Common Summer Questions

June 21st marks the first day of summer this year. Less than a month away!! Yesterday at work we had a "Lunch & Learn" and one of our Doctors went over some of the common summer questions that we get from parents. Although we hear it each year--it is always good to get a refresher!

(this picture doesn't have anything to do with this post--I just thought it was a cute one of Milla from this weekend!!!)

SUMMER INFO:
Sunscreen: it is recommended to keep babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight--but, if that is unavoidable--use sunscreen (at least SPF 15 and reapply every 2 hours). If your baby has really sensitive skin-the most hypoallergenic sunscreen is "Vanicream". If your baby is under an umbrella at the beach they can still get a sunburn from reflective rays--especially off the pretty white sand. Before you try a sunscreen for the first time--do a "test patch" on the under side of arm the night before and watch for reaction. Insect Repellent: OK to use as early as 2 months old- safe to use a product with up to 30% deet. Wash it off at the end of the day. Try not to use the combo sunscreen/repellent because you would need to reapply the sunscreen more than you would want to apply the repellent. Bee Stings: Remove the stinger. Apply meat tenderizer or baking soda paste (this breaks down the proteins that are causing the burning/stinging). If you are allergic to bee stings (and carry an Epi pen) be careful around fire ants because you could have a similar reaction. Of course call 911 if any difficulty breathing or other signs of severe reaction.
With any kind of bite/sting...bee, mosquito, spider...etc monitor for signs and symptoms of infection (redness, swelling, pus, tenderness, warmth, fever)--go to Dr. if so Ticks: mark the date of the bite on your calender. Remove the tick with tweezers--the head may stay in when you pull it off but that is okay--your body will see it as "foreign" and push it out. -just monitor site for S/S of infection--if you get a rash along with a tick bite--GO TO YOUR DR.--we are watching for Lyme Dz. (which is uncommon in the south) and RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) Swimmers Ear: for those of you that live in the water during the summer--after swimming put alcohol on a cotton ball and squeeze into ear (the alcohol dries up the water in the ear canal). You can use alcohol + vinegar--but, it smells bad and just Alcohol by itself works best.

BUSY

Everyone is so busy these days!! We laugh about feeling like a hamsters running in a wheel!! I watched this video and really liked his perspective on how to view our time and how we fill it up. It is a 10 minute clip...but it is worth it...watch when you get a minute!

9 Month Dr. Appointment

Our Pediatrician's office is WONDERFUL... Children's Medical Group....it is where we take Milla AND where I work... http://www.cmg-pc.com/ - we see Dr. Cox--but, I LOVE all of our providers.
Milla just had her 9 month appointment
Weight: 19# 13.5 oz
Height: 29 inches
TIPS FROM VISIT:
*we really need to "baby proof" the house because she will be on the move soon
*at this age they need on avg. 18-24 oz of breast milk/or formula per day
*try starting to ease away from the pacifier-(the earlier you do it-they easier it will be)--have them only use it while they are at home, then-only in the crib, then-only at night, then-not at all. ( I'm sure it is easier said than done!!)
*Can pretty much start eating any foods except the big ones you want to avoid until they are older (milk, peanut butter, nuts, eggs whites, honey, strawberries, citrus fruit, shellfish...)

Milla in her rocking chair
-Brother and Sister-
*Hank and Milla on the stairs*

Where NOT to Park!!!!!

We had a DELIGHTFUL Mother's Day enjoying the incredible day on Sunday.....Then....came back to our cars to this.....
NOT 1

Not 2

But 3 tire boots!!!!!!


EVERYONE and their brother decided to go to Piedmont Park on Sunday--it was packed--there was not a parking place to be had. So, when we saw the Trader Joe's on Monroe by the park with lots of spots--we thought--great-- we will park there and then buy some drinks when we get back to the car so that we will be "customers". But, when we got back to the parking lot--there were boots on my car, Brandon's car, and my Mom and Cappie's car. Turns out, there was a guy sitting on a bike rack (that we actually said HI to when we parked) and he was the "watcher" of the parking lot--he scopes out the lot and then makes a call to his friend/coworker who also sits in the lot and he comes over and puts a boot on the car! $75 per car to get the boot off!!!!! .....On Mother's Day!!!! It was our fault--we should have known that the open spots were too good to be true---we didn't notice the "camouflaged" signs until after the incident!!! I was just disappointed in the parking lot guy--wish he would have just said "hey, you can't park here" rather than just watch us walk into the trap...it seemed so malicious!!! Needless to say--it ended up being an expensive trip to the park!

First Mother's Day with Milla

Relaxing with Mom, Cappie, Hank, Milla, & Brandon

Hank always likes to ensure that he gets just as much attention as Milla--so, he positions himself right in the middle of everything!!! He loves to be near his family!! Sweet Pup!!

DOG PARK
they are doing construction to the big dog park at Piedmont Park...for now there is a temporary area... it was packed with dogs of all shapes and sizes... So much fun to watch! Hank went crazy--he liked meeting all the dogs but I think he likes humans best....he was running up to all of the owners to get petted first!

