Now we know...

It's been almost two years since Jackson had his first skin reaction. After his most recent reaction which covered him from head to toe in hives, I decided to call our pediatrician to ask what we should do and at what point we would be sent to an allergist. Dr. Shrouds referred us to Dr. Amrol and we had our first visit yesterday. I was thankful that so far none of his reactions had been life threatening but wanted to find out the cause so I knew what I should avoid in the future...not to mention the fact that I was hoping to avoid visiting additional ER's while on vacation!

We arrived at the appointment with list in hand of all his previous reactions and what I could remember we had done differently, food eaten, environments, dogs, etc. After a great discussion with Dr. Amrol, he decided to test for specific items that I mentioned including cashews, dogs, and eggs in addition to some more common allergens in the environment and based on our history, i.e. Nick's shellfish allergy. Jackson did great! He didn't like the skin test but no tears were shed, he took it like a big boy! Immediately after the skin test, he complained that something was biting him and tried to scratch his lower back. And that was by far the largest reaction he had to...cashews!!! The other big ones included dogs and shellfish, both of which didn't really surprise us. Dr. Amrol advised us he did see a small reaction to the environmental/pollen allergens especially oak and unfortunately, that would probably worsen in the next few years. And he had a reaction to peanuts too, guess that's why Jackson doesn't like peanut butter :) We're sad he'll be missing out on yummy nuts and shellfish but at least we know what to steer clear from and what to do if a reaction occurs. We're now equipped with an epinephrine pen and steroids just in case. Here's a picture of the test they did on his back, this was taken right away so he hadn't really shown much of a reaction yet but the cashew was in D, left column, second to last row.

What kind of face does an octopus make?

We went to Moe's for dinner tonight and the balloon man was there making balloon animals. Jackson asked for a red octopus. I told Jackson to look at me with his best octopus face and this is what I got...I love this kid!

Born to swim?

Jackson had his first swim lesson today at 4pm. He was very excited about it and kept following me around the house asking if it were time to change into his swim trunks yet. The class is for beginners up to age 3, twenty-five minutes long and focuses on water safety, submersion, kicking and breath holding. Jackson is a very cautious toddler and normally hesitant to try new things but today, he tried everything at least once! I was really proud of him. He loved kicking and splashing around but not so much anything that led to submersion. The teacher said she was really impressed and happy that there were no tears, great for his first day. Now the question is after all that anticipation did Jackson enjoy it? It was hard to tell until we got in the car and Jackson said, "Mommy, swimming is NOT my favorite!" We have class every Monday and Wednesday in April so I'll keep you posted on his progress.

Things to do in a room without toys?

It's been a full week since we moved Jackson into his new room and we've definitely had some obstacles to overcome...not that we know exactly how to overcome them. With the exception of the first afternoon and today, Jackson has not taken a nap. However, he has gone to sleep at night very easily...until tonight, that has been a different story. The first time I walked in to see what was going on, he had taken off his pajamas and diaper and had put on his undies and his SWIM TRUNKS!!!

The second time I noticed his light was on, I walked in and saw this...nothing...where was Jackson?

Hmmm, where could he be?

Now do you see him?

The Unveiling and night and nap one recap

Last week Jackson asked to take a nap in our bed and said he wanted a big boy bed. We decided it was time to make the switch. Finding a time to do it was a bit of a challenge because of course we both wanted to be here to see his reaction and I didn't want it to be on a work-night in case it was a sleepless night. So we started talking to him about how cool a big boy bed would be and that we could get one with trucks on it and thankfully, he was all about having a trucks bed, as he calls it. Sunday afternoon when he woke up from his nap we showed him his new room and he LOVED it! Step one was a success.


