Going...going...

We will be out of commission for a while. They are packing up our computer, (tears falling down..) and while we have our laptop, things are going to be hectic. I hope everyone has a fun Halloween. We shall write again soon.

It's a GIRL!

Congratulations Aaron and Katey on your new baby girl. Emily Ann was born yesterday, and I have to say that I am partial to the middle name. I saw a picture and she is beautiful. We are so happy for you guys. Many blessed days ahead of you. Congrats!

Video of the Kids Costumes

Costumes!

Well, since we are leaving soon I thought I would try and get pictures of the kids in their costumes. I am not sure if I will have time to post any good Halloween pictures until much later. We pulled out their outfits because we have already started to pack clothes/personal items etc and we wanted the kids to enjoy them more than just one night. Luke will probably be living in his for the next week! These are pretty funny. The kids were over the moon tonight...

Luke as spiderman.


Grace as a bunny. The costume was too big, but it didn't matter anyways because she hates wearing it. I think for Halloween, she will just wear the head piece and feet. Plus, it is too hot for Bama! Doesn't she look adorable though?




More of Luke as Spiderman...




And some of my hunny bunny...






Luke as a bunny...




Do you think that's Luke? Nope, it's Grace as Spiderman!




Daddy as Spiderman!


That's Love...




For my sweet, precious Luke, aka Spiderman:

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he strong? Listen bud—
He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead.
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman.

In the chill of the night,
At the scene of the crime,
Like a streak of light,
He arrives just in time!

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
Wealth and fame, he's ignored—
Action is his reward.
To him,
Life is a great big bang-up—
Wherever there's a hang-up,
You'll find the Spiderman!

Video of Kids

Here are some videos of the kids at the Festival.

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall Festival here on post today. It was pretty fun. I love taking the kids to these events, but they are exhausting. Grace was not feeling well so we had to leave relatively early. The kids enjoyed face painting, pumpkin painting, maneuvering through obstacle courses, food, fun, and dancing. We also participated in choosing a winner for the pumpkin carving contest. Poor Luke had to leave before he was ready, but I promised him there were more festivals to come.

A hug for daddy...




Face Painting


Grace got a pumpkin!


And Luke got spiderman...of course!




Pumpkin Carving Contest


This one was my favorite.


Snow Cones!!!


Obstacle Course.

Happy Birthday Nonna!!!

This is a poem I wrote for my mom because it is her birthday today and also because she is a breast cancer survivor. We love you Nonna!

Oh Mom, there are no words to describe what you mean to us all.
Your generosity is too big for one heart to hold,
There are too many things about you that must be told.
So many memories I have of you teaching, washing clothes and cooking dinners,
You piled endless kids into your giant suburban for carpooling to games so that we may be winners.
My favorite bed time song “Molly Malone,”
Is now one I sing to my own.
The cheesecakes you create, devoured by so many,
Requests continue to pour in because they are so yummy.
The sacrifices you have made do not go unnoticed,
For now that I have children of my own, the utmost gratitude is given.
Holidays brightened up our home with ornaments, turkey, and costumes,
Your contagious smile and endearing personality brings warmth to every room.
The courage you mustered to keep secret a deadly cancer until Christmas had past,
Shows the world how you handle everything with class.
The worry and pain you must have felt fills me with tears,
All the pain you held inside for all those years.
Your bravery and stubbornness brings a smile to my face,
I am so thankful my children always have their Nonna to chase.
From you, words of encouragement flow in times of defeat or sorrow,
You are the best of the best…here is to you, may there always be tomorrow.

MTPC Class Completed

Ryan finished another round of classes for his helicopter. He took some pictures with his classmates. Notice how awesome these pictures are....do you think the guys took these pictures? Nope, it was one of the wives! Congratulations Ryan! We love you mucho.

Civilian Child vs. Military Child

I received this from a very dear friend and I wanted to post it on here just because I think a military child should be recognized. I do not want to take away from civilian life, and especially children. Everyone has good times and bad times no matter what sector of life you come from or live in. It's just that some of these break my heart knowing my children did live through this and probably will again.

