I'm Alive!

That was an unexpectedly long hiatus! It's amazing how quickly the days and weeks seem to be passing. I guess no news is good news, right?


Today we are trialing food #15... Superfood Spinach. I was trying to spare her, but I just couldn't put it off any longer! I feel like we're knocking out the entire produce section of the grocery store with relative ease... and trying not to get over-confident about it. We're beginning to delve into foods that are a little harder to come by (cherries will be making an appearance soon), mostly because I am holding off on the more common triggers (peas, green beans, squash...) until we're left with no choice but to try those too. Even though I feel very supported by our doctors, they have given me few guidelines. I'm in a position to follow my instincts. So far that has worked out for us, but I don't know if and when our luck will run out.

I've been contemplating corn lately. I know that it is a more common allergen and it's low in nutritional value, but it would open the door to cereal and corn-based pasta that would rock Clairey's world. She's chomping at the bit to get her hands on something she can really sink her teeth into... Banana, pear, mango and avocado bits aren't cutting the mustard.

I checked out the FPIES message boards on Facebook and BabyCenter to investigate corn further. I was amazed by the stories that I read. We have been SO LUCKY up to this point. While it's impossible to know what is in store for us and FPIES, so far we have been dealt a much easier hand than so many other families. I was so sad to read about all of the children who react to any or all of the fruits and vegetables, milk, grains and other protein sources that they've tried... There are children that haven't tried new foods in months or a year... They've experienced painful hospital stays and testing... Reading these stories made me count my blessings again and again and hope for resolution for those families who suffer constantly. It also reminded me to never let my guard down...

I think our corn trials will be a last-minute decision. I've already got bags of frozen corn waiting to meet my Cuisinart and a box of Kix cereal that Andy has already claimed for himself (he inexplicably calls them "bumps"). To Corn or not to corn, that is the question...