A visit to the allergist

At Porter's doctor's visit last Friday for his fever, his pediatrician referred us to an Allergist/Pulmonologist and an ENT for a second opinion on his bronchiolitis and chronic congestion. We were very blessed to be able to get the first appointment this morning with the allergist. He was AWESOME. One of the best, most thorough doctors I have ever seen. Specialists rock. Basically, he took a VERY detailed account of what our little noonie has been through in reference to his nose and lungs since he was born. He thinks Porter has an issue with chronic sinusitis, which has the same symptoms as a cold, but is an infection in his sinuses (he has probably had this three times since birth). We have to watch the color of his mucus (awesome) very carefully, and if it is tinted, even white, for 10 days or more he suggested that he go directly onto antibiotics. Also, he took thorough notes about our home and life and our family history. He didn't think allergies were contibuting to the constant nasal congestion, but with our history he wanted to do a few tests just to be sure. He had 13 skin scratch tests on his back for a number of allergens to see if he had reactions to them. He tested for the most common things for a baby his age to be allergic to (soy, egg, milk, wheat, 2 kinds of dustmites, cockroaches...disgusting, 4 kinds of mold, cat and dog). I was wigging out when they told me they were going to poke him 15 times (two to measure by), but it ended up being WAY easier than I anticipated. They take a little plastic thingy with a rough end and just rub it on your skin. The sweet nurse showed me how it felt and it wasn't painful at all. That calmed my fears a lot, and I didn't even leave the room like I threatened to. Porter didn't seem to mind at all, but by the 13th rub he was thinking "get this woman off my back, mom." The hardest part was that we couldn't touch his back for 15 minutes, when they came back to read the results. Here he is being a trooper with Daddy. Psycho Mommy with the camera, of course.

The damage. This was before any of the reactions started popping up.

Naturally, we let him do his favorite thing ever and eat the paper on the table while we waited. Whoever came up with te paper-on-the-table idea is a genius and I love them. As does Porter. High-quality entertainment.

So, when they read the results, he unfortunately did have 3 reactions out of the 13. The worst one was for egg, which he is getting through my breastmilk. Basically he said that if he got a reaction to the airborne allergens then it is correct, but the food may or may not be correct. Doesn't it seem strange that me eating egg can make my baby more congested? Weird, but true! So what I have to do is eliminate egg from my diet for 7 days, then back on for three, out for 7, back on for 3, then the same thing one more time. I will journal his nasal symptoms and then we will be able to determine whether he is indeed allergic to egg. Fun, fun! He said I can wait until after Thanksgiving...yesssss. :)

To my MAJOR dismay, the other two reactions were cat and dog. Sad, sad, sad!!! I asked the doctor if this means we have to get rid of our sweet kitty, and he said yes. I just about started crying right there in the office, but I held back the tears until a) I called my mom. (that will always get me going) and b) I walked through the door and was greeted by our sweet Mila. I am SOOOOOO SAD!!!! Obvioulsy, Porter's health is the most important thing to us, so she will go, but I am NOT happy about it! So, if anyone knows someone loving who may want our sweet little girl, please let me know. I would love if it was someone I know so that we can have visitation and call to check on her. Also, Porter may grow out of the allergy, so if in five years he is all better, I will be asking for her back. There will also be a strict interview process beforehand. Okay, I know I'm being dramatic (and not serious), but I LOVE HER!

We also aren't going to be able to stay at my parent's house for Thanksgiving this week because of their little (okay, huge) kitties, so thanks, Krissy, for letting us crash in your pet-free home.

Isn't it amazing how many little things can go on with a healthy baby?! We are looking forward to our visit with the ENT on Friday, December 5th to get more detailed information on his trachiomalacia.

What a day.

Jealous?

These pictures make me laugh. Just some of the joys of parenthood!

Some things we've been up to

Sitting in his big boy booster seat. We tried to eat real food for a few days again and have decided against it, once again. He loves it so much, but it makes him cranky! So...we wait! He is such a little loverboy!

Sitting up all by himself! He's got the little tripod sit down pat, but don't leave him alone, he'll topple before too long! Is my baby really sitting?!

Being naughty in the bathtub. He tries to instantly roll over once he gets in there, but we don't let him until he's all clean and we drain the water (and he doesn't like waiting!). Doesn't he look like he knows he's being naughty?

Sticking his tongue out! He is quite obsessed with this lately, and it is SO cute! He's also saying "la la la" a lot. Oh, and drooling enough to compete with Niagra Falls.

My favorite 8 minutes of today

I sat in the rocking chair tonight to put Porter to sleep and as I started to nurse him his eyes immediately closed. He was sooooo tired after a long, sniffly day. He finished eating, and his eyes popped open, which is unusual because he is usually lights out by then. He has discovered his tongue lately, and it is THE CUTEST thing ever when he sticks it out waaaay far and plays with it. He looked up at me and started playing with his tongue and we gazed into each other's eyes. He would stick his tongue out at me, and then I sould stick mine out at him. He would smile, and that obviously would make me smile. We concentrated on each other's faces for eight whole minutes (I just happened to glance at the clock), smiling and sticking our tongues out and in, out and in. It was pure bliss. Then he turned and nursed himself back to sleep.

