My favorite moment of the day:
I was trying to demonstrate one of my cool body combat moves on Kaylon tonight (a push kick), which he was wary of, so he backed away. I told him not to worry- that I wouldn't really kick him.
Out of nowhere, Moira runs up to Kaylon and says simply, "I will," and kicks him in the shins.
We couldn't stop laughing for bit. I love that girl's spunk!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Allergy Addendum
Our trip to the allergist was a productive one. Since they were doing the skin test I wanted to narrow down our pricks so that I wasn't torturing my 11 month old too much. So we settled on oat, rice, beef, chicken, pork, peas, tomato, and dog- things that she has been exposed to and that we eat a lot of (no need to do things like lamb, sea food, or other nuts since we don't eat a lot of them). We only got two positives out of the bunch:
Chicken and dog.
The chicken was a big reaction- bigger than the control. Totally unexpected. Something I thought was so safe... but I can attest that since taking her off of it, her skin has cleared up to near perfect!
The dog result was very slight. Not enough to get rid of our dear Yoda-dog. (Lucky him.)
I got a real sense of peace after the results- yes it was another thing to deal with, but it explained why she was still breaking out in hives all the time (we eat chicken a lot). I just have to find her other proteins to eat when we eat birds. Plus, now I know for sure that there are 6 more things that she can safely eat without a trial and error period!
Chicken and dog.
The chicken was a big reaction- bigger than the control. Totally unexpected. Something I thought was so safe... but I can attest that since taking her off of it, her skin has cleared up to near perfect!
The dog result was very slight. Not enough to get rid of our dear Yoda-dog. (Lucky him.)
I got a real sense of peace after the results- yes it was another thing to deal with, but it explained why she was still breaking out in hives all the time (we eat chicken a lot). I just have to find her other proteins to eat when we eat birds. Plus, now I know for sure that there are 6 more things that she can safely eat without a trial and error period!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Allergies We Never Wanted
And the test results show... (drum roll please)
Severe allergy to egg white, egg yolks, and peanuts, as well as a moderate allergy to wheat.
If I'm being completely honest, I have to say that this is one of those childhood things that I never wanted to deal with- not just a passing thought, but really something I hated to think about. And I was right- I hate it: the hassle of reading labels for obscure words that mean wheat, or making a separate meal for Violet after making a full meal for 5 other people. Mostly I hate how scared I am every time she eats- especially when she naps after lunch- scared that she's going to have another reaction to some random ingredient I missed, or didn't know she was allergic to (because her allergy panel was not exhaustive), or that her three year old sister fed to her trying to be nice. And I hate how her skin is always bumpy and itchy and I fear that it's not just from her drooling, but a minor reaction to something that I fed her.
But just like everything else in this life, it is what it is. There's nothing I can do but help her eat the right things and stay away from the yummy food that her body thinks is poison. And perhaps get a better attitude about it, which I'm guessing like many things in my life, will come with time.
Severe allergy to egg white, egg yolks, and peanuts, as well as a moderate allergy to wheat.
If I'm being completely honest, I have to say that this is one of those childhood things that I never wanted to deal with- not just a passing thought, but really something I hated to think about. And I was right- I hate it: the hassle of reading labels for obscure words that mean wheat, or making a separate meal for Violet after making a full meal for 5 other people. Mostly I hate how scared I am every time she eats- especially when she naps after lunch- scared that she's going to have another reaction to some random ingredient I missed, or didn't know she was allergic to (because her allergy panel was not exhaustive), or that her three year old sister fed to her trying to be nice. And I hate how her skin is always bumpy and itchy and I fear that it's not just from her drooling, but a minor reaction to something that I fed her.
But just like everything else in this life, it is what it is. There's nothing I can do but help her eat the right things and stay away from the yummy food that her body thinks is poison. And perhaps get a better attitude about it, which I'm guessing like many things in my life, will come with time.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Camping and other Emergencies
We love camping as a family. (I will love it more more when the kids are older and can help with camp set up, versus hindering it.) So we decided to head down by my dad in Southern Maryland to camp Easter weekend. It was fun- especially having Pop come spend Saturday with us around the campfire, but oh, the lessons we learned.
First, camping on a holiday weekend is not advisable, especially if a mythical visitor is supposed to visit. Pop and Grandma Brandi were gracious enough to let the Easter Bunny leave his eggs at their boat Saturday morning, but packing eggs, and candy, and gifts, in the already stuffed van was just another headache. Plus we ran out of time to decorate eggs. The girls didn't notice, but I did.
