The Girl Loves a Challenge

After the big challenge today... I have Nothing to report. Nothing!
Thanks for all your well-wishes and prayers for the Nothing. It was just what we wanted!
We had a slightly worried moment when a hive popped up on Her back. But, there was another child in there having a dairy challenge, and the hive occurred right after Dr walked in and said, "I don't think they should be playing together". Keeping the kiddos apart + the wonderful nurse meticulously wiping down everything in the room for us = success! Take that soy!
Plus, She loved- I mean loved- the soy milk. She took shots out of the plastic medicine cup with an enthusiasm and expertise that would make any frat boy proud. Then She'd say, "MMmmm. MMMMMmmm!! Yummy, Mommy. Smeshal milk treat. More please!"
We spent 5 hours in the clinic today, but it was well worth it.
The amount of options open to Her now are mind boggling. Seriously, I'm boggled! Because:

1) Crackers, bread, canned soup, lunch meat...the list is endless, that She could almost have before, and then the last ingredient was a soy derivative, or it was processed in a facility blah blah blah. Now ok!

2) She can soon stop drinking the specialized formula (which is a pain to get and costs the Navy about $80 a week) and switch to Smeshal Milk.

3) Baking will be a breeze. A breeze!

4)She can have the same dinner as we do most of the time now! Especially because:

5)Soy is the ultimate James Bond Spy of food items. It can be disguised as anything. So now, even though She still has other allergies, She can have "cheese". "Yogurt", "ice cream", "peanut butter"...tons of stuff, made from soy. Not that it's the same, exactly. But close enough that She won't have to feel quite so left out.

She can take vitamins now. She can use more kinds of soap and shampoo. It's a new world out there for Little One! You probably can't tell I'm excited. But I am!
We celebrated tonight by making chicken with a honey-soy sauce glaze for dinner. I had minor moments of panic as She helped me cook,when She'd touch the soy sauce bottle or the dish we mixed it in. This will take a little getting used to! For me. Not for Little One. More food to eat? More new things to try? What's to get used to, this is great!

This gives me hope that other allergies will drop off as we go, maybe soon. In fact, we have a blood test for eggs pending that will tell us whether She can take those suckers on in another challenge this year. Sort of amazing after everything that She's been through. You know. Hope tastes just as good as Smeshal Soy Milk. Mmmmm. I'm liking it.