Itchin' and a Scratchin'

The weather has been wonderful lately and the kids have LOVED playing outside.  Unfortunately the insects outside have LOVED Colin. :(  Last week he had been hiding in the bushes in the yard and came inside with multiple bug bites on his arms and legs (picture 1).  After using one of Chris' derm creams and giving him some Benedryl that night, he looked pretty good the next morning.  Fast forward five days...we played outside with some neighborhood and ward friends for visiting teaching on Monday morning.  Colin had his afternoon nap and by the evening had many new bites/spots on his body.  Had he been bitten by something again?  Was it outside?  Did he have something in his bed?  Spots kept appearing all over his body!!  I vacuumed and cleaned his crib and room like crazy and put him to bed again that night with Benedryl and itching cream.  All good right?...WRONG!  He woke up crying the next morning (which is unusual for him) and he was COVERED in red, swollen, and very itchy spots!!  There is no better way to describe my reaction except, I FREAKED OUT!! I called and woke up Chris in Seattle and sent him a picture from my phone (picture 2).  Chris gave me the name of a Dermatologist to call and go see ASAP!! The doctor's office fit us into their schedule that morning and I anxiously waited to hear what the doctor would say. (picture 3...Colin and Lindsie waiting to see the doctor)  The doctor walked into the room, took one look at Colin and said to his assistant..."Yep, it's Urticaria."   The following is from the internet.  It's a much better description than I can give. :)
Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are raised areas of the skin that itch intensely and are red with a pale center. Hives develop when there is a reaction that activates immune cells in the skin, called mast cells. When activated, these cells release natural chemicals. One important chemical is histamine, which causes itching, redness, and swelling of the skin in an area: a hive. 

So, after lots of questions from the Dr about Colin's behavior and general health we came to the conclusion that the hives must be a reaction to his series of bug bites?  I was warned that it would get worse before it got better, and take possibly a week or more to clear up.  :(  Poor kid!  He takes children's Zyrtec every morning and then Benedryl every 4 hours, as well as a steroid cream on his hives twice a day.  Today is day 4 and he is still our little "polka dot boy".  Spots that were there yesterday have disappeared and new spots have appeared in areas that were once clear.  Despite all the medicine and crazy itching, Colin has been a trooper!  He still wants to be outside to play, but knows now NOT to play in the bushes!!  I COVER him in bug spray and have bought a fogger to spray the yard (crazy I know, but hoping it helps even just a little).  

Picture 1: bites (or hives?) last Wednesday Sept 14th

Picture 2: Morning of Sept 20th...calling this day 2.

Picture 3: Doctor's office

Post Doctor's office purchases

Lunchtime, day 2 and beginning new medicine regimen.

Day 3: New spots all over his face and arms  :(

Day 4: today

He has itched and scratched so much in some places that he makes himself bleed and on his lower back the hives have become a large red mass. :(  I hope this starts to clear up soon.  I hate to have him in such discomfort and in a "fog" from all the medicine.  We'll keep you posted...

Summertime!!

We packed lots of fun activities and adventures into our last weeks of summer vacation...

The Snowbird summer activities have become an annual highlight for all of us.
We didn't have enough time to ride the tram and hike the tunnel, but still had a great time
riding the slide and jumping on the trampolines.  

Highlight of the day...watching my kids have so much fun riding on the tube with Chris.  :)

Fun on the Alpine Slide and kiddie ride.  Pizza on Main Street.
Treats at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Delicious Food...Exploring Nature...Lots of DIRT...Plenty of laughs!!
The kids more than LOVED this adventure in the mountains.  Chris thinks we need to start camping...I say why not just have a cookout more often.?!  :)

The girls have been asking to go to Lagoon ALL summer.  We were so happy to have most of the Fry Family with us for the day, as well as take advantage of the KUTV2 news viewer appreciation deal!!  It was a great way to end our summer fun!!

Two

Colin turned two in July!  We celebrated his special day all weekend long and he loved being the birthday boy!!  I think we ate cupcakes and blew out candles at least three times over the weekend...including on the beach while boating.  :)  His birthday gifts were ALL Boy!! (trucks, tools and things that move) He was more than thrilled with EVERYTHING he got!

My favorite part of his birthday was hearing him sing the happy birthday song.  SO adorable!!

Colin's two year stats...
Height   35"     66%
Weight  26#4oz     38%
The doctors description of Colin..."tall and skinny."  Well, I agreed with the skinny.  The kid is definitely skin and bones...but tall?  He only seems tall when he stands next to my nephew Carter, so I was really surprised.  :)
We absolutely LOVE this TWO year old!  He is such a joy to be around and is a very happy boy!!

July 4th Weekend

I love the 4th of July!  We have the opportunity to celebrate our freedoms in this county, pay tribute to those who protect our freedom, and let's face it...I've always LOVED americana decorations!!  Chris may have "banned" it from our daily decor here in Centerville, but for the month of July it is out and displayed everywhere!!!   :0)

The 4th is always such a fun filled weekend with family and friends!  This year did not disappoint...we went swimming, fishing, boating, ate yummy food, watched neighborhood fireworks, and also attended the annual July 4th festivities at Layton Park with the Campbell Clan.  Here are a few photos I took to document for the kids.  (side note...They love to look at pictures and especially movies of our adventures.  I really have been "camera crazy" this summer!  Colin and Lindsie are so young and I never know what kinds of memories they are creating and retaining in their little brains? 

 Pictures and movies will ALWAYS help...right?  Well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!)

Girls on "Papa's boat"

Colin helping daddy drive the boat.  So far the only thing he likes about being in the boat.  He doesn't seem to enjoy the swift breeze when we drive fast.  Clings to me like a little monkey. :)

Whitney showing off her skills on the diving board at the Carver family pool.

Lindsie and her best buddies...Colin and Ellie

Nana and Colin @ Layton Park for "big boom booms" 

Whit, Shaylee and Lindsie

**Sparklers**

Cutest girls at the park!!!  (Shay, Whit, Kris)

Colin with his light up and sound making sword.  He was in HEAVEN...and hilarious to watch!!

Thanks Nana, it was fun while it lasted.  Unfortunately, that was only the next day. :(