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Ready or not, here comes Passover

Posted on April 2, 2009 8:41 am by TheAngelForever

No matter how much I am in denial, the reality is there. Next Wednesday night is the first Passover Seder.

Over the last month or so we have been slowly gathering more healthy recipes to use for Passover. Of course also with that we have been ~~going into debt~~ buying Passover items before the stores run out. This year JL and I promised each other that we would not buy as much of the prepackaged Passover foods, mixes and things. We have our own baking pans for Passover and bought ingredients that can be used to bake the boys some goodies. Of course we did buy some Rainbow and Bon Bon cookies because those are quite difficult to replicate.

Here is the cabinet in our kitchen completely filled with all of our non-perishable Passover food/baking/spice items.

My biggest dilemma with Passover is breakfast. Most morning I eat instant oatmeal. It is filling, low points and keeps me energized for the morning. Sadly there is no really good option with this for Passover. The boys will likely be eating a LOT of matzah and cream cheese. Yummy indeed, but it is not really an option while being good. I seriously do not want to undo the weight loss that I have done, especially given the commitment to work outs that I have been doing. Since Sunday, I have already done 16.5 miles of work out with Leslie Sansone (not including today).

One option is trying this:

According to JL, it can be used as a hot breakfast cereal of sorts. Has anyone tried this and have any suggestions? Trying to come up with some more options for Passover. We have yogurt, although not one that I really like since it is Kosher for Passover. There will also be egg whites, which are great if I have time to cook them. And of couse I could also do cottage cheese and fruit.

If you have any other suggestions for healthy Passover meals, especially breakfast and even lunch, I would love to hear them.

There are a lot of past postings where I talk about Passover. Just do a keyword search for Passover. Here are my posts from the Seders last year: Happy Passover 2008 – Seder 1 and Seder Part Deux – 2008.

Categories:
decisions holidays jl photos

Four years of physical therapy

Posted on March 30, 2009 8:10 am by TheAngelForever

About four years ago I made a very difficult phone call. JL and I decided it was time to have NHL evaluated with Early Intervention. Our little guy had been talking sentences for quite some time, but he could not walk on his own. He had no real ability to balance if a finger was not held by an adult. After a while, daycare convinced me that it could not hurt to see what happened.

For weeks we worried. Was there something more wrong with NHL’s legs. We went to pediatric neurologists to rule out many different items. They all agreed that it did not present itself like CP or MD. Instead, they believed that he was hyperflexible and had low muscle tone. Their thought was that with some major physical therapy he would not only be able to walk, but eventually catch up to his peers.

NHL has been receiving physical therapy for almost four years. He walked on his own just a few weeks after starting (fluke) right before his second birthday. Soon he was running, jumping came quite a while later and just this weekend we added bike riding to the list.

If you saw NHL with a group of his peers, you would never know he had low muscle tone. These days the only thing that lets us know is gets tired more quickly than other children. This is because his body works extra hard just to stay upright and balance – without adding walking/running/jumping into the mix. We often forget about this and do not understand why he gets tired and a little grumpy after a long day at school or when we go running around on errands.

Here is NHL getting ready to test out his new bike at home for the first time. Helmets are a must before getting on.

Even JSL was happy to be outside in the gorgous weather to watch his big brother. He loved following everyone in his "car car" after being cooped up in the house for the week.

Next thing I knew, NHL was off . . . riding his bike down the block.

The smile on his face made us feel so great. We think that secretly he had always wanted to ride a bike, but was too frustrated to ask. Finally his dreams were coming true thanks to all of his hard work in physcial therapy. NHL was so proud and wanted to show everyone his new bike.

At first he asked for a few pushes to give him some momentum. Then he teased JL, asking for help and then riding off just as he arrived at the bike. Yes, he really was riding a bike and kept it up until the sun was going down.

Now NHL hopes that the rain will stop and it warms up so he can enjoy the so-called spring with his new bike and little brother following along in his car.

Thank you to all of the therapists that have helped NHL to come so far!

