Mother's Day Chez Love's

I would like to report, no one in our family had the stomach flu this Mother's Day. Yay! So far, in my 4 years of motherhood, we have not had the best track record, but this year was fantastic!

My day started off exactly as I wanted it too. I woke up super early (ahem) at 5:50 am, so I could be outside by 6:30 am to meet my friends to go to the antique flea market in Sacramento. Yes, I officially have become even more like my parents, specifically my dad on this one. I got great stuff and learned a lot about collectibles. I am a repurpose-er at heart, and I will be blogging about my scores and projects on my Magazine Mom blog on a later date.

For now, I wanted to thank Sandi and David for the best, most relaxing Mother's Day ever! If you happened to miss it, just know you truly missed out. Their garden was beautiful, the weather was lovely, the food was plentiful, booze was flowing (in my case bubbling), the kids were entertained (this being the best part) with a scavenger hunt, sprinklers, horseshoes, and Auntie Sandi's special toys that Briana and Elle even got to take home!

I feel so fortunate to have such a large family, and that I get to celebrate with both sides of my family together. Growing up having the Cuny's and Walls together at every function, I didn't realize that this was not the norm ...boy, am I a lucky gal.

Three generations of Mom's

 Here are some of the days memories I happened to capture on camera...

 

 The girls just had a blast in the sprinkler-wiggler-thing, and so did Tyler. I think he drank more water then he did play it in, but nonetheless, loved it just the same.

Sister love

 Some of us gals

Cuny gals

Sister love

Harlan hanging

We were having fun just hanging out...

Elle pitching shoes for the first time

Briana showing off Elle's first ringer! Clearly Elle's seems to think it was no big deal...

 

 

The boys playing shoes

 

 

cutie patootie

hey look at me I am with Tony

Samuel not really liking Harlan with Tony (his dad)

 

Once the ribbons came out, pure bliss was among us

 

such a fun day

 

It was so nice to see the Walls and Cuny gang! Thanks again, for a truly dreamy Mother's Day!

Four and so much more!

 

 

 

What can I say, my little girl is growing up! Time sure flies. Everyone always tells you to enjoy every minute, which is impossible to do, even with the most well behaved child by the way, and with my "spirited child," forget about it. Some days, I am just counting down the moments until books are read, "head stories" are finished, and lights are out. 

Elle has had many milestones recently, aside from turning the big FOUR. I shudder to recall me as an outgoing rambunctious four-year old, but apparently I never whined, had tantrums, and I always shared. I must have been the most amazing child ever! Elle, is a "typical" four-year old, whom to quote her preschool teacher, "is an exuberant, creative and tender-hearted child." She has her moments that are not so fantastic, but she is a ball of fun and creativity!

She continues to LOVE all things art. Coloring, painting, song writing, clothing design (well outfit selection, anyway), interior decorating, you name it. She is a girl of many talents.
here she is working on one of her masterpieces

here are some of her most recent ones



this flower is now framed in my bedroom. It simply makes me smile
 

 

 

 

The sun, flower and clouds (she paints these images a lot)

 



the art wall in my entry way

Now, hopefully you are smiling too!

 

Recently, she got her first salon haircut by my hair stylist, Liz at Salon Blonde

 Harlan also got a little one himself

 

Afterwards, she even sat at her first bar...


NO, not to order a drink, but a slice of peperoni pizza...which btw, after LOVING pepperoni her whole life, she now thinks it is too spicy and prefers sausage and olives. Who knew.

Most recently, as of yesterday, she even got rid of her beloved pacifier. I know, judge all you want. In my defense, and hers, she has had it limited to sleeping since she was 20 months old, and it always stayed under her pillow until bed time. I mean, she wasn't roaming up and down the isle of Target with it or anything, but it was still embarrassing to say that my almost 4-year-old still used a paci!

Well, a few nights ago, Elle decorated and signed a letter to the "pacifier fairy." For those of you who have never heard of, or have had a visited from this mythical character, you simply write her letter with what you wish to get in return of sending your used pacifier (to give to other babies in need) and place it in the mailbox. You also "sprinkle" magic fairy dust in the envelope to alert the fairy that she has a package waiting. The next day, your present appears. Magic!






I have to say, the thing was so chewed up (she has only had one for over a year) that it had no pacifier suction...I think it was just more of a novelty than anything. She went to sleep no problem and hasn't mentioned it today. Hopefully, things will continue to be so easy.

She also started indoor soccer (thanks, Mimi!) and LOVES it. There is something magical about coach Steve, and she can't wait until next week! Once a week, they just kick, run around and do some drills...there are no games, or competition, just play. Just how I like it.



go Elle go!

 

Aside from those big changes, she continues to amaze me everyday with her vocabulary, creativity and charm. Some of  my favorite words and phrases she uses are "apparently I will never go to kindergarten", something she says when she is trying to do something on her own and can't, "cat-a-killer" instead of Caterpillar, etc... I could go on and on, but I won't.

Her love for words leaves not one moment in a day in silence. I recently had the privilege of sleeping with her, and let me tell you, she doesn't even stop talking in her sleep. My friends and family often wonder why I don't listen to music in the car, but sometimes, those are my only moments I can sit in quiet.

She is absolutely obsessed with school, can't wait to go, and is equally obsessed with her best friend Kennedy. Those girls are a force to be reckoned with let me tell you.

 

they were left alone minutes and this is where we found them

 It is quite sweet how much she adores her, and her mom, Molly. She tells her "she wants to keep her around forever."

 

here we all are! One big-extended family

Beginning next school year, she will be going to preschool 5 days a week in the morning, and without Kennedy. Hopefully her enthusiasm for school, will continue. We will still see them lots though I am sure. Molly and I both joined the preschool board, and will be planning the school biggest fundraising event together, the auction (dun dun dunnnn). We will be seeing LOTS of each other, which we wanted. Next up, PTA...lol. Well, we will see. Never say never.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On her birthday, I asked these questions, and I intend to ask her the same ones for the next years to come. I guess until she will answer me. I am not very optimistic of the teenage years...

20 Questions on Your 4th Birthday:

 

1. What is your favorite color? Pink and purple

2. What is your favorite toy? Minnie dolls

3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries

4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Bug snacks

6. What is your favorite outfit? Minnie shirt, leggings and skirt

7. What is your favorite game? Matching game

8. What is your favorite snack? Pirate’s booty

9. What is your favorite animal? Elephants, cats and dogs

10. What is your favorite song? Twinkle, Twinkle little Rose

11. What is your favorite book? The long one all about Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes

12. Who is your best friend? Kennedy, duh!

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump in my trampoline

15. What is your favorite drink? Orange juice

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Night-nights (her blanket)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Omi and Papa Sausage

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? The hamburger store (In n Out Burger)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Minnie



I suspect, many of these will change dramatically throughout the years and it will be fun to see the evolution.


Elle is a light in my crazy life. THE light, most of the time. She does not make parenting easy, but she keeps me on my toes, and I know a whole lot about parenting philosophies because of it.

We LOVE you, Elle! Happy Birthday!

I can't wait to see even more of the person you will become.

 

p.s. Elle had an amazing Pinterest worthy Minnie Mouse themed birthday party that I plan to blog about soon. It was simply too much to combine with this homage to her.

Boy, Oh Boy

 

Seriously, a year? I can't believe it!

So, how is the boy measuring up these days? What is he up to?

Clearly, despite his less than desirable and restricted diet, he continues to thrive and exceed all expectations for growth of an FPIES kid. Not to say that feeding Harlan doesn't continue to be a challenge. Not just because of his limited diet, but because he whines the whole time, throws his food, and ruins our meals with his screeching and constant demands. No, I am not bitter. In his defense, I think he is frustrated with being the served the same options, 3 meals a day, and he has always (since his first spoonful of food) had wanted to feed himself. So, I thought I would try a new tactic. I purchased some suction cup bowls, so he could not tip them over, or try to eat the bowl, like he has done in past attempts. It is "helping" the situation, but he is still frustrated. He does spoon feed himself with accuracy, when he is not throwing the spoon. I tried to get a video of him doing it, but of course he waited till the camera was off to do it. Oh boy, Oh boy...this kid. However, he did manage to let out a pretty good "Walls" worthy burp. Elle even fed him a spoonful afterward. She really has learned to love her baby brother (except when she is playing in her room).

 

Since my last "boy" update, we have added only one new SAFE food for him. He can now tolerate, millet, pears, mango, spinach (his absolute favorite) and the newby, broccoli! He continues to have more food fails, then passes. Our latest food fails have been quinoa, coconut, and surprisingly, canola oil. Canola oil was a "typical" (non FPIES) allergic reaction though, resulting in an instant rash around the mouth and diaper area , not an intestinal one. Very bizarre. I was really hoping to get a "safe" oil for him so I can try baking. I think I will try cottonseed next? I am open to suggestions...

Harlan, is not yet walking, but he becomes more and more steady by the day and stands like a pro. If he can find furniture, a chair, a leg, or a wall, he will use it to help him walk, over crawling, any day. My favorite is when he climbs under the kitchen table to get a chair and begins his journey. Elle always yells,"Hey, chairs are not for walking, they are for sitting silly!" It really is quite comical...both the sight of him using a walker, and Elle lecturing him on the properness. She could use a lecture from time to time too (which she gets from yours truly).

