Houston, we have an allergy

It's official: Lyndon is allergic to peanuts. We've suspected it since he was a newborn, when his eczema improved if I (as a breastfeeding mom) stayed away from them, but we've been hoping that either he outgrew it or it was all in our heads. His doctor wanted to test his blood since he was getting blood taken anyway, and, sure enough, they found peanut-hating antibodies there.

The nurse on the phone told me he was a "Level 1", with the highest being a "Level 5". I figured this was a good thing; he might break out in some hives, but "Level 1" didn't sound like life-threatening anaphylaxis. Then I spoke with the doctor, who called in a prescription for an Epi-Pen and told me to go pick it up. Apparently, with blood testing, "Levels" don't always predict actual allergic reactions. So, even though they only found a small amount of antibodies, he could still stop breathing if he eats a peanut.

At this point, I stopped breathing. Then I started hyperventilating a little. I know peanuts are the most common childhood allergen; between my various childcare positions, I've had plenty of experience with "peanut-free kids," but this is different. This is MY child. And that makes this scary.

So, I will go pick up that Epi-Pen. And I will always know where it is. And then I will trust God (and pray that my little man outgrows it).

P.S. We did get some good news out of all this blood testing. Despite his small stature and slow growth, my little boy's liver, kidneys and thyroid are all NORMAL. He just has his mommy's build and metabolism. :-)

gratuitous cuteness

So, I have an exciting snow post in the works and an even more exciting weekend coming up, but until then, I will leave you with some (fairly) recent cute photos. Because I can.

Here we are at Lyndon's little birthday celebration, at my in-law's house. This face pretty much sums up Lyndon's feelings about birthday parties. Confusion, followed by boredom, followed by meltdown. So, we decided to skip the big party this year.

BUT, lest you think that Lyndon and I are all fuss and no play, let me assure you; we have a great time. Even ACME circulars are fun when you're one year old. And Sharpies. But Sharpies are fun at any age.

Tricking, Conniving, and Finegaling

alternately titled: dealing with a picky eater

Lyndon has declared his move to toddler status in more ways than one lately. About a week before his birthday, he started refusing to take one of his naps, and this week he finally got the hang of napping for 3 hours straight, so he's a one-nap-a-day guy, now. He adores his new car seat and his new shoes. He's also, quite abruptly, become a picky eater.

No meat. No vegetables. Very few whole grains and very little cow's milk. Cheese, fruit, starch and eggs are his favorite food groups.

I have long thought that a child should be presented with the same meal the rest of the family is eating (within reason), and if he refuses to eat it, then that's it. No dinner tonight.

And then I had a child who, according to our doc, is "somewhere between the 5th and 10th percentiles for weight and height". He's been dropping steadily from the 50th since his 6-month visit, and our doc wants to check his liver, kidneys and thyroid, "just to make sure". Because of this, I can't, in good conscience, let my child refuse to eat. But I also can't feed him cheese and white bread three times a day.

So I'm getting sneaky.

I've discovered a few tricks for dealing with my picky eater. I'll list them for you, although I'm definitely not an expert, and if you have any other ideas, they would be more than welcome.

1) If mommy (or daddy) is eating it, it must be good.

Lyndon ate his best lunch this week sitting on the kitchen floor with me while I fed him bits of salmon cake from my plate, the same salmon cake he refused to eat for dinner the night before. When he saw me pull that plate out of the microwave and settle down with my fork, all of a sudden that salmon cake was the most desirable food in the world. Because I was eating it... and not telling him he had to eat it. I have now successfully fed him lentil soup, ham and bean soup, chicken pot pie and tuna salad this way.

2) Pair unacceptable foods with acceptable foods.

This is not "hiding" healthy food inside unhealthy food. I'm not a huge fan of that approach, and it doesn't work very often with Lyndon, anyway. He's very good at detecting changes to old favorites, and it doesn't help that deception is written all over my face when I try to trick him like that. So, instead, I've taken to acknowledging that a new food is there but emphasizing the fact that one of his old standbys is also there. For example, I let him have all the Saltine crackers he wants... as long as he dips them into some homemade guacamole. If he's unwilling to do it, sometimes I take the reins and do it for him. He almost always eats the cracker even though it has a dollop of green stuff on the end. Which leads me nicely into my next trick...

3) Serve the same food in a different way.

When he refused cut-up avocado, I mashed it and spread it on a cracker. Instant success! Sometimes, it's as simple as a texture change. I cook his (whole grain) pasta a few minutes longer than ours, and, suddenly, it's delectable. Other times, a change of utensil or even location will do the trick. We've let him eat off our forks, with his own little fork, with his fingers, in his high chair, on the kitchen floor, even standing up (and well supervised) at the coffee table. I'm less flexible with family meals and messy foods; those are almost exclusively eaten at the table in the high chair, but for snacks or meals where it's just the two of us, I'm willing to sit in the living room and feed him (cooked) carrot sticks, or let him feed himself yogurt with a spoon, even though I know he will be covered in it. I do what I have to do to get him to eat what I want him to eat. And it's working!

