a break in this east coast heat wave. The climate here is feeling like autumn, complete with those huge, fluffy Cumulonimbus clouds and a breezy 60-degree, windy afternoon. Hooray -- it feels like October should!
Last fall, almost exactly a year ago, we made this scarecrow family (pictured here) from a hay bale leftover from the school carnival. Looking at the pictures, I can scarcely believe the changes in the kids and wonder if the changes in myself are as evident. This was such a fun activity for them that we've decided to make it an annual tradition. In a week or two we'll put together a new straw family to surprise trick-or-treaters on the porch.
Marty had his two year check up today and was not happy with the whole thing. As soon as he heard the nurse say "undress him down to his diaper" the crying began, and did not stop throughout the eye, ear and tummy checking. It continued through a finger prick and two needles - all the while he was sobbing "GO Mama, GO" and "Owwww" "Ow". Sigh. Heartbreak. I don't care how many kids you have you can never get used to participating in holding them still through this ordeal.
He has food sensitivities and obvious allergies and I haven't yet found a balance in his diet to elimate the redness around his mouth and dry patchy excema. For a while we gave up dairy altogether and everything cleared away almost instantly. It was good. But after reading some articles on the risks of processed soy, I dropped those entirely and gradually added back some dairy. At first is was okay and now, patchy redness again. I need to approach this logically and scientifically. The doctor suggested a trip to an allergist might be in order, but he happened to see Marty on an atypical day, where his skin was more irritated than usual. I'm not denying the need of an allergist, I just think I need to try some manuevering in his diet first. I know that will have a big impact and I don't want a prescription. I'm not big on medicines (chemicals) for myself, let alone these little ones, and am going to try all other nutritional routes first. Thanks so much to Ella for "talking" about this with me earlier.
I'm off to wake him and get the girls from school It is a glorious weather day and we will be outside for the rest of it.
A Happy weekend to you.