Categories:
daycare decisions jl jsl looking back my boys nhl photos weekend

Big brother’s new bike

Posted on March 28, 2009 5:38 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL ,

Just a week ago we went on an outing to buy you a new bike. We finally found one that you were a pro with and bought it for an early birthday present. Then things went a little crazy. We were trying on your helmet at home when your little brother gave us all the scare of our lives. I can not even imagine what was going through your mind as you witnessed everything that evening. You were brave and helped Daddy to look outside for the first responders. My heart broke as I carried JSL to the ambulance and I heard you crying.

For the last week you have been pretty understanding about all of the attention being on your little brother. You have helped us to give him his medicine, tried to make him laugh, and changed the television to Sesame Street to make him happy.

Last night you finally got a chance to test our your new bike at home. Like a champ, you went and showed us your stuff. Just a few years ago we wondered if you would have the strength to ride a regular bike, and now you have. We are so proud of you! Your hard work in physical therapy has made your muscles so strong!

Today it made me smile to watch you go up and down Nana and Papa’s street and then around our block. You were so proud of your new bike, but the truth is you should be thrilled with your fabulous acomplishment.

Way to go big kid – I love you!

Mommy

__________________________________________________________

Dear Kid Saturdays at Cutest Kid Ever

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday milestone nhl photos weekend

Spring FEVER update

Posted on March 26, 2009 9:12 am by TheAngelForever

Here is a brief history of what has happened so far with an update:

Just before dinner Saturday night JSL slumped over on the floor. Minutes before this he was playing and chasing after his big brother.
He turned blue, was rigid and had a locked jaw.
Eventually realized he was having a febrile seizure (previously had one 13 months before).
Went via ambulance to what we thought was the best ER for pediatric cases.
In the ER the only things they did was to take his temperature (confirmed it was a fever), gave him motrin, listened to his chest, looked in his ear.
WE had to ask for them to look in his mouth and down his throat to make sure it was not something there (strep/coxsakie virus)
Discharged by the ER quickly with NADA of a cause for the febrile seizure. They never once asked to do a blood test or anything further.
Sunday JSL played in the house and we kept Motrin and Tylenol in him.
I fell asleep next to him that night and woke up at midnight to the little guy thrashing about and frothing from his mouth. Temperature was at least 103.5 and he had his second febrile seizure in less than 30 hours.
Called our doctor at 12:30 at night. Agreed we should combat fever at home and not go back to useless ER.
Monday we took JSL to our doctor. Did strep test (negative) and checked other items.
Finally someone listened to us about the congestion JSL had been having at night for the past week (thought it was teething). Doctor saw his bloody nose, heard about the discolored mucous and said it sounded like a sinus infection.
One ear was blocked by a lot of wax and may have also been hiding an infection.
Given strong antibiotic to give JSL to attack whatever is getting his little body.
Kept alternating fever reducers every two hours for fear of another febrile seizure.
Wednesday morning JSL woke up and seemed cool at first. Within 15 minutes he was VERY warm again. 101 with the thermometer.
Called our doctor to let them know that we were still running a fever on day 2 of 5 with the antibiotic.
Doctor’s office wanted a urine specimen to check that possibility of infection that would not be covered on the antibiotic.
I questioned if a CBC blood test should be run. Sure enough our doctor did not know that it had not been done in the ER and requested one.
Took JSL to another hospital for the blood work. No luck getting blood. The phlebotomist was great, but JSL is a hard stick even without being partially dehydrated.
Last night got some urine to bring to the doctor today and got up every few hours all night to check on temperature.
This morning JSL’s temperature is at about 99 without any medications in him. His normal body temperature is 96, so this is still slightly elevated.
While doing a diaper change I now see a rash all over his tiny body. With new development off to call the doctor again.

This is the little guy yesterday. He climbed up on the couch and immediately took a nap on his own.

Categories:
doctor jsl looking back photos sick kid vent

DaBib Review and Giveaway

Posted on March 25, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I will admit it, my boys lived in bibs for much of their first year. Whether we were combating spit up, drool from teething, or eating their first solid food a bib was a must. JSL is almost two now and bibs are still much needed accessories for meal and snack time. I do not know about you, but most toddlers are very messy eater. As they learn to self feed, clean up often becomes a hassle.

