Allergy Testing

I had some allergy testing done right after William was born. I found out that I was allergic to chili peppers, celery, basil, and sesame seeds. So, ever since then (back in Aug 2007) I have tried my hardest to stay away from those foods. I was retested in 2010 after I had Mikey. The allergist I was going to changed their tests, so I wasn't able to be retested on chili peppers or basil. But, I did find out I was no longer allergic to celery and not as allergic to sesame. Well, I thought I was allergic to something else, but I just couldn't figure it out. So, I decided to go to a different allergist. This allergist allowed me to bring foods that were not included on their regular battery of tests. So, I brought everything I thought I was allergic to. Even the celery that I wasn't allergic to from my last test. The great news is I am no longer allergic to any of the foods I previously was allergic to. YEA!! That means I can again eat Mexican food! I haven't eaten anything like that in almost 4 years!! The bad news is I still really don't know what food I am allergic to. However, the doctor I saw thought that I may be allergic to the pesticide on the food or the way it is handled from other countries. He was also thinking it may be more of an intolerance - kinda like to MSG. I was tested for MSG and did not have a reaction, but he said that I may not have a reaction to the skin test, but maybe in large doses I would. I also found out that I am very allergic to Juniper trees, grass, mold and cats (which I knew). We talked about me starting allergy shots, but I found out today that we really can't afford it. It would be a minimum of $500 for our deductible and then 20% of everything after that $500. Um, that is a lot of money. I really was hoping to get the shots, but it just doesn't seem possible. So, for now I can at least broaden my eating and just need to watch what I eat if I ever have a reaction. I am very glad to be done with the testing. Not only did I get over 40 pricks in my back, but also had 18 shots. OUCH! I feel like a human pin cushion.

The end on an era

Yes, it is the end of an era. Tomorrow Benjamin is getting the big "V". I've had such a hard time with him getting it, but I know in my heart we should not have any more kids. That being said, I still kinda wish we could have a 3rd child. What is holding us back? Well, lots of things. First, my age. I am 37 and not really at the best age to have a baby. There are so many genetic issues that come with having babies when you are over 35. Second, I don't think I want to be pregnant again. I have a love/hate relationship with pregnancy. I love so many things about it, like caring for the baby from the inside, feeling the baby move, and the labor/delivery. It is a true miracle!!! However, for both my boys I had preterm labor which I could count on for this another baby, which involves bed rest. I can't really do bed rest with a 4 year old and a 2 year old. Not to mention the morning sickness, heartburn, etc that comes with pregnancy. Third, babies are expensive. We are barely coming back from my maternity leave with Mikey, and if I had another baby, we'd be right back where we were. Having a 3rd would also mean fewer family vacations, fewer presents for birthdays and holidays, and three colleges to pay for not two. It seems weird to base a decision on that, but it is something we really have to think about. Fourth, I'm not sure how I could manage to share my time with three kids. I sometimes have a hard time sharing my time with the two I have and still having a little time for myself. It would be really stressful, which is not good for anyone in this family. There are even more reasons why we should be done with having kids, and I guess I just have to keep telling myself them, because I am still wanting another kid. But, I guess after tomorrow, we won't really have a choice. Things would be different if I was younger and we were rich. But, for now and forever, we will be a family of 4. And, when I think about it, I've really had 3 kids. I just had one taken from me too early. So, it is the end of an era in our house. No more bottles, burping clothes, swaddling, crawling, rolling, baby food, and all things baby. ::Sniff:: I will forever miss my boys as babies. They grow up too fast.

One month left of summer vacation

I can hardly believe it. Only 1 more month until I go back to work. I have been looking forward to going back to work because of my new position, but when I think that I only have 4 weeks left, it makes me sad. I better make them count!!

An interview with William… Summer 2011

1. Favorite Foods: Mac and Cheese & Pizza
2. Favorite Sport: Soccer
3. Favorite Movie: Cars 2
4. Favorite thing about School: Having friends
5. Thing I do best: Draw a picture
6. Favorite color: Red
7. What do you want to be when you grow up?: Policeman
8. What word describes you?: Happy
9. When I was a baby I used to: Crawl, had binky and had diapers
10. My favorite memory: Going to Disneyland
11. Favorite thing about Daddy: Playing light sabers
12. Favorite thing about Mommy: Playing blocks
13. A food I don’t like: Salad
14. My best friend: Gerhard
15. If I could have one wish I'd wish for: A real light saber

How can it be July?

I don't know how time speeds up the older you are, but right now, time is flying by. Some things to catch you up.

