He is checking facebook and catching up on email!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Happy 4th Anniversary to us!
Yesterday at 130 pm I realized that we really should do something fun for our 4th anniversary which was today. Fast forward to 5 pm when Mike got home from work. I had planned a mini "staycation", booked a babysitter for Keira, packed overnight stuff for the 4 of us, and emailed Mikes boss to ask if he could use a vacation day. ( Not a small fete when you consider that a) it had to cost less than $100 for everything, b) It was supposed to be rainy c) our willing babysitters live in Ghettoport I mean Newport NH and d) it had to be baby friendly). I surprised him when he came home and saw the bags packed and by the door and found out that he wasn't going to work today. A HUGE thanks for my brother and sister in law who not only let us crash at their house last night but also babysat Keira for us ALL DAY, and provided dinner and homemade donuts as well. THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!!!!!!!!
We started the day by heading to Quechee Gorge to see the sights and go for a mini hike. From there we headed to Woodstock to visit SugarBush farm and taste some fresh aged and smoked cheeses and VT made maple syrup. From there we headed to the King Arthur ( the flour company) store, bakery and visitor center. Lastly we stopped in Hanover NH got some delicious bacon and Swiss burgers and had a picnic on the "Green" at Dartmouth College. ( In that french fry pic Israel is attacking the fries and ended up stucking one in his mouth and choking on it. The weather ended up being great- a bit cool but not rainy!! We came home with some maple syrup and cheese of course. Always great to explore around New England with Hubby!
SugarBush Farm
Got to love VT!!! We were driving along and suddenly the paved road became gravel and we drove further and further into nowhere!
After visiting the Gorge we headed to SugarBush Farm in Woodstock. They make their own maple syrup and they also make cheese. Beautiful views and lots of yummy free samples of maple syrup and really really sharp aged cheddar cheese. So good!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
Great news from the Allergist
Keira's IgE test came back at 13. < 100 is normal? < 50 means you are even less likely to have allergies. Julie... correct me if I am wrong here!
All the tree nuts and peanuts came back at undetectable levels. Dr said that nothing is ever totally accurate when it comes to peanuts and there could still be weird / odd reactions. Especially since she had a positive skin test a year ago and she has had reactions in the past. So next step is an oral challenge of peanut butter. Which is where we will feed her peanut butter in the allergist's office and see what happens. Doc said we could do this any time but Israel has to go back in 6 months for an asthma follow up and since its an hour away we will just do it all in one day in the fall. Doc said we DO NOT need to be a nut free household but said she still would not give Keira anything with nuts in it or peanut butter. For now until she passes the oral challenge we still should carry the epi -pen with us everywhere as well.
All the tree nuts and peanuts came back at undetectable levels. Dr said that nothing is ever totally accurate when it comes to peanuts and there could still be weird / odd reactions. Especially since she had a positive skin test a year ago and she has had reactions in the past. So next step is an oral challenge of peanut butter. Which is where we will feed her peanut butter in the allergist's office and see what happens. Doc said we could do this any time but Israel has to go back in 6 months for an asthma follow up and since its an hour away we will just do it all in one day in the fall. Doc said we DO NOT need to be a nut free household but said she still would not give Keira anything with nuts in it or peanut butter. For now until she passes the oral challenge we still should carry the epi -pen with us everywhere as well.
The story of Vitamin D
My brother and I have long been obsessed with Vitamin D. Living where we live in the Northeast where the sun isn't always out or even is rarely out in the winter its to be expected that Vit D levels would be a bit low here. I have always been a person that loves the sun. I don't need to be 90 degrees everyday but I do wish the sun would shine everyday. The sun makes me happy. I honestly do get crabby in the winter when its cloudy for days on end. I find it depressing. I have long suspected that I have a touch of SAD ( Seasonal Affective Disorder). A cure would be simple. Just move somewhere sunny ( but a certain individual whom I promised to spend the rest of my life with won't budge)... but that's a whole different story so back to the Vit d story :o) More and more research is coming out that suggests that people that live in the Northeast have higher cancer rates. More and more research is coming out that Vit D is the next miracle vitamin that helps with everything from disease prevention to calcium absorption. So naturally I would like my levels to be decent. Especially since for the past 4 years I have either been pregnant or nursing and sharing my calcium and Vit D with these adorable little nuggets with which we live. About 3 years ago after Keira was born I had my Vit D levels check for the first time and I was in the low 20's. Vit D levels should be at least 50 but closer to 80 is optimal. Not the greatest levels. I increased my supplementation of Vit D and re tested 6 weeks later and I was up to 38. Still low but better. I try to spend as much time in the sun as I can. Never really wearing sun screen unless we are outside all day. Vit D is not really in many foods and even though its added to some foods like milk its still not a decent amount. Even the FDA is behind in their Vit d research and still I believe recommends 400 IU a day for kids and 800 a day for adults.
