All About Pat

Signing off

2008-11-27T20:46:00.003-05:00

O my God! Two months since I have posted. November through Holy Week are such rear-end kickers at work and at home -- work for obvious reasons and home because I want to make things special. The two don't mix so well. After yesterday I could do without holidays for a while. Sure the skunking at yesterday's feast has something to do with it. Seriously, from out of nowhere came a skunk (probably rabid) and he tried to breed one of the dogs and got his face in through the kitchen door. And we thought the biggest problem would be a late turkey.

Don't look for much more here. Facebook is where it's at and it takes a lot less of my time to post pictures and updates there.

Copying

2008-09-24T20:21:00.005-04:00

I am going to copy the ladies over at www.jessfinds.blogspot.com and make my Hanna wish-list for Patrick. I have actually bought him several cute things lately both from the real shop and on e-bay. He will need more as nothing from last winter still fits. I do think now that he's 2 and his growth has really, really slowed down that he will fit into these things again next year. Size 80 in pants. 80 or 90 in shirts. Seven in shoes.

First Riding Lesson

2008-09-24T15:37:00.002-04:00

Yes, they make paddock boots, helmets, and breeches for toddlers. The way this works is one person leads the pony around while the other has hands ready to catch a slipping tot. Patrick really didn't require much assistance, though. He has another lesson this weekend. His pony is Jolie.

When is doubt....

2008-09-23T10:56:00.002-04:00

When your child wakes up in the wee hours making a reverse croup sound on air intake and you are bleary-eyed not sure what the hell is going on, call 911. That was our morning and he needed an immediate dose of prednisone. So much better now. It is croup. I had heard the croup cough before but never the sound of breathing distress. I ahve never dialed 911 but so glad I did.

We are a racist nation.

2008-09-22T13:17:00.002-04:00

Look at what far too many white Americans believe about African-Americans. We ought to be ashamed. We need to repent.

http://news.yahoo.com/page/election-2008-political-pulse-obama-race

Tagged

2008-09-18T11:57:00.002-04:00

I got tagged by Jess G. I a virgin meme writer so go easy on me.

Joys:

1. Fall breezes through open windows (my house smells so clean right now)

2. homemade totally-from-scratch and a so fresh flour tortillas

3. Patrick holding his hands up above his head and saying "Yay!" with delight

Fears:

1. flying. hate it. tubes of death.

2. mice, gerbils, rats, hamsters aren't even up there on my list

3. that the reps will win. "Oh Canada, our home and native land." or "God save the Queen."

Obsessions/Collections:

1. keeping my kitchen sink clean and white

2. Royal Stafford china in blue or brown with the choaching scene

3. nails and toes - got to be done up

Surprising Facts

1. I once slept in the grounds of La Alhambra

2. I have two webbed toes on one foot. Patrick has the same set on both feet.

3. I was once a size 2 petite

I don't really have anyone to tag. So sad.

Clarification

2008-09-13T21:33:00.003-04:00

Okay, so after reading a Wash. Post article today, it seems both candidates would cut taxes for those making under about $230k or so. The difference is McCain would also cut for high end earners whereas Obama would tax them. How else are we going to pay for comprehensive insurance, this endless war, educational programs, and our mounting national debt? And I say this as one who is in a higher tax bracket. Taxes can serve a good purpose and I don't trust people to share their money through private endeavors. I've seen firsthand how that works.

Again, thanks to Sara K. for sending her readers that way.

The Best Part

2008-09-06T20:11:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I was watching Food Network late at night. They had this company on that does New England clambakes. Well, that's my kind of food. The food of my ancestors. So, I googled "RI, clambake, Sept., 2008" and found the same company (McGrath's) doing a clambake at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI 15 minutes away from where we were staying. It was a foodie experience. Early in the morning they go out and collect rockweed off the cliffs in Newport. They build a fire with wooded pallets upon which they mound granite. When the fire dies, they put the rockweed on the granite. This special seaweed has pockets of saltwater that pop when hot. Next they layer the food on the stones then cover with lots of canvas tarps for two hours. They also make New England brown bread in coffee cans and steam it under some of the tarp layers. Great bread for Thanksgiving this year.

The Bake

The Unveiling

Oh my!

YUM!

The View.

Patrick gets down

2008-09-06T20:05:00.002-04:00

Patrick dancing on the green in Mystic.

