Say Cheese!! errr... maybe we should say "No Dairy Please!"

We've had a fantastic December and an even better start to January. We're hoping 2010 will be slightly more exciting and less hectic. We're going to concentrate on one thing at a time and keeping things on as much of an even keel as possible.
Rowyn had a fantastic Christmas. She even remembers which gifts Santa gave her and which ones we gave her. I can't even remember that! I'll have to keep better track of that next year.
Christmas morning was everything I thought it would be. A great big smile when Rowyn realized Santa had come, stockings where ripped open and lots of smiles and laughs were had hanging out and chilling Christmas morning.
The rest of the holidays went by quickly. We spent some much needed time together just hanging out and relaxing. Cookies were baked, much treats were had, we went swimming, walking and visiting. Rowyn's still asking where are Christmas lights went and why aren't they on anymore?
2010 brought back swimming lessons - no parent. We were a little worried cause parents aren't allowed in "Salamander" class. Just the kids. We took Rowyn to the pool over the holidays to break her back into what swimming is and test her out for her confidence - we had no worries there. She loves the water. She's tall enough that the water only comes to her chin. Bad news is she keeps asking us where our bathing suits are and why we're not coming in. We've had two lessons so far. Her instructor is a girl (YAY!) and we informed her Rowyn can't hear very well in the pool due to the echo's and tons of kids so please keep her beside her and talk to her. Rowyn really likes her and the teacher is doing a phenomenal job of making sure Rowyn's hearing everything. While R's a little shy at first and a little clingy if I just give her a kiss and a hug and have the instructor take her hand and turn my back and walk away - and keep walking - don't stop she is able to get into the pool and have a smashing time.
The other news we got is that R's allergic to dairy, peanuts, wheat and Gluten.... along with a few other random things like oranges and tomatoes. Pizza night needs to turn into "Veggie lovn' nite" or something.... Brad and I spent the afternoon in the health food store on Saturday getting ourselves acquainted with everything Gluten Free and Dairy Free. Weird stuff when you're used to things being "whole wheat". You think you're doing everything right for your child by giving them lots of yogurt, cheese, whole wheat pasta and bread only to find out that it's exactly the wrong thing. Goats milk yogurt, soy cream cheese, rice cakes and gluten free granola bars here we come! We even bought ourselves a breadmaker (do you know how expensive GF bread is!!!)! Brad's been yearning for one for years but I kind of think he was hoping for home made white-gluteny-good bread vs. Gluten Free Brown Rice Bread.