Just a Spoonful of Sugar

I would like to take a few moments to offer a brief listing of some things that are NOT childproof. Things that you should "Keep out of the reach of children." Some of these items may, or may not, be obvious to you. So, if you will, be courteous to my ignorance. It can be a steep learning curve.

A) Lipstick - Could be mistaken as a crayon.

B) Sunscreen bottle - Could be mistaken as a hammer to smash out a glass window.

C) Pink Medicine in Childproof Bottle - Could be mistaken as delicious fruit punch.

I'm only going to address "c" here, the others (though messy) were certainly less traumatic. 

Earlier this week, we took Emmett (5 mos) to the doctor because he just wasn't acting like his happy little 'creamcheese' self. The doctor found that he had ear infections in both ears and a swollen throat. He was definitely uncomfortable. We got a prescription for some amoxicillin and we were on our way. When we got home I pulled out the bottle of medicine and prepared Emmett's appropriate dosage. Ava Belle (my trusty assistant) took one look at that pink medicine and her eyes widened and she said, "That's the most beaufalul pink medicine I've ever seen." I knew what she was thinking too, "I bet that's the kind of medicine that princesses drink." It was the perfect shade of pink. The perfect shade of Ava Belle bait. So, several days passed, medicine administered and then safely placed by the kitchen window. However, one morning after giving Emmett his medicine he was in a state. Very, very unhappy and I whisked him upstairs to rock him and nurse him away from my rather enthusiastic assistant. I wasn't gone a few minutes. But, when I came back downstairs all I saw was Ava Belle's pink mouth. She had pulled the medicine off the table, opened the 'childproof' top, and was sipping her way into a mild anafilactic reaction. It was the itchy eyes and swelling lips that initially concerned me (and the nurse I was consulting with over the phone) and then came the fever? Luckily, we had some children's benadryl tucked away with our dog's care kit. He is also allergic to penicillin. And the tylenol certainly helped with the fever. But, it was an odd reaction so we headed to the doctor and found that she also had strep throat. However, they were unable to get an accurate culture because Ava Belle had already treated herself. Smart or mischievous? So, after a trip to the ER, doctor, and rounds of antibiotics for all the short people in our house both Ava Belle and Emmett are in much higher spirits. I, on the other hand, I have been feeling rather sheepish about the whole thing. It just happened so quickly. Honestly, nothing is really safe when you have a 2.5 year old in your house. I guess the trip to the ER was punishment enough for me, oh, and the really short haircut I gave myself. (Actually, the latter may be a product of being trapped in the house with two sick kids in subzero weather.) Anyway, as we were giving the children their medicine before bed last night and again explaining to Ava Belle the rules surrounding medicine (and poison for that matter) she swallows it down, smiles and exclaims, "Ahhh. Rrrrrrum Punch." Not sure if we are getting through to her but, we are gonna keep trying.

Responsibilities

So, the other day Ava Belle comes up to me and says, "Hey, Momma? My diaper is pretty wet." I turn to her and, she is holding a very, very wet diaper in her hand. She had already removed it (and her shoes and her tights). She says, "I think I'll just put this in the trash can and go get a fresh one." I say, "don't forget the wipes!" Do you think it's time I potty train her? I mean, come on, if you can change your own diapers you can probably go tee-tee in the potty, or, so one would think. The thing is, I ask her if she'd like the Elmo panties she has, or the Tinkerbelle panties we just had to have at Target and she just says 'no thanks, I'll take the diaper.' I have purchased countless varieties of "potty chair surprises" (most of which I have eaten myself or used as bribery for other more pressing concerns) and still, no go. I know it's the responsibility, or possibly even the accountability, that she doesn't want to manage. And, that's actually the same issue I seem to be having with the whole potty training program too. Responsibility. I already have enough on my hands, is how I see it. Honestly, there are many times when I need to use the potty and I think, "my, I wish I had a diaper," because it's always when I'm juggling things like finding the right remote to play a movie for Ava Belle, nursing Emmett, trying to catch the oatmeal that's probably already overflowing on the stove while listening to the dog eat the rest of Ava Belle's pre-breakfast snack. Oh, I don't know. One day, I'm sure, Ava Belle will be able to juggle the responsibilities of her make-believe communities, frequent costume changes and otherwise general mischief all while making a little extra time for the potty. Somehow I seem to manage it, eventually we all do.

Genetics

This all started around Halloween when Ava Belle, our 2.5 year old, accrued a gross amount of candy in one evening.  I thought, for sure, that she'd eat candy until she made herself sick but, all she really wanted to do was organize her loot, making little rows of like candy. Since then, Ava Belle has been organizing and re-organizing anything that has more than one unit. For example, each kleenex in an entire box of kleenex can be carefully laid out and accounted for, bows, toys, diapers etc. You name it, she can arrange it. And, these 'arrangements' can be found in almost every room of the house. Paul (my dear husband who, how do I say, has strong tendencies towards organization and tidiness) is very proud of this burgeoning 'talent' we see in our daughter. I know what he is thinking, "She's got it! By golly, she's got it!" 'It' being the fairly dominant gene that seems to run in his side of the family, making very orderly folk. A mild victory for Paul. I am not at all knocking on this trait, I appreciate order, I marvel at it, but I just can't make it happen. Must be in the genes. Honestly, seeing this in our daughter does make me appreciate the hardwiring of people, namely my husband. I really don't think he can resist the temptation to clean and 'make nice.' Again, this is not a criticism. Paul is my very best friend in all the world, and I love him despite his crazy cleaning fits. And, I'm pretty sure he loves me through my miraculous messes and sometimes he even loves me for them. And, I'm proud that Ava Belle appreciates order. I'm glad she's like her Daddy. Thankful that she is like her Daddy. We'll see, maybe these funny things she does will help her to become a persevering scientist or even a meticulous cleaning lady someday. Whatever makes her happy. And, prayerfully, one day she'll be as lucky as her dear old Ma and Pa and find someone who will put up with, overcome and absolutely love her 'hardwiring.' 

Welcome to our Blog

For some time now I've wanted a blog but, I've not been able to find the time (or the right name). So, on this New Year's Day I decided to go for it. I will offer nothing here but little snippets of life with our two precious children. A blog of pictures, really. So far I've nothing to post, but I'm making this a New Year's resolution. I guess. Today, however, there is much cleaning and organizing to do....so, it's actually probable that I will make multiple posts this New Year's since neither of those two things fall into my area of expertise (much to my husband's chagrin.) Anyway, Happy New Year.....may all your resolutions be manageable.