Latex allergy

I know this really has nothing to do with the topic of this blog, but if it can help someone else who might be searching for pictures or a little more information on a bumpy itchy/painful rash, I'm will be happy I done this post.
A week ago Sunday, Nora came in the living room carrying a bag of balloons that were left over from her party. I did not want her playing with them, so I carefully picked up the bag by the outside plastic, and put them away. I noticed a little later that I had some pin head dots on my index finger, but thought nothing of it.
By Monday, the pin head dots had turned into bumps and were very very itchy. It wasn't red or anything, so I had no clue what it was.  The first picture is from Monday last week and the second picture is from this Monday.
Last night I decided that no matter what, I needed yo be seen by some sort of a health care provider.  My fingers were swollen, itchy, painful, red, bumpy, and sorta numb. I thought I was going to scratch the skin off my fingers.  I was using cortisone cream and extra strength benadryl itch stopping cream like it was going out of style, and nothing was working.
So around 11am today, off we went to the Minute Clinic. We had to wait for like an hour, but I was determined. Turns out, it was the latex on the package of balloons I picked up. The last pictures I took today after my first dose of prednisone.
As of tonight, the swelling has started going down, and its not constantly itching. It is feels and looks a little bumpy, but nothing like before.  This is the last picture.

Now please note that this is a mild reaction, not a server reaction. This could have been much worse.

A little about vitamins.

Source: a-health-blog.com via Summer on Pinterest

Nora's Party

Nora turns two

It seems like just yesterday I was holding a tiny little newborn in my arms for the first time.  Michael and I had fought so hard to get to that point, and honestly, I do no remember much about her birth or the two hours afterward. I do remember how much love I felt the first time I saw her.

The past year I've thought a lot about that day. It has kept me sane on the days that Nora thinks she is a tiny baby and "cries" all day long, and the times she has fought tooth and nail for something she wants.

OK enough of the mushy memory lane stuff, here is some of the new stuff she has been doing this year.

She finally started walking at about 15 months. She looks so cute running around everywhere and trying to be independent.

In the past few months, Nora has started talking a TON. And not just the toddler talk, she practices her ABCs and 123s although she some times skips a few. She is still trying to learn what the words mean although some of her favorites work all the time like, snack, cookie, water, juice..

She likes to have her nails painted and it doesn't matter to her if it's two in the morning she still insists on having them done. And she gets really concerned if her hands get dirty even though 99.9999% of the time it is something she did.

Everybody that comments about her talking or recognizing shapes, numbers, or words has a hard time believing that she is so smart at her age. It shouldn't be a surprise though its been a constant battle and even though most people don't feel the same about natural child birth, breast feeding, etc. Its hard to argue otherwise when you look at Nora. We are glad that we inspired some people to go a similar route hopefully every can have a great outcome.

We are very proud of our little daughter.

Toddler Approved Apps: Part 4

In this post I will be talking about two apps.  The app "Giggle Gang", and the "Laugh & Learn- Shapes and Colors Music Show for Baby".  They both are Fisher-Price apps for iPhone/iPod and iPad(Nora and I love all their apps).

Here is the iTunes description For Giggle Gang:

"The Giggle Gang App from Fisher-Price is packed full of fun activities that encourages baby to interact with engaging animation and sound effects while introducing the Giggle Gang! Designed for babies 6 mos. & up.

Features:
Baby can tap or tilt the screen to interact with the Giggle Gang characters.
Features two levels of play to grow with baby.
In level one, tap the screen to make Giggle Gang characters appear and interact with babies touch, bouncing and giggling – or – tilt the device to make the characters bounce around the screen.
In level two, tap on the key board or each member of the Giggle Gang to play your favorite giggles or music notes – learn a song about the Giggle Gang.
Baby can dance along with six sung ditties and a sing along song!
Record your own giggle! A record button for mom allows her to select a character and record her own giggle for baby"        

Here is the iTunes description for Laugh & Learn- Shapes and Color Music Show for Baby:

"Babies are encouraged to learn about shapes and colors through interactions with engaging animations, sounds and sing along songs! Baby can tap or tilt the screen to set a learning world in motion! Designed for babies 6 months & up.

Features:
Baby can tap or tilt the screen to interact with the on-screen shapes & colors. 
Features two levels of play to grow with baby.
In level one, tap the screen to hear the name of the shape or color - or - tilt the device to make the shapes bounce around the screen.
In level two, tap the screen to hear the name of the shape or color, tilt the device to make the shapes slide across the screen or play the piano at the bottom of the screen.
Baby can dance along with five sung ditties and two sing along songs! 
Teaches shapes, colors, first words and action/reaction."

As you can see the two apps are a ton a like, and that's why I decided to review them together. 

When you start up the app you get to chose from two different levels. 

The first level the image just kind of bounces around and plays a tune.  It can get really annoying, and honestly I don't let Nora play with this level.

The next level, however, is a lot better.  Each carater has a song that plays when you click on them, and there is a really cool piano for baby to play with at the bottom.  

After you have clicked on all the characters  there is a song that includes all of them.  It really is kind of cute.  

Hope you enjoy these two apps.  I know Nora has.  

Breakfast with Santa