Good Friends

There is something to be said about good friends. No matter what is going on in your life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, having good friends in your life makes everything better. They celebrate the good times with you. They listen and support you during your worst moments. A really good friend will always tell you the truth, whether it be a bad fashion choice or behavior. They love and adore your children.

I feel very lucky to have these special people in my life. They make dealing Cormac's food allergies easier, as if it's a part of their everyday life too. They ask questions when they don't understand, provide safe food for him to eat (or ask if it's safe), and ask us how we are. They don't think I'm crazy when I bring a his food to their house.

So today I want to thank my wonderful, generous, and loving friends, both the old and new for your ongoing support throughout my life. We may not talk or see each other as often as we should, but know I love you and am very grateful for all you do.

I also want to thank all of my readers for their support, advise and for listening too. Knowing others are out there who share our same challenges and fears is comforting. You get it, and for that I am grateful.

Good Friends

Lets Talk Positives!

Being a parent to a child with food allergies can be overwhelming and depressing sometimes. Your hear breaks when you think of all the simple food pleasures your kid is missing. Your heart stops when you think about what can really happen if you child eats the wrong thing.

Since I want to think of ways that having a food allergy can be a good thing, I asked the mommas in my online food allergy group to help me put a positive spin on it!

Most said that they've learned to be more creative in the kitchen and that cooking from scratch is healthier and cheaper. All agree that their entire family is eating healthier too. I couldn't agree more!

Here are three of mine:

*No fast food (except pizza that is). Yes fast food is so convenient but it is so bad for you. Living a life without it is a good thing!

* Our son is learning good eating habits right from the start.

* With all the label reading, we are seeing what is in our food. You'd be shocked at how bad most of it is for you. We are much more informed about of food choices. As my husband says, "It is creepy to see what's in our food."

Now here are what some other moms had to say!

*My kid is not That Kid, screaming and crying about the injustices of the world when I refuse to flag down the Ice Cream Man as he drives through our neighborhood. (In this house, that magical van is still known as The Music Truck....and it's a mystery as to why the kids go running towards it.....)" Sarah (Check out Sarah's blog for her full positive list Live, Laugh and Learn)

"My Daughter has learned already at age 4 to be a spokes person for herself and to be assertive and speak up." Jessica

"I've learned to be more assertive with our Dr. and family when it comes to advocating for our daughter."Tayna

"We are always prepared...since we have to pack enough food to sustain our son for an entire day when we go out, we never have a crying, miserable little guy...at least not because he is hungry or thirsty." Amy

"My Daughter watches me cook and prepare food all the time, so she's learning how to prepare healthy foods. As a 2-year old she knows a lot more about where foods come from than some adults! Laura

"All the info and recipes that are available online now. I can't imagine dealing with this 20 years ago." Katie

"Allergies are also teaching my son it is OK to be different. Some kids wear glasses. Some parents carry an Epi pen. Some kids eat a different snack. And he doesn't have to have a cookie just because someone else has one." anchoragite

" I've learned we don't need milk, eggs or meat to live happy, healthy lives." skh1123

"I learned that a food allergy doesn't mean that life has to be drastically different. My family is still plugging along just like it always has. I'm not spending hours a day in the kitchen. The kid is still a typical 11 month old tornado happily tearing apart my house." Marti

"I am also learning to be more aware of people with allergies and to the problems with eating out." B & The Boy

"I have to say between being Gestational Diabetic with all 3 kids and now dealing with FA it is amazing what difference fresh, from scratch, organic and all natural truly means vs the grab and go make kids happy foods advertised for kids. (Gogurt is not considered eating a fruit in our house)." fuzzychild

Just a quick list of positives to think about the next time you feel down. There were a lot more but than this post would be never ending. If you have some positives you want to add, write them in the comments for others to see. We need these to remember it's not all bad.

Lets Talk Positives!

Take Over Tuesday: Meet Jim, August's Guest Blogger

Meet Jim, AKA the dad!He is the worlds best father to my beautiful little boy, and my wonderful, loving and supportive husband. Most important he is my best friend. His guest blog is about what a dad goes through being a parent of a food allergy kid.

A Father's Story

The day our little man had his allergic reaction, terribly swollen eyes as a result of contact with peanut butter, our lives changed instantly. Diane called me while I was studying at the library, in a panic, and I rushed home to find Cormac with puffed up eyes, and a sad expression on his face. My first reaction, after learning his breathing was normal, was to pick him up and hug him, and try to make him feel like everything was OK. I didn't want Cormac to see the fear and panic in our eyes, so I just hugged him and talked to him like I always do. We had seen diaper rashes, teething, sleepless nights and other childhood events, but never anything like this. On top of all of the everyday worries of any parents, we now had to be concerned with food allergies.