More Rhode Island

2008-09-06T19:59:00.002-04:00

Well, actually it's Connecticut. We went down to Mystic to get Pizza at THE Mystic Pizza. Second time we have been there and it is really so, so good. Even just their plain cheese pizza is great. Visited Mystic Seaport where we toured some ships and listened to jazz on the green. Could have stayed there and let the kids dance for a lot longer.

Rhode Island

2008-09-06T19:16:00.003-04:00

We were sick for, well, the entire "vacation" (quotes becuase I am convinced there is no such thing until children are more independent). I did everything I could not to be sick -- herbal supplements, neti pot (very cool -- will use one everyday as a preventative so as not to be sick) but alas the plague got me, and Patrick, and Jesse and now has one of our friends' daughters (so sorry!).
Still, what is important is that we got to visit with friends (though I did try to get Jesse to leave at one point and let us be sick at home). We did have some fun times in the trip and here are some of the pics to prove it.

Here we are at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, a great place for little ones because of it's smaller scale and choo-choo train. We got to ride in the caboose.

Patrick milking a "cow."

Birthday Party

2008-08-23T15:46:00.003-04:00

Pics from Patrick's birthday party. All went well and the 7 or so kids had fun while parents seemed to be able to relax for the most part. Having a fence sure helps. The only thing that could make it better next year would be a pony for pony rides.

A Green Birthday

2008-07-30T10:53:00.002-04:00

Knowing that I don't want to wash 50-60 plates, forks, etc. at Patrick's upcoming party and that I hate the fact that both my parishes are entrenched in raising their carbon footprints with all the plastic cups and paper plates they throw away, I checked out options that are earth-friendly AND convenient.

http://www.biosmartpackaging.com has $20 specials for various place settings of 50. They also include a garbage bag with that. Have to have the compostable or biodregradable bag for any of this to work out anyway. The downside is that if you would like to start using these bags as your regular bag, they are way, way, way expensive.

So, now that I have bought the wine in recycled and recyclable boxes and am ordering from Biosmart, it looks like Patrick will be having a green birthday party.

Oh, my heart!

2008-07-28T14:59:00.002-04:00

Is it legal to be so cute?

There's a what in my car?

2008-07-26T21:26:00.003-04:00

+ =

What do you get when you cross a toddler's milk spills and crumbs with a car parked in the drive of an old farmhouse? Well, as we discovered, you get mice in your car. EEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Car has been fully detailed and inspected by the dealership for nests and it appears we had visitors and not residents. Patrick is no longer allowed to eat or drink in the car. H2O is allowed and we may make exceptions on trips to RI or Texas. Otherwise, eat when it is offered.

I will spare you the details of Jesse having to pick up the not-quite-dead mouse on the glue trap (OOPS!)

Vist from Meemaw and Pappock (sp?)

2008-07-09T20:31:00.003-04:00

Patrick's paternal parents were here over the long weekend. It was nice, especially for Patrick who had tons of attention. We cooked tasty meals at home and rarely ate out. Meemaw got some good shots of Patrick but I hesitate to put the best ones up on this site because he is naked in them. I figure either someone will cry "child abusers" or someone else will steal them and do something illegal with them. They are absolutely innocent and he's under 2 but there are sickos out there. One of them is of Patrick at a bird bath surrounded by the flowers and foliage of one of my flower beds. He looks like he is in an Arthur Rackham book or a fairy land. Just beautiful.

Otherwise we have these:

And from the zoo a few weeks ago:

I WAS THERE!

2008-06-07T23:13:00.002-04:00

Yep, went to my first political rally. Amazing! While Obama is a great orator the likes of which we haven't seen since Kennedy and FDR, what really got me was the crowd. There were families, singles, black, white, Asian, (not as many Latinos but this was held in Prince William County which has just about chased out all the Latinos - racists!) all there together, peacefully united around the hope that a man named Barack Hussein Obama, a man with dark skin, could actually be the President of the one nation that got its start around such an idea anyway and is finally getting there. Finally!

Mmore pictures from the farm

2008-05-16T04:12:00.001-04:00

A Day at the Farm

2008-05-16T04:06:00.003-04:00

It is odd that for Patrick to enjoy farm animals, we have to drive from the country into the suburbs to Frying Pan Farm Park. Oh well, after the $20 spent on gas, it's a great place for kids. We even got to milk a Jersey Cow.

PIGGIES!

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO

GORGEOUS PEACOCK!

BAAAAA!

MILKING

Random recent pictures

2008-04-21T22:01:00.002-04:00

Last cold snap.

Playing in the bird bath.

Corgi soccer (our first child).

