Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year

I have totally neglected this blog of late. Can't even muster up an apology either since we've been enjoying some quality family time, as Hubs has had some extra days off around these holidays.

Christmas was a blast in this house. The kids were royally spoiled by Santa and extended family alike. With our Anniversary four days after Christmas, I have to admit to having been completely spoiled myself over the last week or so, too.

As of now we have family already in the New Year in Australia and South Africa, the rest of our immediate families are about to celebrate in Ireland, and I am willing to bet that the four of us will be ringing in the New Year in snoozeville!

Miss E has developed an allergic reaction to something and is constantly breaking out in hives - over two week's worth of hives! This is affecting hers, and our sleep and so we have bumbled along the last while in a state of semi consciousness, desperate to catch a nap or a large dose of caffeine to stave off the yawns. We are investigating the source of this reaction - but to date, changing the laundry detergent and washing every stitch she wears or uses has yielded no improvement. Neither has switching to sensitive skin body wash. We can't pinpoint anything she's eaten either which makes me worry that she has perhaps developed an allergy to something that heretofore hasn't caused problems?

Miss E gave up a blood sample on Friday (with nary a whimper I might add!), to see if that will give the doctors any pointers.

If any of you have any experience with anything similar, or have any tips on how I may ease the itchies - please share! Benedryl is only working for her maybe 50% of the time.

Jay is going to take 2008 in his stride, literally. He toddled off on his first steps last night - AT LAST! At 15 months it's about time boyo! However, I think the 5 minutes of 'Yahooing' that his Dad, his sister and myself rather vocally engaged in right after he did it may have traumatized him because he hasn't repeated this performance at all today.

Anyway - to all of you (if there's anyone still reading!) Here's wishing you all the very best in 2008!

17 comments:

Iota said...

What about calamine lotion which is BRILLIANT for stopping the itching of chicken pox spots. Bit messy, so don't put too much on. Worth a try though. Hope you get to the root of the problem soon.

lady macleod said...

It sounds like wonderful holidays at your house! About the hives I can tell you that Q had a few years of that when she was young (around six or so) - she just broke out in hives for any and all reasons - but she 'grew out of it' is the only explanation the doctors had. So there was an end.. Good luck.

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

Try using Cetaphil face wash on her whole body--its really gentle and hypo-allergenic. And Happy New Year--glad to see you back!

laurie said...

yikes, good luck with the hives.

hot water takes away the itching; i used it all the time when i had poison ivy over 50 percent of my unhappy body. so does calamine lotion, though it's messier than hot water.

i hope the blood test reveals something simple.

Life As I Know It said...

No good advice on the hives, just that I hope it ends soon!

And a happy new year to you!

Iota said...

I'm not sure about this, so you might want to check it out, but I think you can mix bicarbaonate of soda and water into a paste and spread it on (messy...) But that might just be for bee stings. Or is it wasp stings? As I say, you might not want to take my word for this, and check it out a bit further.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

I was going to suggest Calamine lotion as well. Has the dr. offered a cortisone cream?

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Have a great 2008 as well!!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

My hubby has eczema issues and likes Aveeno's oatmeal products for helping with the itch. He uses cortizone when it gets super bad and that knocks down the flare ups really well. Poor kid! Hope you figure out the cause!

Mrs. Schmitty said...

Happy New Year!

Julie Pippert said...

It sounds systemic and immune so hopefully that blood test will give some answers so your sweetie can avoid what she needs to and get relief. It's tough to be waiting for answers. Good luck!

And happy new year to you!

Julie
Using My Words

Dea said...

Hi Annie! Happy New Year! So sorry to hear about your Miss E! My Miss E has periodic eczema and the only thing non-prescription that seems to work is Silcocks base. I use it as soap and then rub it in as moisturizer after her bath, it really tends to keep things at bay. Not sure what it's called over there but it's just paraffin! Hope you all have a wonderful 2008!

Anonymous said...

Happy Happy New year.

I use cetaphil...great stuff...

Hope all is well, by the time you read this comment!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, my friend!

Poor Miss E - I'm sorry that had to put a damper on the celebrations. I hope everything turns out alright.

Christine said...

I was going to suggest oatmeal baths, too. I have super sensitive skin and I find it very helpful and calming.

Happy New Year (and of course I'm still reading, silly!)

shauna said...

Oh we all neglect our blogs now and then. We always come back! :) I'm glad to hear you and your family enjoyed the holidays. Happy New Year to you too!

dawn224 said...

I've been neglecting my blog reading, so we are totally even - Happy 2008 - 8 days late :)