Just My Rambling

In spite of the fact that I live near the sea when I was growing up, I never learned how to swim till I was in high school. I wished I had learned earlier. It was so much harder to learn when you get older. That’s why I am determined to make sure that Lil’ C should learn swimming as early as possible. It’s not my intention for her to be a super swimmer but just to learn enough that she can swim casually and also to learn water safety.

So a month ago, I send her to swimming class twice a week. When she first started, she didn’t even dare to put her face in the water but today, she finally dunked her whole head under the water! She can also float on her back for a few seconds. Way to go, sweetie!! So far, she’s loving the classes. The club pool is an indoor pool so we will probably going to continue her classes in the winter. Hopefully by the end of the year, she will be able to swim all by herself.

Lil’ C just started attending swimming class this month and she loves it. Even though she gets a little scared especially when the instructor asks her to jump from the side of the pool, she can’t wait to go to her class every week. Since she is having her lessons in an indoor pool where it is warm, she will be able to continue her swim lesson even in the cold winter. However, I will have to buy a new swimsuit for her since she seems to be outgrowing the current one. She is really going through a growth spurt lately!

Thanks to all your concerns and prayers. Lil’ C is better now. Her eye is still a little red but at least it’s no longer swollen. She’s back to her cheerful self again.

So to all parents, if you notice any bites or redness on the upper eyelids of your kids, get it checked out as soon as possible to rule out periorbital cellulitis.

On Tuesday, I noticed a little red dot on Lil’ C’s right eyelid. It looked like a little ant bite. Then on Wednesday morning when she woke up, her upper eyelid was swollen! I took her to the doctor thinking that it was an insect bite. It turned out to be much more serious than I expected! The doctor said that it is periorbital cellulitis which is the inflammation of the eyelid. This infection spread very rapidly and if not treated immediately may lead to eye problem and even meningitis.  Lil’ C is now taking antibiotics for the next 10 days. We went back to the doctor today and thank God that the swelling has subsided a little. If it had worsen, she would have to be admitted to the hospital and be put on IV. I am still going to have to monitor her over the next few days to make sure that the swelling keep subsiding or else I might have to send her to the hospital. Prayers for Lil’ C will be much appreciated.

It seems that periorbital cellulitis usually happens to kids under 5. It is commonly caused by bacteria that enters through a little break in the skin on the eyelid caused by insect bites or a scratch. So if you noticed a little dot or slight swelling on the eyelid of your kids, make sure that you visit the doctor immediately becasue the scary part about periorbital cellulitis is that it spreads very fast. 

Seriously do you read the books before letting your kids read them?  When Lil’ C was reading the baby & toddler books, the books were never a problem since I had to read to her, so I know what is the content about. But now that she has started reading chapter books on her own, I am having a hard time keeping up with her. Usually I try to glance through the books before she borrows them from the library but since the books are pretty long, I don’t go through every page.  

Frankly, it didn’t really bother me too much until last month when I bought some books for her. These books are very popular in the elementary schools and is on the recommended list of reading. So I thought they should be ok but I got a little worried when I read one of the books. There were a lot of words in there that I would not want Lil’ C to learn!! The main character of the books is supposed to be a bratty little girl so there are lots of negative words coming out of her mouth. I don’t plan to shelter her from all negative words but to me, 3 1/2 is still a little young. Maybe in a few more years when she has a better understanding of what is fictional and what is reality. So in the meantime, these books have been hidden away.

For now, I guess I will read through the books first before giving them to Lil’ C.  It will take up some of my time but at least I will feel better knowing that these books are mommy-approved.

Friday was the last day of preschool for Lil’ C. The class ended the year with a picnic at the park. Even though it was pretty cold, everyone had a lot of fun. I can’t believe it has been a year. Time really flies! Lil’ C was a little sad that it was the last day and she won’t be able to see her friends anymore. The good news is that her best friend and a few more will be attending the same preschool with her in September. So she will be able to see them again.

I guess this also means that summer has started. Yikes! Now I have to try to figure out what to do with Lil’ C for the next 3 months!

I was going through my photos when I came across these photos of Lil’ C’s first dentist visit. This was taken at the end of January.

Here she is waiting for the dentist. Look at the cool glasses that they gave her to wear. On her left hand, she’s holding the new toothbrush they gave her. She’s actually holding on to the toothpaste on her right hand.

First the dental hygienist cleaned & polished her teeth. She was so excited because the dental hygienist told her that she was putting princess sparkles on her teeth!! Then rinse & gargle. Finally the dentist came by and checked for cavities. The result: No cavities! Yeah!

Look at how happy she was talking to the dentist! She had so much fun going to the dentist. So different from my own experience. I remember I had to be bribed and dragged screaming & crying to the dentist!!In case you are wondering, I did prepare her for the dentist visit by reading her this book - Dora’s Show Me Your Smile. I think it really helps because at least she knows what to expect at the visit and not be afraid.

This year I decided to make a gingerbreadhouse with my little girl. So I bought a gingerbread kit from Costco. It’s so convenient since it comes with everything from the gingerbread to the candy & icing.

At first Lil’ C was having a lot of fun decorating. Then after realizing that she was not allowed to eat the candy, she started to lose interest in the gingerbread house!! So this mommy ended up having to finish up the gingerbread house all by herself!!  Sigh…. kids!!!

After an hour or so, this is the result. Not too bad, eh? Will I do it again next year? Only if Lil’ C promise to sit & finish the project with me!! It’s not very fun doing it by myself!!

So the party is over and my toddler is now 3 years old!! It was a fun party and hopefully everyone had fun. I know Lil’ C did! Everyone played in her toy room for a little while and then it was cake time. My princess cake turned out great and Lil’ C loved it.  After that, everyone had fun whacking the pinata. Yep, that was what Lil’ C wanted and so we got a heart-shaped pinata and filled it with lots of candies and trinklets. The kids had fun hitting it but since they are only 2-3 yrs old and could not break the pinata, we just pulled the string and all the “treasures” fell out. The kids got a little excited over all the treasures. Lil’ C also got lots of great presents. She loves all of them! A big thanks to all our friends who came and shared C’s special day!

Lil’ C’s birthday is coming up & I have been cracking my head trying to figure out what kind of cake to make for her this year. The first year, I made a Winnie the Pooh cake. The second year, it’s an Elmo cake. This year, I’m thinking of making a princess cake since she’s so into her “I’m a princess” stage. But I’m totally not confident in making a princess cake. I guess I’ll have to do more research into it.