New(ish) Highchair

2008-04-21T21:55:00.002-04:00

I wanted one of these before Patrick was born but $300 for a highchair?? I found this one for $75 unfinished and did it myself for well under $200 in labor. Don't know if we will have another little one for it but maybe Patrick can use it for his kids.

Last days of winter

2008-03-25T19:07:00.002-04:00

One morning before daycare and quite possibly the last time he will wear this adorable sweater and hat from Hannah Andersson. The bruise on his cheek is from falling into the patio ledge.

Bath Time!

2008-03-25T19:02:00.002-04:00

Patrick sure does love his bubble baths. He can even say it when he wants to. He also likes to eat the bubbles and, surprise to me, loves having water poured over his head. I hated that as a child.

Where have we been?

2008-03-10T11:19:00.003-04:00

I know, I know. I haven't been posting. For one, I can't get the camera to upload pictures onto my computer and Jesse is protective of his computer. Two, we have been lazy in the picture taking anyway. Three, why post when no one leaves comments (hint, hint)? Four, WE ARE BUSY PEOPLE.

Updates: Patrick had ear tubes put in at the end of Feb. Jesse started his new job at OFHEO (you can google that). I have been elected rector. That means I have a very permanent job until I decide to move on or the congregation makes me miserable (let's hope the latter doesn't happen). Holy Week is next week and I am sick, sick, sick from either the petri dish that is my son or all the hands I shake every Sunday (and I do use Purell).

Yesterday, Jesse took Patrick to a wonderful indoor playground and, as it was reported to me, Patrick went nuts and got right in there with the big kids. We understand there is a working farm/park in the area and are hoping for warmish weather soon so we can all go to that. It even has a petting zoo. Hopefully, we will get out and about and get some cute spring pictures.

BTW Grandmas: cute spring pictures don't happen without cute spring clothes. We love Hannah Andersson and Gymboree. Patrick is wearing an 80 (not quite at a 90 but will be by the end of summer I think) and an 18 month at Gymboree.

Obamalution

2008-02-12T22:07:00.002-05:00

Over the last 7 years (well, more like 6.5 -- since September 11, 2001) I have been wondering why we Americans are not out in the streets demanding change. Well, this past weekend and tonight give me hope that real change is coming. Not just change in what we are doing but change in how we accomplish making different policies. It struck me several weeks ago that the difference in the type of change Obama puts forth and that of Clinton is that Obama wants to change the system.

WE NEED SYSTEMIC CHANGE!

I had the privilege of standing outside today in the freezing weather to campaign for Obama. There were one or two poorly informed people who believe Obama is a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian (a member of the United Church of Christ, I believe). But there were Republicans who glowed as they told me they were voting for a democrat for the first time and a black man who almost skipped into the polling site he was so happy (and all this in a quite conservative county of Virginia).

I hope Patrick grows up in a world where every little girl and boy, regardless of the color of their skin, the sexuality, their religion, etc., knows that they can be President. That will be worth the fact that my toes still haven't thawed out today.

First Sentence

2008-02-08T20:38:00.000-05:00

I was hoping that Patrick would have a cute first sentence. Something nice having to do with how much he loves his mommy, daddy, or puppy (or even his piggy), but no. According to his teachers, there were two moments last week when people came into his classroom and he turned around and clearly said, "Get out!" Can you say ATTITUDE?

We are home and the car trip to Texas really wasn't bad. Patrick is a good baby. I also think Jakers, Sesame Street Old School, and Charlotte's Web DVDs had something to do with it. We made each way in just under two days. Impressive with a toddler.

In other news, Jesse starts his new job on March 3rd. He will be working on the housing crisis, among other things, at OFHEO (Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight -- man, way too many words!).

Over the river and through the woods...

2008-01-05T16:51:00.000-05:00

We are leaving for a trip halfway across the continent on Wednesday.....with a toddler. O JOY! Though TV and DVDs are not usually a source of entertainment for Patrick, we are armed with a car DVD player, Sesame Street Old School (no annoying Elmo's World thank God!), Jakers! which are stories about a pig and his school mates in Ireland, and the old Charlotte's Web.

Jesse hopes to make this 22 hour trip in one and a half days. DVD or not, I think this will be hell. For once in my life, I would prefer to fly.

Christmas, etc.

2008-01-04T16:14:00.000-05:00

First , I couldn't be happier about Obama's win in the Iowa Caucus.

Now for the good stuff!

Santa brought Duplos.

Unwrapping a quilt from Mommy.

Doesn't he make the cutest reindeer? His class "sang" Jingle Bells for the school "play."

