The Lessons of 2013

Well we have officially been a "Food Allergy Family" for a year now, and I have certainly learned a lot in the last 12 months. It seems appropriate to make note of some of these lessons as the new year approaches. Hopefully someone out there will find some wisdom here that will help them as they navigate the world of allergies. I have narrowed it down to my top 5 (in no particular order)...

1. I am surrounded by wonderful and loving people! So many people have gone above and beyond to help keep my little lady safe. My Mom went through her cupboards and threw out anything peanut, or processed with peanuts or tree nuts. The nursery leader at our church not only switched out the snacks, educated all adults that would be using the space and supplies, and made sure all those that would be around my Mazzy were trained to recognize a reaction and could use an epi pen. He then went through and cleaned all the toys to insure no residue from previous use was possible! And a  good friend of ours only packs safe snacks for her little one so they can safely share a treat. Just a few examples of the kind acts that have made my life a little sweeter this year.

2. What would I do without the internet?! My hat is off to all those that had to face the world of a food allergy before the internet, and more specific labeling practices. Armed with my smart phone I head out the door on a regular bases ready to pull up allergen menus and product info at the drop of a hat. I can't tell you how many times I've googled this year. Not to mention the incredibly valuable support system I find in the many blogs, forums, and groups scattered about. The internet is such a powerful tool for us to utilize as we strive to get the word out, and educate people about this growing issue. Yay internet!!

3. I can be creative! I'm not just going to tuck my tail and run from some silly food allergy, and I don't want Mazzy to ever feel like she should either. With great products out there like Sun Cups and Skeeter Snacks we are able to enjoy a yummy treat with the best of them. Hand me a recipe and I can substitute it to peanut friendly perfection. I read the things other parents go through to create milk, egg, or gluten free goodies in awe.  Things are just getting going, and I'm sure I'll need to keep my creative thinking cap active as we face our little obstacles here and there.

4. Get Involved. I'll be the first one to admit I have found my patience more than tried when people just don't seem to understand... Like when someone puts leftover peanut butter bars on my plate of safe cookies I planned to take home. Or when I go to another party where the same beloved family member has forgotten to check the ingredients, and always manages to buy something that isn't safe. So, instead of just heading home and grumbling about it to my husband I decided I need to be more involved in the solution. Make T-shirts, start a blog, have a Facebook interest page, create a Pinterest board, volunteer to do a presentation for the PTA, ask to be on the food committee for community or church functions...JUST DO SOMETHING! Because the more we talk, the better people will understand, and the safer our children will be.

5. We can do this!! When we got the official peanut allergy diagnosis I didn't have any idea how much my life would really change. But, to be honest if I look at the bright side our whole family is healthier and more aware than ever. We cook more whole food from scratch now, instead of buying boxed up processed stuff. And eating out is a rare and planned event rather than a quick impromptu meal. Also my Mom and I have started a line of baby and toddler t-shirts to help raise awareness. And as a family we have started to focus our celebrations and holidays on non food activities cutting out loads of junk food.

In all this has been a tremendous year of growth for us, and I have much to be very grateful for. So here's to the year 2014. I can't wait to see what adventures you have in store for us!!

