The latest on Emily

Welllll...after four years of searching for an answer to several of Emily's health problems, we are finally getting somewhere. Em had a huge blood draw done a few weeks ago and one of the tests that came back positive was for celiac disease. In fact, two doctors (her pediatrician and allergist) both said that they had never seen celiac test results this high before (her tTG-IgA was >150). Really good information on celiac in children can be found here.

This is a MAJOR life change for all of us. We have decided that we will all change over to the new gluten-free diet (primarily because it is fair to Emily and secondly because it will do nothing but improve our health overall anyway). I am still in the initial stages of shock with this...one day I am happy we have an answer, another I am petrified that I will never eat again (I know, that sounds ridiculous, but seriously...for the heck of it, go ahead and check labels in your refrigerator, pantry, shampoo bottles, etc and see how many things contain some derivative of wheat. It's INSANE).

I've been told that among my friends, I will have a clear line of definition form: those who support and understand the problem and do their best to accommodate...and those who choose to see this as an inconvenience I am imposing on others and who will therefore not accommodate.

The upside to this disease is that it is completely fixable with diet. No drugs, and no surgery necessary to fix it. However, being that it is an auto-immune disease, it is not curable. Both Colby and I carry the gene for this, so yes, we're both "at fault" for passing it on to her. I am just thankful that we have a concrete diagnosis and that those that feel I "make up" my child's health issues will finally be quieted by this news.

We see the GI doc on Thursday morning. Praying that we will not need for Emily to endure another endoscopy since she had one in 2009 and there is plenty of photographic evidence that inflammation exists heavily in her small intestine. This, coupled with the test results, and one look at my sick child (dark circles under her eyes, bruises all over her body, bloated tummy...) and hopefully we can begin our new gluten-free life!

More info to come as we progress!

Allyson's Letter to the Tooth Fairy...

This was too hysterical not to post. For anyone who can't follow this, she lost her second tooth today and in the process of trying to show her sister, dropped it on the street and was not able to find it. She was VERY concerned that the tooth fairy (aka "toth fare") would not be able to leave her money if she didn't produce a tooth. This letter was written all by herself with minimal help from Mom!

The Start of a Wonderful Mother's Day!

Today Emily's preschool class hosted a Mother's Day tea and it was just precious!! I think this is my favorite part about this particular preschool...they put a lot of thought into it and make the moms feel so appreciated. The class began with 3 songs, then they served us snacks (chocolate dipped strawberries, biscuits with strawberry jam, baby carrots and Hershey's kisses!) and lemonade and presented us with handmade gifts (a butterfly windchime). So stinkin' cute!!

Cubbies Awards Ceremony, 2011

Tonight was Emily's Awards ceremony for AWANA Cubbies. She will do Cubbies again next year since she won't start kindergarten until the year after, but this was a huge accomplishment for her and we are so proud!