Grandma Rosie

We sure had fun with Grandma while she was here. We spent a lot of time in the pool. We got to the beach a few times too. With Nicholas it is easier to go in the evening so he doesn't have to have sunscreen on and we don't have to lug the cabana around looking for a good spot. Grandma got Nicholas two trucks, very cute, that make noise and move he loves to play with them. We love you and miss you Grandma...come again soon!

Daddy and me

Mama and Daddy took me to the beach on Saturday night. It was so fun. They let me play in the waves and get all wet. See me walking......I am getting better everyday.
You know there are a lot of things in the water at the beach. That white foamy stuff seems to try to get you every so often. And the sand is everywhere. It is fun to play with the waves...I step in them and they go away and then come back for more!
Oh my, did I see a fish?

Swim, swim, swim

Grandma is here and Nicholas is having so much fun. We are busy swimming and playing with the new trucks she got Nicholas! His latest crazy is holding on to the 'noodle' and having Daddy float him around the pool. It is nice to be out and enjoying the HOT weather....90's yesterday!

Life's a Beach

On Saturday Nicholas was 10 months old. My what a big boy. He is somewhere between 19.5 and 20 ish pounds and around 31 inches long. He is wearing 18 month clothes and on the move constantly. Matt calls him speed racer when he crawls. He likes to move the wooden stools and chairs on the tile, play with flashlighs (only the heavy metal metallic one) and hide under rugs. He has also been caught with his hand in Mr. G's water bowl. Matt and I joke that maybe he will eat dog food....instead of people food. What a kid.
On Sunday I celebrated my first Mother's Day. My mom sent me flowers......beautiful yellow, pink, blue, and white bouquet. I got cards from my sister and Grandma. I woke up to Matt and Nicholas bringing me toast and OJ. They gave me cards, a CD, and a Willow Tree statue. The Willow Tree collectables all have names to describe the feelings and/or emotions they are portraying. I got one almost 5 years ago of a girl/angel kneeling with wings. (Angel of Prayer)Since then I always look at them. My mom got me a pregnant mom statue (Cherish) and Rosemary (Mom-in-law) got us the Family statues (New Life) when we had Nicholas. Matt and Nicholas got me a mom holding her son. It is called Tenderness. It was so sweet...I got a little teary-eyed. I started thinking about how quickly time is passing and one day Nicholas won't be so little for me to hold, in my arms, off the ground. It was a perfect first Mother's Day. After church we went to the beach. Nicholas LOVED the sand and waves. I guess we have a real beach bum on our hands. He was really fun to watch.

Link to JCPenney pics

Customer Name (SarahValentine)
https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTP54701077001JCP

Happy, Happy Boy

I took this picture while I was checking email. He is just playing around tossing things on the floor and waiting for me to pick them up and give them back! Yesterday we were at the grocery store and he was giggling and playing. The lady behind us said, " Well you are a happy baby." Yes, yes he is!

Flashlights and rugs

"Hey mom, where did you put all my toys?"

He's got the flashlight in one hand and lifting the rug with the other. He is a nonstop kid.
We had a great visit with the GI consultant today. She basically said that as long as he stays on the 25% curve we have nothing to worry about. He simply is not ready for food. She said the only way to force a baby to eat is with tubes and we really don't want to go there. If he dips below the 25% then something is wrong. We are going back in 4 weeks for a weight check. She told me that the RAST test shows sensitivity, but not necessarily an allergy. I am still going to give up the dairy, soy, peanuts, beef, and eggs to see if that makes a difference. I can't give up corn, it is everywhere. She mentioned that if he does have an allergy to corn we are in BIG trouble, great. She also thinks that he will most likely outgrow these 'sensitivities' and be 'unallergic' as he gets older. She gave me a list of hypoallergenic formulas just in case, but she doubts he will take them because they taste nasty. "He probably isn't ready for solids...just sit him at the table and let him squish and squeeze food him his hand and one day he will eat. "
She was pleased with his growth...."He is using all of his calories to grow longer!" Her one concern was with his iron intake and thought we should have it checked again at 1 year. They checked it at 9mos and it was in the normal range. I feel better and am SO glad that I had enough sense to look into things further and not follow the recommendation of supplementing with (dairy) formula and force feeding him.
I also had good news once I got home......the new pediatrician agreed to take us! Thank you God. I will get him in for a 'well visit' in the next two weeks to talk about all of this. It was a good day.

"But sorry Peanut Butter, I didn't put your toys under the rug. I love YOU!"

My BIGGEST fear

Look at that sweet face. Every since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I was worried that one day my children would have it or some other food allergy. God has a plan, I am a just a wee person blessed with the overwhelming job of being Nicholas' mom. I am stepping up to the plate and I will do whatever it takes to protect his well-being, both physical and emotional. So here it goes........
The Dr's office called with the results of the RAST (allergy test) Nicholas is allergic to:
Cow's milk (all dairy and dairy derivatives)
Corn
Peanuts (ironic since I call him Peanut Butter)
Soybeans
Beef
and to make it a nice round number of 6
Whole eggs (both yolk and whites)
I will to continue breastfeeding so I must also avoid ALL of the mentioned foods, in whatever form they are found in food. This is just an allergy, he is totally healthy and happy. I am not sure how long it will take my body to be flushed of all of the 'toxins' so it might be a rough couple of days or even weeks, but nothing worse than how things are now. I will continue to comfort him at night and when I am exhausted I will remind myself that Nicholas probably has a tummy ache and doesn't understand. I hope that once all this is cleared out of my body he will sleep better and be willing to 'try' some food. I wanted to mention that the allergies don't include wheat or gluten. Ironic (again) that the food I can't eat he can and what he can't have I can. Perhaps by me avoiding the wheat has protected him against that allergy. We may never know!
Tomorrow we go to the GI Consultant. I am not sure what else he/she will want to do, if anything. But my bases will be covered and I am seeking a new pediatrician. Keep Nicholas and me in your prayers. I will need SO much will power to stay away from all the food. I will update after the Dr apt tomorrow for those keeping up with me.........