Jude has taken to the pavement with skinned knees 3 times in the last week. That’s some bloody knees, poor kiddo! He got the 2nd one this morning, right before we were getting ready to leave for church, and I could see that his shorts were getting bloody and he needed a band aid. He’d never worn one before so he got quite upset as I pulled it out, I think he thought it was going to hurt even more, as the tears flowed and he cried for me not to put it on. I reassured him it would help and told him he could put one on one of his animals too, so he reluctantly consented. After it was on he immediately stopped fussing and realized that it didn’t hurt any worse, and got excited about putting a band aid on his animals (we stopped at 2 little cows but I am quite certain ALL of his many little animals would have had a band aid on in the end if I’d let them:) Anyway- all this to say, ‘play therapy’ as Andrew and I refer to it- worked again- either using his imagination to pretend something or an animal or toy to help the situation. Isn’t it funny how amusing some things can be as a parent? For example- imagine if you will a little 2 year old resisting a diaper change (use the potty already little one!!) and a certain papa making a diaper talk the 2 year old into getting changed. ‘Play therapy’:)- works wonders I tell ya!

The other half of my title has to do with little Owie- who has developed a case of eczema, affecting his face, mainly cheeks. It had flared up pretty badly a couple weeks ago and I was wondering if it was an allergic reaction until I did a little online research and realized it was eczema, and found some helpful advice. Keep it clean- bathing little ones often, even daily, can help, or washing the affected area gently with water or a little soap made for sensitive skin. Moisturizing the area well after this also helps, again using lotion for sensitive skin. I love the California Baby line of bath products. Although a bit expensive, I only use tiny amounts at a time so they last a while and they really are great for sensitive skin. They carry a Calendula Cream that is recommended for eczema so I thought I’d try it- and along with cleaning Little O’s face more often it has done wonders- his face looks almost clear, especially after naps and night time, when his hands haven’t been all over his face. The cream is botanically based and can also be used on diaper rash, cradle cap, and scrapes and scratches. Calendula is commonly known as the marigold plant which has long been used for it’s skin healing properties.