Lions, Tigers, and Mayer, Oh My!

As our summer continues to roll on, Chris and I have been able to have some awesome date nights!  Specifically, we went to a Detroit Tigers baseball game, a John Mayer concert, and a Detroit Lions pre-season football game (in that order).  

My parents were originally slated to go to the Tigers game, but, due to a funeral, they generously passed their tickets on to us.  We had a great time at the game, and even though I couldn't enjoy a hot dog (they have milk in them), it was fun to enjoy America's past time with Chris.  As we watched the game, we heard some echoing explosions and it took everyone a minute of panic before someone sitting near us remembered that they are filming the new Transformers movie downtown! 

 I love taking selfies as much as I love saying the word!

Comerica Park

About a week later, we headed out to Clarkston, MI for my anniversary gift - two tickets to John Mayer's "Born & Raised" Tour.  The last John Mayer concert I went to was so good (he is an incredible musician), that Chris wanted to go to a concert too.  Unfortunately, at that time, John developed some granulomas in his throat and took about two years off from touring.  When he announced his "Born & Raised" Tour, Chris snatched up some tickets right away.  Our seats were good to begin with, but about halfway through the concert, an older couple left and handed us their tickets, which were about 15 rows from the stage!  Needless to say, we had a great time.

I just can't help it . . .

 John Mayer is in a "Montana" phase:)

Finally, last Thursday, we went to the Detroit Lions pre-season game again the New England Patriots.  For those of you who know Chris, you know why we went to this game!  He is an avid Patriots fan and Tebow enthusiast, so we got some really great, really cheap tickets from Stub-Hub.  Unfortunately, the Lions absolutely smoked the Patriots (it must have been backwards day or something).  Not only did they lose, but they didn't play Tebow (he's their third string quarterback), so Chris was double bummed.  At the end of the game, he turned to me and said, "When Tom hurts, I hurt".  Nonetheless, it was nice to go to Ford Field for the first time (they finished it while I was in college, so all the Lions games I went to growing up were at the Silverdome).   

Another selfie!

A nice couple took our picture and we took theirs!

Tommy and the boys in action!

I would be remiss, however, if I didn't thank our neighbor and friend, Darlene, for watching the kids while we went to the Tigers game and my parents, for watching them when we went to the concert and football game.  I honestly thought this summer would be our slowest because of the baby, but I have been pleasantly surprised!  We hope you have been enjoying your summer too!

Oh!o

A few weekends ago, we took a long awaited trip to Columbus, Ohio to visit Chris' family.  It was wonderful to be able to see his family and for them all to meet baby Eli and see how much Emma and Ethan have grown.  We aren't able to visit often, so when we do, it is precious time with his family.  We planned our visit to coincide with Chris' high school Alumni Weekend, and Chris was so excited to be able to see old friends and play a game in the softball tournament. Unfortunately, it absolutely poured on the day of the tournament, so the kids and I found a Target to walk around.  Turns out, it was the largest Target I have ever been to (28 checkout lanes), so it all worked out in the end.  After we visited Columbus, we headed to Yellow Springs to visit Chris' Dad.  He lives on quite a bit of land and recently acquired some horses, which the kiddos were really excited about.  I forgot my camera again (I blame it on having a small baby), but managed to get some pictures with my Blackberry.

 One of Grandpa Mark's new horses

Ethan checking out the other horse!

 

Target Greatland!

 

This may seem like an odd picture, but we used to eat at O'Charley's when we lived in Louisville and haven't seen one in such a long time, so I was excited to see one!

It was one busy and hectic weekend, but we had a great time visiting with friends and family and spending some time together during the travel time.  Columbus and Yellow Springs are great cities (big and little, respectively), and if you ever are passing through, you should stop for a visit!

Got Milk?

Shortly after Eli was born, we noticed that he was becoming extremely fussy all the time.  He was spitting up almost everything he ate and kept developing rashes.  After a trip to the pediatrician, he was diagnosed with infant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which means he has a pretty severe case of acid reflux.  This was not a huge surprise because Eli's big brother, Ethan, also had GERD.  Thankfully, we caught it much earlier with Eli than we did with Ethan and were able to start him on medication to treat it. 


