Elin has developed a rash on her face and upper chest, so there aren't any super recent pictures of her for this post. I'm pretty sure that it is heat related as it flairs up after she's been outside or when she cries for awhile. The rash also is concentrated in the areas where her face rests against my arm when I hold her. Apparently, Elin has inherited my intolerance of heat. She has always been a "warm" baby - I can't put her in the sleeper pajamas anymore because she would be so hot during the night. Elin has her next doctor's appointment in the next few days; I hope that I can get an official diagnosis and treatment.
Auntie Kirsti came to visit us and to meet Baby Elin from Friday, August 2 through Monday, August 5. It was a quick weekend visit, but it was super fun to see her. Elin was such a sweet little girl that she almost convinced Kirstin to have another little baby - Kirstin said that sanity prevailed though. I think that if Kirstin had stayed just one more day we would have fully convinced her to give Erik and Elin another cousin!!! While Kirstin was here, she was able to go with me and the kids to a Children's Storytime at the local Leu Gardens. The storytime is held once a month; it was a madhouse! I couldn't believe how many people showed up for it. I decided it had to be because it was the last event before the new school year starting. I'm not sure if I'll attempt another one for awhile.
In other Erik news, we finally decided to enroll Erik in swimming lessons. He hadn't really wanted to get in the pool earlier this year but thankfully developed an interest in swimming when we had all the grandparents here in July. I enrolled Erik in a course of 8 swim lessons at the Jewish Community Center where he goes to daycare. He cried the entire 30 minutes of the first lesson; I was in an adjacent building where I could watch the lesson and I could hear him even inside the building! The 2nd day was better in that he only cried for the first 5 minutes or so. I was worried that he would throw a tantrum when he realized where we were going, but he walked to the pool willingly enough but then wanted me to hold him when we into the pool area. Each day was better until I was actually able to stay by the pool for the last few lessons. Kent took Erik to his 8th and last lesson and Erik cried throughout the entire lesson again! Oops. Erik's teacher, Miss Lacey, thought that Erik did a great job; he was floating on his back by himself during Lesson #7. However, he could certainly benefit from more lessons, so we will try to keep up with the lessons. The JCC may actually add a pool heater this year which would allow them to keep their pool open year-round. That would be great & convenient since Erik is there already!
As mentioned above, Kent took Erik shopping for new shoes a few weeks ago. He had quite the experience and learned a few lessons! I can't wait to see what happens when he takes 2 kids out by himself!! Here is Kent's story, in his words:
Shoe shopping with Erik
Erik needed some bigger shoes a few weeks ago, so I volunteered to take him shopping on Sunday morning since Kelli and Elin had planned to attend a baby shower. So Erik and I headed down to the outlets at about 10:15 to check out a couple shoe stores. The plan was to park close to the store and zip in and get back to the car in short order to get back in time for lunch and nap.
I couldn't remember exactly where the store was, but I remembered that the last time I came we parked in the back so that must be an okay option I thought. I also decided that due to the speed at which I would be performing this errand and my strategic parking that I could skip the stroller. Upon arriving I also decided that I didn't want to be burdened by the diaper bag since I didn't have the stroller. So I got Erik out of the car, threw in a little snack and we were on our way.
Fortunately, there was a mall directory right away to help me know which way to go. It took me a bit to locate the shoe store I came for, mostly because it was on the opposite side of the mall! Well, perhaps I should have spent a couple minutes scouting the parking lot at home! This outdoor outlet mall is sizeable. The criss cross route I would need to take would be the equivalent of 3-4 city blocks. Erik weighs about thirty pounds, but having him walk that far wasn't an option. So after an unscheduled stop to check out a hat, we finally arrived at the shoe store, with me having worked up a decent sweat and Erik feeling like he'd just been carried half way back home.
