A few weeks ago after giving Isadora cottage cheese, she threw up.  And I don't mean just a little spit up.  We tried yogurt twice and both times, Isadora got a rash.  After talking to Kirk, I called the pediatrician's office and they recommended soy, but they also felt she should see an allergist.

Kirk and I thought this was ridiculous.  No lie.  I had initially called the pediatrician's office just to see if it was ok to give Isa soy until she was a year at which point I figured we'd try dairy again.  I cannot tell you how many times Kirk and I both commented on how we were certain we Isadora did not have a dairy allergy and how crazy it was we were headed to the allergist's office with our 9 month old.  I think Kirk even threatened to cancel the appointment.

So glad we didn't cancel the appointment since it turns out Isadora does, in fact, have a dairy allergy.

Sad, sad day.

Thankfully, they did not have to give her shots.  I had been apologizing to the poor girl for weeks fearing the shots she may receive.  They gave her a scratch test.  Side A on her back was the control side (Kirk said he was thinking it was probably sugar water) and Side B was the allergy test side.In addition to milk, Isadora was tested for eggs, beef, chicken, wheat, nuts, cats, and dust mites.  She didn't even flinch when they put the things on her back to test her.  We could tell they started itching her after a little bit because she kept looking back and moving her arms trying to reach her back.

It was pretty obvious right away the milk spot was turning into a giant welt.  Thankfully, Isadora isn't allergic to anything else, but the allergist did recommend we avoid eggs, also, even though she didn't have a reaction.

This is Isa's back after about 20 minutes.

I feel so bad for Isadora.  I know this is an allergy she may outgrow, but all I can think about is her future without dairy.  No milk in her cereal, no cream cheese for her bagel.  No parmasean cheese for her pasta, no fettucini alfredo.  No chip dip.  No ricotta.  No ice cream.  No milk chocolate.  No whipped cream.  A lifetime of bringing her own dairy free ice cream to birthday parties.  Forever explaining to people she has a dairy allergy and she isn't lactose intolerant.

I know it is entirely possible she  may grow out of this, but I'm so worried about her future.  The thought of her never trying real ice cream brought tears to my eyes.  No, I'm not kidding.  Yes, I love ice cream that much.

With Isadora in mind, I headed to the grocery store tonight to take a look at the dairy free products.  I found dairy free ice cream, cream cheese, chocolate chips and almond milk.

I tried the dairy free ice cream and both kinds were pretty good.  The cream cheese was disgusting and I haven't tired the chocolate chips or the almond milk yet.  I did see some other dairy free items.  I wanted to get some sort of cheese but the shredded cheese looked like it was plastic shaved off a wiffle bat.  I was reading the ingredients and even though a lot of things didn't say they had milk in them, I'm so worried one of the ingredients is milk masquerading under another name.

We go for a blood test in 6  months and a follow up appointment in about 8 or 9 months.  They will retest Isadora at that time to see if she is still allergic to dairy products.  Until then, we will be sure she doesn't eat or drink anything dairy and have our Epipen Jr. near us at all times.

So, this is the news in our life.  It could be so, so much worse; we know this.  I think it will force us all to eat better and watch what we're eating and read labels.  If this is our new life, we'll adjust and maybe, just maybe, I'll start a new dairy free cooking blog or something fun like that.  :)