No Sprinkles on Top

We made frozen bananas this week. They were fun and tasty and overall things were going great until Roo tried a couple of bites...

Exactly two bites in he started complaining that his stomach hurt. Ten seconds later he threw up his  dinner. Don't worry, I haven't lost my mommy vomit mojo. I caught most of it in my bare hands.

Ten seconds after that he was completely fine again and asked for a popsicle. No gagging, no stomach flu, no runny nose, nothing. So, clearly he's reacting to something, right?

This is at least the fifth time he has vomited after eating rainbow sprinkles, which would be incredibly useful information if he hadn't also eaten rainbow sprinkles a hundred other times and not reacted at all. What gives?!

Food dye intolerance? Before I get a verbal pistol whipping on the dangers of food dyes, I realize they are nutritional super-villains but honestly when your kid can't eat a normal egg-laced cookie at a party, sometimes skittles and lollipops are the way to go.

Now we're looking at Betty Crocker versus CK Jimmies (definitely not so good for Roo), comparing ingredient lists and studying up on Blue 1 dye verses Blue 1 Lake. And of course, swearing off sprinkles for a while. Roo is not pleased.

Thanks for the invite, but...

I just received an invitation for a fun 3-year-old birthday party for one of Roo and Bean's little school friends.  The birthday boy is a sweet kid and I like his mom a lot.  Several of their friends will be there.  It's not too far away.  Doesn't interfere with nap.  Super.  Except that it's at an ice cream parlor.  A nut-crusted, egg-laden ice cream parlor.  So, as usual, we politely declined.

Yes if I really wanted that mom of the year award I could probably make this happen.  The routine would go something like this:

1. Call J's mom and warn her of Roo's allergies.  Plan to accommodate him while causing least disruption possible at party.  Reject her compulsory offer to provide a "safe" treat and tell her I'll handle it. 
2. Call ice cream parlor and ask about ingredients in ice cream as well as procedure for accommodating allergies (for example, changing gloves, opening fresh containers, using clean scoop, etc. to avoid cross contamination)
3. Bring back-up safe treat even if person on the phone promises on grave of loved one that none of their ice creams contain a trace of egg, nut, apple, peach, or beef (gross)
4. Arrive on party day feeling like my pants are lined with barbed wire at the prospect that a stray peanut or swipe of butter pecan accidentally migrated onto the table where Roo is sitting. Scrub table and chair with antibacterial wipes.
5. Ask person at counter AGAIN about all ice cream ingredients (usually we just stick with vanilla but it often has eggs in it  so we need to be flexible).  Possibly find a "safe" flavor. Ask for a fresh container to be opened, clean gloves, and clean scoop.  Allow irritated glares of busy counter staff to bounce off my skin like rubber balls.
6. Sing Happy Birthday to J
7. Hover over Roo as he eats exactly 3 tiny bites of ice cream, continuously examining his legs and belly for first signs of a reaction, and completely ignoring Bean, who by this time has surely climbed into her own oversize bowl of mint chocolate chip and is swimming in the greeny goodness. 
8. Leave party as quickly as possible to avoid the potential vomiting that's likely to occur after eating, allergies or not. 

So, yeah, I think we'll sit this one out.

Praising Francesca and Chipotle

As you might imagine we rarely eat out as a family.  Far too many restaurant meals have ended in a table full of vomit to fully enjoy the experience.  Lately, however, the urge for some normalcy and let's be honest, a break from the kitchen, has been looming.  Gladly, Roo's on an upswing at the moment and seems to be tolerating food unusually well.  Time to capitalize on our good fortune, because who knows where we'll be after the next scope. 

Saturday night on a whim we headed to one of our favorite and historically most child-friendly and allergy-accommodating restaurants,  Francesca's Al Fiore, in Forest Park.  Now despite the awesome pizza, this is no pizza joint.  With white tablecloths, real napkins, great food, and a fully stocked wine cellar, it was almost like date night, plus three.  As usual the staff was exceedingly patient and understanding about our plethora of questions regarding the ingredients and the waitress event went so far as to declare that we have most charming children.  They were remarkably well behaved and quiet, almost like we do this all the time.  Ranked among our top 3 meals out as a family.  Ever.  Hands down.   

So today while Looly was on a field trip leaving the little ones and me to run errands, I was struck with a sudden surge of bravery.  Lunch out.  Just the three of us.  While I realize that grabbing a quick lunch with the kiddos is commonplace for many families, we are not one of them.  On top of the constant threat of anaphylaxis, have I mentioned that Roo vomits in restaurants?  Take it from the lady who travels with an empty tupperware container and a dish towel in my purse, just in case.

