Trees?? Really, Mom??

We're on a mission to eat healthier around here!  We've been trying to incorporate a lot more veggies into our diets for us and the boys.  The boys had their first experience with raw broccoli and cauliflower.  They're reactions were priceless!!! LOL

Connor kept saying, "Trees?? Trees??"  like Really, Mom?? Ha ha ha!

Liam, on the other hand, in his usual Liam fashion at every bit! lol

19 Months!!!

Oh, Liam Andrew!!!! It  is so hard to believe that you are 19 months old today! It is bittersweet writing these posts for you each month.  I almost dread when the time comes around because I know my baby is very close to not being my 'baby' anymore!  I'm so thankful you are a momma's boy because I definitely need it!

So... with out further adieu, here's what my sweet baby boy is up to this month:

• You are a Momma's boy!!! (LOVE!)  If I disappear into another room for even a second, you chase me down yelling, "MOMMA! MOMMA!!"
• You had to stay in the hospital a few weeks ago because a virus really got you down :(  You are doing so much better now!! A nice surprise... one of your momma's good friends from high school was your doctor!!!  She took great care of you! Thanks so much, Amanda!
• Since your illness, we decided (along with your doctors) that it was time for you to come out of daycare.  You are now with a wonderful home sitter who takes such great care of you.  We are all hoping this will give your little immune system a break so it can mature and protect you better!
• We finished your elimination diet and had environmental allergy testing.  You aren't allergic to any of the items from the test!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• We go see an infection disease specialist next month so that we can get your immune system evaluated since you are so sick all of the time.  We are hoping for good news.
• Your vocabulary is taking off!!! You are labeling everything, and if you don't know what it is, we just have to tell you!! Ha!
• Your communication skills are exploding!!! You answer yes and no questions by shaking your head!! <3
• You climb on everything in the blink of an eye!! I turn my back for a second and you are on top of something! Sheesh!!! You about give me a heart attack every time!
• You love to mimic household chores that you see us doing around the house!  It's pretty cute! ;)
• You are the sweetest 19 month old ever!!!!!!!!!!!

You both LOVE bubbles!!!

My poor sweet boy was sick and needed Momma cuddles! :(

Fun with your big brother!!! :)

Unfortunately, you were so sick this time :( We ended up with a stay at Kosair!

Once you were home from the hospital, you wanted cuddles from Ryan! So sweet!

You are a little daredevil and keep us on our toes!! You try to climb on everything!!

Happy 19 months, Liam!

We love you to the moon and back an infinite number of times!

Now, can time just slow down a little bit??

A Stay at Kosair...

Liam came down with a virus about the time we were to head to Florence, Kentucky for my cousin's wedding.  We traveled down on a Friday, and came home the next night.  Well, the next day, Sunday, Liam's fever was really spiking up to scary level... 105 and up.  He was also having trouble keeping down his fever reducer and staying hydrated, so we knew it was time to head to the ER.  

You were such a trooper, though!

You even let them put at IV in your arm! You were NOT pleased at first, but it really helped you perk up!

The ER drew labs and they decided your inflammation markers were too high to send you home, so we were admitted and you had to sleep in a metal crib!! :(  Momma was right next to you all night!

We were so surprised and excited that Momma's good friend from high school, Amanda, turned out to be your doctor!!! She took great care of you!

You were feeling better in the morning with IV fluids in you.  You even at a few Cheerios!

We learned that hospital food isn't the most nutritious...

The next day, your labs were much better! It was diagnosed as a virus and you were able to go home!  The IV fluids did you a world of good!

My sweet boy!

We are SO excited that it turned out to be just a virus, and that you are well on your way to being better!

We love you, sweet boy!

Newport Aquarium

At the end of October we spent the weekend in Florence, Kentucky to attend my cousins wedding.  We decided this was the perfect opportunity to visit the neighboring Newport Aquarium.  Unfortunately my poor, sweet Liam was feeling under the weather so he and daddy stayed home :(.  Connor and I made sure to pick out the perfect gift for him from the gift shop, though! A sea turtle!!! 