Second, don't camp with children until it is warmer than 40 degrees at night, especially if it's windy. The weather was pretty perfect during the day, but at night I barely slept at all, worried that the girls weren't warm enough, especially Violet. We covered her pack n play with a blanket and doubled her sleepers, but that didn't stop me from freaking out. The older girls had military grade sleeping bags, so they were fine.
Third, don't introduce new foods to babies under one year old while camping 2 hours from home. Violet had a severe allergic reaction at breakfast (we're guessing from eggs- test results should be back soon). It came on gradually, but developed into swelling of the entire body and major hives. We were able to call our insurance and get the correct dosage for Benedryl, which had her looking better before we even got to the urgent care. Pop and Grandma Brandi took the girls so that Kaylon and I could take her in.
On arrival at the Urgent Care, we were ushered back immediately. They took down our story, checked her out, and I figured we would be allowed to leave soon. I was glancing out the window while doing the paperwork, when I saw an ambulance pull in. I mentioned out loud that I didn't know that ambulances brought patients to Urgent Care. Not 30 seconds later they handed me the paperwork to have Violet taken to the hospital by that same ambulance. They rejected my offer to drive there myself since it was possible for her to have another reaction. So Violet and I got our first ride in an ambulance. She got a new teddy bear and a good Benedryl nap, and I learned a little about EMTs vs paramedics. At the hospital she was observed for about 4 hours and finally released.
We're awaiting the results of the blood tests, which tested for the common allergies. I have to admit that food allergies was one of those childhood things that I never wants to deal with. I'm kinda glad that it's eggs and not wheat or milk (knock on wood). Mostly I am so grateful that Violet is ok. Seeing her swollen like that- especially her face was just as awful, if not more, than seeing Liliana's skull when she split open her head. Yay for modern medicine.
My final thought: the only child who hasn't gone to the ER is Moira... I terrified at what she'll do to get herself there!
Second, don't camp with children until it is warmer than 40 degrees at night, especially if it's windy. The weather was pretty perfect during the day, but at night I barely slept at all, worried that the girls weren't warm enough, especially Violet. We covered her pack n play with a blanket and doubled her sleepers, but that didn't stop me from freaking out. The older girls had military grade sleeping bags, so they were fine.
Third, don't introduce new foods to babies under one year old while camping 2 hours from home. Violet had a severe allergic reaction at breakfast (we're guessing from eggs- test results should be back soon). It came on gradually, but developed into swelling of the entire body and major hives. We were able to call our insurance and get the correct dosage for Benedryl, which had her looking better before we even got to the urgent care. Pop and Grandma Brandi took the girls so that Kaylon and I could take her in.
On arrival at the Urgent Care, we were ushered back immediately. They took down our story, checked her out, and I figured we would be allowed to leave soon. I was glancing out the window while doing the paperwork, when I saw an ambulance pull in. I mentioned out loud that I didn't know that ambulances brought patients to Urgent Care. Not 30 seconds later they handed me the paperwork to have Violet taken to the hospital by that same ambulance. They rejected my offer to drive there myself since it was possible for her to have another reaction. So Violet and I got our first ride in an ambulance. She got a new teddy bear and a good Benedryl nap, and I learned a little about EMTs vs paramedics. At the hospital she was observed for about 4 hours and finally released.
We're awaiting the results of the blood tests, which tested for the common allergies. I have to admit that food allergies was one of those childhood things that I never wants to deal with. I'm kinda glad that it's eggs and not wheat or milk (knock on wood). Mostly I am so grateful that Violet is ok. Seeing her swollen like that- especially her face was just as awful, if not more, than seeing Liliana's skull when she split open her head. Yay for modern medicine.
My final thought: the only child who hasn't gone to the ER is Moira... I terrified at what she'll do to get herself there!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
National Zoo
We had a great day a the National Zoo yesterday with our good friends the Smiths (minus our hubbies). What makes it amazing is that we had a great time even though traffic was awful, there was no zoo parking, we feared being ticketed or towed most of the day since the back end of our van (past the rear tires) was sticking out of the parking zone on the street we found, and we didn't make it back in the allotted 2 hour time frame, oh, and we lost Liliana at one point and didn't know it (Lauren happened upon her by accident- luckily we had only been separated a few minutes!). Phew. Kaylon gave me some strange looks as I was relating the day... it sounded a lot worse all put together like that- but really- we enjoyed ourselves and the kids did awesome! It helps to have amazing company!
That said, Lauren and I have vowed to never drive to the zoo during Spring Break ever again.
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