Wordless Wednesday

Random pics of the boys...

The Bookshelf

Reading is a big part of my life.  I've loved reading books for as long as I can remember.  I love reading to C and N, however, I get bored easily with some kids books...especially some of the ones that C is showing a big interest in right now.

That brings me to The Bookshelf.  A series that I thought might be fun to start.  Just a way for me to share what we're reading over here, the good and the bad (or uninteresting to me), and hopefully help someone that might be in a reading rut with their kids.  Feel free to let me know what you are reading as well!

As a way to broaden our reading library, I signed up for a program called Blogging for Books.  I'm still learning more about the program, but am really happy with the 1 book I've requested so far.

Grab a cup of joe, sit back, and learn about a book being read around our house!

God Gave Us Two

by Lisa Tawn Brown

art by Laura J Bryant

We love this book.  It's a great story about a little bear who is getting ready to have a little brother or sister.   Little Bear expresses her worries about how things will change when the new baby comes.  Her parents are quick to reassure her that everything will be okay because they are both gifts from God.  This book is a great way to address fears older children might have when a new baby is on the way.  The pictures are wonderful and my son loves just looking at the pictures.  God Gave Us Two is often requested in our house.  

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  Thoughts and ideas about the book are my own.*

One Year!

Wow!  Saturday was my one year blogiversary!  I started this blog after much encouragement from Hubby, Becky and Darcie, and I'm very glad I did.  I've had such a great time sharing my family's joys, struggles, and growth.  I've got some big ideas rolling around in this pretty little head of mine, I cannot wait to unveil them!  I'm not sure when that's going to be, but as soon as I do...you will be the firsts to see it :-)

A lot has changed from when I started this blog a year ago...

*I was a mom to one...now, I'm a mom to two!

*I had no interest in twitter...now, I LOVE twitter (follow @snotandtots)!

*C was still in a crib, taking a pacifier, and wearing a diaper...now, none of that is true!

*I was 3 months pregnant...now, N is 6 months old!

*C was going to my moms house every day, being spoiled rotten....now, he goes to school 5 days a  

week (but is still being spoiled rotten)!

*Hubby and I were scared stressed excited about life with kids....now, well, some things just don't 

change!

Thanks for the great year everyone!!!

 

How Do You Do It?

How do you do it?  This is a question I get asked often, especially when someone finds out I have a son with food allergies...and now that I have two sons with food allergies, I get asked even more.  My response...what can I do?

As a mom, and dad, you do what you have to do for your kids.  Is it easy?  Hell, no!  But, really, what am I supposed to do?  Send the kids back?  (As tempting as that sounds sometimes, it wouldn't be because of their food allergies!)

Seriously though...how do I do it?  First, I don't do it alone.  People always seem slightly surprised when I mention this fact.  I have a wonderful Hubby, and great family and friends, who I could not do this without.  My Hubby and I are a team.  We each dealt with the news of a food allergy in different ways.  I, went on the Internet and looked up support groups and recipes and as much information as I could fit into my brain.

Next, Hubby and I came up with a plan.  We talked about what the allergist said, what I found on the Internet, and our own feelings, and found a way to work around the food allergies.  I mean, really, what else could we do?  We were talking about a 10 month old little boy!  As we've gotten more familiar with C's allergies, we've modified our plan.  We've been able to loosen up on some things, while keeping tight restrictions in other areas.  For example, I (or my mom) make all of C's cakes for special occasions outside the house.  This is a huge pain in the bottom, but we do it because, until we are told he no longer has the allergy, it's the best thing for C.

Now, N has been diagnosed with food allergies.  The hardest part has been that I am still nursing.  I thought about weaning him completely, but he won't wean...he needs that comfort too much right now.  So, I've modified my diet.  It's hard, really really hard, but what else am I supposed to do for my 6 month old little baby?  I thought I did everything right while I was pregnant....I eliminated peanuts and tree nuts, and I cut out all blatant egg (I still had baked goods and things with egg baked in, but no mayo or hard boiled eggs).  I didn't change the amount of dairy, wheat, fish, or anything else in my diet.  Yet, N is allergic to dairy and eggs, possibly other foods as well.  So now?  I cut dairy and egg completely out of my diet (as best I can..I'm struggling a lot with this) and I only nurse when I know he really needs the comfort...because I know that's something he needs.

I'm just a mom.  Just a mom trying to do my best.  So, when you ask me "How do you do it?"  What do you expect my answer to be?  My usual response...I do what I need to do.  I do it by loving my kids and being there for them.  It's not always easy, and it sucks having to tell your 3 year old that he can't eat what the other kids are eating, and I hate having to change my diet...but they are my kids, my life, my pride and joy, and I do what I need to do.  But I couldn't do it without the love and support of Hubby, my family, and my friends.

3 Year Pictures

We took C to Picture People for his 3 year pictures.  Here are a few:

6 months old!

My little N is 6 months old!

I cannot believe it's been 6 months.  He has grown so much in the last month alone.  He started tripod sitting, rolling from front to back with regularity, eating a little food (he LOVES bananas!) and he's getting such a great personality all of his own.  Nothing cracks him up like his big brother.  And nothing beats the smiles and giggles Hubby and I get when we walk through a door.  I am so excited to see how much he changes in the next month, I see great fun in our future!

Grab a beer and look at what I did last week!

I didn't get to blog much last week, so I thought I would participate in Grab a beer & look at what I did last week, hosted by Kim at YeP, they are all mine.  

I was looking forward to a nice, calm week back from the beach.  I pictured catching up with co-workers, go to the playground with the boys, maybe even a glass of wine and movie with the Hubby...on a week night.  But...reality hit, and it hit hard.  
Saturday: Took both boys to the doctor because they both had really bad coughs and mysterious fevers of 102, in the morning only.  N=just a bad cold, but keep a close eye on him.  C=ear infection (that was diagnosed while we were at the beach) was getting better, but he had pneumonia.  
Sunday: Easter.  Had a great visit from the Bunny and then lots of fun hanging out with family.  N was getting crankier and coughing more, and just plain uncomfortable.  C did not seem to get any better
Monday: Took the boys back to the doctor for a follow up from Saturday since they both seemed to get worse.  N=ear infection, possible pneumonia.  C=really wheezy, didn't clear up even with a treatment.  Took C to get x-rays.  Then in the afternoon, C had an ENT appointment because he's had 6 ear infections since November.
Tuesday: Took both boys in for another follow up.  N= still not sounding good, but was clearing up after treatment, so bring back on Thursday unless he gets worse.  C=sounded a little better, but bring him back on Thursday.  I went to work in the afternoon.
Wednesday: Normal day.  C complained that he missed his friends at school, he wasn't contagious, so let him go.  He had a pretty good day.
Thursday: Took both boys to doctor in afternoon.  N=still sounding really yucky, but clearing up after treatments and was soooo much happier, and not needing any pain relief.  C=sounded much better and was able to get his 3 year check up.  Bring them both back on Tuesday before lunch, in case one or both of them isn't better, they will need to get chest x-rays.
Friday: Good day at work, but we lost our baby sitter for our date night.  Then, my niece stepped up and baby sat at my parents house so Hubby and I could go to dinner (sushi, sooo yummy) and a movie (Scream 4...oh my goodness, I LOVE those movies!)  Had a great date night!
Saturday: Lazy day.  But Hubby and I were both so tired from the boys being sick, that we didn't get anything together to celebrate Hubby's birthday :(  Maybe we can get something together this week?
So...that was our week.  I am exhausted just thinking about it all again!  I hope everyone else had a much better week than I did!  I could really use that beer now...or maybe a shot of tequila?