Bring on Chipotle.  Did you know that Chipotle is a completely peanut and tree nut-free establishment?  I didn't until all too recently.  No egg either.  Their allergy information is super accessible and again, the staff was well-informed and incredibly accommodating.  No grimaces or sighs as I asked my slew of questions.  The lady even asked me if I'd like her to change gloves because I had asked about dairy cross-contamination.  Fortunately, with Roo's dairy trial underway, he had plenty to choose from.  Chips, guacamole, cheese quesadilla, rice, black beans, and more shredded cheese on top.  Technically he could eat the chicken and carnitas too, but they were a little spicy for both kids.  Now if that meal can't put some weight on him, I don't know what will.  Of course, if we lose soy next week after the scope, we're totally screwed.  But today is a good day.  

This oughta sum it up...

Warming Up

After more than a week without heat, we've finally ditched the layers and freed ourselves from a fixed family huddle around the gas fireplace.  For several days we rarely left the confines of the five by eight foot rug directly in front of our sole heat source.  We played board games, held concerts, read books, had "picnics" and did periodic jumping jacks to keep warm, while outside temperatures hovered in the low 30's.  It actually wasn't all bad, especially for Looly Ingalls Wilder.  She enjoyed the snuggle time and imagining just how cold that Long Winter really must have been for Laura, Mary, Carrie, and the gang.  In any event, the boiler is rolling again and the kids are down to one pair of pajamas at night. 

Oddly, the deep freeze seems to have agreed with Roo.  He's been vomit-free for over a week and has eaten surprisingly well.  Well, maybe not well in the traditional sense of the word, but not bad for him...few bites of breakfast, fine lunch, adequate dinner and a little milk for consecutive days.  A good day is always good but I sort of hate when this happens because it starts to get my hopes up that he could maybe, possibly, perhaps, just the tiniest bit be improving.  But, we've had these happy spells before so I'm not holding my breath for any miracles.  But I am trying to enjoy the good days while they're here.  With the next scope fast approaching, they won't last long.  April 15.  Mark your calendars.

Happy Birthday

So, I admit it.  I've been avoiding the blog.  It's not that I haven't had anything to say.  In fact it's rather the opposite.  Anyway, I'm so exhausted my left eyelid is twitching as I look at the screen but I'm sucking it up, along with a Starbucks iced coffee, in honor of my 2 brand-spankingly new 3-year-olds.

Yes, Roo and Bean are 3! Presents at the breakfast table were a big hit.  Thanks to Nana and Grampy for St. Patrick's Day head gear and embroidered t-shirts but it was downhill from there.  Only a couple of kids showed up to preschool to celebrate with Bean and Roo and share in their hand-dipped chocolate-sprinkle coated pretzels.  Now I think I know why. 

Poor Bean developed a killer earache immediately after lunch.  Then the fever showed up.  Tylenol did little to ease her pain and the poor kid had absolutely no interest in her presents.  It was so sad.  Roo posted a lackluster performance at feeding therapy highlighted by gagging on a piece of salami without actually following through with a full-on vomit.  It's the little things.

Already sleep-deprived and hungry since he didn't eat his lunch, Roo opted out of nap which resulted in general 3-year-old debauchery and me screaming at him on his birthday and putting him into a lengthy purposeless time-out.  Stellar parenting, I know.  I did apologize later and draw him a chalk birthday cake but the damage was done.  Think he's the only one who's sleep deprived?

We capped off the evening with take-out pizza, avoided all happy birthday phone calls, and skipped dessert.  No singing of happy birthday or anything.  We are truly ba humbug parents but it just wasn't in the cards this year.  Mufasa and I spent the vast majority of the night trying to comfort Bean.  Turns out she had something to cry about.  The pediatrician confirmed a double ear infection this morning and her temperature was up to 103.5.  That was with tylenol.  Poor birthday girl.

Just when we thought we were through the woods and the sky was showing signs of life, Looly awoke this morning with a bloody nose.  Now her cheeks are turning pink like Bean's, a sure sign she's next in line for the fever.  She's been complaining about headaches a lot lately and I don't know what to think. 

