4K Open House

Tonight we went to 4k Open House at Nathan's new school. We met his teacher and saw the classroom, Nathan loved all the toys and played with the other children. He didn't want to leave.

His teacher told us that she didn't have any allergy children this year but had quite a few last year - Milk and Gluten. It made me feel  a little more relieved that she has dealt with food allergies before. She asked me about snacks and birthday treats and I told her I had them all ready to bring in and that I had some candy and frozen cupcakes for Nathan - to use for birthday treats. She said she had a freezer in the classroom. She also told me that they offer juice at snack time since he can't have milk. He is only going half days so no lunch at the school, just a snack time.

4k Registration

Today we registered Nathan for 4k at an elementary school in our new neighborhood. We were planning on starting him in school in October when our house was built, but since we don't have a daycare right now we talked to the school about starting him on September 1st and commuting. We have some paperwork to fill out and he could be starting with the rest of the kids.
Registration went good, we got to see part of the school, Nathan had his school pictures taken, we found out about bus information and even how to raise money for the school. We met with a nurse and gave her our health papers (required by school) the extra food allergy instructions and allergy plan that I made. I gave her all Nathan's medications, EpiPens, Benadryl, and an in-haler. She gave me another form to have filled out by our doctor for the in-haler.
When we got to the school lunch table, they give you a choice of buying milk for your 4k child for snack time since it is half day and they don't have lunch. I asked about soy milk and they told me I needed to email or call  someone else or we could choose juice which is around $8.50 for the year. Juice just seems easier and may have a less chance of Nathan's soy milk getting mixed up with the other children's milk.
Of course new school (big boy school) and more anxiety, but I am hoping that everything will be fine.

He's Allergic

I signed Nathan up for Nature Sprouts at a local nature center. It was about squirrels and the guide (an older woman) reads a story, they play a few games and then snack time. Ack!!!! She hands out Honey Bunches of Oats with Nuts, cereal in cups. I stopped her before she got to Nathan and said "I am sorry, he is allergic." Then she looks at me really puzzled and says "he's alllllergic?" "Yes" I said.  Then she tells me that she thinks they might have some graham crackers and starts to walk towards the door. I say, "No thanks, he's allergic, he is ok,. I have a snack in the car." Then she gives me a strange look and says "well I know he isn't allergic to water, he can have some water?" I said "yes, water is fine, thanks."

BBQ with friends

Today we went to a BBQ at a friends house we met through the allergy group, I started. They have a boy that is a week apart in age and has the same exact allergies as Nathan. I am so thankful that they are our friends and the mom and I can compare notes and talk about food allergies. We have play dates and talk on the phone when we need someone who understands to listen.
It was so refreshing to be at a party and not have to worry about what Nathan is going to eat. They had allergy friendly food for Nathan and he and his friend ate the same foods. All the kids played in the pool and the yard and had a great time.

Please don't feed my child peas

I don't pack fruit or veggies in Nathan's lunch, the daycare supplies them (hope my money goes towards something since he doesn't eat their meals).This morning when packing Nathan's lunch for daycare I noticed on the menu that they were having peas. The least few times Nathan has had issues at lunch at daycare was when he ate peas. He usually gags and throws up, coughs and tells me his tummy hurts.  We discussed this issue with Nathan's pediatrician last week and she agreed he shouldn't eat them. We don't know for sure if it is an allergy, he just doesn't like them, or the texture, so I sent a note in his lunch box to "please do NOT give Nathan peas today."

Around 4pm, I get a call ( I have told them not to call me at work unless it was an emergency - they call me all the time) at work from the owner of the daycare to tell me that "Nathan ate peas and he loved them." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I sent a note telling her that I didn't want Nathan to eat peas and she stills gives them to him against my wishes. How dare her. This is a child that has severe food allergies!!! Then she gets mad at me and tells me that I need to send a note from his pediatrician saying he can't eat peas and by the state she needs to fed the kids a veggie - and if he couldn't eat them I should have sent something else. I didn't know this. She gets angry with me and tells me that I don't respect her (no I don't respect people that don't follow my directions) and I should give her my 2 weeks. I was speechless!!! I couldn't believe I trusted this woman with my child and this daycare. How can she just ignore my note??

At 5pm, I pick up Nathan, she isn't there because she talks a big talk and can't face you. I walk in get Nathan, get all his stuff and walk out without saying a word to anyone. Nathan is coughing and telling me he has a frog in his tummy. He said mama, I ate peas.

That was the last time we stepped foot in that place. I feel like I need to report this daycare. This is the place that the 2nd day Nathan was there broke his arm (needed a cast) and didn't get treatment, he also got nurse maid elbow on another day (didn't get treatment) and wanted me to feed Nathan wheat. I am asking myself why were kept him there just over a year.

It seems like ever since we told the daycare owner that we would be leaving in October (because we are moving) she has wanted us out so she could fill Nathan's 4k spot there, there is no 4k in that school district. She is greedy and money hungry.

Since we paid for the whole week and his field trip next week we are going to request she refunds our money.

Read more about this day care:
They possibly gave him milk.
Broken Arm
Gave him wheat
Daycare has a dog (Nathan is allergic)
Lunch problems at daycare

Peanut Butter at the Beach

We went to the beach today and I noticed a father rinsing a small child off in the water, the child just got done eating peanut butter and had it all over him. I knew this because I looked at the chairs where the family was and  the jar of peanut butter was sitting out.

I think having a child with food allergies makes a mom very aware of her surroundings. I feel like a hawk always watching and noticing other kids and what they are doing.

Is it just me or are all moms observant as me?

Nathan's 4 year well check

Today, Nathan went to the doctor for his well check.
Weight: 30.5lbs
Height: 3"1"
It seems small for a boy his age but for him this is normal. He had a few shots and got his prescriptions re-filled.

Therapy for food issues?

At our doctor visit today we discussed Nathan's food allergies and his issues with his eating and food. He will come home from daycare and say "mommy, I didn't throw up today at lunch."  There are so many emotional issues he deals with daily such as: he has to sit at a separate table, having to eat something different as everyone else, or even being left out at a party.

The doctor told me that in the future it is very common for children with food allergies to need therapy. When you have a child that is 4 years old you don't want to think about therapy already.

Dirt Cups

Today while sitting at my desk at work, I remembered that daycare is making dirt cups with Oreo cookies and chocolate pudding. Nathan won't be able to participate because I didn't get to the store and get special cookies and soy pudding.

So I feel horrible today, feeling like a bad mom who is too busy to get special food for her allergy child. I will have to figure out a way to make it up to him.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Update: It turned out fine, when I picked him up they told me that they gave him one of his brownies with his soy ice cream and put fruit snacks on it. He loved it.

Contest Winner

The winner of the Divvies Bakery Cookbook is Victoria A. Congratulations Victoria!!!
Thanks to everyone who entered and watch for more contests in the future.

Food Label

These are not allergy safe for my son since they do contain milk, but the allergen information caught my eye. I don't think I ever saw a label like this. 

ALLERGEN INFORMATION Contains Milk. 

Good manufacturing practices used to segregate ingredients on the facility that also processes eggs, soy ingredients, wheat peanuts and tree nuts.