Sunday, June 18, 2006
It's been a while
Just can't to find any free time to blog anymore. Primero graduated from Kindergarten last week. We video taped the ceremony but we didn't really had good seats. She's out of school but will start summer camp next week. She lost 4 bottom teeth and still has all her top fron teeth. Secondo started to walk on her own at 11 months. She was bitten by her day care friend on the arm last week.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Secondo had Roseola
This pass week Secondo had been sick. She had fever since Monday and we figured because her top teeth are coming in. By Wednesday, her fever reached its peak of 105F so I raced home from work, picked her up from the sitter and she seemed OK but very cranky and clingy. On Thursday she was tired and clingy so I stayed home with her. The fever went away but I noticed some rash on her neck and upper chest. By Friday night, the rash was all over her torso so we took her to urgent care again not knowing what's causing the breakout. There were other sick kids there but the wait wasn't too long. Dr said that she had the textbook case of Roseola which I've never heard of. It starts with fever and ends with rash. Thankfully she was fine. Primero said that going to urgent care at night gave her a strange feeling. She felt much better after we came home.
Below is literature I found from kidhealth.org after goggling Roseola. I've included in the blog for others to recognize the symptoms because it could have gotten really serious and scary. We are fortunate that she didn't have any convulsion nor febrile seizure, Whew... Sigh...
Her rash went away today but my poor baby is still fussy and demanding.
"Roseola (also known as sixth disease, exanthem subitum, and roseola infantum) is a viral illness in young children, most commonly affecting those between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. It is typically marked by several days of high fever, followed by a distinctive rash just as the fever breaks.
Two common and closely related viruses can cause roseola: human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 and type 7. These two viruses belong to the same family as the better-known herpes simplex viruses (HSV), but HHV-6 and HHV-7 do not cause the cold sores and genital herpes infections that HSV can cause.
Signs and Symptoms
A child with roseola typically develops a mild upper respiratory illness, followed by a high fever (often over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, or 39.5 degrees Celsius) for up to a week. During this time, the child may appear fussy or irritable and may have a decreased appetite and swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck.
The high fever often ends abruptly, and at about the same time a pinkish-red flat or raised rash appears on the child's trunk and spreads over the body. The rash's spots blanch (turn white) when you touch them, and individual spots may have a lighter "halo" around them. The rash usually spreads to the neck, face, arms, and legs.
The fast-rising fever that comes with roseola triggers febrile seizures (convulsions caused by high fevers) in about 10% to 15% of young children. Signs of a febrile seizure include:
unconsciousness 2 to 3 minutes of jerking or twitching in the arms, legs, or face loss of control of the bladder or bowels.
Contagiousness
Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. These drops are expelled when the infected person talks, laughs, sneezes, or coughs. Then if other people breathe the drops in or touch them and then touch their own noses or mouths, they can become infected as well.
The viruses that cause roseola do not appear to be spread by children while they are exhibiting symptoms of the illness. Instead, someone who has not yet developed symptoms often spreads the infection.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Because the infection usually affects young children but rarely adults, it is thought that about of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.
Incubation
The average incubation period is about 9 to 10 days after exposure to the virus.
Duration
The fever of roseola lasts from 3 to 7 days, followed by a rash lasting from hours to a few days.
Professional Treatment
To make a diagnosis, your child's doctor first will take a history and do a thorough physical examination. A diagnosis of roseola is often uncertain until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another type of infection.
The illness typically does not require professional treatment, and when it does, most treatment is aimed at reducing the high fever. Antibiotics cannot treat roseola because a virus, not a bacterium, causes it.
Home Treatment
Until the fever drops, you can help keep your child cool using a sponge or towel soaked in lukewarm water. Do not use ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, fans, or cold baths. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help to reduce your child's fever. Avoid giving aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death.
