A dog.

When I went to pick up Nathan at daycare/preschool today I noticed an animal cage, with a dog. The director immediately told me it was their new dog, they just lost their old dog and it was hypo-allergenic. She continued to tell me that they bring the dog here and the kids love him, but my immediate thought was: Nathan is allergic to dogs. She told me that she is allergic and this is a great dog for allergies and Nathan has been around him and was fine.

I didn't know what to think. The allergist told us to keep Nathan away from dogs because he is allergic, but part of me wants Nathan to be able to pet a dog ans be ok and enjoy a dog as a friend like the rest of us.

This whole thing makes me nervous. What can I do, pull my child from the center or make a big fuss and look like a bitchy parent.

Nathan Rode a Pony at the Zoo

For Nathan's first birthday (years ago) we went to the zoo, I let Nathan go by the petting zoo and he got licked by the animals and broke out into hives. I had to give him Benadryl, it was horrible. Even since he was one, I haven't let him go by animals, especially farm animals.

When we were at the zoo yesterday they had free pony rides and Nathan asked to ride one. I wanted him to ride one as much as he did but then fear came over me. My husband said, let's try it, we can always use wipes when he is done and you have Benadryl....so we did.

He did fine and he loved it so much.

Email from a Reader....

I just found your blog researching soy challenges. I have a 3 year old girl that is allergic to Soy, Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, Pork, Beef, corn, a low wheat allergy, and she is a picky eater. Needless to say that we've struggled with getting her on the growth charts and out of her failure to thrive diagnosis. She is currently drinking So Delicious Coconut milk supplemented with a special (expensive) formula for children with digestion problems. This milk has been a life saver, they make yogurt, ice cream, and ice cream sandwiches out of it.

She also just got diagnosed with bronchitis and they've warned asthma is probably on its way.

I just talked to her doctor and her Soy levels are so low they want to do a challenge. I ran down the halls of my work hooping and hollaring. Everyone thinks I'm crazy because they don't know what kind of doors this would open in terms of the foods she would be able to eat and the financial break it would give us.

I just wanted to let you know there are others out there going through the same struggle.

Zakia V.

First T-Ball Game

Follow-up: I wanted to follow-up on my T-Ball snack post.

An email went out to all the parents about our team and it specifically asked if any kids had any food allergies. Here is the email:

If any of the children have a food allergy, please reply to all so those bringing the snack can be aware when selecting snacks. In addition, on whatever day is designated to you for snack or drink, it might be fun for your child to announce to the rest of the group that they brought the snack or drink today as it could be a good ice breaker for the kids to get to know each other.

This was my open door to reply to all the parents and tell them about Nathan's food allergies. Here is my reply:

Hello all,

My son Nathan has severe food allergies to Dairy, Eggs, Wheat and Nuts so we will be bringing our own snacks. He wears an allergy bracelet but I wanted to make sure that no one gives him a snack without checking first.

Thanks so much,

Jeanette

Nathan had his first T-Ball game tonight and after the game a mother pulls out Cheez-It's. Yes the snack that has dairy and wheat. No, it wasn't fruit or something that Nathan COULD eat. She goes to me "Is that Nathan with the food allergies?" As if she was doing me a favor by being aware or checking with me. Nathan saw the snack and all the kids getting a bag and asked me for some - I said Nathan, "You're allergic to those (broke my heart), I brought you a snack from home."

Life Embrace.

Boys will be Boys

When I picked up Nathan from school today the teacher warned me that on the bus on their way to or from a field trip, Nathan and another boy were licking each others' tongues (they are 3). EEWWW GROSS, was many peoples first thought. My first thought was OH NO, what did that other boy just eat? Did he eat peanut butter, drink milk, anything? I panicked!! No one even thinks about this, no one mentions it as if it is not a concern. It is.

Then the teacher went on to tell me that the boy just tested for Strep. What??? I asked why he was there and she said he was symptom free that he was sick over the weekend and was tested then but the results came just came back. So my immediate fear of a food allergy attacked turned into a longer fear of waiting for him to get Strep Throat.