Specialist.

We finally had our appointments with the Allergy and Asthma doctor today and it was very informative!

We had a consultation with our new wonderful doctor- who came highly recommended! And went through the boys history. Then we had allergy testing. This is standard for asthma sufferers as allergies can set of asthma so it's important to be aware of any reactions. That way we can help the asthma by avoiding or treating the allergies.

They do this with a number of tiny pin pricks on the back, see the inflamed dot on the lower left as you look? That's the "control" histamine test so therefore there is a reaction. All the other actions were very mild, and we're gone within the time frame, and therefore both boys were given the all clear on allergies! That's good news for them and Guinness :)

 

Needless to say the boys did not enjoy the procedure! But handled it so very well. I hated it and wanted to cry! It was over very very quick, they have these little gadgets with like 8 needles in so they get the whole lot done and over with very quick.

Because the boys mainly have asthma symptoms in the winter we are not going to start new treatments right now. Both boys have rescue inhalers as needed, and both have tried singulair. Harrison suffers a little with activity induced coughing, so if this continues throughout the warmer seasons we will get him some preventative care. The same for Allister. But nothing right now.

Here are some things we learned about asthma:

You never grow out of asthma. People who have asthma as a child, always have it. It's just that as your airways grow and your lungs mature, the symptoms tend to be less bothersome, or go completely. It is common for people who think they had "childhood asthma" to suffer with coughs and wheezing occasionally As adults and not Realise it's their asthma.

If left untreated asthma in children can lead to complications and reduction in lung function later in life. The peak of lung function is around 30, after that age the function declines. If childhood asthma is not controlled the peak is lower therefore the decline later in life is also lower.

Coughing can be the only symptom of asthma. Wheezing isn't always noticeable.

Croup is a symptom of Asthma! This will explain why Allister has had croup like 4 times this winter! Both are closely related and go together.

He gave us a super huge book to read so we can learn all about asthma! Thankfully the management of their asthma should be pretty easy as they don't have allergies. The goal is to go back in 6 months and get a preventative plan for next winter. And providing the boys don't continue to have symptoms we shouldn't need to see the specialist again till then.

It feels good to know we are being preemptive or preventative. Or both!

Sleep.

Allisters new thing is to pull the covers over his head and fall asleep. It's must get hot in there! I wait till he is asleep and pull them back off, trouble is sometimes the covers are tucked right under his head lol

He also likes me to tuck in his soft toys, like Pooh-bear and Rex! 

 

Allister update.

 Our little baby is not quite a baby anymore!

Here's a little update on him. 

He's a proper little chatterbox just like his big brother. He's using so many worlds we've lost count; 3 and 4 word sentences are the norm. 5 and 6 word sentences are happening more and more often. Its truly amazing to be able to hold a conversation with a not even 2 year old and it's such a wonderful thing! An example of some of his sentences-

 "Cat fall down mummy!"

"Guinness eat it food mummy." 

He is so cheeky and happy, but the terrible twos are definitely starting to creep in! Luckily you find a lot more humor in the stroppiness and tantrums second time round. He has this "shy" look and this "naughty" look that are adorable. I'll catch them on camera for you! He is a pro at throwing himself on the floor when you say now. And screaming. 

He idolizes his big brother. They play together so sweetly now its heart warming. Allister will copy his brother all the time, and no longer wants to use his booster seat, always use a knife and fork, says "I don't like that" and "my turn!" just like a 3 year old. 

His favorite toys and shows are now Peter Pan and anything pirate related. Toy Story is  so last year you know.  Lol. Not really, he still loves Woody and Buzz and will watch Toy Story. He also loves The Incredlibles movie. 

He is not a picky eater! I'm so glad, I am not sure I would deal well with that. And even though he exclaims "don't like that" it's just a copy cat move. He eats pretty much anything, just like his brother. Even Chilli!

See. 

 It's probably time to potty train. Urgh. 

We still talk a lot about the potty, and making it in time. He pretty much grew up watching Harrison learn how to use the toilet. And because of Harrison's busy bee nature, he still has accidents. So making it to the potty in time is a common subject round these parts. I guess that spured the his requests to sit on the potty. He will sit, and actually pee on command. So he knows how to hold it, and go when he needs. He can talk, so therefore express the need to go, so there's not really any reason not to! I'll keep you posted. He will start Pre-school (play group, nursery school, whatever you call it in England!) in Septemeber and be 2 1/2 then so I think it would be great to have both boys out on nappys by then!

 He will be 2 next month! They'll be a party on the weekend on March 9th, I'll let you know when soon. We will be keeping it simple this year, because in future there won't be so much opportunity to! With the boys having more and more say in there big day. I'll soon have a 2 and a 3 year old. Wow!

Allister gives the sweetest kisses. That's when he's not trying to lick you. Or bite you. 

He loves super heroes, star wars, cuddly toys, bananas  and sleeping in mummy and daddies bed. We will work on that last one sometime soon!

The things they say....

This is going to be short and sweet!

When we were at the park the other day there were two "big kids" (5 and 8) making a camp fire. Harrison wanted to play too, so the little girl was explaining the rules of how to make one with sticks and stuff. 

When he asked a question, she didn't understand and said "What?"

Harrison's reply?

"Don't say what, say pardon!"

I had to walk away I was laughing so much. 

I wonder where he's heard that before :)

Spring?

 This winter has been awesome! We've only had one snow fall of any significance (because the boys got a new awesome sled for Christmas!) and it's been in the 40s, and high 50s many many times. Only a little of the very cold weather. If it comes back I will be so fed up lol. 

We've been playing outside, unheard of in Ohio in February. Without coats. Here we are at the park. My little Womble of Avery Park! Cleaning up the mess.