Friday Things
1. Joseph had another oral challenge at the allergist this week for hazelnuts (he got to eat Nutella for the challenge) andโฆ HE PASSED (and he loved Nutella)! That makes seven challenges weโve done so far this year, and heโs passed them all โ baked eggs, cooked eggs, soy, almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts. Next up will be pistachios, and then cashews (cashews had the highest number of the tree nuts on his blood work, so weโre saving that one for last). The plan will then be to do another blood draw for peanuts since itโs been almost two years, and see if the number has dropped at all. FINGERS CROSSED.
2. Speaking of allergies, if any of you have to carry an epi pen for a child, do you have suggestions on where to stash it if not in a diaper bag? We rarely use a diaper bag if either my husband or I are taking Joseph out to run some errands and arenโt going to be gone long, and while I keep an epi pen in my purse, there really isnโt anywhere handy for my husband to put one if he doesnโt have the diaper bag, since it shouldnโt be stored in the car with temperature fluctuations.
3. Still on Joseph hereโฆ it seems weโve officially hit the end of the napping road, wahhhhh. Youโll remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that he fought almost every nap for a week? Well then he started taking them again, HOWEVERโฆ on the days he would nap, even if we put him down early and he was back up by 2/2:30, he wasnโt falling asleep at night until 9-10pm! And he was still getting up near 6:00 in the morning, and his mood was, well, less than stellar. So weโve pretty much just given up on them, and he doesnโt lose his mind in the late afternoon/dinner time, heโs going to sleep early and sleeping a bit later, so for now it seems to be working okayโฆ until the next change ;-)
4. Did you get to catch the solar eclipse on Monday? We were in the path of 80% totality, but it was super cloudy here on Monday, so it ended up being, wellโฆ not much of anything to see. My husband, Joseph, and I went out onto the deck around the time we were to be at 80% (Dominic napped through the excitement) and the light was very dusk-like, and you could hear the crickets come out, which was crazy, and it cooled way down. Apparently thereโs going to be another one in 2024 and theyโre saying weโre going to be in the path of complete totality; Iโll be sure to order our glasses early ;-)
5. Iโm not sure where these dorm rooms exist, but my old dorm room had exactly enough room for a set of bunk beds, two desks, two wardrobes, and you could barely stand side-by-side in the open space. I mean, is this seriously real life somewhere?!
6. I canโt believe itโs been two years since I made this salted chocolate caramel tart, but itโs one of my favorite creations!
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7. Ina Garten dished about the fact that she never, ever uses cilantro and canโt stand the taste. Iโm sort of stunned, but Iโve also heard that the whole cilantro-tasting-like-soap thing is totally genetic has to do with individual taste buds.
8. T-minus 41 days until opening night of the hockey season! That also means itโs only 41 days until Dominicโs 1st birthday and OMG HOW DID THAT GET HERE SO QUICKLY?! He was just a tiny little baby wrapped up in a burrito swaddle like, yesterday. And now heโs looking more and more like a toddler every dayโฆ
9. We started a new show this week (thanks to many of your suggestions!) โ Happy Valley on Netflix. Weโve only watched one episode so far, but are loving it (because of course we love our British crime dramas!). We finished up the final season of Broadchurch last week and while itโs sort of dark, I thought the acting was fantastic and wish they had made more seasons!
10. TGIF! I hope you have a super snuggly weekend (thatโs Duke cozied up my robe that fell on the floor, ha!)โฆ
My son is highly allergic to tree nuts (we found out when my husband gave him a cashew while he was making dinner, a few days in the PICU later after anaphylaxis and we left with about a million Epi-Pens). A few years ago I bought some crib sheets that came in a clear plastic bag with a zipper & handle. It fits a 2-pack of Epi-Pens perfectly. I stash our emergency contact info in there (example 1) administer Epi-Pen, 2) Call 911, 3) Call mom & dad with our cell phone numbers). I throw it in my purse when I leave he house with our son. My husband just carries it by the handles. Our son throws it in his soccer bag or catechism bag when he goes, he takes it to bday parties and on play dates. My son is 8yo and I hardly worry at all anymore. He is good about not eating things that may be nut exposed. He would rather not eat the cake/treat than have a reaction. He knows that I will always โmake the treat up to himโ if he didnโt get to eat something on a special occasion.ย
When I worked in a pharmacy I saw one of my clients carry a Epipen on a lanyard. GOOD LUCK.
If you go to this site and register your epi pens to receive reminders when they are about to expire you can get a free carrying case. If I remember correctly I think you can do it with two sets of pens to get two cases. The case has a clip on it which makes it really easy to carry.
https://www.epipen.com/my-epipen/
That is such wonderful news that he is passing his challenges! I think I will be a nervous wreck when my little guy gets to do food challenges.
Thanks Bianca, I didnโt know about that! The days of the oral challenges are honestly so emotionally taxing. Itโs a really long time, and Iโm just on pins and needles listening to his breathing, watching for scratching or anything unusual. The nurses obviously check very often, but itโs still so nerve wracking!
Congrats for passing the food challenge! My 8 year old has been anaphylactic to eggs and peanuts since 15 months old. He passed his peanut challenge this past April! I never thought weโd see that happen, though it was something I obviously hoped would eventually happen. Weโre supposed to do a baked egg challenge next spring, but soon after passing the peanut challenge he had an anapjylactic reaction to egg (thereโs egg in snickers and I didnโt know, I was just excited to be able to give him something with peanuts in it!), so weโll see.
For the epi pen, I bought a insulated baby bottle carrier on Amazonโฆ.Yiwu Single Thirsty Tote Insulated Holder Fits Most Standard Baby Bottles and Water Bottles. It has a carrying handle that you can snap onto a stroller, belt loop, etc. Itโs insulated, which is why I got it. Weโve used it all summer without any issues. Oh and itโs not girly, so my husband doesnโt mind carrying it ;)
Hi Melinda, Congratulations on your son passing his peanut challenge, thatโs amazing and so exciting! So sorry about the setback with the eggs, thoughโฆ fingers crossed for progress before your oral challenge in the spring. And thank you for the recommendation, Iโm going to check it out!
For all of you Brit-o-phile fans, a nephew shared these Netflix links to British Films (https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/10757) and British Shows (https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/52117) .
Love the Friday Things posts. Glad to catch up on your family. We loved โHappy Valleyโ and did you know that the same actor who plays Tommie Lee Royce plays (James Norton plays Sidney Chambers, the Anglican priest in โGrantchester.โ Quite a switch in roles. Also the role of Catherine Cawood played by Sarah Lancashire also stars in โLast Tango in Halifaxโ. All good shows!
If you think Broadchurch is dark wait until you get further into Happy Valley. ย It is an outstanding series, but times very difficult to watch.
I can definitely see that!
Hi, have you seen the TVs series Vera? Itโs set in northeast England and is very good
Love reading your site and seeing the boys as they grow. ย Not forgetting the beautiful Duke!
Sandra
Hi Sandra, I havenโt! Thanks for the recommendation, weโll check it out.
Far out, Happy Valley is brutal. Itโs one of those shows where I have to read the recaps first so I can prepare myself. Broadchurch is also very good. Have you watched Top of the Lake? I might be biased as Iโm from NZ, but itโs brilliant and the second season has just started.ย
Itโs definitely another dark one! Iโve not heard of Top of the Lake, but weโll definitely put it on our list!
Iโve heard Ina talk about the cilantro/soap issue. I love cilantro in salsas, guacamole, etc. I added it recently to a simmering soup and SOAP!! Aagh!! I love it raw, but it definitely tastes like soap when itโs cooked! Inaโs right! :)ย
I am a huge fan of British (and American :) ) crime dramas and try to watch whatever my public library carries. Broadchurch does have subsequent seasons, though so far I have only watched the first one. Not sure if they are available on Netflix or not. Happy Valley was a great show as well.
Hi Monica, Season 2 of Broadchurch is on Netflix, season 3 just finished on BBC America here.
I havenโt seen season 3 of Broadchurch, and Iโm really looking forward to it. I love Foylesโs War but itโs leaving Netflix on Sept 1. Thereโs a great short series with David Tennant called The Escape Artist. Happy weekend!
Thanks for the heads up on Happy Valley. ย Will check it out. ย ย Love your blog and family; ย especially love Duke!! ย
For the Epi-pen Iโm thinking of something your husband could strap or velcro to his cell phone? Thereโs got to be something out thereโฆ You could always create your own. He would never leave home without it!
My son who is also allergic to nuts has an epi pen carrier that he wears around his waist. He has been wearing since he was around 18 months. He is almost 7 now. He can wear it to friends or to school,(his school allows him to wear it in the classroom). It doesnโt bother him and we donโt have to worry about which parent he is with or who has the epi pen. They also sell ones that are adult sized.
http://www.allergyapparel.com/epibelt-kids/
I always carried my Epi ย in my purse along with Benadryl. ย My husband always had his in his glove box and Benadryl as well. ย Did you son go through the weekly shots? ย Itโs been 7 years since I tried to go through the shots, I made no progress. ย I still canโt be in a room with open nuts. ย Heโs very fortunate. ย Wouldnโt I love to eat a walnut or butter pecan ice cream or even have a Blizzard at DQ! ย Enjoy๐
Hi Patti, No, Joseph hasnโt had any shots yet. We just did avoidance for these foods (for about 15 months). Iโm so sorry about your allergy, they are so scary and all-encompassing.
