The list continues

Even with daily baths, serious moisturizing, and 2 prescription ointments, Asher has continued to have flare-ups with his skin - bad patches of eczema that he finds and scratches sometimes until bleeding. The pediatric dermatologist recommended we visit the allergist. We already see a great allergist for Cadie so we introduced Dr. Phil to Asher. There are a lot of things about allergies that I don't understand but this is the basics of what we learned from Dr. Phil:

• Asher's reaction to milk and soy is one type of allergic response where the digestive system is so irritated that it starts bleeding.
• The other type of allergic reaction is the response that we usually think of for allergies: hives, rashes, swelling, itchy mouth/throat, or congestion. This type of response can be tested for with a scratch test or a blood test. Asher's eczema could be an allergic response.

We had Asher's blood drawn and got the results back last week. Asher's blood tests show that he is allergic to... drum roll... milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and dogs. This poor kid. It is likely that he will outgrow many of these but in the meantime we have some adjustments to make. I've been on a "allergen-free" diet for a week and I'm not sure if it has made a difference yet. We will continue the experiment. 

Despite all of his discomfort, he is still a really happy boy and LOVES solid food. So far, any mushed up mess will do. 

Feed me! (Just not anything with milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts or tree nuts)

Cadie speak

I sit in an observation room with a monitor while Cadie meets with her speech therapist. Occasionally I wish I had an intercom so that I could do some yelling, I mean discipline. But this week I had a few reasons to chuckle. Overheard on the spy cam:
"At our house we have different rules, no smoking and no making messes!"
"My baby brother likes to hide his neck."

Easter

I've started this post a few times but can't seem to find the time to finish it so here are the pictures (most important) for the grandparents.

Miss Cadie in her Easter dress:

Decorating eggs didn't happen until Easter day but it happened.

Unfortunately, this is how little dude spent the day, sick again.

 My monster awesome eggs including a flying purple people eater.

Cadie's angel monster egg.

Asher sits!