Not So Eggs-cellent News

We have been suspicious of Brynlee having a food allergy for quite some time now.  We could never get our pediatrician in Arizona to give us a referral for the specialist ("Why pay for something that you already know?!"  Really!!!). So, we patiently waited, knowing we would be moving to Idaho and could stick with the same specialist once we got here.
Last week Brynlee underwent food allergy testing.  Yep...all those miserable little pokes on the back (I think there were 8 total).  She was not a happy girl, I'll tell ya that!  But, within just minutes, it was confirmed that she has a definite food allergy!  Funny though...it's not what we suspected it to be!  It's not milk (although the doctor did confirm she has an obvious sensitivity/intolerance to milk).  But, it's just as bad...because it's in almost everything too!

LITTLE MISS BRYNLEE IS ALLERGIC TO EGGS!!!

And her Eczema is so bad on her skin that she can have a reaction to eggs through her skin as well! Not just ingestion!

Brynlee is also more likely to develop other food allergies because she already has one.  So the doctor has advised us to be cautious w/ peanuts, peanut butter, etc. as well.  If we make a peanut butter sandwich or eat trail mix, we have to wash before touching Brynlee...and no food sharing!

Because she is so young, she could also outgrow her allergy!  Fingers crossed!!!

What does this mean for Brynlee and our family?!  It means that Brynlee is not allowed to eat many foods...including:  eggs, pasta, bread, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, mayonnaise, marshmallows, and many, many more things.  (She cannot have things w/ egg or albumin (also spelled albumen) in them.)  We have to be extremely cautious w/ sharing foods w/ her!
It also means that anyone that comes in contact w/ eggs (preparing, touching, etc.) has to wash their hands before touching Brynlee or she'll have an allergic reaction through her skin as well!  

An egg allergy typically won't be severe enough to cause anaphylactic shock, but it's still possible.   Brynlee will most likely experience hives, coughing, swelling, vomiting, trouble breathing or other symptoms.  Because it can still be severe, we are now the proud owners of EpiPens!  And we will want anyone that will be watching Brynlee w/out our supervision to learn how to use one properly.  :)

Here's to learning all about food allergies!  And an egg-free future!

9 Months

Our blue-eyed beauty! 

6 (and a half) months old

On January 19th I turned 6 months old.  Mommy & Daddy can't believe how fast I grow!  I am 15.8lbs and 28"long.

At 6 1/2 months old:

• I can roll to my tummy or my back really easy.
• I can sit by myself.
• I can get up on my arms and have started to scoot backwards a little bit.
• I eat pureed foods now! My favorite...SWEET POTATOES!!! Then Sqaush! :)  (I'm not a fan of the fruits...yet.)  I've also started eating the "puffs." (They have to be broken into smaller pieces and mommy or daddy has to feed them to me.  I haven't quite figured out how to feed myself yet.)
• I love to talk.
• I love to make noises w/ my lips and tongue.
• I love my binkie!
• I also love to suck on my thumb or fingers.
• I love to play w/ my toys!
• I no longer like to hold still while mommy & daddy change my diaper...I like to try to roll.
• I've started waving (I wave w/a closed hand and bend my wrist...it's cute!).
• I've discovered how to splash in the water and make a BIG mess when I take baths now.  :)
• I started swim lessons on my half birthday! I LOVE them!!! (I go once a week and take lessons at Aqua-Tots w/ Coach Kylie.  She's in our ward and she's so fun!)
• I've discovered a high-pitch little happy squeal in the last couple days (it's cute!).  
• I do throw little temper tantrums already.  I know what I want and cop a little attitude if I don't get what I want.  
• I love to go for walks in my stroller now.  Don't strap me in...just let me hold on to the front and take it all in!  I am very observant right now and love to see everything around me!  I love being outside!
• I love crowds...I love to watch! (We took her to the NFL Experience downtown before the Super Bowl...she loved it!)
• I'm super happy 99% of the time! I always have big smiles!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   

Power Nap Princess

Brynlee has now been nicknamed "The Power Nap Princess." This little girl will only nap for 15-30 minutes...then she's wide awake!  And she only takes 2 or 3 naps per day! Don't babies need more sleep than that?! Crazy little girl!