Allergy Girl

Well, we got Elizabeth's blood work back. We already knew that she has asthma tendencies and eczema. The doc said that she has a high level of antibodies that are associated with eczema. In addition to that here's the breakdown:

Peanuts - Severe Allergy
Eggs - High Allergy
Milk - Moderate
Wheat - Low
Soy - Low

So, she is now allergy girl! LOL We definitely have to avoid the peanuts and peanut products as well as tree nuts (for possible cross contamination) as we have already seen what can happen there. And we also have to avoid eggs and egg products for sure. Do you know HOW MANY things have egg in them??? The milk he said we should stay away from large amount. Well, I guess that would explain some issues we have been having from her countless consumption of yogurt everyday!! Man, she loves yogurt! The wheat and the soy shouldn't be too bad just in moderation is all.

I have looked at some different cookbooks and am starting to get more familiar with things already. Grocery shopping has definitely changed and will continue to be harder for a while I think. But, what do you do??? Not much except just do it. And with a smile if possible right?!?!!

We are so blessed to have this sweet adorable little girl! She truly is a delight so all if this is soooo doable. And in the grand scheme of things, she really is a healthy thriving child. We couldn't ask for more!

Guess What?

Yep, you guessed it! We're pregnant - AGAIN! Number 4 is on it's way! Can you believe it?? Crazy stuff! Tommy and I are very excited! I am about 7 weeks along and totally feeling like it - read: SICK! I would like to just sleep all day! I have been to the doctor a couple of times already and things look great. I will go back next week and we should be able to see the heartbeat! So exciting! I have to tell you that Benjamin is for sure that there is two in there!! Ummmm, no!! He is pretty adament though. He has also already named them! He completely ignored Elizabeth when she was born so this is very different! I'll keep you all posted!

So Benjamin regularly stalls when it comes to bedtime. Tommy and I end up tucking him in several times a night. I don't know if that is a good thing or not. Ummm, ok, I think it's probably not but oh well!

So this was the conversation that I had with Benjamin on, oh, I dunno, probably the 4th time going into his room:

Benjamin: Mom, does God put bad people into jail?

Mom: Well, God wants people to be good not bad right?

B: Ya, but how does God put the bad people in jail?

M: Well, I guess he gets the police to take the bad people to jail.

B: But how does he tell the police to do that?

M: Well, I don't know. What do you think?

B: Mom, God calls 991 and says "Hi this is God and the police need to take the bad people to jail." God knows how to call 911, Mom.

Anyway, I had to share that! Benjamin is something else!

I have to say...

...the ladies at my church are awesome! We started this mom's group a few months ago and tonight was one of our dinners. Wendy, who is also Benjamin's teacher, is the nursery attendant who stays with the kids at church while the moms meet at a restaurant. Well, tonight, I kinda didn't want to go. I am still feeling a bit overwhelmed with Elizabeth's peanut allergy diagnosis and also a bit paranoid to tell you the truth about leaving her anywhere. But as was pointed out to me by someone earlier today, she's been there since she was a little baby and I know Wendy will watch her like a hawk especially now. But still...

Anyway, I did decide to go and I was running late - OF COURSE!! In my defense, I stayed a bit longer to show Wendy how to use the epipen just in case. Worried momma!! So, I walk into the restaurant and I see this amazing group of women! I was so excited!! There were 9 or 10! How this group has grown! There was one time when is was just two of us that showed up - I have to admit THAT was fun too though!! But tonight, I was so glad to see that there were these women just ready to gab and eat and have fun! It is important for the church to have times of fellowship for all of the different groups but it was really important for me tonight! It made me feel so good. Well, them and that diet coke that I had. I haven't had one all day and I love the burn! LOL Oh, and you know what? Elizabeth had a fabulous time!

So, I just have to say, what a wonderful group of moms from church that I am friends with!!!

And now I will admit, I am about to go watch Project Runway. My guilty pleasure!!

The Dog and the Possum

I told you all something happens here everyday!!! So, at about 1:30 am I hear this awful sound, like a dog yelping, going beserk, thru Elizabeth's monitor. Initially, I thought to myself "well, cr*p, who has the croup now??!!?" But as I became more awake, I realized , yes, it really was a dog. I had to wake up Tommy (read punch him several times - he had ear plugs in!!) We got up and went to Elizabeth's room. She was sitting in her crib wondering what the heck was going on. I picked her up and she started laughing!!! The sound was coming from right outside her bedroom window. I looked out of the blinds. I just knew it was that dog from next door that used to get out all of the time. And then I saw it...that face...the hissing...that possum. That thing was ugly. But poor thing must have been scared of that crazy dog! Tommy went outside with a broom and as soon as he did, the neighbor went out too. The neighbor grabbed the dog and Tommy shooed the possum. It was huge!! I will never rake all those leaves again! Tommy assured me that it probably will never come close to our house again! But then wouldn't you know it, Elizabeth wouldn't go back to sleep........until almost 3:00 am!!!! It's gonna be a long day!

