Lauren & Food

Lauren and food are a tough combination.  We eliminated the soy from her diet and switched her to a hypoallergenic dairy/soy protein free formula a week and a half ago.  I was skeptical at first that anything would actually change and she hated the formula.

After about day 5 though she was completely clear of any congestion (which she pretty much always had - I blamed it on daycare, silly me) and her cough was almost non-existent.  Then we ran out of the trial....

You can't buy it at stores but similac and enfamil both have hypoallergenic formulas on the market.  So I went, read just about every label and bought one.  I was hesitant though because it still contained broken down milk protein...the very things that caused swelling/hives/vomiting in the first place.  So I called the doctor to check with him.  In the meantime we needed to keep feeding her something so we went back to soy.  She had a total of 8 soy bottles and within 24 hours of the first one was completely congested, snotty, and coughing all over again.  Boo.  So obviously soy is no good.

They tested her for a soy allergy back in October when they did the blood test for a dairy allergy and her numbers came back elevated but not high enough that it was considered a true allergy I suppose.  Well its causing enough issues that we are eliminating it, along with doctor recommendation now.

Friday we got yet another dairy/soy protein free formula to try from the allergist.  The last one cleared her up, but she hated it and it was backing her up if you know what I mean.  Since Friday night she has been on the new stuff - broken down even more, no crazy milk/soy proteins, basically made for babies with several food allergies or severe food allergies.  I didn't really think she'd fall into that category but whatever works and she likes the taste.  So far so good.  It's only day 3 and she's still completely snotty but I'm hoping in a few more days she'll be cleared up again.  If so we have a winner!

In the midst of all this I've been researching milk allergies, soy allergies, alternatives to use/try.  And really all its done is terrify me.  There are so many things out there that contain dairy that you wouldn't think of as being a "dairy product".  The doctor classified her as a "grade 2" on a scale from 1 to 6 but from what I understand the number doesn't matter its the reaction.  And her reactions were fairly serious last time so they don't want to take any chances. 

I found a few good blogs written by food allergy moms and what they use, try, and found success with.  It helps some.  I'm hoping she grows out of this.  She is having a food challenge when she turns one.  Since my last post about this I didn't really think anything of it, but its pretty serious stuff and I'm a little nervous.  But they do it at the doctors for a reason so we should be all good.  That will just test if she can tolerate baked milk, not drinking milk.  Plus we have a ways to go until then.

Now that we hopefully (fingers crossed) have this formula situation under control we'll focus on getting her to actually eat finger foods.  She loves her purees but gags almost instantly at a quarter of a cheerio.  She'll get there in time...sooner the better though so she'll sleep through the night ;)

Celebrate

I witnessed the cutest thing picking up the kids at daycare yesterday.  I went in like normal, checked them out of the computer and was on my way to Lauren's room when I heard an announcement over the loud speaker.  I was concerned at first, thought something was wrong...I didn't even know they had a PA system.  Then I heard lots of cheers and teachers opened their doors.  Here they had announced that one of the kids had pooped on the potty for the first time!  The 3 yr old classroom was in the hall at the time and they all marched down to the 2 1/2 year old room to congratulate the young man on his accomplishment.  It was so stinkin' cute how much they celebrated this huge accomplishment for a toddler.  It was one of Luke's friends and when I got him from his room, his buddy was proudly carrying around his pack of Smarties, his reward. 

Pre-What?

In 4 short weeks my little guy is starting preschool.  **mommy gasps** How is this possible, preschool seems so big to me, even though its not that different from what he does now, just a bit more structured and a stronger focus on learning.  He's crossing over to the other side of the hall at daycare, all the way to the caterpillar room.  I know to most of you this probably seems like no big deal but to me its like, whoa, how do I have a preschooler.  If I could take a picture of his preschool letter I would...but yeah, still haven't worked on that new blog yet. 

Oy, No soy!

Lauren and I went back to the allergist yesterday.  She's still a bit stuffy and congested but no signs of a cold.  All clear, no inflammation, etc.  So that's good and bad.  Doctor thinks maybe she's reacting to the soy in the formula.  (We switched to a dairy free formula back in October after allergic reactions to dairy.)  I thought soy was the answer.  Several brands of soy formula to choose from, lots of soy products to try, such as yogurt, milk, etc.  Well the doctor isn't convinced.  So yesterday we started a hypoallergenic formula. If things clear up in the next 5-7 days then its true her soy allergy is strong enough to be messing with her on a daily basis, just not severe enough to cause what you typically think of as an allergic reaction. 

