Friday, June 29, 2012

No Moo Moo!...Please

I am encountering a possible milk protein allergy in Isabella, as I'm sure lots of parents navigate in the confusing, question-filled time before they reach 2 years old and the testing for allergies can start. It is really frustrating. If you are curious whether your child may have a milk protein or lactose allergy I found a good article here on the symptoms, it helped me figure out what was going on with Bella.


During my pregnancy, I started to have a bad milk reaction. It would make me really sick for the entire day, even if I just had enough for a bowl of cereal. Then later, when I was nursing and ate dairy Bella was fussy and had some tummy issues. So, our Pediatrician is wanting us to not give her any dairy until two.

Fine with me, minus the fact that I have one of those family members that does not listen to my food wishes when she is with Bella. She has been sneaking her cream cheese, grr! And I think little dabs of ice cream (!!!) So now the new fruits and veggies I have been trying with her have me all confused because how I am supposed to know if she is reacting to a new food or the cream cheese?

I guess I got my answer after her legs were covered in hives yesterday. Not fun and she was a little fussy but I gave her a bath and a little A&D and she is fine today.



I was attempting to find some tips online as to how to nicely put it when you have a family member like mine who you love and respect but that does not listen to the restrictions you have on your child's diet. It's really hard and uncomfortable to have to be that way. I love and respect her and want her to have all the access to Bella that she wants and value her opinion and tips on mostly everything, except with my child's eating habits. She is very old school and believes nothing has changed since she reared her own children, and oh boy have they! You will probably end up being the bad guy and bite the bullet like I did and have to really put your foot down, even mentioning not bringing your child around as much, but hey if it's for Bella's safety and health there isn't anything I wouldn't do.


I wish all of you the best of luck if you have a family member who doesn't listen to your parental wishes, and I hope you can all find a common ground because family and love are the most important things to have in your child's life and they will forever benefit from what they learn from those around them.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Pin It To Win It!

Are you one of the lucky people who has a Pinterest account, and actually knows how to use it? I'm asking because it took me a little longer than I was happy with to get it down, but honestly, once I did I am kind of addicted to pinning things and especially checking out other people's Pinboards and am always on the lookout for activities and recipies other Mommies post to do with children.


www.pinterest.com/NubyUSA


Nuby is currently holding their first Pinterest Contest EVER, it began June 4th -  and ends on the 18th. It's going to be so exciting to see the entries.

Way to enter is as follows and you must have or create a Pinterest Account.

1.Be a follower of Nuby USA on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/NubyUSA)
2. Create a NEW board on your Pinterest Account called "I Love Nuby" and start pinning! Please pin a minimum of 5 Nuby Product images to qualify, add fun captions and be sure to use #Nuby.
3. Once you have done so, email your Pinterest board link to pinterest@nuby.com for a chance to win one of five $25 Nuby Gift Packs!!

Believe me, they are worth trying out for. Nuby products are stellar!


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

FDA Warning - Teething Gels - Please read and find the CNN article here as well!

Due to the fact that I have a teething baby (now to two big bottom teefies of course!). I am always looking for new remedies for her little gums aside from using the baby Tylenol all the time. I am always in fear of over-medicating, or giving medicine when it's not necessary, as I'm sure all Mothers out there are as well.

I've heard from parent after parent about how remarkable the new Teething Tablets are. I did purchase some, but upon looking at the box and noticing that there is not any dosing information for a child under 2 years of age, then later asking my Pediatrician about them as well I cannot and do not give them to her. I would probably give them a shot if I came across a kind that was for younger babies.

Another option is the baby Orajel, or other brands of teething gels. I do have some of that as well, but like the Tablets have a reason to be uncomfortable about them. I have read a few different places that if too much is put in a child's mouth or if they swallow it can numb their gag reflex and cause them to choke. Yikes! Makes a Momma nervous for sure!

I've just been sticking with freezing her teething rings and giving her the baby Tylenol on nights when she is inconsolable, and I'm glad I have because I just came across new warnings just issued by the FDA regarding Teething Gels specifically.


I was even fooled by the "Naturals" kind of Baby Orajel, as you can see it still has Benzocaine.



The stomach-dropping quote that I read was:

"Benzocaine is a local anesthetic that’s in products like Anbesol, Orajel & Baby Orajel, Orabase and Hurricaine. The FDA says using benzocaine products to stop mouth and gum pain can cause a rare and sometimes fatal condition called methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder where the oxygen that’s carried through the blood to the tissue drops to dangerously low levels. In severe cases it can cause death."

The article also states that the FDA did issue a warning in 2006, and other in 2011.

Hard core facts: Since 2006 there have been a total of 29 reported benzocaine gel-related cases of this blood disorder. 19 total in children, and shockingly 15 of the 19 were in babies under 2 years of age!

Some key signs to look for: Blue fingernails, skin, lips, trouble breathing, headache, light headedness and an increased heart rate.

An extremely scary fact with methemoglobinemia is that it can likely occur after just the first time using it, as well as even if you have used it countless times on your child.

I found the article at Parents.com but CNN wrote the original and that can be found here: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/01/fda-warns-about-benzocaine-in-baby-pain-gels/?hpt=hp_bn12

Please be careful with your little ones!! I will continue to search for more homeopathic remedies for my little one and if I come across anything worth reporting I will be SURE to get it back to you. Anything to decrease the use of Teething Gels. I hope this helps to get the word out!

Friday, June 1, 2012

Uncle Ryan

Due to the fact that I was recovering in the beginning of the month from gallbladder surgery I never did do an entry about a very important event in my life.

For one reason or another I had not seen my one and only big Brother Ryan since I was about 5 months pregnant or so, and his Daughter, my niece Alyssia Megan (yes, named after me!). It's been very hard to not be a part of either of their lives especially since my Brother and I have always been so close. He had a lot to do with raising me and is and will always be so dear to me. With an amazing single Mother who worked multiple jobs it was Ryan I went to for everything. He is my confidant, my best friend, my partner in crime, the one who taught me how to ride a bike, the ONLY one who I would ever let help me wiggle out a loose tooth, patch up a "boo-boo" or kick the butts of school bullies. I love him a lot.


It was becoming very hard for me to have not seen him or Alyssia for so long, but during my stay in the hospial Ryan and my niece surprised me and showed up to come see me. It was a very tearful and sweet reunion. I got to hug and squeeze them both and Uncle Ryan got to meet my Daughter for the first time. Can you say "Tissue please?" Here are some photos from that day, and since then.
We are now back in eachother's lives and I couldn't be happier. We are eachother's only siblings and our Daughter's are our only children. I am blessed to have them back in my life and Bella is blessed to have an Uncle like her Uncle Ryan. My heart is warmed and I am humbled and I cannot wait for the special memories in the future that our Daughter's will have growing up closely and have all the fun cousin experiences that Ryan and I had growing up with ours. Blessed!






Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Firsty Firsts!!

One happy Momma is typing this right now! What a great two weeks we have had! Isabella has FINALLY sprouted her two bottom "teefies." Which might I add would put a shark to shame! Holy sharp! They are like little scissors. It's great to see them poking through, though they aren't fully out yet, just the tips. She seems much more relieved that they have broken skin.

She also turned 6 MONTHS OLD yesterday and on her big 1/2 Birthday, or .5 as we were jokingly referring to it I took her swimming for the first time as well. She absolutely loved the warm water and was splashing like crazy!

Me and my big 6 month birthday girl during her first time swimming

And here is my little fishy and my friend Tammy splashing away.