Did I really post 3 days ago? Boy, was it a looong 3 days. No reason in particular - just very busy. Aside from working Monday and Tuesday, Monday Kayla had gymnastics, Tuesday night I was just in a bad mood, Wednesday, I worked in the am for 3 hours (it was a hectic week at work too) and Wednesday afternoon I had a doctor's appointment, then the allergy meeting at night. Today, Alysa had gymnastics, then I got Kayla from school, lunch and nap/rest (I worked while they were napping), then was Alysa's feeding therapy, home for dinner and then back out for the dentist - yes, only me and the 2 girls. Ever have your teeth cleaned while being used as a jungle gym? It's a pleasure. But, Kayla's making progress - she actually walked back to the room, sat in the chair (twice), went up and down on it and almost let her clean 1 tooth. Oh and she let her count them - she has 20. Alysa? She has 4, or that's at least all she'd let be counted.

So...the very first of the food allergy support group meetings was last night. It went very well. Considering it was the first ever, the turnout of 13 people (or more accurately, 13 families) was excellent. It was scheduled to last 1 hour and I left at 9:30. But hey, try getting a group of 13 women in a room who all deal with the same issues and see if you can shut them up. The doc who started it (my girls' allergist) acts as a fascilitator and helps with some doctor-info, but even he said his goal is to give us a chance to share ideas and heart-ache and "B*tch and Moan" if needed. My hope, aside from being around people who understand, is to possibly get some safe play groups together. Most of the women have children 3 and under which is perfect. I'd love a place to go or people to have over who understand completely and we can work to make it safe for all who are there.

I'm really looking forward to future meetings and I hope it grows (there is no group in South Jersey. He is currently working to get us listed with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Each month he is planning on covering a topic - next month will be outgrowing food allergies. He also is putting together a recipe swap - I volunteered to bring in a recipe and food. I'm opting for rice pudding and believe I can make it free of the Top 8 allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shell fish and soy). It's a big hit in my house, but I usually make it with soy milk - so for this venture I'll make it with rice milk - not sure how it will turn out. Maybe I'll make a batch of both? That's a thought...

Did I mention I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed this week? Making two recipes should help that...