Another Lego Success

Here's Austin's latest Lego build. He did this in a couple of hours!

Messing Around at the Science Center

Though this isn't a picture of the boys, Nina took this really cool photograph on the way inside.

Austin's Last Day of 1st Grade

Here are some pics from Austin's last day of school.

Austin & his buddy Ben (and Nathan)

Austin & Ms. Reinhart

RAST, at last.

We received Austin's RAST (blood test) results today from his November 10th visit. It's not a huge improvement. For reference, anything 2 or more is considered a "allergic". The smaller the number, the better.

• Sept 2006, Austin's score was 79.
• January 2008, Austin's score was 27.6
• June 2008, Austin's score was 12
• November 10, 2008, Austin's score was 11.3

It's not what we really wanted to hear, but it's ok. There's talk about a food challenge in February or March 2009. I believe they want to take him from his current dose (2000mg) to 8000mg (equivalent to 52 peanut m&m's) . After I talk to Nurse Karen, I'll post the specifics as I understand them for Austin's future in this study.

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Here's the follow-up. The docs in AR think Austin's numbers are VERY good. There was a possibility that his score increased from this past June to November- and if the RAST went to 15 or more, it would've been an unbelievable pain. It could have meant going back every 2 weeks to 'updose' Austin. Also, the RAST is only one of the tests they run on his blood. Those 'other' numbers look promising, too.

Right now it looks like Austin will have to return in March for a food challenge & more blood work. This will mean that it'll be at least a one night stay. Again, this new protocol has not yet been approved and I refuse to try to fully understand what it could mean for the future. It just gives me a headache. So much changes every time we go there that I just gave up on understanding and started saying, "just tell me what you want us to do next".

So, all in all the news is good. He's still technically allergic, but he's got a huge tolerance level now. What we wanted when we started this thing was to give the kid a chance... IF he made a mistake and ate the wrong thing that it just not be fatal. We've gotten that, and we're not done fighting yet!

Austin loses another tooth.

This is tooth #2, for those keeping score.

Austin's 2nd 1st day at Kindergarten

Austin's ready and eager to start school and he's now officially a student at Citrus Park Elementary. It's been a little hectic getting this going, but as of right now, he's sitting in his classroom.

We still don't know where his bus stop officially is, when they are supposed to pick him up, or when and where they drop him off. The bus failed to show up today, so we ended up driving him near the school, parking, then walking in. I'm hoping they drop him off about where I THINK his stop is and about when I THINK they're supposed to.

Austin was in a very good mood and happy to be left to his class. He's doing very well with his sight words (thanks to Daddy) and we know he'll have a great year...

Austin helping out.

Austin asked to give Nathan his bottle before bed tonight. Man are they adorable when they get all lovey with each other!!

Austin's Kindergarden Orientation

Tonight we met Austin's new teacher. Her name is Mrs. Yeloushan and she's been a teacher for many years. School starts Monday morning and Austin gets to ride the bus.

Here's a few of Austin getting familiar with his room and one of Nathan at dinner tonight.

Summer Lovin'

Code name: Charles Edward Camembert

Went to Chuck E Cheese. Here's a shot.

This is his second.

Yep, we went to the Zoo again!

Ozzy and Nate

I just thought this was cute. Austin was watching TV and Nate-o came over to cuddle with him.

Birds and Fish... oh MY!

That's right... we went to the zoo AGAIN! AJ got a little bird he named Tata (you can see it in the first pic). We pet stingrays, we saw key deer, florida panthers, poison dart frogs, rattlesnakes, turtles, and manatees! Oh what fun!