Milk Allergy Update II

I heard from Addison's pediatrician tonight (you've got to love a doctor that makes house calls, on a weekend, and after 9 p.m.... but that's a whole 'nother post). So, good news and bad news on the allergy front. Good news: Addison's allergy screen showed no milk allergy. So what is she allergic to? Soy. Ugh! Soy is almost as bad as milk. And maybe I should have clued in to this months ago. When her doctor told me that she had a milk allergy when she was just weeks old, I was a little dumbfounded because I really didn't drink that much milk. I drank soy milk. Well, duh! She's allergic to it! Her tests also showed she was anemic, which the doctor said is common with children with allergies because they lose blood in their stool. Oops, was that TMI (too much information)? And her thyroid is a little on the low end of normal.

From here, we're still waiting to get in to see the GI. And her pediatrician is forecasting more tests in the future. She said some other stuff that I didn't quite catch all of...love cell phones, but sometimes it's hard to hear on them. And for those who mentioned celiac...thank you. I asked the pediatrician about it. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough blood to run that test. But we will. I feel somewhat better knowing something...anything! And I can really start watching her soy intake, especially in processed foods! Now, it's not a free for all on milk. We're still slowly introducing it into her diet. But what a relief to know more specifically what she is reacting to these days. I love modern medicine! I'm just praying that we can get Addison where she needs to be nutritionally, and that she will feel and be healthy soon! I'll keep you posted as things progress!

Alex's First Father-Son Camp Out

It's hard to see, but Alex is smiling in this picture. It is the smile of true, pure happiness. This is the beginning of his first father-son camp out with Roger. I think Roger has been looking forward to this day for more than four years. I think it's been since he found out that Alex was Alex and not an Avery! I don't really have tons of details about the camp out because I wasn't there. The information that I did get from Roger was..well...ok honestly, he's a man. He didn't go in depth about every little detail of the camp out. However, these are the facts that I do know -- Alex did great. I was so worried that he would want to come home in the middle of the night. But he didn't. Roger did great preparing every thing. And best of all, Alex wants to go camping again. For me, this was the best measure of success. I know this was a very special experience for both Roger and Alex. I'm so happy that they went and had a good time. I asked Alex if I could go next time and he said, "No, just Daddy." And since truthfully, I'm more shopper girl than camper girl, I guess that's ok with me. (Shopper Girl vs. Camper Girl is a whole 'nother blog). So here's to many more father-son camp outs!

Cupcake Craziness

Go me! These were the cupcakes that I made for Alex's party. From the picture, they don't look half bad! Again, in order to save a little money on Alex's party, I decided to make cupcakes instead of buying an expensive cake (plus I had already bought him an expensive cake for his party with Nana and my family). As I was decorating the cupcakes, I was getting a little worried that they didn't look at all like sports balls. So I asked Alex what each one was -- and he told me! What a relief! I figured if he could tell it was a soccer ball, then the kids at the party could too. The best part was that I was just so relieved that they didn't turn out completely ridiculous. And I think I would even do it again!


Oh wait. I did decorate cupcakes again. Just a couple days later I made these cupcakes to take to Alex's preschool. I thought they turned out pretty cute too! Who knew? I've never made and decorated so many cupcakes in my life! But it was fun and most importantly, Alex loved them all!

Milk Allergy Update

This is my sweet, little Addison. She is officially a year old. Unfortunately, "little" is literal -- she is really little. She started out really strong...and chunky!

Around December though her weight started to plateau. And she's even lost a little weight. We have dealt with a milk allergy since she was around a month old. I willingly gave up milk products in order to breastfeed. But clearly, my milk supply is not sustaining her. And we've battled ear infection, after ear infection, after ear infection...

At her one year check up this past week, her pediatrician was concerned about several things. First off, her weight gain, or should I say, lack of weight gain. Second, she has degressed on a milestone -- she used to stand up and now won't even put her feet down or put weight on her feet. Third, she isn't reaching new milestones (she won't put her feet down, so she is no where near walking or even standing). And to top it all off, we have this milk allergy to work around. And ear infections!

It has been really challenging to get calories into Addison. She doesn't eat well when she has an ear infection, which is almost all the time. She isn't crazy about many table foods. But she pitches a fit if I try giving her baby food. I'm so frustrated and worried about her! What is a mother to do?

So one of our next steps with Addison is a referral to see a GI (pediatric gastrointestinal doctor), with a diatician to also help us. The GI, however, wants a blood test done before she sees Addison. So tomorrow we are off to Cookes for a blood draw. I am dreading it so much. We've done this with Alex and it is no picknick! I'm just hoping this blood draw will give us some insight into her allergies (does she still have a milk allergy, does she have other food allergies, are other things normal, like her thyroid?).

