life changing diagnosis, round two

Well, when RM was diagnosed with food allergies back in October (milk, eggs, peanut, tree nuts) I was a little taken aback, but I thought - okay, lots of people handle this with little kids. We have found dairy-free margarine, rice milk, and other options to make life a little more 'normal' seeming. I've even found easy baking substitutes for eggs like banana or applesauce.

The great irony is that Floyd started having allergic reactions in the last year. Mild at first, but more frequent and noticable. He drank soy milk and his throat started itching and his tongue started swelling. Same thing with almonds. And then last week, at one of our favorite ethnic restaurants, his entire head and face started itching, his eyes and cheeks swelling, he wasn't able to think clearly, and almost fell asleep on the way home. Bizarre. So we decided to go for the test. 61 pin pricks on his back later, here is what we found out. As you can see from the chart above, the reactive scale is 0-4, with 4 being the highest reaction you can have to a food source.

Suffice it to say, I am a little overwhelmed right now, and we have to go get another epi-pen. Just for kicks - go to your pantry and tell me how many boxes/cans you can find that don't contain one of these items. I think I am going to have to become a pioneer woman and make everything from scratch.

some days, it is just impossible to stay awake.

a little comparison - same milemarker - two baby bumps

wonderful wednesday pix from aunt nancy's world...

Having a blast on the playground - hopefully getting worn out enough for a good nap.

Playing quietly in O-man's room with G-Lou... Hurray for 'room time' Aunt Nance.

"Children Obey Your Parents" -- Parents... GET WISDOM.

i know i'm probably opening up a can when i solicit suggestions on the blog, but i've got a burning question. when RM was a newborn, i had wonderful, sound encouragement on promoting good sleeping and eating habits for my boy that have really given us quite the happy baby, who fortunately sleeps a ton for us. And despite the last 7 months of new territories with food allergies, we've seemed to weather it all without too much fuss.

now that RM is learning to exert his own little wills and desires a bit more, i'm starting to find some new challenges in guiding him. He has a wonderful, vibrant personality - and his teachers consistently tell us they don't want him to move up to the next class because he's just the most FUN to have around. He is Mr. Social.

the new patterns that I'm seeing that make me think, "What do I do with that?" are pretty simple really. Here are a couple of examples:

1. He doesn't want to hold my hand. He wants to walk alone. This is great in the park. This is not great when we are walking to the car through a parking lot. And in two months I'm not going to be able to quell the fit by picking him up - because my hands will be FULL with a newborn.

2. He has learned how to avoid a bite of unwanted food by contorting his face, shuddering, whining, and covering his mouth. I mean, I'm not trying to feed him gross food options... but the boy doesn't have enough options that he's not allergic to for him to start refusing the 'ok' items!

Anyway... I've been given some good reading suggestions, like Ginger Plowman's "Don't Make Me Count to Three" and I have found some good suggestions for disciplining toddlers on the Shepherding Press blog, but I am just wondering if any of you out there have any other encouragement. Sometimes it's just good to hear from other moms who I know are real. :)

views this weekend

happy mother's day

Floyd had to play three shows this weekend, so we celebrated Mother's Day together a little early this week. He made me this amazing dinner, bought me the beautiful yellow tulips, and gave me cards from both himself and RM.
I have to admit, the dinner was so tasty (pork tenderloin, BLUE CHEESE MASHED POTATOES, and a scrumptious salad) that I demanded leftovers the following night. And I might have asked him to even remake the mashed taters for a THIRD night in a row just because baby-girl and I liked them so much. MMMM.
And if you are judging me for the small glass of wine that I did enjoy, you might need to lighten up a bit. Hahahah. I totally cleared this with my doctor - she knows my ways.

happy 25th birthday!

Sweet little sister, happy birthday. Sorry the Toot tried to steal the spotlight on your day a few years back, but don't worry, you definitely hold your own - and share your day with grace. So here are a few things I love about Nanni that I thought I'd share on her day:

1. None of us other sisters could ever be so daringly Marijke-esque in their mothering techiques. It just works for you - and I love watching you be a mom.

2. Somehow you manage to look super swanky and trendy while on a budget. Does anyone know that Nanni found an amazing cocktail dress at the Salvation Army? She wears it like a runway model.

3. I love that during your short 'modeling career' you were selected to impersonate Barbie at the local toystores. I love that you were Rainforest Barbie one time, and wore the bodyart/fake tatoos like a star. And that you got pulled over by a Cop for speeding while in that costume.

4. You were always willing to listen to me, despite my overly bossy nature during our childhood. I can't believe I got the "front" seat in the bathtub with all the warm water everytime. I love that you didn't mind letting me get away with that crap.

