I just signed up for an online book reading challenge for charity. The premise -- read 52 books in a year and post reviews of each one. I'd like to think that I'm up for the challenge, but realistically? I'm guessing I might finish and review about 26. But I'm going to try and get through one book a week.
First up, for my book club, finally getting around to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Will report back later this week...
Wish me luck!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ugh, another ear infection...
Your baby has had a cold and been stuffed up for a few days, and today you see her tugging at her ear. Your busy toddler won’t eat dinner and can’t fall asleep. He says he has a headache...Uh-oh. Looks like another ear infection!
The majority of children under age six--kids under two in particular--get an ear infection at some point (and many unfortunate kids seem to get them again and again). Ear infections are caused by a blockage in the ear tubes that does not allow any fluid in the ear canal to drain properly.
Clues that your child might have an ear infection might include:
Fever;
Loss of appetite;
Inability to fall asleep (or to stay asleep);
Ear pain (this is when you might see tugging on the ear);
Fluid draining from the ear; or
Trouble hearing.
More and more doctors are holding off on prescribing antibiotics for ear infections these days, as the majority of infections will clear themselves up over the course of a few days. However, its important to let your doctor know if you suspect your child may have an ear infection. You and the doctor can monitor your child’s progress and determine if and when treatment is needed.
Often, the infection will go away on its own over time. Doctors will likely recommend some of the following “home remedies” to help soothe your child:
Pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen, NOT aspirin);
Over-the-counter ear drops with benzocaine;
Sitting and sleeping in an upright position; or
Warm washcloth (or even a heating pad on low heat) over the ear.
If, over the next few days, your child’s infection does not seem to be improving, you and your doctor can re-asses the situation and if antibiotics are necessary. If your child is under six months of age, or if he or she seems to be getting worse, antibiotics will most likely be prescribed. If your child seems to frequently get ear infections, your doctor may recommend a visit with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist), who can discuss options for the future with you (e.g., surgical insertion of ear tubes, removal of adenoids).
The majority of children under age six--kids under two in particular--get an ear infection at some point (and many unfortunate kids seem to get them again and again). Ear infections are caused by a blockage in the ear tubes that does not allow any fluid in the ear canal to drain properly.
Clues that your child might have an ear infection might include:
Fever;
Loss of appetite;
Inability to fall asleep (or to stay asleep);
Ear pain (this is when you might see tugging on the ear);
Fluid draining from the ear; or
Trouble hearing.
More and more doctors are holding off on prescribing antibiotics for ear infections these days, as the majority of infections will clear themselves up over the course of a few days. However, its important to let your doctor know if you suspect your child may have an ear infection. You and the doctor can monitor your child’s progress and determine if and when treatment is needed.
Often, the infection will go away on its own over time. Doctors will likely recommend some of the following “home remedies” to help soothe your child:
Pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen, NOT aspirin);
Over-the-counter ear drops with benzocaine;
Sitting and sleeping in an upright position; or
Warm washcloth (or even a heating pad on low heat) over the ear.
If, over the next few days, your child’s infection does not seem to be improving, you and your doctor can re-asses the situation and if antibiotics are necessary. If your child is under six months of age, or if he or she seems to be getting worse, antibiotics will most likely be prescribed. If your child seems to frequently get ear infections, your doctor may recommend a visit with an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist), who can discuss options for the future with you (e.g., surgical insertion of ear tubes, removal of adenoids).
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Natural History Museum
Took the two youngest to the Natural History Museum today. We had a great time looking at the dinosaurs and the stuffed mammals. C really liked roaming around the Oceans exhibit -- he loved the giant squid.
I had totally forgotten that on Tuesdays there is free admission to the butterfly hut on the second floor! So great. C loved checking each type of butterfly off of the list provided by the museum. And L really enjoyed herself too -- grabbing and pointing and laughing. So glad I was able to catch that today!
I had totally forgotten that on Tuesdays there is free admission to the butterfly hut on the second floor! So great. C loved checking each type of butterfly off of the list provided by the museum. And L really enjoyed herself too -- grabbing and pointing and laughing. So glad I was able to catch that today!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Harry Potter Crazy
We are well into the third Harry Potter book at our house and the kids are still happily obsessed. We are reading about a chapter a night, and then we watch the movies when we finish the book.
Their Harry & Hermione costumes are ready for Halloween (including the adorable round glasses for young Harry). Sorry to say that Harry will not be wearing a fake lightning bolt scar on his forehead. He's convinced that with the scar, he'll be able to do real magic!
Not sure yet what we are going to do when we finish the third book...I'm thinking the fourth book (and beyond) are a bit much for such young kids. Will definitely be something to think about.
Their Harry & Hermione costumes are ready for Halloween (including the adorable round glasses for young Harry). Sorry to say that Harry will not be wearing a fake lightning bolt scar on his forehead. He's convinced that with the scar, he'll be able to do real magic!
Not sure yet what we are going to do when we finish the third book...I'm thinking the fourth book (and beyond) are a bit much for such young kids. Will definitely be something to think about.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Rock Band
Home again after a long road trip...Virginia to New York to Boston and back all in 5 days with 3 kids and no other adults. So very tired...
But we had a great time and the kids are now obsessed with the Beatles. We played Beatles Rock Band at our cousins' house in Brooklyn and the kids just loved it. When I got home on Sunday night, we found someone selling it on craigslist for super cheap and we picked it up last night.
The kids have been singing and really enjoying themselves, so its money well spent. Can't wait to really try it out and see how we do!
But we had a great time and the kids are now obsessed with the Beatles. We played Beatles Rock Band at our cousins' house in Brooklyn and the kids just loved it. When I got home on Sunday night, we found someone selling it on craigslist for super cheap and we picked it up last night.
The kids have been singing and really enjoying themselves, so its money well spent. Can't wait to really try it out and see how we do!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Halloween, already.
We haven't even gone back to school, but the kids have already decided what they want to be for Halloween and want to get started on their costumes. We've been reading the Harry Potter books at night and now C wants to be Harry and B wants to be Hermione. Should be easy enough: robe, tie, white shirt, wand, and glasses for Harry.
I broke out my knitting bag for the first time in over 6 years last night. I'm hoping I can remember enough to make them some "Gryffindor" scarves to wear with the costumes. I was having a lot of trouble remembering the basics, but then thought of searching on YouTube for some instructions. Within minutes I was all set. Pretty cool.
I broke out my knitting bag for the first time in over 6 years last night. I'm hoping I can remember enough to make them some "Gryffindor" scarves to wear with the costumes. I was having a lot of trouble remembering the basics, but then thought of searching on YouTube for some instructions. Within minutes I was all set. Pretty cool.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
One Day
Finished a terrific book last night: "One Day" by David Nicholls. I read a lot of books and there are very few actually make me wish I had been the one to think up the story and write it so well. This book made me jealous of David Nicholls.
Simple plot -- a love story about two best friends from college and how their lives and potential romance play out over the next 20 years. The clever part is that the story checks in on them only once a year, always on the same date. Well done and difficult to put down.
Here's the review that convinced me to pick it up:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/david-nicholls-one-day,43374/
This book made me laugh and it also made me cry.
Only other books to make me cry? "Cold Mountain", "Persuasion", and "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius".
FYI: The last book that made me jealous of the author was "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" by Marisha Pessl.
Simple plot -- a love story about two best friends from college and how their lives and potential romance play out over the next 20 years. The clever part is that the story checks in on them only once a year, always on the same date. Well done and difficult to put down.
Here's the review that convinced me to pick it up:
http://www.avclub.com/articles/david-nicholls-one-day,43374/
This book made me laugh and it also made me cry.
Only other books to make me cry? "Cold Mountain", "Persuasion", and "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius".
FYI: The last book that made me jealous of the author was "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" by Marisha Pessl.
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