Seasonal Allergies

You see that massive pink cherry tree in the background there? That is the reason why I haven't had many good pictures to blog this week.
That and the hundreds of other trees in bloom this month.
The millions of pollen spores floating around outside.
Making me close my windows on beautiful days, just so that the green dust doesn't settle all over their furniture and on the sheets.
Blah.
We've been battling with 'seasonal allergies' since the beginning of March. They've hit Oliver a lot harder than Trenton. Both kids have been on Zyrtec for about a month now. There's still sneezing, runny noses, blue marks around the eyes... at least the coughing has gotten better. But the fluid build-up is worse. I brought Oliver to the clinic on Monday evening, because puss was coming out of his eyes! Ended up having an ear infection, too. Doctor said it had to do with fluid from allergies. Great.
The poor kid is so miserable. Add to that FOUR teeth. All four canines, top and bottom!
That's the only time he gets a diaper rash...
So we play inside a lot. And go to the gym. They've both gotten used to playing at Gold's Gym since Jim and I switched our membership from Retro to there in February. We like it so much better, even though the membership is three times as much (!) but the daycare price is included (ahh...)

I think we're going to experiment with T's hair some more. I like to keep it well above his eyebrows, but I'm thinking of leaving it longer around his ears and sides of his face... the back is all kinds of strange looking. Maybe taking off some of the bottom... It is hard to get him to cooperate anymore. Bet the Leapster would distract him a bit, though.
As of now, he's allowed to play it only when he has a good day at school. He really does like it and seems to be learning a lot of math concepts from the games we have.

Ollie freaked all of us out by sleeping until 7:00 this morning. Jim and I both checked to make sure he was still breathing. I don't remember the last time he slept so long... Zyrtec induced?
Below, a pic from naptime.
Look at those legs!
That hair!
Yes, we haven't totally given up the paci, although we were this close. But then the allergies got bad, and it was a good way to get him to smile...
His absolute favorite thing is Elmo. He'll take the remote and point it at the T.V. and ask for "Elmo". He'll wake up from his nap saying "Elmo". At night, you'd better have the Elmo book ready to read to him. And God forbid his two Elmo t-shirts are in the wash...

I keep telling myself to enjoy every second I have with him in this baby stage. It was my ABSOLUTE favorite stage with Trenton-- from about 9 months to 2 years... so sweet, cuddly, short, chubby, innocent...

Ollie and the Recorder from Sheryl Konopack on Vimeo.

Here's hoping the pollen count goes down again and we can all get outside and enjoy it soon.