Thoughts on Eczema

This is a post that is really for those people who do a google search for "ways to help babies with eczema" or "coping with eczema in toddlers" and things of that nature. My eczema baby is 19 months old. He still deals with full body breakouts.
(All you wonderful friends and family who check in with us on a regular basis - don't feel compelled to read thru it all. It's pretty boring reading for most folks, I'm sure!)

Here are some things that we have discovered:
*No matter how you feel about medicine, the baby is going to need some. Work it thru your mind, because he needs it.
*You probably aren't going to be able to definitively determine the cause(s) of eczema. You may get close, though, so if you think something is a problem, then assume it is. It will never hurt to eliminate things.
*Sometimes cold weather helps, sometimes it hurts. Sometimes sunshine helps, sometimes it causes flareups. Sometimes warm weather helps, sometimes it aggravates everything.
*Try everything. Even if it sounds crazy. Something odd may just work. Unless you know it is harmful, of course.
*For example - as a side result of a breakout just before he developed a cold, I discovered that sometimes Tooter would sometimes get relief from a dose of baby motrin. By relief, I mean that the dose seemed to help his other medicines get to work faster than normal. I'm not prescribing it to anyone. Just forwarding what helps Tooter. At times. (See the next note).
*Don't think that just because something works now that it always will. Sometimes the skin just gets acclimated to one thing. Switch up lotions, bath washes, creams, etc. Unless you know something is crucial for maintenance. Otherwise, don't get frustrated when after a week of good skin, he has a breakout again. It wasn't necessarily something you did or didn't do.
*Don't think that just because something didn't work before that it won't work later. A lotion that used to irritate Tooter will now help him. (except in the worst of a breakout).
*When you're told to wash sheets in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer, do just that. Not warm water and a warm dryer. Hot. Hot, hot, hot. If you don't want to put your 2472 thread count sheets through that abuse, then maybe you need to get some regular sheets for now.
*"Whatever it takes" is a valid reason. In controlling head-to-toe eczema, you just do whatever it takes.
*We have learned that the more consistent Tooter's life is, the better his skin does. When we try to "go and do" too much, he suffers.
*You may notice breakouts before your little one gets sick. The skin seems to respond to a virus just before his other symptoms hit.
*You can't keep them in a bubble. I mean, you CAN. But who wants to do that to a child who doesn't HAVE to have it in order to survive?
*Prayer is not only important, but crucial.
*Don't ever think that you are being silly for being worried about it. It's not a serious disease like cancer. However, it is very disruptive to a child if they have a bad case of it. It is worth your concern.
*Don't feel guilty if you dread having to "grease up" your uncooperative, wiggly, fussy child. Don't feel guilty if you skip a greasing from time to time, because of the difficulty of it. But, try not to skip too many. Because the scratching in the middle of the night won't be worth it.
*You're not the only parent who spends all day with your hair looking extremely unwashed because your hands always have vaseline on them.
*You DO have hope that your child will outgrow it, if they have developed it this early.
*As irrational as it sounds, the pain from breaking the skin by scratching is actually better than the extreme itch of eczema. That's why they will scratch in the middle of the night. It's why they can not get back to sleep on their own. This skin disorder is tough, especially when it's happening to a little person who can't tell you what he needs.
*You're not alone, and you aren't going to go crazy. Not completely, anyway. :-)
*DO be grateful that your baby doesn't have something more serious. Being grateful for your blessings really will help you deal with the constancy of the problem.
*It's okay to get frustrated because you can't "fix it". The best you will be able to do for your little one is do what you can to try to prevent breakouts and then deal with the breakouts that WILL happen anyway. At least till they outgrow it.
*Don't worry when you feel a teeny bit sad after picking up a baby with clear, soft skin. Just remember the times between breakouts when YOUR baby's skin feels like that too!
*If your little one doesn't outgrow it, then take heart. He will be able to help with his own skin care as he gets older. And that might very well make things better.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope this helped someone out there!

Ears. Check.

