A quick update...

...about our sweet little Lincoln!

After months of tummy troubles throwing us for a loop over and over again, two weeks ago I went in to talk to our doctor about the craziness that had become life. Avoiding milk, soy, tomato sauce, and chocolate (that's right, even the chocolate rice milk and sorbet I mentioned earlier...) kept him fairly steady, but even then he was having reactions now and again and so it was a shaky house of cards we were living in. She looked me square in the eye, after telling me that 99.9% of babies would do fine on the hypoallergenic formula, and told me "you need to wean him". Armed with knowledge and the support of my amazing doc, I set about transitioning him over to the formula with the goal of being finished by Thanksgiving.

Here is my Thanksgiving weekend miracle: yesterday was his first full day just on the oh-so-stinky but good-for-him Alimentum formula and guess what? He went 10.5 hours last night (and ate 4 oz and went back to sleep for a couple hours). WOW! The poor guy has had a fairly rocky first 4 months with all his digestive woes, I am so glad he is doing so well and feeling so good! This formula will truly be worth every penny - and although I fully support breastfeeding and know how wonderful it is, in this case, as my doctor confirmed and now Lincoln has confirmed, this really is better for him - as well as for our family.

Go Lincoln!

Family Pictures 2010!

Is it too much to ask that your photographer move across the United States for you? Ah, how we will miss the talented Laurie Millar! Mason refused to nap the day of the shoot and was in a wild and crazy mood, and yet she managed to capture these shots - she is a miracle worker!

Here they are!...

Tennessee

Isn't it beautiful? (these are snapshots from our parents' places)

We've been away for a long time... I've basically been gone since Fall 2002 and we've been full-time gone since Fall 2005.

Although we have earned great educations, made the BEST of friends!, owned our first home, had our first two children, and much more while in Utah...

the time has come...

we're heading back!

It wasn't an easy decision and will no doubt not be the easiest move, but it feels right... so, we're taking that leap of faith and following the answered prayer.

So, our trip home for Christmas will be a one way trip...

Tennessee, here we come!

MSPI... oh my!

Milk-Soy Protein Intolerance.

MSPI, it is my new favorite acronym.

OK, maybe not favorite... most used and thought about, definitely.

I bet you've never even heard of it!

I previously posted about Lincoln's issues with my diet and it has since become much more focused and much more of a reality. Actually, as of today it has become more of a reality than ever. Today I realized that I am possibly it for him. I'll explain:

The ultra expensive formula we believed he could eat... I just discovered that he could still react to. Last night he had a bottle of it and had gas pains in the night. Although Matt reminds me that I can't jump to a conclusion just yet with one possible negative association, it is still a possible link (and confirmed by other MSPI Mamas) and was a big blow to my psyche today. There is a good chance it might not work for him - and it is even possible for a reaction to not show up for 3-4 weeks (which means I'd have to keep up my supply of milk for at least a month in the meanwhile...). The next step past this stuff is only found at the pharmacy and is so expensive that I have read about people mortgaging their home to pay for it.

NOT EVEN LYING!

So, it looks like I'll be getting more creative with my diet as I search out milk and soy free options. Just so you know, I would take cutting out dairy (my fav food group) ANY DAY over cutting out soy. Soy=vegetable oil (among many other products). It is literally in. every. thing. Even gum. And some soda. Bread, margarine, deli meats, almost all processed foods, a large amount of canned goods, chips, crackers, cookies, some hummus, salad dressings. You get the idea! At McDonalds the only thing I can eat is their apples (no dip).

I have learned a lot over the past few months and will no doubt continue to learn more. I have learned I am stronger than I ever knew. I have gained greater empathy and understanding of those with food allergies/intolerances. I am trying new foods I never would have glanced at previously... and probably eating healthier than I ever have.

I am SO grateful for the internet and for the FDA who improved food labeling. Also grateful that this is something that Lincoln will eventually grow out of and not have his entire life.

...Now I think I'll go eat a pint of that Haagen Daaz Chocolate Sorbet that amazingly is MSPI friendly... and chase it with a quart of Chocolate Rice Dream. :)

(healthier, right?)

Cheers!!

Take me out to the movies!

We took Mason to his first 'real' movie - Toy Story 3 at the dollar. We went to a new dollar theater we had never been to and it was quite quaint and perfect for our little outing! He scarfed large amounts of popcorn and LOVED the movie - sat through the entire thing, no problem. Lincoln also did amazingly well - took a cat nap in my arms and sat on my lap content the rest. It was a great late- rainy- afternoon activity!

"I'm 2!"

Mason graced this world 2 years ago on October 26th and we cannot believe how quickly time has gone! As you can see there was a lot of Lightning McQueen going on for his birthday -- he has a true love for him :)

As we sang Happy Birthday to him he sat patiently listening - and as soon as we were done he instantly blew out both candles in one breath! I was taking pictures, not video, so I was completely caught off guard that we didnt have to prompt him to blow them out and missed the shot! Smart cookie!

He had his 2nd year appointment yesterday and weighed in at 27.4 lbs (40th % -- he was in the 15th at 18 months, so way to grow buddy!) and 34 inches. He is so much fun and is growing so fast! We really are loving this age (moments of defiance included, haha) and love our little boy!

Happy Birthday Mason!

P.S. I did make the cake - with the help of a wilton cake pan borrowed from my friend Amber! (no sculpting for me) Check out Ambers work at ABCCakes! She is amazing!

Pumpkin Carving!

I thought for sure Mason would love digging into the pumpkin... this picture tells all:

Not a huge fan.

In the end, Matt ended up doing most of the work and he did a GREAT job! A picture of the end product will be forthcoming...