Recent Pics

2007-12-09T11:35:00.000-05:00

Patrick now likes to stuff himself into pots.

Father and son exhausted after a long cold day in New England.

This time a salad bowl works.

Father and son aboard the Mayflower II.

A pain worse than labor

2007-12-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

Spent last night in the ER with Kidney Stone II. KS I was five years ago. Having it removed Monday as it's on the larger size -- 5mm. The urologist has the personality of a ...well, actually he has absolutely no personality and acted superior and rude to boot. Even Jesse thought he was an ass. If it had not been a Friday afternoon and if I didn't need this damn thing out ASAP I would have told him where to shove it and found another urologist. At this point, the best I can do is insist on seeing one of his partners for follow-up. According to the pre-op nurse they are much nicer individuals. Also, she told me this doctor is rude but highly competent at removing stones.

As to Patrick -- he was a trooper as Mommy and Daddy removed him from his warm bed to get into a cold car at 2 am and go to the hospital where Mommy screamed for what seemed like forever until she got the happy meds.

Ketchup (stole that title from friend, Jessica G.)

2007-12-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

The first half of November was a productive, busy time at work -- vestry meetings at both churches, the wrapping up of the class I led on Marcus Borg's Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, and an incredible trip to the National Cathedral to hear Desmond Tutu. All people -- Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, etc. need to heed the words of this man. What a prophet.

After all that we traveled up to RI to visit the Gates family for Thanksgiving and spend a little time in southern New England. We went to Plymouth and toured the Mayflower II, saw the rock, etc. That's when things got bad. It was great seeing our friends and I got to baptize Paige but Patrick got sick, wouldn't sleep in his pack n play and slept with us all the while coughing on us. So, we got sick, the whole Gates family got sick, and while I thought I was getting better, I fell vulnerable to another bug. I could really deal without the daycare specials here.

I'll get some recent pictures up soon.

Turtle

2007-10-29T10:02:00.000-04:00

Patrick will be a turtle for Halloween. We had our first run in his costume at Auntie Wendy's pumpkin carving on Saturday and will go trick or treat at the houses of a few friends Wednesday night. He LOVES our staircase and is quite good at climbing the stairs with our close supervision (Jesse was right behind him in this picture but this little turtle is fast.

Feeding Piggy

2007-10-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

I have not posted much about Piggy, Percy Piggy to be exact. He is Patrick's best, best friend. Piggy came into Patrick's life his first day in daycare (beginning of August) and has been faithful ever since. Piggy is Patrick's first stuffed animal (or at least the first one with which Patrick has had an attachment) and some of you may remember that Patrick was a little piggy his first Halloween and one of his several nicknames is Little Patrick Piggy (sometimes Little Patrick Piggy Bear -- I know, too much!). Piggy was a constant comfort while Patrick was in the hospital and he has been a special friend while going to sleep and in daycare.

Patrick loves to put Piggy in his highchair. I guess he wants to feed Piggy.

Fall pics

2007-10-29T09:38:00.000-04:00

I have been out of town for the greater part of the last 3 weeks on business and a family funeral. Patrick and I went up to New Hampshire for a cousin's funeral. Happy babies can make everyone around them feel a lot better about a bad situation and Patrick rose to the occasion, including blowing raspberries as the pall bearers brought the coffin into the church. Later he managed to grab a font of holy water and tip it over spilling the blessed water all over the floor -- typical PK (priest's kid).

Blogger is having trouble uploading all the pics I wanted to post but here is one:

We took Patrick to a real pumpkin patch where we chose pumpkins right off the vine. He had a good time but the sun was bright and he wouldn't look up. This was his first ride in a wagon. He wanted to get out and walk but he did pretty well. Bright sun that day.

New Day Care

2007-10-13T16:38:00.000-04:00

As of almost two weeks ago, Patrick is in a new day care. See Patrick's Expulsion from School for the beginnings of why. We were all home for almost two weeks sick, sick, sick and that gave me some time to think and realize there was no way I could send him back to Children of America. So I discovered another day care in the area, visited and loved it (will not mention the name of that day care for reasons of privacy but I would love to cast a legitimate shadow on CofA). The new, wonderful, warm, loving place is truly all those things. The first day I took Patrick in to visit I noticed such a difference in how he reacted to the people and surroundings. Watching him, I realized he was scared and overwhelmed at the CofA (and there was a lot of tension there from the director who worked against her teachers as I later discovered).

