Bye Bye Milk, Cheese, Butter, Ice Cream, Sour Cream, Yogurt....Chocolate......

Willow has baaaad reflux. We're talking an overwhelming amount of spit up, painful gas, burps, and general discomfort.  We've talked to her Pediatrician, but since she is growing just fine and not colic-y, we decided not to give her medication (that just treats the discomfort, not the cause, anyways).  Well meaning friends have suggested giving her rice cereal in a bottle mixed with breast milk.  While this can potentially help, recent studies have found that early introduction of any solid food can increase the chance of diabetes.  So, we've decided that's a last resort since diabetes runs in our family.

In doing some research, I've found that there is a high chance that she might have an allergy to something I'm eating...  and herein beings the great experiment of 2012.  I'm going to attempt to go without any milk protein for the next 3 weeks.  (Not lactose... milk protein.)  Milk allergies are the most common allergy that babies can have, so we figure we'd start there and see if it makes a difference.  The problem is that it takes between 2 and 3 weeks to get it completely out of my milk supply, so we won't know until midway through October if it's helping at all.  Also, substituting soy isn't necessarily helpful, either, since the majority of babies with milk allergies are also sensitive or allergic to soy.

This morning I woke up and opened the fridge... and realized that I could barely eat anything in it!  No milk for my cereal (I think I'm going to try that almond milk, though...  gotta head to the store!), no cheese for a bagel, or butter for toast.  Yogurt is out, too.  Drat!  This is going to be a long 3 weeks.

So far I've had turkey bacon and eggs, with an english muffin.  Not bad.  A bagel with peanut butter for lunch.  And I'll figure out something for dinner. 

Do you have any great dairy-free recipes?  Have you ever given up a food completely that you suddenly realized is in everything you eat?

September Fun!

September has been a wonderful month!

Not only do Ian and I have birthdays in September, but my parents came to visit for a whole week, along with my Grandpa!  We went and had an adventure on San Juan Island, visiting a whale watching park (no orcas this time, but my mom did see a dolphin!) and eating lots of tasty seafood.  Mmmmmmm.

 Waiting to get on the ferry

 Such a pretty day!

 At the park, looking for whales

 Mmmmmmm. Fresh seafood!

 Heading home again on the ferry.

We also took the time to take some family photos, spanning 4 generations!

Great Grandpa and his Great Granddaughter

Don't worry... we got this one taken right. ;) You'll have to wait until Christmas to see the final photo, though!

 Willow and all her cuteness, per usual!  Awwwwww.

We also were able to spend a day celebrating our 28th and 29th birthdays!  It was nice getting the whole family together.

 Grandma and Nana with Willow at our birthday celebration!

It was such a wonderful visit.  Thank you for making the trek out to Washington to see us!