A Feat with Wheat is on the Menu

It's the cocktail hour prior to our cousin's wedding. Many of the cousins traveled from all over the states to be together and here we are at the big shebang in Chicago! All are dressed like they're at the Oscars, and not just attending, but actually receiving an Oscar, Angelina Jolie style. And all the cousins have been practicing for some time, to surprise the bride and groom with an Indian flash mob dance! So exciting, but yet we were all pretty nervous. We had some time though, and cocktail hour was sure to relax the mood.

You at the cocktail hour, loving that wheat pouch

Not so fast though.  I turn to you and  you are eating a baby food pouch, you love them, they are virtually baby-crack, but more healthy than that.

I look at the pouch as you suck every last drop out and my heart sank, panic set in.  The picture on the front has a grain on it, I grab the now empty pouch from you and turn it around to read the label. I briefly scan the ingredient list and boom, there it is, "Kamut (wheat)" - oh my goodness. How did I miss this?? I have never messed up before. I immediately grab daddy and tell him what happen. We decide to administer Benadryl before anything happens hoping to ward off any reaction.  You gladly take your "vitamin" - and then I go over to a little corner with you in my arms and cry. I deserve the worst mom-award of 2016! I feel terrible. How could I mess up when there is zero margin for error. Many cousins, some of which are doctors come and find me and give me some pointers to watch out for. Benadryl is kicking in and making you really sleepy, which it has never done before. It usually gives you a boost of energy. Now my little party-loving, dancing baby boy is passed out in your stroller and will at best miss the reception we have all been waiting for. The reception starts, dancing performances are on. I am watching your chest go up and down in a steady rhythm. This goes on for an hour. I feel terrible still. Our flash mob happens and the rest of reception goes on. I know everyone had the most amazing time at this beautiful celebration, but I screwed up. I did not enjoy these hours at the reception,  hoping and praying, watching you like an eagle scouting it's prey, that nothing would happen.

Sleeping in your stroller while the reception goes on

The reception ended, I took ouy up to our hotel and you slept, and I continued to watch. Nothing ever happened, which makes the allergy journey all the more confusing. Your iGe for wheat has hovered in the 30s and 40s, it's your highest allergen. But then nothing happened.

On mommy's shoulders at the Baraat, waiting for the groom

You and Daddy 

Fast forward a few months and an allergy appointment later and I get a call on Monday morning September 19th 2016, it's Hopkins.  The doctor tells me that they have researched the pouch and despite your high iGe numbers for wheat, they want us to try a wheat challenge at home. I am....over the moon, elated and scared.  Doctor gives me the protocol for the wheat challenge and tells me that had you not had that accidental exposure in April, we would likely not be challenging you. We would still be strictly avoiding.  So maybe I get a pass on this one, maybe I am not the worst mother of 2016.  Here we go...stay tuned for results!