I read a poem on my friend Veronica's blog tonight and I loved it, especially the end. (click to read the whole thing)

'The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep'

sick again

Our sweet baby is sick again. I called the doctor Friday morning because he has been congested since right before Halloween. It seemed to be getting a little worse instead of better and lasting forever, so I called in and they had me bring him to the office that morning to check things out. After a LONG visit, 2 breathing treatments, a chest x-ray, and a stressed out Mommy, he was diagnosed with RSV with wheezing which then led to bronchiolitis (click for more info). His spirits are up, and he is pretty much normal during the day, just extra-snotty. No fever and his ears and throat look great, so that's a blessing. His nights are pretty tough, though. He gets extra-congested while he is sleeping, so I have to suction his nose and use saline drops several times a night just so he can breathe. It is especially difficult to feed him at night. (No, he's not sleeping through the night yet!)

His pediatrician said that this could go on for weeks, which I can't stand the thought of! Hopefully he will be able to kick it sooner rather than later and be able to breathe freely again! She also has him on a 5-day trial of allergy medicine to see if allergies are making the situation worse. After a day and a half on that, I don't think it's helping, but we'll see.

I can't wait to put the nose sucker away! It is such a necessary little evil (and is quite addicting, I admit!) and he has grown to loathe it. I feel horrible every time I have to wipe his little nose or sit down to do yet another breathing treatment. Please keep Porter in your prayers so that his little lungs will be healthy again soon!

My favorite day of the month

The 10th is my favorite day of each month! Porter turned 5 months old yesterday. Just as last month, I can't believe how fast the time is flying. Our little man is growing so fast, sometimes it seems like when he wakes up from his nap he has grown another inch! He continues to be such a joy in our life, and we are so grateful to be his parents! He is full of smiles, especially for daddy and for new people! He is rolling like crazy, and can push himself WAY up on his arms so that his chest is completely off the floor! He is so strong, and he still loves to stand up! He is practicing sitting, and will probably have that mastered before too long. He has also developed a very distict cry/yell when he is MAD. It's pretty funny! He has such a little personality!
How could anyone not love that sweet face and infectious smile?!

To celebrate his month birthday, he tried avocado for the first time! After much time researching what might be the best first food for our little one (after the rice cereal issues), we decided avocado was they way to go! He LOOOOVED it! You seriously couldn't get it to his mouth fast enough! He is a great little eater! He also tried a sippy cup with water for the first time today and did a great job! He is a natural! I made homemade sweet potatoes for him tonight and we will probably try that tomorrow. Yay, food! He has been waiting...not so patiently...for Mommy to get back on the food bandwagon. He gets mad when he sees me eat and I don't give him any! Little moose!

We also celebrated by taking Porter to the zoo for the first time! Unfortunately, we only got there an hour before it closed, so we were mad-dashing around to see as many animals as we could!
Here he is in the car on the way. An all-American boy. (Well, half South-African, too!) Does he not look like my brother in this picture?!

We rode the train while we were there and he LOVED it!
This is a picture of him sitting with Aunt Suz on the train, checking out the sights.


We have loved every second of the last five months!!!
Sweet noonie, WE COULDN'T LOVE YOU MORE!!!

This is why I'm happy

4th and 4th

I was *sort of* tagged by my friend Melissa! I've never actually done a tag that I was supposed to, but I thought this one was super cute and clever! Plus, when I looked to see what mine would be I could NOT resist! What you do is go into your pictures on your computer, go to your 4th folder and find the 4th picture, then post it! Anyone recognize this CUTE baby?! ...











It's RUSSELL!!! I went to Orlando to visit Kendra where she lived right after Russie was born and I took pictures of him like I was the paparzzi! He was SOOO cute! (And still is!) I just thought this was too ironic not to post...from my most dedicated blogging friend!

So, obviously I tag Kendra :) and also....Jessica, Lindsay, Andrea, Alisa, Devon (even though I didn't do yours...sorry!) well...how about everyone :)

Election Day

Porter and I went out this morning to fulfil our civic duty and VOTE! I love election day! It makes me feel very patriotic and very proud to live in this wonderful country! Since this election will be a historic one no matter what the outcome, I was excited for Porter to be as much a part of it as he could be. He went to the polls with me this morning (Daddy went this afternoon) and he helped Mommy vote! He wasn't being ALL that wonderful while we were there, so I just said he wanted his voice to be heard! He even got his very own "I voted" sticker.
Here we are waiting in line!

Doesn't he look like a little senator in this picture?

Making his voice heard! He's very good at that!

I am so grateful to live in such a wonderful place where we can live and dream and worship as we please. I'm grateful for the opportunity to vote for the person that I think will make the best president for our country, among other important issues. I sincerely hope that whoever is elected will do all he can to make the necessary changes in our great country to improve the circumstances not only for us, but for Porter and our future chilren, our grandchildren and so on.