1. A civilian child usually dances around or talks during the National Anthem. A military child stands quietly with his hand over his heart.
2. A civilian child sees race. A military child sees diversity.
3. A civilian child has a best friend in his hometown. A military child has a best friend on almost every continent.
4. A civilian child sees only the plane flying over. A military child not only can identify the type of plane flying but knows someone who works on them.
5. A civilian child smells something nasty and yells; 'Eeewwww, what's that smell?'. A military child smells something nasty and yells; Daddy did you FART?!
6. A civilian child sees a person in uniform. A military child can tell you what branch he's in and what his rank is.
7. A civilian child thinks home is where the heart is. A military child knows home is where the military sends you.
8. A civilian child lives for tomorrow and what it might bring. A military child lives for today because tomorrow, Daddy might get called away again.
9. A civilian child gets to kiss mommy and daddy goodnight each night. A military child sometimes has to kiss a picture of daddy or mommy goodnight.
10. A civilian child talks on the phone for fun. A military child lives for the 15 minute phone calls once a week.
11. A civilian child can read and write in English. A military child can read and write in acronym.
12. A civilian child says 'goodbye'. A military child says 'see you later' (don't we know it, there's never GOODBYE).
13. A civilian child gets to see things other kids would love to see. A military child gets to see things world leaders would love to see.
14. A civilian child will probably go to the same school his entire life. A military child will probably change schools every 2 years.
15. A civilian child might rarely leave his hometown for anything other than vacation. A military child will rarely see his 'hometown' for anything other than vacation.
And finally, a civilian child supports our soldiers. A military child IS a soldier. The next time you say a prayer for our troops, please say a prayer for their families, especially their children back home that are trying to be strong. They need your prayers, more than you'll ever know!

Goody Bags

I made goody bags for Luke's class this Halloween. I had to make them early since we are moving. I hope the kids like them. They have candy, eyeball bouncy balls, spiders, and stickers. The crazy me is already thinking about Christmas bags! But, I love this stuff. The holiday season brings me much happiness.

Infant Swimming Resource

Click HERE to see a video that is amazing and terrifying. It is a training video that teaches infants what to do if they should fall into water. I know, it's insane, just watch. Don't enter the site until you watch the video. The baby crying is almost too much, but I also know that he is ok due to this training. I think I need to sign up my kids.

Thanks for the info B!

Moving Out

We are moving again. We pack up on October 31st and move out that weekend. It is going to be a little rough, but nothing we can't handle. I put a slide show above of all the pumpkin patch pictures. Some were taken the first week in October and others were taken this past weekend. The Alpine Farm pics were fun because the kids enjoyed a petting zoo, tractor ride, sunflower fields and a pumpkin patch. We have been having fun, but we are looking forward to being with family. I hope you guys enjoy the pictures. Please say a prayer for us that our move and 14 hour drive will go smoothly.

Rainy Daze

It has been raining here for the past week with thunderstorms and cold fronts coming through. This leaves the kids and I trapped inside for most of the day. We have had to come up with things to keep us busy.

We have been drawing.




and coloring...


Brushing Mr. Bear's hair.


Watching Little Einsteins.


Playing with toys.


and drinking lots of water!

We have been coming up with some interesting dinner and baking combinations as well as singing, dancing and playing dress up. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for those pictures.

How to Exercise with Children

Seeing that there is hardly anytime to exercise with all the working, running around, kids etc, I decided to put together this little impromptu guide on how to exercise with your kids. You can kill two birds with one stone: spending time with your kids and working up a sweat. Here are a few examples of how to work out...

There is the Leg Lift.




The ever impressive Double Leg Lift.




The Baby Bench.


Of course there is the classic Toddler/Baby Dumbbell. Left arm approximately 33 LBS; right arm about 26 LBS.


The Kid Push-up, not an easy task--be strong!


The Baby Choke Hold...oh wait that's not an exercise! That's just Ryan getting choked out.


The Toddler/Baby Sit-up. There was just one baby on Daddy, but the toddler jumped in at the last second.


If ever you are too tired to do these exercises, you could just get your children to do somersaults on their own.


And there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen...a crash course in multi-tasking. Good luck and be brave!

Family Movie Night

No, it's not a drive-in movie, although we are going to miss those. It was just a family night at our house, snuggled up with some good blankets and popcorn. We watched 'Oliver and Company' and danced around to all the songs. The kids are crazy about watching anything with dogs and cats in it. I hope you enjoy...

Color My Picture

We did some coloring today. The kids color like crazy and have already gone through several coloring books. We went to the dollar store today to pick up some more. Here is some of their artwork.


Grace is gaining speed. She does pretty well for an 18 month old.


