What dairy allergy?

I am so, so, so happy to report that we just got back from the allergist and Cameron is no longer reacting to dairy! Well, via a skin test. They still want us to come in and do a milk challenge, which will be much like the 3-hour peanut butter challenge we did. Start with drinking a small amount, wait and see, drink some more, wait and see, etc. My only fear with doing this is that he won't want any milk afterwards, as he now avoids peanut butter like the plague. "My tummy doesn't like peanut butter!" he says. :( I'm still hopeful he'll change his tune someday about that one!

So, we plan to do that challenge soon. We have been experimenting a little bit lately, with dairy in cooked things (like waffles) and he hasn't had any reactions. The thought of not having to read labels anymore and him being able to eat whatever is SO exciting! I will be able to cook with cheese again! And, we found out he can also have nuts and shellfish! We had been avoiding those since they are considered high-allergen foods and he had and "allergic" profile. But this opens up a whole new world of food possibilities for us, especially at restaurants. Also, the thought that he can now partake in eating birthday cakes at friends' parties makes me ridiculously happy. :)

The not-so-great news is that he is still reactive to cat dander. He still doesn't show any symptoms when he's around the cats (or just at home for that matter), but we don't know how much having the cats in the house might be contributing to the fact that we have to periodically use the nebulizer when he gets sick and it moves down into his respiratory system. However, we haven't had to use the nebulizer very much lately. I guess this winter will be interesting, what with school in the mix and all those lovely germs he will bring home.

Zoo trip

My company's summer picnic was at the Oakland Zoo this year, and we had a fun time! We ate some good food, saw lots of animals, and rode a train (the highlight according to Cameron).

We pet some goats and sheep. 

And thoroughly exhausted ourselves in general. Fortunately, Norah was able to nap a bit in the Beco (my carrier), and Cameron did remarkably well without any nap that day.

 

There was a lot we didn't get to do and see too, so we'll have to go back and visit again sometime soon. Want to join us?

6 months

Recent stats:

Weight: 16 lb 7 oz (70th%)
Height: 26.25 inches (50th%)
Head circumference: still 70th%

At her checkup she got 3 shots and this time she handled them like a champ. No screaming; a few cries but was over it within minutes.

She's rapidly outgrowing her 3-6 month clothing and her size 2 diapers. I don't know why the jump to the next size clothing is hitting me harder, but seeing little 9s on the inside of the onesies makes me realize just how quickly time is passing. Even faster with the second kid!

Potty successes

We'll be going to the Academy of Sciences this weekend, as Cameron's reward for using the potty and successfully getting 10 stickers!

I made him a potty chart and added one of his favorite characters, Lightening McQueen, at the bottom. That, coupled with the motivational Thomas stickers I picked up on a whim at Old Navy last Christmas, gave me hope that he'd be excited to fill up the chart and get his special reward of going somewhere fun, his pick.

We still have to prompt him to visit the potty, but hopefully soon he'll start listening to his body and telling us when it's time to go. Hopefully!

Teething already?!

Yep, at not even 6 months, Norah has her bottom two front teeth coming in. I didn't expect it so soon, but there they are. I tried to get a picture, but she didn't cooperate.

We tried a little bit of rice cereal, but she wasn't really a fan.

Testing the waters

Norah's 6-month checkup is approaching, and I was very curious to find out if she would share her brother's allergy to dairy. I wanted to be able to discuss options at the checkup if in fact she did react similarly, so this weekend we gave her some formula.

NO hives, NO redness, NO reaction! I'm elated!!!

**happy dance**

Housing woes, part III

The contractors are finally done, and after a few "open houses," we now have new renters!

We got the lease signed, the check for August rent plus security deposit, and turned over the keys.

I'm so relieved! Hopefully this is the end of the housing woes for quite some time!

5 months

Preschool bound

Cameron attended preschool for the first time today. I cried a little bit after dropping him off, but it was a good cry. It makes my heart happy that he didn't cry at all and was comfortable enough to let us go with a goodbye and a promise to see him later. My big boy!

Housing woes, part II

So the June 1 date has come and gone. The contractors still aren't quite done, and our renter isn't in yet. But that's okay; she said she can wait until July, as her current lease runs out at the end of June.

Or so we thought. I decided to call her today to check in and assure her that everything would in fact be ready by July 1. And I learned that she had gotten scared that things wouldn't in fact be done on time, and she'd gone and found another place. She was sorry she hadn't returned my calls before, and she'd been meaning to call me, really. Uh huh.

Crap. Back to square one.

4 months

Recent stats:

Weight: 13 lb 14 oz (70th%)
Height: 24.5 inches (50th%)
Head circumference: don't remember measurement, but remains 70th%

Did you notice? My baby has a mohawk. :)

Pumping gas

It's never too early to teach your kid how to pump his own gas for the car, right?

3 months

Happy Mother's Day!

We headed out to meet with the extended family today. It's so wonderful to see my kids (plural!? still kinda amazes me) interacting with all the relatives. 

I love my family, both little and big. I'm a lucky girl!

Smiles and frowns

She's all smiles these days...

unless Sophie is around.

I thought all babies loved Sophie!?

Her own crib

This past weekend we moved the crib out of Cameron's room and into Norah's room now that Cairo no longer needs the room for his recovery. (He is up and about, had the pins removed last week on April 10th...seems to be doing well though he does still limp around. Cameron still insists that he has a cast, but it's really just his shaved area where the fur hasn't grown back completely.)

So far we've had 3 successful naps in the crib! I rock her a bit (swaddled) and put her down drowsy; she's doing remarkably well at putting herself to sleep, which I'm grateful for.

Nighttime sleep is going well too. She will now consistently give us a 6-hour stretch at the beginning of the night (usually starts between 8-9pm), and then it's back to 3-4 hours. Last night we even got 8 hours out of her thanks to a few replacements of the pacifier in the mouth!