My first post!

Hello to everyone! I have decided to do this so everyone can check in and see what's going on in our world. Seems like something new everyday! Hopefully I can share the joys that these three kiddos give to us AND keep you up to date on all things!


I will use this first post to tell you all about our latest medical scare with Elizabeth. It seems that Elizabeth has a peanut allergy. We were at a store and she ate a cookie and some of her brother's cookie and before we we even at the checkout lane, her lips were swollen(really swollen!), she was coughing and she was pointing to her mouth. She seemed to be breathing ok so I went to the bakery and asked what kind of cookies were the samples. They said chocolate and peanut butter. Elizabeth ate the chocolate one and maybe a small bite of the peanut butter one but the chocolate one was in the same box as the peanut butter one. As soon as I heard that I knew that those swollen lips meant an allergic reaction.


I quickly got her to the ER and she progressively got worse. Hives, wheezing, the whole nine yards. They finally gave her lots of meds and she responded well. We were sent home but I watched her like a hawk. It was a very scary incident!


Today we saw an allergist. He did some testing and we will know more when the results come back. He did say that she had an anaphlyactic reaction. This is very dangerous:


What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction - the extreme end of the allergic spectrum. The whole body is affected, often within minutes of exposure to the allergen but sometimes after hours. Peanut allergy and nut allergy are frequently severe and for that reason have received widespread publicity. Causes of anaphylaxis also include other foods, insect stings, latex and drugs, but on rare occasions there may be no obvious trigger. (from http://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/)

An anaphylactic reaction may begin with a tingling sensation, itching, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can include hives, a sensation of warmth, wheezing or other difficulty breathing, coughing, swelling of the mouth and throat area, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. These symptoms may begin within several minutes to two hours after exposure to the allergen, but life-threatening reactions may get worse over a period of several hours. (from http://www.foodallergy.org/ )

You can google peanut allergies in toddlers and also the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).

We will now have to carry an epipen (a dose of epinephrine in a shot), Benadryl and prednisolone (a steroid) everywhere we go. This is just in case she has a reaction. Because she has had recurrent wheezing episodes, the doctor also put her on an allergy med and an asthma med. Most often, severe allergic reactions ( anaphylaxis) are exacerbated by asthma. That's what we don't want!! We will know more when her test results come back but I am wondering if her eczema and her wheezing issues aren't all related to food allergies. Hmmmmmm...

So, if Elizabeth is ever at your house or in your care, please take special precautions. Not peanuts, peanut butter or peanut products. Don't feed her anything unless you ask me, especially not bakery products and desserts. Many fast food restaurants make their food in peanut oil - don't give her any fast food unless you ask me. I hate to be such a mama bear but I think that most of you would be too. Anaphlylaxis is very scary! If for any reason you think she has eaten peanuts, call 911. If you have the epipen and meds give those too. This is what the ER docs and the allergist told us.

Obviously, I still need to do some more research and get more info with her blood work. Many kids outgrow these allergies so keep your fingers crossed!

I have to admit, I felt a bit sucker-punched! Just when I think that I have all of her diet and meds all worked out, we have to tweak it a bit! But, it is what it is!!!

Elizabeth's other medical issues seem to be in check right now. We are following a diet for that too wouldn't you know! The kid will definitely have to know her food!!! As you all know, she had her surgery to correct her birth defect more than a year ago! Time flies right?!! Her surgeon, Dr. Marc Levitt, did a beautiful job and Elizabeth is pretty darn close to normal! Woohoo!!

Elizabeth is such a sweetheart and loves playing mommy with her dolls. She also loves music and is a very good dancer!!

Benjamin is about to be 4 years old and is into all things fire truck!!! Oh, and he will start judo next month! He is so excited! Well, Daddy might be more excited! And he is talking about soccer too. We still are thinking about that one.

Jordan is really turning into a nice young man!! Can you believe he's almost 12?? He is enjoying playing the trombone at school and he likes to read.

This is a really long post for the first time but hopefully I can keep it updated so they will be just small writings!

Take care everyone!!

XOXO,

Mindy