Potty Time

Today marks the first day Ian used his potty chair. He followed me into the bathroom and started messing around with his chair. Dan and I quickly undressed him and set him on the seat and he peed in the potty. Yay! Of course we're not expecting miracles right now but we can be hopeful :)

2 Week Trial

Ian's doctor agreed that he is most likely having a food allergy. An allergy test at his age may still show a false negative, therefore we are doing a 2 week Milk-Free (and berry free) diet. The list of things he cannot eat during this trial is extensive. Last night we headed to Fred Meyer to get items like milk and whey-free pancake mix, soy yogurt, soy milk, veggie dogs, dairy free cheese, etc. $100 later Ian has food for just himself for the next 2 weeks. His rash is almost completely gone this morning. There is no redness and just some faint bumps on his cheeks. Dan made Ian his new pancakes for breakfast this morning and he gobbled those down along with some chocolate rice milk and a banana. After 2 weeks, if the rash is clear, we will re-introduce a small amount of milk. If he does not have a breakout over the next day or two then he does not have a milk allergy. Then, we will re-introduce berries and look for similar results. If none of these things are causing his outbreaks, we will be looking at other causes (detergent, pet allergy, etc). So here's hoping we get it under control!

Milk Allergy?

Ian has sensitive skin like I do. The past couple months (maybe longer?) he's had an eczema rash on both of his cheeks. I've used a special Aveeno eczema cream to soothe it and sometimes it fades a bit but never goes away completely. I started noticing foods he was eating within a couple hours of his rash getting worse. It has come down to milk and milk products (yogurt, etc). When he would have yogurt or milk, within an hour or two his rash would become very red. The last time he had milk was on Monday at breakfast, and today, his rash is almost gone. It's actually the best I have seen it ever. He has also been less irritable AND since he's been without milk, he's been sleeping through the night. Is all of this just a coincidence? We have had HORRIBLE nights for the longest time with Ian waking up 2 or 3 times a night. I chalked it up to teething (even though he hasn't been teething every single day for months) but now I am wondering if it was due to dairy. He normally would have his last glass of milk around 6:30 or 7pm and then brush his teeth and head to bed at 9pm. Since we've removed dairy he has slept through the night beginning with Monday night. I put a call into his doc's office to ask if he should get an allergy test or if I should experiment with cow's milk alternatives (soy). Waiting now for the return call.

Update - Dr.'s office just called. They want Ian to come in tomorrow. The nurse agrees that he may have a milk allergy, especially with the behavior changes. She thinks Dr. Lee will want to do an allergy test or at least talk about changes in his diet. Will update this post with more info tomorrow afternoon.

Score

Dan and I decided we needed another play yard (one for upstairs, one for downstairs) and yesterday I found a great deal on Craigslist. I actually wasn't even really looking for anything, just cruising the ads and I came across a $90 yard, barely used, with bassinet, changing table, mobile (pooh & friends), and a padded mat for $35. I had to pause. $35!?!!? Who was this lady? My craigslist research showed people listing yards circa 1990ish (with dirt, stains, etc) and still wanting an average of $50. PLUS most of the other yards listed had pictures that were taken outside. I am always cautious of those. Who takes a pic of indoor baby gear outside in the dirt? I mean, just HOW TRASHED is your house? Well not this Winnie the Pooh Graco yard - pic was inside, floor was clean, walls were tastefully painted, decor was primo. I called Lady and said "My husband will be home in less than 10 minutes, I'm coming to get your play yard!" - I was lucky, the ad had only been listed for less than 2 hours when I found it (and I am not scouring these listings everyday or anything). Hence, I am proud of my find. And until baby Darby is born and gets the most use out of, Ian will be renting the space for time out. :)

Photo Withdrawals

I need a camera. Plain and simple. I keep looking at this broken piece of junk and wish that it would work!!! What do you even do with a broken camera? I can't bring myself to toss it in the trash, it just doesn't seem right to throw away something that used to cost soooo much. (and with everyone going green, it's the new trend, would it be fair to the landfills?). But I don't need it sitting around my house, laughing at me, taunting me, yet I want it gone, NOW.

I have my eye on a few models I'd like to have, and of course, realistically, there's probably only 2 I'd be willing to spend any money on. I am thrifty. I like the best deal for the least amount of money. I am telepathically begging my husband to let us buy a camera this month, even if it is a cheaper version of my now non working point and shoot POS still taking up residence on a shelf in my house.

Yuck Day

Today is a bad day for me. I do not want to go into detail but being hormonal magnifies the blues a million times. That being said, my beautiful adoring son did the most adorable thing today. He picked up my cell phone and began opening and closing it repeatedly while chewing on the antenna. Normally, this is when I confiscate the celly but today, I just don't have the energy. I am glad I didn't rush over to take it from him because a few minutes ago, I watched him open the phone, put it to his ear and say "Noooooo" .pause. "Nooooooooo" and hang up. It was the way he said Nooooooo - not with the normal disciplinary tone you may expect him to copy from his parents but it sounded more like if I had said "Ian, would you like some cookies?" and he would rightfully respond (haha) with a non chalant "Nooooo" (as in no big deal, shrug it off, nah). I love that little man.

Birthday Bliss

First I want to thank all the well wishers for the kind comments on myspace and for the emails and cards you sent. I appreciate it!! Today is my 26th birthday. I always thought of my 20s as the "practice stage" - that no matter what happens, I can redeem myself in my 30s. I believe that when I turn 30, I will magically become a grown up - therefore if I don't have it all together by then I'm in trouble! lol. I've also said that by the time I am 30 I will be D-O-N-E having children.

Last Friday, my sister and my mom treated me to dinner and Sex & The City. It was fantastic. We haven't done a day with just the three of us in such a long time. Saturday morning, Dan took me shopping for some much needed clothing! And later that night, Steve and Janie joined us for dinner at The Melting Pot downtown. Oh my was I in heaven. There is nothing like a chunk of rich brownie dipped in warm dark chocolate. Mmmmm. Little E-man spent the evening with his great grandparents. Yesterday was a lazy day with a craving of Baskin Robbins Chocolate Milkshake (at 9:30pm).

Today, Ian and I enjoyed my annual Birthday Breakfast together and as of press time, he is sleeping soundly upstairs. I am debating following suit. I did tell Danny that under no circumstances was I going to do ANY housework today, as a bday present to myself but I do not see that bday wish materializing. The living room is strewn with books, baby shoes, toys, and bits of fruit loops. Hmmm clean or nap.....