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As I mentioned last week Maya was referred to an allergist for some testing due to a possible peanut allergy. Well, we had that appointment today. I had done a little research about what to expect at the appointment on a few forums and through talking with her pediatrician (whose own daughter has a nut allergy). I was a little worried about the appointment since Maya HATES all doctors and nurses (anyone in scrubs!) and I had heard that the tests can be particularly difficult for little ones because they don’t understand what is going on and have to sit still for an extended period of time. Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
Maya started getting tense as soon as we entered the building and started crying as soon as she saw the receptionist behind the desk. Our appointment was one of the first of the day so we didn’t have to wait at all, we were taken right back into an exam room. Maya cried the whole time Dr. Allergy was in the room with us. It made it a bit difficult to talk about her medical history, family history, etc 
. Every time Dr. Allergy or his nurse entered the room she would start crying and saying “all done” and “bye-bye”. Thankful she would stop crying as soon as Dr. Allergy or his nurse left the room so that made it a little easier on her and me.
The test itself wasn’t too bad, really. They used a small plastic disc with tiny pins on it. The allergens were put on the ends of the pins and then the pins were pressed into her back. It leaves behind an oil droplet so I had to be careful that neither Maya or myself touched her back. This was the part I thought would be particularly difficult since not many 18 month olds are game for sitting still. To my amazement she gladly sat still. I sat in a chair and just had Maya laying on my chest. She was happy to lay there contently and actually fell asleep for a few minutes while we were waiting to see what would happen. The nurse came in part way through the test to check on us and Maya cried but was fine again as soon as she left the room.
After just a couple of minutes I could see red marks forming on her back and figured that probably meant she was allergic. Sure enough, the nurse came back in after 15 minutes to wipe it all off her back and apply some cream to alleviate the itching and swelling, she said she tested positive for peanuts, cashews and pistachios. Poor Maya is allergic to both peanuts and tree nuts. I’m so bummed for her.
The doctor gave us a prescription for a Twinject, which is a type of epipen along with a list of instructions on when to use it. Pretty much if she ingests nuts and has any sort of reaction, be it a rash, swelling, or shortness of breath we have to administer the epipen and then call 911. Needless to say I was a little freaked out listening to the doctor explain it all.
One of my biggest questions for the doctor was how she ended up with a food allergy since there is no family history of food allergies on either my side or Daddy’s side and she has no other allergies. Well, it turns out that children with a family history of asthma or eczema do have a higher risk of having nut allergies (thanks Daddy’s side of the family 
)
There is a small chance, about 20%, that she will out grow this allergy so we will take her back in a few years for additional testing. Keeping my fingers crossed that she is one of the few who out grow it.
I’m off to do a ton of research on nut allergies, safe foods, etc. I’ll share what I find.
Between juggling your job, raising a family, tackling household responsibilities and finding a few minutes for yourself at the end of the day your marriage can sometimes become a little neglected and as a result your spouse is probably feeling a little neglected too. It happens to all of us. Suddenly you wake up one morning and realize it has been weeks since you sat down and really spent time with your spouse. It is easy to let time get away from you if you don’t consciously decide to make your marriage a priority.
So, what can you do to make your marriage a priority? Are there things you can do even when you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day already? Sure there are things you can do. If you set your mind to making your marriage an important part of each day you will find the time.
Here are a few suggestions;
- Set time aside each day to chat with your spouse. Talk about your day, troubles you’ve encountered, great things that happened, the kids, your job, everything. After the kids go to bed is a great time for this chat (a little mini date!)
- Remember to say “I Love You” on a regular basis and show it with affectionate hugs and kisses as you pass each other throughout your day. Your spouse knows it but it is always nice to hear.
- Don’t assume your marriage can function on autopilot just because it was great before the kids came along. Every marriage takes an investment of time and energy.