Phew.  With that off my chest, let's talk about fun stuff.  Bean and Roo received so many sweet well-wishes from friends, family, and classmates yesterday.  My favorite was listening to the two of them congratulating each other on another year.  They really are best friends.  Ear infections pass but the loving support system they have in place is remarkable.  They got some really cool gifts including an awesome Cozy Coupe car that Mufasa grumbled and slaved over, I mean happily assembled, for Bean, a slick royal blue real guitar for Roo, Magna-tiles (my personal favorite!), hand-painted bowls with their names on them, whiffle balls and bats, umbrellas, various adorable new duds, books, etc. Roo was thrilled with his gifts and Bean will be too once she's feeling better.

Last but not least, Roo's scope is finally scheduled for April 15 - hallelujah!  More on that another time.  And did I mention is was 65 degrees and sunny yesterday?  The big birthday party with their classmates is slated for this Sunday.  Let's hope the amoxicillin works it's magic fast.

Our Lady of Perpetual Vomit

I have a wild fantasy that one day I will sit down to a family meal without fear that my child will start puking at any minute.  I won't cringe every time he jumps off the couch or rough houses with his sisters because there's a chance he'll get hurt, cry, and puke.  Maybe there will come a day when I'll prepare spaghetti sauce without the slightest apprehension that a tiny slip of onion might have migrated into the sauce only to end up in the final bite of Roo's plate thus obliterating what was just a moment ago, a nutrient-dense, high-calorie meal.  The baby scale will become a relic of the past.  As will the baby bottles, 1 AM feedings, 4 AM feedings, constant meal-time television, songs, and other distractions we employ to sneak in a few more bites before he can realize what's happening. 

Needles to say, it's a far off land I'm dreaming of.  We're almost 3 weeks into the Budesonide and there's no change, at least on the vomit front.  If anything, he's vomiting more that he was a month ago.  Gagging triggers it.  Unfamiliar textures and flavors trigger it.  Being full triggers it.  TMI, perhaps, but straining with bowel movements can trigger it.  Today a yogurt-induced stomachache triggered it.  Sometimes nothing at all triggers it and he goes on playing like it never even happened.  But most of all, crying triggers it - and when you have a 2-year-old (on steroids, I might add) that you're afraid to let cry, it leads to some interesting behavioral scenarios. 

We still don't know for sure if the Budesonide is having an effect but the signs are less than encouraging.  On one hand, he seems a tad happier especially upon waking from naps and first thing in the morning.  He used to be inconsolable at those times and now, he's generally chipper.  Beyond that, however, no increased appetite.  No improvement in the oral delay.  No decrease in vomiting.  No weight gain. 

Oh Puke

Why is he still puking so much?  Once last night.  Again this morning, at the dentist I might add.  Incidentally, he's been asked to refrain from all food and drink prior to dentist visits from here on out.  And again tonight at bed time.  How awesome will it be if he's allergic to Budesonide?  Is that even possible? 

Vomitathon

For a while there I thought we might be trending toward less retching and spewing.  Four times this week!  One crying induced choke when the babysitter showed up, one regular old-fashioned gag on the very last bite of an hour long dinner session, one middle of the night milk disaster, and one inexplicable couch vomit that even he had no idea was coming.

What gives?  He's off milk.  Off eggs.  Off nuts.  Off any bites larger than a dime.  He's working on his chewing and maybe even starting the get the idea, if not the hang of it quite yet.  He doesn't seem to be in pain.  He's happy - often immediately before he pukes and almost always immediately after.  There's the runny nose factor, which always makes his feeding and throwing up worse, but if that's going to be the deciding factor, there's no recourse but to move.  Runny noses are a way of life here until mid-April at least. 

The thing is, I don't even care about the mess anymore.  It's rather like changing a diaper - though I wouldn't mind giving up that gift of motherhood soon either, and despite the thousands of changes I've performed, I would still opt against doing it on the table of a crowded restaurant.  It's all the work that goes into it.  After an hour of helping to spoon tiny nibbles of hearty gnocchi in oil-rich marinara and fluffy egg-free, dairy-free meatballs into his mouth, he gives it all back on the last bite.  Last night, he put away nearly half a chicken breast, couscous, and a few green beans.  Happily, he fled the table, played with his beloved Silly Bandz for ten minutes, then puked all over the couch.  He explained that his tummy never even hurt.  He didn't know he was going to throw up. It surprised him as much as the rest of us.  At least it was bath night.

Maybe the EoE's still bothering him.  The next scope's set for November 5.  In the interim, there's the allergist appointment, flu shot sequence, and pre-op physical preceding the scope.  It's a laugh a minute for this kid.