5. I love that you wear cut off shorts and bright yellow whellies.

6. Thanks for letting me give you the most famous haircut you ever received as a kid. I love that you are still so scarred by that experience that you are determined to keep G-Lou's hair long.

7. I admire your ability to thrive off of a 15 minute power nap.

8. I'm glad that you are Aunt Nancy to RM. When he runs up to you and demands a hug when we see you, I thank our Father in heaven.

9. I love that when I missed you sharing a room with me after we got our own bedrooms, you willingly participated in moving the furniture without mom knowing in order to create a 'playroom' and a 'bedroom' for us both to share.

10. It makes my heart swell to know that you will have two daughters soon - sisters as close in age as we were, and that my daughter will get to be a part of their fun too.


We love you!

happy tenth anniversary!

A very happy anniversary wish to my sister Tootie and her terrific hubby. Can't believe that ten years ago we were all partying it up at the Woodfield Inn with y'all. Tootie, at least you're old enough to have a glass of wine in celebration now. Hee, hee.
You guys have had a pretty awesome journey for the past ten years - fun times at Whaley Mill in Columbia, livin la vida loco in Oklahoma, buying your cute little shoebox in Colorado, enduring a year apart during the Iraq deployment, expanding your cute little shoebox house, and producing some pretty unbelievable little ones that look like the cutest little clones I ever did see. I'm grateful for y'all and so happy y'all have this milestone today.

miscellaneous photos this week

While y'all might all be eagerly anticipating a photo of our boy hooked up to his torture device (a.k.a. nebulizer), unfortunately that moment has not quite been captured on camera yet. Here are a few from this week though.

As you can see, I am relinquishing my control over the spoon during dinner time. RM prefers to wear his spaghetti sauce all over his face and head, thereby guaranteeing himself a bathtime. Smart boy.


Just a sweet moment in the grass with "Da--yee" after a spring rain, while we were checking out the vegetable garden progress.


Hey "Mah-MEE" this grass is wet and I'm not so sure about it.


Sitting on the couch playing with the "Dobbie" from Uncle David that he loves so much.


Even with Orapred in his system, he manages to CRASH hard at bedtime. Praise the Lord. He's bonkers right up to the last moment of the day on this stuff.

last 24 hours...

Yesterday afternoon I finally get the appraiser on the phone. "Yes, um, I need an expedited appraisal since we have a closing scheduled next week." (Voice of Evelyn, pregnant woman trying not to sound like her nesting instinct is in overdrive).
"Okay, I can come today, or tomorrow morning..." (Nice appraiser lady, knowingly understanding my underlying request for immediate gradification).
"How about tomorrow at 3:30?" (Me again, knowing that Floyd needs tomorrow morning to clean out CRAP in our basement that has piled up over the last three years).
"Sounds great, i'll be there then."

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Insert two hours of me at pediatrician's office yesterday afternoon. Me telling nurse he's had a fever for 48 hours, cough... No i do not think it is H1N1 influenza, but I do want to know if these tubes are still okay... Her response: Yes his ears look great, but he's WHEEZING mom, couldn't you hear the rattling around in his lungs? Would you please sit here with him hooked up to the nebulizer machine for 15 minutes? And then can we give you some cream for this nasty rash in his diaper area you also neglected to mention? And don't you have time for breathing treatments at home 3 times a day?

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This morning, do the breathing treatment, boy refuses breakfast, fever still down, so he can go to school. (which he has been requesting for the last three days straight. Grocery store. "SKOOL?" Doctor's office. "SKOOL?" Walking outside to the mailbox. "SKOOL?" He loves that place.) Get him dressed, chuck dirty diaper out front door (to take around to trash when we do get in the car for "SKOOL".

Doorbell rings. 8:30am. Neither Floyd nor I is presentable... because of course I'm not ready. Send RM to front door? Just kidding. Go to door, it's the APPRAISER. 7 hours early. And she's standing directly above the stinky diaper. And next to the rug we had to drag out of the house because Jim Hargate got *sick* all over it.

-------

Clarified with Appraiser that she will need to come back at 3:30pm. Floyd is now at UHaul place to empty the contents of our basement into said truck. Rug is in the trash. Stinky diapers removed from front stoop. Hopefully when she returns later, we don't get docked for the amazing experience she had this morning.

Send Mr. Grills to Europe

This video might touch your heart even if you don't know the man honored here. You can read the newspaper coverage in this article for more of the story. And the local television coverage will inform you that this man has spent over three decades teaching Studio Art and Art History to hundreds of students who have come and gone through Riverside High School. But none of these media links will be able to provide you with a seat in Mr. Grills' AP Art History class.

Now I know I am an emotional pregnant woman right now, but it really does make my heart swell to remember the patience and care this man displayed while reigning in my boisterous class of high schoolers. I remember thinking that if I didn't get my act together, I'd never pass the AP exam. He made me want the personal responsibility in a way many teachers weren't able to reach me. And I passed that exam.

