We Four Olsons

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Californication

We just returned from a fantastic California adventure.

Asher is an amazing little flyer. He likes high-fiving passengers and playing with arm rests.

...and sleeping (surprise, surprise).

Once we landed we hightailed it to Willits, which is where my Aunt Pat, Uncle Mike, and cousin Emma live. We rented a house tucked deep in the redwoods in the middle of nowhere.

It was a very relaxing and unplugged (no cell service!) couple of days.

Josiah channeling his inner zen.

Hangin' in the hammock.

Dad & Uncle photobomb.

Represent.

Taylor the flippy earred doggy.

Asher. He's always got his eyes on mommy.

Asher & Aunty.

Ushering in the jam session.

Asher met his Great Grandpa Bear :)

The Main Event

We came to California for family... but let's be honest, we also came to eat.

Joleen kicked us off on the right foot with a crab cookie :)

Friday night all-you-can-eat cioppino feed fundraiser. Look how happy everyone is :)

What's not to love about this picture.

Aunt Pat and Joleen hosted a wine tasting... at our house... for just our family. Still counts!

Grilled oysters.

Barbequed (that is what Californians call 'grilled') lobster tail.

Oysters.

Love it.

All you can eat crab. We started with 25 whole crab. We made it through 9.

....we may have been a little overzealous...

Family Crab Feast.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Well we have hope. We had to fight for it, but we have it.

Asher's allergy appointment yesterday was disappointing. Obviously I was hoping for a clear, easy answer... and we didn't get one. His scratch test showed a 'slight' positive to pears and dust, but other than that there was no strong indicator as to what has been causing his symptoms.

Frustrated, I solicited the advice of an incredible pediatrician in Iowa City (thank you Burr Pienta's for sharing your family!). After reading my email and listening to the audio clips of his wheeze, she responded immediately with what she suspected to be the problem and recommendations for treatment.

We went back to the doctor today and made some (gentle) demands in accordance with our Iowa City pediatrician's expert advice . Asher will start on nebulizer treatments after we return from California if his wheezing continues. If he doesn't respond to that, we will bring him to ENT.

It feels good to know we have a plan.

Tomorrow morning we will be flying to California. We are very excited to hang out with the California Harrison's, visit Grandpa Bear, eat our weight in crab, and relax in the redwoods for the weekend. I'll be sure to share how Asher's first flight goes.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Today is the Day

Never in a million years did I think I would so look forward to a doctors appointment. Much less an appointment for Asher. Much MUCH less an appointment where they would be scratching him and likely drawing blood. But I am chomping at the bit. I cannot wait. I have been looking forward to this more than I would look forward to a beach vacation. So has Ben. Last night after Asher sobbed and choked on secretions for an hour before finally falling asleep, Ben and I hugged each other and said, "We are so close to having answers." It has been incredibly frustrating to have our hands tied.

My biggest fear is that we are going to leave the appointment without answers. It seems impossible, but as someone who has gone years with undifferentiated symptoms of their own, I know it can happen, and I know how frustrating it will be.

We are going with an arsenal of data and information, hopefully the doctor can make something of it, because we haven't been able to.

18 Pictures of Asher's Rashes- Following shots, blood draws, bandaids, eating, and then just the random "well what the hell?" occurrences