New update on Reagan

We went for allergy testing on Thursday and guess what? She has allergies! I'm the most ecstatic mom in the world to find out her child has allergies..because at last I know why my poor child has been sick for the last six months.

She was tested for 40 allergens and reacted to almost every one except the foods (thank goodness!). Her allergist says that she is probably allergic to much more but at the moment he wasn't going to continue testing her because she is so young, she will probably develop more allergies the older she gets, and for now, the fact that she has allergies, is enough for him, so he can begin to treat them.

Currently our treatment plan includes two medications for her allergies, an additional one if she becomes sick, one medication for her asthma, an additional one if she gets worse with that and treating her environment.

At the moment, we are working on a plan to keep the cats. We are planning on buying gates to contain them to the non-carpeted area of the house. We are getting our ducts cleaned (tomorrow), carpet cleaning, major dusting and we have gotten rid of all our commercial cleaners (almost all) and have switched to dye and frangrance free detergent and fabric softeners. We can't have candles; I can't wear perfume or scented deoderant and we can't use nice smelly lotions, shampoos, soaps and conditioners--everything has to be hypoallergenic.

We're in the process of purchasing a steammop so we can clean without chemicals, a hepa air cleaner for her room and some 'healthy' cleaning products--like electrostatic mitts for dusting instead of using Pledge; and baking soda and vinegar instead of Clorox and Windex.

We're also working on making her room a safe haven for any episodes..a 'clean' room for her to go to when she has an attack. This includes encasing everything from dust mites and even keeping the majority of her books contained in tupperware containers--as ink is a major source of allergies for most people and it also attracts A LOT of dust! Who knew??!

It's a process that is taking some time, but we're working towards making our home a little better for Reagan to breathe and live in. Any suggestions related to making our home more of a safe place for her are welcome!

Some new news....

Yesterday I took Reagan to a new doctor. He's an allergist, an immunologist and a former pediatrician. To make a very long story short, he diagnosed her with mild asthma and believes that she does have allergies and it is not an immune problem. This from reviewing her test results from her pediatrician.

She also has an ear infection (which she either didn't have or her pediatrician didn't catch on Tuesday). So our game plan for now is as follows:

Continue with albuterol and pulmocort breathing treatments 2xs daily. (He doubled her intake of pulmocort).
Take azrithromycin for 5 days to clear up the infection.
Take allegra twice a day.
Take singulair once a day.
Take tylenol and advil as needed for the pain while the infection lasts.

In two weeks we will go back to Dr. T (as I'll refer to him, her regular pediatrician is Dr. D) for allergy testing. Four days prior to the testing, I am to remove her from the allegra and singulair so that it will not skew the results.

The allergy tests this time will be skin/scratch tests. Once we receive those results, we will move forward with working on her environment/treatment or if the tests are negative we will move forward with continued immune testing.

Today she is already so much better just after a little of the allergy medicine and the antibiotic.

We also are going to wait on the CT scan and x-rays and immune blood work at this time. We still have a follow-up/well baby check up in a couple of weeks with Dr. D.

On other news, Josh and I have decided to forgo adoption at this point in our lives. I'm working to get healthier and we plan to meet with my doctor to get her opinions on another pregnancy and making sure that I will be well monitored if we go that route (I'm assuming this will be a high-risk pregnancy).

So that's it on the home front for now. Please continue to pray for Reagan. Love to all!

More on Reagan...

Well last night was absolutely awful. She didn't go back down to sleep until 3 a.m. and woke up at 7 a.m. I spent the majority of the night yelling at her and this morning she woke up with a slight fever. So not only am I completely stressed out at this point, I feel like the world's worst mother and that I should be lined up in front of a firing squad and shot.

In addition to the CT scan, her doctor also wants some x-rays of her tissues in her neck..not sure if I mentioned that earlier. At this point, I have decided to veto the CT scan (temporarily) in favor of having a specialist see her. We have an appointment at 1:30 today with an allergist/immunologist, who is going to evaluate her and possibly run some tests.

HOWEVER, and here is the kicker, because she's on antihistimines and other medications, they CANNOT do allergy testing because it can give a false negative. Interesting...because when we did the allergy testing a month or so back, she was on the same medicine....AND we got a negative. I'm guessing it was a false negative.

So perhaps all of the last two months of agony and sickness could have been avoided. I'm really hoping we get some answers soon. Reagan is coughing so much that she has red spots around her eyes from the strain and her nose is a continual river. I just want my baby to feel better. Please keep praying for her.

New Reagan update

At our doctor appointment yesterday, her pediatrician decided he wants to have a CT scan done on her sinuses, as well as some x-rays on her neck tissues. We also decided against putting her on anymore medication--oral steriods and antibiotics included.

Opps...she just woke up..will continue later

Just a quick note...