While some of his symptoms improved greatly, Eli continued to be in tremendous pain and would break out in hives.  We headed back to the pediatrician who suggested that we test him for a milk allergy.  That test came back positive, which meant if I wanted to continue to nurse, I would have to cut out all dairy from my diet.  At the appointment I wasn't too worried because I thought, "Not a problem - I can give up milk and cheese for a while."  What I didn't realize at the time is that dairy is in nearly EVERYTHING we eat!  Don't believe me?  Check the labels on what you just ate.  From spaghetti sauce to lunch meat to Special K cereal (even without milk) to McDonald's french fries, there is dairy in about 90% of the foods we eat.  The diagnosis also meant that I would have to watch my soy intake because a lot of babies that have milk allergies also are allergic to soy.  And if you think milk is prevalent, soy is even more so.

Cutting out dairy has been difficult.  Not just because I miss eating yogurt or cheese, but because it has changed my diet and my cooking completely.  Trips to Kroger take twice as long because I have to read the labels on everything.  Eating out requires looking up the allergen menu beforehand so I don't accidentally eat something I shouldn't.

Despite the challenge it has posed, when I cut out dairy completely, we saw improvement in Eli within days.  In the weeks that followed, we saw an even greater improvement (dairy takes about 4 - 6 weeks to leave the baby's system completely).

Still, there are days when Eli suddenly breaks out in hives or wakes up screaming in pain.  After a few more trips to the pediatrician (I jokingly told Chris we should have our own parking spot by now), the doctors have found that he continues to have blood in his stool, which means that he is having an allergic reaction to something else.  Our next step is to take him to a pediatric allergist to have him tested for other food allergies, and we will go from there.

The Lord has been teaching me so much during this, for which I am so thankful.   First, I am reminded that from the moment I see those two pink lines, I have absolutely no control over how things turn out, but the Lord does.  Parenting is a constant reminder that, despite our best intentions, God is sovereign over the lives of our children.  I would have never chosen for Eli to have a milk allergy, but I am thankful that God has a purpose for it.  He has also used it to teach me discipline, especially when it comes to my diet.  Cutting out dairy and most soy has been incredibly difficult, but God has shown me much grace and there has been much joy in sacrificing my wants for Eli's needs.  I have also been tremendously blessed by those who have walked this path before me.  Thank you to my Michigan and Kentucky friends who have given me advice, sent me delicious, dairy-free recipes, and prayed wisdom for us!

As we move forward, please continue to pray for wisdom for us regarding Eli's diet and health.  We are seriously considering switching from nursing to a hypo-allergenic formula, which has been a difficult decision for me.  I have enjoyed nursing all of my babies, and it makes me sad that I may have to stop so early, but if it is what will be best for Eli, then it is what I need to do!  Also pray that the pediatric allergist will be able to pinpoint what, if any, additional allergies he may have.  Lastly, pray for Eli!  He is a trooper and generally a happy baby, but when he has an allergic episode, it is pretty painful for him.  We know God is in control, and will continue to keep you posted!

Colossal Coaster World!

It's that time again!  Yes, it is hard to believe, but it is Vacation Bible School time.  Like most of you, our church had the Colossal Coaster World theme.  The decorations were incredible, especially in the VBX room (6th graders) where my Dad volunteered.  I love VBS week because it is really exciting to see how God gifts people in so many different ways!  Overall, it was a wonderful week of serving, worshiping, and sharing the Gospel with  kids.  We are so blessed to be at a church that doesn't just put on VBS because of tradition, but because they care about investing in the children of our church and the community around it.  I wish I would have taken more pictures, but the week was so busy and so much fun that, honestly, I just forgot!  Still, here are a few pictures:

 Emma doing sack races

Wacky Wednesday - we had matching pigtails (it's hard to tell from the picture)

Love my kiddos!

Papa making cotton candy for the VBX-ers!