To prevent dehydration from the fever, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips, children's electrolyte solutions, flat sodas like ginger ale or lemon-lime (stir room-temperature soda until the fizz disappears), or clear broth.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor if your child is lethargic or not drinking or if you cannot keep your child's fever down. If your child has a seizure, seek emergency care immediately.
Reviewed by: Wayne Ho, MD
Date reviewed: November 2003
Originally reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD
Below is literature I found from kidhealth.org after goggling Roseola. I've included in the blog for others to recognize the symptoms because it could have gotten really serious and scary. We are fortunate that she didn't have any convulsion nor febrile seizure, Whew... Sigh...
Her rash went away today but my poor baby is still fussy and demanding.
"Roseola (also known as sixth disease, exanthem subitum, and roseola infantum) is a viral illness in young children, most commonly affecting those between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. It is typically marked by several days of high fever, followed by a distinctive rash just as the fever breaks.
Two common and closely related viruses can cause roseola: human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 and type 7. These two viruses belong to the same family as the better-known herpes simplex viruses (HSV), but HHV-6 and HHV-7 do not cause the cold sores and genital herpes infections that HSV can cause.
Signs and Symptoms
A child with roseola typically develops a mild upper respiratory illness, followed by a high fever (often over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, or 39.5 degrees Celsius) for up to a week. During this time, the child may appear fussy or irritable and may have a decreased appetite and swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck.
The high fever often ends abruptly, and at about the same time a pinkish-red flat or raised rash appears on the child's trunk and spreads over the body. The rash's spots blanch (turn white) when you touch them, and individual spots may have a lighter "halo" around them. The rash usually spreads to the neck, face, arms, and legs.
The fast-rising fever that comes with roseola triggers febrile seizures (convulsions caused by high fevers) in about 10% to 15% of young children. Signs of a febrile seizure include:
unconsciousness 2 to 3 minutes of jerking or twitching in the arms, legs, or face loss of control of the bladder or bowels.
Contagiousness
Roseola is contagious and spreads through tiny drops of fluid from the nose and throat of infected people. These drops are expelled when the infected person talks, laughs, sneezes, or coughs. Then if other people breathe the drops in or touch them and then touch their own noses or mouths, they can become infected as well.
The viruses that cause roseola do not appear to be spread by children while they are exhibiting symptoms of the illness. Instead, someone who has not yet developed symptoms often spreads the infection.
Prevention
There is no known way to prevent the spread of roseola. Because the infection usually affects young children but rarely adults, it is thought that about of roseola in childhood may provide some lasting immunity to the illness. Repeat cases of roseola may occur, but they are not common.
Incubation
The average incubation period is about 9 to 10 days after exposure to the virus.
Duration
The fever of roseola lasts from 3 to 7 days, followed by a rash lasting from hours to a few days.
Professional Treatment
To make a diagnosis, your child's doctor first will take a history and do a thorough physical examination. A diagnosis of roseola is often uncertain until the fever drops and the rash appears, so the doctor may order tests to make sure that the fever is not caused by another type of infection.
The illness typically does not require professional treatment, and when it does, most treatment is aimed at reducing the high fever. Antibiotics cannot treat roseola because a virus, not a bacterium, causes it.
Home Treatment
Until the fever drops, you can help keep your child cool using a sponge or towel soaked in lukewarm water. Do not use ice, cold water, alcohol rubs, fans, or cold baths. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) can help to reduce your child's fever. Avoid giving aspirin to a child who has a viral illness because the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome, which can lead to liver failure and death.
To prevent dehydration from the fever, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water with ice chips, children's electrolyte solutions, flat sodas like ginger ale or lemon-lime (stir room-temperature soda until the fizz disappears), or clear broth.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor if your child is lethargic or not drinking or if you cannot keep your child's fever down. If your child has a seizure, seek emergency care immediately.
Reviewed by: Wayne Ho, MD
Date reviewed: November 2003
Originally reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Things
Mom and Dad just got back from their trip. Primero is having her friend for a sleep over tonight. She's very excited. Secondo is almost 11 months now and is learning to stand on her own. She likes to eat everything that I've offered her so far. Hopefully it won't rain tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Out of touch
It's been so long since my last blog. I felt that all of us are blog less and less now days and don't really stay in touch as we've had intended when this all got started.
