The Ingredient List.

Here it is, because I know some of you are interested.  This is the list of ingredients that Phoenix cannot have.  It is not enough for the part of the label that says "Contains: Wheat, soy, peanuts, milk," to not include milk.  His food also has to be free of these ingredients.  Fun post, right?


Acidophilus Milk, Butter, Butter Fat, Butter Oil, Butter Solids, Butter milk Powder, Casein, Caseinate, Cheese, Condensed Milk, Cottage Cheese, Cream, Curds, Custard, Delactosed Whey, Demineralized Whey, Dry Milk Powder, Dry Milk Solids, Evaporated Milk, Ghee, Goat Milk, Half & Half, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Lactalbumin, Lactoferrin, Lactoglobulin, Lactose, Lactulose, Low-Fat Milk, Malted Milk, Milk, Milk Derivative, Milk Fat, Milk Powder, Milk Protein, Milk Solids, Natural Butter Flavor, Nonfat Milk, Nougat, Paneer, Pudding, Recaldent, Rennet, Simpless, Skim Milk, Sour Cream, Sour Milk Solids, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Sweet Whey, Whey, Whey Powder, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Whipped Cream Whipped Topping, Whole Milk, Yogurt

Phoenix's Diagnosis

     We finally have some answers for what has become known far and wide as "Phoenix's Poop Problems"  On Tuesday he underwent an endoscopy in which Dr. Harnsberger took samples of his intestines, stomach and esophagus.  Phoe was found to be "profoundly lactose intolerant".  This was determined by measuring the amount of an enzyme called lactase that breaks down the lactose in food.  A normal person's lactase level is around 25.  A lactose intolerant person's level is usually around 8 to 10.  Phoenix's lactase level is 1.6.  He is going to be lactose intolerant for the rest of his life.  The reason why we saw no results on our week dairy free is because he has been having trouble for so long that he has a large amount of bacteria build up from the fermenting, undigested lactose in his system.

     The plan now, is to give him a special antibiotic to clear up the bacteria and feed him a completely dairy free menu.  Hopefully, we will start to see improvements quickly.  I feel totally overwhelmed by this daunting diagnosis as I realize how much dairy we eat as a family.  I'm trying to look on the bright side and remember that this is in no way life-threatening.  If we do mess up and he gets a bit of milk or something, the worst that will happen is a bit of diarrhea.


           We can do hard things!

The Grotto

When I was growing up, and in fact, still today we had a tried and true, kid tested, easy enjoyable hike that was close to home.  We call it Tarzan's Bathtub or just The Bathtub for short.   It is up Battlecreek Canyon in Pleasant Grove.  We loved it and still do.  Luckily, when we moved down to the southern end of Utah county we found another perfect hike that would meet all the same criteria.  It's called the grotto.  It's short and easy, has a few bridges to cross, and ends with water and plenty of rocks to throw in the water.  The boys and I decided to go on this hike today, even though Daddy was working.  We got our lunches packed and headed up.

We took Juniper, because she is Phoenix's best buddy.  It also doesn't hurt to hand the little one the leash and have Juniper half pull him up the trail.  

My three little guys.  Aren't they the cutest?

This is a rare moment.  Sometimes it seems that all these two do is yell at each other.

Cougar sitting and enjoying his lunch by the waterfall.  We love this hike!  Gorgeous!

I love this picture of Phoe.  He is actually eating something!  It's a miracle!  All in all it was a great afternoon and we had a blast.  Too bad Daddy couldn't come.