Connor was beyond amazed the WHOLE time! He loved every single moment!  Here's some highlights of our visit:

EiGhTeEn ExCiTiNg MoNtHs!!!

It's hard to believe my sweet baby is officially one and a half years old today. I still have dreams about my pregnancy and feeling your sweet little kicks! Maybe that's because there's this sweet little 18 month old sleeping between me and your daddy each night who is STILL kicking me in the belly!!! Hahaha! I wouldn't have it any other way!!

So, what's my sweet boy been up to?? Here's a few Liam-isms for this month:

• You are getting sure on your feet, that's for sure!  You are into everything, trying to climb on furniture, attempting to run, and you do this cute little thing I call the "Dinosaur Trot." Ha ha! You walk really fast and pick up your feet, stomping them as you go and your little hands are up in front of you in case you fall! It's pretty adorable, I must say!!
• You initiate peek-a-boo ALL.THE.TIME.  It's clearly your favorite game!
• You LOVE to brush your teeth. Thank.Goodness.
• If you want us to do something for you or go with you somewhere, you come grab our index finger and pull us along! lol
• We found out you are scared to death of animals!  When we go to our friend's house, you DO NOT want her animals (chickens, cats, or dog) near you! lol  It's so funny because you cling onto me for dear life, and these poor little animals are just as scared of you! Ha ha!  I think you will all warm up to each other soon! 
• You are Mr. Social.  Enough said! Ha!
• You LOVE to read books.
• You love to go anywhere and everywhere.  You often bring me your shoes and jacket and tell me it's time to go bye bye.  You don't like it when you don't get your way! lol
• You are interested in EVERYTHING! And that's an understatement! Ha ha! You point at everything wanting to know more! I love it! :)
• Your vocabulary is exploding!
• And you're still a major momma's boy!!! (  <-----my favorite!  )

Goofy boy enjoying a snack (with your face!) Ha ha!

My sweet sleepy boy in the car!

You love technology!!! I'm not sure it that's a good thing or a bad thing! Ha!

Slam Dunk!!!

Church is always an adventure! lol  Here, you and Connor are enjoying a snack with Mamaw! :)

We went to the allergist a few weeks ago and found out you and Connor are allergic to A LOT :(

You two were all smiles in the office, but you didn't know what was coming... lol  We have to do an elimination diet to confirm which foods you are actually allergic to. 

When your almost-18 month old is exceptionally quiet, there is probably a surprise waiting... like an empty container of wipes! Ha Ha!

Happy 18 Months, Liam!!

You are such a blessing to our family and we love you to the moon and back an infinite number of times. 

You are our whole world and we can't wait to see all that you will do!

Library Fun!

Earlier this week we loaded up the boys and went to "Mamaw's Library," as it's called around our house! ;)  We went to make our very own chia pets in one of the children's programs.  They boys had so much fun making creative monsters and they turned out pretty cute, too!

Elimination Diet Excitement!!!

Well, actually the elimination diet was not exciting at all, BUT we were SUPER EXCITED when we finally found some items our children COULD eat!  Ha ha!

If you aren't familiar with an elimination diet, I'll explain...

We took the boys to the allergist a couple of days ago to have allergy testing done for foods.  Well it is a skin test, and often produces many false positives.  So, to make 'sure' it is an actual allergy, we eliminate all the foods they are allergic to for two weeks so they can clear their system.  Then, we can slowly re-introduce each item one at a time and watch for reactions.  If there is no reaction, then they are free to keep the item in their diet.   They only positive we had previously was peanuts for Connor - he broke out in hives :(   However, there were about 20 skin-test positives we had to eliminate!!!! :(  So basically my kids can't eat anything for a while!!   Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, casein, gluten, soy, egg, orange, rice, corn, chocolate (YES! Chocolate!!!) and so on....  Basically a nightmare in a nutshell! 

The boys were SO MAD when they realized they couldn't have their favorite foods.  I mean M.A.D!!!!  It was a rough start.  However, we slowly began to find new items they loved and we were SO excited!  Yesterday, my sweet boys enjoyed some homemade versions of their favorite treats: chicken nuggets and waffles (all allergy free of course!!)  YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's to the next few weeks passing quickly, and no real reactions!!!!