Saturday, May 24, 2008

photo update


looking up
Originally uploaded by anneke boudreau
I've been keeping Zeb and I busy while John's been in Morocco. We've walked Green Lake, hosted a few playdates, went with Kristen to Volunteer Park, attended a few barbeques, and all sorts of good stuff. Zeb and Dalillah went to the International Children's Fest last week and to the Pacific Science Center this week.

All of the seeds that we've planted have started coming up. I set one basil outside, but I don't think it's quite warm enough. Today, I set the 2 tomato starts and the 2nd basil out. I'll leave them out there as long as its sunny then bring them in tonight. I'll try that over the next few days in an attempt to harden them off and hope they'll be out there to stay by the end of the week. They've outgrown their space on the kitchen windowsill! I bought beet and radish seeds and hope to get those in the ground this weekend. We need to separate the chives (anyone want some? I can't believe that *all* of the seeds came up...) and carrots.

I've added some photos to the Spring 2008 set. Enjoy!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Positive negative

Zeb had an appointment with the allergist today and several of the results were negative. Hooooray!!  Today it was skin tests and he was such a trooper.  The only part of the procedure that bothered him was right when his skin started to hive - he wanted to itch and couldn't.  But, he didn't complain too much and I found that fanning his back with a book not only eased the itch it entertained him as well.  Here are the results.  Big numbers mean big hives which means big allergies.  The first number is the height of the hive the second is the width.

Controls: Histamine 6/20, Saline 0/0
Corn 0/0
Rice 0/0
Wheat 5/15
Egg white 20/40
Cow milk 5/25
Sesame 0/0
Peanut 18/35
Soybean 15/25
Kidney bean 0/0
Lentil 0/0
Garbanzo 0/0

The top three are the same: egg, soy, and peanut and he's still allergic to wheat and milk.  We didn't test any nuts and with a strong reaction to peanut I'm not going to attempt any other nuts any time soon.  

But, I'm *super* excited to see that several legumes tested negative!!  That's a first! I was obviously enthusiastic, so their advice was, "It's ok to start feeding them to him. Try them one at a time and observe him for several hours afterwards."  weeeee!  The first thing I'm trying is hummus then my favorite chickpea/potato curry.  I'm so happy to have a couple other sources of protein other than meat.  [huge sigh] 

I threw rice and corn in there as my own "controls."  I needed to see some staples show up on the negative list for once.  Next week we need to do a blood test as well.  They will correlate the results of the skin test to the blood test then continue the blood tests every 6 months.  They hope to see the numbers decrease and that he'll outgrow them.

Finally!!  Some negative news! 

Update:
After I wrote this, I dug up our last set of skin test results.  These are from 21 June 2006 (when Zeb was 5 months old. He's now 28 months).  
Controls: Histamine 5/15, Saline 0/0
Wheat 0/0
Egg white 15/22
Cow milk 0/0
Peanut 10/20
Soybean 4/15

All of the numbers are larger. It was these results that made me think it was ok to feed him milk and wheat - which I did for a few months around his first birthday.  Either he developed the allergies to wheat and milk *after* 5 months old or the tests were not accurate.   I wonder if those few months caused the allergies!?

That makes me much more cautious to introduce the new foods.  But, I can't be afraid forever. With my own allergies,  I tested myself every few months for several years and watched my reactions lessen.  Let's hope it's the same for him.  It's onwards and upwards with garbanzos. Wish us luck!

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Saturday, May 17, 2008

something new

Apparently, there's this revolutionary thing happening around here.  This really big orb rises in the sky, shines all day, warms up the air, and then you can go outside without rain gear or jackets!  We tried it today and it was really nice.  I'm not sure if we'll see it again any time soon.  I think it's called "sun" but I could have misunderstood one of the conversations I overheard when we were on one of three major trips out of the house today.  Usually, we only make one or  two, but today, because of the shiny warm thing, we were out of the house most of the day.  It was great!  

One of the interesting side effects is that our skin is a little pink.  It looks nice, I have no complaints.  Other people put white stuff on their skin so they can stay white.  I'll have to investigate what it is they are using and how they like it.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

the sun is up but the son is down

The birds and breeze in the trees catch my ear.  
Pause.

Notice.

Tired boy long day no nap.  
Traveling man flying Africa.
Emotional shadows of friends - women, mothers, children.
 
Through the windows: 
trees, rooftops, Puget Sound, pastel sky, flowers on my porch...
awash in sun setting. 
Pause.

Notice.
The sun is up but the son is down.  
I am. The house. Content.  
Stretching beyond the windows to the horizon.  

Peace.  

for the birds

We're having fun attracting birds to the deck. But, we've noticed some weird things like sprigs of thyme in the bird bath.   John thinks they like to smell like thyme - aromatherapy for birds.   I like the theory, but suspect they're looking for food.  The rosemary and lettuce have been clipped, too.

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Tuesday, May 13, 2008

36 questions

I'm not sure why I love these things....I guess I enjoy sharing odd facts about myself in exchange for odd facts about others. So, here's mine, show me yours!  (This is my response to macabre).

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A. Yes.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A.  That I would live in a corner penthouse in San Francisco and wear navy blue power suits.

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A. I wish I had a better memory for names, trivia, and facts.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A.  A glass of red wine.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A.  Red beets.

6) What was the last book you read?
A.  "The Songs of Distant Earth" by Arthur C. Clarke

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A. Leo

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
A.  A lion on my right arm, a monkey on my left arm, and a tree of life on my right shin/calf.

9) Worst Habit?
A.  Procrastinating.

10) If you saw me walking down the street, would you offer me a ride?
A. Most likely, yes.  Assuming my back seat passenger isn't cranky.

11) What is your favorite sport?
A.  Snowboarding.

12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
A.  Depends on the time of the month.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A.  Chat.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A.  Hmm. Don't think I want to share that one on a public blog.

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A.  I love the smell of books - but only a certain kind of paper and ink.

16) Do you have any pets?
A. One cat and one dog.

17) What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A.  I'd be very happy!  Come on in!

18) What was your first impression of me?
A.  I don't remember (see question #3).

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A.  Neither.

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A.  New eyeglass frames.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A.  Your conscience.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A.  Brownish green.

23) Ever been arrested?
A.  No.

24) Bottle or can soda?
A.  Bottle.

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A.  Pay off the car.

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A.  Home.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A.  Yes.

29) Favourite thing to do in your spare time?
A.  Garden.

30) Do you swear a lot?
A.  No.

31) Biggest pet peeve?
A.  George Bush.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A.  Grounded.

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A. Yes.

35) Do you believe in God?
A.  In some sense - yes.

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
voila!