And in the meantime, her pediatrician wanted us to try a little dairy to see how she does with it. She told me that one of the best ways to get her more calories is through dairy. So Friday, Saturday and today I've given her a couple tablespoons of yogert. She didn't have a bowel movement yesterday, but had one tonight. And so far, no signs of eczema (which is usually a sign that something is bothering her system). But Friday night she didn't sleep...she was up every two hours. Last night, she slept through the night. Is she reacting to the yogert? Seriously, how do I know? I don't. So I'm going to keep trying the yogert and see how she does.

After Alex, I just wanted a healthy, easy, ravenous, kid. One who would eat and sleep. Clearly, that just isn't in the cards for me. And believe me, I know there are sicker kids out there. I see them when I go to the children's hospitals. And I try to be grateful for the health that my children do have. But it doesn't make it any easier, nor do I worry any less. Maybe blogging about it will be theraputic for me. Trying to stay positive about tomorrow!

Party On Alex!

This year, we wanted to have a birthday party for Alex with his friends, but we needed a budget friendly option. So after much discussion, Roger and I decided to have Alex's party at our house. I thought a sports theme would be fun and we could have a field day type party outside. I wasn't thrilled with having a party at home because it meant a lot of work on my part. And that meant for me, a lot of worrying on my part. But I did some research and came up with a game plan. Of course, a few days before his party the meteorologists started predicting rain on the day of his party. Rain is good luck for weddings, not so good for birthday parties in my opinion. So I researched some Plan B ideas for his party. And in the end, it all came together. We had a great turn out, fun games, cupcakes, presents...what more could a four year old want? I think Alex loved having all his friends over. And I think he enjoyed the party.
Before the party...Alex playing with the balloons.

This was the first game we played called Melt the Ice. The kids passed around an ice cube until it melted. I posted this picture because Ella is in it -- she's the girl sitting next to Alex. Alex loves Ella! It's so sweet!

The kids playing keep it up with the balloons. So fun!

Alex with his birthday cupcake. Note Ella again..heehee!

And I loved this picture with his presents all around him. And the kids all around him! I think he had a really fun birthday and really, that's all the matters. Not the place, just his friends and having fun. I need to try to remember that from now on!

Nana Visited Too!

Seriously, April was so busy for us! I'm trying desperately to catch up! While we celebrated Alex's 4th birthday, Easter, and a visit from Holly, we also had Nana with us for a week! It was so fun! Nana doesn't make it to Texas often enough...just about once or twice a year. I think we just wear her out, so it takes her about six months to recover and store up enough energy for another visit. I think she really enjoyed not only seeing Alex and Addison, but also being able to have all her grandkids together. What a treat for us all! Of course, we took Nana all over. We had to take her to the zoo, which has become sort of a tradition now. And she was a real trooper as we celebrated Alex's birthday with my family, Easter and then Alex's actual birthday on the 14th. We love when Nana visits. And it's really sweet to hear Alex pray for Nana every night! We're already looking forward to her next visit!

We Love our Holly!

April was such a crazy, busy fun month for us! First of all, we had my niece, Holly, visit us from Utah. We haven't seen Holly in a couple of years. So it was very fun to have her during her Spring Break. I don't think Alex really remembered Holly from when we lived in Salt Lake. But it was really neat to see them bond again. He loved having her with us and playing with her. It kinda proved to me that blood really is thicker than water. He loved having her here and prays for her still every night!

I think Holly really enjoyed the beautiful Spring weather we had while she was here. Her dad told me that she couldn't wait to wear her new shorts and capris! And she enjoyed the park. It must run in the family!

No trip to Texas is complete in my family without a trip to the Fort Worth Zoo. We LOVE the zoo! We think Holly enjoyed it too. She enjoyed feeding the birds.

Posing with the elephants.

Holly also had the pleasure of going to Chuck E Cheese! Apparently there aren't many in Utah because Holly has never been. So she really got into earning as many tickets as she could. She had over a thousand tickets by the time we were done there. This was her loot that she is so proud of!

Although Holly didn't get to stay for Easter, we did enjoy decorating Easter eggs with her! Alex pretty much monopolized all the dye, but Holly was a good sport and did what she could with her limited resources!

And seriously, what child's life is complete without a picture in the Texas bluebonnets? Again, Holly was a real sport and took lots of pictures with her cousins. Isn't this one so sweet? We love Holly and can't wait for her to come for another visit! She told her Dad that she wanted to come back in the summer, which was the best compliment she could have given me...it meant to me that she enjoyed herself enoughthat she can't wait to come back. We'll see if her Dad has forgotten how hot it is during the summer (yeah right) and returns back with her. In Hawaii, if you throw your lay in the ocean, it means you will return to Hawaii again. I wonder what it is about Texas in the spring time that makes you want to return again.