Delaware Children's Museum

Last Friday, our church's playgroup took a field trip to the Delaware Children's Museum. It's not something that I'd normally do with Lyndon (paying $12 to show him the two or three exhibits he'd actually appreciate), but I decided to make it a special birthday trip, and boy, am I glad I did! That place is cool! And there was more for Lyndon to do than I originally thought, although I do think it will be more fun when he's actually walking. We both had a really great time, though, as did the rest of the kids who came with us.

waving from the ramp leading to the top of the "Stratosphere"

seeing how far we can stretch (anybody else remember doing this in elementary school?)

pretty much a giant game of Operation

Mmmmm, this brings back memories . . . although, as I explained to one friend, a coxswain doesn't do the work. I just yelled at the rowers while they did it.

making the "lungs" breathe in and out

The kids (and their moms) built an archway, and one brother was keen to keep it from falling...

... while the other one wanted to KNOCK IT DOWN! Understandably, this created some confusion, but it was all right. That's what blocks are for.

Oh, and jumping. That's also what blocks are for.

Lyndon chased this little ball around the entire exhibit.

The kids got to play with the mother of all water tables. Seriously, this thing was huge! It had fountains, dams, a rain... simulator... thingy, and, of course, lots and lots of boats. This is where Lyndon soaked his sweater and his socks, despite the "waterproof" smock he wore. There was just too much splashing and too much fun to stay dry!

And then there were the trains. And cars. And anything else you could think of that goes. I only got one good picture of this room because I was busy following Lyndon around the little boat-shaped play area designed just for him (under 3 years). We met quite a few 15 month-olds there who were walking, climbing, even running, and it was like looking into the future. It's hard to believe that in about 3 months, my little one will probably be doing those things.

All in all, it was a wonderful morning. I had almost as much fun as Lyndon did, and we will definitely be joining this place once Lyndon is old enough to appreciate it fully.

poetry for Lyndon, on the occasion of his birthday

I wanted to write Lyndon something for his birthday, but inspiration simply would not strike. Can't imagine why; it's not like I haven't written a poem in over a year or anything. I tried for hours, but all that came out was soppy, awkward mush. Then, today, out of the blue (actually, out of the shower), there it was, a first line. I hurried downstairs, and the rest came within half an hour. Enjoy!

Because I Love You
For Lyndon-- Happy First Birthday

Before I first laid eyes on you,
I already knew what I would do.
I'd climb a mountain high for you;
I'd swim an ocean wide for you,
Grow wings and fly, if you needed me to,
Because I already loved you.

And when I first laid eyes on you,
I knew exactly what I'd do.
I'd stay up every night for you;
I'd rock you, hold you, cuddle you
And be there for you, if you needed me to,
Because I fell in love with you.

And now your first year here is through,
I know exactly what I'll do.
I'll teach you everything I knew;
I'll guide your steps, be strong and true
And let you go, when you need me to,
Because I'll always love you.

Happy 1st birthday Lyndon!

At 4:37 am one year ago, this little guy came into our lives.

Newborn

He was way bigger than expected-- 8 lbs. 2 oz-- and took way longer than expected to get here-- 1 week past his due date after several days of labor-- and we couldn't have been more smitten with him. The next few weeks were hard ones, though, as we dealt with sleep deprivation, nipple shields, a 2-hour feeding schedule, acid reflux and tissue damage (mine, not his). We all made it, though, and lived to see the beginning of month two!

One Month Old

In March, Lyndon got the hang of eating and grew like a weed. He also got some reflux meds and became a much happier, sweet little baby.

Two Months Old

Then, all of a sudden, Lyndon "woke up" and started showing some personality.

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

(This is the pic we save and show to his fiance.)

 

Five Months Old

He started working on his skills (sitting up, rolling over, etc.) and has never really looked back.

Six Months Old

He discovered Cheerios around this time and has never looked back from that, either. They're still one of his favorite foods.

Seven Months Old

This was about the time he started actively "posing" for the camera. It's hilarious. He'll stop what he's doing, look at the camera and at least make a face, if not smile.

Eight Months Old

And then he discovered stairs. What, I didn't tell you that he's been climbing our stairs since he was nine months? Must've slipped my mind...

Nine Months Old

Like any good mother, I see my child playing with a strangulation hazard and immediately... take pictures. But seriously, who can resist a baby in red pants unrolling green Christmas ribbon?

Ten Months Old

 

He's looking less like a baby now and more like a little boy. All that hair definitely helps.

Eleven Months Old
(and "helping" mommy make her grocery list-- he actually really loves to "help" with things now)

And finally, hot off the press (taken last night in his big boy carseat)...

Twelve Months Old

He does this odd close-lipped smile when he's teething; I think he's rubbing his top and bottom gums together.

Well, little guy, it's been quite a year. We can't believe that we've been allowed to be your parents; you are such a loving, joy-filled little boy, and we feel blessed beyond belief that you are ours. It's amazing to think of how much you've grown and changed in the past year. We can't wait to see what this next year will bring!

Happy Birthday Lyndon!

(Lyndon) Walking With Dinosaurs

After a few weeks of (mostly gentle) encouragement, Lyndon has learned how to use his Christmas present! Enjoy!