Luke colored this haunted house for Halloween. I think it's perfect!

Fruit Babies

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas...and pineapple too!

Framing and Sewing

I have been taking a couple of classes here in LA and they have been quite educational. I have taken a sewing and framing class. I am the kind of person who wants to learn how to do everything. For me, it's just a matter of finding the time and/or having the finances to do it.

The sewing was confusing for me because I am as beginner as they come. I learned on this machine, but I am not sure if I could do it again right now. I think I need to go practice more. My goal is to make my children's Halloween costume next year. I may be getting way too ahead of myself so please don't hold me to that!

My first project was a bag. Now, the bag is horrible, but it was my first one. Practice makes perfect.


As for the framing.....it was HARD! It wasn't difficult in the sense that it was physically hard, but there are so many components that go into framing. I just had no idea. Not only that, but there are several different machines and measurements and oh my...It took me two hours just to frame one picture; remember I am a beginner. There is the matting, the cutting, the compressing, the gluing, just too much. I still think that some frame shops are way to expensive, but I also think from now on I am going to be a little more appreciative.

This is the picture I framed for Luke's room.

To All My Visitors

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has ever visited my page and especially to those who have left comments. It really means a lot to us that you take time out of your day to view our crazy life. I hope you continue to visit and leave comments. Your opinion means the world to us.

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."~William Shakespeare

I Can Write My Name

Look at Luke! He can write his name from scratch--no help needed. The first two Luke's have an outline, but the last one is freehand. I can't believe it!!! I just had to share with you all.



And for Uncle Brandon and Uncle Chris, this is Luke's version of Halo. I thought you guys would get a kick out of this.

Our Soldier

To my totally rockin' new friend Laura and one of my best friends B, may God Bless your husbands while they are out fighting for our freedom. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made and the support you have given so selflessly. And a big thank you to your husbands who fight for us so that we may live in a better world. May each of our husbands continue to be safe throughout the years to come.

To all the soldiers fighting everywhere...


Thanks Laura for the poem!

LG Stats

I thought I would include the kids measurements from the visit to the clinic. My little chickens are getting bigger...

LUKE
Weight: 33.6 LBS
Height: 40.5 IN

GRACE
Head Circumference: 19.25 (100%)
Weight: 28 LBS 12 OZ (95%)
Height: 33 IN (90%)

I can't believe it! It just makes me want to squeeze them a little more.

Thank You, Round 2

A little while back I posted a video of Grace saying 'Thank You.' Well, she actually yelled, "Thank you too!" Now, she has perfected the phrase and knows when to say it appropriately. She has a whole good-bye routine where she waves and blows kisses, but if you are lucky, you might even get a 'thank you.' I just so happened to catch it on film for all of you. It takes some prodding, sorry if it sounds annoying, but you can distinctly here her say "Thank You" and with a bit of a twang too!

Rolling Along

Behind our house is a steep hill that I sometimes let the kids play on, but not too often as there is a very large concrete drainage ditch that pretty much surrounds the back property. The other day we decided to get a little crazy and roll down the hill. The kids had a ball and I could not stop laughing. I rolled down as well, but only once because I was extremely dizzy after that. Here is some video of Luke and Grace rolling. Check out Grace trying to roll down with her arms...

GracieBYTES IV

Ahh Gracie Gellar, as Luke calls her; an affectionate nickname used when Luke could not pronounce girl. She is a trip lately. Many of the things she does are dramatic in nature, but since she cannot speak as well as Luke yet, more of what she does is better captured on film. However, lately she has been talking a little more and so I think my Gracie tales might become more interesting as time progresses. Here are a few new things from Gracie...

Grace has attempted to say her last name and it sounds like this, "Es Es Cha."

When Ryan put her to sleep the other night she said "Stay" and looked at him with pleading eyes. She already has him wrapped around her finger because he stayed for a bit. How could he resist?

Her new favorite word is "Mama", but it's not so much a term she uses to describe me rather a term she uses to get something she wants. It is starting to sound a lot like 'more' now.

Grace is abnormally strong. She can carry toys and objects three times her weight and usually when she does carry something she hands it off by saying "Here" or "What's this?"