So really, I'm looking for ideas.  Anyone out there go through similar things with a little one?  Ideas on snacks, easy dairy free kid friendly recipes, just any ideas in general.  Luke munched on lots of yogurt and cheese about this age and a lot of what I cooked had milk or butter, even if it was a little amount.  All of that is out for Lauren.

We go back at 12 months to do an allergy test and a food challenge. At that time we'll try food with milk baked in, not even actual milk.  This is foreign to me, we're a milk lovin', milk drinkin' bunch around here. 

Confession.

Obviously a lot has happened since an entire month has passed since my last post...and I was all like, give me ideas because I'm going to start a new blog.  Well I haven't started anything yet.  Shame on me, I know.  But I've been seriously contemplating this whole thing, and I apologize to everyone who has been checking in hopes for something.  Basically, I'm hesitant because I have no idea who reads this and I'm kind of putting it all out there and it creeps me out.  But I think its mostly family and friends who read, which is cool with me. So I will make a new one in time....promise.

Until then, here's our last month in review.

Christmas - We counted down, we talked to Elfy Elfy Ow (our elf on the shelf....when you leave the name up to a 2 year old you never know what you'll get) on a daily basis, we went to see Santa, we ate lots of cookies, and lots of good food in general.  Opened lots of presents and spent a lot of time with family and friends.  Luke was much better at opening presents but still just wanted to play with everything immediately after opening it. Lauren was more interested in eating wrapping paper than what was inside.  Naps were thrown by the wayside, schedules out the window.  Overall, not too shabby.

Scooter - Christmas eve we had to do the hardest thing and say goodbye to Scooter.  She was my adorable, chubby, orange and white cat, my little Scooter Bug.  Worst way to spend Christmas Eve and honestly put a damper on the entire holiday season.  I adopted Scooter right after I graduated college and moved out on my own.  She was partial to me and I to her.  It wasn't something we saw coming with made it even harder.  But in the end I know its what was best for her.  Luke still asks about her almost daily...toddlers don't really understand things like this.  Knuckles is moping around the house missing his best friend.  I think we all miss her still, it sucks.

New Years - Brought in 2013 with ice cream sundaes at home and an 8 month old baby who just HAD to be awake for the start of a new year :)

Lauren - she is 8 months old as of 12/26!  Say what?!? My baby isn't going to be a baby much longer, its crazy how fast the time is going with Lauren.  I know I always say that, so does everyone else, but its so true.  She sits completely on her own, scoots on her behind from place to place, has rolled exactly once from her back to front and only a handful of times from her front to back.  Army crawls backwards.  Loves to stand and hold on to things and I think she is just itching to get moving like her big brother.  We're still meeting with the allergists trying to figure things out for her.  No dairy at all until at least one year....that rules out a lot of food.  A lot of good food mind you.  She's a pleasant little thing, goes with the flow and still loves her two guys the best.  Daddy and Luke make her smile the most.  Her hair is coming in slowly, but still coming. 

Luke - He will be three in about a month and is as wild as ever.  We have our tantrums, we do time out, we fight naps, and we're working on listening.  And by we I mean Luke but he also has the absolute sweetest side ever.  He's mommy little guy and I wouldn't want it any other way.  Still objects to just about all meat, eats every fruit and lot of veggies. 

That's all for now...later.

Somebody is a Little Excited

Christmas is still 17 days away but Luke is more than ready. 

I've done a lot of shopping online so packages keep getting delivered to our house.  When we get home I say, "ooh a package arrived today!"  Luke responds, "Santa was here! There's a train in there Mommy!"  Every. Time.

At least 2 afternoons this week when I picked him up from school he told me Santa was coming to our house.  It's hard to explain to a 2 year old that it's not the 25th yet and we still have a few weeks.

Today we're getting into the car and I hear a train.  I say to Luke, "oooh do you hear that?"  He pauses, listens, listens again, and says "IT'S SANTA!!!!"  "no bud, just a train"  "Santa on a train?"  "no bud, just a train."

And the "best" of all...while at the grocery store today an older gentleman walks by us, gray/white hair and long straggly beard.  Luke yells, "IT'S SANTA!!"  I wanted to disappear.  Super awkward and obviously NOT Santa. 

It could be a long 17 days. 

I am thinking about a new blog but with the craziness of the holiday season right now it's definitely not happening until after the new year.  So for now only picture-less posts.  Happy Weekend all!

Ideas...

Working on a different blog...taking ideas for names.  No more Live, Laugh, Love. 

Thanks to anyone that comments!