My guess is bulleye is busy with his new Job, Hendog is busy smoking cigar with his wife and I'm eager to find some time to my self( other than going to the bath room).
Secondo is 10.5 months now and she's very active and demanding.
My guess is bulleye is busy with his new Job, Hendog is busy smoking cigar with his wife and I'm eager to find some time to my self( other than going to the bath room).
Secondo is 10.5 months now and she's very active and demanding.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Primero's new school
Went and visited her elementary school recently and gotten the form for getting in the 1st grade. Can't believe she's going to be a 1st grader. I still remember the day that she was born in my arm with her long lashes.
The enrolment package is quite extensive. I'll try to have hubby fill out the form. I also want to make an appointment to meet the principal of the school and understand his philosophy on education. This will be a new environment for her so some adjustment will take place. Apparently, some kids bring their personal apple laptop to school and do their homework on the computer. I hope it's not mandatory because I want her to learn to write and have nice penmanship and also learn to type.
The enrolment package is quite extensive. I'll try to have hubby fill out the form. I also want to make an appointment to meet the principal of the school and understand his philosophy on education. This will be a new environment for her so some adjustment will take place. Apparently, some kids bring their personal apple laptop to school and do their homework on the computer. I hope it's not mandatory because I want her to learn to write and have nice penmanship and also learn to type.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Bye Eric
Went home last night and and Eric was dead at the bottom of the tank. On the bright side, he lasted 3 weeks longer than our 1st fish.
P: "What should I get for my next pet?"
Me: "How about nothing?"
P:" I want a hamster or an iguana!"
Me: "We'll wait until you're older so you can take care of it."
Sigh..
Both kids got baptised last Sunday by the way. It was supposed to be for Sister Inlaw's boy but she said may be we should get Secondo baptised too at the same time. It wasn't planned and apparently it has been bothering my inlaws that our kids were not. Brother inlaw's comment is " Now they can dye in peace that all the grandkids are baptised so I didn't resist.
P: "What is the purpose of baptism?"
Me: " The priest said is to take away your original sin.."
P: " I don't have any sin !"
Me: "Ask your dad, I don't know why.."
P: " I thought mom knows everything..hm.."
Me: " Like you, I don't know much about original sin"
Hubby wasn't able to explain it either so hopefully it doesn't bother her that much.
P: "What should I get for my next pet?"
Me: "How about nothing?"
P:" I want a hamster or an iguana!"
Me: "We'll wait until you're older so you can take care of it."
Sigh..
Both kids got baptised last Sunday by the way. It was supposed to be for Sister Inlaw's boy but she said may be we should get Secondo baptised too at the same time. It wasn't planned and apparently it has been bothering my inlaws that our kids were not. Brother inlaw's comment is " Now they can dye in peace that all the grandkids are baptised so I didn't resist.
P: "What is the purpose of baptism?"
Me: " The priest said is to take away your original sin.."
P: " I don't have any sin !"
Me: "Ask your dad, I don't know why.."
P: " I thought mom knows everything..hm.."
Me: " Like you, I don't know much about original sin"
Hubby wasn't able to explain it either so hopefully it doesn't bother her that much.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Eric not doing well
This morning I found Eric floating sideways. Hubby said that he isn't eating his food. We got him beta bite but he doesn't really like it. What am I suppose to do?
Primero: "Is Eric dying? Is he going to be alive when I come home from school today?"
Me: "He doesn't look healthy and he's not eating. May be we'll buy a different kind of food for him"
Primero: " Can you talk to the man and Petco and ask him why Eric isn't eating and is dying?"
Me: "I'll do that today."
:(
Primero: "Is Eric dying? Is he going to be alive when I come home from school today?"