New words
-Bubba
-Mine
-Bath
-Baby
-light
-Whoa
-DVD or DaViD as we like to call it so that when we say it out loud our kids won't understand, yet at least. They have already figured out DVD so when we say it, they immediately chant DVD to drive us mad. And CDs are Charlie Daniels.
-Credibles, while watching 'The Incredibles.'
-Choo Choo
-It's a bear!
-Pumpkin
-Ball or really Bawl
-Yay
-Blue

Favorite Things
-Show, 'Blues Clues' and 'Dora'
-Loves to whistle, and she can too!
-Blow bubbles in the bath tub
-Hitting Luke with toys
-Brushing Teeth, Luke also
-word, "Whoa!"
-Spitting, great huh?
-Book, Elmo touch pad book
-Toy, a barnyard with talking animals
-Loves to color like her brother and then snap the crayons in half
-Monster Trucks
-Drinking any liquids
-Singing group, 'Imagination Movers'--she loves men and little girls, oh brother!
-Loves talking on the phone, being outside, and hearing her Daddy walk through the door
-Also loves to throw pumpkins down the hallway.
-Apples and bananas

LukeISMS VI

My son is so funny. This is my favorite part of the blog by far. I love writing about all the new and unique things my kids say. Here are some more from the chronicles of Luke...

On the 10th, we took Luke to Chick-Fil-A as a reward for going potty all by himself. After he had dinner he eagerly jumped at the chance to play in the indoor playground. While he was playing, he met a new friend and this is how the conversation went--
"Hi, I'm Luke. What is your name?" The kids replies, "My name is Jayson." Luke says, "Oh, hi, how are you?" I thought my 3-year-old was going to shake his hand and give out his business card. Geez, they grow up fast!

Ryan gets a kick out of teaching Luke all these big words, well definitely big for a toddler. So, while they were playing games Ryan used the word cynical in a sentence and asked Luke to repeat it. Luke gave his best shot, but the first response was "Skittles."

Luke loves to play teacher. He will ask us questions and when we answer correctly he says, "Good job Mommy/Daddy." Or he will even say "Way to go! You got that right."

Luke was on the potty and Ryan yelled, "Luke, go poo-poo!" Luke yelled back, "I can't go poo-poo. There is no poo-poo left in my body!"

It is time for Luke to retire for the evening and so we tell him he must go to bed. "Well, I can't go to my room," he says. We respond with, "Uh, yes you can and you are." Luke, ever the adamant boy says, "No, I can't go to my room and I won't" Ah, and so it begins.

One morning we woke up and as we are sitting at the table eating breakfast Luke says, "Are you talking to Daddy?" "Yes," I say. "Are you happy with Daddy?" "Yes," I reply as I look perplexed. "Oh, that's sweet." I am confused by this one because Ryan and I hardly ever fight in front of the kids, but it is funny in the sense that he had this whole conversation like a little adult.

After school we pick up Luke and start driving home. He comes out of nowhere and asks, "I get some candy for being good right?" (This is strange because we don't use candy as a reward, occasionally, but not often at all.) After a long pause, Luke adds "No, guys, really I get candy right?"

Luke's Favorite Things
-Spiderman
-Song, "No One" by Alicia Keys
-Coloring anything and is pretty good too
-Loves eating cereal in the morning
-Show, 'Dora the Explorer'
-Chocolate Milk
-Movie, 'Alvin and the Chipmunks-Halloween Special'
-Witches, ghosts and trick or treating
-Target
-Snack, Halloween Fruit by the Foot, bananas, and goldfish
-Loves playing outside, jumping on the couch and talking on the phone
-Book, "I wish Santa would come by helicopter" and "Where the Wild Things Are"

Park Play

Last weekend we went to the local park for some down time. Of course, I took some pictures of the kids having fun. I will be posting the pictures from the pumpkin patch soon.

My Little Back Seat Drivers

It is obvious how much my kids mimic me by just observing my activities on a daily basis, like my driving for instance. Whenever I drive in a car, I hear my children repeat things to me I have said in the past. When I make a sharp turn or slam on my brakes, suddenly I hear Grace say, "Whoa." Sometimes I hear her say this and glance back to see a look of concern upon her sweet, little face. I must have said this or looked like this when my husband drives.

If Luke needs a toy or book that has fallen on the floor I say, "Luke, I'm sorry. I can't reach it. I have to keep my eyes on the road." His reply is always, "Ok Mommy, so you won't crash?" "Yes Luke, Mommy doesn't want to crash." Then he proceeds to tell me, "Mommy, no driving in the grass." This immediately makes me think of Ryan off-roading it in our car. Sometimes Luke just loves to point me in the right direction. For example, he will say "turn left or turn right here," and I know that he has no idea of where he is going, although he does recognize our neighborhood. Luke is like having my own GPS system, but the kind that always gets it wrong. My toddler has no understanding of direction, but my GPS should. I know that he mimics this part from me when I am in the car with Ryan.

With each drive, my kids love to point out everything for me to see; "Mommy, there is a water tower." "Mommy, I see trees and clouds that look like dinosaurs." And my personal favorite, "Mommy, I spy a helicopter." Playing 'I Spy' is a favorite past time in our car. Another favorite game is when the kids raise their hands above their heads when going down a hill, like riding on a roller coaster. There is also the game where we roll down all the windows and put one arm out chanting, "Up, down, glide," like we are a large boat. This last game is only played when there are no objects around to take off our arms; very important. Some of these games I played in my childhood; some we have made up all on our own. But, the kids watch and they imitate every little thing.

Alas, after seeing my little ones riding in a car, there is only one conclusion with which to arrive. I must be a back seat driver too. Wow, I can't believe I just admitted that one. Ryan will probably reference this when he is blackmailing me next time. So, if you ever drive with my kids in the car let me say this in advance, "I am truly sorry."

How to Distinguish a Cry

Over my 4 short years of being a mother, I have learned a few things. One of the things I have learned is how to distinguish between my children's cries. Sometimes it is hard to tell a difference, but then there are those times when it is unmistakable. I think this story will be better told in list form. So here it is...

Cry, laugh, cry --- "You have no idea what you want, do you?"

Muffled Cry --- "Luke, get off your sister!"

Horrified Scream --- "Grace, where did you get that knife?"

Halting, Painful Cry --- "I am taking you to the doctor."

Long, Drawn Out Battle Cry --- "So what do you say we sell the kids at the nearest Walmart?"

Compressing Breath Cry --- "Which couch did you fall off of this time?"

Puss In Boots Sympathy Cry --- "Your wish is my command."

Air Raid Siren Cry --- "It's tough being three, huh?"

Pull the Cat's Tail Cry --- "No, you cannot walk in Mommy's flip flops."

Lamb Cry --- "No, Mommy is not leaving you (tonight anyways)."

The 'Wah,' 'Noooo,' 'Are you laughing or crying' Cry --- "Think of a happy place, think of a happy place..."

...and I am sure there will be more to come!

To a Dear Friend

This is for one of my best friends, whom I talked with tonight....I wanted to tell you that I am thinking of you and that I admire your strength and determination. May the Lord watch over you during this difficult time.

I love you girl!

Madness on the Home Front

Today was a day filled with mad chaos. There are no secrets amongst friends so I will tell you this story. Please adhere with a certain humor even though, at the time, there was no humor to be had.

Since Luke has been home, I have been teetering on a seesaw of highs and lows. There are those times when everything is blissful and deliriously happy and all I can think about is how fortunate I am to be a mother, but then there are those lows where I feel like I might Britney-fy myself by shaving my head or running for shelter to the nearest rehab clinic. Today was definitely one of those days.

To understand fully, I must set the scene. First off, I woke up this morning with high hopes and fruitless ambitions. However, upon entering my son's room all hope was diminished. He had peed buckets into his sheets, albeit accidentally. I realize I must wash them immediately, putting the pancakes I had so lovingly envisioned making on hold.

I am already a bit aggravated because I have worked with Luke to use the restroom whenever he needs to go, even if we are sleeping. He has almost perfected toilet training and, for weeks now, he has successfully released bodily functions into the lavatory. There are a few accidents occasionally, but on a whole, everything is running relatively smoothly. So, you can imagine my slight frustration.

I continue with my normal routine: pull the kids out of bed, dress them, feed them breakfast and flip on Dora the Explorer. Amidst yelling, screaming, pinching, hitting, and projectile throwing of hard objects at each other's heads, I manage to make some ricotta blueberry pancakes. They turn out poorly, burned to the core because of my constant need to leave and mediate so frequently. So much for breakfast! Runny noses and constant scratching plague me as I am weaving between laundry, potty time and teaching the art of sharing, to no avail. I decide to cook up some lunch all the while dreaming of nap time; such sweet escapes. Finally, the last load of sheets are done. Sound the alarm, it's time to sleep!