I also found out from employees of the new day care that many of the things I had experienced at CofA were against state regulations. So, of course, I reported their ass. Got a call from an inspector to whom I told my story and she uncovered even more violations. I am so glad we aren't there anymore.

Now, to get back on my soapbox about supercapitalism and outsourcing: turns out this particular CofA is owned by foreign investors. Great, so there's not a friggn' bit of accountability and they really have no idea who they are hiring to direct the center or teach in it. Lovely!

I'm walkin' yes indeed and I'm talkin

2007-10-12T14:59:00.000-04:00

Patrick took his first real steps this week. He had taken a step here and there but now he can walk 10 or 15 feet at a time when he wants to. He also says doggie, book, baba (maybe) in relation to those things in addition to mama and dada. I thought he might have said piggy last night but wasn't sure. Takes some interpretation sometimes!

and if you thought we weren't sick enough...

2007-09-23T19:46:00.000-04:00

Patrick has pink-eye. So, no daycare even though he isn't supposed to be contagious from his cold which we now think is the flu having felt the symptoms ourselves. And he is still snotty and coughing from that. I don't know that I buy the whole not-infectious-unless-there's-a-fever argument. No way this is just a cold.

Hippity Hop

2007-09-23T10:32:00.000-04:00

Hee hee. Love this adorable toy by Montgomery Schoolhouse Toys in Vermont (and made right there in Vermont). Jesse has/will order it for Patrick. So cute. And, it is constructed to hop. They have a frog and a duck, too.

I found this place because Jesse's mom, Connie, brought the three train pieces left from Jesse's boyhood days and they are Montgomery Schoolhouse trains. So, I got interested in learning more about the company. They were bought out by Maple Landmark Woodcraft but everything is still made in Vermont. Did I mention that it's all made in Vermont ;-) (BTW: where are my emoticons???)

Little Patrick Petri Dish

2007-09-22T19:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the incredible petri dish of germs that is the daycare classroom we are all sick, sick, sick. Patrick is at least on the mend but I have hardly been out of bed -- chills, fever, sore throat, almost unable to swallow, body aches, etc. Jesse has been a real trooper by taking care of Patrick all day. Let's at least hope that we aren't both on our backs unable to function but that we go through this at different stages.Publish Post

$300 A Day (or Me Bitching)

2007-09-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

Patrick is paid up for two months of daycare since the beginning of August and so far the WHOLE SEVEN DAYS HE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN IN DAYCARE have run us about $300 per day. He was out because of his 28-day Lyme treatment and then another week on top of that because he couldn't have vaccinations or be exposed to anything until 5-7 days after the PICC line was pulled. He went back last Thursday through Tuesday morning when I got a call that he has a rash. Yep, a rash all over. Ped says it is a virus. He did have a runny nose last weekend and a low grade temp (still has a runny nose). So, he's not in daycare and who stays home with him? Me. Where is the gender equality in the world????? Jesse is going to try to come home early today because he knows he will have a wife better suited for a padded room if he doesn't.

I need Patrick to be in daycare. Patrick needs to be around other kids and have a safe place to explore besides his own house. I need to work without Patrick wondering why Mommy isn't giving him all the attention he needs. I really, really hate this.

Patrick's expulsion from school

2007-09-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Jessica says it better here and you should really read it before going on. I am not so funny in print. Hint: when you get there, scroll up to the blog entry. Don't just read the comments.

So, if you have read that, go on.

The truth is I made a civil complaint about the use of TV in the day care on Patrick's first day. Like talking to a brick wall until I called the corporate offices. That's when the hate started.

So, when Patrick went back this week and I saw a toy with peeling paint and others that are of a brand (Fisher-Price) that I was told was not ordered by this daycare and I 1. asked them to please remove the defunct toy and 2. INQUIRED politely as to the discrepancy (ooh, big intimidating word must have set off the director), I was told I could take Patrick elsewhere by some lady three rungs up from the director. Then I was ordered to take Patrick elsewhere. I never raised my voice or got belligerent so this was completely bizarre. I think it's a little like what some of the cell phone companies are doing now. They have enough customers so if you are one to lodge a complaint (and yes, I mean one friggin' complaint) then you are tossed overboard since they don't want to take the time to deal with you.

So, what's interesting is that I left a message with someone at the corporate office. I never heard back from him but within 30 minutes, the same woman who told me to take a hike, called back kissing my rear and telling me thank you for "bringing an important situation to light."

Digging herself out from under the compost is my guess.

Do something!

