This train runs on tracks that used to be part of the main railroad back in the early 1900's. There is a tunnel on this route that was dug by hand and is not very wide. When train cars started getting bigger, the railroad built a track around the tunnel and donated this portion of track to the Tennessee Railroad Association. It was a neat little train ride! The tracks dead end and we got to watch how they turn the car around:
We also got to tour where they work on the trains and restore older trains. It was a neat little adventure!
We also celebrated Daddy's birthday. Olivia decorated the table all by herself (in her pajamas!):
And put the candles on the cake:
We also had a dentist visit. Olivia has done a much better job brushing, lately! They gave her some items to play dentist at home:
We also traveled to the Tri Cities last weekend to celebrate Pappy's birthday:
We also got to visit with Michael's family:
This little cutie:
is hopefully almost straightened out, tummy-wise. I ended up speaking to a lactation nurse, who recommended a few different diets to try. The first one was 10 days of eating foods that are broken down easily (free range chicken, sweet potatoes, rice, pears, and squash). That was a fun 10 days! The 10th day was last Saturday, so I'm now on a hypoallergenic diet that cuts out the top 8 allergens (dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, and shellfish). Sounds hard, but it has been wonderful after the crazy 10 day diet! I've added in lettuce and avocados for salads (with oil and vinegar), grapes, blueberries, gluten free chex, and rice cakes with sunbutter (allergy free "peanut butter," it's made out of sunflower kernels and really good!). I tried to add guacamole, since I'm eating avocados, but she had a reaction. The point of all this is to let her gut heal. Hopefully, she is only reacting to milk and soy, but since I ate milk and soy the first 7 weeks of her life, her "gut" needs time to heal. It may seem like she is reacting to more food, simply because it isn't healed yet. I will give this diet several more weeks before trying to add in any of the top 8 allergens. I have never eaten healthier in my life! Luckily, her eczema has completely cleared with this diet and her diapers are already looking better. We seem to be on the right track! And before you ask, yes, I could put her on formula. The problem is, we would be back at square one. She would most likely have to try several different formulas to find one she wouldn't react to (and the hypoallergenic ones are EXPENSIVE!). She is gaining weight well and nurses like a champ. So, do I stop the benefits of breastfeeding, just because I have to follow a diet? No brainer to me! :)
Some weekly pictures:
She is doing much better at holding her head up:
Not that she's happy about it:
Olivia got her school pictures back today. She looks so big!
Hope you're having a good week!
