Seconds, thirds, fourths....

I often feel like Molly being the second baby didn't and still doesn't receive the full, hands-on, parenting attention that Sophie did.  Last night she went to bed with mismatched p.j.'s which is something that has NEVER happened to Sophie.  Her nails are frequently too long, she often isn't given a big at meal time, and I can't remember the last time she received something new and all her own.  Today I came across Jana's illustration at Mom Illustrated and it totally sums up how I have felt about my parenting experience to our second child.  Check it out because it is a great laugh.  Thanks for making me smile today Jana!

Buggy Buggers II.

Of all the things to blog about, here I am writing a second edition about Sophie's bug bites.  They are so bad, but the itching finally seems to be subsiding.  We aren't seeing the doctor until next week so I've been documenting their various stages of itch with photos.

Sunday night.

Wednesday morning.

I know there is nothing else we can be doing for her, but I'm just hoping this doesn't mean bee allergies are next!  My poor 'Mosquito Bait' has actually worn long sleeves by choice until today and last night asked if she could have mittens because she  is trying so hard not to scratch.  Just one more thing to add to the list of unexpected parenting woes.

Buggy Buggers.

Summer really feels like it has started now.  We just spent three days at a family cottage and had a great time.  The weather was great, the bugs were REALLY bad, there was too much food, unexpected and lovely fireworks and so much fun.

Only sore point this weekend was the bugs.  The mosquitoes were the worst I have ever seen.  There were so many outside it was impossible for them not to be inside too.  My poor Sophie is so sensitive to bug bites that I actually am feeling guilty.  Not only do the bugs love her - for every one bite I have she has five - BUT she has a horrible reaction to them.  The bites sometimes blister, swell, bruise and of course they are itchy so then she scratches making it all worse.  She has reacted this way since she was little so this year I was bound and determine to battle the bugs on her behalf.  I packed extra bug spray, bandages, and children's antihistamine for allergic reactions.  We kept her in at buggiest times, sprayed her with bug spray and made her wear pants and long sleeves even when it was too warm.  Aside from keeping her inside all weekend we did everything we could, and still she must have a dozen bug bites on one shoulder blade alone.  The bites are so bad that a mother in the grocery store even asked me if she has chicken pox!  :-(  This made me feel really bad and for a split second I wanted to say yes because anyone seeing here would honestly think I'd left her naked in a boggy swamp at dusk for hours.  Poor Sophie!

Needless to say we are headed to the doctor later this week, but my gut instinct is that there is nothing he can do.  It is what it is and Sophie will be restricted to the indoors during mosquito season.  Bug spray, clothing, antihistamine, Polysporine, Benadryl (both topical and oral), bandages and still she scratches.  Every time I see her scratch I feel worse.  I've cancelled our camping plans for a week from now and I'm just hoping the bites heal quickly.  Making things worse, Sophie asked if she ever going to be allowed outside again.......