Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our loved ones!

We spent the holidays in Buffalo, New York, with Matthew's family.  We also enjoyed a couple day trips to Rochester to see friends and Malcolm's birth-family.  Today is our last day in NY, we'll be flying back tomorrow.  I'm feeling sad to see our vacation end, but also looking forward to getting back to our normal routine, and the start of my internship, as well.

It's been really nice being back.  So many wonderful, familiar places and people are here.  I really miss NY.  As most of you know, we don't really feel at "home" in Atlanta.  We have some friends there that we've connected with, and found a restaurant we like, and a few fun places to take Malcolm (when they're not overwhelmed with crowds) . . . but for the most part we are looking forward to leaving Atlanta permanently.  

Here's Malcolm with the Christmas tree!

Wanted: Advice, please!

Hello to all our Readers!

Warning:  today's post contains some frank talk about poop.  You've been warned.  Read on at your choice.

For all the parents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, and otherwise experienced persons out there -- how do you stop the blow out diapers?!?!?

What makes me ask?  Here's the whole scoop:

Problem One:  a couple months ago, Malcolm started putting his hand in the back of his diaper while he slept, and came out with handfuls of poop.  (Which he thought was lotion, so promptly rubbed it on his arms, legs, and hair.  Yuck!)

Solution:  We started putting onsie undershirts on him, under his clothes/jammies, that snapped at the crotch, so he couldn't get into his diaper.  Ta-Dah, perfect fix!

Problem Two:  A couple weeks ago, he learned to take his pants off, and go in the side of the onsie.  Mommy's little problem solver.

Solution:   Haven't really come up with one yet.  Advice, please?  

But, wait, there's more.

Problem Three:  He's now on the super-antibiotic for his ear infection, which means some rather loose-poop.  Yesterday morning, and this morning the diapers were big messy blowouts.  Yesterday was a mess, but all I needed was some extra wipes, and a run of laundry.  We even managed to make it to school on time.  Today, though . . . .  UGH!  It was everywhere!  He greeted me with "Mommy!  Play-doh!" and showed me two big fistfuls and how they squish.  By the time I got him cleaned up and ready for school (I had to change my clothes, too!) he was quite late.  Then I had to come back home (so much for my errands!) and get all the laundry started, and break out the clorox wipes to scrub all the crib bars, the wall, the floor . . . .

Solution:  I don't have one!  Advice, please!!!!  After I get this load of laundry finished, and deliver Malcolm's Elly Bean to school before nap time (she did not survive Poopapalooza), I'm going to go buy diapers one size bigger.  I'm thinking "more room, less 'xplode, right?)  Matthew thinks the onsies are causing it.  I think the antibiotics are partially at fault.

But, what do you think?  And how do I stop this from happening again?!?!?!

Ear Infection, Take Two

So . . . as it turns out, doing your full 10 days of antibiotics, never missing a dose, is sometimes not enough.  We had another night of screaming last night, so first thing this morning (a Sunday of course) we packed up and headed out to Urgent Care (which is half an hour drive away, of course.)  We sat in the waiting room for a bit over an hour, sharing germs with half of Atlanta's sick children (of course).

Round two of antibiotics began before nap today.  They've put us on the "tough stuff," which for the medically minded means that we're now on augmentin (sp?).  Round one was amoxicillan (sp?).  We also got prescription eardrops, which are a numbing agent.  This will be particularly helpful, as we'll be flying in less than a week.  Wish us luck!

A Weekend of Family!

It's been a while since I posted.  I finally caught the cold that's been plaguing the rest of the family.  Happily, the boys are better, so I can rest while they're at school/work.  (Though one of the kids in Malcolm's class brought in pink-eye!  So we'll see if Malcolm soon ends up back home with me through another course of antibiotics!)

A few weeks ago, we enjoyed a weekend visit from my Dad, along with a synchronized surprise visit from my brother, Darin!  What an awesome weekend!!  Below are a few pictures from that wonderful visit!

 

Malcolm snuggling with his Grandad:

My Dad, and my brother, Darin.

Weeks later, Malcolm still talks about "Unca Darin!" nearly every day.

We took a family adventure to the kids museum, Imagine It!, and enjoyed their Bob the Builder exhibit.  Malcolm wasn't too much into Bob, but he sure loved the goggles, tools, building materials, and trucks!

Krispy Kreme Fundraiser

Hello Family & Friends!

Malcolm's school, which we love and adore, is having a fundraiser!  I'm relieved to say that I don't have to ask anyone to buy over-priced wrapping paper, or plastic-wrapped sausages.  Nope, we're selling doughnuts!  Best part -- we're selling redeemable certificates so that friends and family beyond Atlanta can participate!

The Details:

* Each certificate costs $6, and is redeemable at any Krispy Kreme fora dozen glazed doughnuts.

* If you'd like to help out, please mail me a check (made out to Teresa Schoell) for $6 per certificate you'd like to buy, and I'll mail you the certificates.

* If you want to help out but are on Atkins or dislike doughnuts, you can send money anyway, and I'll donate the certificates to the kids' program I volunteered at this summer (since they have practically no budget, I know this would be a big hit!)

DEADLINE:

* Checks must arrive to me by Wednesday December 10th!!!

* Certificates will arrive Monday December 15th, and I will mail them out right away.

Looking forward to any orders you'd like to place!  And thank you for taking the time to read about our fundraiser.