Tooter and I just got back from an appointment with an ENT in town. Tooter, unfortunately, was the victim of an over-anxious mommy. He is 19 months now, and has really no vocabulary to speak of. There is "dah dah" for Jmk, and "dye dye" for bye bye. Recently he has started "mum mum" when he's eating, which I think is supposed to be yummy. But, still no "ma ma" for me. He has quit saying "ca ca" for cracker. And he hasn't learned any new words in months now. (Or, at least, that's what it seems to me).

So, of course, instead of being laid back about it, I worried that something might be wrong. A speech therapist friend who lives in the neighborhood suggested that I just verify that his ears/hearing check out okay.

So, that's what we did this morning. And, praise the Lord, they did check out fine! (Deep down, I knew his hearing was fine. I just needed someone with "MD" behind his signature to tell me that). Tooter is just going to be a "late talker". He's a boy, he's the 2nd child, he has an older sibling who talks all the time for him. Those are the things that the doctor (who was very nice!) said were part of the delayed verbal development. The doctor was remarkably unconcerned, so he's seen this a bunch, I suppose. He said to give him a few more months to catch up. And, when he does, his progress will occur quite rapidly. All things that I have heard before. Again - I just needed that medical verification for some reason.

In a convoluted way, a part of me almost wanted there to be fluid in his ears or some such thing to explain his delay. Which makes NO sense - because had there been an actual problem to affect his hearing, that problem would have required surgery to correct it.

And, now I see that in actual print, I'm so grateful that Tooter is fine. And, like my friend told me, Einstein was reported to have not "talked" until he was three. Hey - you gotta hang on to stuff like that!

If you detect over-excitement in my voice when I report new words, you'll understand why now!

In other news, Mom called while we were out, and she and Dad were in Budapest, and were having dinner. They'll be cruising the Danube tomorrow, which sounds lovely! She says Budapest is a pretty place - I'm looking forward to the stories!

Walking down Memory Lane

I'm sitting here working on 2006's photo album, and am seeing all these pictures of my babies from JUST a year ago. Wow - I'm a bit overwhelmed at how much changes in a year. These tiny people aren't that tiny any more.
And, I'm sure that when I get to work on 2007's album, I'm going to be equally amazed at all of those changes.

I watched Poodle swim today, during her lesson, and she's just growing up so fast. I wish I had a rewind and playback button somewhere around my ear so that I could see some of those past days again. Wouldn't that be fun?!?

Finally! Pictures are up!

I have FINALLY gotten April and May picture links up on the website. I realize that June is almost over, but whadayagonnado?

You HAVE to see this movie

If you don't want to buy it, rent it like we did. You just HAVE to see it. You will laugh. You will cry. But mostly, you are going to be praising God. And when was the last time you did THAT at the end of a movie?

This film is fantastic!!!

We'll buy it. It's really not on a level that the kids will understand the content right now. But in a few years, they should be able to. This is one of those movies that I won't mind them watching over and over.

Really - you will love, love, love this movie. It is fantastic. Rent it pronto!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!!!

We love you Uncle David!!! And hope that you have a wonderful day, knowing that you are being thought of warmly. BIG HUG!!!

Strength and Tenacity

Two of the reasons that this country even exists in the first place. The first most important reason, I think, is that the Lord guided those settlers here, who then established this country as a God-fearing nation. He has blessed us for a long time. Most of the time it has been in spite of ourselves. Or, as I've heard our preacher rightfully say, maybe the Lord has blessed us for the sake of those first men and women who led this country into organized existence.

At any rate, this wonderful story about the USS New York is a quick and interesting read on Snopes. It can give you the tingles!

Prayer Request and Observation

My folks, along with a good sized group of fellow travelers, are on their way "across the pond" to take an EF "In Mozart's Footsteps" tour of Prague, Austria, and Hungary. If you feel so led, please pray for their safe travel and for their safe visit while in that part of the world. I know they enjoy these trips, but it's hard not to worry a bit until they return home safely.

