Mamazen

Not allergies. Allergies don't have 102.5 fevers. Blast. Apparently this winter we are tied to the sick.

Family ties

So many tiny little things tie you to those that are your blood relations, or chosen family, or connected by marriage. What is the underlying family tie in my family tree?

Allergies. Holy Jebus on a hot cake, name one person I'm blood related to who does NOT have an allergy?!? yeah, there aren't any. And if any of them claim not to, they are either stupid, or lying. Or both.

I thought my sweet Ruby had escaped the family curse. She'd had a few bouts of eczema, but it seemed more related to dry skin than food or contact (like me). She has never reacted to any foods, and has only had hives a couple of times, both times after being out for a walk, so it's possible something just irritated her. She's 3.5 and hadn't had any (or so I thought) inkling of seasonal allergies... until now.

The past three days has seen my poor kid covered in snot, with itchy runny eyes and post nasal drip cough. I vaguely remember this last spring also, but assumed she was sick... and now I'm realizing that she's NOT sick, but she has seasonal allergies. Ugh. Poor kid. i know that burning sinus pain all too well, the congestion that never seems to let up and the runny eyes that you'd rather gouge out than deal with. We tried two days of eucalyptus oil, hot showers, homeopathics, etc... and after 2 nights of a non sleeping kid, I went out and bought some antihistamine. Sometimes you really just need meds. 

Let's hope she gets some sleep tonight!

(this post is NOT looking for advice on how to treat seasonal allergies. Trust me, I've had them my whole life. I've been and am allergic to everything and anything. I know how to avoid, I know what to do and I also know when to say uncle and take a benedryl)

Knitting Olympics

Four years ago a prolific, hilarious and brilliant knitter and writer, they Yarn Harlot started the knitting Olympics.  She figured, knitting is my sport, I might as well get a medal for being awesome at it. Amen sister. Amen. 

This year, many friends are participating. I thought about it... then realized that I didn't have it in me to take on something challenging. So, my goal during these Olympic games is to finish the legwarmers I started 3 months ago. That in and of itself is challenge for me at this time. 

Case in point, it's almost 10 pm and I haven't knit a stitch all day. Grocery shopping, helping friends and running errands brought me to dinner time, and then there were emails to return, work to do and this boring blog to write. 

The needles call...

International ties

I love the Olympics. LOVE. I'm not into sports, but the Olympics take me by storm and make me wanna hug complete strangers. I'm sure some of it is the overly emotional TV coverage, the heartfelt stories of the competitors and the heady music, but man, the games always get me. I find myself rooting for the underdog, the reigning champion and the surprise outta no where. Something about how these kids are competing with their whole hearts, makes me want to try better at what I love to do. 

I remember falling in love with the Olympics in 1976 when Nadia Comaneci took the world by storm at the age of 14 and won 3 gold medals in Gymanstics after getting perfect marks. 

I remember when the Olympics were in Los Angels in 1984, my sister (and our high school band) performed at some of the cermonies, and I got to watch the torch, that glowing symbol of warmth and eternal youth, go by with my G'ma. So much greatness, so close to home. 

I remember in 1994 watching Oksana Baiul win a gold medal in women's figure skating while I waited tables, telling customers they'd have to wait till the long program was over, and then (and ONLY then would I bring them another beer). 

I was fascinated along with the entire world when Michael Phelps seemed to defy reality and win more gold medals than anyone under the sun.

And just like everyone else watching the games this year, I'm shocked and saddened by the death of luger Nodar Kumaritashivili today, as the games are just opening. So young, with so much potential. 

I could tell you countless stories of athletes and olympians who have inspired me, touched me and filled me with awe and pride. But I can't cause the games are on. 

Running in circles

Sometimes it's not a bad thing at all.

 

 

 

 

 
 
  
 
 

What I look at every day at my desk.

Now, I just need to believe it. 

