Friday Things
1. Joseph has had a couple of trips to the pediatrician since last Friday due to some eczema flare-ups on his chest and belly… poor guy! It’s slowly starting to improve and he’s been a trooper about the endless moisturizing. He’s still so happy and giggly, I just want to squeeze him all day long (and I kind of do).
2. I complained a few weeks ago about the sheer quantity of landscaping that the previous owners had installed in our house. While I still loathe most of it, the one bright spot is the line of 10 hydrangea plants that sit against the fence in our backyard. They’re starting to bloom, and the flowers are absolutely gorgeous…
3. These images are amazing >> What Cities Would Look Like if Lit Only by the Stars [WIRED]
4. Oh my gosh, this list of toys that kids from the ’80s played with… I had almost every one of these and now I miss them! The Snoopy snow cone machine may have been my all-time favorite. Maybe my mom has a few in her attic that I can resurrect for Joseph :)
5. Sweet potatoes… do you eat the skin? I always thought you weren’t supposed to, but now I’m seeing recipes that call for cutting up the whole potato, skin and all. I guess I you DO eat the skin??
6. Joseph is grabbing at everything lately, including my hair, so I’m basically in a ponytail 24/7. I’ve contemplated chopping it off, but I think I would regret that immediately after having done it… So, any suggestions for cute ways to wear hair up that isn’t a ponytail or a messy bun (my layers are still a little too short for that after having my hair cut in April).
7. Love this post on slow parenting… I try to do this every day, but sometimes a reminder is helpful! It’s so true that the days are long, but the weeks and months go by in the blink of an eye!
8. It took me long enough, but I finally finished watching the last few episodes of Scandal last weekend, and oh my gosh, the finale! It was the only season finale that I actually loved this year!
9. The NHL schedule came out yesterday and tonight is the draft, so it’s sort of getting me excited for the upcoming season, even though the Stanley Cup playoffs just wrapped up a couple of weeks ago.
10. TGIF! Einstein knows how to relax (and hide from Duke…)!
I hope Joseph is feeling better. We had to deal with some allergies for my son when he was an infant and it’s so miserable to watch.
I always eat the skin of a sweet potato. I don’t eat the skin of a regular potato because those are loaded with anti-nutrients. I guess I do the opposite of what most people do, ha! We try to eat a mostly paleo diet over here, though, so that’s why.
Poor thing, eczema can be so rough on the little ones :( A friend of mine’s baby boy had terrible eczema. She tried all kinds of lotions and ointments. They helped somewhat, but he was still uncomfortable. Finally , I saw an ad for a natural skin care company that had an eczema/psoriasis herbal ointment. She bought some, and now swears by it. It helped so quickly and dramatically. It’s made by Renaud Naturals. I hope your sweet little one gets better soon, he is so adorable!
Adorable – skin issues are 99% of the time related to food. if you are still breastfeeding then it could be your food, if he is eating solids then it is his food. Adjust and see, use coconut butter for his skins. It;s magical. But it is better to fix the internal issue than just to medicate since it will always come back. Potato skin always eat it!
I always eat sweet potato skin. Whether it’s baked or cut into fries, it’s the most nutritious part of the potato.
Joseph is so cute! He seems like such a happy baby. Have you tried Vitamin E liquid directly on his skiin? My mom has had skin issues due to dryness almost ll of her adult life and it is reallly helping her. Your Hydrangea plants are gorgeous!
Hi Maria, I have not tried that, thanks for the suggestion!
You have to eat the skin, that is the most healthy part. There are lots of vitamins in the skin.
Have you tried braiding your hair? I have found that works well with keeping little fingers out of it. You can also do Princess Jasmine-like hair with three ties with the first being a half pony tail with just the top of your hair, then more in the second a couple inches lower, and the third at the nape of the neck.
I totally had the Snoopy Snow Cone machine too! Ugh never worked the way it was supposed to. Loved reading that list! Such wholesome toys!
I live in a ponytail. I am going to come hunt the comments for ideas.
Joseph is so cute! And I love the pictures of your dogs :-) You could also try an inside out pony tail (you make a ponytail, leaving the band just a little loose, then split your pony tail in half (top to bottom) between your scalp and the band and flip the pony tail from the top through the bottom). This looks a little different and also means that your hair lays flatter- so if you want to wear a hat out it’s easier. And the French braid idea is also nice; that takes some practice to do on yourself though.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/11/sweet-potatoes-with-pecans-and-goat-cheese/
Here is an excellent way to eat sweet potato skin.
When you start the kiddo on solid foods, watch out for allergies. I don’t have any, but I learned my son does when eczema started to show up on his body. I guess the two go hand-in-hand. Turned out he was allergic to wheat, PB (poor thing!!!!!!), and sesame seeds, randomly enough.
I did not care for the Scandal finale at all. I always expect a cliffhanger on that show and was very disappointed when there was none.
My hair was my second child’s comfort thing — no blankie for him! I wore it pulled back for awhile but just gave up and let him hold onto it. Beat having him pull it out of the pony all the time! Joseph is adorable and the slow parenting is wise! Happy weekend!
Love the list of 80s toys. I think I had over half of them! I miss my popple
I have thick, curly hair and have it up all the time at home. It’s easier for me than trying to style something shorter. I have three kids and ZERO ability to do anything super cute, so this works for me!
I say cut your hair – it’ll grow back, and you’ll be so happy to have a short, easy style for the summer. But, if your not going to cut it, you could try the knotted updo: http://www.elle.com/beauty/hair/tips/g8080/easy-updos/?slide=10
Don’t forget to check Joey’s fingers, toes, and penis for errant hair that could get wrapped around and cut off circulation.
Your photo of the hydrangeas is beautiful. Hydrageas are one of my favorite shrubs and pretty much carefree. They just need a little “cleanup” in the form of snipping off dead branches in the early spring. The blooms will stay all summer and will slowly change color or at least mine do. You can also pick the blooms in late summer and bring them in to dryâĤfor a beautuful winter bouquet. Gardens do require work for sure but the payoff is a summer full of beauty, the memory of which, along with the promise of spring renewal, can carry you through a harsh winter.
My kids were 80s kids and I only remember them having a few of those toys. I have no suggestions for cute ways to wear your hair while Joseph is grabbing at it, but that behavior will pass soon enough.
You, my wife and myself are all 80’s kids who played with those 80’s toys, can’t wait to dive in. We have the Strong Museum not to far from us and it has lots of those 80s toys that we like showing our kids. Snoopy and Belle (the plastic figures) were my wife’s favorite with all the clothes, she now lets our girls play with them. And they love lightbright and her My Little Pony and LIttles sets too. And the Woodsies, surely you remember those?
Firstly, Joseph is totally adorable!!
I love checking in to see photos of Einstein and Duke too :)
I eat the sweet potato skins but they can be a little chewy if i don’t crisp them up enough in the oven.
Also for your hair, why not try french plaits? I plait mine when wet (especially good if you have layers).
Happy Friday!