Since that day, we have both learned about food allergies in our own ways. I have asked friends about their experiences, checked out Internet articles and, thanks to Diane, read some very informative blogs about the issue. Diane, on the other hand, jumped head first into a campaign of research, networking and blogging. As she will readily admit, we tend to react in very different ways to events in our life and Cormac's peanut allergy has been no exception. However, as I hope she understands, that doesn't mean we disagree on the importance of caring for our little guy. We just have different ways of making sense of life's challenges.

I have to thank Diane for introducing me to the world of blogging. I know it's not something I will ever do on a daily basis, but I understand why people do it, and I appreciate the way blogs and websites bring people together to talk about common issues. It's really amazing how many people from so many parts of the country, and the world, have shown interest in Diane's blog. It makes us feel like we aren't the only ones out there who are dealing with peanut allergies.

I guess I still have the same reaction when I think about Cormac's peanut allergy as I did that day I saw him with his puffy eyes. I just want him to feel as normal as any other kid. Reading about other people with food allergies and other parents coping with their kid's allergies has helped give me perspective and hope.

I hope this blog helps make another father or mother realize that they are not alone in dealing with food allergies. I hope that it helps them feel like everything is going to be OK.

Jim (the Dad)

Take Over Tuesday: Meet Jim, August's Guest Blogger

I have a button!

I have a button! Ok it's my first attempt at making one, and trying to figure out the code. It will need some tweaking, but for now I'm pretty please with myself! So what do you guys really think?

Feel free to gab it and add it your site or blog! Let me know if you do add it to your page. It's amazing what you can get done during nap time!

Oh and I want to share my new favorite photo of my guy!

I have a button!

Looking for a day of family fun?

Our Team No Nuts For My Peanut, is walking the in the FAAN Food Allergy Walk in Wstchester, and would love to see everyone come out and support us and others if your not walking already. There is a bunch of family fun, and food safe activities that will be happening during the walk. I received an e-mail from the organizers telling me what will be going on that day and wanted to share! If you don't live near the Westchester location, check out the FAAN Walk For Food Allergy locations for your area.

The First Annual Westchester FAAN Walk for Food Allergy is on Saturday, October 2nd. The Walk will take place at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. Hundreds of residents are expected to walk with their families and friends. In addition, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Dr. Amanda Cox, Pediatric allergist at Mount Sinai Hospital (who is also our Dr.) will be there!

Their will be entertainment, vendors and activities for the kids. The Z100 Party Patrol bus will be there to get things started! Following the walk, Suzi Shelton a rising star in the children's music scene, will be performing her catchy and upbeat folk/pop-rock music. Groove Performing Arts, a family favorite in Westchester County, will perform songs from it's award-winning music program for kids, Music for Aardvarks. In addition to the free concerts, enjoy a fun-filled day of activities such as arts & crafts, obstacle course, jumpy castles, gaga court, raffle and more.

Also the Melting Pot is hosting a FONDUE-Raiser, Tuesday, August 17th from 4:00-10:00 pm to benefit the FAAN Walk. A portion of the proceeds form each meal will be donated to FAAN. Melting Pot offers a gluten-free menu and can accommodate most food allergies. Please contact Melting Pot in White Plains at 914 933-6358 to make a reservation.

Even though we live over the bridge in Rockland County, Westchester is just minutes away. We hope to see you, whether you are walking or just come out for the fun! If you see me come say hi. I would love to meet you!

Looking for a day of family fun?

Yikes!

I'd have to say my house is pretty baby proofed. We have locks on the cabinets and draws, gates on the stairs, the TV even has a "cage" around it. When we found out Mac had food allergies, we cleaned out the kitchen and check all his skin products. Well as any parent finds out, as they get bigger you need adjust your baby proofing. Overall I feel we do a bang up job.

Well, I had a YIKES moment this week! We have some draws in the bathroom that Mac likes to play in. I "thought" I had all safe things in there for him to play with. So I'm in the shower, and as usual, I hear him playing the the draws. I do my usual peak around the curtain to see what he's doing. Nothing to worry about, we do this every day.

WRONG! When I get out, I see that he is holding something I don't recognize. Turns out I had a all natural skin product in that draw that shouldn't be there let alone in the house any more. The 1st ingredient was almond oil! All I could think was, what if he got it open while I was in the shower? He could had ananaphylaxic reaction, and I wouldn't of even known!

So my lesson for today is no matter how baby proofed you think your house is, there is always something lurking somewhere. Check all your products twice and adjust your baby proofing as they grow. Remember no matter how safe you think they are, there is always some kind of danger.

Yikes!

I am doing another Blog Hop! Thirsty Thursday

Welcome to all visiting from Obviously MARvelous & For the Love of 4. I hope you take a look around and like what you see.

I am doing another Blog Hop! Thirsty Thursday