My Busy Kit

Last week my super hip and cool Silicon Valley brother-in-law gave us a gift for the plane called My Busy Kit.  On the last day of our vacation, Aunt and Uncle California gave each kid a Busy Kit bag customized for his/her age.  Henry's had crayons, a pad for drawing, Klix, little men that connect, small car, a quiet noisemaker, shards of broken glass, etc.  The bag (with zipper closure) itself was also entertaining.  He loved taking the toys out and putting them back in.  The toys were all appropriate for quiet play (shards of broken glass weren't actually included), and new, which is always intriguing.  

Busy Kits are meant to entertain kids during travel, church, etc.  Ideally you can purchase them online or at the airport at the newsstand.  Then you keep them hidden until the exact moment you need to entertain your child.  

AWESOME idea for busy parents who don't have time to pack their own bag 'o entertainment.     

Baby Survival Swimming

My sister-in-law told me about this survival swimming class week while we were in Mexico, and I couldn't believe that a 1 year old could learn to float.  But here is the evidence.  Babies Henry's age can be taught how to float in an emergency situation.  I don't think I'll be signing him up for a class like this, as I find it a little like Chinese water torture for infants.  But it is pretty amazing!

Too Much Vacation

A week long vacation has taken its toll on Henry, and he had his first really horrible temper tantrum today. You probably think he’s upset because he’s not wearing pants.

You’re wrong. He’s upset because I didn’t allow him to eat pretzels for breakfast.

This morning, Henry awoke in his crib for the first time in a week. He was happy as usual. As I put together his waffle and milk breakfast, he discovered a bag of pretzels in my airplane carry on bag. I took the bag away (what toddler eats pretzels for breakfast), and he proceeded to scream, wail and flail for the next 20 minutes.  I tried giving him his waffles, which worked for a second until he remembered why he was upset.  Then I tried sitting at the table with him and looking away. Didn’t work.   Then I tried giving him oranges.   Didn’t work. Next I took him out of his high chair and attempted distracting him with toys.  No dice.  Finally, I put him back in his chair, turned my back to him and read a magazine.  Worked like a charm.   He stopped crying and ate his breakfast.

Scoreboard: Momma 1. Henry 0.

Oooh Mexico.

Oh Mexico.  It sounds so simple I just got to go.

Moon's so bright like to light up the night.

Make everything all right.

- James Taylor

Watch Out For Giardiasis This Spring!

Image from http://www.dogchannel.com/images/zones/top_promo/no-dog-potty-sign.jpg

TO ALL THE DOG WALKERS WHO DON'T PICK UP THE POO, SHAME ON YOU!

This beautiful spring weather has everyone in a great mood.  Yesterday, I was so excited to take Henry to the park.  I brought a blanket and a bunch of toys.  I planned to put him in the swing, let him play on the slides and then play by the dog run.

My plans were thwarted when Henry refused to sit in the swing.  All he wanted to do was crawl around in the grass.  Normally I'd be thrilled to let him romp around in the dirt, but there is dog poo everywhere.  Chicago dogs rule the parks, and it is painfully evident when the snow melts and months of frozen poo resurface and defrost.  I would be less paranoid if Henry was walking.  Plus he's a thumb sucker.  I found myself wiping his hands every 5 seconds.  I was so frustrated that I couldn't let him play with sticks, etc.  I am very much looking forward to having my own dog-poo-free yard.  

If you think I'm a freak, check out the articles below on how people get sick from feces.  I'm not saying parks are bad, I love parks.  But for a crawling toddler who puts everything in his mouth, it makes me very uncomfortable.  Our park does have a recycled tire floor under the playset and swings, however, it's terrible for crawlers as it burns their knees and wears down their clothes.  So obviously, next time we take a trip to the park, Henry will wear crappy clothes with knee pads.  Yay for fun!

I'm really not an alarmist.  Really.

Here is some info from the CDC website:

What is giardiasis?

Giardiasis (GEE-are-DYE-uh-sis) is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). Once a person or animal has been infected with Giardia, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in feces. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time (i.e., months).
During the past 2 decades, Giardia infection has become recognized as a common cause of waterborne disease in humans in the United States. Giardia can be found worldwide and within every region of the United States.

How do you get giardiasis and how is it spread?
The Giardia parasite lives in the intestine of infected humans or animals (e.g., cats, dogs, cattle, deer, and beavers). Millions of germs can be released in a bowel movement of an infected human or animal. Giardia is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with the feces from infected humans or animals. You can become infected after accidentally swallowing the parasite; you cannot become infected through contact with blood. Giardia can be spread by:

• Accidentally swallowing Giardia picked up from surfaces (such as bathroom fixtures, changing tables, diaper pails, or toys) contaminated with feces from an infected person or animal.
• Drinking water or using ice made from contaminated sources (e.g., lakes, streams, shallow [less than 50 feet] or poorly monitored or maintained wells).
• Swallowing recreational water contaminated with Giardia. Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, water parks, hot tubs or spas, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams that can be contaminated with feces or sewage from humans or animals.
• Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia.
• Having contact with someone who is ill with giardiasis.
• Traveling to countries where giardiasis is common and being exposed to the parasite as described in the bullets above.

What are the symptoms of giardiasis?

Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal signs or symptoms, which include

• Diarrhea
• Gas or flatulence
• Greasy stools that tend to float
• Stomach or abdominal cramps
• Upset stomach or nausea

These symptoms may lead to weight loss and dehydration. Some people with Giardia infection have no symptoms at all.

Giardiasis is highly contagious.

See also:  http://www.livestrong.com/article/18775-symptoms-giardiasis/

Census/Go see Formosa Betrayed!

We filled out our first census form last night!  And yes, I wrote in Taiwanese for Henry and for me.  Chris has declared that the government now considers him a racial minority in our household.  He never ceases to crack me up.

Speaking of being Taiwanese, we're going to see the film Formosa Betrayed this weekend.  FB is a political thriller based on true events.  For the first time, Taiwan's history of oppression is being depicted on an international stage.  The film has received multiple awards including Best Feature Film and Best Actor at the 2009 San Diego Film Festival and Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the Philadelphia Asian American Festival.  It is showing in Chicago this weekend only at AMC Piper's Alley in Old Town, AMC Old Orchard in the north suburbs, AMC Schaumburg, and Cinemark in Woodridge.  It's a pretty controversial film, despite James Van Der Beek's starring role.  The film is making its rounds in different cities on a limited basis, so if it's playing in your city, you should see it!  My mom did - see below.  As requested by our friend who won't be able to see it, I'll let you know if Joey ends up with Pacey or Dawson.

A New Favorite Game

One of Henry’s new favorite games is to play in his crib.  Some people, including me up until now, think that playing in the crib will lead him to confuse a sleep place with a play place.  But he hasn’t had any trouble sleeping since he started playing in his crib.  Considering we have a two bedroom apartment, we have to be creative about how we play and where.   

Henry throws Raton out of his crib, says “Uh Oh” and then waits for me to throw it back at him.  Raton is a Capybara (a giant rat) stuffy that we bought in Japan before Henry was born.  He sleeps with Raton, Babo (Ugly Doll), Snuggly Gund bear from my childhood and a blanket bear from his Aunt E.  He loves all of his stuffies, and hugs them each everyday.  But the essential sleep item he demands is his sleep sack.  You’ll notice at the end of the video he is sucking his thumb and holding his sleep sack.  That is how he falls asleep every day and every night.