Sigh, my Cally is sick all the time

I really would love to keep family in the Loop, but the words of "I wanted to report you to CPS because your child keeps getting sick!" just won't ever leave my mind. I'm afraid to have family over when she's sick, I'm afraid to let them find out that Cally is still sick often. I'm with this little girl 24-7 and do everything in my power to keep her well, including a loop of doctors. Its really heart breaking to see her suffer so much. I've come to a point where I'm just going to stop exposing her to other kids as much.

Yes, being with other kids is good for her, as well as some germ exposure, but she's not just a regular kid. The more she gets sick, the worse off she is, because those lungs have not had time to recover. It looks as if she does have asthma. I have it, I also have sinus disease, allergies and all of the above. I have general immune system weakness with autoimmune disease, but I try to keep healthy as much as possible (a healthy sick person). She improves drastically in the summer so it can't come soon enough. I think at the most I will be putting her in 2s & 3s once a week instead of three times a week. I feel bad because she has so much fun in there. At the end of this month we go to the asthma doctor for allergy testing. I am really looking for a glimmer of hope here.

My Review of Easy-On Leather Sandal

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Just like children, all shoes are different. Please be sure to find the perfect size with our printable .
Our kids' leather sandals go on and off so easily, chubby little hands can do it without help! The secret? A child-friendly, hook 'n loop flap. Super comfy and lightweight....

Easy-On Leather Sandal

Good quality, sizable

By Kara from Lehigh Valley, PA on 2/23/2010

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Width: Feels true to width

Pros: Durable, Leather, Cute, Arch Support, Comfortable, Stylish

Best Uses: Casual Wear

Describe Yourself: Casual, Conservative, Stylish

I bought these shoes in 1/2 a size bigger for this summer. They're still half price (from last summer). Cally got a pink pair and they're sooo cute. They are leather, have good traction on the bottom, and the insides are padded and have an arch even, and very adjustable. They have the same pair but slightly different style in the new catalog for $25.

(legalese)

My Review of Cozy Crib Tent(TM) II

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Our deluxe Cozy Crib Tent not only prevents climbing and falling...it keeps little limbs from getting stuck between crib rails! The safest crib tent ever! Ours not only encloses the top of the crib, it surrounds the entire interior with soft, safe netting. Arms and legs can't get wedged betwee...

Cozy Crib Tent(TM) II

Peace of mind but be gentle w/assembling

By Kara from Lehigh Valley, PA on 2/23/2010

 

4out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Roomy, Easy to Assemble

Cons: Stitching needs improveme

Best Uses: Toddlers

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

I was concerned about my 2yr old daughter crawling out of her crib, and didn't want to wait for her to do so. She could already climb out of her play pen so I didn't want to risk it, and she is too mischievous to be ready for a toddler bed (also didn't want her to get out of her room and fall down the stairs). Although a little pricey, you have to imagine the liability this company has, so it's understandable. It was easy to put together, but a few of the stitches in where you insert the pole came loose, but we were just careful after that. It hasn't come apart any more since we put together and is quite sturdy. My daughter doesn't seem to think anything of it, and it gives me peace and ease of mind that she is safe. The dual benefit is it keeps the bugs out of her crib while sleeping (here in PA we have stink bug issues!). I don't see her in any way being able to unzip it and it is high enough over the crib where she can stand without touching the top. Another benefit is the fact that you don't need a bumper and it keeps her legs and feet from getting caught in the slots of the crib like they always did before! Definitely a worthy investment. Let's see how it holds up for the next kids. We intend to keep using it!

(legalese)

Allergen-Free Animal Crackers

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted on this blog. I had actually forgotten that I had a blog. I think it's a good idea, especially for all of Cally's followers to delve into her interesting little life.

I really wanted to make a blog about Cally's new animal crackers. Cally has food sensitives, dairy and wheat products to name the two major ones. I really wanted to make her an animal cracker she could enjoy. The hard part is working a recipe that is both gluten & dairy free - very difficult. I was able to find a recipe on Recipezaar, and I tweaked it. Mainly, instead of using shortening, I used coconut milk with the water removed. I think they turned out pretty good. Here's some pictures of all of it in the making. My back hurts from hunching over but it was sooo worth it!

I originally obtained the cookie cutters (a set of 9 miniature animals) from ebay (actually overseas). I didn't want them to be too detailed because it may have added extra hassle in pressing the cookie out of the cutter onto the baking sheet.

All of the ingredients were incorporated then then the dough was separated into four balls. Each ball was rolled out and I cut them out and re-rolled the ball to make more out of the trimmings.








I poked eye holes for most of the cookies to add a little more fun. The cookies were initially baked at 375 degrees for 8 minutes but I found it to work better for us to cook them for 9 minutes at 400 degrees. They still were soft after that. I figure, hey, less of a choking hazard.


I probably ended up cutting 150 or so of those little buggers.

Starting from the top left to right is a horse, a fish, then a lion, rabbit, cat, bird, mouse, pig and last but not least, a bat. Now the hard part, would she like them?? I tried them myself, they were plain and a little doughy. But what I thought didn't matter. They had to be tried & tested.

She LOVED her animal crackers. We also were able to fit some home schooling in this project. I gave her one of each shape, and with each one I gave her - I told her the name of it and also the sign language sign for the animal. It meant alot to me too that she didn't just cram them down her throat, but that she'd say the name of each one before she bit off an appendage or head, or play with them as if they were moving (ie: the bunny hopping). Not sure if it was the fact that she was late being fed lunch but she asked for more and more! I think the only thing different I'd do is next time add some orange extract or make them thinner for a crunchier version :-) Here's the original recipe, but like I did you can also tweak it to your liking. I did not buy a gluten free bake mix but I had bought all the ingredients seperately and made my own. I'll post that recipe as well.

I love the piggie the best!

Allergen-Free Animal Crackers

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons arrowroot
• 2 1/2 cups gluten-free flour (eg Orgran)
• 1/2 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
• 185 g vegan margarine (eg Nuttelex)
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder, mixed with
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sunflower oil, and
• 1 1/2 tablespoons water

OPTIONAL

• icing, and decorations (optional)

Directions

1. Mix the arrowroot, flour and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.

2. Cream the margarine, sugar and vanilla together in another bowl.

3. Beat the baking powder, oil and water mixture into the margarine and gradually blend in the flour mixture.

4. Bring the dough together into a ball with your hands, flatten and divide into quarters. Roll out one piece thickly on a clean and floured board with a floured rolling pin.

5. Cut our your favourite animal shapes (or any cookie cutters you like) and carefully transfer them onto ungreased non-stick baking trays.

6. Bake them in the centre of the oven for about 8 mins at 190C or 375°F.

7. Remove the trays from the oven and leave the cookies to cool on the trays for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.

8. Decorate with icing as desired or eat plain.

9. Makes about 30 (depending on size).
   

I Can't Believe It's Not Gluten! Gluten-Free Cake Flour Mix

Ingredients

• 3 cups brown rice flour (fine ground)
• 1 cup potato starch (not potato flour)
• 1/2 cup tapioca flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons guar gum or xanthan gum

Directions

1. Sift ingredients together, combining thoroughly. Use in place of flour in cakes and other baked goods.

2. Store in airtight container or ziploc bag in refrigerator.