We have many plastic/vinyl bibs that we use when feeding JSL. Recently we had the opportunity to try out DaBib thanks to Family Review Network.

My Review:

The first thing I noticed about DaBib is the collar. The collar is made of a soft material that scrunches up at the neck. A big problem we have with JSL is food going down the neck of his bib. This patented feature stopped that from happening as he ate. Then I realized that the crumb catcher was not permanently on the front of the bib. For kids that do not need it, the catcher is located on the back of the bib when not being used. If you need it, you simply unfold it forward and the wide mouth of the crumb-catcher is ready to go. As I was putting the bib onto JSL for the first time I was impressed with the large adjustable velcro strip. This bib would definitely fit not only my almost two year old, but a teeny tiny infant and also a child older than JSL.

JSL liked the bib. He did not complain about putting it on and the real test was that he did not try to yank it right off. The nice feel of the soft material kept him happy (me too). JSL was not a fan of the crumb catcher while sitting in his high chair. As you can see in the photo below, he asked us to tuck it in. Clearly if we were dining out and he was in a restaurant chair without a sliding tray, the crumb-catcher would be a wonderful asset.

When JSL was a baby, I would hate bibs that were not thick and absorbant. I so wish I had DaBibs when he was smaller. We used to go through so many bibs and outfits a day thanks to the thin nature of most baby bibs. I would definitely recommend DaBibs to people with or expecting little ones and will purchase them as part of future baby gifts.

Important Facts about DaBib:

All of DaBib are shrink-resistant and machine washable
Have the patented "Scrunch Collar" that helps to minimize leakage of food and drinks onto the children and their clothing
Crumb-Catcher found on the back of the bib and automatically pouches when folded forward to catch food and liquids
Front closure on DaBib has an adjustable strip that allows it to fit infants to toddlers
Waterproof bib backing and micro-fiber terrycloth front make it highly absorbant and easy to clean
DaBib is extra-long and wide to cover children from shoulder-to shoulder
Non-toxic, lead-free – meets and exceeds the new US requirements

DaBib is available in two styles. DaHugs (which we received) is made with a super-absorbant micro-fiber Terry front and waterproof back. It is great for the first year when absorbancy is the key.

DaGiggles is a wipe-off, waterproof style. This bib is comfortable and a great option to replace plastic and rubber bibs when your child is eating solid food.

DaGiggles

DaBibs are currently available to purchase for $12.99 on their website. If you buy three or more shipping is free. Soon DaBibs will also be available at Babies R Us.

A Chance for you to win!

Thanks to DaBib, 1 lucky winner (US and Canada only) will have a chance to win their own DaBib.

Rules for Giveaway:

MAIN RULE – Visit the DaBib website and then come back and leave a comment telling me which DaBib (color as well) you would select and who it is for.
1-2 Bonus Entries – View one or both of the DaBib videos Vitto Gottabone or DaBaby, DaDoll & DaBib Via e-mail to the_angel_forever at yahoo dot com answer the following question for Vitto Gottabone: What is the name of the little girl in the video? For the video DaBaby, DaDoll & DaBib: What is DaBaby sharing with DaDoll. Leave a comment for each e-mail response that you send me.
1 Bonus Entry – Subscribe to my RSS feed (or let me know if you already are) in a separate comment.
1-2 Bonus Entries – Stumble this post and/or my main blog page and leave your Stumble name in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Follow me on Twitter @TheAngelForever and tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to include @TheAngelForever and DaBibs in the Tweet. Please leave a direct link to your Tweet in a separate comment.
1 Bonus Entry – Add TheAngelForever to your blog roll and leave a separate comment.
3 Bonus Entries – Write a post on your blog linking to my blog about the DaBib giveaway. Be sure to leave 3 comments about this to get credit for all of your extra credit.

To enter, just follow the rules above within the comment section. Be sure that I have an e-mail address that I can contact you for a mailing address once the giveaway is over. All entries must be received by 10:59pm EST on April 5, 2009. I will pick the winner using random.org and contact you via e-mail. You will have 48 hours to claim the prize. If no response, another winner will be selected.