Thank Goodness For Grandma Toot

Back in November when they announced the U2 concert in Edmonton, I was so excited. I LOVE U2 and have wanted to see them forever. Then I found out the date of the concert and what day of the week it landed on. It was June 23rd which was a Wednesday. This sucked. What was I to do with Finley? My typical babysitters in Calgary are Greg's dad & step mom or my aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, they all work during the week and there was NO way that I was leaving Finley over night. Yes I know, I should really let her sleep over somewhere but I just can't do it. Anyways, my mo volunteered to take the week off of work and would come to Edmonton and stay at my Uncle Brian and Aunty Debbie's place that way I wouldn't have to leave Finley overnight.

However, the U2 concert was postponed indefinitely the day we returned from San Francisco. I was very disappointed. My mom decided to come to Calgary for 3 days and then we'd all go to Edmonton (Sherwood Park) to visit with my aunt and uncle and then she'd drive back with them. We were all looking forward to "Grandma Toot's" arrival - especially Finley because we all know how Grandma's spoil their grandchildren. But after Finley was diagnosed with Impetigo on her first night here, Greg and I were more then grateful.

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that is very common among pre school childen. Older children/adults are also susceptible if they play rugby, football and wrestling. It usually occurs when an existing cut, scratch, insect bite or rash becomes infected. It can be spread from one area of skin to another by touching or scratching and is very contagious from person to person.

We figure Finley got Impetigo from her swimming lessons. She had a slight diaper rash and she had recently skinned her knee. Most likely, someone from the pool had Impetigo and she contacted it via her rash or skinned knee. She is on viral anti-biotics and a anti-bacterial wash. Plus all of her towels and clothes and sheets need to be washed daily in hot water to kill the bacteria. Because of this, Finley was unable to go to daycare and because Grandma Toot was visiting, Greg and I didn't need to take time off of work to watch her. Thankfully, you are only contagious for 48 hours after you start taking the anti-biotics so she was able to go to daycare today.


Finley and Grandma Toot playing outside. They played golf, ball, played with her car and did her most favorite activity - swinging!

One night, we met Aunty Leslie, Uncle Doug & Cameron for supper at Bolsa. Aftewards, Grandma Toot treated us to ice cream at Marble Slab. Grandma Toot couldn't eat all of hers so guess who got it? Yup, Finley. This was a rare treat for Finley as I almost never let her eat ice cream - especially strawberry. Usually she gets a few licks from Greg and I. Finley definitely is very lucky to get so spoiled by her Grandma!

This was Grandma Toot's ast day in Calgary. Later that day, we all drove out to Edmonton. You will notice the tape on Finley's mouth. My mom put it on as a joke because Finley literally never stays quiet. However, Finley loved it and even managed to drink her sippy cup through it. She kept in for quite awhile....silly girl!

Wednesday afternoon Greg, myself, my mom and Finley all headed down the highway to Sherwood Park to visit with Uncle Brian and Aunty Debbie. They had just moved into a new condo and we were all excited to see it. When we got there, they had gotten Finley a super cute Adidas outfit and they had found a very old Kenworth teddy bear that she immediately loved. She gets spoiled everywhere she goes! She even got to have her very own bowl of chocolate ice cream from Uncle Brian - she was very happy!

The next day, Greg and I headed out to West Edmonton Mall, E-Children and South Edmonton Common for some shopping so we left Finley with Grandma Toot so they could hang out together before we headed back to Calgary later that day. We all got some new stuff - even a fabulously cool new blanket for baby #2.

Finley must've had a great time in Edmonton because she slept all the way to Red Deer and probably would've slept longer had we not stopped for dinner. She was out like a light as soon as we got home!

All in all, it was a fabulous week for all - especially Finley. Despite her Impetigo, she loved spending time with Grandma Toot and we are so grateful to have had her here to watch Finley unitl she became non-contagious. Finley is already looking forward to Toot's return visit once baby #2 is born!

PS. Finley can say Toot Toot now but still doesn't realize the significance of it. Why does she go by Toot you ask? Well that's for another blog....

Thanks again Grandma Toot!!