San Diego...

was a lot of fun! It was a super quick trip, but realllly enjoyable! Much needed family time for the three of us!

First off, most of you know that we were going down there to see an allergy specialist for Mike. Every 6 months while a sailor is on Limited Duty, they get re-evaluated for their condition. Mike just recently had his medical evaluation, and the Navy decided that they may medically discharge him early because he cannot perform his Culinary Specialist job. Also, they needed to evaluate him to see if he will receive any veterans benefits (medical help/pay) after the Navy since he acquired his condition while serving. We were quite surprised by the outcome of his appt today.

The lieutenant that performed his allergy testing informed Mike (I couldnt go in for the appt) that his allergy is much more severe than we were aware. They did about 50 allergen tests on his back, and the 3 fish allergens they did were very reactive. Thankfully he is not allergic to anything else they tested him for. However, she let Mike know that his allergy is serious enough that we need to get him a medical ID bracelet or necklace to keep on him at all times explaining his condition and what to do if he goes into anaphalactic shock. She also let him know that when we eat out at restaraunts, we need to be very careful and let the staff know about Mike's allergy, because even cross-using a utensil could result in a serious/perhaps fatal attack. Very scary for me to think about that! Have to make sure when we are at family and friends hosues as well that fish wont be served, because its not only that Mike cant eat it, but it even being in the air or around him can set on an attack! We are super thankful that he has not had an allergic reaction since his time on the ship and pray that we never experience it again. Please keep him, and his overall health in your prayers! The information the LC collected will now go to a board on the Mugu base and we'll see what happens from there. Hurry up and wait as the military says :)!


Our time at the Zoo was wonderful. Mike apparently went there when he was very young, and I had never been! It was SO much fun! It was definetely a long and hot day, but Brayden did amazing! He slept a lot of the time we were there, but was awake for the giraffes, elephants, the big cats, and some of the other animals too! We had a fun experience while visiting the mountain lions. There is a fence and a bush separating you from the cage, so when the animal is in front, they are only about 2 feet away. Mike was holding Brayden at this part of the day, and the female mountain lion took quite an interest in our little guy, Mike would walk back and forth in front of the cage and she would just pace and follow them. At one point Brayden made a noise and she growled and pawed at the fence! She thought our little guy could be her afternoon snack! I got some pictures of that specific experience, along with a bunch more of the rest of the time at the zoo! Mike's two favorite animals were the tiger, who was very close to the glass and just beautiful, and of course, his favorite animal/reptile in the world, the anaconda, which was HUGE! I loved both those animals too, and the adorable pandas, and my favorite zoo animal, the giraffes as well! Not quite sure what Brayden's favorite animals were, though Mike would say the anaconda and the tiger for sure ;), such a Daddy's boy! It was so much fun to see him wide-eyed and interested in everything! He smiled and babbled quite a bit during his awake times and we are really looking forward to taking him back when he gets older!!

Pictures will come in the next couple of days, we've got to get busy packing! Our move is scheduled in 15 days, YIKES! Love to all!!