Last March while pregnant with Israel my level was 17. Fast forward to a few weeks ago my level was < than 10. Yes ridiculously low. I have been taking for the past 6 months around 20,000 IU's 5 days a week and my level is still that low. Its barely May in NH and I already have tan lines so yes I spend time in the sun. Keira's level just taken a few days ago was 73!!!!! She gets about 4,000 IU's 3 days a week. The only major difference between me and Keira besides the fact that I am nursing and taking much larger doses than her is that she spends alot of time in the sun shirtless... or in just her undies.
So short of spending time outside in a Bikini of which I do not own whats a person to do? I now am taking 25,000 a day from 3 different Vit D supplements. Maybe someone can talk my husband into moving to CA for the sake of my health???? :o)
Last March while pregnant with Israel my level was 17. Fast forward to a few weeks ago my level was < than 10. Yes ridiculously low. I have been taking for the past 6 months around 20,000 IU's 5 days a week and my level is still that low. Its barely May in NH and I already have tan lines so yes I spend time in the sun. Keira's level just taken a few days ago was 73!!!!! She gets about 4,000 IU's 3 days a week. The only major difference between me and Keira besides the fact that I am nursing and taking much larger doses than her is that she spends alot of time in the sun shirtless... or in just her undies.
So short of spending time outside in a Bikini of which I do not own whats a person to do? I now am taking 25,000 a day from 3 different Vit D supplements. Maybe someone can talk my husband into moving to CA for the sake of my health???? :o)
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Allergy update
Yesterday we made our once or twice yearly trip to the Respiratory and Allergy MD in Boston for Keira and now Israel as well. Keira has done fairly well asthma wise over the past year. She takes an inhaled Steroid twice a day Sept-April and has a second inhaler for wheezing on an as needed basis. Same plan for next year. Allergy wise she had her blood drawn for the peanut allergy and we are awaiting the results. They also tested her for all tree nuts ( since she has never had them) and for strawberries since lately she gets a contact dermatitis around her mouth from strawberries. The Dr said the results should give us an idea of her likely hood of outgrowing the peanut allergy or not. So we wait...
Israel has wheezed though his last 3 colds and was diagnosed with reactive airway disease at 4 months old so although they don't really diagnose asthma technically till around age 5 he shows signs that he most likely has it as well. So he will be on the same plan as Keira for the winter. Inhaled steroids and albuterol on an as needed basis. The allergy doc wanted me to start solids even though his Pediatrician said it was fine to wait. Personally I don't think he is ready and I wanted to wait for teeth, a pincer grasp, and a decrease in spit up. He still spits up 50+ times a day. This afternoon at lunch he was fussing and fussing and trying to grab my fork so I let him suck on my piece of watermelon. He made lots of awful faces but kept going back for more so I let him chew on it for a few mins. About 5 min later he vomited all over me three times in a span of about 1 min. Case in point. Trust your instincts. The kid isn't ready.
Below are a few pics from the past few days. Both kids love being outside getting dirty so we spend alot of time in our backyard.
Israel has wheezed though his last 3 colds and was diagnosed with reactive airway disease at 4 months old so although they don't really diagnose asthma technically till around age 5 he shows signs that he most likely has it as well. So he will be on the same plan as Keira for the winter. Inhaled steroids and albuterol on an as needed basis. The allergy doc wanted me to start solids even though his Pediatrician said it was fine to wait. Personally I don't think he is ready and I wanted to wait for teeth, a pincer grasp, and a decrease in spit up. He still spits up 50+ times a day. This afternoon at lunch he was fussing and fussing and trying to grab my fork so I let him suck on my piece of watermelon. He made lots of awful faces but kept going back for more so I let him chew on it for a few mins. About 5 min later he vomited all over me three times in a span of about 1 min. Case in point. Trust your instincts. The kid isn't ready.
Below are a few pics from the past few days. Both kids love being outside getting dirty so we spend alot of time in our backyard.
Enily, Israel, and Ileana
Monday, May 03, 2010
Congrats to Kateri!
Congrats to my niece and God daughter Kateri on her first communion! She looked beautiful!!!! After the Mass we headed to my brother's house for food food and more food. It was super hot so the kids all stripped down to their undies/ diapers and hang out in the pool.
Crowning of Mary/ Marian procession
Her bag of flowers she picked from our flower beds to place around the statue of Mary.
We brought Keira to her first ever Crowning of Mary and Marian procession. We began at our parish, rosaries in hand. The kids all brought flowers for Mary and got to put them around the statue. Then we processed to another nearby parish singing Marian songs and saying the rosary and ended with a short prayer service. A great way to begin the month of May.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
darn forgetful brain
Congratulations to my God-Daughter Kateri on her First Communion. We had a great time celebrating with her today. But, of course, I forgot my camera; so no pics until I can get some from her mother or other guests.
Here are some random pics of my 2 chubbers.
Here are some random pics of my 2 chubbers.
Saturday, May 01, 2010
2 months
Our house has been on the market for 2 months. We have had 3 showings, 2 open houses ( an additional 3 showings) and 0 offers. We have lowered the price 3 times. The tax credit has expired. Its not looking good. Sell house sell!
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