Roseola

After 5 days of fever and irritability, but no other symptoms, Charlotte's body finally gave another sign to allow a diagnosis.  Her fever improved yesterday and as I bathed her, I noticed a characteristic rash had appeared.  We took her to the doctor anyway as it was too late to cancel her follow up appointment, where she confirmed that the illness was roseola. (not Charlotte's actual skin pictured below)

Mayo Clinic's website described Charlotte as though she was the textbook case:

• Fever. Roseola typically starts with a sudden, high fever — often greater than 103 F (39.4 C). Some children may also have a slightly sore throat, runny nose or cough along with or preceding the fever. Your child may also develop swollen lymph nodes in his or her neck along with the fever. The fever lasts for three to five days.
• Rash. Once the fever subsides, a rash typically appears — but not always. The rash consists of many small pink spots or patches. These spots are generally flat, but some may be raised. There may be a white ring around some of the spots. The rash usually starts on the chest, back and abdomen and then spreads to the neck and arms. It may or may not reach the legs and face. The rash, which isn't itchy or uncomfortable, can last from several hours to several days before fading.

Other signs and symptoms of roseola may include:

• Fatigue
• Irritability in infants and children
• Mild diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Swollen eyelids

So, one common childhood viral illness down, so many to go!!  Thank goodness we don't have to worry about chickenpox.

I have 19 weeks left in this pregnancy, give or take a few weeks (take a couple I hope) and need to get into gear with knitting something for this baby boy.  Charlotte was blessed with quite a few baby blankets at the showers and I don't want Patrick to feel left out.  I found this free pattern on Ravelry today, "Little Johnny's Patchwork Blankie" (courtesy of Trudy Barrett).

I think it's going to be a bit high maintenance in color work, but I'm going to challenge myself to move beyond the simple garter and stockinette stitch.  As soon as Charlotte wakes up from her nap, I think we'll head downtown to Lizzie Ann's and pick out the yarn :)  I have a gift certificate that I've been itching to spend.

Baby Boy

This morning Brian and I had our dreams confirmed, our next baby will be a baby boy.  I had a mother's intuition I was having a boy, I suppose because my heart felt a little different when I saw baby boys in public.  Also, even early on, these belly kicks have some real strength behind them!
I am so excited, yet frightened at the same time.  Having a girl seemed so natural, since I'm a girl (obviously) but also grew up with only sisters.  I understand dance shoes, make-up, and boy drama.  I imagine Brian must've had the same apprehension for Charlotte's birth as I have for Patrick's, coming from a 3 boy family.
Despite my anxieties, I am ready for this.  I can't wait to see the world through a little boy's eyes - to learn to appreciate frogs, worms, and running just about everywhere.  I can't wait to love him and to know that I am the first woman he will ever love.  I hope that he will be fun-loving, adventurous and hopefully have a little less flair for the dramatics then his older sister.  But like his sister, I hope he loves to cuddle, hug me tight, and give Eskimo kisses.
I would love to post some pictures of his beautiful profile from the ultrasound pictures, but I only have a video and printed photos.  Trust me though, it's just about the sweetest profile you will ever see on a grainy ultrasound picture!
And to all of you friends and family with little boys (that's just about everyone) - time to start sorting through your clothes for hand-me-downs :)

Look Grandma!

Sunday night Charlotte had her first taste of Polish food.  Now I won't deny it was only Mrs. T's, but pierogi nonetheless.  It took her a minute to think about it and then she realized that cheese and potatoes are about as yummy as it gets.

Wednesday outings...

Yesterday was one of my perfect mothering days.  Ones of those days where everything goes as I planned. I never expect that anymore, because it didn't take long as a parent to learn that almost nothing ever goes as planned.

Charlotte started the day with a visit to the library.  The children's floor has a great fish and turtle tank.  She likes to put her face up to the tank and just repeat "fishy, fishy, fishy."  But unlike Bert & Ernie, one hasn't jumped into her hand in response.

Next we made our first visit to the Critter Barn, a casual sort of petting zoo.  She was very excited, at least until she realized the animals were real.  I suppose she is really just used to the picture books and didn't know these things could move and make noise.  She had the chance to pet baby chicks, ducklings, bunnies and cats galore.  Instead, she preferred to keep the animals just out of her personal space and hold on to me for security.  Next time she might be a bit more adventurous.

I had to laugh when this cow mooed so loudly that Charlotte just about jumped out of my arms.  He seemed to have something important to tell her.

