Mommy's Little Helper

Walnut Picking

Last night we picked up HUNDREDS of English Walnuts from our driveway and yard. There are still several more in the yard and a few still left on the tree. We walked around to the front of the house and discovered that we also have a buckeye tree.

Culture Fair

Last night at Maddie's daycare, they had a Culture Fair Potluck Dinner. Each classroom was to bring a dish from a different country. The Young Todds had Greece. I wasn't that familiar with Greek cuisine, so I did a little research on the internet. Most of the food did not look very appetizing, was too time consuming, or just wasn't condusive for potluck. I chose to make a spinach pie. It was somewhat appetizing, it only had 4 ingredients, and would bake in 20 minutes. It was VERY easy to make: mix some spinach, feta cheese, and a little garlic. I did have to improvise a little. You were supposed to used this special greek pastry, but Pilsbury crescent roll dough works just as well. I was also supposed to have a top & bottom layer of dough (like a typical pie), but I dropped one of the dough containers a few days earlier (it rolled out of the refrigerator) and it popped open. So I only had enough dough (barely) for just a bottom layer. Then, the dough didn't bake in the time it was supposed to, so we were late to the dinner. But when it was all said and done, it went over really well. I only had to take home 3 small pieces. One teacher said that it was the best spinach pie she had ever had.

Madison Update

Madison is feeling much better. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic which appeared to clear everything up. She's back to her usual happy self.

Madison

I got a call from Maddie's daycare yesterday, while I was already on my way to pick her up, saying that she had just thrown up and had a fever of 100.4. I wasn't all that concerned about it until when I got there and the teacher said that there was a little bit of blood in her vomit. I called her doctor when we got home and they said that we should take her to the emergency room. We actually got in to see the doctor rather quickly. We explained the situation. But since she only threw up the one time and we weren't there to see how much blood was there (he assured us that a little bit is fine), there wasn't much to go on for a diagnosis. He ordered some blood tests and a chest x-ray, just to see if anything showed up. THIS took forever. After about 3 hours, the blood tests came back normal. Madison developed a slight rash while there, but the doctor said it could be caused by a million different things. Not very reassuring, but since he wasn't concerned, I guess I shouldn't. The doctor did ask if she had been coughing lately. She has, but I thought it was just a cold. When looking at the chest x-rays, it appeared that she has the beginnings of Pneumonia. He prescribed an antibiotic. She didn't have a fever this morning, but I kept her home from daycare & Bryan's mom is watching her today. Hopefully she will feel better in a few days.

Madison's First Birthday

Wow, Madison's first birthday has come and gone. It's amazing how she went from a 4-1/2 lb "peanut" in a plastic box, hooked up to all kinds of tubes & wires in the NICU, to an "ideal" healthy little girl of 20 lb, 9 oz. It's so fun to sit back and just watch her play & explore. It always brings a smile to my face (and sometimes a joyful tear in my eye). I thank God everyday for the joy she has brought to our lives. Here are some pictures from her big party yesterday. Thanks to everyone who made the trip.

Rain, Rain, Go AWAY!

And don't come back until after the weekend. It's been raining nonstop since early Wednesday morning due to the remnants of Gustav. It's been cold, too. Looking at the radar, it should be over soon. But the forcast is also calling for isolated thunderstorms this weekend. Hopefully they will hold off (that's why we got a tent for Maddie's party).