Is it or is it not peanut butter?

Since the discovery of Sera's peanut butter allergy (or so we thought), and the subsequent omission of peanut butter in her diet, the rashes have only worsen. And just over the weekend, a premature rash had appeared on her belly. So the burning questions these past few days have been, "Is it or is it not the peanut butter?" "Could it be the cheese then?" Ha ha, what big questions huh?

Anyway, we visited our pediatrician this morning to get the rashes checked out again. We went through the routine checks for temperature, blood pressure and ... WEIGHT. Sigh. I always get a little nervous when Sera has to be weighed since EVERYONE outside this family, loves to and freely comments on her above-average weight. So I was prepared, as usual, to practise restrain in speech and reaction, when I had to strip her out of her clothes for her weigh in.

"Ah, when mama is not watching, you must be feeding the whole kitchen!" chirps the nurse.

Ok that comment was wrong in so many levels - sentence structure, grammar, absurdity and factually. Thus I didn't even bother to reply or make a comment. I just smiled (most genuinely) and waited for more.

"Sera, you are eating everything, mama is getting more and more skinny!" says another one.

Again, I had to grit my teeth and clamp my mouth shut, for fear I may say something too intelligent for her to comprehend.

I know ... their comments are harmless and they don't really mean to be RUDE. But still, I didn't ask for their comments so they should jolly well zip it and only speak when appropriate! I mean, when it comes to the issue of weight, people are strange and contradicitng. Bear with me and I shall elaborate. When a baby is fat, people will very openly exclaim, "Ohhhhh you're so chubby!" Notice, people rarely comment when they see a skinny baby. And when an adult is skinny, people will comment (begrudgingly), "Oh, you're so skinny!" Why do you suppose people don't comment on an overweight person and say it like it is, "Oh you're so fat!" Hmm ...

So back to Sera's doctor's visit and her rash. Our pediatrician said from the look of the rash, she would call it eczema. Very common, apparently, and there are many causes for it - eggs, cow's milk, peanuts, wheat, soap, and synthetic material. Ok, she practically listed all of Sera's diet. And the one synthetic piece of clothing was Sera's cute little swim suit. Anyway, she told us not to worry too much because we just had to break the cycle of her 'itch and scratch', apply the necessary creams and try to avoid the usual food suspects.

Our pediatrician didn't sound too worried so I was appeased some what and honestly, Sera doesn't seem to be too disturbed by her rash outbreak.

Oh one more thing, just so I can erase all those astonished looks and raised eyebrows I have so politely received from some mothers. My pediatrician has confirmed that breastfeeding (for as long as two years) is the BEST for babies. And listen hard as it only gets better ... breastfed babies don't get obese when they're adults. Heard that? Oh fantastic!

So Sera ... drink up!

I am big, so hear me ROAR!