Eczema or not....

that is the question.

At first we were told that it was the maternal hormones that past through the placenta at birth. That it should clear up by 3 months.

Well 3 months has come and gone and it seems to have gotten worst. I have switched his formula 2 times and I'm about to switch back to Similac Sensitive. The Similac Soy has made the breakouts worst.

I have been questioning everybody who I think might know something about eczema. This is what I have learned:

1. Cetaphil is the best soap. No more baby soap. Yuck!

2. Eucerin or Aquaphor is the best mosturizer. If it's really bad use Crisco! Ugghhh..Crisco!

3. Bathe fast and don't use a wash cloth.

4. "Soak and Seal" - Soak the baby really fast and then lather the baby up in Crisco or Aquaphor! This will help keep their skin moisturized.

I have not brought him to the doctor, but today I did bring Blake because he was sent home from school with a fever. So, I got a chance to question her about Chase's "rash." She told me: 1. Don't bathe him everyday! Well, that is not possible with me! Especially, since we are still in RSV season...and I'm not going through that again.

2. Use hydrocortizone for the itch, but don't use it to much because a steroid breakout can be worst. HMMM...confused. How do I know what is to much?!

3. Hope he just out grows it!

4. Eczema sometimes leads to food allergies or outdoor allergies. Which we will not know until he get older! Well that just sucks!

So, if you have anymore advice let me know! Check out the pictures below!

This is the "rash" at it's worst. Sometimes his face looks perfectly fine.

Is it eczema or not????

Blake's Birthday!

Today my little man turned 4!

Since I did not have my blog when Blake was born I thought I would write about it today!

On February 21, 2005 Blake Michael Graff made his arrival. He was born at 12:02 p.m. Blake weighed 8 pounds and was 20 inches long.

His labor was long and hard. I checked into the hospital the evening before to be induced. My contractions started about 10 p.m. and lasted every two minutes until 6 a.m. the next morning. I was not allowed an epidural until I was dialated to a 2. I think the nurse was just sick of me and finally allowed me to have one. Around 10 a.m. I started to push and two hours later the nurse finally decided to call my doctor. With some assistance my little man arrived!

So, four years later he sure has made his mark on this Earth. This little boy with blonde hair and big blue eyes, he is perfect from head to toe. Blake loves anything he can possibly do outside. From working in our garden, hunting, fishing, feeding the cows and riding his gator. He loves his new little brother, but makes me promise that I will not have anymore babies (sorry buddy).

One day I know Blake will be this wondeful man, daddy and husband, BUT how I want him to stay little. It makes me sad that one day I won't be able to sweep him up in my arms and love on him. So far now I treasure every moment I have with him!

Enjoy the pictures from his 4th birthday party! He was blessed to have so many wonderful people attend!

Poor Birdie!

On the way to work this morning a cardinal flew right in front of my car. I looked in the rear view mirror and did not see any feathers, so I figured it made it past.

Well I got home today and Blake ran outside and said, "look what you caught mommy." Apparently the bird did not make it past my car.

Blake pointing to the poor bird. Also, check out his shoes he is wearing. My mother in-law said he insisted on wearing two different shoes.

Poor birdie!
The burial site! Yes, I did the right thing...Blake and I buried the bird!
Like my good little Catholic boy said, "Father, Son, Holy, Spirit!"

The last few feathers left!

Happy Valentines Day!

Enjoying the Day!

This is the best picture I could get of them.
I was so excited that I found matching shirts.

I found a tripod in my in-laws garage, so Blake and I were setting it up all over the place taking pictures of ourselves.

Billy turns 30!

Since, Billy's party is not until March I wanted to do something he would enjoy today. So, earlier in the week I ordered crabs from Seattle. I made a dessert that was out of the norm for me. I wanted his actual birthday to be special, and I think it was!

Family pic of us!

This is my special dessert. I found it in a magazine a few months ago. For some reason I get these weird urges to make something outrageous. It was broken down into 3 sections. Each section requiring an hour. It actually turned out pretty good. I think I gained 2 pounds just by eating one little piece.

Our crabs we ate! Blake had chicken, fruit and celery. For some reason this kid loves celery. Don't worry he had ranch on the side. Only person I know that eats ranch with every little thing.


If you don't know anything about eating crabs...well they take a long time. So, while we were finishing up Blake disappeared to his desk and came back looking like this below. He calls them his tattoos. Apparently, he got a hold of a stamp that he got at a Valentines Day party earlier in the day!


This is what he looked like after his bath! Nope did not come off!