Growth

Check out these pictures of Brendan and Dr. Silvers taken 18 months apart.

I just can't even with how much he's grown in 18 months!

 That child has grown like a weed. Dr. Silvers says Brendan's not allowed to catch him. I don't think that will be a problem since we're not exactly gifted in the height department around here ;).

We've all experienced way more than physical growth since this whole OIT journey began, however. Brendan's a teenager now-- going to events with the youth group at church where I have no idea what's going on much less what food they are serving-- buying his lunch at school when he forgets to pack his own-- eating donuts at band events without a second thought. I am so glad we pursued OIT before the teenage years. He's got a level of freedom that wouldn't have been possible pre-OIT. We recently went on a cruise and let the kids roam free, connected to us via walkie-talkies. The boys' favorite activity?! Hitting up the buffet for extra dessert after dinner. It's the little things that add up to one HUGE improvement in Brendan's quality of life.

Desserts, desserts, and more desserts!

His little brother's grown, too, although he's struggling to keep up with Brendan's teenage growth pace. Aidan packs himself a PB&J sandwich for lunch at least once a week these days. He no longer chooses to avoid foods out of fear that he might somehow come in contact with his brother and cause him to react.

Little brother, who doesn't get nearly enough press on this blog,
obviously enjoyed the cruise food, too.

Andrew and I have grown, too, not up, and maybe just a little bit out, if we're being honest with ourselves. I've gone back to school full time to pursue a career I never would have dreamed of taking on before Brendan completed OIT.

My first day of school selfie!

 Brendan's OIT both inspired me to become a physician assistant and freed me up mentally and emotionally to go for it. Before OIT, I needed to be 100% accessible to Brendan-- I attended every class party and always brought the cupcakes-- I went on every field trip and made sure my boy got the right sack lunch. Now, I can actually step out of the helicopter mom role that food allergies forced me into and pursue a dream of my own. And Andrew's been there to support me every step of the way-- growing and learning how to take over roles that were traditionally mom territory in our house.

It's been an amazing year of growth for all of us since Brendan graduated OIT. I knew OIT would have a profound impact on him, but I didn't realize how much it would touch our entire family. I am quite certain it's one of the best decisions we ever made for our family. It's helped us all grow in ways we could have never imagined.

Us.