Evan's eczema: An update

The past two weeks have been intense trying to heal Evan's eczema and get to the root of the problem.  After a visit to the dermatologist two weeks ago and a $55 prescription oil later (yes, I'm still bitter about that), things are improving.

We had a follow-up appointment at the dermatologist a week ago today and were told that our game plan is to simply make him comfortable.  That the prescriptions he would need to clear it up completely are too aggressive for his age since the steroids in them could stunt his growth.  I like this game plan.  I'm not about to lather him up with things that could make things even worse in the long run.

Since I wasn't getting much of an explanation for why things had gotten so bad with his skin, I was referred to an allergist.  This Monday I burned through a sick day to take Evan to a highly recommended allergist and was told that we would be there for two hours and to expect blood work and a scratch test to be done.  We were in and out in 45 minutes.  No joke.

She agreed that he has a milk protein intolerance.  She reminded me that this MPI does not mean he has a true allergy to milk.  She asked a million questions about our family health history and details on our environmental situation, like was our basement finished.  She decided to perform a scratch test for dogs (thanks, Bailey!) and milk.  Five painfully uncomfortable minutes later he showed negative for both.  Thank God.  Can you imagine that situation if he showed positive for dogs?

Her conclusion is that he is more than likely inheriting eczema from me (although, mine is not like his at all).  I can try to put him on a soy formula to see how he does.  Now here comes the crazy part.  She told me to bathe him for 45 minutes until his skin is like a prune (complete opposite from the dermatologist's advice of 5 minutes or less), put a medicated cream on (different prescription), then....put on WET pajamas followed by warm, dry pajamas so that it locks in the moisture.  Ummm...no thank you.  It's December.  The dry pajamas wouldn't stay dry when they're on top of something wet.  Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out...

All in all, I'm glad we went to rule out a lot of things I had been worried about.  But, to be honest, now I feel conflicted about whether to take the dermatologist's skin care advice or the allergist's.  And, quite frankly, I feel like the day off of work could have been avoided since it ended up taking 45 minutes.

Long story short, we stuck with the fancy DermaSmoothe oil prescription route since it's cleared a lot of the areas up and we'll try the soy formula after his next well-visit appointment in two weeks.  Never a dull moment here.

Waste of a day off or not, I enjoyed my extra time with Evan on Monday.  We went Christmas shopping, made crockpot mac and cheese, made my smoked sausages for my Work Potluck Luncheon, and had lots of snuggles.

Elf on the Shelf

The morning after Thanksgiving we had a special visitor.  Sean's elf arrived for a kick-off breakfast and story!  I hurried downstairs while Scott took his time changing diapers and getting the boys up so that I could make reindeer pancakes and candy cane fruit.  I had the elf and the book waiting for Sean on the table.  I couldn't wait to see his reaction.

I'm pretty sure this picture sums up his excitement for the change of pace and presents on the table!  He was more interested in eating right away and he slowly came around to the elf on the table.  We told him a quick version of the story and asked him to name his elf.  He needed some examples of names and then he decided that he would name his elf, Cookie Monster.  Oh boy.

Since then it's been so much fun coming up with clever places to make Cookie Monster hide.  And I have to admit, that while I was unsure at first about whether this whole "Elf on a Shelf" thing would have any impact on some of his terrible twos behavior, I've been pleasantly surprised with how well it works.  We just went a whole week at daycare without him biting any of his friends and while he was throwing a tantrum in the car today I reminded him that Cookie Monster was watching and would report back to Santa and within a few minutes he calmed down.  Here's some of the places Sean has found Cookie Monster in our house:

We have been keeping Sean busy this month making sure he is having a great time this holiday season decorating cookies, visiting Santa, playing with his cousins, and going to look at Christmas lights! He's at such a fun age this year since we're able to explain a little bit of the Story of Christmas with baby Jesus and the nativity scene, as well as, Santa and his reindeer.

Our family is going to be busy this week as we gear up for the last 8 days until the festivities truly begin.  With some shopping to finish, gifts to wrap, work and daycare Christmas parties, we have so much to look forward to!  Now if Sean's two year molars and stuffy nose would stop causing problems, we'll be all set! 

Happy Holidays!

Little Moments

I truly believe God blesses us with little moments that take our breath away when we need them the most.

A whole day spent in our Christmas PJ's, watching Christmas movies on ABC Family, reading books, making our favorite comfort foods for dinner, and then driving out to see the lights with mugs of hot cocoa.

