whirlwind weekend

I'm in a bit of a recovery mode this evening following a packed weekend.  As you read this, you might think I'm wimpy - and I am.  You might very well handle much more on a regular basis.  I'm just not used to so much activity back-to-back at once.  All of it was planned and every event was fun and worthwhile in it's own way, but it's no wonder I'm feeling a cold coming on given my delicate nature :)

Just to recount the glorious details and provide a play-by-play:  Friday we attended a work dinner for Ryan, during which my sister had the task of putting the beastly Blythe to bed.  Specifically noted because it can be an hour-long process at times.

On Saturday morning, B and I jetted to our friends' house at 11 to help set up for a baby shower, and then headed to another friend's daughter's first birthday party at noon.  By 1:30 we were back at Lana's for the baby shower for Julie, featured in the pictures below.  After that, I packed it up and picked up Ryan for a political fundraiser for a friend, which lasted until just after 7.

Whew.

Sunday was much more tame, with a wedding planning meeting at church, followed by the annual meeting - I was able to sleep in, and all told I was gone from 3:15-7:30, home just in time to enjoy bath time with Blythe.

The baby shower for Julie (and the as-yet-unborn child) was a blast, and our activity/game involved decorating onesies for the baby.  Much preferred to other games such as guessing candy bar poop in a diaper.

I handled the decorations (tissue poms with rain for the "shower"), punch, and fruit kabobs, and everyone else handled the important stuff - you know, the food people actually want to eat (cheesecake!  brownies!) and hosting at their home.

Just a short month or so until we welcome a new baby into the motley crew of kids in this little gang!  Woot!

the weekly quote

If you don't ask, you don't get.
- Mahatma Gandhi

'tis the season

Ah, wintertime.  The cold (not present much this season).....the snow (none on the ground)....the sniffles.

Gah, the sniffles.

First, Blythe had an ear infection a couple of weeks ago.  Then hives as a reaction to the antibiotics.  And this week, she came down with some sort of awful combination of a runny nose, scratchy throat, and cough.  It began on Sunday afternoon and kept her from attending her cousin's first birthday party.  Instead, she hunkered down at home and indulged in one of her favorite treats - Pedialyte popsicles.

She is much improved today, but Monday and Tuesday (day AND night) were challenging.  And I know this is only the beginning of the illnesses that will surely pass through the Dunkley home as her exposure to group settings increases.

I'd like to trade in the sniffles for more cold and snow, though....any takers?

pizza bites

As is the case lately, I found this recipe for pizza bites (pizza puffs, specifically) on Pinterest - I tried it first on my unsuspecting friends a few weeks ago, and have made it twice since then.  It hails from Lick the Bowl Good and I followed the recipe nearly exactly, just switching up the pepperoni option (for plain cheese, or canadian bacon - the options are endless) and omitting the red pepper flakes.  So I'll defer to her site for the recipe itself as I made no alterations.

a manic melting pot - my randoms

Ah, time for some randoms thrown all into one all-over-the-place post.  Things I love, things I am thinking about, what I'm doing.  Blah blah blah, you can find it all here or you can turn away now :)

• I'm just finishing up the book Simplicity Parenting:  Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Payne and I'm enjoying it, although much of it does seem to be quite obvious to those who are already in the mindset of wanting to keep toys, tv viewing and that sort of thing streamlined and without clutter.  Not to say I don't have clutter - anyone who has visited my house can attest to that.

• I struggle with the decision about whether Blythe should/will be an only child multiple times on a daily basis, realizing at the same time that the decision might be made for me in a variety of ways and also realizing there is no use in obsessing over the topic.  Will she resent us for not having the experience of a sibling?  Feel burdened by us as we grow old?  Will I be a better mom to one child than to a few?  Will I personally regret not having multiple children?  Is the ease of having one vs. two a selfish reason on my part?  I guess the fact that I'm wrestling with it means that I'm not quite ready to take the plunge on another. 

• I just discovered the emilynoel83 youtube channel after reading my latest issue of Self magazine.  While I wouldn't want to copy her looks exactly (I do not wear such dramatic/transformative eyeshadow looks), I enjoy hearing about new products so that I can fuel my obsession with knowing about (and coveting) the latest stuff.  She has spurred me on to want to buy the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadow creams.

• Thanks to Small Notebook's Simplified Skin Care post, I would also like to purchase nearly everything she listed as part of her daily routine.

• I could eat an entire slice/hunk/section of brie cheese in one sitting if given the opportunity.

• I'm interested in most documentaries and books on the topic of the nutrition and the foods we "should" be eating - which, of course, varies depending on the expert/random bystander you are referencing.  It's to the point that I feel a bit paralyzed about what "plan" is the "right" one - Paleo, veganism, wheat-free, a balance of anything along with healthy fruit/veggies....GAH.  If only I could win the lottery and have a personal chef, but that's a bit of a digression.

• I have thrown my back out twice in as many weeks.

Alright, enough navel-gazing.  At least for this evening.

the weekly quote

You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.

- Dogen

ain't nothin' gonna break my stride - even hives

Blythe had been in the midst of a round of antibiotics to treat her second ear infection in as many months, when she woke up on Monday morning covered in hives. 

After a trip to the doctor's office to confirm they were, in fact, "just" hives, she was diagnosed as allergic to penicillin.  Her ears looked much better so she's off of the amoxicillin, and we're now just waiting for the hives to subside.  Thankfully she hasn't exhibited any signs of physical suffering (itching, trouble sleeping...), and they certainly aren't keeping her from going about her normal crazed-toddler days. 

For instance, she interrupted this blog post-drafting to scream at me to please unzip her play purse.  And then zip it.  And then unzip it.  And then zip it.  Rinse and repeat.

She's also quite helpful to clean up her spills as she makes them. Almost instantaneously, in fact.  You might even think she spilled on purpose :)

This morning, on Day 2 of Attack Of The Hives, her eyes were quite puffy and swollen, and she still had spots all along her legs.  I hope they work their way out of her system quickly or we might have Sloth on our hands by Wednesday morning.

Oscar seems quite concerned about whether these "hive" things are contagious - so much so that he has been barking ALL DAY out of concern.  Nonstop.  I might have started barking along with him at one point.  We even ran out of bitter apple spray.

But anyway, back to the poor human child with hives.  She's on post-nap round 2 of "spill for fun and clean it up" so it appears she will persevere!  Although I must admit seeing her splotchy little face is heartbreaking and I hope it is all resolved very soon :(