Andrea's Allergy Test

We took Andrea to Dr. Z., the allergist, today.

Basically, we filled in a bunch of forms and gave him her whole allergy/asthma history: the reaction in Montana, her hospitalizations, problems with colds, infant eczema, getting and giving up the kitten, etc.

Then he had the nurses do the "scratch test" on her back. She was NOT happy! Thank goodness Rod was with us. He held her in his arms with her leaning against his chest, while they did the test on her back. We saw right away that a couple of things were really reactive.

Here's the results:

• CATS was the strongest reaction (so that's definitely verified).
• PEANUTS also had a strong reaction; remember, her blood test for that 10 months ago had been negative? But he said there is a 25% chance of false negatives with that blood test. So, we are going to do the blood test again AND avoid peanut/peanut products for the time being.
• EGGS also had a reaction. We were surprised by that one. We've fed her eggs before--not too often, and not a great amount--and we didn't notice anything. Thus, he said, she can have eggs and egg products, but to keep a close eye on her after it for any rash, wheezing, runny nose, etc. and let him know what happens.

So, here's what we're doing:

• No pets (furry ones, at least). So, we did do the right thing in giving Egg Roll away. [By the way, I have heard he is settling in well with my cousin Beth and her other cat.]
• He's sure Andrea has asthma, so she will take a Flovent inhaler daily at bedtime, to keep her lungs strong.
• He also gave us a prescription for epi-pens (one for home and one for daycare), just in case she has a severe reaction to anything.
• Like I said before, we're going to re-do the allergy blood test for peanuts, and see if the result is positive this time. The scratch test was very clearly positive--we saw it puffed up right away.
• We'll see Dr. Z. again, at the end of October, to see how things are going.

Poor Andrea was miserable throughout the appointment. First of all, the appointment cut her nap time short by an hour; then, she screamed when Dr. Z. tried to look in her nose and mouth; and of course, although the scratch test isn't really painful, it isn't pleasant, either! So, I cheered her up on the way home: a container full of multi-coloured mini marshmallows cures all ills. :))

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Also of note: both the nurses and Dr. Z. took one look at Kevin and estimated him to be 3 months old! [I think it's the hair.] :))

A Visit to the Park

The weather was beautiful yesterday evening--sunny and mid 70s, with a nice breeze. I was itching to get out of the house, so we decided to try out our double stroller, and take the kids for a walk to the park.

Andrea liked the ride. Kevin was a bit upset about being strapped in, until we started moving. Then he was busy checking out the world, and enjoying the motion.

When we got to the park, I took Kevin out for a bit, but as the sun started to go down, it got a bit chilly. So, I bundled him back into the stroller. He was pretty content to sit there and suck on his fingers.Meanwhile, Daddy and "Andrea the Fearless" were riding on the swings. Sometimes she sits on his lap and they go on the big swing together, and Daddy goes pretty high. But, Andrea isn't nervous at all; in fact, when she's on the toddler swings, she specifically requests "underdoggies!" Daddy runs right under her swing, and lets her go! She loves it, but Mommy can't help but flinch a bit!

When Kevin got tired of sucking on his hand, and wanted something more substantial, it was time to head home. :))

Andrea's Jokes

These ones she came up with all by herself . . .

Andrea: "Knock knock, Mama, knock knock!"

Me: "Who's there?"

Andrea: "Andrea!"

Me: "Andrea who?"

Andrea: "Andrea POOED!"

***

Andrea: "Knock knock!"

Me: "Who's there?"

Andrea: "Mama!"

Me: "Mama who?"

Andrea: "Mama POOED!"

***

I hear she got this one from Daddy . . .

We're laying in bed, trying to have a nap together. Andrea grabs Dora, bends her in half, and sniffs her butt! Then she says, "Pfffffffffffttttttt . . . Dora farted! Dora's stinky!" and laughs like crazy.

***

She definitely takes after her father in terms of the potty-humour. :))

Grandma Marty's Visit

Grandma Marty came back from Montana for the past 5 days, and spent some more time with us. It was the only way she'd get to meet Kevin before he's a year old!

Although we had some fun, poor Grandma Marty was thrust into the position of "head nurse and bottle washer," as Mommy, Andrea, and Kevin, all developed a rotten cold this weekend. Of course, Grandma Marty relished her role, and took command of the household with ease. Mommy and Daddy were truly grateful for her loving help, but we did feel kind of bad that she spent most of her visit indoors--cooking, cleaning, and caring for the invalids! Sure enough, today, when Grandma Marty had to leave, we all finally started to feel a bit better. Life's like that.

However, we still captured some special moments, and had a lot of laughs, during our 5 days together. :))

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In honour of Grandma Marty's visit, I put Kevin in his "Mommy's Little Cowboy" outfit Rod's aunt bought for him, since she knew my mom lives in Montana. Grandma Marty loved it!

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Grandma brought Andrea a cute little jean dress outfit. Andrea wanted to try it on right away; she also had to pose with her favourite baby, Dora.