Michael:
He is doing great. He is walking better, talking a lot, and is getting at the really cute stage. He has officially been staffed out out of his early intervention program because he is on level! YEA! We are finally done with physical therapy!! He is showing that he does have his Mommy's personality, which means he is a bit of a drama queen! He loves his big brother, wants to do everything his big brother does, and his big brother is ok with it - most of the time. His favorite food is spaghetti, favorite drink is chocolate milk, loves his 3 blankets (his "poppies"), is totally addicted to his binky and is a CRAZY Blue's Clues fan.

William:
Getting so grown up. Needing his Mommy less and less is breaking my heart, but part of life. He is now in a booster seat - not a car seat. He can get himself in and out of the car by himself, can brush his teeth my himself and does a great job, and HATES it when I try to help him do something he wants to do. He did an amazing job in the 3 year old preschool program, and will move from the school I work at to the school he will be going to for kindergarten. We figured that we would try to get him to know some of the kids he will be going to school with. It will be sad for the both of us not having him at my school, but I really think it is for the best.

Benjamin:
SKINNY! Has lost 36 pounds and is looking fantastic. He is still working in the IT department and has had an amazing review. I was super, duper proud of him. He is still trying to get his mustang going, and will be having some body work done on it in the next month or so.

Alesha:
Got a new job for next year. I am going to be the media specialist at my school. Our media specialist moved to another school, so that opened up at position at my school. I interviewed for it, and found out Tuesday afternoon that I go the position. Nothing else that exciting going on for me.

Here are a few pics of the last couple months...

Benjamin and I went to Vegas for a conference for me. We stayed at Caesars Palace and got upgraded to a suite! It was great!

Benjamin and William at William's field trip to the park.

Renaissance Festival June 2011

Mikey liked the Renaissance Festival too!

My boys

Happy President's Day

Yes, yet again I have not posted in over a month. Now that I share a lot of what is going on with us on Facebook, I admit that I do not keep up on this blog. The month of January was a nice month and a nice way to begin the new year. I'd have to say that the most exciting part of the month is that Mikey started walking!! I can't say the exact day that he started, but I know he was a week or two into 15 months. This is a HUGE milestone. He has been behind in all his milestones, and this is the milestone he made the closest to "normal". We are still going physical therapy, but I have a feeling once he can bend down and pick something up, that will be it for PT. He is close to doing it, but just needs a hand on something to help out his balance. William is great. I can't believe his birthday is in 2 weeks. How is it possible that my baby is going to be 4? I am so torn. On one hand, I love watching him grow up, learn to count, learn his letters, be excited about reading, and just really doing a lot independently. But, I hate it that he doesn't need me as much either. I am still the one he runs to when he gets hurt, but most of the time it is, "Mommy, I can do it by myself!" At least Mikey still needs me a little more, but he too is needing me less and less. There is a sense of freedom for parents when kids can do more on their own, but also a sense of sadness that I will no longer have a baby. Benjamin and I talked about having another baby, and even considered it for a couple months, but I think the consensus is to be a family of 4. I guess I will not get another chance for the girl I wanted, but I wouldn't trade my boys for anything EVER!!! Looks like cars, trucks, dirt, and all things boy is my life now. At least I have a girl dog! hehehe Benjamin is doing well too. He is starting a crazy month of trainings. For the next month, he will be gone for almost 3 weeks on trainings. The one I am sad about is the one he is going on during Spring Break. New York!! I so want to go with him since I am on Spring Break that week, but I just don't see how we can afford the $500 plane ticket and all the other expenses that go with a trip to New York. So, I guess I will have to plan a trip back to New York once we win the lottery! ;-) I haven't been too happy at work lately. My class is a great bunch of kids, but sometimes I get frustrated with the lack of effort and pride the kids have only being in 3rd grade. That, plus new standards for Colorado and no money for any type of resources to go with the new standards has me thinking about changing careers. I'm not too sure how serious I am about changing careers, but I think this summer I will actively start looking into different positions. On another note, we have officially celebrated a year back in our house. I am very glad we are back and still think it is crazy how we ended up back in the house we built and then sold. Things happen in life that really surprise us, and this is definitely one of those times! So, what do the next few months have in store for our family (since I probably won't post again until April! hehehe) William's 4th birthday and just living life. Today is a day off of school for President's Day. Benjamin is in Denver for a training, so it is a day of just Mommy and her boys. I plan on thoroughly enjoying it! These days are few and far between. I am really looking forward to March 2nd as that is the day I get to get my new iPhone!! I am really excited. I am such a nerd!