As I am folding the last few articles of clothing, I notice that I am losing my patience way too quickly and yelling way too frequently. How does a woman juggle it all? Then, the unthinkable happens. I hear Luke utter those two nasty, dagger to the heart thrusting sentences. "Oh no! I can't push the poo poo out into my underwear!" That's it! It's time for me to lose it for the 497th time today. "Luke," I scream, "Come over here right now!" After what seems like an eternity, Luke appears with his shorts around his ankles and no underwear in sight. Naturally I pause. My heart rate increases and all breathing halts. My worst nightmare has come true; Luke has defecated on the carpet...or so I imagine. To my utter amazement, Luke has come from the bathroom where he has electively decided to use the potty ALL ON HIS OWN! I saw this myself and I watched proudly as he wiped.

Normally I would not have added that last part except that you must know what happened next. As I am standing there, heart full of happiness with a sprinkle of relief, Luke accidentally flings a small piece of poo onto my foot. He was trying really hard to impress me and, well, he definitely gets an 'A' for poo tossing. I look down and all I can think to do is laugh. Of course, Luke starts laughing too, so now I must back peddle and assure him that slinging poo is not a crowning achievement and should be used with caution. It was just that after all that had happened, this was what I expected least of all. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

I clean Luke up, put Grace down for a nap and have Luke help me with the sheets, as well as picking up the 5,000 toys that are strewn all over the floor. As I am working, I am sure to applaud him for taking the initiative to use the potty independently. I feel proud and gross all at the same time.

Finally I am done and so I proceed to put Luke down for a nap as well. Now it is time for a little bite of lunch for myself and more cleaning. I just had to share this little story as it was unique to my average day. And now, without hope or agenda, I plan to sit and stare at the wall. Thank you all and to all a good night.

Doctor Visit

I took Luke to the clinic today because he has a rash on his chest and face. At first, I thought it was just a slight case of eczema gone bad. As it turns out, it was Dermatitis, which is a form of eczema and thankfully, it is not contagious. I had Dermatitis as a child so I guess I just passed it along to Luke. Anyways, because of his severe itching, he also caught a skin virus, thanks to daycare no doubt. So, he is taking antibiotics, hydrocortisone and also benadryl to keep the itching down. He will stay home with me for the rest of the week because the pediatrician wants to make sure he has adjusted to the antibiotics.

She also told me to make sure he doesn't 1) itch and 2) kiss or hug any kids! I was like, "Excuse me, because first of all, how do you make a toddler stop scratching and secondly, you obviously don't know my overly affectionate son." He kisses and hugs everything, even trees!!! Well, I guess I have my work cut out for me. I am just glad it was a mild inflammation rather than something more serious. Here is to hoping Luke gets better soon.

I looked up Dermatitis on WebMD and thought I would paste it here for all of you who are interested and/or bored...

What is atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is a long-lasting (chronic) skin problem. It causes dry skin, intense itching, and then a red, raised rash. In severe cases, the rash forms clear, fluid-filled blisters. It cannot be spread from person to person.

Atopic dermatitis is most common in babies and children. Some children with atopic dermatitis outgrow it or have milder cases as they get older.1 You may also get atopic dermatitis as an adult.

Atopic dermatitis is sometimes called eczema or atopic eczema. But atopic dermatitis is only one of many types of eczema.

What causes atopic dermatitis?

The cause of atopic dermatitis is not clear.

People with atopic dermatitis seem to have very sensitive immune systems that are more likely to react to irritants and allergens.

Most people who have atopic dermatitis have a personal or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma. The skin inflammation that causes the atopic dermatitis rash is thought to be a type of allergic response.

Things that may make atopic dermatitis worse include:

* Stress.
* Certain foods, such as eggs, peanuts, milk, wheat, or soy products.
* Allergens, such as dust mites or animal dander.
* Harsh soaps or detergents.
* Weather changes, especially dry and cold.
* Skin infection.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of atopic dermatitis is itching, followed by rash. The rash is red and patchy and may be long-lasting (chronic) or may come and go (recurring). Tiny bumps or blisters may appear and ooze fluid or crust over. Scratching can cause the sores to become infected. Over time, a recurring rash can lead to tough and thickened skin.

People tend to get the rash on different parts of the body, depending on their age. Common sites include the face, neck, arms, and legs. Rashes in the groin area are rare.