***
On Saturday, Aunt Claire had a Hawaiian party for the Market family at her house. Grandma Marty was allowed to "crash" it, because she was staying with us. (I guess it also helps, for those of you who might not know this, that my mom and Aunt Claire are sisters--it's Aunt Claire's family that Rod and I are connected through--which I have no time to explain again right now. )

So, Grandma went all out and brought Hawaiian leis for all of us, and outfits for me and the kids.

Andrea wasn't feeling too well that day--she was the first one to get the cold. Here she is in her Hawaiian outfit, looking none too happy. But at least her whole day wasn't like this!

Here's Mommy enjoying her first real party (with alcohol!) in ages. Great-Grandma is enjoying time with Kevin. (Like my hair? Grandma Marty did it!)

There was no shortage of willing cuddlers for Kevin to snuggle up with.

Grandma Marty and Aunt Claire with their bird-friends.

Now, what is Kevin thinking, as he is sandwiched in between these two ladies, who have battled for years over the title of "WEIRDEST"?

The bib says it all . . .

***

As we were feeling under the weather (and the weather was rainy and cold the last 2 days of Grandma's stay), she had lots of quiet bonding time at home, with the babies.

One day, she managed to get Andrea outside for a wagon ride. I guess when she was in the wagon, Andrea told Grandma to stop a few times, and pointed to some "flowers" and said, "Flower--Mama," so my mom picked them and gave them to Andrea, who placed them in the wagon. When they got home, Andrea scooped them all up, and brought me a "bouquet" crying, "Here, Mama--flowers!" It was all her own idea. How sweet!

Grandma Marty also became well acquainted with "Dora"--she knew all the songs by the time she left! However, she did get a kick out of how Andrea always dances to the "We Did It" ending.

Grandma and Kevin had some memorable conversations.

She and the kids had lots of silly time, too.

We can't see her as often as we'd like, and we know she feels the same. Grandma Marty loves her grandbabies!

Tickles!

The other day, I decided to streamline my diapering process, as both the babies needed a changing. So, I brought all my diapering items out, and lined them (and the children) up on the living room floor.

Andrea was laying next to Kevin, and Kevin was happily flailing his arms around as little ones do. As he did this, his hands would swat Andrea--and she thought he was trying to tickle her! Andrea would laugh like crazy every time Kevin's hand brushed her arm, and say, "Tickles!"

Healthy Baby :))

The public health unit nurse stopped by for a visit today. We scheduled this just after I had Kevin. I did the same thing when I had Andrea. It's just nice to get that extra check-up for mom and baby, in the comfort of your own home. The nurses tend to be more relaxed and open to chatting about everything mommy-and-baby related.

Kevin is doing great. He has had a growth spurt this week (the normal 2-3 week spurt). The nurse weighed and measured him--he's now 9 lbs., 12 ozs. and 22.5 inches long! I knew he had to have grown, because he's fitting into bigger outfits, and he's been eating like crazy the past few days--almost 4 ozs. every 3 hours!

Daddy and I went out for lunch today, so I dressed Kevin up in one of his new outfits. It's still a bit big on him, but talk about CUTE.

He looks like a little gangsta rapper in his sideways ball cap and baggy shorts, doesn't he? :))

What does Andrea think of Kevin?

Not too much has changed in the way Andrea relates to Kevin. I know it's only been a few weeks, but still, I'm surprised she hasn't shown more interest in him. It's odd; it's not like she has any animosity towards him, or even jealousy. She just acts like he's not even here!


The only time I see her acknowledge him is if he's using something that interests her. For example, she will come and try to push the baby swing when he's in it. Or, she will lay a blanket or one of her dolls with him in his bassinet. It seems to me she does this not so much as to play with him, but as if to say, This is my stuff, too. It's kind of weird.


When people ask her questions about her baby brother, she ignores them. She has only started to answer our questions about him, like, "What colour is Kevin's shirt?" But that's about it. She is starting to blow him a kiss goodnight, but we have to ask her to do it.


Once in a while she will surprise me. Like yesterday, I had Kevin laying on his play mat, and she wanted to play with it too, so I said, "Do you want to lay down with Kevin?" She nodded her head, and then stretched out next to him. Then, she reached over and gave him a little pat on the belly; and she got up and walked away. So, I don't know--did she just do it to please mommy, or was she actually showing some affection to her baby brother? Maybe a bit of both?

Anyhow, I'm hoping she'll start bonding with him a bit more as she gets a little older, and he gets a little more interesting to play with.


Here's a typical scene of what Andrea-and-Kevin interaction is like. She'll play near him, but not really pay him any attention. I guess I should be happy that they're not fighting yet! :))
Notice Dora in the baby swing? Dora also goes in the car seat, the bassinet, the bouncy chair . . . but she knows the deal: only when Kevin's not using them!

SO TRUE!