Inside the shore store now...there is no one to help me measure Erik's foot so I decide I'll try on my own...in between trying to get him to keep his foot still, I tried to decipher the ridiculously busy measuring capabilities of this device. I'm sure I knew his shoe size in 3 foreign countries before I decided which set of numbers I should be using. The shoes Erik's size are located within a couple rows in the back of the store. While I was mostly disappointed with the initial selections that appeared to be available, Erik seemed to have a few favorites, which consisted of anything in a box!
I quickly scanned the boxes looking for anything in Erik's size, but it seemed like I was in the wrong area, so after dissuading Erik out of trying on some blinking lightning McQueen shoes, we moved over a row and started investigating some more promising territory where I hit paydirt! I quickly started checking out what styles they had in Erik's size, which required me to open several boxes as things were very disorganized. After becoming a little self absorbed, I happened to look over at Erik and noticed that he had successfully tried on some more blinking shoes! Good job, but he had about 5 or 6 boxes pulled off the shelf with shoes scattered all over! Oh no, I thought, I'll have to figure out which go in which boxes! Now I knew why I couldn't find anything in the proper place in this section...some other parents hadn't properly restricted their children from shopping either. As I started reassembling the boxes, I became aware of an unpleasant aroma that I quickly identified as emanating from Erik's diaper! Ugh...This was a very unfortunate turn of events since I had left all his gear back at the car! This wasn't a totally cavalier move since he had already pooped in the morning and typically doesn't go twice...but so much for typical.
So after keeping closer tabs on him while I tried to find some kind of option, he started fussing and crying because I wasn't letting him clear the shelves anymore! I finally decided to give him the snack I brought, which seemed to pacify him while I sorted through some more options. The rice cookie in one hand seemed to temper his constant desire to rip boxes off the shelf, but unfortunately he decided that he would play "keep away" from me and not stay close to where I was! So after what seemed like an eternity of trying to keep track of him and looking for the right size, I finally decided on a pair (as I wasn't leaving without something). Then to top it off, we had to wait in line for about 10 minutes to check out.
I was feeling bad for Erik having to have a poopy diaper for the remainder of the shopping and the long walk back to the car so on the way to the next store where I was hoping to buy him a pair of crocs, I happened to see a restroom. I decided that I would relieve him of his dirty diaper and chance him wetting before we got back to the car. So after I did a diaper change without wipes that would have made McGyver proud, we hurried to the croc store, which was fortunately nearby and on the way back to the car. I told Erik there was no peeing or popping until we got back to the car. :-)
At the croc store Erik seemed to like pretty much everything that he saw there too!! I decided to keep holding him in this store, so I had only one hand to shop and put back everything that he took off the shelves. Yes...definitely take the stroller next time!! Crocs aren't in boxes but various types of holders on display racks. For every croc I looked at he had pulled off two. Once I identified his size he picked a nice blue color that I liked for him. I also wanted a pair so had to put him down to try things on...which resulted in at least a half dozen that Erik tried on. It was a great relief to decide on a pair for myself and head to the checkout, where again I waited for 10 min, wondering if my arm would suddenly become very warm and wet. Needless to say, I had the same thoughts on the way back to the car.
After the high-speed dodge-and-walk around the numerous shoppers, we finally arrived back at the car. Erik had decided to have a bladder of steel at the right time...and at least made me feel good about one decision I had made that morning! It was way past lunch time now and I was just leaving the mall. So while Erik ate some chips that I threw into the car at the last minute on the way out the door, I reflected on the way home that perhaps I had learned several lessons in shopping with toddlers that I could use going forward, with the most important being let Kelli do it.
Random Pictures:
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| Erik with a construction hat, which was the party favor at his birthday party |
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| Erik & Elin playing "Nap Time" - one of Erik's favorite games right now |
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| Erik loving on poor little Elin. Erik has decided that he doesn't like clothes lately |
LOL! Loved, LOVED Kent's point of view from his shopping adventure! He should contribute to each week's post, it was very entertaining!
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