As we tucked the boys in bed that night, Sean insisted he come and say goodnight to me and baby Evan.  With another hug and kiss, Sean said, "I love you, mommy" to me.  Then, he put his head right next to Evan's and said, "Love baby Evan".

Thank you God for the sweetest little boy Sean who has found yet another way to melt my heart.

TGIF!

If there's ever a week to shout out TGIF, it's this one.  I'll say it again.  TGIF!!!!!!!!!!

To recap my week:
1.  Monday - Picked up Evan from daycare to find out he had a low grade fever.  Called the pediatrician at 5pm to ask what the dosage was for Tylenol and was instructed to take him to St. Joe's Emergency Room instead.  Spent 2.5 hours there with Evan by myself and didn't get to see Sean but for 30 minutes that evening.

2.  Tuesday - Stayed home from work.  Yes, a sick day already, even though I've only been back from maternity leave for 2 weeks.  Took Evan to the pediatrician for a follow-up appointment and was relieved to find out it wasn't anything major.

3.  Wednesday - Scott's first practice coaching basketball after school so I was left to my own demise with two kids, a crazy dog after being home alone all day, dinner to make, dishes to clean, bottles to wash, lunches to pack, clothes to lay out, etc.

4.  Thursday - I ran a re-teach after school and then had a foreign language committee meeting until 5pm, rushed home to help with dinner, clean-up, bedtime, etc.

5.  Friday - Got a call from daycare that after 4 days of Sean behaving, he broke the roll he was on by biting his best friend at school.  Joy.  Left work early to pick up Evan from daycare and take him to the dermatologist for his eczema issues (I'll mention this in a minute), then called the pediatrician to see if I could fill Evan's amoxicillin prescription the ER prescribed Monday night since he's still sick, called CVS to make sure they still had the script, went back to daycare to pick up Sean, entertained two kids until Scott got home late from practice at 6:30, and the night is still going...

Speaking of eczema, Evan has been battling this for three weeks.  At first I thought it had to do with the dairy I ate on Thanksgiving while I was still nursing him (and I suppose it really could be).  Then I thought it might have to do with switching him to the formula.  Now, I'm waiting to get in to the must-see allergist who's waiting list to get in is booked a month out to find out what's causing this horrible eczema.  Luckily, my mom was pushy enough and kind enough to call on Thursday and get us in on Monday the 17th instead of January 10th.  Since that's still over a week away and the remedies the pediatrician recommended aren't working, I took him to a dermatologist today after work.

Our nightly routine used to be a 5 minute bath with Cetaphil body wash.  We also used Selsun Blue two nights a week for his cradle cap.  Pat dry with a towel.  Immediately apply a hydrocortisone cream on his arms and legs followed by a healthy dose of Aquaphor.  Apply Lotrimin under his neck and on his groin.  Quickly get him dressed since he's screaming by this point and then take him up for a book, bottle, and bed.  And after almost two weeks of this, it still looks like this:

So, after our visit at the dermatologist today, we were left with a prescription for a product called Dermasmooth.  It's a $55 oil that you rub over the infected areas every other day for a week.  $55.  I'm still in sticker shock.  The poor sales lady at CVS...the look on my face must have been priceless when she told me the total.  This better work miracles.  Miracles, people.  It stresses me out because the product is made with a peanut oil and even though the peanut protein has been removed from the product and even though I'm not putting this in his mouth, I'm still freaking out about a potential reaction or allergy to the product.  It's apparent from his MSPI and eczema that my boy has some allergies going on.

Despite my fears, I washed him with Cera Ve (a must have product for eczema), patted him dry, applied the expensive oil carefully trying not to get it on his hands, which as you can see he loves to put in his mouth, finished with a dose of Aquaphor, and got him dressed.  3ml of Amoxicillin, a full humidifier, and an hour later and my little angel is asleep in his crib.  Stayed tuned for updates on his follow-up appointment at the dermatologist next Friday and his allergist appointment on Monday the 17th.

In the mean time, I think I'm going to end this chaotic week right with a Captains and Coke and some couch time with the hubby.  I'm going to ignore the pile of papers to grade in my work bag.  I'm going to forget about the heaping piles of laundry that I have to do.  And I'm going to put off paying bills, doing online banking, or any other household related chore.  I think I earned this rare hour to put my feet up and relax with Scott.  TGIF everyone!

Sick Day Blues

I'm home with Evan today as his trip to the pediatric emergency room last night allowed us to spend an extra day together today.  He came home from daycare yesterday with a temperature of 100.8 and a cough that would choke him and bring up mucus.  Lovely.  2.5 hours and a chest x-ray later, they told us we needed to stay home with him today to monitor his fever and cough in the event it turned in to something more serious like pneumonia.  Visions of Sean's stint with pneumonia crept back in my mind.  I'll stay home with him!!!!  An extra day with my baby!  Heck yes.  They really didn't need to twist my arm with the threat of pneumonia. 

