Allergies: 2, Girls: 0

The girls had their allergist appointments today. Layla's was to retest for the egg allergy. Piper's was to test for food allergies.

Going in I was 99% sure Piper had a peanut allergy. When things like this.....







become commonplace, you know something's wrong.

When this.....





occurs after physically coming in contact with peanut butter, you can pretty much bet that's the culprit.


But we made it official today. Piper tested 4+ on a 0-4 scale. We will now be living in a "peanut-free" environment.

Layla tested 4+ on the same scale. It sounds as though her allergy has worsened, but this was a different test than the one we had a year ago. Her first test was with a blood draw and she scored a 2-3 on a scale of 0-6. I'm guessing that a blood test is more accurate.

Egg allergies (although they can be fatal) are not as likely to pose a serious threat like the peanut allergy does. So we do still have eggs in the house. I don't eat them, though. I've never been a fan of eggs. It's the baking that was an issue for me. But after a year, I have finally found a substitute I really like.

1 Tbsp. flax seed + 3 Tbsp. water = 1 egg
Mix together and let it sit for 10-15 minutes until it becomes gelatinous (you will have to stir it occassionally at the beginning)

There are three benefits for this substitute:
1) It's natural (that boxed egg-substiute stuff scares me)
2) It's healthier than eggs
3) I can eat my cookie dough guilt-free!!

This peanut thing is going to give me a run for my money, though. Peanut butter is my favorite food!!

I've voluntarily been off of it for a month now and have realized just how often I eat it. It's the perfect snack! It goes with everything! And now I'm left without it in my diet :-(

However, the benefits (and cost) of breastfeeding outweigh my desire to eat peanut butter. So for 6 more months I will not consume peanut butter.

Our house will remain peanut-free for quite a while, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy the delicious goodness that is peanut butter while I'm at work :-)

The egg allergy will still prove to be the most inconvenient and annoying because egg is in everything!! This peanut allergy, however, is going to be mentally difficult.