Happy Food Allergy Awareness Week! :>)

Many of you know Luke is allergic to peanuts and that he suffers from cronic eczema. Over the last year, we made significant progress identifying additional food allergies that aggravate his eczema because they caused an itchy mild rash. He is moderately allergic to eggs, apples (birch tree), and mildly allergy to soy (that we mostly ignore). I'm fairly certain Luke ate either eggs and/or apples every day. By modifying his diet and finding a new home for our dog we have been able to dramatically change the quality of Luke's life (and mine for that matter).

Working with a dietician and putting Luke on a systematic elimination diet was a turning point for us. The traditional medical community by and large were not helpful...and actually hindered his treatment. One Dr told us our dog wasn't the problem, but Luke has a level 4 dog allergy. Another Dr. tested for an egg allergy, but didn't feel a level 2 allergy was significant to inform us and until I saw a copy of the results (on a fluke) we assumed he was negative for eggs.

Each turn of the key to unlock his allergies has taken painstaking diligence, and I can't imagine having made the progress we've made with his allergies and skin had I not been home full time with Luke and able to cronicle every morsel that went into his mouth. I still think there may be more, but I think we got the biggies.

The picture above is what his legs and arms used to look like. And that was with applying ointments and prescription creams daily. His skin is basically clear now, and his flairs are easily controlled with prescription medications when needed. Thank you, Jesus.

He's still itchy. He'll always have sensitive skin. But, we're no longer chasing the symptoms that were creating an out of control itch cycle. He's a different kid. We're a different family.

Children's Museum in South Bend

A few weeks ago I took the kids to South Bend to visit my parents. Jim had a lot of work to do, so he stayed behind and took advantage of the solitude to get things done. My mom took the kids the childrens' museum in South Bend. The kids had a blast (while I had a massage down the block!). Thanks, MOM!

New entertainment

So today Rebekah struggles her way onto a chair in the dining room. She's just barely big enough to make it onto some grown-ups' chairs.

Then she stands up on the chair on her toes and plays with the dining room light switch.

When I tried to persuade her that this might be a dangerous idea for a one-year-old, guess how that went?

Some Christmas Memories

Cheers!

Thanksgiving Memories

Yes, we're that far behind...


Judy and Annika at Grandma and Grandpa's.


Matt and Andrew.


My sweeties!

Hi, Sweetie(s)!

A few nice shots of Rebekah...









We're goofing off while Kirsten is out shopping.





Kirsten sometimes thinks I get nothing else done while I'm with the kids, but as you can plainly see I'm not getting nothing else done. Right?

Browse them here.

Luke's Halloween Goose

Luke's preschool visited the local retirement center to sing their Halloween songs and parade around in their costumes. Apparently Luke was blocking this lady's view of the other children and she gave him a little pinch on the toosh.
Luke had fun with his cousins and neighbor friend trick or treating. Luke announced at every door (unprompted and unstoppable) "I can't have peanuts." Sometimes followed by, "I need one for my mom and dad, too."
Isn't she the cutest little bumble bee you've ever seen? Oh, wait....maybe Luke was.

I wanna be a biped!

Rebekah's walking now. Not long ago she took her first casual stroll from the kitchen to the front door. It was great. Now she can go just about anywhere, and she's choosing walking over crawling.

Oval head for an oval office

Luke said he's voting for Obama today. When asked why he said, "Because he has an oval head and that's my favorite shaped head."

I'm going to check the will and see if Luke's still in it.

Kawaii Ne?

My parents visited Pete in Okinawa and brought back these outfits for Luke and Rebekah.