With my sub plans submitted last night when I got home, I was preparing myself for a night of horrible sleep and a crabby baby home with me today.  Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find my cutie pie in a decent mood with no fever this morning.  A trip to the pediatrician this afternoon confirmed that he was in the clear for pneumonia and most likely had his first virus - ahhh the joys of daycare!

So, what better day to spend cuddling on the couch with my baby Evan than a rainy one?  I decided to grab my camera and see if I could capture just how funny he is with all his facial expressions when he's in a talkative mood. Which, just like his mommy, is all the time.  This is what I imagine he's thinking as I clicked away...

What's this big black thing in front of my face?  I'll tell you how I really feel about it.

Oh yeah...I think this device is kind of interesting.  I guess I'll play along mommy.

What's a matter?  Never seen spit bubbles before?

Fine then.  I'll put them away.

Ooops!  I just can't control myself.  Drooling is so much fun.

Moooommmm?!  

This having a cold stuff is no fun.

Oooo change of scenery!  I love these shiny, bright toys in front of me!

Oh boy, oh boy!  I love when mommy shakes the toys and they make all that noise!

 Is it lunch time yet?  No.  I guess I'll just munch on my fingers for a while then.

Evan is 3 months old!

3 Months Old

12 lbs. 11 oz.

25"

Whew!  This month has been really intense with lots of changes and adjustments and lots of new fun things that Evan can do!  With his milk protein allergy really stirring the pot, we decided last week to make the switch to Nutramigen formula in hopes that he will feel better.  This decision has really shaken up our routine.  We've had to find new routines for bedtime and daycare, but a week later and we're really getting settled.  We're still really battling the rashes on his skin and scalp, but I'm feeling confident that our efforts with a variety of lotions recommended by his pediatrician and the Nutramigen hypo-allergenic formula will clear his skin up.  Poor thing...between the cradle cap, yeast infection under his chin and on his groin section, and eczema on the rest of his body, he's been a hot mess!

But, on a positive note, he's really found his voice this month!  He babbles and coos all day long!  It's so funny to watch his facial expressions while he does this.  He thinks he needs to move his tongue and contort it into different positions to help him make his sounds.  And he loves to mimic the sounds that I make too! I swear sometimes it sounds like he's saying actual words.  In time...

Other big achievements this month would be that he rolled over from his back to his tummy!  Scott and I both witnessed this and we were stunned!  That changed another part of our routine since we had been swaddling him at night.  We figured it wasn't safe to have his arms tucked in the swaddle, so after a few nights, he finally adjusted to having his arms out of the swaddle.  He hasn't rolled over much since that one time, but he loves to roll on his sides.  Better safe than sorry!  He can grab the toys on his activity gym and really focuses on bringing both of his hands toward the object and grasping it.  Everything he does is so intense - the babbling, the grabbing of toys, etc.  

Stats:

• Size 1 diaper still, but about to move to size 2 when we finish the last package.
• Wearing size 3 months, 3-6 months, and starting to wear 6 month clothes too.
• Eats every 3 hours with 3.5 ounce bottles during the day.
• Will either wake up once or twice during the night to take a 3.5 ounce bottle. 
• Bedtime is at 7:30pm after a bath.  We're trying to incorporate a book too, but he's usually crabby at that point.
• Takes one 2-hour nap during the day at some point and the rest are usually 45-60 minutes each.

Favorites:

• Sucking on his fingers and hands!  
• Rolling on to his sides
• Cooing and babbling
• Mimicking mommy's facial expressions
• Smiling after you tickle his cheeks
• Clapping his feet together while singing songs
• Being held!
• Sleeping in his car seat when we're out and about
• Grabbing toys that are above him
• His "Taggies" toys
• Books with bright colors and shapes
• Baths - finally!

This past month has been a bit of a challenge with his allergy and sensitive skin, but we celebrated his first Thanksgiving and he met Santa!  I'm looking forward to a long two-week vacation for Christmas and New Years with him and am excited for him to meet his Uncle Eric and Aunt Ana while they're home from Portland, OR.  Pretty soon it will be time to get out the exersaucer and jumperoo and then the real fun begins next month with starting solids!  I'm trying to just enjoy each day with him and live in the moment, but it's hard not to get excited about the upcoming milestones!  I just love this little guy so much!