2007-09-13T22:47:00.000-04:00

I read Tired Mummy on occasion and she put together a most poignant, difficult post today. See it here and be prepared to cry and get angry. And then do something. Do something for Patrick, your own children and the children of parents who are completely overwhelmed by the horrors of war.

We have got to stop being complacent in this country.

Toy update

2007-09-07T14:05:00.000-04:00

I called the daycare. They told me that they order all their toys and equipment from Discount School Supplies. I called them and spoke with a manager. This is what I found out. They use independent labs to test toys they want to sell. I requested that they e-mail me the names of the labs so that I can verify this as fact. The manager was very nice about my paranoia and took my e-mail address. He said he would also scan in a company statement about the things they do to make sure their toys are safe. They do not order toys from Fisher-Price or Mattel, in the first place. I have been through the lists and Patrick doesn't have anything from the lists of toys recalled but I don't want to risk it. Let me put it this way, when dog food was being recalled, we cooked Bette's meals from scratch following directions from our vet and the AKC until we located a food made in the USA for her. Wouldn't we do absolutely anything for Patrick?

We have gotten too comfortable in this country with paying the lowest price on an item without enough regard for quality, safety, and whether or not the workers in other countries are treated well. It is time this stopped. I heard an interview with Robert Reich the other day (Sec of Labor under Clinton) and he said that we have become a super-capitalist society which has the effect of undermining democracy and added that we will never become socially-concious consumers unless our country regulates it. He's right. En masse, we will continue to buy the cheapest whatever unless the government steps in and stops some of this nonsense. I am a true Democrat. Bring on the legislation because we are just miserable sinners without a law.

No Toys from China

2007-09-07T12:42:00.000-04:00

Patrick is blessed to have wonderful grandparents and godparents who love him and give him toys. I hate to do this but I have to. There is too much evidence to suggest that more and more toys from China are going to be recalled for toxicity. What gets me going is that we may have toys or bibs in this house which have toxic chemicals but just haven't been tested. So, I just cannot let Patrick play with anything from China. For our part, Jesse and I are going to read labels very carefully from now on and only buy him toys made here (hey, it's better for our economy anyway) or in Western Europe. It turns out that even Barbie has lead paint. Also, I thought that the smooth plastic toys were immune until I saw some Sesame Street toys recalled. They are just like some of the smooth plastic toys Patrick has and loves but we just can't take the risk. There are too many people/companies in former communist countries (and current ones like China) who do not give a flying flip about other people and/or don't know the risk their lack of regulations pose when it comes to toys or prescription medications or dog food.

Don't know what I am going to do about Patrick being in day care. They already think I am crazy.

Here are just a few links I picked up today about toxic toys:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/30/news/companies/crayon_recall/index.htm?postversion=2007083010

http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/05/news/companies/mattel_recall/index.htm?cnn=yes

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/14/news/companies/china_recalls/index.htm?postversion=2007081413

For information about toxicity in plastic toys go here:

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/consumerism/toxic_toy_story.html

Thought lead paint was only on wooden toys? Wrong!! Those smooth plastic toys have levels of lead, too, and little ones put their mouths on them.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/13/china.toymaker.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Lyme Positive

2007-09-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

This post is way overdue but then I saw that people with whom I don't have regular contact are reading and so an explanation is due. Patrick does have Lyme Disease. The first set of tests were inconclusive/negative but the second set was positive. We got those results in the second week of August and had a spinal tap that night. It had a high white cell count and, according to both our ped and the infectious disease specialist (a wonderfully gentle man who reminds me of Mr. Rogers meets Yale), the thing to do was to admit him to Fairfax Hostpital and start IV antibiotics and then move him to a PICC line. He has been home with the PICC line for 3.5 weeks, had handled the meds very well and get his line pulled this Thursday. In a week he can have his 1 year vaccinations and then return to day care (THANK GOD!!!). We got the third set of Lyme tests back after we started treatment and they were positive as well. We are thankful that nothing truly serious is going on and that the disease was caught early. BTW: he is the youngest reported case in the state.

Birthday Cake

2007-08-16T20:27:00.000-04:00

These pictures say it all....

Smile!

2007-07-22T20:37:00.000-04:00

Patrick can smile again. In a fraction of the time we were told to allow, Patrick smiles almost like his old self again. The BP is still there but very subtle. All that in only a week. I would have pictures for you all but our camera is on the fritz. We are still going to get a second Lyme test as these things are so darn inaccurate. The first was inconclusive and the second was negative but that's only with an 80% accuracy rate. Not good enough for our Little Pat.