***Also****
we got to spend Saturday night with Brandon's parents
we went to eat at "Relish" in Roswell to celebrate Mother's Day with Mrs. Crim- It was really good-- http://www.relishgoodfood.com/
we got one of their specialties for appetizer.... pimento cheese fritters with pepper jelly!! YUM!!!
we were too full for dessert--but they are also known for their Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding!

Time with Friends

It was a treat to get to see the Mitchell's while they were in town from San Antonio, TX for Amy's sister's wedding.
Amy meets Milla for the first time

Milla loved playing with Amy's kids---Mary Katherine and Jackson!! Jackson was so little last time I saw him and now he is such a cute, grown up little boy!!! Mary Kate cracks me up-- she is so polite, girly, and poised!!! Even when she is playing she wears her pearls!! She says things like..."excuse me Mom, may I get up from the table?" and "Miss Megan, that was so nice of you to visit us today"... just so funny to hear coming from someone her age!!!! I love it!

Got to spend some time at the Chick-fil-a playground with some of the girls I work with to celebrate Kathryn's "baby on the way"...baby boy "Colton" at the end of this month
*Milla, Anna, Isabella, Pattie, Addie, Ashley, Tucker, Jackson, & Kathryn*

Becky. Milla, and me at Marty's "Kentucky Derby" party... he did it right--we got to pick our horses and sip on Mint Juleps...as if we were right there at Churchill Downs.

* Milla and Haley*
-we went over to visit the Sanders family-
Milla and Haley are about 2 months apart--so, I always get to hear Lauren's stories about what Haley is doing--and get to see what I have to look forward to soon with Milla!

Milla got to play with Asher one night while we ate a delicious dinner with his parents. Ben and Audrey made chicken noodle soup from scratch...they even made the noodles...pretty impressive!!

$123

I LOVE GARAGE SALES!!! Our friends Adrienne and Derrick were so nice to let me join in on their "Neighborhood Garage Sale" a couple weeks ago. The garage sale was from 8-12 on a Saturday morning. I made $123!! I was so excited. It was all little stuff... I had one $10 item, one $5 and the rest was $2, $1, or 50 cents!!! So many people came. They live in the very first house in the neighborhood--so, it was a great location! Milla and I got there at 8:15 and there were already so many people there that I could barely unpack--people were going through boxes as I set them down from the car. Someone even picked up my purse I had just briefly sat down to buy!!! I wish I had taken more stuff over!! I am already pumped up and ready for my next one---so, if your neighborhood ever has a sale--tell me...because I would love to join ya!

(Me & Milla, Adrienne & Elise)

(The Hershey Family....Adrienne, Elise, Derrick)
There is a neat website that gives you good tips on having a garage sale...
www.yardsalequeen.com
it tells you things like---
*get a neat sign from www.sassysigns.com
* have lots of change (people love to pay with 20 dollar bills)
*expect early birds (people came at 7:15 for the 8am sale)
*keep payer's money out while you make their change-- if you put it up and give them change for their $10...they could say- "I gave you a $20" and then it is their word against yours!
*play background music
*Sell bottled water
...etc....check out the site

Yogurt is a No-Go

It is such a thrill to watch Milla try foods for the first time!! You can't give babies cow's milk to drink until they are a year old. But, they throw you off by saying that it is ok to give yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese earlier. I was confused! I found out that the reason is...babies are unable to break down/ digest the proteins in cow's milk and certain minerals can build up and damage their kidneys---But, in yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese these proteins are already broken down--so they are safe under the age of one....usually around 8 months or so.

On Sunday I was excited to give Milla yogurt. She ate a whole 4 oz. container of "Yo Baby" yogurt (my first mistake!!)... and she loved every bite! Shortly after she took a nap--when we went to go get her when she woke up--she had vomited yogurt ALL over herself (and rolled all around!)- so, I got her in the bathtub to rinse her off and she had hives and a rash all over her back and arms (you can kind of see it in this picture). That is a typical allergic reaction--so, we are going to lay off the yogurt for awhile and maybe try it again in several months.

Milla meets Mia

WELCOME....
"Mia Lynn Clark"
born: Saturday, April 10th
CONGRATS to:
Blakeley & Will !!!!!

Milla and Mia
(it is UNBELIEVABLE that Milla was that size just 8 months ago)

Mia was sweet and sleeping the whole time we visited (heard she prefers to be up and playing at night!!!) She has a head full of adorable little, soft, fuzzy hair!!

Personalities

Where do personalities come from???
How does everyone become the person that they are?
How much of it is learned and how much is one born with?
Milla got to visit with some of her friends this week and it is always so much fun just to be around other kids and watch and observe their personalities. It is incredible that not one person in the world is exactly the same. There is something special and something to be learned from everyone. Guess that is what keeps life so intersting!!!

Here we are at Allison's house

HOUSTON


ELIZABETH GRACE

Here we are at Jenny's house playing with HAYDEN and CHARLIE

Easter 2010

" He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along live's narrow way.
He Lives! He Lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."

Milla admiring the blooming tulips on Easter morning

We LOVED our 1st Easter with Milla!!!