Food Allergy

Words that strike fear into many parents...especially ones with picky eating children. But really when you think about the problems that foods can cause your children and really realize what your getting into...it seems less scary. I've come to think of them as poisons...and I wouldn't let my child eat a chemical poison so why a "safe" food.

So over the last oh year probably I've been gathering info on food allergies, intolerance and sensitivities. Symptoms can range from your typical hives and breathing trouble to tummy upsets and wild behavior. So once I started paying attention I found that goldfish crackers make Martha go crazy...IE wild uncontrolled behavior a crazy look in her eyes. After she started having a dry diaper during quite a few nights I noticed that eating corn caused her to have a flood during the night. Then a few weeks ago she had more cows milk/ dairy than she probably has ever consumed at one time... almost an entire milk box from Panera Bread and a full bowl of potato soup...well an hour later her GI track was obviously jacked up...first plugged...then painful...then had a leaky spout. This is what really tuned myself in and I think opened up Dan's eyes that we might have something going on.

Today I took Martha to Dr. Shaw at JBS Wellness for EAV Testing in addition to our adjustments. Well turns out her digestive system has some serious issues with corn, trouble with cow milk/ dairy, and some issues with grains. So in addition to the general health supplements we were doing with her before we get more specific and some new ones. Look at the pic...seriously what would make a mother want to keep track of this many things for her 3 year old...well not eating, fussy eating, mood swings, refusal to nap or settle down for bed, nursing way more than is normal for a 3 year old and that's just a few... I finally came to the point that making a huge change in our diet no longer seemed as bad as dealing with everything else! That little spray bottle with the blue label is a homeopathic that is suppose to desensitize her body to the culprits.

So today when I quite racing around trying to get to the park I really though about food for Martha and I to eat...we ended up eating a baked potato loaded with olive oil (instead of butter), lots of salt, a little pepper and garlic powder, and some baby broccoli that came from Timber Creek as we arrived home. For a treat she had this really cool applesauce in a squeeze bottle. I know it's not going to be easy but Dr. Shaw said isn't not so bad that it should be permanent and her gut will heal and then she can eat in moderation these things! But for now we will be relearning how to eat for the next 2+ weeks.

Dr. Shaw is our chiropractor but offers much more than just spinal care check out the web site listed above. All us girls have been doing chiropractic care and I personally have old aches and pains that I though I would live with forever that are gone! Martha seems to be sleeping a little better and definably feels better...she was so cute today..."Dr Shaw you need to fix my back right here. I fell down at the spray park yesterday and it hurts. Look at my knee." She did get a nice scraped knee and such from a fall last night! And Ruth got over a nagging runny nose over night...coincidence or not I'm hooked!

Car Seat Sale!

Quick Fact Question: Do you know what that clip on your child's seat is for or where the correct place for it to be placed...see the end for the answer!

I'm done trying to get my tush between our infant seat and Martha's Radian 65 on trips so we budgeted and I just ordered a new seat for Martha! The Radian XT in Malibu. This seat will allow Martha to stay rear facing until she hit 35# and provides a great place for her sleeping head. If you don't know the benifits of extended rear facing check out a couple links. Car Safety 4 Kids and Car Saftey.org and CPSaftey for more info or search there are tons of articles and video's on why it's so safe! Martha and I watched a YouTube Video on it and talked about how it was safer when she was questioning it. We don't always have her rear...for family things or to fit us all in at the drive in we will switch things around...but taht didn't start till she was well over 20# and 2 years!

The store I had chosen to order from, Hip Monkey is having a 15% off everything in their store so I made budget!!!

I choose to purchase from Hip Monkey not one of the many other places not because it was on sale here but because all profits from the sale of their items goes to the Kyle David Miller Foundation. This foundations provides car seats to low income families to keep children that have reached 40# in a 5-point harnessed car seat. If you do not know the benefits of extened harnessing please visit their page and check out the info.

Now why I want the Radian's...I drive a CIVIC! The space in that thing is tiny especially when you have two rear facing convertable seats in the rear! Radian can fit 3, yet THREE seats across in pretty much every vehicle...even a Civic. Now with a Civic you can't fit them all facing the same way...but still! So with two rear facing Radian's I should just be able to fit and buckle myself in the back between them. If you want to seemore pics of crazy installs of three seats...search for it! For fun I may at some point see what I can do as I'll have 2 Radian's and a Graco Seat Safe Infant seat in 2 to 3 days! Parent's you do not have to get a mini van or big vehicle to have three kids fit...you just have to be crazy enough to try to cram everything in!

Oh yeah Radin's are great seats other than the small width thing too...they are low on the sides making it easy to get kids in and out for parents and kids...fold for travel...but heavy because they are made with steel alloy in the frame, yup not all cheap plastic in there...the company tests the heck out of them and from what I've heard they are the only ones that have solidly tested their seats to be safe for use without the top teether which can't be used for higher weight acording to vehicle manufactures....they have a awsome rear tether that can be used rear facing for Rock solid installs. BUT because they sit so low there can be install issues in some vehicles...so if you decide to get on try a friends first or get the $5 return shipping just in case!