My observation:
Please know that I do realize this will be interesting to practically no one but me. Having said that, however, I give myself absolution to share. Today, as I was listening to a message that my youngest brother left for me last week on my voice mail, (I had saved it to hear it a few more times - I'm a dork), there was something in his voice that reminded me of our dad's voice. David doesn't sound like Dad in general, but right at first, his voice resembled Dad's voice. It was kinda cool.

See. I told you it really wasn't that interesting of an observation. :-)

Not from the mouth of Charles Schulz......

....despite what a popular email forward likes to claim. BUT, I still like the sentiment of it, and thought I'd post it. Without attributing it to Mr. Schulz. Even though I'm sure he would agree with it.
Btw - thank you so much to all my wonderful family who made me feel so special last week. (see #4 of the 2nd quiz). Y'all made it a wonderful birthday. Even if I did turn 30 for the umpteenth time. ha!!!


1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America title.
4. Name ten people who have won either the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .



Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .


"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It 's already tomorrow in Australia " (Charles Schulz - he *did* sort of say this via a "Peanuts" comic.)

What to say........

We're busy right now. We've had a lot going on at church lately, lots at home, busy busy busy. And we have a busy weekend up ahead with Robert and Megan's wedding. (Poodle is the flower girl, and Jmk is a groomsman). The kids are noticeably tired and I'm pooped. I don't feel like doing anything, but EVERYthing needs doing.

Know the feeling?

So, I think about the blog - and even though there is lots and lots to say and share, I can't think of a SINGLE thing to post on! Isn't it crazy? I'm sure I think of things during the day..... stuff that, at the very least, the grandparents would want to see and hear. But if I do, it's when I can't get to the computer. And by the time I CAN get to the computer, I have absolutely nothing to say.

So, today, I thought I'd just say that. I have nothing to say! :-) Now. Aren't you glad you checked in with the Zoo today?

::ahem::

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

To MooMoo and GaGa - if my math is correct, Happy 43 years together!!! We love you!!!

Random Pictures

From Jimbo's wonderful wedding. We're at Singing School at church this week, so I just wanted to update the blog a bit, since I'm gone all day this week. And I've been blog-absent lately. Thus, a quick post.

GaGa, MooMoo, and their grandbabies.

As demure as this picture looks, David and I actually had a pretty good swing going. Well, as good as two people who haven't danced together in forEVER can possibly be. We may not have been dancing with the stars material, but I know I had a blast! I can assure you, my kiddos will learn the basics of waltz, foxtrot, swing, rumba, and maybe a teeny bit of tango. When they get older, of course. They don't need to be experts - just comfortable on the floor. Makes weddings fun, anyway. :-)
More kids should know proper social dancing. It would help to abolish the vulgar mess you see some young people attempting these days. I guarantee it.

Poodle doing her "dance" with her favorite bridesmaid of the evening. This girl was SO sweet to our little one!!!

Then Life Goes On

I haven't disappeared - just had the wind knocked out of me first thing this week. Miss Jozia was so full of life and passion and joy, that to think about that life and passion and joy not being in the world anymore was a difficult thing to comprehend.

To know that this firecracker isn't stealing the show any more down in St. Petersburg is simply taking time to process.

Yesterday, it made me think of Jesus' disciples. (Of course, I'm in no way comparing the two people - just the situation in a VERY loose sense). One day, they are watching their Master and their Lord being celebrated as palm branches are thrown down before Him. A week later, He has been crucified. And they had no idea it was coming. Now THAT is truly seeing life and passion and joy being taken out of the world. Can you imagine the heartache and the shock and the overwhelming despair that those men and women felt? They didn't truly understand what was happening, and couldn't understand yet that their Lord and Master was truly to be alive forever. But for those 3 days and nights, they were hardly able to eat or sleep, I daresay. Couldn't think of or talk of anything else, I can imagine. And the absolute loss of spirit in their heart had to be so painful. Truly, physically painful. And, still, nothing like the despair and pain that Jesus Christ had to suffer in order to finish His work on earth.

