Diet is a four letter word

Remember Nico's rash? It's back.  Nico's face was all red and blotchy earlier this week, with these raised, scaly red patches all over his face and scalp. He looked miserable, but he wasn't acting like it. Still, we went to the pediatrician, and discussed what's been going on and what I'm eating.  I told the pediatrician that I have been eating a lot of nuts, oranges, and (drum roll) I hadn't given up my beloved mocha. When I said that I had switched from milk to soy for my mocha, his eyes lit up.  "A-ha!" he said "Soy!"  I was told that 40% of people that are allergic to dairy are also allergic to soy.  I also mentioned eggs. Yep, eggs could also be a trigger. So I'm avoiding dairy and dairy items, soy, and eggs.  The ped also made my heart break because he prescribed a cream for Nico, explaining that Nico probably feels pretty itchy.  He offered to do a blood test on Nico to pinpoint allergies, but I declined. I don't want my baby going through that. 

I'm back on the elimination diet.

I hate the word, "diet" and have always prided myself on not trying anything like a diet. This is a little different, of course. But it has made me feel bad for people with real food sensitivities and allergies (hello, Andrew!) that have to be extremely careful.  It's such a bummer.  On Friday, I was at lunch with RWF. Scanning the menu, everything contained cheese, even the salads.  I was disheartened and said, "What can I eat?!!"  I settled on a turkey sandwich with just lettuce and meat.  It was bland.  Going out to eat wasn't as fun.  And I don't even have 'real' restrictions to my diet like some people do.  

I am keeping a log of everything that I eat.  It is pretty funny to read, and I can tell that I am not eating as much because it is written down!  I think twice before shoveling a handful of tortilla chips into my mouth, thinking, "Well if RWF reads this, he's going to see that I ate chips..." (not that RWF cares, but it does make me think twice)

Saturday's food diary:

1 slice pear

2 cups coffee w/Coffee Mate (yes, I realize that this contains casein)

3 slices of pear

1 small slice of banana bread (yes, eggs...but I read that eggs don't pose a threat if they've been cooked in a product for a long time) (and Nico looks fine)

chili

7 tortilla chips

salad (lettuce, cukes, carrots)

hamburger w/bun

french fries

So there's a written account of Saturday. I have a feeling that my log is going to be a lot longer and more varied as the week wears on. My guard will go down, and I'll start eating freely and not care as much about who sees what I ate!  Again, I know it sounds like I'm complaining. But I would really do anything for this baby! If I had to eat only lettuce for the next 6 months to keep him happy, I would do it.  

This child has no food allergies, thank goodness. And judging by this photo, I would say that she loves herself.

Another positive to this diet is, I'm not running over to Starbuck's every 5 minutes for a mocha.  In fact, now that I know that I can't even have a drink from Starbuck's, I don't even want to leave the house!  Put that bow away, Gianna, we are not going out today!

I am losing weight and saving money. ;)

And, I'm happy to say that Nico is looking better already.

Attention all you slackers: today is the last day to enter for the giveaway!  Just leave a comment here, and I'll draw two (2) winners tonight after I get all the monkeys to bed.  It's going to be a fun little package!

Happy weekend.

xo

Thanksgiving

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving a little early.  I roasted a turkey breast, cooked green beans, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, black olives and pumpkin pie (store bought).  I have to say, I have no idea how I pulled this off with 3 children! I was so nervous about getting it all done, and surprising RWF.  And I did!!!  Thanks to Nico for napping like a champ on Saturday, and to Bode and Gianna for playing so well on their own.  I think I really surprised RWF, too. 

I didn't snap any pics of dinner. I was just so happy sitting at the table, surrounded by my family and with good food to eat.  There were some mental snaps that I took, like the one of Gianna stealing olives off of RWF's plate.  She was so funny. She got out of her high chair, walked over to his side of the table and without even looking at RWF, took one olive off of his plate, ate it, took another olive, ate it and repeated until they were all gone. RWF looked incredulous and asked me, "Do you see this?"  Yes, I do and it is hilarious.  Another mental snapshot would be when I served everyone a piece of pumpkin pie.  I turned to grab napkins, and when I passed them out, I saw that Bode had picked up the pie in his hands and started eating it, pointy side first.  And then Gianna followed her big brother's lead. And then RWF said, "When in Rome," and picked up his pie with his hands and ate it.  (I ate mine with a fork.)

As our usual custom, we went around the table and each person said one (or more) thing that they are grateful for.  Then we stated which food of the Thanksgiving meal was our favorite.   RWF stated that he loved the sweet potatoes, but also thought the brussels sprouts were good, too. I said that the brussels sprouts were my favorite.  Bode said that he liked the turkey the best.  And Gianna couldn't/wouldn't tell us  her favorite, but judging by how much she ate, we think it was the sweet potatoes (or, olives!).

It was a nice little weekend.

Watching "the game" after Thanksgiving.

In other news, Nico is getting so big!  He weighs 12 lbs 2 oz now.  Bode had an appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday. I snuck Nico onto the baby scale when nobody was looking (so, he was also clothed instead of bare naked).  I was dying to know how much he weighs.  He certainly feels heavier these days.  He has more 'heft' when I lift him. He does not fit so neatly on my chest when I burp him.  But he is oh-so-snuggly still, and I just adore him!

Sunday morning Nico and I lounged in bed a little longer than normal.  Bode joined us.  Nico just adores Bode, and always gives him smiles.   I think  he knows that Bode is special.  And then RWF came in from working out and joined us. We talked about our day ahead, and it was a great way to start the morning. I'd love it if all our mornings started out that way.

Gianna started riding her bike this past week. And now, that is all she wants to do. "Ride bike! Ride bike? Ride bike? Go ride bike!"  It is really cute. 

I am SO BIG! RAWR!

Twins

Triplets

Friday, I was thankful to one of Bode's teachers for talking to me.  There I was, nervous (again!) about Bode, toes gripping the edge, feeling my way with my back against the wall, fearful and tearful, and his teacher talked me down from the ledge, in her low, soothing voice. And my dear friend in Texas calmed me, too, when I confided in her.  This was all done over email, but even still, I could hear her voice and it was just like we were sitting across from each other. Everything is okay...just the normal nerves that come (and go) with being a mommy. We mommies have to stick together!

Friday afternoon, I was feeding Nico and my feet were bare and freezing.  I asked the baby sitter if she had seen my socks (because I had kicked them off earlier).  She said that she had not and went on her way. A few minutes later, she came back with a clean pair of socks, and put them on my feet for me. And then she gave my feet a vigorous rubbing to warm them up completely. It was such a sweet, unexpected gesture. 

And that is just a sampling of what I am thankful for this past week.  I am looking forward to this week, the actual Thanksgiving Day countdown begins!  I am lucky because I get two Thanksgivings this year! 

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

Happy Monday.

xo