Well, I think the stomach flu has finally made it's rounds and we're all recooperating, Josh included. Luckily it seemed to be only about a 12 hour bug, although Mommy seemed to have gotten the worst of it! (Oh well!) We're still dealing with bouts of naseau and of course, weakness and soreness..but we'll get back to normal eventually!

Josh and Reagan are taking naps while I attempt to do the massive mound of laundry..I swear almost every towel in the house was dirty along with most of the blankets, sheets and a good pile of clothing! And I think we've gone through every glass too!

My mother in law and father in law were sweet enough to go pick up some groceries for us to help get us through the next few days...let's hear it for Ginger Ale and Saltines! WOOHOO!

I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!

And the Circle of Life continues....

Many, many years ago an event happened. I will not go into all of the details. It is sufficient to say: we were young, stupid and a little out of control. The important part of the story (at least in relation to this particular story I'm about to tell you) is that I threw up in my best friend Stacy's bra (among other places, such as my car, the steps to our apartment, etc, etc, etc).

This morning I woke up to Reagan throwing up and, well, explosive diahrea (poor, poor kid). This evening, the throwing up continued...and, much to my chagrin, the circle of life also continued and she threw up in MY bra.

There is nothing quite like having warm, sticky, smelly bodily fluids, along with chunks of partially digested banana, cascading over your skin. It's quite enough to make you want to thrust everything from you and run at breakneck speed into your shower.

However, being a mom, I held my baby close and told her it was going to be ok...while she puked down my bra a second time. Now, if that isn't true love...what is?

Wow! It's Wednesday already! (and a yummy recipe!)

Good morning everyone! I can't believe it's already Wednesday...is it just me or do the days seem to pass super-fast (yes, that is a Little Einsteins' reference!) as soon as the weather gets nice? I'm sure there has to be a scientific theory on this!

Reagan had a doctor's appointment yesterday--it was going to be a well-baby check-up, but instead was a sick visit. Allergy testing came back negative and so we continue on with immune definiciency testing. Her doctor has been keeping up on this and her last numbers were low. Yesterday she received a booster vaccine and in six weeks, we'll do more blood testing and see how her immune system is doing then.

On the up side, her doctor really believes she doesn't have an immune deficiency problem, it's more likely an anatomical problem and when she turns two, we'll go in for an ENT evaluation--and perhaps tubes and surgery to drill small holes in the bottom of her sinus cavaties.

Also, this has been a really bad year for being sick, but even still, he said she shouldn't be sick THIS much. So please keep Reagan in your prayers. Josh and I really optimistic that it's just a problem with her sinuses---we both have allergies and I have super enlarged tonsils.

Reagan is supposed to be taking a nap at the moment, but I can hear her giggling and squealing in her room! So I'm off to go get her up and maybe shoot some hoops in her new basketball set!

Later today (or maybe tomorrow) we're going to be making this:

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

This recipe is courtesy of Taste of Home.

**I'll probably be baking this as a loaf instead of muffins..let you know how it goes!**

It's been a few days!

Well the fam has been sick (myself included) so I haven't blogged in a few days. I'm really hoping this is the last of the winter colds. I really really really am tired of Reagan being sick, and us being sick too!

News on the homefront:

Reagan has nearly scratched the lower part of her back completely off and we think it's because her diapers are irritating her. So we've decided to move forward with cloth diapering. I've been doing tons of research and a friend even sewed a diaper for Reagan and is sending it to us to try it out. Once we figure out which diaper works best for my little water-loving monster (she goes to the bathroom A LOT!) we'll be able to buy several and stock up. And hopefully (since they're quite expensive to begin with) use them for child #2.

Now, please don't think I'm starting to become a hippie-loving, save mother earth, eat granola and don't shave-mother or anything--I truly could care less about global warming or cooling (because HELLO! the earth is on it's own natural cycle!) and I think Al Gore is perhaps one of the biggest idiots I've ever had the privelege of listening to (I'm very depressed that he happens to be a Southerner!). I just want to do what's best for my daughter.

This disclaimer has to be put out there because I picked up an issue (to my deep sorrow) of "Mothering Magazine" which is about the most liberal, anti-formula, anti-discipline, anti-EVERYTHING, organic, holier than thou magazine I have ever read in my life.

Just so everyone knows, if you can breastfeed, please do. BUT do not tell me I'm the world's worst mother because I had to feed her formula. And don't tell me she's going to become a sloth because she gets a cheeseburger every once in a while and doesn't eat organic plums. And don't expect me to change my whole life just because you think that using disposable diapers is illegal and ruining the world.

I could go on and on, but needless to say, Mothering Magazine is about the complete opposite from most of my views....in fact they even have an article entitled "How to be an Authentic Parent"....join with me in rolling my eyes here!

