I can't believe how this week has flown.  My mom was here to visit - which always is nice cuz she sleeps with Cody giving Don a full night's rest!  Course poor mom is up with him till all hours and then back up at 6am when he wakes!  Yesterday Cody went back to school after almost a 2 week break.  Boy he had a hard time here at home.  He needs so much stimulation daily it's hard to keep him from going nuts when he's at home all day. 

I'm still a bit gimpy and still in my "air cast."  But I'm so grateful I've been up and walking from the day after I fell!  Poor Casey - he is in that attachment mode.  The minute he turned 7 months, he would not let me put him down.  He won't go to anyone else.  It's quite the new drama.  I love it that he's so enamored by me - but at the same time it is exhausting!  I used to be able to put him in his exersaucer to play for a bit while I answered emails or cooked - now he'll have none of it.  Still has the gooey red cheek - I fully expect it will still be there when he's 18!  Still the most stubborn case of eczema the Dr.'s ever seen!  Every single time I've gone off the beaten path and used a naturopathic remedy - or some other recommended "sure thing" that someone emails me about, it seems to irritate it even more.  So I keep going back to the medicated lotions the Dr. gives me - at least it goes away for awhile - even tho it always comes back.  I use all perfume and chemical free detergents and bath products.  I can't trace it to any specific allergy.  All his other eczema patches go away with little or no effort - but this one just won't stay gone!  I know it's weird to pray for an eczema patch, but I can't tell you how frustrating it is to wake up all night pushing his hands away from his face.  He won't sleep swaddled or with gloves on.  I pinned his arm to his side and that wakes him up.  I even put the michelan man towels around his arms with duct tape but that keeps him awake too.  Besides, all he has to do is scratch his cheek against the sheets or blanket to irritate if his arms are confined.  It's driving me bonkers.  All that to say, if you think of it, pray for this little raw red patch, would you? 

Poor Cody had 3 humongous seizures within 1 hour today.  I think they were the worst I've ever seen - full on screaming and wailing, turning blue, eyes rolled back in his head, lasting what seemed like forever.  He is conked out as I write this - what a trooper.  Makes the eczema issue seem like a walk in the park!

Our overnight respite starts next week!!!!  YAHOO!  Oh boy do we need it!  That's my good news for the week.  Cody's part time nanny, Shoshannah is taking the night shift.  She is a brave soul!  Those youngsters - they have way more energy than us old folks!  Boy did I find a gem in her - the boys love her and she loves them.  She's always on time.  She reminds me to give Cody his meds.  She takes Cody on fun outings.  She bundles up Casey and takes him outside to look at the tall trees and flowers.  And best of all, I actually like having her around the house!  She's good company.  She's 18 so I've taught her some of "my generations" standards - like I introduced her to the joys of "Everybody Wang Chung tonight" as well as "Raspberry Beret."  I told her there is indeed a "Grease 2" movie.  And she gives me cool CD's like the theme songs from Grey's Anatomy so I'm hip and happening.  And her mom treats us to the yummiest soup, muffins, Valentine cookies.  Their family has sent us a blessing in Shoshannah.  That's for sure.  And we tell her so every day!

Here's a picture of how I start my day every day - both crazies in side-by-side high chairs!  Tons o' fun at 6am!

well gotta go do the dishes before bed - love to all,

Shawna