How severe the symptoms are depends on how large an area of skin is affected. It also depends on how much you scratch the rash and whether the sores get infected. Mild atopic dermatitis usually affects a small area of skin. It does not itch much and goes away with enough moisturizing. Severe atopic dermatitis usually covers a large area of skin that is very itchy. It does not go away with moisturizing.

How is atopic dermatitis diagnosed?

A doctor can usually tell if you have atopic dermatitis by doing a physical exam and asking questions about your past health. Some of the questions might be: Do allergies run in your family? When did the itch first start? When did the rash first appear? Checking to see what the rash looks like and where it is located will help your doctor decide if you have atopic dermatitis.

Your doctor may advise allergy testing to find the things that trigger the rash. Allergy tests are done by an allergist (immunologist).
How is it treated?

Although atopic dermatitis is an ongoing problem, there are things you can do to control it.

* Use moisturizing creams and lotions often.
* Avoid things that trigger rashes, such as harsh soaps and detergents, dander, and any other things you are allergic to.
* Control scratching. You may want to cover the rash with a bandage to keep from rubbing it. Put mittens or cotton socks on your baby's hands to help prevent him or her from scratching.
* Use medicine prescribed by your doctor.
* Bathe with cool or lukewarm-not hot-water and for short periods.

In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe pills or give you a shot to stop the itching. Or you may get ultraviolet (UV) light treatment at a clinic or doctor’s office.

Halloween Baking

In an effort to better myself as a wife, mother, and chef/baker, I have decided to research thoroughly different ways to improve everyday things. One of the areas that has caused me much disgrace is that of a baker. To put in simply, I stink at it. So, I have been ferociously watching the Food Network Channel, collecting recipes from the Internet and taking very much needed advice from friends and neighbors so that I may improve upon my lacking skills. The result is not up to par with my standards, but improving nonetheless.

For instance, last Friday I decided to be overambitious and make a fondant Halloween cake with little cutouts and everything. It turned out ok, but I could definitely use some practice. I molded the fondant, cut out shapes, and even attempted to color certain designs with food coloring--exempt from all the professional tools. It took me all day to bake the cake, mix up some home made frosting, roll the fondant and decorate the darn thing. It was exhausting, but the kids loved it. I made a small cake just for Luke and Grace; the mini cat with the crescent moon was for Luke and the mini purple ghost was for Grace. I guess my avid watching of "The Ace of Cakes" show has transformed me. Needless to say, I am pretty sure that the next time I attempt this huge feet will be far into the future.

I also made cookies this weekend with the kids. I baked sugar cookies and let them decorate with all kinds of sprinkles, candy corn, food coloring, and gummi worms. The cookies were not made from scratch, but the decorating was what I wanted to focus on anyways. Next week, I think I might make ghouly cupcakes or green chocolate slimedoo. All in the life of a baker/housewife!

And the Winner is...

the bunny!! Thanks guys for voting in our poll. It looks like it was a landslide with 10 votes going towards the bunny. I had such a hard time deciding as I liked all the candidates, but y'all made it a little easier on me. The bunny is also symbolic for Grace as she was born on Easter weekend. I really appreciate all your support in the viewing and participating of our blog. You guys rock!!! Watch out for Hoppin' Grace coming to you on Halloween day!

Big Girl Cup

This is Grace drinking out of a cup for the first time. I can't believe how fast she is growing. Before you know it, she is going to take the keys to our car and go for a drive. Let's just hope not anytime soon...

Happy Birthday Granddaddy!

"Oh boy!" We hope your day is swell. We love you and miss you Granddaddy. "See ya soon!"

CyberLuke

The other night Ryan told me that Luke logged onto the Internet all by himself and proceeded to play Elmo's World, an Internet game we let him play as a reward. I did NOT believe this so I went into the computer room to investigate. It was true, I witnessed it myself; my son can navigate the Internet at 3 years old. I was so shocked at first and then I was kind of worried he might accidentally look up some lascivious porn site. Oh the things to worry about already! I think it is safe to say we will be implementing the parental control options soon.

It was just amazing to watch my little man acting so big. His process went like this: he took the mouse and clicked on the start button, then he clicked on the big 'E' for Internet explorer; after that, he found the little yellow star that holds our favorites files and looked up his folder with his name on it (he recognizes his name in print); finally, he found the PBS icon in red and clicked on that to upload his page. Up popped Elmo's World and Luke had successfully navigated the Internet and wowed his parents once again this week. My little tot is growing up so fast!