Note to grandmas: there won't be any pictures for a while until we either get the camera fixed or buy a new one. In the event we have to buy a new one, it could take quite a while.

Bell's Palsy

2007-07-13T15:32:00.000-04:00

Wednesday night was quite scary for our little family. I noticed throughout the day that Patrick's smile was a bit crooked but thought he was just smirking. One of his eyes closed more than the other but thought he got a bit of Bette hair in it. I almost thought it was something more serious but then everyone tells me I worry too much.

Right before Jesse got home, Patrick was crying about something -- totally ordinary cry.

Except that...

Only one side of his mouth was moving and only one eye was closing. One side of his face was paralyzed. Jesse walked into the house, saw this and we told each other. ER. Now!

So we get to the ER thinking our baby is having a stroke or has a brain tumor and they usher us into a room. The doc comes thought not as swiftly as I would have liked (okay, Patrick was acting happy).

Turns out it's Bell's Palsy. At some point here recently, Patrick contracted a virus (or maybe Lyme disease) without us knowing. He had some elevations in temp and had been a bit fussy but the ped and I both thought it was teething as neither was severe. She did take a throat culture and it was negative. The inflammation from the virus caused swelling of cranial nerve #7 which is housed in a small, bony canal. When that happened, the myelin sheath, which protects the nerves, was damaged. In adults this is treated with steroids but in peds that doesn't work and therefore the benefits do not outweigh risks.

85% chance he will recover completely. 10% this will show up when he is tired or stressed. 5% that it will not go away. I wonder what the recovery rate is for infants/children is because they are not treated. This does not have anything to do with the brain. I have seen it reported that children recover well from this. Guess 'cause they are still growing and regenerating more than us geezers.

Truly this is such a small thing but my heart breaks a little more each time I see him smile or cry and only one side of his face moves.

You are being watched

2007-06-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

After many months of stressing, I have a job. Two small, yoked parishes south of our town. I'm excited and scared -- just a healthy, respectful understanding of the responsibility of leading congregations, nothing truly neurotic. Start date is August 1st. AND, we found child care for Patrick -- Children of America. Jesse and I took a tour today and loved it. On top of everything else, we can access Patrick's classroom via a secure web connection and see what he is up to in class. So cool!

Be Patient!!

2007-06-18T17:06:00.000-04:00

I am the type of parent who expects the child to follow the book.

Life says to me: BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Patrick will do what he will do when he is motivated to do it and not in the sort of timely manner that makes it easy for Mommy to chill out.

Thankfully, he has mastered two milestones in the last week.

Patrick now feeds himself with his fingers. Nice to see since he hates to eat. And, he has exchanged sliding around on his back or rolling over and over for slithering around on his tummy. He also gets into an almost hands-and-knees position from sitting so maybe he will crawl someday.

And for weeks he's been pulling himself up on the furniture and his crib and the pews at church. He also likes to walk holding on to our hands.

Oh, and he's getting top teeth.

McDreamy vs Bill Gates

2007-06-16T11:23:00.000-04:00

Jesse's hair has Patrick Dempsey potential. Full, very wavy. He let it go way too long between haircuts and I started seeing how great it would be if someone just trimmed it up a little -- it would look like McDreamy. Jesse even said he would ask for such a cut. So, off he goes to the stylist this morning.

(Just so you get an idea that this is not a Hair Butchery, I went to this place last winter and my cut cost $72.)

Does the stylist know who Patrick Dempsey is?? (FYI: for some of you, he is one of the stars of Grey's Anatomy and is known as McDreamy on the show....he is pretty dreamy.)

Or did she look through Jesse to know that he has, er, a more mathematical mind?

Sigh. Maybe next time. (yeah, like when I find the stylist for him and give them the third degree -- oh, and pay for it myself)

Teeth!

2007-06-11T15:54:00.000-04:00

Yes, finally. At almost 10 months, Patrick's two lower front teeth are starting to poke through. I have heard that babies who teeth late have healthier teeth. Or is that something nervous mothers tell each other? Oh, and he has started to self-feed with finger foods. But why oh why won't he hold a bottle and give me a break? I know, I should just be glad he is finally taking bottles. Don't have pics of the teeth yet (see below).

Entry for June 8, 2007

2007-06-08T07:24:00.000-04:00

There won't be any pictures for a little bit. In a mad cleaning frenzy, I got the vacuum cleaner a little too close to the computer area and it ate the camera cord. While the vacuum made it out alive, the camera cord met an untimely death.

