If It's Not One Thing...

Ugh. Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh.

I think Brian is allergic to peanuts.

I had him tested in June...Gavin, too...and they were both negative for peanut allergies. About a month or more ago I started (albeit reluctantly) giving Brian peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Before that I solely used Sunflower Seed Butter - and even used Gluten Free, Vegan, Non-Dairy fake Marshallow Creme. Everything was fine and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. This peanut allergy business scares the living crap out of me.

Then - a couple weeks ago - Brian developed hives at lunch. I had given him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He also, coincidentally, spiked a high fever and that was the beginning of a long virus. I wasn't convinced the hives were related to the sandwich because he got sick at the same time.

That was then.

THIS is now.

Today it was peanut butter and fake "Fluff". He's had it all before...the bread wasn't new, the fluff wasn't new, the peanut butter was the same. His hives were awful...and spread quickly.

Even the inside of his cheeks swelled, which really had me freaked out. I gave him some Benadryl and watched him like a hawk while I was waiting for his pediatrician to get back from their lunch break. I put him in a baking soda bath to help relieve his itch (and take his mind off of it!). By the time the pediatrician's office was open again, the hives were gone. I put Brian down for a (Benadryl induced) nap and he is still sleeping 2 1/2 hours later.

This is often how we find our little guy - he creates his own sleep mask with his animals.

Just when I think things are getting back to some type of normal around this house...I'm thrown a curve. Back to the allergist we'll go at the beginning of March.

I have lots of family news to share in tomorrow's blog. But if you're wondering how I'm doing, let me put it this way...

I cleaned out and re-organized three closets.

I finished two projects.

I made dinners for three different people - and cooked a pretty involved dinner last night.

I cleaned out and washed the refrigerator.

Get the picture? I fear that if I stop moving I will collapse into a heap of despair. So I move...and laugh...and make plans...and eat chocolate...and play with the boys...and cherish the routines...and I stop each day to (literally) smell the (buckets of) flowers. Life sucks. But the funny thing about life? It goes on. And so will I.

Peanut allergy. Can I get a group UGH!!!!!!!