Author Archives: Andrea

As promised, here is a full tale of making a Kraken Birthday Cake. I’ve been so temped to write “cake” with a “k” in the title. I started baking early in the week, to give myself plenty of time to bake & decorate this cake that would be so perfect for my six year old, […]

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  • Elle Ruiz - April 19, 2012 - 5:17 pm

    Andrea that is & YOU are AMAZING. Is there anything you don’t do that is just sooooo pretty? Even your baking shoes are just darling. Loved this post! Thanks for sharing a slice of your personal life. xo

  • katie's pencil box - April 20, 2012 - 4:03 am

    what a lucky lucky boy to have such a mama!
    i adore your style, miss!

  • Alli - April 20, 2012 - 2:30 pm

    oh my word, this is amazing! And you are adorable : )

  • Andrea - April 21, 2012 - 7:30 am

    Thank you {I admire all of YOU by the way}!

    It really was a very long project since I tend to work very slowly… but a lot of fun for me to just throw myself into it for the week. I think it helps that it’s a cake & not a real permanent sculpture… I could live with my mistakes much easier 🙂

Kevin’s spring break was extended a couple days when the boys caught Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease at Easter. It’s something I had never heard of, and I don’t like to Google images of babies being sick. It’s heartbreaking and I usually stumble on the most extreme cases that I don’t have the stomach to […]

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  • Tiffany grimes - April 17, 2012 - 6:51 pm

    I loved reading this!!! Cayleb has already had this, and I wished I would have known about the coconut oil back then. I’ll definitely remember that for any future children!! Very helpful 🙂

  • Justyn - April 17, 2012 - 8:45 pm

    Thank you so much for referencing my guest post on Modern Alternative Mama! I’m so glad to hear that some of my ideas helped to make things a little more bearable for your little guys. And I’ve gotta say, that picture of Damian reaching up towards the bubbles has got to be one of the cutest bath-time pictures I’ve ever seen! 🙂

  • Brenda Snider - April 19, 2012 - 5:44 am

    Andrea,
    How creative and imaginative! Your positiveness shined through right away. And what a wonderful mother you are to care for your children as you did. Your photos are truly beautiful! Bless you during your recovery days with those sweet boys!

    Brenda Snider

  • katie's pencil box - April 20, 2012 - 3:54 am

    oh you poor things!
    i’m so happy to hear things are on the up and up! these pictures and remedies are perfection! i’m definitely going to try the virgin coconut oil and bubbles in the bath for myself..haha.

    xoxo

  • Andrea - April 21, 2012 - 7:37 am

    Tiffany, so sorry he had that! It’s not fun, but glad he’s better!

    Justyn, I was so happy to find your post! It was like a breath of fresh air after just reading all the bad news about the virus! Thank you for posting it!

    Brenda, thank you for your encouragement! Even though it’s hard to see them that way, we had some very special moments with so much cuddling together.

    Katie, haha! I didn’t think of adding the bubbles too! It would make for an adorable shoot {not to sound creepy lol}… bubbles are just magic. We’ll have to meet in real life someday 😉

  • Kerry - May 1, 2012 - 6:31 am

    Thanks for this post, Andrea. My kids have HFMD right now :/ They’re being tough. I think it looks worse than it feels. Glad to have some home remedy ideas.

  • Andrea - May 1, 2012 - 8:23 am

    Kerry, sorry to hear that! It sounds like it is going all around lately, hopefully it clears up soon for Jack & Fable!

  • Crystal - May 26, 2012 - 3:34 pm

    Thank you for this, I have 3 out of 4 kiddos down with it now. I have been desperately searching for something to offer them some relief besides benedryl and ibuprofen (recommended by pediatrician.) One thing I have been doing is simmering vinegar on the stove to “purify” the air, especially since it is spread by nasal and throat secretions (and of course the blisters but those aren’t necessarily in the air.) I will be giving the kiddos a coconut bath now, and of course sanitizing every possible surface with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Thanks again

  • Natalia - October 3, 2012 - 11:45 pm

    My daughter has just been diagnosed so I did a search to see what home recipes there are out there and your website came up. Our doctor said no meat, vegetables or dairy which is everything in your soup you recommend. Do you recommend otherwise?

  • Sophia - October 5, 2012 - 10:33 am

    Thanks for the tips! My 15 month old is loving the soup and will be enjoying a coconut oil bath shortly.

  • Michelle - November 14, 2012 - 5:29 pm

    Both my kids are sick, aged 3 yrs and 8 months. So grateful for this post and natural remedy post!!! Thank you!!!

  • Kelly McG - January 23, 2013 - 10:56 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this! I just discovered that my girls (age 4&6) have HFM. I am going to try the coconut oil bath tomorrow.

    Thanks again!

  • Rhonda Colson - April 14, 2013 - 8:56 am

    I am 61 years old and started out having Strep Throat. About 2 to3 days later I broke out with a vengeance. I have been battling this at home for over 10 days. I can’ t get rid of this awful rash and headache. I am taking meds that will help with the discomfort. Have any other adults had this problem?