He has more hair on his head then Elle did at 2.5, and it has the most adorable curls at the ends. It reminds me a lot of my cousin Shanna's hair when she was little, and I cherish it...both her memory, and his adorable trestles. I honestly don't want to cut it, ever. Brandon on the other hand, says it can't touch his shirt collar, but I disagree. I think the perfect length would be just touching. Either way, it is adorable, and it brings a smile to my face every time I run my fingers through it. I won't lie, he has been accused of being a "girl" twice this month. These people who have blatant disregard (oblivion) for gender specific clothing baffle me. I mean the boy is dressed in head to toe shades of blue, and he is a girl? I remember when Elle would be in a pink dress with a pink headband with a huge flower or bow attached to it, and she would be called a boy. Really, people? Granted she had NO hair, but the outfit isn't clear enough? I tell ya...

Shockingly, he is no word smith either. Elle was a savant, so I guess I should have known, I wouldn't have two early talkers. I guess this is the area of development he is not quite up to snuff. They say (the experts) he should be saying Mama and Dada indiscriminately by now, but he isn't. He babbles a ton, and practices with sounds, and understands commands, so I am not worried. It is just a stark contrast from what I was used to. This is when I wish I did baby sign language with him so he can communicate his frustrations a little more. Oh, well. I am sure he will be talking soon enough...well if Elle doesn't do it all for him. Bless her heart.

Harlan is "a handsome little devil," as my grandma Phyllis would have said. I feel like he looks a little less than his daddy these days, but I am not sure that he has any of my good looks (ahem) either. Nonetheless, he is beautiful little boy, with an amazing spirit about him. A little coy at times, but rarely shy, his smile lights up any room, and his laugh is infectious. Elle LOVES when he belly laughs and tells me to do whatever it is I am doing to cause it, more!

Oh boy, is he a boy. When he is not pushing around a truck or car on the ground, he is trying to discover how something is made, playing with his dad's empty beer bottles, discovering what it means to be a janitor, throwing toys in the toilet, and destroying anything that he seems fit. Lord help me...I can only imagine what my house is going to look like once he does start walking and learns to climb (because he already wants to).

You can't help but love this little guy. I know WE do.

If you're goin' to San Francisco....

 



 

      Well, we finally had Harlan's "Specialist" appointment at UCSF. I wish we actually saw an FPIES specialist, though. He was a very nice young man, and I could tell, he would be very helpful if he actually knew anything more about FPIES then what he has read in some medical journal articles. It was a fear of mine that this would happen. I have discovered through this process, and watching my sister go through it with my nephew Tyler, that when your child has a rare condition (in Tyler's case, Angelman Syndrome) , you become your own expert and advocate. Our pediatric GI was incredibly receptive to everything I shared with him, and even thanked me for the new knowledge pertaining to FPIES. He was very quick to admit that he was not sure how he could help Harlan, other than to perform a scope of his intestinal tract, both upper and lower and take biopsies of both. Harlan would be given anthestia and would be completely out for the procedure which would take place in the operating room. Of course, I imediately teared up. The thought of my little boy with a tube down his throat for breathing while laying on some brightly lit table in a cold operating room scares the crap out of me. I am sure it would anyone. At this point, we are unclear as to wether we are going to go through with it. They will not really find any new discoveries, other than inflamation and vulli damage consistent with other FPIES kids. It wil not help treatment, or determine which foods he will and will not react to, it can simply lead to peace of mine that he infact displays further evidence that he was properly diagnosed (which I know, he was). I would love any advice on the matter...especially to anyone else out there that has had a scope performed on them or their children.

     Another big concern I wanted addressed, was what Harlan is supposed to eat after he turns one (I can't believe how close that is). He can't drink formula forever! The doc sent in some dietitian's, who also admitted they had never seen an FPIES patient before. They did show me, and even gave me a few samples of what Harlan should switch over to at a year. It is the same enzymatically hydrolyzed formula, as his current Nutramigen, but it is "more age appropriate". It is more like a Pediasure, but it is called Peptamen Jr. To my dispair, it is NOT any cheaper than his current bank breaker formula now, it is arguably even more expense (sigh). Oh, well...not much we can do about that. I just refer to Harlan as my million dollar baby...and maybe one day, he will become a millionaire and will support his mom and dad. One can dream, anyway.

  We did make the visit a family one, and to Elle's luck, Santa was visiting the hospital the day we were there. She even got a stuffed animal from him (we all know how much she needed one of those), and apparently she was very receptive to him ( I was in the room with the dietitians during this). Last year, she cried and wouldn't even attempt to sit on his lap...so I was so pleased, to know this year would be different. After the appointment, we went to Pier 39 for lunch and some sight seeing fun. 

 

 

Elle was ecstatic to be outside with the breeze in her hair (her words btw)

she rode the carousel (twice)

she LOVES dragons!

Harlan enjoying watching his sister

a quick look at the Golden Gate Bridge

Elle being silly, again

then to the sea lions

Merry Christmas

and happy Hanukkah!