*because I couldn’t think of a better alliteration…

Missouri River Valley

It’s still cold but I’m naming today the last day of winter. You can’t really tell in the above photo, but this field has recently been plowed. Love the undulating rows of freshly plowed dirt.

Baby is adjusting to her new school. And by “adjusting” I mean she got a violent cough, raging fever and missed school most of this week.

(She’s feeling better now)

Until around age five, kids’ Eustachian tubes (the tube that connects the ear to the throat) are not slanted downward (like an adult’s), so when kids are congested, fluid can easily collect in the tube. Stagnant fluid can easily become infected, hence why kids who get a cold or a virus often also get an ear infection. The principal of homeopathic ear drops are that they are anti-microbial, but this still doesn’t solve the issue of blocked tubes or necessarily decrease fluid accumulation. Plus, I am not too keen on using stinky garlic drops in Babyzilla’s ears all the time (garlic is one of the most common antimicrobial ingredients used in such drops). I was looking to try something different than simply treating every ear infection with antibiotics or “riding out” the more mild ones, and so baby and I took a trip to the chiropractor.

Logan College of Chiropractic is a great school in our area and they have doctors, interns and students that see patients. The Biofreeze Sports and Rehabilitation Center is very nice. I snapped a photo of these stadium seats there (from the old Card’s stadium) for the Spy:

A sight that reminds me of spring! Opening day is just around the corner!

Not sure what this thing is!

And little…

congested Baby

…got to play with some balls while we waited.

The doctors showed me how to do some of the “moves” to clear the Eustachian tubes. I think they felt comfortable showing me how to do some of them because I am a nurse (who just passed boards last week! Woo! RN, BSN!) Always check with your doctor first if you have health care concerns/questions for yourself or your kids. Don’t trust random advice on the internet (hahhah)! I’m going to do them regularly on Babyzilla and also bring her in regularly for some easy, noninvasive, nonpharmacological prophylactic against the dreaded otitis media (ear infection).

In garden news, we’ve joined the Missouri Botanical Garden and are so excited for our membership, which includes free admission to the main (big!) garden, Shaw Nature Preserve and the Butterfly House.

The first bloom of Spy Garden has been spotted. It is in our living room, but it counts!

Meyer Lemon bloom with a window view

Our garden expansion is still underway and we’ve ordered some more fence posts and another roll of…

deer fencing material

…and we look forward to the next warm day to move the east side of the fence. It may be cold and icy this weekend. So it may be more batting cages and seed starting (indoors) than digging outside in the dirt, but it’s still officially Spy Garden Spring tomorrow. Have a great weekend!