As evidenced by previous posts, I’m always trying to come up with new ways my small children can help out around here.
Levi’s new responsibility is to take his diapers to the trash can (Eliza’s, too if he’s around for her changing). I came up with this one when I broke my big toe last week- and realized after throwing many diapers toward the trash can- that I have minimal talent for what I’m now calling “trashketball.”
Here he is in action:
Last June, I published a post about Levi’s spit up, calling him “Sir Pukes- a- Lot.” Oh, how I long for the day when he was just puking! Since then his puking has found a diagnosis. Yes, it seems Sir Pukes- a- Lot has company; others have been afflicted with the same regurgitating phenomenon: experts call it “reflux” (or GERD).
Oh, but this wasn’t the extent of Levi’s afflictions. No, Eczema soon came on the scene, a skin condition resulting in dry, rashy patches of skin. In between wiping up puke streams and puddles, I shook my head and lathered the boy with the creams and lotions recommended by our doctor.
When we went in for his 9 month well check, Sir Pukes-a-Lot hadn’t gained an ounce since his 6 month check up. I was now sufficiently freaked out. The doc seemed slightly concerned, asked us to feed him more protein and fat, and to see us in a month to check his progress.
What’s that? Did she mention the eczema and reflux may be related? Did she caution us about food allergies? No; but in her defense, perhaps she thought I had more sense. Maybe she thought I would actually pay attention to recommended dietary guidelines for infants. I wish I had. Instead (a little distracted with a new pregnancy and a new home search), I only briefly researched this GERD thing, and hoped Levi would grow out of it soon.
A few weeks later- sure that Doc wouldn’t object too much to introducing eggs early if they might fatten the scrawny fellow, I fed them to him scrambled. That’s when we learned that Levi also had food allergies. Thank heaven for Benadryl; Levi survived Anaphylactic shock at ten months old. Here he is around that time, just before the idea of Levi being in the fridge would give me a heart attack:
I crawled into the Doc’s office that afternoon mortified. She was kind, reassured me, and prescribed an epipen.
Now, if your a parent with a child like Sir pukes a Lot, I can tell what you’re thinking. You’re thinking: This is the part where she refers me to an allergist for further evaluation and testing for other allergies, right? This is the part where she mentions that dairy in my diet may be contributing to the excess vomit coming from the nursing baby, right? Surely this is where she mentions that reflux, eczema, and food allergies often come as a package deal, (along with asthma, by the way- I might want to watch out for that); she’ll explain this is all something called “atopic.” She’ll give me a pamphlet, or refer me to a web site or something…..
Sorry to disappoint, readers. Not one of those things happened. If they had, things the following winter might have gone differently….
(This post to be continued. Watch for future post on “Mr Sickley”)
Just a few days before Eliza was born, I walked into the kitchen, and found….
Yep, that’s my Levi on the table. He apparently shares his Dad’s opinion of heights; to top it off, this kid can climb. His first tantrum was this very same day when I took him off the table, and moved all the chairs so he couldn’t get back up. This one’s all on Matt- honey, that’s your kid.
I know, I know, what happened to the blog? We disappeared for a while, but have no fear- we’re back! Well, the truth is that our house got hit with some kind of bug this weekend. Matt, Levi, and Sam all fell victim. This scene explains how I got a little time on my hands:
We should tell you that the new one is coming in May- a girl!!! What do you think of the name Eliza? Caroline? Got any good middle names? Comment to let us know.
Sam is crazy busy, and keeping us on our toes. I had to do a separate post on her just to fit in all her pictures. (You can find that below.) Levi is always making us laugh. He’s using some signs, but other than “Momma” and “Dadda” the boy only grunts. Classic boy, he’s busy and fast, and just makes mischeif in general. Sam has taken to calling him “destructo.” Here he is getting into the fridge:
He’s walking all over the place, getting used to the stairs, and following Sam everywhere she goes. He’s finally growing, and he recently found his (and everyone else’s) belly button. Who let that boy turn one year old? Today is his birthday. Here’s our little traveler.
A month ago, he had his first cookie. I love this picture.
Neither one of these kids will stop growing- here they are at one of the parks by our new house. We have two parks just a few blocks away, now. You know your kids are starved for outdoor experiences when they brave 30 degree weather just to go out to the park. In this picture, it was a nice sunny day, but I’m telling you that we were there, teeth chattering and happy about it more than once.
Here they are playing in our new living room.
Last one. Yeah, I think they must be related.
So Kasey’s post a while back inspired me. She mentioned that her little Isaiah’s sleeping quarters and the closet were, in fact, one and the same. I had thought of the idea many times, but could never bring myself to say it out loud. My fear left me, and now- thanks to Kasey… Levi sleeps! Can I get a hallelujah? Well, it sounds like angels singing here, anyway.
p.s. The kid still doesn’t have any teeth, Kasey. So if you have any brilliant ideas for nudging nature along…
My state of denial was working perfectly well for me until…
I just wanted him to be little a little longer- now he’s pulling his knees up, rocking back and forth, getting ready to crawl. There should be a law…
He’s cute, huh? “Looks harmless,” you say, but I’m not sure if the tithing we’ll pay this month could cover the cleaning costs of his target practice at church. Today alone he managed to hit:
1 pew
1 small spot of the floor in the chapel
1 grand territory marking spot in the hall (which might as well have said, “Levi was here”)
1 rocking chair in the mother’s lounge (the floor in there, too)
2 sections of sizable floor space in relief society
And finally- he soaked not one, but two cushioned folding chairs in the relief society room.
This isn’t just spit up people- I think this is a weapon of war!
