M = Milk

Milk.

Seems innocent enough.  Well, at least it did until about 8 or so months ago.  When we discovered that Stella not only suffered from acid reflux, but she also had a milk protein allergy.  

Now, this isn't as simple as a lactose intolerance, not that that in and of itself is simple.  This is more complex.  This means no milk.  Of any kind.  In any thing.  Do you know how many things have milk in them?  Lots.  Trust me dear readers, lots.  We thought that over time it would get better.  But it hasn't.  We thought that maybe in small amounts, traces, she could handle it.  She can't.  Graham crackers.  She loves them.  They have milk in them.  Meatloaf tonight with Stovetop as the breadcrumb element (side note: delicious!), she couldn't have because the dressing mix has milk in it.  Anything with butter.  Nope.  Can't have it.

So we're having to become label-checkers.  At home.  At the grocery.  If we go out to eat.  Check.  Check.  Check.  It's not terrible, just a totally different lifestyle than we're used to.  But it's getting better.  We still have hopes that she will grow out of it.  Luckily the doctor agrees that it is likely.  We just hope it's sooner rather than later.

However, with Stella's first birthday rapidly approaching, we are finding that party planning, particularly in the cake area, is not as easy when there is an allergy involved.  Right now our plan is for her to have and angel food cake as it does not have milk in it.  Frosting-less of course.  Hopefully her second birthday will have a more traditional cake involved.  Only time will tell.  Until then we continue to check labels and look for milk-free foods and recipes.

All is well, 13/26 down, in Drosche Land.