Thank you so much for the e-mails and comments of support regarding this ride called Bella's Eczema. I still want to talk to the mamas who sent me their number. It has been a busy two weeks for me, unusually busy. When things slow down we'll talk...

Last Monday, I took her to a dermatologist. Skeptical of his ability to help, the morning was spent numbly going through the motions of getting us to the office. Dr. Derm's solution was to put her on antihistamines for a month to help stop her skin from itching.

I looked him square in the eyes and said, "…if I don't understand your reasons for this route of treatment, if I don't agree with your way of thinking… I don't care that you are a doctor, I won't do what you are suggesting."

I told him how I told the last doctor (an allergist) that... I will not formula feed Bella (she was only 4 months old at the time). I told him how I never went back to that allergist because he said, ... and if this doesn't work, I'm going to have to put her on formula.

And do you know what that dermatologist said? He said ... I did the right thing. He also told me that there are many babies that are put on formula for allergies who never needed to stop nursing. He went on to [very thoroughly] explain that eczema is a itch/rash cycle disease that will go away if only the itching would stop.

He went over the antihistamine use and all my questions, clarifying some more than once, with ease and patience. He complimented me on how well hydrated Bella's skin is and said, ...for the amount of eczema she has over her body right now, I'm surprised how moist her skin is, you are really on top of this issue.

He is the first doctor that made me feel like I was doing everything right. I left his office feeling hopeful, still skeptical, but just a little hopeful, too.

It took three days on the antihistamine for Bella's skin to clear up. Thursday morning when Hal put a sun dress on her, the first sun dress she has ever worn, I cried. It was so lovely to see my baby girl's milky, smooth, white skin.

That night, I started my food indulgences.

I had a mental list of all the foods I needed to eat right away (just encase the meds stop working after she stops taking them).

Pizza
Deli cheese sandwich from Whole Foods
Cheese, cheese, and more [only high quality organic] CHEESE
Soy mocha coffee from Starbucks
Bread

I ate freely without worry. It felt gluttonous and indulgent. And boy, did I get constipated!

It will not be easy going back to a restricted diet. My plan is to do the elimination diet up until she is done with her medicine then slowly, one at a time, add those foods back into my life. Meanwhile, Bella is also eating like a champ. We are avoiding all the allergens for her diet, but she has a pretty wide pallet despite her restrictions... probably because of her restrictions.

I'm excited about my new found sense of self-control. I like being a size 10/12/14 and would like to stay this size for the rest of my life. When I'm back on my rheumatoid medicine, I'd like to start exercising again. It really is easy to take simple movements for granted until you are without the ability to move. I am so looking forward to jogging again. I really miss the high I used to get from it.

I also took Bella to an allergist last week. He, also, is not convinced that she is allergic to all the foods that showed up on the RAST test. There are a lot more factors that go into unveiling food allergies linked to eczema than a RAST test alone can detect. Apparently, she may be allergic to just one item [like dander, which Hal has a serious allergy too] and that could be throwing off the entire test. Eczema allergies work differently and often create false positives with RAST tests.

This is good news but still leaves us not knowing if Bella has allergies or what those allergies are. We have a few more tests to do within the next two weeks before we know more. The allergist also agreed with all I've been doing for Bella's skin. Whew! It is for this reason that I decided to keep him on my team of doctors.

In just two days our new floor will be installed in our house. I am very excited about this! We also updated part of our master bathroom, have done some repair work in other parts of the house, are painting new colors on all the walls, and will be getting a new kitchen counter and back-splash soon.

The more we do to our house, the more I feel like it could be our permanent home.

I totally should have photographed Bella in her dress. Damn.

This picture will have to do. She bites her bottom lip often. So cute.