  • Erika Tracy - May 5, 2013 - 11:04 am

    Thank you for this wonderful post and beautiful pictures. It was a joyful find in a time of need and a priceless alternative to the yucky hfm bump photos. Thanks for sharing.

  • Easy E's Mommy - May 17, 2013 - 6:57 am

    Thank you so much for these great tips! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post about the HFMD! I am a working mother and unfortunately my son is forced to attend daycare as we don’t have available family nearby. He contracted HFMD there. I took him to the doctor as soon as we saw the first little blisters and the doctor was very vague and gave me no diagnosis. I got a call from a friend who’s child attends the same daycare facility and her son had the same symptoms. Her Doctor diagnosed him with the disease. I called the daycare and they said they knew that there had been an outbreak they just didn’t feel like it be a matter to call the parents to inform. So here we are this morning with HFMD and I am certain because it is exactly like you and my friend say. First the fever (his started 101) and then 2 days later the blisters.

    ThaNKS AGAIN FOR THE ADViCE…ON MY WAY TO WALMART TO GET THE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL NOW!!!!

  • Lesley - May 25, 2013 - 6:41 pm

    i love all of these remedies so much! i came across this entry while doing a search for homeopathic treatments for HFMD, as my 16 month old son has it right now. we are about 3 days in, so i’m so happy to find your suggestions! we have been feeding him frozen blueberries, and he just gobbles them down. but i love your coconut oil idea, and the pediasure. thank you so much for sharing!!

  • Steph - May 27, 2013 - 2:09 pm

    Thanks for this! My 2yr old (25months) has this now and isn’t sleeping! His feet are quite itchy even though there’s no blisters/rash there. So ill be giving him a coconut oil bath before his nap today! And he’s also playing on the iPad to keep him distracted! I’ll make the soup; provided he lets me leave him for a few minutes!

  • Teresa - September 8, 2013 - 5:49 am

    Thanks for posting this. I’m not sure what to do about the mouth blisters. My daughter won’t eat soup or anything. She does not want to eat anything. I am keeping her hydrated but I was wondering if anyone had their kiddos gargle with anything to get rid of the sores?

  • Laurel - September 9, 2013 - 1:10 pm

    Teresa- Try “magic mouth wash”! Equal parts Benadryl and Milk of Magnesia. Swish and spit, and avoid drinking anything for 10 minutes after. It’s been a LIFESAVER along with the coconut oil for my 2.5 yo who is battling it now.

  • Lindsey - October 10, 2013 - 7:10 am

    My 13 month old has this right now, He has the sores around the outside of his mouth, and a horrible, horrible rash/sores on his bottom/diaper area.. the blisters seem to be breaking open, I dont know if the butt paste is helping or hurting the issue.. anyone know?

  • Elissa - October 26, 2013 - 3:45 am

    This is a lovely blog/post. Thank you for making me feel more positive about coping with our little one’s pain. He just at the beginning of this infection and hoping he won’t be too bad… poor things, babies/toddlers really do have to go through rotten times! I guess we made it through them and just have to help them do it, too.

  • Dulce - December 20, 2013 - 2:55 pm

    Yay!! FINALLY, some kind of light in this torturing tunnel…my 22month and now my 6month babies have it and I wanted to help them with the itching. Now to make soup for the kiddos… Thank you for sharring!

As a young girl I always looked forward to getting a new outfit for Easter, my basket of candy, & taking pictures with my family. Everyone else always hated wearing their church clothes so long, but I loved it. Growing up with so many brothers & sisters ensured that I was just as comfortable playing […]

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  • Mary - April 16, 2012 - 5:45 pm

    Beautiful as always!
    Wishing the boys a speedy recovery!
    And Thank you for the Birthday wishes!

  • Andrea - April 21, 2012 - 7:38 am

    Thank you & you are most welcome! We’ll need to re-celebrate when Rocky gets home!

Throwing this little Easter egg painting party for my two little mans was a lot of fun. My husband was traveling for the Air Force and returned just in time for Easter morning. In the past it’s been hard for me to feel like celebrating holidays when I know that he will miss them {or […]

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  • Alli - April 12, 2012 - 7:16 pm

    This is so sweet, Andrea! I love how special you made it for your boys.

  • Andrea - April 12, 2012 - 7:22 pm

    I thought of you & our very fun shoot from last year… because this was fun but very chaotic (making sure Damian didn’t run into the road, etc). The one at your house was so peaceful in comparison, lol!

  • Alli - April 12, 2012 - 7:36 pm

    Ha! If they’re anything like my little nephews, I bet it was quite the adventure : )

  • Jaclyn - April 13, 2012 - 11:17 am

    These are beautiful! And i am so jealous of your long hair…i cut off an inch the other day and it feels weird…:-/

  • Andrea - April 21, 2012 - 7:38 am

    Jaclyn, thank you! I always say that it stays long not out of patience but neglect, lol! An inch here or there is a good thing though! Keeps it healthy 🙂

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