Where have we been?

Life has been crazier and busier than usual lately. I feel like I say that all the time, but what can you do? The truth is boring.

It's hard to believe that Austin will be 2 in 10 days! Where has the time gone?

Austin has been dealing with chronic sinus infections since the end of October. We should probably have our own room at Dr. C’s office because it has been like a second home over the past 2 months. We’ve seen the ENT and visited the allergist today. They performed the skin test on Austin. I was hoping this would give us answers AND A SOLUTION. It’s a good thing I didn’t hold my breath because the results of the allergy testing left me with more questions than answers. The allergist is the second doctor to tell me, “Sorry, there’s nothing we can do.” (The first was the ENT)  Unfortunately, there’s just not a lot they can do (as far as testing) with younger children. Austin tested positive for allergies to the following:

Trees (Cedar, Mesquite and Red Oak)

Grasses (Meadow Fescue, Timothy)

Weeds (Dandelion, Ragweed)

Miscellaneous (Dogs, Cats)

Apparently, even though Austin tested positive for these allergies (particularly dogs/cats) it really doesn’t “mean anything in everyday life.”  The allergist said there’s no reason to avoid dogs/cats. This makes me feel good because Austin LOVES our dog, Cagle and vice versa. All of the positive allergies are mild, according to the scale- except for Cedar. Austin has a moderate allergy to cedar.

What did we learn today? You can test positive for an allergy, but it doesn’t really mean anything.

Ugh. And don’t even get me started on what we were told about his RED cheeks. The allergist said he thinks Austin’s red cheeks will “go away” once he stops putting his fingers in his mouth because there’s acid in the mouth and he’s rubbing it on his cheeks. That is, hands down, the most ridiculous reason for a child having red cheeks that I’ve ever heard. Toddlers put their hands and EVERYTHING else in their mouth. It’s age appropriate. So, why don’t ALL toddlers have unexplained red cheeks? I have to stop now before my brain explodes.

Austin continues to amaze me, his father, family and all of his therapists. His mind is truly like a sponge…he holds on to everything he learns and sees. He’s using sign language (finally!). So far, we don’t have very many words, just “Mama” “Mom” “Dad” “DaDa” “Bubble” “No”. However, Austin comprehends A LOT of words/phrases. He follows directions (when he wants to.) If I ask him to bring me his shoes, book, toy or some other various object, he will. He does the motions to several songs. He puts his hands in the air for “up” and puts them down for “down.” He walks 50% of the time. His PT and OT have both had to write new goals for him.

Here are some pictures to catch you up: