Yesterday was a blast. We had a nice playdate with Harry (though still more parallel playing than actual play-dating) then a short nap and off to the pool party with the Brocks.
Here in Federal Hill we have a very active family community. There is a listserv of parents who ask questions of one another and post information about living in the city. One of the parents had a broken foot and works out in Owings Mills, where I do. After his wife asked if anyone would drive her husband home, I ended with a passenger for a few weeks. As a thank you (now that he has his own car), John and his wife Cathy offered to feed us at the Otterbein Swim Club.
It was a great time, Kieran loved "swimming" (aka hanging on Ken's back being toted around) and running around in the mud. We missed the rain so it was a ton of fun and the food was great. Kieran had so much fun he slept in until 7 this morning (Thank you John & Cathy)!
Today we needed to get Kieran a haircut. We go to the Columbia Mall because they have Cartoon Cutz where the kids can watch TV while they get their haircut. Right now its the only way we can get Kieran to sit still for his haircurt. After the haircut we went downstairs to get a little something to eat. Ken went to get some water and hears "Uncle Ken!". We ran into The Lipshultz Clan who were at the mall with G'Ma. Completely random, but completely fun.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Small Wonders
So, after having a horrid time on Saturday, Kieran came up to me on Sunday and said "Mommy, I need a hug." I flung my arms out and he hugged me for a good 30 seconds.
Everything else melted away.
Ken & Kieran had fun with Zadie (who's done a LOT with the little man lately, took him to a ballgame, had lunch with him a few times, got a very enthusiastic "Zadie!" with a run and hug) at the Columbia mall while I stayed home and did some putzing around the house. I still need some "me" time but this was good. And that hug later that day...a great way to end the weekend.
Everything else melted away.
Ken & Kieran had fun with Zadie (who's done a LOT with the little man lately, took him to a ballgame, had lunch with him a few times, got a very enthusiastic "Zadie!" with a run and hug) at the Columbia mall while I stayed home and did some putzing around the house. I still need some "me" time but this was good. And that hug later that day...a great way to end the weekend.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Public Displays of Agression
*sigh*
It's the day that every parent dreads. The day their kid loses it in public.
Allow me to start with a little background - this past week Kieran has woken up in the middle of the night but gone back to sleep. Sometimes he's up early (5) and sometimes he'll sleep in (6 or 7). So, I know he's pretty tired. This morning he didn't want Ken to go to work and pitched a fit, but recovered by the time we hit the farmer's market. We came back home from the market, watched 1/2 hr of TV and I offered to take him to Trader Joe's to get his granola bars since we were out. He fell asleep on the way there. When we got out he didn't want to wake up, he wanted me to carry him around, but eventually agreed to sit down in the cart.
Everything went fine until checkout. He was sitting on the counter and asked if he could "write his name" meaning he wanted to play with the signature pad. I told him no and when he kept reaching for it, I put him down off the counter. Then the first hit came. I told him that hitting is not nice. He hit me again. I let him know if he hit me one more time he would not get his granola bar. He not only hit me, but kicked me and yelled and screamed when I told him no when he asked for his granola bar. In addition when I got down on his level and held his hands, he head-butted me so hard my nose bled. I was PISSED, but managed to hold onto my cool enough to start ignorning him. We got outside of TJs and he asked for his granola bar again. I told him no, that he hit me and I had warned him that if he did he would not get the treat we had come to buy. He lost it again, and screamed in the parking lot.
We're fine now. He's napping (so needed) and we had a nice lunch and some fun before he went down. I'm so upset and frustrated though because he does keep hitting me. I've done more reading on it and everything I see says be consistent with your chosen method of punishment. Mine is ignoring him/time out. It works about 1/2 the time. He and I are going to have another conversation about it when he wakes up and is a bit more coherent. Like I said, I know the WHY of what happened but I don't think Kieran understands it. I keep telling him he needs to use his words and hitting is not nice and not accpetable. It doesn't seem to be sinking in. Do I just have an agressive kid? He's hit another kid at school, but the person there basically shrugged it off saying "that's how kids are at this age". She wasn't excusing the behavior, exactly, but she was trying to say that it is not unexpected. I'm ready for him to be older now please....
It's the day that every parent dreads. The day their kid loses it in public.
Allow me to start with a little background - this past week Kieran has woken up in the middle of the night but gone back to sleep. Sometimes he's up early (5) and sometimes he'll sleep in (6 or 7). So, I know he's pretty tired. This morning he didn't want Ken to go to work and pitched a fit, but recovered by the time we hit the farmer's market. We came back home from the market, watched 1/2 hr of TV and I offered to take him to Trader Joe's to get his granola bars since we were out. He fell asleep on the way there. When we got out he didn't want to wake up, he wanted me to carry him around, but eventually agreed to sit down in the cart.