But, back to Miss Jozia - I was able to talk to one of her long time friends last night, on my way to church. (KD - I'll call you with those details as soon as I get things "under control" at the house this morning). Oh, it was SO nice to talk to someone with that Pennsylvania accent. It was so nice to hear someone get bossy with me, even though she didn't know me from Adam's cat - but because I loved Jozia too, she knew it was okay to be "normal".

It was so nice to hear "and" pronounced that way again. Aahnd. I was right back in that huge ballet studio up at the W, having her poke her finger into my po-po, and then right into my stomach. Because of neither of them were tucked in appropriately for Miss Jozia!

Oh, and if any of you are wondering how to say her name - it's "you-sha". Well, technically, it's "you-zha", but she let all us southern folks say "you-sha".

Anyway, life has continued here - the master bedroom has been painted. The kitchen has been primed. And kitchen painting will resume after our church meeting this weekend and Singing School next week. Swimming lessons continue, and, well, life continues. I have a blog I need to do about Jim and Brittany's wonderful wedding last weekend. Pictures to post. But, for now, I need to leave my thoughts about Miss Jozia a little while longer. Her passing was too unexpected, and this helps. For some odd reason.

Sweet Jozia - there are so many who yearn to see her just one last time. But her life was well lived, and she was well loved.

Back to our regularly scheduled blogging in the near future.

Rest in Peace, Miss Jozia Mieszkowski

Thank you for summer ballet camp in 7th (?) grade. Thank you for Governor's School. Thank you for Dew Drop and Graduation Ball and Snow Queen and Coppelia. Thank you for New York choreographers and professional dancers. Thank you for your own works. Thank you for mentoring our own choreography.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for Aurora.

Thank you for untold hours of laughter, instruction, friendship, sweat, tears, motivation, and training. Thank you for always being ready to make it happen. Thank you for working a ridiculous amount of unpaid hours so that some college kids and kids from a little town like Columbus, MS could perform in world class ballets. With real sets and real costumes and real music and real staging.

Thank you for loving ballet the way you did. Thank you for never letting me get away with anything in the rehearsal hall.

Thank you for telling Kadie that you didn't think I was strong enough for Aurora. (And thank you, Boo, for telling me that she said that!)

Thank you for the opportunity to show myself just how hard I'm willing to work to reach a goal.

Thank you for pushing me to my limit, and then expecting more.

Thank you for having more energy and passion than most of us combined.

I'll be talking of you for the rest of my life - you will never be forgotten. And you will always, always be loved. By me, and the huge numbers of dancers whose lives you touched in so many wonderful ways throughout your blessed life.

Thank you, Miss Jozia. Thank you.

Belated Memorial Day Offering

Just a note that I'm neither supporting nor denying support of CitizensUnited.org - I really don't know anything about them, and haven't had time to look at their site for more than a few seconds. Mostly, I like the way this was presented and who is presenting it. I've seen this in an email forward before, and I'm glad it was "done up" nicely. Because it's true. And I'm grateful that God has given us the BRAVE so we could be the land of the FREE!

aMAYzing options

With apologies to my dear husband. I thought I had gotten this out of my system the other night, but apparently not-so-much.

It's not as annoying to me as mispronouncing voila, but it's getting close.

As I'm sure you know, Hollywood's latest crutch phrase is "amazing". Pronounced ah-MAY-zing. With much emphasis on that poor little second syllable. And you must say it with wide-eyed breathlessness. Everything is amazing. Clothes, wall colors, movies, hair styles, dog carriers. Amazing has replaced the "fabulous" crutch phrase from a couple of years back. It has so invaded lexicon, that I'm guilty of over-using it these days, despite my annoyance with hearing it all the time.

So!