Me: "He doesn't look healthy and he's not eating. May be we'll buy a different kind of food for him"
Primero: " Can you talk to the man and Petco and ask him why Eric isn't eating and is dying?"
Me: "I'll do that today."
:(
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Meet Eric
I tried but this is the best picture I took of Eric. It was hard to focus or I'm not good at taking pictures of fish. Hubby was laughing when he saw this picture.
We are happy that he is still alive and well. He likes to hang out at the bottom of the tank and blow lots of bubbles when he's on the surface of the water.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Eric, new addition to the family
We took Primero to the pet store yesterday and looked at the birds. She went in to this one small room that had 3 bird cages in it. It had Canary, Cockiteel etc. When she came out she said "It's stinky in there mom!" We talked her in to getting a fish instead so we got a purple beta fish. We learned that Beta is a good starting fish. Primero thought it was a girl but we informed her that all beta fish are male. She names him Eric. She's careful about feeding him so that he does not die due to overeating. She gives him 1-3 pellet/feeding. Hopefully it'll last 1 week.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Teacher of life
They built a new 24hours fitness by our house last November so I've started spinning on Sunday mornings and get to know the instructor Judy pretty well. She is a great spin instructor and she really pushes everyone to the limit and emphasize on training in different zones.
Last Sunday, she shared with us that she had to take 2 weeks off which is out of character for her so she shared something personal and shocking. At 40, she recently found out that she has breast cancer. The tumor was so aggressive that it grew from the size of a grape to a golf ball in 3 weeks. They took out the tumor ASAP and the next thing is chemotherapy. She's really optimistic and a real fighter. She promised that she'll come back in 2 weeks and teach even if she'll be just telling us what to do.
The last song she played in class was "I run for life" by Melissa Etheridge. I got really choked up as I listened to the words to the song. Starting 1/30/06 she'll begin her war with cancer. I'll continue to spin and support her spirit.
Get well Judy :)
Last Sunday, she shared with us that she had to take 2 weeks off which is out of character for her so she shared something personal and shocking. At 40, she recently found out that she has breast cancer. The tumor was so aggressive that it grew from the size of a grape to a golf ball in 3 weeks. They took out the tumor ASAP and the next thing is chemotherapy. She's really optimistic and a real fighter. She promised that she'll come back in 2 weeks and teach even if she'll be just telling us what to do.
The last song she played in class was "I run for life" by Melissa Etheridge. I got really choked up as I listened to the words to the song. Starting 1/30/06 she'll begin her war with cancer. I'll continue to spin and support her spirit.
Get well Judy :)
Monday, January 30, 2006
Primero's plea for pet
Primero has been presistently asking for a pet. Her latest attempt is to get a bird. She now has an imaginary parrot that pirches on her index finger and she gets very angry when I sit on it accidentally not knowing where the bird is. Now she's asking for a real bird/parrot that can flies around the house, talks and listens to her every command. Hubby and I told her that it's a lot of responsibility taking care of bird poops and we don't want bird pooping everywhere in the house or Secondo will eat it. Secondo puts everything in her mouth at this age. Primero said that it's OK, she can handle bird poops because they are so small compared to dog or cat poops. She's also under the impression that she'll be able to potty train the bird so that it'll poop on a kitty litter box that we'll have to get from Petco. We said that we're thinking about it to give her some hope. May be we'll go back to the gold fish again since we have everything but the fish and it's not hazardous for Secondo.
Secondo is crawling now so she gets into corners of the house in a blink of an eye.
Last night, Primero found a long string so she tied it on Secondo's body and told me "Mom, I got a pet now.. it's mei-mei.. She doesn't crawl when I asked her to yet."
Secondo was sitting happily eating a platic coat hanger not realizing what's going on. The good thing is now if Primero is in the mood, she's able to play with Secondo for 5-10 min.
Secondo is crawling now so she gets into corners of the house in a blink of an eye.
