Sorry you're sick, baby

I'm not a fan of being sick.  Who is a fan?  No one I know.  

My mom would tell me how she wished she could be sick for me when I was ill as a kid.  I always asked, "why, Mom?"  I didn't understand why anyone would want to be sick for someone.  Even as I got older, I didn't get it.  Then I had a child.  Then he had his first down and out sickness.

Poor guy spiked a fever to 103.5 and 104.4 two nights in a row.  Of course, the first night Rob and I freaked out.  We hadn't checked out the latest on children and fevers since Mason was an infant.  We immediately put him in a cool bath, gave him some children's Tylenol and called the on-call pediatric nurse.  We found out 105 is the emergency temperature, although 104.4 was a bit too close for comfort.

Since he didn't get better the next day, I took him in to the doctor.  VIRUS!  I hate those pesky buggers. Insert an unhappy, scrunchie face here.  We waited it out.  The fever finally broke for good after many false alarms.  Then a lovely rash appeared, and we headed back to the doctor for a prognosis I had already guessed: roseola or baby measles.

What made my heart ache the worst was how miserable Mason acted.  He wanted to be held all day and didn't want to eat a thing.  At night when the fever spiked, he would curl up next to me in bed and moan every thirty minutes in his sleep.  I ran cool wash clothes over his arms, legs, and forehead.  What else could I do besides pray and give him Tylenol?  I wished I could be sick for him.  Finally I understood what my mom meant all those years.  

Thankfully, Mason made a full recovery.  He is back to his old ways of climbing over the couch and putting his blankie in the toilet.  Dear boy.

My heart goes out to all the Mommas and Daddies who have to watch their children battle terminal illnesses or lifelong diseases.  You are in my prayers.

Rootbeer Float Pops

My last few posts have had nothing to do with food...so...here is one for all you foodies! 

My besties and I devoured these handmade rootbeer float pops. 

A perfect way to cool down on a warm day.

Learn how to make these summer treats here.

Fourteen Months and Four Wheel Drivin'

Yes, that is right.  We took our 14 month old son 4x4ing.  Rob and I have this minor obsession with Jeep Wranglers.  That is how he got me hook, line and sinker, isn't it?  The minute I saw his red Wrangler,  I knew we were destined to be together.

After our last deployment, Rob decided it was time for a family toy: another Jeep!  The red one is long gone, and this time we had to have one in our favorite Jeep color: mellow yellow.  It is a true off-roading machine.  I don't quite comprehend all the off-roading essentials on our new toy because, honestly, I am not a gear head.  I just nod and smile and say "cool" when he tells me all about the latest addition.  I have learned to distinguish a Smitty Built fender and winch, Rancho steering stablizers and KC Daylighters.     

Luckily, Mason loves the Jeep.  He peers out the open back and waves to all the cars.  The other cars love seeing a baby smiling at them, and they don't hesitate to make all kinds of goofy faces at him.




We decided he was old enough for some real fun.  We spent Father's Day on dirt roads paths winding our way up, over and around Palomar Mountain with our Jeep club.  It was hot (110 degrees at one point), and it was dusty (I could write in the dust covering the dashboard).   Mason did amazingly well.  Not a squawk of complaint.  Just smiles and giggles.

The Perfect Baby Shower

A week or so ago three girlfriends and I threw a baby shower for a friend.  Sometimes throwing a wedding or baby shower can be stressful, but with four of us combining our talents and ideas, it was a breeze.  Here are a couple of things that made the day a success.

*Instead of games, we opted for guests to design onsies with fabric markers for the baby.  We provided stencils of shapes, animals and letters with a large variety of colored markers.  We hung the onsies up on a clothes line to add to the party decor.  This was a huge hit!

*Instead of flowers and table decoration, we brought and gave people the option of bringing children books to line the table.   The books were an awesome start to the baby's library.  Guests also had the option of writing a message to the baby in the books!

*We re-used paper lanterns and party poms from another party to decorate as well homemade table confetti (cute paper and a cute star hole punch).  We made a flag banner welcoming the new baby.

*Photo boards lined with baby pictures of the mom- and dad-to-be added a nice surprise for the guest of honor.  It was fun trying to imagine out what their munchkin will look like compared to their baby photos.

*Guests could fill out wish cards, words of wisdom and draw the baby cards (we made ourselves using PowerPoint).  We placed the cards along with photos from the shower in a small, keepsake scrapbook.

*Instead of party favors that you will never use again, we made chocolate covered pretzels in coordinating colors for the guests.  Three to a bag because one chocolate covered pretzel is never enough!

*We had a mid-morning shower, so we made brunch items including: two delicious breakfast casseroles, a strawberry and spinach salad, and yogurt with berries and granola.  We offered water, a non-alcoholic and an alcoholic punch.  Yum!!  And we were all salivating over the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for dessert.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the activities that allowed them the chance to mingle and eat without ever feeling rushed.  It was the perfect baby shower!