE:
- Don't take too long pouring the pudding into the cake, otherwise it will thicken and will not pour down the holes
- Try different cake and pudding combinations
- Instead of pudding you can use Jello
- Mix some pudding into the cool whip before spreading
- Make 2 packages of pudding to fill holes and spread over top of cake, then either top with whip cream or omit it
- Playing around with contrasting colors can be fun too. Such as; white cake with chocolate pudding, chocolate cake with vanilla pudding or a real pretty one is white cake with pistachio pudding.
Original Recipe that I've seen several times during my research:
Pudding Poke Cake
1 pkg. (2 layer size) cake mix (white, yellow or chocolate)
Topping:
2 pkgs. (4 serving size) Jell-O chocolate instant pudding and pie filling (may also be creative with different flavors)
1/2 or 1 cup confectioners' sugar
4 cups cold milk
Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on package for 13x9 inch cake. Remove from oven. Poke holes at once down through cake to pan with round handle of wooden spoon (or poke holes with plastic drinking straw, using turning motion to make large holes.) Holes should be at 1 inch intervals. Only after the holes are made, combine pudding mix with sugar in large bowl. Gradually stir in milk. Beat with electric mixer at low speed for not more than 1 minute. Do not over beat. Quickly, before pudding thickens, pour about 1/2 of the thin pudding evenly over warm cake and into holes (This will make stripes in cake.) Allow remaining pudding to thicken slightly, then spoon over the top, swirling it to "frost" the cake. Chill at least 1 hour. Store cake in refrigerator.
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