Last night he tried to give me some lip and I just looked at him. I said to Luke, "Honey, if you can navigate the Internet, then I KNOW you know what I am saying!!!" He didn't say much after that. Ahhh, my little stinker whom I like to call CyberLuke.

Some Good Weather Photos

Fun at McDonald's

We decided to treat Luke to his favorite thing, chicken nuggets, after we got a great report from school. The teacher asked Luke to recall all 26 letters of the alphabet, numbers 1 through 20, as well as the basic colors and shapes in class yesterday. He got them all correctly and was called out in class for doing such an awesome job!!! I just could not be any more proud of him. His teacher tells me that going through flashcards is his favorite part of the day and he really pays attention. I think I might frame his take home note from the teacher at school. I almost cried tears of joy when I picked him up and heard the good news.

So, we had ourselves some chicken nuggets and then went to play on the playground. This was great for Luke, but Grace, well....she is just not quite old enough yet, so Ryan and I had to go through this massive, plastic obstacle course with her. We were afraid we would get stuck ourselves, or worse, have the whole darn thing fall on us, but we made it, luckily. We have a few battle scars (aka strawberries) to prove it! Ahhh, the things you do for your kids. Check out these pictures and video of all the fun.

Gone Bananas

Ahhh, my two little precious monkeys. I caught Grace sneaking a bite of Luke's late night cap snack of a banana. At first Luke didn't even realizing she was eating his banana, but after a while he caught on. Surprisingly, he let her eat some of it. I think he heard us laughing in the background and decided to play along. Ryan and I nearly died laughing. Sometimes my kids are just too darn funny. Maybe I should make them both monkeys for Halloween. What do you think?

Take a Poll

Please help me decide what to make Grace for Halloween! I know these costumes look hot for this type of weather, but honestly, she will not be in it for long. Luke has already decided what he will be for Halloween. So, now I just need help with Gracie girl. Thanks guys!

What should Grace be for Halloween?






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Create a Poll

October is...

I am not kidding...October is all of these things. I found this on a website looking for the 'National Breast Cancer Awareness Month' as my mom is a breast cancer survivor. I will pay homage to her on another post, but I stumbled upon this site instead. I researched some of the sites and it seems legit. They got some of these from the History Channel and so forth. It's pretty interesting. It's National Popcorn Poppin' Month Y'all!!!

Adopt A Shelter Dog Month

Antidepressant Death Awareness Month

Celebrate Sun Dried Tomatoes Month

Celiac Sprue Awareness Month

Celebrate The Bilingual Child Month

Children's Magazine Month

Christmas Seal Campaign

Church Safety and Security Month

Class Reunion Month

Diversity Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Eat Better, Eat Together Month

Energy Management is a Family Affair-Improve Your Home Month

Gay & Lesbian History Month

German-American Heritage Month

Go Hog Wild - Eat Country Ham

Halloween Safety Month

Head Start Awareness Month

Health Literacy Month

International Starman Month

International Strategic Planning Month

Long Term Care Planning Month

Lupus Awareness Month

National Animal Safety and Protection Month

National Bake and Decorate Month

National Book Month

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

National Canine Good Health Month

National Caramel Month 

National Chili Month

National Chiropractic Month

National Communicate With Your Kids Month

National Construction Toy Month

National Cookie Month

National Crime Prevention Month

National Dental Hygiene Month

National Depression Education & Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

National Down Syndrome Month

National Ergonomics Month

National Family Sexuality Education Month

National "Gain The Inside Advantage" Month

National Go On A Field Trip Month

National Liver Awareness Month

National Medical Librarian Month

National Orthodontic Health Month

National Pajama Month

National Physical Therapy Month

National Popcorn Poppin' Month

National Reading Group Month

National Roller Skating Month

National RSV Awareness Month

National Sarcastic Awareness Month

National Seafood Month

National Spina Bifida Awareness Month

National Window Covering Safety Month

National Work and Family Month

National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month

Organize Your Medical Information Month

Pastor (Clergy) Appreciation Month

Photographer Appreciation Month

Polish American Heritage Month

Positive Attitude Month

Rett Syndrome Awareness Month

Right Brainers Rule! Month

Self-Promotion Month

Spinach Lovers Month

Talk About Prescriptions Month

Vegetarian Month

Wishbones for Pets Month

Women's Small Business Month

Workplace Politics Month