Last night, Primero found a long string so she tied it on Secondo's body and told me "Mom, I got a pet now.. it's mei-mei.. She doesn't crawl when I asked her to yet."
Secondo was sitting happily eating a platic coat hanger not realizing what's going on. The good thing is now if Primero is in the mood, she's able to play with Secondo for 5-10 min.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
8 Months Old
A good friend of mine took this picture when Secondo was 7 months. He had this high resolution camera that took 5 pictures/second. We kinda skipped her 6 months milestone because the receptionist made an error on the appointment date and I didn't bother to fix it. It didn't hurt to be a month or so older for those shots. She's now 28 inches long and 18 lbs. The whole family went with her to the check up and Primero was concerned about her mei-mei(little sis) getting 3 shots so she did everything to distract her sister from feeling the pain. It worked. Secondo didn't cry that much and she was only fussy the night after the shot. Her two front teeth are coming out finally.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Lunch swap
Hubby took my lunch to work by mistake today. We usually make our own lunch via taking the left overs from the night before that was cooked by mom.
Me: "You took my lunch this morning"
Hubby:"What did you bring for lunch?"
Me: "It'll be a pleasant surprise.."
Hubby: "I hope it's not dumpling with seaweed"
Those are the food he can't stand.
Fortunately, I packed beef and chinese brocolli so he should be fine.
Secondo's baby sitter is telling me that Secondo is taking toys away from her older toddler mate and making him cry. She can't really understand sharing so they'll just have to work it out somehow.
I've been letting secondo chew on oranges in the hope that she'll get enough vitamin C and not get sick as often.
I wanted to spin today but I pay so the class was packed.
Me: "You took my lunch this morning"
Hubby:"What did you bring for lunch?"
Me: "It'll be a pleasant surprise.."
Hubby: "I hope it's not dumpling with seaweed"
Those are the food he can't stand.
Fortunately, I packed beef and chinese brocolli so he should be fine.
Secondo's baby sitter is telling me that Secondo is taking toys away from her older toddler mate and making him cry. She can't really understand sharing so they'll just have to work it out somehow.
I've been letting secondo chew on oranges in the hope that she'll get enough vitamin C and not get sick as often.
I wanted to spin today but I pay so the class was packed.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Lack of updates
Sorry about low posting activities.
Balancing family, work and sleep has been the top priority.
Secondo still wakes up in the middle of the night for one feeding. She's really interested in eating our food so mom made some home made kangi and she loves them. I also give her oranges and she chews on that while we have dinner.
Primero still fells that she doesn't get enough attention from Mom so she acts like a baby to get attention. I hope she grows out of this phase soon.
The transmission in our Odessey went out in December and it was quite costly to fix the transmission.
I'l post some pictures on smugmug when I get some free time on my hand.
Balancing family, work and sleep has been the top priority.
Secondo still wakes up in the middle of the night for one feeding. She's really interested in eating our food so mom made some home made kangi and she loves them. I also give her oranges and she chews on that while we have dinner.
Primero still fells that she doesn't get enough attention from Mom so she acts like a baby to get attention. I hope she grows out of this phase soon.
The transmission in our Odessey went out in December and it was quite costly to fix the transmission.
I'l post some pictures on smugmug when I get some free time on my hand.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Back Dorm Boys
Here's the link to Tian's blog with back dorm boys who are really funny. Primero's favorite is the third one from the bottom titled "Radio in my head" (Yellow and white shirt).
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Primero
Saturday night, Primero woke me up @ 3 AM saying "Mom, I can't sleep... my tummy hurts.." I laid with her in the bed for a good half hour and now both of us couldn't sleep. I noticed my stomach wasn't feeling so hot either as I laid awake. Long story short we both felt better and went to sleep after we threw up and brushed our teeth. I thought we had food poisoning from my chicken carrot soup but Hubby thought that we got the flu.
On Sunday, Primero started to have fever and felt lethargic and didn't want to eat fearing that she'll throw up again. I showed her the back dorm boys video from Mir's page to cheer her up.