Ok, rant over.....just as soon as I go make my donation to the Heritage Foundation, along with my apologizies for funding the far left movement with my above mentioned purchase.
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As for adoption, we're slowly moving forward. Our application is almost completed..however I do need some information from both sets of grandparents and a current family picture. I really hope we can get the form submitted this week and get our intake interview done and then schedule our homestudy. I'd like to be on the waiting list by the end of this month!

Other news: Josh is plugging ahead with his masters program and doing quite well. We're having a new fence put in and some fun playtoys for Reagan.

I think that above covers it for today!

Oh, I did want to do a quick menu for monday...even though I'm not posting it to the main link!

Tonight: Chicken pot pie and green bean/carrot blend, low sugar millionaire pie for dessert (loaded with good stuff..fruit, nuts!)
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Soup and sandwhiches
Thursday: Salmon patties and vegetables
Friday: Casserole with ground beef and veggies
Saturday: Roast
Sunday: Out to eat after Church? or BBQ sandwhiches

Show & Tell Friday and tons of other fun stuff!

[If you want to skip all of this and just get to the show and tell, it's below I promise, but for those of you who are interested....] Somehow I managed not to post every day this week as I had initially intended. In my defense however, it has been a really long and hectic week. Reagan is sick again. We're not sure if she has yet another ear infection or if she has some massive teeth coming in. We keep asking her if she's 'owee' in her ear or her mouth and she points to her mouth, but I'm not positive she understands what 'owee' means just yet. So, today will probably yield yet another doctor's office visit. I swear, that man could retire in the south of France just off what he makes from our family.

On other news, Josh and I have decided NOT to move. Yes, after all the packing and craziness that has ensued in this house for the past month, we are NOT moving. This decision was based on the fact that the market has been so s--l---o-----o-----o---w and Josh's company is really affected by that since they cater to the new home market and also, to the home improvement market. Additionally, Josh is desparately trying to finish up his MBA and we do want to adopt soon--all of which costs a ton of money. So, we're doing some home improvement projects to the house, unpacking what was packed, cleaning, sprucing up and making better use of space so that we can be here for another 3 years.

Reagan will also be getting a new 'big girl's room'! I'm really excited about this--we're moving her to the now junk, um, er I mean, guest room and we'll set up her current nursery as a nursery for a potential little brother. I think her new room is going to be green and pink, which is similiar but a little more grown up, than her current nursery of green and raspberry. Our son's room will be cowboy themed, based around Josh's cowboy blanket from his little boy days! Promise to post pics when it's all done---who knows when that will be!?

And finally, I'd like to announce that my best friend, Stacy, has moved her blog to Blogger! Visit her by clicking here at Insanity Happens! Great name, isn't it? She is the mom of 4, yes, I said 4, God bless her soul, kids, and wife to a wonderful guy named Stephen who, I'm proud to say, serves us and his country as a soldier in the US Army. They are about to move to Italy for the next several years, which means that, at some point, I too, will be visiting! Stace has been my best friend for let's see....17 years now?? Was that how long ago 6th grade was? Hold on, let me pick myself up off the floor. Gosh, I really am getting old.
Anyway, please visit her blog. You'll read all sorts of wonderful stuff about her life and dealing with her crazy, but beautiful and smart, kids! She also has some great insight into being a good Christian woman and the life that God intends us to lead. One day I'll tell you guys all about Stace and what an incredible best friend she is...she's actually more sister than best friend and she knows everything about me and still loves me! She usually backs me up on hare-brained schemes and holds my hand when life gets too tough. Stay tuned for that..I promise you'll get some great laughs!

I'm also hoping to talk her into co-hosting a Thursday meme with me! Stay tuned for that..more to come NEXT THURSDAY!!!

And now.....(drumroll please..........) Show and Tell Friday!

*Show & Tell Friday is hosted by Kelli. Visit her site to see more great show and tell items!

Below is my wire rooster--I actually collect roosters. It's a small collection but I have four and I love each one of them. The one below was a gift from my mother in law for Christmas one year (as Josh says, when we got gifts, because now they all go to Reagan! LOL! He's not serious..we still get presents!). I had actually spent the entire year looking for a wire pig because I had seen one in a decorating magazine filled with green apples and I just *had* to have one. I never found that stupid wire pig (until later I did find one at JoAnns but I was completely disenchanted at that point). However, my mother in law found my rooster at an antique's store and picked it up for me! I love the way he's rusty and made with chicken wire and he appeals to me in such a wonderful, southern way! Thanks so much for looking! (And Hootin Annie if you're out there, I do visit your blog..I can just never figure out how to post a dang comment!)

