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

Promises, promises

Today is a snow day.  Bode's school is closed. So Bode got to do what Bode loves most:  hang out in his Lightening McQueen pajamas all morning doing whatever strikes his fancy (cars, cars, and more cars).

I actually took charge of the morning and suggested a few activities. The first thing we did (by unanimous agreement) was to bake banana bread. We found a great new recipe last week, and I've been dreaming about it ever since. Today was the perfect day to whip up a loaf. After Bode, Gianna and I had mixed up the ingredients and put the loaf in the oven, it was only 9:39 AM.  "Oh, boy," I thought. "What now?"

We have used up all of our plain art paper. But I had set aside some packing material used in one of our recent shipments.  So I pulled it out, taped it to the floor, and then pulled out some of our art supplies.  The children had a blast painting and coloring for over an hour. By then, our banana bread was ready to be eaten.  We enjoyed a small snack of banana bread and milk. The banana bread was delicious.  We toasted our success.  Bode suggested that we shout "Teamwork!" together. So we did that a few times. 

Then we read a few books. After that, I put both Nico and Gianna down for a nap.  Bode is currently coloring in the playroom.  I love listening to his little narrative while he plays. He has dialogue between cars, dialogue between himself and his little body, or he will just sing a happy little tune.

After naps, we are making chocolate chip cookies.  I promised. Hopefully that will eat up most of the afternoon.  I have a goal not to turn on the television today. Lately, I have overheard Bode saying "PBS dot ORG" just like on TV. Ooops. How embarrassing. It would feel nice to not resort to a cartoon educational program to entertain the children. But I am making no promises!

Don't forget to leave a comment here for the giveaway! There's some fun little stuff in the mix to brighten your day, I promise!

Happy Wednesday.

xo