Everything went fine until checkout. He was sitting on the counter and asked if he could "write his name" meaning he wanted to play with the signature pad. I told him no and when he kept reaching for it, I put him down off the counter. Then the first hit came. I told him that hitting is not nice. He hit me again. I let him know if he hit me one more time he would not get his granola bar. He not only hit me, but kicked me and yelled and screamed when I told him no when he asked for his granola bar. In addition when I got down on his level and held his hands, he head-butted me so hard my nose bled. I was PISSED, but managed to hold onto my cool enough to start ignorning him. We got outside of TJs and he asked for his granola bar again. I told him no, that he hit me and I had warned him that if he did he would not get the treat we had come to buy. He lost it again, and screamed in the parking lot.
We're fine now. He's napping (so needed) and we had a nice lunch and some fun before he went down. I'm so upset and frustrated though because he does keep hitting me. I've done more reading on it and everything I see says be consistent with your chosen method of punishment. Mine is ignoring him/time out. It works about 1/2 the time. He and I are going to have another conversation about it when he wakes up and is a bit more coherent. Like I said, I know the WHY of what happened but I don't think Kieran understands it. I keep telling him he needs to use his words and hitting is not nice and not accpetable. It doesn't seem to be sinking in. Do I just have an agressive kid? He's hit another kid at school, but the person there basically shrugged it off saying "that's how kids are at this age". She wasn't excusing the behavior, exactly, but she was trying to say that it is not unexpected. I'm ready for him to be older now please....
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Allergist
We survived without pinpricks from the allergist today. He said that Kieran probably has overactive histamine levels, but he wanted to see Kieran if/when he was broken out in hives so he could better diagnose him. Because Kieran did not have any breathing issues any of the times he has had reactions the allergist was not worried about any additional reactions.
He may want to run some blood work since we still need to get Kieran's blood drawn from before (yes, yes I know, we're over 2 months overdue). Once I have the paperwork (Thanks Wendy - got it) we'll show it to him (the allergist) and he'll determine if there are additional things to check for so that Kieran needs but one needle.
That's about it. Still working on the house to get it ready for sale. Its a lot of work and a lot of trash but it's all going to be worth it. Love to all blog again soon.
He may want to run some blood work since we still need to get Kieran's blood drawn from before (yes, yes I know, we're over 2 months overdue). Once I have the paperwork (Thanks Wendy - got it) we'll show it to him (the allergist) and he'll determine if there are additional things to check for so that Kieran needs but one needle.
That's about it. Still working on the house to get it ready for sale. Its a lot of work and a lot of trash but it's all going to be worth it. Love to all blog again soon.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
No drug tests, please
Monday morning Kieran had a bump above his eye. Given that he woke up with hives on Sunday, I assumed it was another hive, gave him some Benadryl and sent him on his way.
Tuesday morning he woke up with an eyelid so swollen he could barely see out of it. Off to the doctor (again), who determined it was not a stye or an infection but a bug bite. He prescribed some steroids and off we to school we went. I dropped Kieran off at daycare (I had the day off) and went to fill his prescription. I went back to daycare, gave Kieran his medicine, and ran a few errands. I got a lot more done than I thought possible, considering I was going to take all day to do what I got done in 2 hours.
That night we went to the Howard County Fair where we met up with Bubie, Zadie, Aunt Wendy and the cousins. Kieran had a great time (even though it was hot and Zadie made a few Quasimodo jokes at his expense) we pet baby animals, watched the cousins go on a few rides, and had a pig scare the crap out of Kieran (not on purpose, but Kieran was next to the stall saying hi to the pig when the pig oinked, loudly, at him).
Today his eye is much better, though I almost left this morning without giving him his dose. I'm starting to worry that he enjoys medicine. I gave him a dose and he said "More medicine please!" God bless the person who was bright enough to realize that adding a bit of flavoring to any medicine will help kids take it. But now I know I'm going to need locked medicine cabinets since he doesn't quite understand the reason for medicine. The steriods are making him hungrier than usual but that's about it, no other adverse side effects. Good thing they're working but I think we'll keep him from organized sports for a few days, until the drugs have run their course. :-)
Tuesday morning he woke up with an eyelid so swollen he could barely see out of it. Off to the doctor (again), who determined it was not a stye or an infection but a bug bite. He prescribed some steroids and off we to school we went. I dropped Kieran off at daycare (I had the day off) and went to fill his prescription. I went back to daycare, gave Kieran his medicine, and ran a few errands. I got a lot more done than I thought possible, considering I was going to take all day to do what I got done in 2 hours.
That night we went to the Howard County Fair where we met up with Bubie, Zadie, Aunt Wendy and the cousins. Kieran had a great time (even though it was hot and Zadie made a few Quasimodo jokes at his expense) we pet baby animals, watched the cousins go on a few rides, and had a pig scare the crap out of Kieran (not on purpose, but Kieran was next to the stall saying hi to the pig when the pig oinked, loudly, at him).