- Make “date nights” a priority. It doesn’t mean you have to go out on an elaborate date, or even leave the house for that matter. Just set some time aside to do something you both enjoy, watch a movie, play a game, go out to eat, etc. This might be a weekly or a monthly thing, whatever works well for you.
- Look for ways to show your spouse you love them with “the little things”. Be it a note in their lunch, a quick email part way through the day, picking up something they love for dinner.
The key to making your marriage a priority is to consciously make the decision to pay more attention to your spouse and put in the investment necessary for your marriage to thrive.
What do you and your spouse do to make your marriage an important part of your everyday life? How has having a family affected your marriage?
Maya had her 18 month check up a few days ago. She does not, I repeat DOES NOT like the doctor’s office. For her first few well-baby check ups she did well. Cried a little when she was getting weighed and measured, but did well with the pediatrician. The last couple have been nightmares. I can literally feel her tense up in the elevator on the way up to the doctor’s office. I feel bad for her, who wants to see that adorable face stressed out.
This time she told me “no” when I started getting her undressed so they could weigh her, I knew that was a bad sign. She was hysterical the second I laid her down on the scale. I’m surprised they were even able to get her correct weight and height measurements! She is up to a “whopping” 21lbs 9oz which puts in the 15 percentile for weight (my skinny mini). Her height is now 32in. I think she be tall and thin (just like mom!!).
I was finally able to calm her down when we got back into the exam room, that was until her pediatrician knocked on the door to announce her arrival. Maya immediately started crying and didn’t stop until we left. As soon as the doctor entered the room Maya started saying and signing “all done”. She even told the doctor to “stop” when she was looking in her ears, eyes, and mouth. It was plan as day. The pediatrician couldn’t get over it, she said it was the first time an 18 month old had actually told her to stop.
Her doctor assures me this is perfectly normal behavior for this age. She promises it will get better after age 2, we’ll see. She did recommend getting Maya a play doctor set so she can become familiar with the different instruments by playing with them. And apparently Elmo has a great DVD, Sesame Street – Elmo Visits the Doctor
As for the results of her well-baby check up. Obviously the pediatrician was impressed with her vocabulary!! She says about 50 words or so regularly and has a few phrases as well. She is doing well developmentally as far as play, walking, talking, etc. Her height and weight are fine, within her normal curves. No health issues (she has never been to the doctor other than for well-baby check ups {knock on wood}) She is an all around healthy little girl.
We are being sent to an allergist so Maya can be tested for a possible peanut allergy. The appointment is next week and I’ll update you on the particulars after that appointment. For now just keep your fingers crossed that the hives from peanut butter were just a fluke and she isn’t allergic to nuts.
Child-led weaning is just what it sounds like it is, letting your child lead the weaning process. Instead of weaning them on your terms and schedule you allow the child to dictate when they are done with breastfeeding.
Child-led weaning is not the norm here in the United States (or much of the western world for that matter), however, it is very common in strong breastfeeding cultures. Child-led weaning is often practiced by extended breastfeeding mothers, those mothers breastfeeding beyond the first year. On average, a child who is allowed to self wean will do so sometime around 2-4 years of age.
Many mothers who practice this form of weaning say it is a very natural, comfortable, easy approach to weaning. However, you have to be willing to breastfeed your child until they are ready to call it quits. Most experts say the breastfeeding relationship is best when both mother and child are willingly involved. So if you are ready to call it quits then child-led weaning is probably not for you.
A lot of breastfeeding mothers who breastfeed beyond the first year, including myself, practice a combination form of weaning that is somewhat child-led, somewhat parent-led. My daughter self-weaned from a few of her nursing sessions while I led the rest of the weaning. She is 18 months and still currently nurses before bed. I will likely led her in weaning from this session in the next couple of months if she doesn’t do it herself before then.
For information and for personal stories on child-led weaning visit the following websites:
Happy Mother’s Day to all you fabulous moms out there. Whether your children are near or far, here or gone you are a mom, and for that you deserve a day of joy and peace. I hope today is a good day for everyone.