Spider Bites, Red Bumps, Stripping Down, and "Cool" Band-Aids

*sigh* Today, our little girl provided us with a trip to Children's Health Care of Atlanta's Urgent Care facility.  Tim "caught" her in the bathroom this morning at 6:30 this morning, seconds before dumping the lotion out of the bottle, to use because she said she was "itchy".

We didn't think much of the incident, especially since we've all had dry skin the last few weeks, and I'd slathered her up before naptime the other day.

However, a few hours later, after sporting her Minnie Mouse dress-up dress for a little bit, I (finally) encouraged her to put on her "regular" clothes, so we could all play outside.  Instead, I swooped her downstairs, with nothing but her panties, after seeing a large, swollen red mark on her left bicep.  (Did I mention we went to the playground the night before?)

I showed it to Tim, and after consulting with a Kaiser nurse, and then a pediatrician, we quickly dropped Robbie off with my parents, and made our way to the Alpharetta CHOA facility.

We met with the doctor, who was a bit taken by our outgoing little red-headed scamp.  While the doctor was examining Carol, she asked if she could "get naked yet."  And proceeded to take off her shirt.  You know, to show the boo-boo on her bicep.  ...then off went the pants, to show off the bite marks on her ankle.

Thank goodness we were at a kid-friendly facility, and the pediatrician had a good sense of humor.

Especially since next, Carol demanded a shot.  What three year old asks for a shot?!?  ....one who knows they are followed by a band-aid.  So the doctor -God bless her patient soul!- gave her a pretend shot, followed by an "H" band-aid on her right arm.  Tim was later told it was "the coolest band-aid ever!"

In the end, we left with a cool "H" band-aid, a teaspoon of Benedryl, a popsicle, a general diagnosis of a "bad bug bite", and little girl who reluctantly got dressed again.  And she napped for over two hours, thanks to the Benedryl.

Carol-isms (again) 10-24-12

**Moments that simply melt my heart!**

After sneaking back down stairs while I was getting the kids ready for bed tonight, Carol ran over to Tim, who was about to head up.  She ran over to him, he scooped her in to his arms, and he remarked rhetorically, "Carol, what am I going to do with you?"

She said "love me. "   Thoughtful pause, "Yes, love me, Daddy."

More Carol-isms, Fall 2012

Carol, the queen of one-liners (and two and three) has been at it again...  (most of these, "As Seen On Facebook"!)

9-15-12 "Mommy?"

"Yes, Carol?"

"Excuse me, sir? .....can I call you sir, Mommy?" 

"No, honey. 'Sir' is for guys."

"Oh. Can I call you 'lady'? Hey lady, get me some more pancakes please!"

*sigh*

9-17-12  Last night's pre-dinner conversation:

Tim: "Carol, should we go out somewhere for dinner tonight?"

Carol: (complete in Minnie dress and ears) "No Mickey (Daddy), I've got too much dancing to do!"

And so we ate at home.

9-20-12 "Hey Carol, I'm slicing up this apple so you can have it with your dinner, ok?"

"No mommy. I can't eat apples."

"Oh? Why not?"

"They make me fall asleep" she said, in her Snow White dress-up dress. Dur!

Thankfully, with her magic wand in hand, we chanted the magic words ("Bippity Boppity BOO!") and the apple was good to go.

10-1-12 Only my kid would ask the waitress at Dagwoods for "Costco pizza." 

10-4-12 "Mommy, doo-doos live in a cave in the potty..." she said, peering in to the porcelain god.

10-15-12 I just got reprimanded by Carol for gently but firmly telling the baby "no."

"Dont tell my little brother no, mommy. He does not know better."  

and later that day: And now my sweet little girl is recommending gifts for Robbie via TV commercials she sees. ♥. "Hey! You should get that for Rob-o, mommy!"

Carol at School - Fall 2012

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Our Royal Family

"You are Queen Dora's Mommy, daddy is Prince Boppy, and I'm Princess Dora." (well, duh!)

"what about Rob-o? Is he the prince?". I inquired.

"No," shaking her head with impatience, "Boots is the prince. Robbie is the castle's chef."

Poor buddy, already destined to be hired help, according to his royal sis.

Carol's (2nd) Trip to Disney World

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Life Since, and with, Rob - June 2012

Robert Edward Burns, born December 22, 2011, 7 lbs, 3 oz., 21 in.


Ah, the second child... My little neglect-a-rino. Isn't that always how you hear? The first child has attention lavished on them indefinitely, but by the time the second child arrives on the scene (and any subsequent children), your attention is divided and you instantly up the mom guilt, for feeling like you're always neglecting a child?


Luckily for me, Rob's extremely mellow and laid back, and he's certainly much more of a watcher, so he's fine to take a proverbial back seat to his sister's shenanigans.


Most of the time.


Robbie came in to this world at 38 weeks, a week before we were SCHEDULED to meet him. And can you blame the guy? He was born on December 22 (sharing his great-grandaddy's birthday), and we came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve. The guy knew Santa was on his way!


Robert is both of my grandfather's first names, along with Tim's uncle -- the priest who married us, and baptized all Tim's cousins and their children.


His middle name, Edward, was a last minute switch. For years, we had alluded to our kids, Carol and Robbie. But our hypothetical son's name was Robert Bruce Burns. Bruce being Tim's dad's middle name; then the two would have the same initials. But as his impending arrival drew closer, we began waffling on the name 'Bruce' - and after some discussion, and at the very last minute, Bruce was turned down for Edward. (And thankfully so, as his dad later admitted he never much cared for his middle name.)


From the very instant I got to hold him, I fell madly in love! From the very start, Rob-o was cuddly and snuggly, unlike his rather active -yet equally lovable- sister. The time I spent bonding with him during our (short) hospital stay only increased an already solid bond.


This is not to say I didn't also fall madly in love with Carol. However, being the first born, there was a long-looming newborn fog hanging over us, and it seemed like I was going through the motions without things truly sinking in for what they were. I knew I loved Carol well before she ever even existed. Instead, it was more like a slowly emerging epiphany, and one day about six weeks or so in to motherhood, I recall staring down at her and remarking, as I had so often "I love you!". As the words rolled off my tongue, I got goosebumps with the idea and discovery of how overwhelmingly true and humbling those words were.


With Robbie, there was no newborn fog or insecurities about the unknowns of newborns and parenthood. Since only about six hours elapsed from the time I went in to labor to the time I held him in my arms, the "fog" lifted quickly and was less dense. I'd already taken care of a newborn, so I felt more confident in my mothering skills, including nursing. Thus, they plopped him in to my arms, and my heart melted immediately as we bonded.


I digress. Life with Rob has been amazing. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching him and his sister interact so sweetly already. Carol immediately took to baby "Wobbie", and has been doting on him from the day we brought him home. She frequently wants to hold him, which I allow when she sits on the couch; however, as he gets older and more -er- wiggly, this privilege seems to be more taxing for her. Still, she enjoys her new role and has really honed in on her "big sister" skills.

We have been incredibly blessed with two sweet, vibrant red-headed children, and our lives are richer from these beautiful gifts!