Update on Reagan

Today I took Reagan to her umpteenth doctor's appointment this year (already!). She now has a sinus infection and is on Albuterol, Pulmicort, Prednisolon, some kind of nasal spray and a very agressive antibiotic that I can't recall the name of at the moment. Joy! Dr. "D" (as I'll call him) has also decided we should run allergy tests on Reagan. So, as soon as she's feeling up to snuff (exactly where that expression came from I have NO idea), she'll be having bloodwork done.

If the bloodwork turns up something, then he'll do a scratch skin allergy test when she's a few months older. The reason for waiting a few months is because allergy tests are really inconclusive at this age and the closer to two we are, the more accurate they will be.

A sidenote: Many babies that have reflux are susceptible to allergies and the same with eczema...Reagan has had both reflux and eczema. And preemies are more susceptiable to everything it appears. So please keep Reagan in your thoughts and prayers.

She's a tough cookie though...I swear, no matter how sick or how badly she's feeling, she always has the biggest grin and a ready laugh for you. I love my baby!

Being sick sucks.....

Why is it when men or children are sick, moms do everything for them? Fresh sheets, comforting kisses and hugs, homemade chicken soup, hot tea, fluffing pillows, tucking warm blankets......and yet when Mom gets sick....no one seems to care? All I want is a little comforting and instead I hear "ewwwwwwwwwwww...you're sick, get away from me!" ....ugh...where is the compassion, people, the love??

When I'm sick, all I want is to be a kid again and have my Granny tuck cool, clean sheets around me, bring me tomato soup and grilled cheese and apple juice and feel her cool, almost papery-soft hand checking my forehead for a temperature.

Can you tell I'm feeling miserable today? I'm a hacking, drooling, runny-nosed mess. In fact, my nose feels like I tried to rub it off....actually, I HAVE tried to rub it off. Ah, to be nose-free.

What's even worse is Reagan is sick...she's been sick since before Christmas and it will not go away. More importantly than me, I just want Reagan to feel better. I feel so bad when she looks up at me with red-rimmed eyes and a stuffy nose and to hear her hacking away with a cough in her chest just makes me cringe. She's not at that age yet where she believes a kiss from Mommy can make it all better...and I really wish that's all it would take.

So tomorrow, off to the doctor we go. Again. I'm really beginning to think I should just move in right next door to Reagan's pediatrician....it would make things a lot simpler, for us at least ;)

Well, I'm off to go hack-cough-slurp-blow my way through the rest of the Super Bowl...Go GIANTS!...and tomorrow I'm going to talk about just how crappy the commercials where this year..what is up with that??

SHE WALKED!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! She walked!!! Her inspiration: the cell phone of all things..the kid is going to be a talker..what am I saying? She already is!! I told Josh she would be 13 months before she walked..and did I call it or what? She's 13 months tomorrow! I'm so proud of her!! Video to be posted later! (You'll probably hear me screaming in the background!) I also promise an update on the sickies--Reagan and Pritsha!

**UPDATE**

Ok, so I didn't get the best video ever, so I'll try to refilm and post tomorrow! However, here is the update on Reagan. Today yielded another trip to the doctor's office after Reagan woke up like this:

I completely freaked out, thinking that she had a reaction to her medication or had Fifth's Disease (parvovirus, no not like dogs and cats get), which is one of the problems she had when she was born. Long story short, the nurse believed it to be an eczema flare up, but after speaking with my wonderful friends on Fertility Friend, I actually think it was simply a normal reaction to the medication (she's on two steroids, an antibiotic and another medication for coughing). Steroids can apparently make you very hot and cause you to get extremely red. Go figure. When I was on steroids, I just yelled at my then boyfriend and pushed my best friend into a grocery cart (thank you Stacy for not beating the crap out of me and understanding I was merely in a drug induced stupor!---oh and for the rest of you out there I do not routinely take steroids...it happened to be a treatment for headaches....don't ask, I don't know...)

At any rate, her ear infection is getting a little better and we're still working on the sore throat and broncholitis. *Sigh* This poor baby!

As for Pritsha, the little freak keeps ripping her stitches out with her teeth. Ugh...what am I going to do with that cat? Isn't this what we pay the vet for?? Perhaps I should have just given her a scalpel and let HER do the procedure too! Besides that, she completely scared me by jumping around the house yesterday, hissing at the air and sulking away. Yes, very disturbing.

Josh, the ever so practical guy that he is, figured out she was actually hissing because she was angry at herself because she kept jumping around and hurting her leg again (rolling my eyes here). HELLO..she just had surgery and she decides that she's fine and dandy enough to jump up and down off of couches and beds. Sadly, I'm afraid, although she is the prettiest cat I've ever seen, she isn't quite the brightest. Royalty doesn't have to be you know!

By the way, here is a picture of her incision:

Nice hair cut, huh?

And while I'm just a picture posting fiend today, here is another for good measure!

Don't you just love how babies sleep with their little butts in the air??