Here are some options, you amazing Hollywood types. (with the understanding, of course, that you really don't need too many syllables to deal with):

spectacular (okay - I know, 4 syllables. but it's okay! you can do it!)
impressive
wondrous
stunning
magnificent
incredible
glorious

Okay, now, I know stunning isn't nearly as dramatic as wondrous or glorious. And, let's face it, when you need to describe someone's highlights, you really do need to use a word that is commensurate with the importance of the subject. ::cough::
But, come on, all you entertainment industry follow-the-leader types. You can add some new stupendously descriptive words to describe the heart-stirring wonderment of a bedside table. Truly, you can. Poor little "amazing" needs some new friends. ::rolling eyes::

Rant over. We can return to our regularly scheduled program.

Compliments of the 80's

Back in the 80's, we tight-rolled pants. Man, did we tight-roll pants. For some unknown reason, we thought it was a good look. I have NO idea why, now. But at the time, it was a fabulous idea. (These last 3 sentences really could apply to most of the way we looked back then. Hair, shoulder pads, makeup...... I shan't go on).

Now, due to my above average leg length, and the fact that pants just were not made as long as they are now, I didn't have as much of an opportunity to tight-roll my OWN pants. When I tight-rolled *my* pants, they ended up about 3 inches above my ankles. (Steve Erkel, anyone?) But, despite this inability to follow a fascinating fashion trend, I still learned the skill. And learned it well.

So, a couple of weekends ago, we watched as the Chaser was let into the water, and while mast and sails were being put in their proper place, the kids were getting their feet wet at the edge of the boat ramp. Because it was chilly that morning, they had on long pants, so I tight-rolled Poodle's little sweatpants to get them out of the way.

Well. I just put a load of her clothes into the washer. And those sweatpants were still neatly, and firmly, tight-rolled right up the the knee area!!!
Thank you 1980's. ha!

Nice Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend here at the Zoo. Jmk took off Friday, and had Monday off already, and it was soooooo nice to have that much time with him. He got a backyard project finished (tilling and seeding some bare spots), we got some home decorating shopping done, took the kids to the park one morning, played a lot in the backyard, went to "chick-fil-a-and-play" one day for lunch, grilled hamburgers, etc. Went out to "the EE Park" and let Tooter see GaGa's big green tractor. We ate watermelon for lunch. Kids ate popsicles after supper. We didn't have any big events planned, and didn't have any schedule to keep, and it was so great. Jmk went back to the work this morning, and I didn't have that "I'm completely exhausted" feeling that I sometimes get after a holiday weekend.

That's our best kind of vacation these days. One that lets us have our own time to ourselves!!!

Of course, I'm missing Jmk this morning. ::awwwww:: :-) But, it was really, really nice to have this long weekend all together. We need it with the crazy June that is coming up!

Thank You

To our veterans, to their families, to those who are currently serving. To everyone who has ever been involved in securing and insuring peace for this country. Our military and their families are one of God's amazing blessings to this great U.S.A.

From a grateful heart, with true appreciation for all the sacrifices. So many of which the rest of us will never know or understand.

You are loved!

Bathroom. Done.

Yay!!!!

Shot before starting to peel the paper off. See, it really wasn't that bad. Just wasn't something we picked, you know?

After the paper has come down and Jmk has finished spackling all the inevitable sheetrock ooopsies.

And, finished with paint! The color is actually called "opaque cocoa". yum!
One of the ways we kept Poodle interested in "helping" and in allowing us to work was by promising to get her some "new pink towels" when it was all finished. Of course, then Tooter needed "new blue towels", according to her. I sort of altered the shade of the blue, but we still complied with our promises.

Shot with bunny on the counter that currently holds bows. GaGa made this bunny for Poodle the easter before Tooter was born.
I've given up on having any other chotskies in there. Chotskies and climbing wee ones don't combine. There's time enough for all that.

'Nother shot. I can't get a good picture of the real color of the paint, but I'm sure you still get the idea.

Next room on the list is the master bedroom!!! It's actually going this same color. We picked this color for our room first, and then later decided to do the bathroom the same color. But, since I hate peeling wallpaper, I wanted to finish the bathroom first and get it out of the way.

We have a LOT more builders beige to colorfy (like that word? lol...), but we'll get to it. Slowly.