Because I'm A Grandma

     Dealing with a food allergy is a family affair!  Not only does it have an impact on the child with the food allergy, their parents and siblings it also impacts grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and even the family dog.  No more peanut butter doggie treats for Kookie. 
     Let me introduce myself.  My name is Jeanne, or more affectionately known as Grandma Jeanne.  I will be posting on this blog along with my daughter Jodi.  Our perspectives will differ but our concerns and motivation will be the same.  We want to make life better and easier for little Mazzy Mae as she deals with a peanut allergy and as we do we want to reach out and  share what we learn with others who have kiddos with food allergies.  I have 13 grandchildren right now and will be welcoming another one in April.  They range in age from 21 to 18 months.  Right now there are 8 boys and 5 girls. The one on the way will be kept a secret until it is born. 
     With twenty-one years of experience as a grandmother I have learned a lot.  I know how to quiet a crying baby,  build a fort for four year old twins, patch a torn football jersey,  backpack in the wilderness with teenage boys, have an indoor hot dog roast by the wood burning stove and a camp out on the living room floor, give advice about girls, give advice about boys, take their side when they need someone too, attend a concert, attend a wrestling match, attend a primary program, attend a soccer game... I know how to do so many wonderful things because I am lucky enough to be called Grandma.  Now I am learning how to do something else.  I am learning how to understand and live with a food allergy.
      Bright, beautiful, and simply perfect (as may I add are all my grandchildren) little Mazzy Mae is helping me to understand and empathize with families and children who are dealing with a food allergy.
      Since we found out about Mazzy's peanut allergy my eating and shopping habits have changed.  The first thing I did was remove all, yes all, food items in my house that contained peanuts, or were processed in a plant that also processed peanuts.  Next I began reading the labels of everything that I purchased and brought into my house.  No more peanut butter for sure, but also no more of many other items that I had never realized would be a problem.  Cereals, granola bars, cake and brownie mixes, breads, all bakery and deli items; the list goes on and on.  Does it sound hard?  Yes, but it is so doable and such a small effort to make to help ensure Mazzy's safety.
      I have put fences around my yard, acted as lifeguard for my pool, buckled car seats into my car, bought helmets for the bikes, said be careful and look both ways more times than I can count
... and I will  learn everything I can about food allergies!  After all, life isn't all about food, and it can be wonderful with or without that peanut topped doughnut. 
     We hope you will join us on our journey as we strive to make this blog a place where food allergies take a backseat and experiencing life with our wonderful children and grandchildren takes center stage!  I am looking forward to sharing, growing, and learning together.

Food Allergy Kid's Clubhouse: Welcome to our clubhouse!

Food Allergy Kid's Clubhouse: Welcome to our clubhouse!: It was November of 2012, and it had been one of those perfect sunny fall days. My sweet little Mazzy Mae had played happily all morning, e...

Welcome to our clubhouse!

It was November of 2012, and it had been one of those perfect sunny fall days. My sweet little Mazzy Mae had played happily all morning, eaten lunch like a champ, and was now settling down for her afternoon nap. She was 1 year old at the time, and we had decided to mix things up a bit for her lunch. Her pediatrician had given the green light for peanuts, so we decided to spread a little peanut butter on her toast...About 20 minutes into a nice quiet nap my little sweetie woke up quite agitated. Now at this point one would probably assume I would link it to the peanut butter I had just fed her, but I failed to make this connection right away.

Maybe it was because it was a good 20-30 minutes after she had eaten it. Or maybe it was the fact that it was cold out, so she was fully bundled from head to toe, causing me to miss the hives that covered her little body. And when babies cry their faces get red and swollen right? So, in an effort to calm her we bundled up even more and headed out for a brisk walk. Mazzy loves to be outside, and walking is one of her most favorite things to do. Into the stroller I put her, and she seemed to settle right down. As we where walking I noticed she had developed a little cough..."poor thing maybe that's why she can't sleep" I thought.

It wasn't until we got home about 30 minutes later that I started to peel back the several warm layers. Underneath to my horror I found big red hives covering her back, stomach, and down both legs. I called her pediatrician immediately, and was instructed to get to the E.R. right away. How could I have missed this? What if she had passed out on our walk, I would have just thought she had fallen back asleep? What testing will they need to do on my baby? How is this going to affect us/her for the rest of our lives? These are just a few of the questions that flooded my mind on the way to the hospital. A couple weeks later it was confirmed...My Mazzy has a peanut allergy.

Chances are, if you've found us it's because you have a similar story to tell. And you now find yourself trying to navigate the world of food allergies. I don't need to list statistics for you, because you've already read them all. And I don't need to tell you again how tricky/scary it can be to have a little one with a food allergy...you already know. So, let's try this a different way. We've created the Food Allergy Kids Clubhouse to be a positive resource. A place to come and find non food ways of celebrating. A place we can post positive food allergy articles and stories. A place for me and I'm hoping you to post your little everyday triumphs. Because we simply need to hear that our kiddos are going to grow up just as happily and fulfilled as the next kid.