Years later I would run the Congressional Art Competition for our district, as a very young and naive new staffer. One of the greatest joys of that first year 'on the job' was Mr. Grills walking through the door with the entries from Riverside High School students. And I could tell he was proud of me. Not because I was doing something all that outstanding or terrific, but just because I was one of his students. That was all.

So if you cried during Mr. Holland's Opus - watch out. This story too might getcha.

first baseball game

RM took in his first baseball game last night with his Daddy and the guys while watching the Greenville Drive. Naturally, i neglected to send a real camera with them, so the only evidence is this pix msg. They took it during the national anthem... and even managed to get RM's hand over his heart.

Floyd says that RM had a blast, and actually watched the game very intently. When the pitcher threw the ball, he would mimic the gesture and add a "Swish!" sound as he made his imaginary pitch. When the crowd cheered for a hit, RM was pretty happy to clap along with everyone.

The Flour Field at the West End is just plain awesome too. It's a replica of Fenway Park, and was named Ball Park of the year in 2006. There is a great little playground for kids, and a grassy hill for families to sit on (or kids to roll down). Can you tell I'm proud of the quality of life in our town?

tuesday thoughts

i fell asleep talking to my hubby last night - just nodded off and didn't wake up until 7 this morning. woops.

we had an amazing weekend in the mountains with friends. good conversation, fun games, birthday celebration, amazing food - what's not to love?

RM skinned his knee this weekend, and yesterday matched that with one on his chin. He also has a nasty scratch down the side of his face, and a red spot on his bald head. it looks like he's been in a dog fight.

the tubes must be working, because we are hearing far more from the little man in the last few days than we had been. it's like someone flipped a switch and he suddenly hears clearly and realizes he can repeat a lot more of what we say. crazy.

i have two dear friends who are about to pop out babies any day. one surprise gender, fifth child and one surprise name, first child. i am soooo excited to see these little ones and their parents/siblings!!

my parents are leaving today for Europe - won't be back until September. it's not that i see them or talk to them every day, or even twice a week necessarily, but there is a certain security to having your parents close. i miss them already.

somewhere in that ear there is a teeny tiny tube...

See this ear diagram? With all the fluid behind the eardrum? Yeeeah, so that's what both of RM's ears looked like this morning apparently. And I knew it... because we've not slept through the night the last two nights - he's beeen hurting.

But after a trip to the Surgery Center this morning for a quick procedure, he hopefully has a new feeling: pain-free ears, and better hearing & speech too. Floyd called me this afternoon and said the boy is in great spirits and acting like a new kid. I'm sure if my ears were suddenly "unplugged" for the first time in 3 months I'd be a new person too. Hah.

Highlight of the morning? The nurse telling me about how some babies have a really hard time coming off the anesthesia... they are crazy and loopy and just out of sorts. Quote: "And for some reason, the red-heads take it the worst."

Lowlight of the morning? She was right. He definitely took the 'recovery room' the worst. Quote from onlooking mom: "Good luck."

He was happy as a clam once we got him home and back in his crib. He likes his quiet, dark nursery. He doesn't like doctors offices and O2 sensors on his toes and hospital gowns. Me neither!!

three takes on a family photo.

easter fun

scenes from the hunt in the fisher family backyard!




I'll be 26 weeks on Tuesday... here's the updated profile!

so, first thing easter morning...

the Easter bunny arrived, bringing a 'Hot Wheels' car, egg shaped sidewalk chalk, and new cups for playing in the tub! (this bunny also left some Robins Eggs malted treats for Floyd, and Runts eggs for Evelyn... mmm!)

it seems the gorgeous spring weather and pollen also provided our always allergic child with some very puffy red eyes this morning that didn't seem to respond to the Benedryl either...

We're waiting on the lamb to finish in the oven and then will head over to the Fishers to celebrate Easter with the family.

This little boy needs some more shut eye before we brave the egg hunt, and I'm praying he gets some relief from the itching/swelling. (oh yeah, Floyd is doped up on Benedryl too... so he's getting his shut eye as well. These poor guys.)

More pictures to follow from the day's festivities. :)

a few more from our trip

RM loved the condo, because he could RUN all over... it had a long open hallway from the front door to the porch overlooking the ocean, and he would tear up and down without slowing down.
Climbing on the couches (and having a tickle fight) was also lots of fun. The pictures on the deck are from "High Tides at Snack Jack's" where we ate last year. RM's great grandfather used to love this restaurant too.

palm coast... first day on the beach!

We have had a lot of fun exploring the Palm Coast this year. RM is NOT a fan of dirty hands, uncertain of the water, and very cautious all together. But once he forgets about those things, he does run around like any toddler and has a blast.