(Thanks to Mark and Sara for the adorable--and appropriate--outfit!)

First Thoughts on Having TWO

This morning was one of THOSE mornings . . . I think it was the first time it really hit me what it's going to be like dealing with two little ones now.

Well, it actually started last night. Daddy went out for his usual Wednesday night poker game. He was able to give Andrea her bath, which was a big help; but I had to deal with bedtime all alone.

Ever since we've returned from the hospital, Andrea's bedtime habits have gotten extremely difficult. She will only go to sleep after about 9:30 at night, and she insists on laying down with one of us in OUR bed, until she falls asleep. Then, Rod usually transfers her to her own bed around 11:00 or 12:00; then, she gets up at 3:00 or 4:00 and crawls back into bed with us.

It's more problematic now because when Kevin cries or starts to fuss, and we need to get up with him, we have to tiptoe around and make sure we don't disturb Andrea, when she's sleeping with us. She also is starting to have a habit of turning sideways in her sleep, so I end up with her feet in my face or her head on my feet, or something crazy like that!

So, last night, I had to put her in our bed--which means lifting her, because our bed is tall--definitely not good when recovering from a c-section! Then, she wanted to talk and play for a while in bed, but I just wanted to sleep! Then, she wanted Daddy, and I had to explain that he was gone out. Finally, she turned sideways, but her feet on my chest, and went to sleep. I must add, though, there were a few cute moments when she rolled over and started to rub my arm and my back, and murmur, "Nigh-night, Mama." :))

This morning, she got up when I was feeding Kevin, and wanted something to eat--specifically, yogurt. But she wanted to watch "Dora" and eat yogurt. So, I was feeding her yogurt with one hand, and feeding Kevin his formula with the other, which is no easy feat!

Then, it was time to get Andrea ready for daycare. Kevin was done eating, so I put him in his crib, with a musical toy. He seemed quite happy. I went into Andrea's room to get her clothes, and something told me to peek in at Kevin. What did I see? Vomit, a big pool in the middle of the crib, and poor Kevin laying in it and whining! Yuck! His hair was all full of it, it was all over his face and clothes . . . ew! This was by far the biggest spit-up he has had! I couldn't leave him like that, so I had to drag Rod out of bed to get Andrea ready, while I had to haul out the bathtub and give Kevin a full bath, change his clothes, change his bedding, etc.

I have no idea what I would have done if Rod wasn't there to take over getting Andrea ready! What am I going to do when Rod goes back to work on Monday!?

In general, both my babies are really good, and it will probably not be so bad. It's just these times when everything happens at once, and they both need my immediate care, that I really wish there was a way I could split myself apart and do two or three things at once! But, like several experienced friends/family members have told me, you get through it . . . and know that moms have been doing this, more or less successfully, for thousands of years before you! :))

Kevin's Baby Check-up

Kevin was two weeks old yesterday, and we took him to the family doctor to meet her and have his first check-up with her.

He is very healthy! There were no problems, and he is up to 9.4 pounds (about 9 lbs. 6 ozs.). That's pretty good, considering he was 8 lbs. 8 ozs., when we left the hospital, and they were a bit concerned about his weight loss then. Well, no worries now!

So, we shouldn't have to see the doctor again until it's time for his 2-month immunizations.

Kevin Smiling

Gram G. snapped this picture on Sunday, just as we were leaving their house. She likes to take pictures of the kids next to toys, so you can get a sense of their size, and how they're growing.

This picture came with a pleasant surprise--Kevin just happened to smile as Gram took the picture! It looks like Kevin and Barney are smiling at each other. :))

Kevin Alfred Gagnon

Well, it was an interesting journey . . . :))

He decided to make his move in the early morning hours of July 25--yes, the same day I was scheduled for the c-section. My water broke at midnight, so we were at the hospital by 12:30 a.m. The doctor on call didn't want to step on any toes, so I had to labour through until my doctor arrived for the scheduled c-section time in the morning--7:45 a.m. I got an epidural at about 6:30 a.m., and was a very unhappy person up until that time! Thank goodness, Daddy and Aunt Donna were there to keep me calm.

The c-section went fine. Kevin arrived at 8:06 a.m., and weighed a hefty 9 pounds, 3 ounces! He has tonnes of dark hair, and chubby cheeks! He didn't cry when he arrived, but he did pee all over the doctor (ha-ha!).

Andrea is doing well. She usually just stops by to peek in Kevin's bassinet once in a while, and say, "Baby sleeping," or "Baby crying" (if he makes any noise). Sometimes she will give him one of her dolls or a blanket. She also likes to help hold his bottle.

Kevin is a great baby. He eats and sleeps well, and hardly ever cries.

Okay, now for what you've all really been waiting for . . . lots of pictures! I'd like to caption and explain them all, but there's just so many; so I'll try to at least put them in chronological order, so you get a sense of how our first week together has gone.















And a little video of Kevin doing his thing: http://media.putfile.com/Hi-Kevin