In other more exciting news, Hanna Andersson is coming to Houston!!!!! Hear that Grandmas???!!! This is Patrick's favorite clothing store. Lots of organic cotton, soft, brightly colored clothes for kids -- the sort of clothes that let kids be kids because little girls look like little girls in them and not Britney Spears and boys don't look like they are set and ready for a Nascar race. Now, don't think anything about the prices (and actually, they are better than BabyGap and Janie and Jack). Those clothes are sized to last several months and they do. Patrick has a spring jacket that will also fit him in the fall. As kids get older and start growing at a slower rate, moms tell me that these clothes fit for 2-3 years. They are also of the best quality. The seams are indestructible and the fabrics are densely woven so they last wash after wash. They even have clothes for adults.

Patrick at the Beach

2007-05-30T13:52:00.001-04:00

Here is Little Bear at the beach in RI. It was too chilly to actually get in the water on this day (the previous two days were very warm -- bad timing) but we still took him to dip his toes in the water and lay on the beach naked for just a few minutes and get great pictures.

Parker and Paige are absolutely adorable and Parker was just the best playmate with Patrick -- engaging and very gentle at the same time.

Road Trip

2007-05-23T20:46:00.000-04:00

Early tomorrow we start on our journey to RI to see the Gates clan (Alan, Jessica, Parker, Paige and Alan's mom, Pat). Just today Patrick started screaming the entire time he was in the car while I ran errands. LOVELY! Should get some great pics out of this trip. More later.

It IS easy being green (or not your mother's cloth diapers)

2007-05-19T11:45:00.001-04:00

I always wanted to start off with cloth diapers. Just about everyone laughed at me. Then the breastfeeding was difficult and I had to hook myself up to a pump like a dairy cow and then the skin issues started and on and on. Well, in March I ran across these daipers from www.cottonbabies.com. They are just the best. Almost as easy as disposables and so much better for Patrick. I don't have to worry about weird chemicals near his important parts and his diaper area eczema is completely gone. They have elastic, velcro stretchy tabs, and a nice waterproof outer fabric. There is one catch -- you cannot use Tide, All, or any typical grocery store brand. You also can't use the fancy environmental detergents. Almost all these detergents have chemicals that coat the fabrics....like water off a ducks back! They leak. The good news is that there are many simple, cheap detergents out there that work wonderfully. We found that Trader Joe's "......Next to Godliness." works for us. It's cheap AND environmentally friendly! Every few weeks I put a 1/4 cup of bleach in the load and the diapers are like new.

The Great Poopy of '07

2007-05-19T11:36:00.000-04:00

Patrick had the biggest poop we have ever seen. After days of not having any action, he let it all hang out -- EVERYWHERE. This was definitely a two-parent, half the box of wipes and then a bath to top it off clean-up. I am still doing the tainted laundry. We are talking feet, hands, and even ears -- COVERED. It was so tempting to toss the cloth diaper but I was good. We think he lost a good half lb, easy.

I think no pictures this time around is a good thing.

9 Month Well-Check

2007-05-19T11:28:00.000-04:00

All is well with Little Pat. He is doing everything on the pediatrician's list of what a 9-month-old should do with the exception of crawling and that is no big deal. Wendy did give us some exercises to do with him because she thinks he isn't using his abductors like he should. He did those exercises fine so there's nothing wrong.

His newest trick is pulling up and he will support himself on a piece of furniture and stand there, ultimately loosing his balance.

Spring pictures

2007-05-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

The ones of Patrick sleeping and in the stroller are from March and the two in our backyard from the last couple of weeks. He loves Bette so much!!

Our Little Pat of Butter

2007-05-14T21:15:00.000-04:00

Patrick is approaching 9 months of age. Can't believe in three months he will be 1 and no longer a baby. The two questions everyone asks are "Does he have any teeth?" and "Is he crawling?" No and no are the answers. Patrick hates being on his belly but thinks he can walk. He manages to walk across the room while hanging on to our hands. He may never crawl. As to the teeth, well, anytime between 6 and 12 months is normal for the first appearance of teeth. Our pediatrician assures us everything is on target. Patrick babbles every consonant and vowel sound, stringing many together. I think he said "bottle" the other day when I made the sign for it and he is the most social baby I have ever seen. He says mama and dada all the time but I don't know that there is any meaning behind it. He turns pages of books but mostly prefers to chew on the corners. I guess that's about it for now.

I will post pictures soon (we have made some office space adjustments in our house and the computer with the pictures is not always readily available -- going to have to alter that)