Today she's feeling better and she was trying on old slipper that is too small for her.
Me: "Are you trying to be Cinderella's step sister and force your feet into the slipper that's too small?"
P: "So I can marry the prince?"
Me: "You don't want to marry a prince"
P: "Why?"
Me: "There's no prince in America.."
P: "What about New Jersey?"
Me: "There's no prince there either. ((With an British accent) You may go to England and marry prince William"
She covered my mouth with her hand not wanting to listen to my bad British accent.
I feel bad that we didn't get a tree this year. She asked if we can get a tree on Friday so we'll see what happens.
On Sunday, Primero started to have fever and felt lethargic and didn't want to eat fearing that she'll throw up again. I showed her the back dorm boys video from Mir's page to cheer her up.
Today she's feeling better and she was trying on old slipper that is too small for her.
Me: "Are you trying to be Cinderella's step sister and force your feet into the slipper that's too small?"
P: "So I can marry the prince?"
Me: "You don't want to marry a prince"
P: "Why?"
Me: "There's no prince in America.."
P: "What about New Jersey?"
Me: "There's no prince there either. ((With an British accent) You may go to England and marry prince William"
She covered my mouth with her hand not wanting to listen to my bad British accent.
I feel bad that we didn't get a tree this year. She asked if we can get a tree on Friday so we'll see what happens.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Xmas shopping
I find that giving gift cards is the best way to do Xmas shopping but others argue that gift cards are bad because I didn't put any thought in to the give and the person is only worth X dollar amount. Coming from the Chinese background where I got money in the forms of Red envelope, I think it's a great idea.
Pros to giving gift cards or cash
1. They don't have to return the gift that they may not like
2. I spend less time wondering around malls guessing what people want
Pros to giving gift cards or cash
1. They don't have to return the gift that they may not like
2. I spend less time wondering around malls guessing what people want
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Glad to be home
This is what it looks like after 7-8 inches of snow from the night before. I was told that the snow is powdery, not good enough for building snow ball or snow man. I wanted to make snow angels on the ground but didn't bring the right type of clothing.
Got back from KCI late late Thursday night and by the time I got home the kids were fast asleep.
At the Airport, I met one retired man from OC who went to Missouri pick up his hunting dog from training. He sat by the window hoping to see the dog being uploaded in cargo area. I asked if it would be cold down in the cargo area. He said that Midwest has the best set up for pet and the dog will be comfortable during the flight. He also told me that it cost an extra $75 when the pet travels with a person but it'll cost $400 if the pet was to travel alone.
On the plane I sat next to a computer programmer who travel every other week to Kansas and visit client. Once he knew I was Chinese, he asked me what I know about Qi-gong and Tai-Chi. I found out that he's been practicing Qi-gong and we chated about yoga, kids and differences between airlines during the long ride home. As we landed on the ground, he called his wife right a way and found out about the Southwest incident in Chicago killing a baby girl. We were both glad that we arrived safely and able to go home to our family.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
First snow of the year in Kansas
I'm in Kansas right now it snowed today. It's 11 degree F outside now but windchill is -10F and good news to all students: "No schools tomorrow". As I watched the news there were accidents on the highways just like us Californians not knowing how to drive during rainy season. Forecast says 7" of snow tonight. Beautiful, just like what you see in the movies but cold and slippery.
Note to self: Next time bring scarf, gloves, heavy winter coat and boots.
Note to self: Next time bring scarf, gloves, heavy winter coat and boots.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Happy Birthday Bulleye & Dad
Happy birthday Bulleye and Dad. I still remember the day Bulleye was born. I walked home with my friend and when I knocked on the door, no one was there to answer. I stand in front of the door waiting for mom to come home and it started to rain really hard. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go so I just stayed there waited. I don't remember how long I waited but one of my mom's teacher friend came and took me to her apartment on campus. I don't recalled if she explained why no one was home. I remembered that she blowed dry my hair so that I wouldn't get sick.