 

Simple Kids

A wonderful friend of mine, Kara (who happened to share a pregnancy and due date with me) has recently taken over editing the fabulous blog Simple Kids. She's a brilliant writer, mama and all around genuinely nice human. Go on over and check it out! 

Oh and they are having a rad give away, so get entered!

I don't know you, but we're tied to each other

Like attracts like, does it not? I know they say opposites attract, but in my experience, its not always so.  

When I was pregnant with Ruby, we went to Mexico to enjoy some sunshine on my belly before the baby came. One morning over breakfast, we chatted with a couple who were vacationing with their 9 month old baby. Within 5 minutes of conversation we were discussing IVF and infertility, and I remember thinking... 'we are everywhere'.

One of my first patients when I was back from maternity leave (after a traumatic c-section) was a mama pregnant with her second attempting (and eventually succeeding!) a home VBAC after an eerily similar first birth to mine. Again, I thought, 'I'm not the only one'.

Today while at the soaking pool another mama and son entered the water. He was quite a love, at one point he just walked over and sat in my lap, and said "pizza! swim diaper!" and I knew... he was a special kid, just like my Ruby. In the course of conversation, I mentioned that we come every monday after speech therapy and then our chat turned what services our kids were getting and what pools had free hours for kids with special needs. When it was time to go, she said "Ruby's mama, I didn't get your name, but here's my number. I don't have a lot of people in my community that I can talk to about my kid's special needs".

I gave her my card, and told her that I knew a lot of people who had kids with special needs and that I'd love to get together again. But what I should have said was 

"You are not alone"

And neither am I.

A day like any other sunday

Today was a day like any other sunday. I passed the kid off to Ryan when she woke up and went back to sleep for two glorious hours. (before you think I'm some lucky lady, let me remind you that most nights he sleeps in the guest room, and I take on all of the night wakings... that sometimes last for hours. a couple of extra hours on the weekend is not remotely a luxury, it's a necessity). When I got up, coffee was on, and the child and husband were jumping on the couch and watching sunday PBS. 

I made my weekly menu and grocery list (sans produce, as that is picked up from the coop tomorrow) over my morning coffee, and then took a quick (and solo!) trip to Trader Joes for some essentials. When I arrived home, a quick lunch was had then the tot and I headed off to the Springwater Corridor Trail for a walk with Celeste and the boys. My plan for the walk was for Ruby to run off some energy after watching too much PBS in the morning, but Ruby had other plans. She was either on my back or in the stroller, and Max was on my back... so she didn't get much exercise, but I did. 

We got home and Ryan was out in the yard pulling weeds, so Ruby played in her sandbox while we did yard work for a couple of hours. She ended up helping by putting weeds in the yard debris bin, and she desperately wanted to be on the ladder with Ryan while he trimmed the trees. Finally around 3 pm I realized I'd better get the spaghetti and bread started or we'd never be having dinner, so Ru and I headed in to cook. Once the sauce was simmering and chocked full of veggies (I make a weird, but delicious spag sauce!) and the bread dough rising, we decided a hot bath was in order.

Apparently there was some football thing on tv (I'm kidding, I know what the superbowl is, I just don't care) so ryan spent some time eating guacamole and drinking beer, and then we all ate spaghetti while watching the last few minutes of the game. The kitchen was cleaned, the laundry folded and put away and then the kid was ready for bed.  

All in all, not a bad sunday. How about you?

Two sticks and a piece of string

In my opinion, knitting is the most fun you can have with two sticks and a piece of string. Anyone who knows me knows that a day I don't spend even a few minutes knitting is a day that I don't feel complete, like I forgot to do something. I've always got at least two projects going at all times, usually something big (like a sweater) and something small (like legwarmers) and then when needed I'll interject quick little gifts or what not. 

You'd think this would keep me satisfied. Oh, no... I have the worst knitting ADD ever. Some nights I'll sit knitting while simultaneously trolling Ravelry for new projects. I know I'm not alone in this, because some nights I'm also simultaneously IMing with other knitting friends about what THEY are trolling ravelry for. 

So many knitting projects, so little time.