Last week, I took Marino to the allergist to go over his updated labs for food allergies. We had agreed to avoid shellfish and nuts until he was 3 and then do a blood test before giving him those foods, since they are such common allergens (I have a shellfish allergy myself).
Honestly, I was less concerned about nuts than I was about shellfish.
Unfortunately, we found some new allergies.
The most surprising was a moderate allergy (RAST score of .8) to sesame. Marino has been exposed to sesame on a regular basis - he eats hummus several times a week. In doing some research on it, I found that sesame allergy symptoms can be insidious, sometimes manifesting as unexplained eczema or asthma flare ups. Obviously, I am now removing that from his diet and keeping tabs on hidden sesame oil other foods (like the Vietnamese food we love).
The other new allergy is a severe allergy to peanuts (RAST score of 6). While I feel like peanuts are the most well know of allergens, it still gives me another food to worry about. The allergist felt confident he would likely need an epi-pen shot if exposed to peanuts, so we will have to keep a close eye out for them.
Perhaps the most disappointing was that his RAST score for eggs jumped from a 44 to an 84. Now, keep in mind that his allergy to sesame with a RAST score of .8 is a moderate allergy. A RAST score of 84 is astronomical...the measurements stop at 100. The allergist tried to reassure me by saying the testing just captures a moment in time, and his score could be somewhat more or less if we tested another week. But he also said that with a score that high (and increasing rather than decreasing), if he outgrows the egg allergy it won't be in the near future.
This visit coincided with Marino's starting a new preschool next week...one without nurses and with 3 times the number of kids in his class than where we were before. I am definitely concerned.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Boys
The boys and I had a lot more fun the week we were off together. Tuesday, we went to Ocean Dunes Waterpark in Arlington, VA. We all had a lot of fun and there was plenty there for both boys to stay entertained (and for me to stay cool).
Wednesday was a rainy day, so we headed to Port Discovery in Baltimore for the morning. It was sort of crazy there - there were several summer camps visiting and it was a little too crowded for Marino. Quintyn was having the time of his life in the tree house and Marino and I headed to the new section designed for kid's 3 and under. Ahhh...that section is like an oasis of calm!
Wednesday was a rainy day, so we headed to Port Discovery in Baltimore for the morning. It was sort of crazy there - there were several summer camps visiting and it was a little too crowded for Marino. Quintyn was having the time of his life in the tree house and Marino and I headed to the new section designed for kid's 3 and under. Ahhh...that section is like an oasis of calm!
Thursday, was our last day together (Friday morning Marino and I left for the beach; Quintyn left Friday night) so I gathered the boys to take some pictures. Quintyn is the only one who is pleasant for picture taking out of the 3!
Saying goodbye was tough. When we explained to Marino that Quintyn was going to be leaving, he refused to say goodbye or give him a hug and hid in the closet. He definitely seemed to understand the concept, since he told every stranger at the beach "My brother Quintyn went back to Iowa with his own mommy."
We definitely miss him a lot and hope to see him soon!
Friday, August 12, 2011
More Brother Adventures
The second week Quintyn was here I took off of work to hang out with both of the boys. We had a lot of fun and of course it was such a joy to see the boys bond and get to know each other better.
Monday, we went to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. I can't say enough good things about this place (thanks, Jen, for recommending it). The staff were remarkably friendly and helpful. The place is big enough for a toddler to run around without getting in other people's way (I did end up needing to get the stroller ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut of the car, which is a rarity...I wore my step counter and we walked 2.5 miles while we were there. The place is enormous). Oh, and it's free (there is a $15 parking fee per car). And there's a McDonald's inside.
Quintyn absolutely loves military stuff so he was in heaven there (in fact, his aunts took him back at the end of the week so he could see more). I let him use my camera and he took over 100 photos there - he was so excited.
Monday, we went to the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. I can't say enough good things about this place (thanks, Jen, for recommending it). The staff were remarkably friendly and helpful. The place is big enough for a toddler to run around without getting in other people's way (I did end up needing to get the stroller ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut of the car, which is a rarity...I wore my step counter and we walked 2.5 miles while we were there. The place is enormous). Oh, and it's free (there is a $15 parking fee per car). And there's a McDonald's inside.
Quintyn absolutely loves military stuff so he was in heaven there (in fact, his aunts took him back at the end of the week so he could see more). I let him use my camera and he took over 100 photos there - he was so excited.
They had a real space shuttle there - so cool!
Later that evening, we took the boys over to the lake in back of our house to do some fishing. Evan LOVES to fish (he goes almost every day...its nice to have a lake 20 steps from our yard). He bought both boys a fishing pole (Marino's doesn't have a hook...but the turtles were big fans).
They all had a lot of fun attempting to catch fish.
Marino looked at this picture and said "Daddy helps me."
