Allergy Update

We took Matthew to see an allergist yesterday so they could review his blood work and give us more insight into what we should and shouldn't feed him. They also tested him for some more nuts and foods. The skin prick test was so much better than getting his blood drawn. For one Josh was there to hold him and I could be in his face and let him know everything was ok. They pricked his back 11 times, but each one was short and looked like it would feel like a pinch from somebody. He didn't have to be held down, and he didn't freak out like when his blood was taken. He did cry and squirm, but the nurse could catch the moments that he held still. He did a great job and in a few minutes was asking to play a game on daddy's cell phone.

We already know he's allergic to cashews, so they didn't test him on that, but peanuts are a danger, and egg whites are a slight concern. Pistachios are very close to cashews, and we were advised to stay away from those. The doctor told us that when it comes to others taking care of him, it's safer to tell them across the board to not give him any nuts. As he gets older and he gets more responsible, we can allow the safe nuts into his diet. And he said to stay away from omelets and mayonnaise. He'll go back every 6 months and then every year to get retested to see if he's outgrown some allergies.

So just so ya'll know, no nuts, no peanut butter period. And as for boxes that say "may contain nuts" or "processed in a plant with nuts," the doc told us to find an alternative on the shelf. But he also said the chances of him getting sick with those types of foods is very slim. Again, being on the extra safe side.

He was a very nice doctor that spoke honestly with us and let us ask any question we had. Josh and I are making sure we don't talk about Matthew missing out on stuff in front of him, cause we don't want him to feel bad. Essentially he's not missing out on much. What's a few nuts deleted from your diet anyway, right? And he's not big on eggs for breakfast. We're also not big nut eaters to begin with. Now I will miss pb 'n' j's, and Matthew does love peanut butter cups, but again, trying not to highlight what he's missing out on.

We were also prescribed the epi-pen jr. with a DVD instructional for us to watch. They even give you a training epi-pen, so you can practice with it. I'm glad I have a peace of mind now that I have more knowledge of the do's and don'ts of what Matthew can eat. And I feel more comfortable that I have the epi-pen to take of him in an emergency.

Half Family Trip

Esther and I flew to the New England area for my Grampa's funeral this past weekend. He wanted me to sing for it, so I always knew I would make the time to attend, no matter how far away I was. Esther came with cause she's still so young to be gone a long time from me (and cause I'm still nursing her), and Josh and Matthew played bachelor for the weekend. I didn't come home until Tuesday, so my mom-in-law watched Matthew so Josh didn't have to take some time off work.

Esther's first airplane ride. She loved looking out the window.


I let her out of the Bjorn during the plane ride, and she had fun with the tray table, the magazines, and crawlilng all over me to charm the passengers in front of and behind us.


A short layover, but we had some time for her to stretch her legs and get around.


My brother-in-law and my sis picked me up from the airport, and my niece Ari was so excited to meet "Baby Esther." She even picked out a special toy monkey for her to play with while we were there.


Esther hanging out with her Auntie Sara.


I got to see my brother and sister-in-law as well, so Esther got to meet another cousin, Micah.


Sucking her thumb on Grampa's lap. She does that when she's tired or when I'm holding her.


Look at that one-tooth grin. She looks like a hick or something. That other front tooth did pop through recently, but you can't see it yet.


Here's trouble waiting to happen. Josh told me it's like a mini-Sara and a mini-Mary.


On the way to the burial site, my grampa's fire station saluted and sounded a bell as the hearse drove by. It was a really neat moment.


Ari being cute in the car.


Esther was definitely tired of being in a car seat by the end of the trip, but I managed to catch her pretty content with this book.


Gramma and Grampa hung out at the airport before my flight to spend some extra time with us.

And so ends my whirlwind weekend. It was weird not having Josh and Matthew there, but it was so nice to go home to them. Life has gotten back to normal for the most part. Esther's been catching up on some much-needed Z's, and Matthew's cold, which was hanging on for 2 weeks, finally seems to be going away. We did get some antibiotics for him though, since we had him checked and they found an ear infection in one ear. And Josh is busy at work and growing a beard for our church's Christmas cantata.

For those who don't get to see us very much, I'm sorry for my absence in blog land. But if you have or ever have had more than one little kid to take care of, you can understand how little time I have to sit in one spot and get something done, like blogging. I know there's a lot I've missed putting up here, so I might back track a little, but it may be easier to just move on from here. And to give you a little more frame of reference, Matthew is now 2 1/2 and Esther is 10 months old. Happy weekend, everybody!