Being a Mom

Being a mom is the best thing ever. EVER. I just can't believe how much I love my munchkins. Having small children is exhausting, time consuming and completely self-sacrificing. It is also the most worthwhile, rewarding, fun, meaningful, incredible thing I've even had the privilege to be a part of. Kallie and Judah are such complete joys, I just can't get over it:) Here are a few things that I just am crazy for in my kids:

Kallie

-is super affectionate, loves to give hugs and kisses and shower us with 'I love you's
-is a complete and utter goofball. I thought all kids were this silly, but through different experiences and other parents' comments, I'm really starting to see that this goofiness is a big part of her personality, which is unique to her.
-is so independent. I'm always so proud of how well behaved Kallie is and how well she does on her own. I can trust her to do so many things on her own, and it is really awesome to see her develop those skills.
-is a genius:) Ok, so that may be a biased mama's opinion, but she definitely is a smart little cookie:) She has a memory like a steel trap, and right now she's really focused on learning her letters. It's summer and she's 3, so I'm not really jumping all over it, but from the relaxed conversations about letters that we have, she knows about 10 of them, can write about 5 and loves to explore what words start with which letters.

Judah
-is the happiest baby there has ever been:) And this is no bias---ask anyone who's spent time with him. My sweet boy constantly giggles and laughs, shrieks with joy and smiles, just because. He can be by himself in a room, with no toys (good mom, huh?:) and just be giggling:)
-is a snuggle bug. Almost every who picks him up gets a nice little snuggle---he buries his face in your neck, wraps is arm around your shoulder, and just rests there:)
-is friendly. He has never, ever made strange, and he's 7 1/2 months now. Kallie started making strange at 6 months, and he just never has. He loves people, and is his happiest when he has someone to 'talk' with:)
-has found his voice. He completely shrieks and babbles SO loudly, it's pretty funny. He's been really silent until now, so it's a shock to hear him so vocal!
-is busy! He is at a stage where if anything is within arms reach, he's grabbing/pushing/pulling/eating it:)

This post is mostly for me...I don't want to forget this stuff, so thanks for bearing with me:) One of my favourite things about being a mom, is getting to spend time with other moms and see how much we adore our kids:) I think it's so special that God created us with this amazing love for our children, that no one else is capable of feeling for them:)

Our Little Peanut...

is allergic to peanuts:(

About 6 weeks ago, Kallie put her peanut butter sandwich on Judah's forehead (gotta love 3 year olds:) and he got three big welts in about 2 minutes. The next day, he got some pb on his cheek from the daycare kids, and his face and neck were covered in welts in about 2 minutes again. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach, an overwhelming sadness, as I came to my own conclusion.

We were referred to a pediatritian and had allergy testing done. Result? Judah has a 'very significant allergy to peanuts'. This means that he's most likely anaphalactic and although 20% of children can outgrow a peanut allergy, the more severe the allergy, the less likely that is. Since birth Judah has had extremely senstive skin and eczema. He frequently breaks out in rashes and although it's been really great having him start solids, b/c of how sensitive he is and knowing he has 1definite allergy, it's also been very stressful.

Right now all we can do is control Judah's environment...we can't have him around any peanut products, and people cannot eat or touch peanut products and then handle/kiss him. We need to start making the drastic changes to completely de-peanut our house (meaning every product that 'may contain peanuts' or were made 'in a plant that contains peanuts' is gonzo). This includes things you'd never think of, like Bath and Body Works products and other household items. I'm so overwhelmed by it. For the most part I push it to the back of my mind, but every now and then, I let my mind jump ahead a few years, to the worry, the responsibility, and to Judah's experience...and it makes me cry. And panic.

I'm very aware that in the big picture, when I know people who have lost children and who can't have children, this is no big deal. I'm thankful, so so thankful for my beautiful boy. But right now, this is our big deal. And it feels tough.