Nut Allergy vs Virus

As I was stated in my last blog post, Zachy had so odd hives that we thought was because he had a few almonds. Our middle son Griffin has a peanut allergy so we have been very careful with giving Zachy any nuts but he has been exposed in the past so I did not think much of it. On this day (which was Wed) the boys had a snow day and we were all home. I had bought the Bold Almonds by Blue Diamond and was sharing them will Zachy, knowing we were not going anywhere and I could keep and eye on him for a reaction. Four hours later I put him down for a much needed nap. Shortly after falling asleep he wakes up crying. I ask Jonny to go up and rock him, which he does but doesn't not work. I then go up and take Zachy out if his crib and cuddle with him in our bed. I am rubbing his back and he is just fussy and whiny. Then I notice he is scratching at his thigh. I check it out to find his legs covered in blotchy hives. Being the experienced allergy mom, I immediately grab the Benadryl and give him a dose. Then I give the doctors office a call, mainly because with a nut allergy they need to know and I want to make sure that the hives I was seeing was from the almonds. After speaking with the nurse and her talking with the doctor they tell me to call in the morning and to give him Benadryl every six hours.

The Benadryl did its job, the hives disappear. Come morning they are back though. As soon as the Benadryl is out of his system the hives come back. After calling the doctors for a couple of days so they could have a report on him, they decide to check him out. The final diagnosis is that his virus (cold) that he has been fighting for weeks is causing the hives. The almonds would not be causing the hives for more that 4 days. The doctor tells us to switch to Zyrtec so that Zachy isn't so drowsy. Then to stop the Zyrtec after a week and see what happens and if the hives come back to call them again.
In the meantime we are setting up an appointment with an allergist to have him tested.

Sick of all the sickness

The last month or more has been pretty rough with sickness in this house. Between the croup, sniffles, sore throats and fevers we have been a sickly crew. The boys seem to be on the up swing other than Zachy's runny nose and rash (probably due to a nut allergy. more on that later).

Sick Zachy face with a little runny nose.

But it has been my turn again. This time I really think it is strep throat but I am really hoping just a virus. I would hate to have to be on antibiotics. They really don't agree with my body. What amazes me is the look of shock when someone finds out I am sick or asks how I am feeling and I say "like crap!" The response I get is usually something like "I would have never guessed you felt so bad. You have been running around, playing outside, cooking and everything".

the kids and the snowman we built while I was running a 102 fever,
felt like I was swallowing razor blades and had shooting pain in my ear.

Really...what am I suppose to do with a working husband and 3 or more kids. I don't have the option to climb back into bed and sleep it off. And it does me no good to not entertain the kids or they get bored and drive me more nuts. To be honest most of these responses are from people with no kids or who can send their kids to daycare and go back home to bed. Most stay at home moms know what it is like. I am not saying working moms have it easier, because that just opens up a whole new can of worms that I am not willing to get into. I am just saying it is different. I don't have the option of calling in sick...my kids don't go anywhere. So, I medicate myself with Motrin and cough drops until I feel sick to my stomach, put a smile on my face and try my best. Sometimes the illness gets the best of me, I get extra cranky and I try to lay down on the couch for a few minutes. But laying on the couch must be an invite for the kids to climb and jump on me. Oh well...the blessings of motherhood.

Vacation is coming to an end...

I am sad to say that February vacation is coming to an end. We have had such a great week! The boys fought a little and annoyed each other a lot. But overall it was really fun. The big boys and I went skating a couple of times. They skated at stick and puck and had their regular hockey practices. We went to Playland and played outside with the dog. Jonny got out of work early one day and we went out to lunch all together. For the first time in months going to a restaurant was really great. All three boys behaved and ate really well. Then on Friday, thanks to Courtney being here to watch Zachy, Jonny, Ryan, Griffin and I went to a Castleton College hockey game. What a blast that was! Not only the game but watching the boys, especially Ryan, enjoying the game. Ryan had his nose glued to the glass most of the game and was so excited to be there. Griffin...well he was just Griffin. In his own little world some of the time and really watching the game other times. Although, Griffin did get a little annoying about wanting a big green foam finger. Sometimes that kid just blows my mind. He wouldn't give up begging for the foam finger. Of course I would have just given in but Jonny doesn't, so we listened to Griffin whine about it for a good share of the game. We also cleaned the house this week and today we did a little shopping.
Overall it was a really good week...makes me look forward to another school vacation!

Going Well...

So far so good...School Vacations have been know to turn out to be a hard week for us. but so far so good. Monday I took the 3 boys to McDonald's Playland. I know...it is a germ filled dirty place but the boys love it so. And we have our fair share of germs...I don't think a little more with harm.

Yesterday the big boys and I went to stick and puck. Courtney was nice enough to watch Zachy so I was able to take some pictures and videos of these hockey loving boys on the ice. They were on the ice for two hours without coming off to warm up! Not that they need to warm up...they were covered in sweat when the two hours were up.

Here is a video of them with a young boy that helps coach Ryan's beginner hockey team and his little sister. They skated with them all morning...such a nice family.

What is our plan today? I really don't know...it did snow a few inches yesterday, maybe we will stay home and play in the snow.

School Vacation...

The boys are on school vacation for the week. I tend to start out the vacation excited and happy to have them home. But soon enough I am ready for them to be back to school. I have planned a lot of skating this week and other "fun" things but having a 22 month old means plans will not always happen.

We are all recovering from the Croup. It was a nasty one this time. Griffin is in week 3 with the lingering effects of the Croup. Zachy still feels yucky even though his Croupy cough has been gone for a week.

Valentines Day was yesterday. Nothing great and wonderful here. As much as I say that it is not a "holiday" we celebrate because it is really a money maker for the card and candy companies, I still feel bothered by not receiving anything. Then to make the day even harder, Jonny was not feeling well and was really grumpy. As hard as I tried to keep the kids out of his hair, he was still was miserable. Sometimes I just don't know what to do. Maybe there is nothing for me to do.

Anyway, today is another day...we will not dwell on bad days, just try to enjoy this beautiful day that God has given us.