Even cuter than this picture itself is the fact that Quintyn told me to take it:)
5 on Friday
As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:
5. My portable DVD player broke right before our 7 hour car ride to Myrtle Beach last week. Luckily, Marino did a good job of entertaining himself. He has this large Optimus Prime figure he got for his birthday. At one point, he was saying "It's ok, I'll change your diaper." "Mommy, he can't sit down [legs don't bend] so he can't go poo poo in the potty. I have to change his diaper." After changing him, he snuggled Optimus Prime and told him "Shhh...it's ok". In the meantime, he's pressing the button on Optimus' chest and he's announcing "DECEPTACONS! INCOMING!"
4. Marino is all about superheros right now, which he nicknames "supers". One of his favorites is Batman, which he calls "DatMan." I find this hysterical but Evan insists on correcting him. I asked him what Batman's super power was the other day and he responded "he kicks balls."
3. While we were at the beach last week (post to come) he told me "I love palm trees! They have spikes on them!"
2. Spending time with his brother has given Marino a whole new vocabulary of boy-speak. On the car ride home from the beach he was telling me "Oh no, Mommy. There's a ghost...it's like an alien...no, it's like 2 aliens. They're so creepy!!"
1. Yesterday we went to see Marino's allergist. He told the doctor "We're here to talk about my allergies. My allergies are very sad."
5. My portable DVD player broke right before our 7 hour car ride to Myrtle Beach last week. Luckily, Marino did a good job of entertaining himself. He has this large Optimus Prime figure he got for his birthday. At one point, he was saying "It's ok, I'll change your diaper." "Mommy, he can't sit down [legs don't bend] so he can't go poo poo in the potty. I have to change his diaper." After changing him, he snuggled Optimus Prime and told him "Shhh...it's ok". In the meantime, he's pressing the button on Optimus' chest and he's announcing "DECEPTACONS! INCOMING!"
4. Marino is all about superheros right now, which he nicknames "supers". One of his favorites is Batman, which he calls "DatMan." I find this hysterical but Evan insists on correcting him. I asked him what Batman's super power was the other day and he responded "he kicks balls."
3. While we were at the beach last week (post to come) he told me "I love palm trees! They have spikes on them!"
2. Spending time with his brother has given Marino a whole new vocabulary of boy-speak. On the car ride home from the beach he was telling me "Oh no, Mommy. There's a ghost...it's like an alien...no, it's like 2 aliens. They're so creepy!!"
1. Yesterday we went to see Marino's allergist. He told the doctor "We're here to talk about my allergies. My allergies are very sad."
Monday, August 8, 2011
Family Love
The second weekend Quintyn was here, we had lots of quality family time. Saturday, we headed out to Winchester to visit with Gramma Deb and Aunt Chelle and Aunt RiRi, who just got back from a summer internship in India. We went to Wilson's Wild Animal Park in Winchester, which the kids enjoyed. The people there were very nice and the kids enjoyed feeding the animals.
After visiting the animals, we headed back to Gramma Deb's for a cookout. Auntie Jane (Evan's great aunt) came over with her grandkids and all the kids had fun playing together.
After visiting the animals, we headed back to Gramma Deb's for a cookout. Auntie Jane (Evan's great aunt) came over with her grandkids and all the kids had fun playing together.
Family photo
Aunt Chelle, Quintyn, Evan, Marino, Gramma Deb & Aunt RiRi
On Sunday, Evan and the boys headed up to Philadelphia with Richelle and Rianne so they could visit the boy's great grandparents. Evan forgot to get pictures with Mom D, but here's one of Quintyn with Donna and PopPop.
and Quintyn with his great grandfather.
lots of family love this weekend!
Friday, August 5, 2011
5 on Friday
As always, here are 5 special reasons I am loving my boy this week:
5. I overheard Quintyn telling Marino about a dream he had the other night. He was saying "I had the money, I had the girl..." and Marino interrupts with "You had the power?" Where do they get this stuff?!
4. We have a local church that has a very active pro-life group that demonstrates about a mile from our house every day. They have a billboard truck that drives in circles around where we live with enormous pictures of aborted fetuses. As a firm believer in a woman's right to choose, this makes me mad. As a mother, it makes me down right angry. I should not have to explain to my 3 year old what that picture is of. The truck drove by the other day and I said "I don't like that truck." Marino said "I don't like that truck either. It makes me mad!"
3. Marino becomes more dramatic as his vocabulary increases. The other day he woke up with an apparently sore leg. As we walked down the steps he said "Mommy, my leg hurts. Mommy, this is really hard for me. It hurts with every step. I can't do it; it's too hard!"
