we're baaaack

wow, it seems like so much has happened since our family last updated the 5 people who check out our blog. We have been very busy traveling to Indiana for Easter, extending our visit because I threw out my back, and welcoming lots of visitors to Pittsburgh to help take care of Gio. I have always had minor back problems but never something so debilitating as this. Those who don't think it is important to bend from the knees when lifting 21 pounds about 21 times a day....I am living proof....bend with your knees!! Thank you, thank you, thank you again to everyone who helped us with our little peanut. Speaking of our little peanut, i have to find a new nickname for him now since we learned that he is allergic to peanuts. I suppose calling him 'peanut' is, well, mean. Thankfully he is a Class 2 on a level of 6 so it is not severe but serious enough that we have to see an allergist in June and carry an epi-pen on us at all times just in case. I had no idea that peanuts are in so many things that you wouldn't imagine. Pretzels, chocolate, and chic fil a are all off limits for now since they are produced in a facility that also produces peanuts or share machinery with peanuts. I'm having the most difficult time coming to terms with the fact that he will not be able to reese's peanut butter eggs at Easter...but I'm sure I'll get over it! Thankfully, the peanut butter i gave him, he didn't actually eat but he just played with it and then touched his face, which resulted in him breaking out in a rash on his face. The following day we had his 18-month well visit, which resulted in a double ear infection and blood work-what a lucky, lucky boy. When we have stressful weeks like this it is easy to overreact but it is important to remember that we have a wonderful, mostly healthy little boy and we are so very blessed if these are our biggest worries.