Progress

Yesterday, Brytin runs in the house from the backyard whooping and hollering, "There is something amazing happening!"

Our farm is sprouting! We've got radishes, squash and cantaloupe!

Cradle Cap

The worst baby combover ever (maybe he'll be rich like the Donald)!

Thanks to cradle cap, my son lost most of the beautiful hair on his head. It's okay, though. I firmly believe it will grow back stronger, thicker and more beautiful. I sure hope it will be curly!* Mostly, I just miss doing all the funky hairdo's that annoyed his father.

The cradle cap seems to be clearing up. We tried lotion, baby oil and Aquaphor, but those seemed to irritate Daelen (and also seemed to rush the process to the point where all his hair fell out.)

At his four-month doctor appointment, Dr. Freeman suggested washing his scalp more. He said we could also try petroleum jelly, but the washing would probably provide the most success. So we did, and it worked. Every other day, I put on my swimsuit and get in the tub with my Bubba** and I wash his head (3 times).

I think that, like most things with babies, success with cradle cap is different for everyone. My friend Diane**/ had suggested olive oil. The Mayo Clinic**** warns that leaving oil (mineral***** or olive) on the scalp could make the situation worse. Try everything. Try nothing. Either way, cradle cap is not life-threatening. It will eventually go away.

*Be careful what you wish for!
**Brytin told me recently that I cannot call Dae "Bubba."  He explained, "MY initials are BB. I should be Bubba. You can call him Dubba."
***The world's MOST awesome Kindergarten teacher, a trusted resource for breastfeeding and a wonderful friend!
****Even though WebMD is a more popular website for home diagnosis, I trust The Mayo Clinic (because I'm from Minnesota).
****In case you didn't know (which I didn't) baby oil IS mineral oil.

Jumparoo!!

It might be a smidge early, but I broke out the Jumperoo today. Dae can't stand flat-footed, but he sure does love having all the toys accesible.

Farmers

Brytin grew a sunflower!

Toward the end of first grade, Brytin was given a sunflower by his awesome teacher, Mrs. Ventura. We accidentally forgot to water it, so it didn't survive. Brytin was VERY upset about it and demanded we buy him seeds to plant a new sunflower.

Chris and Brytin had spent some time in the backyard last June, but I never knew if he did actually plant the seeds or not. And then he went to Utah and I forgot all about it.

Well, the last day of summer vacation, Brytin, Daelen and I were in the yard planting our farm* and I happened upon this big green bush that just didn't quite look like the other weeds in our backyard.

And then I realized what had happened. Brytin grew a sunflower! (Right smack-dab in the middle of our backyard!)

*I'm hoping to grow food to give to Daelen when he is ready for something besides his Momma's milk. The middle of August seems like a weird time to be planting seeds, but hopefully something (anything) will grow.

The Constant

Even though sometimes it feels shitty because Brytin is always excited to see anyone besides me, it feels good to realize that I am the constant in his life. I am here everyday. I know all about what he does and what happens to him on REGULAR days.

Today, as I was standing outside watching him play at recess, he came up and told me, "I feel better having you here."* Praise the Lord I am able to be a stay-at-home parent.

I am in his life continuously AND continually** - throughout ALL circumstances, not just the big ones. He can always count on me because I have shown him that I am a person he can rely on.*

* He's having a difficult time because his two best friends didn't return to Loma :'( He REALLY misses Lex.
** Continuously - without interruption. Continually - habitually
* And that is why "stepmom" has NO negative connotation in his mind. It is my honor to be his stepmom - and his pleasure to call me that.

Big props to my friend ST for the asterisk idea ;)

Swordfighting

The boys played together for the first time yesterday.