Peanut Butter Jelly Time

When T was a year old our pediatrician suggested we have her tested for allergies, basically because she had a patch of eczema on her face that would come and go. And while she was mostly still only nursing the doctor suggested we see if we could cross certain things off the list.

Well, the first blood work came back and it said she was allergic to peanuts. But because they had not drawn enough blood, they wanted to do it a second time to be sure. Have you ever had to hold a one year old while they draw blood? Not fun. But we did it and so we now had a child that was mildly allergic to peanuts. It explained why anytime we got on an airplane, she would develop a rash on her face. It was from her playing with the peanut bag. No other reactions, just a big, oozy, eczema patch. I was happy to finally have a reason for some of her eczema issues.

But I was more scared...because peanuts or the possibility of peanuts in something is HIGH. I started looking for information about reactions to peanuts and we started carrying around an epi-pen. The doctor said it was a precaution and at two we should have her tested again. We didn't, instead I just became vigilant about keeping her away from peanuts. But she still ate things that "may" contain and when I saw no reactions I just kept an eye on her. I have a lot of empathy for parents that have children with life threatening allergies. I could not imagine how hard it is daily to deal with this because a wrong move could prove to be deadly.

Finally when she turned three, we decided to go ahead and give her another blood test, a skin test and go from there. Both came back negative! The last thing to do? Give her a food challenge. I tried not to think too much about it but last week we had it done.  And she passed. With flying colors. She is no longer allergic to peanuts! I was amazed and even a bit skeptical. And while I joked around that I saw Reese's in her future I can't help but still be a bit apprehensive. Even though I saw her eat peanut butter and not flinch or develop a rash or hives or anything of the sort.

So now we are back to having regular (albeit organic) peanut butter and saying good bye to our faithful Sunbutter companion. Anyone else have a child go from allergic to not? The doctor said about 20% of children will out grow a peanut allergy...I am so glad to be a part of that 20%.

Oh...but we are not free and clear of allergies...she did have a reaction to dogs. And guess what we wanted to get this year? Yep, a dog. I too am allergic to dogs but have usually always had one around. Guess we will have to really weigh the pros and cons of that one, huh?

Stream of Consciousness Sunday: In a Rut

Haven't done this one in a while...mostly because when I do have 5 minutes I don't want to spend it sitting in front of the computer.

I'm sitting here thinking about how fast 5 minutes will go and what I could be or should be doing instead of just sitting here. I've had a ot on my mind lately but it all comes back to the motherhood rut I seem to be in. I want to shake the rut, snap out of it before it breaks me. But honestly? I don't know where to begin. I've complained that it's like a perpetual groundhog's day around here and it is. We get up, we eat breakfast, we play, we watch TV, time for lunch. We eat, I dream about the kids napping, time for snack. We play some more, I hand Spencer the iPad, he plays, I console Teagan. Time for dinner. Teagan decides she wants a nap before bedtime and I am at wits end trying to give her waht she wants, cook and feed Spencer and clean up the kitchen. Bath time comes and inevitably someone ends up whining. Finally...my day is done and all I can think about is lying in my bed and listening to the silence. That is my day...every day. I don't take time for me becausw when my husband is gone, there is no real time for me. And when he is home? I am so tired, so burnt out, that I don't even know which way isup. The other day we went out to eat a late lunch and I forgot diapers and ended up bawling at the table because I felt like a failure. Ugh...so frustrating. And yes, I know things will eventually get better...but right now? In this moment? They are overwhelming and suffocating. And I feel like a hamster on a wheel.

*ding* There was my 5 minute brain dump. Want to release the hounds in your mind? Click the badge below and link up!

Run Forest, Run

Well it's official, Spence has a runny nose and either has become allergic to the dog or the unseasonably cooler temps and then random warm day have given him a cold. I managed to make it to 8 months before his immune system gave in.

I have to admit I am scared. Colds/Allergies are no fun when you are an adult, I imagine as a baby they are even less so. Mainly because you can't blow your nose or tell anyone if your throat hurts. *sigh* He has been a trooper today, mostly just sneezing and being patient as Daddy and I wipe his nose. I have him sleeping on a pillow to elevate his wee little head in hopes he doesn't get too stopped up.

This is all so foreign to me...should I get a humidifier? Should I get up every few hours and give him Tylenol? Can we still give a child Vick's Vapor Rub? Um...HELP!

This next pic sums up things for all of us: