Hello, cousin!

Strawberry faced mummy boy

Last week I took Baby Chuck to the allergist to get retested.  Because he's still so small, they were only able to do a portion of the testing.  After they stuck a bunch of needles into his back, we found out that he's allergic to even more food items.  Now we're eliminating wheat, soy, nuts, and fish from our diet.  We're also sticking with nursing because our previous attempt at formula resulted in swollen eyelids and lips.

Despite our radical diet change, Chuck's skin is a lot worse.  He's still red and itchy.  We've even had to bandage his legs to prevent him from tearing at his own skin.  I'm hoping that he's just reacting to the allergy shots and that things will calm down with time. 

Hubby keeps reminding me that even though it doesn't feel like it, we're getting closer to understanding (and hopefully fixing) the problem.  We just have to stay strong and be persistent.

If only hugs and kisses could solve all of life's problems...  
 

Take a bite

Lately Baby Chuck has been sticking everything in his mouth.  It doesn't matter if it's my shirt or his hand or hubby's watch, somehow he has to lick and suck everything.  I wonder if he's teething?

Virtual Valentine

We're wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's day!

Sicky Poo

Everybody is sick over in this neck of the woods.  We're coughing and sneezing.  Our eyes and noses are running like faucets.  And, I think our internal thermometers are off because one minute I feel like I'm overdressed and the next minute I feel like I need to wrap myself in a warm blanket.   Fortunately (for me), Baby Chuck and I caught the bug first and then we passed it along to hubby.  (Sorry!)  We're slowly getting better and now it's hit hubby full force.  He's taking it all in good stride, though.   Just this morning he commented, "I like being sick because I feel skinnier.  Must be because I'm dehydrated."

Stay healthy!

PS- It doesn't seem like anyone wanted my Tim Gunn book, so I shall give it to a friend here.

Similarities?

I'll let you decide.

Eat this... not this...

Goodbye, pizza!

Hubby and I were rather surprised when we got Baby Chuck's allergy test results back.  We initially guessed that he was allergic to milk and possibly eggs. However, we were both wrong.  It turns out that Chuck is not allergic to those two foods. He is, however, allergic to (at least) four things:  peanuts, wheat, soy, and *gasp* dog dander.  Of the four items, he's highly allergic to peanuts and moderately allergic to the rest of the list.  I'd like to continue breastfeeding him and after asking the initial question, "Well, what can we eat?" I realized... oh wait.... we can still eat quite a bit.  (Oh cheese, how I've missed you.) 

Armed with this new information, we've formed a new plan of attack.  We're going to (1) modify our diet, (2) set up some new rules and boundaries for Charlie, and (3) meet up with an allergist for more information.  I'm excited to try out the new changes and am really hoping that Chuck's eczema will improve.  

Test results

Baby Chuck's eczema is flaring up again.  Today we visited the dermatologist's office and then took Chuck to a nearby lab to get his blood drawn.

Note:  This was the first attempt.  His veins were soo tiny that we had to visit another lab to get the blood drawn.

He was a trooper and the lab techs were great.  We're hoping the test will reveal the cause of his eczema.  Is he allergic to milk?  Eggs?  Soy?  Wheat?  Dust?  Pollen?  Dog dander?  (Any guesses?  Hubby guesses eggs and chickpeas.  I'm guessing eggs and milk.  Charlie hopes it's not dog dander.)  Until we find out the results, we'll keep using the meds, giving him bleach baths (strange... but it's doctor's orders!) and moisturizing.  (Now, if only I could just rest him in a large tub of moisturizer.  But alas, even Sam's Club doesn't sell containers that large.)

Date night with an ipod

I heard about this new free app called Camera Art FX.  It lets you apply different artistic filters to photos taken on your favorite iProduct.  Hubby, Chuck, and I enjoyed playing around with it during our last date night:

New skill

Is the post office looking for a new stamp-licker?  We have someone here who is willing to work for a bottle of milk...or some hugs.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year! Hubby, Chuck, and I celebrated last night by eating dumplings and drinking a fake-pho (faux-pho?) that hubby made.  I really wanted Baby Chuck to wear something Chinesey, but didn't have time to do any shopping.  (Plus, I was feeling cheap.)  So, I made this hat (modeled after this one) out of some materials that I had lying around the house:  a paper plate, used ribbon, construction paper, and some Christmas tinfoil.  

Hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family.    

Sadly, they're baaa-aack

After a couple of days of clear skin, I woke up yesterday and saw tiny red spots all over Baby Chuck's head and around his nose and mouth.  There's also some funny yellow crusting around his nose.  Rats!  The doctor told us to keep putting the cream on his face and to schedule another appointment if things don't clear up within a week.  Luckily, our little man still seems to be in a good mood...  

I'm mum's little trooper

which is somewhat surprising given that he also vomited several times yesterday and once this morning.  (Thank goodness for waterproof mattress protectors.)  So, we've been doing a LOT of laundry around here.

Don't worry mum, I'll take care of these.

Hubby and I are trying our best to keep our spirits up.  Hopefully the doctors can help us figure out what's wrong...

Have a great weekend.  Be sure to stay healthy and warm.

These good moments

(Left):  Two weeks ago                     (Right):  Three days ago

I can't stop kissing and hugging Baby Chuck.
I can't stop stroking his cheek and tiny hands.
And I can't stop delighting in his smiles and coos.

I'm so thankful that he's feeling better.

And even though we're not out of the woods yet, I'm going to try my best to enjoy these good moments.

His many faces

Thanks for all your good wishes and prayers.  Baby Chuck seems to slowly be on the mend.  Hubby and I are taking him to the doctor again today, so we'll see what she says.  We're feeling cautiously optimistic and enjoying his improved mood and many cute expressions.

I can't stand it.  He's just so darn kissable. 

Bye auntie

I loved seeing my sister holding Baby Norris.  

She'll make a great mom someday.    

Sick baby

Lately Baby Chuck hasn't been feeling well.  He's been crying a lot and not sleeping at night.  Today we took him to the doctor's office.  Tomorrow we're visiting the dermatologist for his eczema.  Hopefully he'll start feeling better soon...

I'm thankful that my sister is coming tomorrow to help out.

Bye nanna and grandpa

Dear nanna and grandpa,

Mom told me that you left today.  Why did you have to go?  I miss you.  When will you come back and see me?  I can't wait till this summer.  Then I can visit you and meet cousin Manny and pet some kangaroos.  I'm going to pet at least five.  Mom says that I'm going to be a really big boy then.  You might not recognize me.  I'll be the one in daddy's arms.     

Love,
Baby Chuck

Lotions and potions

Things are finally slowly settling down here.  Baby Chuck is getting less fussy during the daytime and he's sloooooowly adjusting to nighttime sleeping.   (Hooray!)  We hit a low point last week when he woke up every half an hour, but this week we're bouncing back to two- or three- hour stints.  Thank goodness, because the bags under my eyes were developing bags of their own.   

We think that Baby Chuck's eczema is one of the reasons behind his moodiness and sleeplessness.  He's constantly scratching the red, weepy, angry-looking patches that appear all over.  Poor boy.  Right now we're working on uncovering the irritants that cause the spots and we're also trying to ease the itchiness by dousing his body with lotion.

Thanks to Nanna, our lotion collection has exploded.  I think Baby Chuck now has enough products to open an online store.

Chuck-  "Eczema, you're no match for my army of lotions!"

Tummy Times Comic -6

Happy New Year!

To see previous comics, click here

When sharks attack

babies get eaten.

To see this hand knitted outfit and others, click here