If you goggle โfanny packโ there are so many styles to choose from and I would think a convenient way for your husband to carry the epi pen..
So glad that Joseph passed his latest nut allergy challenge! The napping situation will probably change againโฆlol.. those dorm rooms are adorable but just a tad overdoneโฆtoo cluttered for my taste. Dominic is such a cutieโฆlolโฆglad he slept they the EclipseโฆHappy Valley is such a great showโฆIm doing Midsommer Murders right now and they are pretty good
Mylan offers a free case if you register https://www.epipen.com/my-epipen/ ย
I also see this site has EpiPen carriers with clips http://www.allergyapparel.com/double-epinephrine-carriers/
We loved Broadchurch! I think season one was the best, but all three seasons were good. A show ending is like coming to the end of a good bookโฆnothing else quite measures up after that. Weโll have to give Happy Valley a shot!
Hi there,
May want to consider the Auvi_Q, size of a credit card, just thicker. Easy to use, in that it talks you thru the process. Iโm a school nurse, I will say that some kids carry theirs with them in a fanny pak, not sure Iโm so big on that idea because kids like to show other kids their toys. Good luckโฆโฆโฆโฆโฆโฆ.
Those cannot be real dorms! We just moved my son in for his second year and the bedroom is even smaller than last year (although he does have a (small) walk-in closet!).
I also donโt eat cilantro! My sister loves it and would put it on everything. I canโt stand it if I accidentally get a small piece in my food.
i understand the whole cilantro thing!!
i also cant eat beets..pickled , roasted..however..they always taste like dirt!!!
mary
From you post, I see allergy testing has come a long way since the 1980โs when my son was tested. ย My son is still very allergic to nuts, especially walnuts. ย His allergist, back then, warned us about chili. He had seen a lot of allergy cases from eating chili. Apparently, it was quite common to thicken chili with peanut butter. ย Have you ever heard of that? ย Maybe you need to get your husband a โfancy packโ to wear around his waist for the epi pen. Good luck with that!ย
Hi Marsha, I had never heard of peanut butter in chili until I read a story of a college student in Texas who died after going out to eat and having chili, never thinking in a million years it would have peanut butter! So awful.
Duke looks so cute snuggled with your robe. If you enjoy British crime, you might want to check out Acorn TVโฆIโm a big fan. So big, in fact, it keeps me from doing chores. Lots of great programming without commercials!
Thanks for the recommendation, weโll check it out!
Sorry about all the allergy issues. Iโm going through that right now myself. As for Ina and Cilantro, hubby and I both agree! Yuck!
Just copied the tart recipe and will be trying it soon, even though weโre really not wild about the salted sweets craze. Thanks
When we were kids, even if we didnโt nap, we had โquiet timeโ on our bed for a set time of day. It meant we could โreadโ, color or have our stuffed friends with us on the bed. It rested our bodies, was a still creative time for the mind and we all had a quiet little break from each other without anyone having to get to the point of crabbiness or tears. Especially helpful in the hot weather months. Just one way to consider adjusting to this change.ย
Not a kid, but a male friend would always carry his epipen around in a small backpack. Thereโs also something called Auvi-Q which supposedly fits in a wallet. However, I know very little about it and Iโm not sure if it would work for your little one.
And no, there are no dorm rooms on planet earth that look like that. I am only a few years removed from college, and those rooms are just as small as you remember.
We got red allergy bags from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network when my son with a peanut allergy was younger. Itโs about 4โณ x 8โณ and has a clip that you can attach it to things with..(like belt loops for a total nerd look,)ย
My husband still likes to grab it when he accompanies our now teen somewhere. If you get the Audi-Q brand of epi-pens, itโs about the size of a deck of cards and fits in pant pockets easily. Good luck with the blood test! Our guy outgrew his milk and tree nut allergies but not the peanuts. THere is a peanut patch for desensitization coming out 4th quarter this year, that offers some hopes as well. Good luck to Joseph! ๐
We have been reading about the peanut patch! If he doesnโt start to outgrow out, hopefully that will be an option! Thank you :)