2. Tuesday, I took the boys to a pool/water park. Marino amazes me with how great he is in the water this year. The week before at North Beach was the first time he willingly put his head in the water. On Tuesday, he was having me count down and jump down under the water with him, having me chase him, etc. So much fun!
1. Marino did a little playdate at his new preschool yesterday (he starts on Aug. 15th). He did ok, although they said he cried a little about 30 minutes after I left (when he realized I wasn't coming back). When I put him to bed last night he kissed me and said "I missed you so much today, Mommy. I even cried. I was so sad." ::heartbreaking::
5. I overheard Quintyn telling Marino about a dream he had the other night. He was saying "I had the money, I had the girl..." and Marino interrupts with "You had the power?" Where do they get this stuff?!
4. We have a local church that has a very active pro-life group that demonstrates about a mile from our house every day. They have a billboard truck that drives in circles around where we live with enormous pictures of aborted fetuses. As a firm believer in a woman's right to choose, this makes me mad. As a mother, it makes me down right angry. I should not have to explain to my 3 year old what that picture is of. The truck drove by the other day and I said "I don't like that truck." Marino said "I don't like that truck either. It makes me mad!"
3. Marino becomes more dramatic as his vocabulary increases. The other day he woke up with an apparently sore leg. As we walked down the steps he said "Mommy, my leg hurts. Mommy, this is really hard for me. It hurts with every step. I can't do it; it's too hard!"
2. Tuesday, I took the boys to a pool/water park. Marino amazes me with how great he is in the water this year. The week before at North Beach was the first time he willingly put his head in the water. On Tuesday, he was having me count down and jump down under the water with him, having me chase him, etc. So much fun!
1. Marino did a little playdate at his new preschool yesterday (he starts on Aug. 15th). He did ok, although they said he cried a little about 30 minutes after I left (when he realized I wasn't coming back). When I put him to bed last night he kissed me and said "I missed you so much today, Mommy. I even cried. I was so sad." ::heartbreaking::
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Brothers
The weekend before last, Marino met his brother, Quintyn for the first time. Quintyn, my stepson, is 11 and lives in Iowa. I was initially concerned that Marino would be confused by the concept of having a brother, or not understand the importance of this family member. Those fears were unfounded. He seemed to intrinsically know that Quintyn was special and to be his best friend.
Evan and his 2 boys.
Quintyn has a baby brother (11 months old) so he has big brother experience. For the most part, he is excellent with Marino, although at times he expects Marino to play on his level instead of vice versa (I heard them playing upstairs the other day and Quintyn saying "No, Marino. You need to come up with your own battle plan!") They definitely can get on each other's nerves, as brothers do, but for the most part, they are as thick as thieves.
On Sunday, we picked up my cousin Samantha and headed to North Beach. It was super hot (about 100 degrees) but that meant the water was warm and the beach wasn't packed. Marino has gotten significantly more brave in the water this year and was willingly dunking his head in the water and "swimming" around. Prior years he would cling to us like a spider monkey but he was "swimming" away from us on this excursion.
We saw some cool stuff on the beach - lots of (dead) crabs (all the better to pick up!) and when we first arrived, a man put in our sand bucket a small minnow he had caught. As an aside, I wanted to mention how amazing being a parent is...it connects you to so many different people...the love we feel for our children is universal. This man didn't speak English, but he knew this fish would make Quintyn and Marino happy, so he silently came over and gave it to them. The boys had lots of fun with it until I had mercy on it and let it go after Marino repeatedly picked the poor thing up.
We had a great time! Lots more brother adventures coming soon!
This picture was taken just a couple hours after Quintyn arrived.
Evan and his 2 boys.
Quintyn has a baby brother (11 months old) so he has big brother experience. For the most part, he is excellent with Marino, although at times he expects Marino to play on his level instead of vice versa (I heard them playing upstairs the other day and Quintyn saying "No, Marino. You need to come up with your own battle plan!") They definitely can get on each other's nerves, as brothers do, but for the most part, they are as thick as thieves.
On Sunday, we picked up my cousin Samantha and headed to North Beach. It was super hot (about 100 degrees) but that meant the water was warm and the beach wasn't packed. Marino has gotten significantly more brave in the water this year and was willingly dunking his head in the water and "swimming" around. Prior years he would cling to us like a spider monkey but he was "swimming" away from us on this excursion.
We saw some cool stuff on the beach - lots of (dead) crabs (all the better to pick up!) and when we first arrived, a man put in our sand bucket a small minnow he had caught. As an aside, I wanted to mention how amazing being a parent is...it connects you to so many different people...the love we feel for our children is universal. This man didn't speak English, but he knew this fish would make Quintyn and Marino happy, so he silently came over and gave it to them. The boys had lots of fun with it until I had mercy on it and let it go after Marino repeatedly picked the poor thing up.
We had a great time! Lots more brother adventures coming soon!
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