In case you ever wondered what an allergic reaction to an antibiotic looked like, here is an example for you. Surprise, suprise Henry is allergic to something else- amoxicillin. 

When he broke out I called Evie to come look at home since she is a frequent hive-getter herself and she told me to call the doctor. I did and the nurse practioner told me to give him some Benadryl and not give him anymore antibiotic. I am taking him back in to be seen by the doctor tomorrow morning and for the rest of tonight I need to watch him to make sure he doesn't get worse. The Benadryl cleared him up but I am worrying about him. 

I will let you know tomorrow what I find out. 

Cough Cough

There is a lot of coughing going on around here. We went back to the doctor this afternoon, for Lucy and Henry this time. Henry has bronchitis and an ear infection, he is getting antibiotics and an inhaler. Lucy has a cold and she is on balancing on a thin line between getting better or getting worse. She could go either way so Dr. Hartle gave me a prescription to fill for her if she gets worse. Dr. Hartle also did a quick check on Freddy and he is doing great. He will probably be coughing for a while yet to clear out his lungs but as long as he doesn't get a fever again or start wheezing we don't need to worry. Oh, and something new for Henry! She recommend giving him a few sips of water in between feedings because the extra fluids will help break up all of his congestion. He found the cup itself very interesting and he kind of licked at the water. He even swallowed a bit of it, which he promptly spit back up because he had gulped some air with it. Not bad for a first try though. 

Now what you really want to know, how was Christmas? It was great overall, but there were a few, um, not great things (the kids were sick, Ganny went in the hospital for a few days, and Kristy and Nick had a stomach flu so a good portion of our Christmas Eve group wasn't there). Really it was amazing though, the kids were so happy with everything! Henry got lots of new teething toys and some stuffed animals of his very own. Santa brought Lucy a dollhouse and Freddy a wooden train set. The train set was the biggest hit with both big kids. Freddy didn't even want to open any more presents and he has been spending all of his time since Christmas morning driving around and around and around. Lucy spends more time yelling at Freddy not to mess up her dollhouse than she does playing with it, but when she relaxes and lets him play they have a great time with it. I could promise you some pictures but if I am honest I probably won't get to it. I can't even walk across the living room without stepping on toys so I doubt I will be getting around to posting pictures anytime soon. Sorry!

I know there is lots I am leaving out but I can't pull too many thoughts together all at one time. :) I almost forgot an important one, Henry has one or maybe both of his front bottom teeth about to cut through. All of this translates into a very tired Mommy. I am off to bed so I can try to catch up enough to stay awake on New Year's Eve. 

Eek!

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, but things have been pretty crazy here. I have spent very little time on the computer because when I am not with the kids I have been working (mostly sewing) my tail off for Christmas. I am afraid I must have forgotten something because I am DONE!! The gifts are made or bought and wrapped. The house is mostly cleaned, and I am picking up the last of the groceries today.

Here is a quick run down on what we have been up to:
-Freddy has pneumonia and Henry is cutting a tooth so between them I am getting very little sleep. But don't worry, my coffee maker is working just fine. ;)
-Today is Lucy's first day of Christmas vacation, she has 2 weeks off. She wants to go to the office and Diner to celebrate.
-Henry's skin has been doing well, until two days ago. I have fallen off the wagon a bit. The cookies beat me and I ate a few. Henry broke out and I am using his cream to keep him clear until the holidays are over. There is a whole giant pile of guilt with that.
-So far we know Henry is allergic to soy, wheat, dairy, perfumes and detergents with perfumes in them. Oats are okay, almonds are probably not okay but I'm not sure about them.
-I missed Lucy's Christmas party at school because I was at the doctor's with Fred. Fortunately, Oma was able to go in my place.
-We had our Little House Party at our farm on Tuesday. It was nice to relax for awhile. You can see a couple of pictures from the party HERE.

There is more I am sure but I am making us late by staying to type more. Today is the Office Christmas party, so I have a little running around to do for that this morning. I am pretty sure that tomorrow we can chill- well chill as best as little kids can two days before Christmas. :)

So, Freddy has pnemonia. :( He looks pretty happy in this picture though because I just gave a fresh from the oven gingerbread cookie. When he asked me this morning for more gingerbread because "gingerbread my favorite. Gingerbread yummy." How could I not put everything else aside and make him cookies. I can barely resist him when he is well. :)

A brand new do! Now that Henry has been grabbing her hair, Lucy decided to get a shorter cut. I love it!!!

Par-tee!!!

Come one, come all!!!! Dave's annual Little House Party will be on Tuesday, December 20th from 5:30-8:00. This year the party will be at our farm. Join us for a bonfire, cocoa, stew, a hay ride (if the ground freezes), petting zoo, and Christmas Carols. Come for the whole time, or stop by for a bit, just be there! :)

I just remembered that I never psted this picture of the kid's letters to Santa. Dave Helped Lucy spell hers, it says that she would like a dollhouse. Freddy drew a picture of what he would like. In case you can't tell it is Thomas the Train. All of the long lines are tracks. :)

It's finally winter! We only have a dusting of snow but it is very cold this morning. 

This is Henry's first time in the swing. I figured his bulky snowsuit would keep him sitting up in it. He seems to like it. :)

While Lucy is at school this morning Freddy is doing some painting. 

Happy Sinterklaas!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

He looks pretty excited to see Santa :)

Happy birthday Haley!!!!

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

Allergies

It is beginning to look certain that Henry has some food allergies. :( I think this is my 3rd week on the elimination diet and we have tried a few foods only to have him break out. So far the list of things that bother him seems to be: soy (which is in everything!), wheat, the horse, and perfumes/detergents. Wheat and soy are really the only foods I have tried adding back in so this list may grow.

This diet is not really hard to stick to, but it is depressing sometimes. Also it takes a lot of planning and food prep time. I can't eat out or eat processed foods. I can't make a sandwich, or call for a pizza (something we used to do quite often). I can't eat baked goods, very depressing this time of year! I keep reminding myself that this a healthy diet though. Vegetables, protein and only a small amount of starches (rice and potatoes) are the foods we are supposed to eat, and my rapid weight loss is proof of that. Oh! I checked the label on the candy canes and it looks like I can eat them!

In other news, the kids and I all have colds; we have a birthday party to go to today; we are going to get our tree tomorrow; the gingerbread house contest is tomorrow; Monday night is Sinterklaas; I am trying to decorate the house, keep the dishes and laundry done, shop for presents, and make presents. I need a nap, but that isn't going to happen!

Monday is Henry's four month old well child check up and our chance to talk more with the doctor about the allergy situation. I will keep you updated!

Our entry in this year's gingerbread house contest. Freddy did the right side of the roof, Lucy did the left side and the peak, and Dave and I did the rest. 
If you are in town I highly recomend checking out the competition! It is from 1-4 this Sunday at the Town Hall.