Wish us luck!

Tomorrow afternoon Kaiden goes in for his allergy testing. We're hoping that we'll be able to find some triggers for his eczema, so we can better manage it by avoiding things he may be allergic to. Thankfully, his ankles haven't been too severe this past week, since we haven't been able to use any of his ointment on it in preparation for the allergy testing.

We go in the afternoon, and will be there for several hours. The appointment also happens to fall during K's typical naptime, but I am feeling pretty positive about the day overall. The allergist we will be seeing is said to be really good, and I am *really* looking forward to knowing any possible food and/or environmental allergies that may be worsening his skin problems.

For anyone interested, we're going to the Allergy and Asthma Associates of Maine, and will be seeing Dr. Cardona. This is what is said about him on the website. It is definitely an encouraging thought!

"He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed a pediatric internship and residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. He then went on to complete a three year pediatric and adult Allergy and Immunology fellowship at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, Colorado, voted #1 Respiratory Hospital in the U.S. for the last ten consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. While at National Jewish, he was fortunate to train under some of the leaders in the field, with a strong focus in both pediatric and adult allergic and immunologic diseases. He has received national recognition for basic science research in atopic dermatitis (eczema). His special interests include atopic dermatitis, food allergy, and asthma and he is bilingual in both Spanish and English."

Where we go from this, who knows, but I'm very hopeful it will be a step forward.

Non-stop sewing!

Or at least that's what it feels like... Between sewing up 36 diapers and trying to find time to sew up all the recent store orders, it's been insane! I feel like I've done nothing but sit at the sewing machine lately. After sewing up close to 30 rat hammocks this weekend, I thought I was doing pretty well... Until I counted how many were still left to sew!

Here are some of the recent projects. All of this was just within the last week!

Playing with chickens

Kaiden must certainly take after me - he loves just about every animal he meets! While cows still rank up there as one of his all time favorites, he's taken a great liking to chickens lately. He really enjoys going over to Dana and Richards to feed them, especially when he gets to gather eggs. Watching him chase the chickens to try and pet them is wicked cute, although... I'm not sure the chickens would agree on that one.



Next to playing with chickens, going over there to gather (and eat) tomatoes is quite fun. He gets his own cup to fill with cherry tomatoes. Only problem is, by the time it rolls around to leave, he's already eaten them all!




In other news, Kaiden is doing GREAT with the potty learning. He initiated going to the potty on his own several months ago now, but we have been rather lax as of late encouraging him to use the potty. However, he's been (almost) completely dry for almost a week now! He's even waking up dry more nights than not! We're still using trainers when we're out, but at home he's usually in undies.

It's incredible how quickly and how eager he is to use the potty. Perhaps part of his learning so early is due to the cloth diapers, perhaps not. In either case, it's a bittersweet moment. He really is growing up! No more baby in adorable fluff who depends on Mommy for everything.

Fun on a swingset

Kaiden got a new swingset for his birthday. Thanks Trish! He LOVES it! The slide, despite being huge for him, is his absolute favorite thing to do when he's outside now. Slightly nerve wracking, but certainly a blast!







----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Clocks
via FoxyTunes

Boys can play too!

Dollhouses aren't just for girls! Kaiden spotted this dollhouse in a pile of things Mom was sorting through, and insisted we get it out and let him play. He sat there quietly for the longest time playing with the dolls and furniture. The coolest part of all is this is the same dollhouse I used to play with when I was younger!