You have to expect the unexpected. That’s my new motto for raising kids. I’ve learned in my four-year experience as a mom that when children are involved you never know what the day holds. For example, I had no idea when I woke up Thursday morning that I’d be taking my son, Eli, to the pediatrician’s office because he’d come in contact with poison ivy. He came downstairs with his usual big smile and I notice red, blotchiness under his chin. A few hours later, the rash had spread to his face.

This was perfect timing as we had a family portrait scheduled for later in the day. I don’t know why but’s it’s always Murphy’s Law when dealing with children and photos. They somehow manage to get sick, bruised up, banged up or scratched up in the days leading up to any scheduled photo sessions. Now I can add rashes to that list!

I wanted to kick myself for not picking up on the poison ivy reaction earlier. The day before Eli had a few spots on his wrist. He complained of itching, and my husband mentioned the spots looked a little like poison ivy. I totally blew him off, assuming Eli had mosquito bites since every day seems to be mosquito buffet in our yard. This is one time when I should have listened to my husband (He’ll no doubt enjoy this part of my blog!) To be honest, I don’t know why I discredited him, especially since I’ve never had poison ivy and he has.

If the rash wasn’t enough, Eli also had to listen to his sister going on and on about how his skin was going to fall off.  Now that’s a  nice, supportive sister in a time of crisis! I can’t tell you how many times I had to assure her that her brother’s skin would be sticking around.

At the the doctor’s office, the pediatrician gave Eli’s body a thorogh scan for poison ivy rash. When Eli pulled down his shorts, and I was stunned. I wasn’t suprised to see more rash on his bum, but I was suprised that Eli was going commando!

“Where’s your underwear, Eli?”  Of course, Eli started giggling as he obviously thought my reaction was funny.

“Did you have a pee pee accident and take off your underwear in the bathroom before we left the house?”

“No, Mommy. You never gave me any underwear to put on,” Eli replied.  By this time, my face is as red with embarressment as Eli’s rash. I bet the pediatrician probably said to himself ” No wonder this kid has poison ivy, she doesn’t even put underwear on him.” Still, I was skeptical. I specifically remembered handing Eli some underwear to put on that morning. We left the doctor’s office with a prescription for an oral steroid and good old-fashioned Benadryl for itching.

When we arrived home, I walked into Eli’s room. There, on the floor, was his underwear that I had handed him. Obviously, he’d never put it on. That’s my Eli. He’s a quirky little kid who always makes me laugh.

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