Now onto the next challenge...actually sleeping in his big boy bed. We are very lucky in that Jackson has always been a very good sleeper so we were hoping this switch wouldn't change his sleeping habits. Sunday night, I took him upstairs and laid with him while we read two books. Then I said goodnight and shut the door at around 7:30. I heard him talking and singing but he has always had his own winding down routine, even in his crib. I checked the monitor but he had apparently shut the closet doors and since the monitor was on the top shelf in his closet, I couldn't see anything. After about an hour of silence, I was sure he had fallen asleep and figured I would sneak in the room to make sure he was in the bed. As I walked upstairs I saw the light from under his doorway, so I knew it was time to see what he was up to. I walked in to see him sitting in his chair with his hat on and his backpack in his lap. I asked him what he was doing up. Jackson replied, "Mommy, can you help me put my backpack on?" I explained that it was time to go to sleep and we could play with his backpack in the morning. I couldn't help but giggle as I put him back in bed. After that, he went right to sleep and slept until the morning. He didn't fall off the bed at all, which I was worried about. Step two? Also, a success!


Our last challenge was naptime! Most of my friends told me their child stopped taking naps when they moved into the big kid bed so I was determined to do what I could to make sure he would continue to nap. Today went perfectly, just like any other naptime in his crib. He talked for a bit and then fell asleep. I did have to go in there again to open the closet door, for some reason he has to have everything organized and the doors shut...wonder where he gets that from? I guess we'll have to find a better place for the monitor!

Another milestone has just passed and it's definitely been a proud mommy and daddy moment, although I must admit, a bittersweet one! I can't believe how quickly the time has passed and that my baby boy is in a big boy bed and about to turn 3!!! How did that happen?!?!?

London Recap

We just got back yesterday afternoon from a great trip to London. Jackson and I had so much fun pending time with family and Jackson enjoyed a few London firsts, although he refused to taste a scone! He doesn't know what he's missing ;-) Here are some highlights and best memories:

~ My grandfather walks up and down the hallway in his flat every day. The first night we were there, Jackson took his hand and walked with him. It was so cute and sweet, see picture below.
~ We walked to Hyde Park and fed the ducks and pigeons. We couldn't stay too long because it was FREEEEEZING!
~ Delicious afternoon tea at The Grosvenor House, best scone EVER!!!
~ Spent too much time running around the Harrod's toy department but Jackson and Emerson loved it. They had a huge Buzz Lightyear made out of Legos that Jackson was obsessed with, see picture below of Jackson hugging Buzz. And another picture of Jackson dressed up as Buzz, aka his new obsession.
~ Jackson made a new friend at a playdate my aunt hosted for us. They had so much fun playing and telling each other stories.
~ A trip to the aquarium which was unfortunately cut short because Jackson had an allergic reaction. We rushed home to get him medicine and ended up having to take him to the ER. Luckily it was a one day episode and he was all better by the next morning.
~ It only took a few days for Auntie (me) and Jackson to teach Emerson the "Uh oh, uh uh oh..." from "Single Ladies." Now as soon as the song starts, she dances and sings that part, it's super cute!
~ Jackson slept on a regular mattress for the first time in London. He is still in a crib at home and has used a pack n play on previous trips. I'm so proud of how great he did. Of course, he did have his nightly roll off the mattress but since it was on the floor, he was okay and it didn't even wake him. I would hear him tumble off and just scoop him up and put him back on the mattress. However, on our last night there, Jackson thought it would be a good idea to lock himself in the room. Although it took less than two minutes for my Aunt to bring me the key to the room, it felt like hours and I was freaking out!

We already miss everyone so much and hope to see everyone on our side of the pond very soon.

Entering the construction zone!

Jackson's new room is officially finished! Jackson and I are leaving town this Friday to visit family in London so we have decided to wait until after our trip to make the transition. He has no idea he is getting a new room, let alone a "construction site!" Here are a few more pics showing the wall decor and a few other furniture pieces, as you can see, we've kept it pretty simple, he won't have toys in his bedroom just books. Hopefully the next post will include a video clip of Jackson's reaction to his new room!!!


A little background on this poem...Tamara and I used to share a room when we were younger and we had a "Why God Made Little Girls" poem hung up and I have given my niece the same poem to hang in her bedroom. So when I found there was a similar poem for boys, I had to find a place for it in Jackson's room.