A few errands rounded out the morning before C blessed me with a 3 hour nap.  I even had time to kick back and do some casual reading.  I figure I better live that up before this next baby comes and quickly erases my free time.

Later in the afternoon I huffed and puffed until Charlotte's new inflatable princess pool was blown up.  Grandma B was so kind to buy it for her and C just couldn't wait for me to fill it up.  She eagerly stripped down to her birthday suit and jumped in.   Luckily it wasn't big enough for the two of us.

17 Months

Charlotte reached 17 months this weekend.  And sadly, while speaking to a neighbor who inquired how old Maggie is, I realized she turned 3 last Sunday without any celebration from us.  Poor puppy.

We had one of my very favorite weekends, a weekend focused on relaxing and having fun with Charlotte. It was another one of those weekends that reminds me of why I love living in Holland.  We started Saturday morning with a bike trip to the farmer's market for fresh strawberries, veggies, and my favorite eggs.  Charlotte danced to the banjo player and laughed so hard while riding on her daddy's shoulders.  Next we stopped at the park where we met a neighbor who is due with her 3rd child two days before us.  Charlotte had fun climbing up the tunnel slide and shouting from the inside to hear her loud echo.

In the afternoon Brian and C swam at MVP pool while I took Maggie out to pass out flyers for a summer block party.  I am organizing this with one of our neighbors and cross my fingers that some people attend.  After 4 years, it is time to get to know our neighbors a little better.  I would love for Charlotte to have playmates close by and someone to gossip with on a quiet afternoon.

To end Saturday, we tried out a local babysitter.  She was a big hit with Charlotte and somehow, she managed to put her to sleep without her pacifier!  I'll have to ask her how.  Charlotte took to her right away, showing her each and every one of her stuffed animals.  Brian and I took the opportunity for a date night to get some pizza at a local favorite in Saugatuck and people watch during the Waterfront Film Festival.

Sunday started nicely with church and a short, cool, visit to the beach.  I tried to stay warm in a beach towel while Charlotte and Brian played in the sand and dipped their toes in the 62 degree water.

We have had a busy morning already, grocery shopping, Father's Day shopping and a visit to the Farmer's Market.  Good thing for pesticide free options, because this girl couldn't way to get home to dig into the beautiful juicy strawberries.  And good thing for Oxi-Clean, because her shirt is now proof of their juiciness.

The cheesiest grin.

Disappearing Act

Horizontal stripes are an amazing optical illusion.  19 weeks now!  I walked into a room today and a patient said - "You look good, you got your flat belly back."  I said "Are you kidding me?!  Look at this from the side."

Now you see it.

Now you don't.

BTW - Charlotte "had" to get in the picture.  She will never take a back seat to this baby.

Memorial Weekend Picture-rama

We had a very busy weekend, traveling across the state and back again.  I don't deny it was hectic and Charlotte's fussiness from being off schedule had me a little hair-brained, but I do appreciate the fact that we are so close with our families and value the time we share.

Charlotte breaking in the bed at our hotel.

Time for a snack break!  Charlotte enjoyed visiting with the Hoving children (Thomas was absent from the photo - poor guy was a bit under the weather.)

Snuggling with Solomon.

Cousins Charlotte and Amos having a blastie.

The whole family - Kevin included.  It was quite funny, right before the photo Charlotte decided she wanted Aunt Meagan to hold her.  That was the first time she had reached out to her all day.  I guess Charlotte wants Meagan to look like her mommy in my mother's Christmas newsletter this year.

Sporting her swimwear.

Splashing around with Daddy.  Charlotte loved the water, especially when Brian threw her up in the air. She would laugh hysterically, pausing only in her laughter to do the sign language for "more."

Skills!

I swear this girl is learning something new every day.  Last Thursday Charlotte astounded me and Brian when she repeated "magnet."  The whole "ga" sound in the middle made her sound so intelligent :)
Over the weekend, while visiting Chris's family, she mastered holding onto a swing.  It brought a few tears to my eyes to see her looking so big sitting all by herself.  Of course she still needs a push.

She loves to push her own stroller.  She even pushes the grocery cart around the store for me.  It keeps her out of trouble.  Who cares if she knocks over a display item or two.

She can follow a lot of commands now.  Today she even laid herself down for a diaper change.  I dreamt she was potty-training last night.
And finally, self-feeding is something she's been working on for several months.  But she's starting to understand the spoon works better when she doesn't flip it over.  What a happy girl.