We had Visit 3 back in July, but honestly—with the overwhelm that comes after a visit, getting back into routines, and preparing to start school—I only partially wrote out my blog update.
So as I sit here preparing for our next visit, I’m finally finishing up my Visit 3 summary:
Extra Time for Fun
The way our appointments fell this time gave us some extra space for fun, and we took full advantage! My mother-in-law was able to come with us too, so she got to see how it all works firsthand.
After about 10 hours of travel, we finally made it to our destination—Long Beach, California! Once again, we were blessed with a room at the Ronald McDonald House. Truly, that’s what makes these trips financially possible for us.
Meeting Friends
We were so lucky to overlap with our friends this trip. Our first fun outing was meeting them at the cutest park, where the boys could run and play while us parents got to visit. There’s nothing like connecting with other moms who get it—who understand the day-to-day life of an allergy mom going through TIP.
Food First
After a little fun, our first order of business was groceries. This is always the hardest part of traveling with allergies. We can’t just grab fast food or pick something up at the airport, so we have to plan ahead and bring plenty of safe options for Theodore. I usually pack some meals and snacks he loves, then fill in the rest once we arrive.
The Ronald McDonald House is amazing because they often have donated meals for families, which helps me—but unfortunately, nothing there is truly safe for Theodore. Thankfully, they have a huge kitchen, so I can cook and prepare his food safely.
Knott’s Berry Farm
The highlight of this trip was Theodore’s very first theme park visit—Knott’s Berry Farm! Since we had just gone to our town festival, he was already familiar with rides and ready for more.
Of course, food allergies follow us everywhere, so we had to be strategic. We drove around lunchtime, ate the packed meal I brought in the car, and then headed in for a few hours of fun. I knew nothing inside would be safe for him, so we didn’t even stop at the food stands—and thankfully, he didn’t ask. His “special treat” is always choosing a stuffed animal, which makes him just as happy.
He rode the little airplanes, bumper cars, spinning teacups, and even tried a mini roller coaster (and loved it!). After three or four hours, he was wiped out, but it’s definitely a place we’ll return to on future visits.
Beach Days
We also ventured out to the beach a few times and found a perfect spot close by. He could sit and play in the sand and water for hours, and he absolutely loved it. I even got a chance to relax a little too 🤣.
Appointment Time
Now for the real reason we travel across the country—Theodore’s food allergy treatment.
If you’ve read my blogs from past visits, you know the routine:
Day 1 is challenge day. In the weeks leading up to our visit, Theodore eats tiny amounts of specific foods and slowly builds up tolerance. On challenge day, he eats a large amount of those foods to see if there are any reactions. This time he challenged pinto beans, Brazil nuts, and poppy seeds—and passed each one with flying colors.
Day 2 is introduction day. Here, he starts three brand-new foods at extremely small microdoses. This visit he began pecans, black beans, and pumpkin seeds. He did amazing—no issues at all—and we were cleared to continue slowly increasing those foods on a strict schedule over the next few months.
Reflections
Overall, it was a very successful visit. We passed foods, introduced new ones, and still managed to enjoy some fun in between.
Theo has been handling the travel, doctor appointments, and his very intense eating schedule so well. He’s only five, so of course there are moments when he gets upset—like when he doesn’t want to eat the cookies I spent six hours baking 😅. But we’re finding creative ways to make the process fun for him and keep things positive.
We always remind him why we’re doing this. When we ask, “What’s one thing you’re excited to eat when you get to food freedom?” his answer is always the same: turtles. (They’re an off-brand Goldfish cracker that used to be safe for him—his favorite snack—until the ingredients changed.)
Hearing him say that is so eye-opening. It’s the little, simple things that will change his life.
Of course, I also dream about the bigger things—like going out to eat as a family or sending him to a birthday party where he can eat the same cake as everyone else. But honestly, it’s the everyday things—like not having to micromanage post-game snacks or being able to say “yes” when he asks for a box of crackers at the store—that will feel like the biggest weight lifted.
It’s a long road, but we’ve got one more visit in the books—and step by step, we’re making progress. 💛