Today his eye is much better, though I almost left this morning without giving him his dose. I'm starting to worry that he enjoys medicine. I gave him a dose and he said "More medicine please!" God bless the person who was bright enough to realize that adding a bit of flavoring to any medicine will help kids take it. But now I know I'm going to need locked medicine cabinets since he doesn't quite understand the reason for medicine. The steriods are making him hungrier than usual but that's about it, no other adverse side effects. Good thing they're working but I think we'll keep him from organized sports for a few days, until the drugs have run their course. :-)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Firsts
This past weekend was chock full of firsts.
Kieran woke up in the middle of the night, came out of his room and climbed into bed with us. The first time he did this was Friday night. Unfortunately, he did it all weekend long and did it again last night (this time he brought his stuffed animals with him, intent on going back to sleep).
We're looking at selling our house and moving back to the burbs. It'll be Kieran's first move (if we can sell and find a place to go, etc).
Kieran spent a lot of time playing with his trains too. It was the first time he said to us "Its Train Time." He also danced a lot this weekend (not his first time dancing) but he did request to have some dancing music played.
OK, back to work. Blog again soon.
Kieran woke up in the middle of the night, came out of his room and climbed into bed with us. The first time he did this was Friday night. Unfortunately, he did it all weekend long and did it again last night (this time he brought his stuffed animals with him, intent on going back to sleep).
We're looking at selling our house and moving back to the burbs. It'll be Kieran's first move (if we can sell and find a place to go, etc).
Kieran spent a lot of time playing with his trains too. It was the first time he said to us "Its Train Time." He also danced a lot this weekend (not his first time dancing) but he did request to have some dancing music played.
OK, back to work. Blog again soon.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Tales from Daycare
Kieran has not enjoyed water play day, which Goddard has twice each week. Generally speaking Kieran likes to splash or squirt other kids but hasn't liked to be squirted.
Until today.
Today, Carolyn asked him if it was OK if she dumped water on him. He told her yes, she dumped the bucket on him then promptly asked "Are you OK?" He would say yes, she'd ask if she could do it again. Repeat. Its a big step forward for him since until now during these days he's only splashed and jumped in puddles, he hasn't really enjoyed being wet. Its exciting to see this unfold.
On a separate topic, I got a list of recommended allergists from local parents (I love the Fed Hill Kids Group) and will start calling them tomorrow.
Until today.
Today, Carolyn asked him if it was OK if she dumped water on him. He told her yes, she dumped the bucket on him then promptly asked "Are you OK?" He would say yes, she'd ask if she could do it again. Repeat. Its a big step forward for him since until now during these days he's only splashed and jumped in puddles, he hasn't really enjoyed being wet. Its exciting to see this unfold.
On a separate topic, I got a list of recommended allergists from local parents (I love the Fed Hill Kids Group) and will start calling them tomorrow.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Return of the Hives
Yeah, he woke up with them this morning. I gave him the requisite Benadryl and sent him to daycare. Just to be safe, I called the doctor's office to see if he needed anything further. They wanted to see him, scaring me with stories of Strep starting with hives.
So, I paid $25 to hear "yes, allergic reaction, keep giving him Benadryl". However, because this is the 2nd time he's gotten hives without us being able to figure out the cause, we're going to see an allergis. The only thing I can think that he had that was new yesterday was caramel sauce at McDonald's (for the apples instead of fries). Doctor said that it's possible that he is allergic to one of the dyes within the caramel.
Anyway, so we'll be off to see the specialist and get it all squared away. They gave me a list and I have to check and see if any of those allergists take our insurance (and if we like them).
On the plus side, Kieran had a great time yesterday with Bubie, Zadie, Zack, Becca and Pete (whow are building a website), Uncle Andy, Aunt Wendy and Vicki (and Gracie). He had tons of fun playing mostly with Pete, eating up a storm, and generally giggling through the day. I'll have some new photos up on Shutterfly soon.
So, I paid $25 to hear "yes, allergic reaction, keep giving him Benadryl". However, because this is the 2nd time he's gotten hives without us being able to figure out the cause, we're going to see an allergis. The only thing I can think that he had that was new yesterday was caramel sauce at McDonald's (for the apples instead of fries). Doctor said that it's possible that he is allergic to one of the dyes within the caramel.
Anyway, so we'll be off to see the specialist and get it all squared away. They gave me a list and I have to check and see if any of those allergists take our insurance (and if we like them).
On the plus side, Kieran had a great time yesterday with Bubie, Zadie, Zack, Becca and Pete (whow are building a website), Uncle Andy, Aunt Wendy and Vicki (and Gracie). He had tons of fun playing mostly with Pete, eating up a storm, and generally giggling through the day. I'll have some new photos up on Shutterfly soon.
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