Passed with Flying Colours!

Pre Milk Selfie for Abby

Tuesday morning we went to Children's Hospital for Abby's dairy challenge.  She did so well and passed it!  We are so proud of her.  I was so nervous about giving her milk and potentially seeing her throw up and get sick.  Here's how it went.

Claire went for a sleepover to my parents house on Monday night.  I made sure to pack our bags the night before because we were going to be at the hospital anywhere from 4 hours or more.  I packed extra set of clothes for both Kyle and I and Abby incase she threw up all over herself and us.  I brought some toys and things to keep her occupied.  I packed her a lunch to eat while we were there as well.  

Brought Abby's favourite baby and books

Daddy reading Old McDonald to Abby

"Daddy stop looking at your phone and read to me!"

Tuesday morning we drove to the Children's Hospital and stopped on our way at Safeway to pick up a carton of whole milk for Abby to drink.  I also packed several sippy cups and bottles for her to drink out of incase she was picky about drinking from one.  We arrived just before 9 and checked in, filled out paper work.  They weighted and checked Abby's height before we went into a room with Dr. Abrams.  The room was a regular sized doctors room.  The chairs weren't comfortable for a 4 hour stay but we made it work.  She explained that she wanted to give her three doses of the milk every 30 minutes and then wait 2 hours after she drank it to see how she reacted.  Around 9:45 we started the first dose, I forgot to bring the bottle warmer with us so we had to give it to her cold.  She did not want any of it, so Kyle and I had to hold her arms down and give her small amounts by pouring it into her mouth.  She was MAD, I guess we've been slacking in the sippy cup department.  She doesn't like drinking from them, she just wants to play with it and pour out the water at home.  Anyways, we got all three doses in her with lots of fighting.  She let out some huge burps and farts afterwards that made both Kyle and I look at each other with concern that it would turn into a reaction but thankfully it didn't.  

Waiting and waiting

Pretty happy girl!

We waited and waited, played with her, read books and walked the halls.  Around 12 ish Dr. Abrams came into the room to check on her one last time and she checked her tummy, back and listened to her breathing.  Everything was great and then she said something we thought we would never hear, "She can have dairy now!" "YAY!"  I let out a huge sigh, I couldn't believe that Abby passed and things were going to be okay.  It was the one food that concerned me, dairy.  I knew that Abby needed to be weaned from me before I start work in April and that meant she needed to have some other form of liquid to drink during the day, I could pump some breast milk but I don't know if I would have enough to last her all day.  It was so wonderful to see Abby drink milk and not have a reaction.  I'm excited now to try new foods with her, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.  It opens up the possibility to so many other foods.  
Dr. Abrams said for us to continue the dairy at home and to watch her still, some little ones can still have reactions after a few days of ingesting the food.  She said if she did have any reaction to bring her right away to emergency.  She also told us to try soy in about 5-6 days when we are at home.  Both soy and dairy go hand in hand so more than likely if she is ok with dairy she'll be okay with soy.  

After we left the hospital and paid our $16 parking fee (I feel bad for the families with sick little ones who at the hospital all day and everyday, it must cost them a fortune and they shouldn't have to pay for parking when they have to, they have more important things to take care of) Crooks!! 

We headed to NUBurger in Osborne Village to celebrate Abby's pass on dairy.  We joked that we were going to order her a bun less burger with CHEESE!! Lol no we didn't, I'm too chicken.  It was delicious, Kyle and I both ordered the Blueberry Yum Yum burger.  Tasty!  We shared some fries.  We fed Abby her lunch as well.  Beef, broccoli and banana.  After lunch I had been wanting to check out this little coffee shop I follow on Instagram called Little Sister Coffee Maker that is in Osborne Village as well.  I hadn't had a coffee in awhile and was craving a cup of joe.  I had also heard they sell these locally made donuts called OhDonuts.  (who I also follow on Instagram as well)  Unfortunately, when I arrived they were already sold out of all their donuts and had told me they usually sell out first thing in the morning. (BOOO!) So I had to order a chocolate croissant and ginger snap cookie instead, oh man life is rough ;) Any who I ordered a decafe latte and a hot cocoa for Kyle.  The latte was decadent, perfection!!! I loved it! The barista also did a snazzy design with the foamed milk. Here's an article about the coffee shop. 

Waiting for her lunch

Daddy proud of Abby for passing her dairy challenge

Ummm cofffee! 

Abby was exhausted from her big day so we arrived home, I breastfeed her and put her down for a well deserved nap.  She fell asleep instantly and slept for a little over 2 hours.  She was pooped!!  She had only slept for maybe 20 minutes in the car on the way to the hospital and then fell asleep while she was breastfeeding at the hospital around 12.  She really needed to sleep.  After Abby woke up I went and picked up our Claire Bear from my parents and came home to eat dinner.  It was a long day but worth the time to hear the words "She can have dairy now!" Music to my ears!

Now for our poultry challenge today.  This morning we travelled to Dr. Abrams office in St. Vital for Abby's poultry challenge for 10:45 am.  We brought Claire with us this time and Kyle was able to meet us there from work.  I cooked a few chicken breasts at home before hand and shredded a 1/2 cup or so of chicken for Abby to eat.  I brought along some avocado, banana and a fruit squeeze to help her eat the chicken and wash it down.  Dr. Abrams checked Abby before we fed her the chicken.  I mashed the avocado with the shredded chicken and she was able to eat all of it by 9:37.  It took her about 20 minutes.  Then we headed to a small room where they had lots of kids toys for the girls to play with while we waited to see if Abby reacted to the chicken.  Kyle ran out and picked up some mexican burritos from Burrito Splendido. I had packed some veggies, fruit and water as well.  Claire ate some of our burrito but mostly ate veggies and fruit.  Abby and Claire played so well with the toys, it helps when there are new toys, it keeps them busy for awhile.  I had also packed paper, crayons, stickers, books and a puzzle for Claire just incase she needed stuff to keep her busy.  She did colour a bit and do the puzzle with Kyle. 

New toys = quiet little ones!!

After a couple hours Dr. Abrams came in to check Abby and asked how she was feeling.  I told her she was fine, playing and acting like herself.  She checked her tummy and back for any rashes and listened to her breathing, then she gave us the go ahead.  "She can eat chicken now!"  It was nice to hear that Abby had passed chicken and this now means we can add another safe food to her list.  It gives me hope that her next challenge with legumes will go well but I don't want to get my hopes up.