For the first time in almost a year, we took Peanut out to lunch. I am not sure exactly which experience prompted the “we are never going out to eat with the baby again” mantra in our house. The diagnosis of his food allergy or the fun time at Tandori Nights when he managed to climb out of his high chair and onto the table while we were eating. 

I am, obviously, proud to report that it was a success.  A giant bowl of strawberries, a sippy of water and juice, a cell-phone and sitting next to Daddy did the trick. We even received a compliment for such a well behaved 18 month old. If she only knew.

Eating breakfast, especially cereal, when ttc and when pregnant makes little boys while eating no breakfast and less calories in general makes little girls. Or so a new study has concluded.  

So, did my almost 70 pound weight gain from eating almost exclusively breakfast foods make my Peanut a Peanut and not a Peanuette? Or did all of those pancakes, omeletes, french toast and Cheerios just contribute to his egg and peanut allergy?

Since we are hoping for a girl next time, my new lower-calorie diet has eliminated all cereal.   The first time I planned the horoscope of my baby to-be and next time I will try to influence the gender as well.  My control issues are, perhaps, getting a bit out of control.

But, the 3rd, that one, I am throwing caution to the wind.  No trying to  plan control horoscope signs, gender, food allergies and all the rest. Whatever will be, will be.  My husband says not to worry, there will never be a 3rd. But, I say, you can’t control everything.

I thought I was being so careful. Diligently scrutinizing the ingredients of any food or products that I gave Peanut. He never touched any piece food if we didn’t know what was in it, how it was cooked and where it was processed. It never occurred to me to check his baby toothpaste. Why would there be egg in toothpaste? But, as I patiently watched Peanut go through all of his toys and tear apart his room, rather than nap this afternoon, I mindlessly picked up his toothpaste and read the ingredients. And, there it was, Ingredient #10 “lysozyme (from egg)”. I have to be even more careful. It is not enough to just watch everything that Peanut eats, I have to read (and re-read) labels of everything Peanut touches.

Peanut has a peanut allergy. We just found out last night. Luckily, we discovered this by way of a blood test and not a scary allergic reaction. 

We are shocked. It never occured to us that Peanut would have a food allergy. And, here I was so carefully reading every food label making sure he didn’t have high fructose cornsyrup, added sugar or preservatives when the enemy all along was his namesake.

I imagine I will now enter a whole new peanut-free world. New online groups, new doctors and new worries. I wonder, do I have to change his nickname?