YEAH that's right I'm one of those car seat freaks...but I'm not certified or anything...that is I'm not National Child Passenger Safety Certified...so have your seat checked to make sure it's installed and you are using it correctly because 80% of car seats are installed WRONG!

Fact Answer: The chest clip on car seats is designed to keep the straps on a child's shoulders in the event of a accident. For it to function properly it should be between their arm pits. First pull the straps up tight...you can't pinch a fold above their sholders and can only fit one finger between the strap and the shoulder it's properly tightened to hold your child...then pull the clip up right between the arm pits! If those straps are not tight enough your child could slide out from under their straps and be injured!

Yo Yo Weather

What is it with the weather being able to totally jack up my mood! Last week we had beautiful weather mixed with clouds and rain...I was all tired and pumped to have a garage sale. This week more of the same but colder and totally drained out!

We had a park day set up today but upon waking up looking at the weather thing on my shelf then out the window and at weather.com and fighting about food consumption I have resigned to a day of spending too much time on the computer and Martha watching too much PBS. There is just something about a non walking child that makes questional weather feel dabilitating! We were forecasted to make it to 60 today but I don't think it's happening it's like 55 and windy. It feels like the clouds are sucking up my energy source along with the sun! Add in fighting for food consumption and crabby teething or whatever baby and I just want a nap!

Update on getting out and using the fancy BOB stroller. Last friday was a beautiful day for a stroll! I took the girls to the bank...where the doors are barely handicap assessable...so I had to open the door by hand maneuver the stroller though the first door then do it again! Which sounds like a huge ordeal but really it wasn't until the door banged into the front because I couldn't hold it anymore. Every time I've taken that thing though doors I think there is no way it will fit...and it just does! Now I'm finding I need to have my arch insoles tested or replaced for flattening and get new tennis...my feet are aching lately! Just one more week left on my warrenty for my arch insoles...so I'll be off to the Good Feet Store before next week!

Also had my hand at hosting a garage sale for the first time Saturday. Well it was tons of work and the weather looked iffy and did end up raining a bit but I managed to make just over $100. I was most surprised by the number of people that looked at and purchased old but still on good condition sports bras. And on the flip side couldn't believe how many people commented on how I had mostly baby thing...of which I basically only sold the big stuff...swing, bouncer, a stroller (I didn't love)! I've got tons of baby clothes left! And a bunch of stuff in my garage still to pack up for giveaway or whatever!

Here's hoping for a nap on this dreary afternoon!

Disobedeance and Car Nap's

Why can't a wonderful morning at the park end in a nice way with a peaceful nap leaving mommy feeling like the world is great!

This morning we had a great time at the park day with the Lake County Attachment Parent's Group. After about an hour Martha was off playing in the sand and threw it in one of her friends eyes. I told her it was not OK and if she did it again we would leave. About 10 min later I see her throwing sand at people again. I promptly grabbed Ruth went over and removed Martha from the sand area...not at all gently...practically dragged her to the car...and buckled her into her seat. So part one goes off great and ends miserably for child #1...child #2 peaceful falls asleep while we are driving...well at least one of the two went good. Disobedience is at an all time high around here and I can't seem to find a single punishment that works...though it sure seemed removing her from her friends worked...but we'll have to see next time I guess. Big apology to all my friends I would rather have acted more calm and gentle but well you are all mom's you understand!

Next a trip to Wal-mart to get a few needed things and some food for little miss I never eat when you offer me and I'm immediately hungry and crabby when we are suppose to be doing something. We head to the car, put Martha in her seat and give her her cheeseburger, Ruth still sleeping back in and off we go home. Ahh bliss a nice shopping trip...I wore Martha in the Ergo...found the things I needed...and everything was great but I was starving and needed to pee! I look back a few min later and notice Martha sleeping too. So part two goes wonderful...happy mommy!

For the final leg I get the things inside and the chicken in the freezer...go potty and head back for the sleeping kids. Ruth transfer in her seat still asleep...score! Kid had a great nap! Martha out of her seat...asleep...into house...asleep...into bed laying on me...asleep...I start to inch her over to go after lunch...WAKE UP. Potty trip...mommy milk...I'm done and starving so I tell her to go back to sleep...of course requests where I'm going and wants to come to...AAHH the peace is ending! I tell her I will bring her sandwich and she needs to stay there. She ate like 3 bites and didn't go to sleep yelling ruining my peace...I did get to eat my sandwich at least...finally dogs bark...Martha still doesn't go to sleep and yells of questions down from the hall...Tess goes in where Ruth is sleeping to take a nap and it's all over. Everyone is awake and mommy never got time to recover! I threaten (another disciple thing I'm not proud of) next time I will leave you asleep in the car...I leave it on and put a baby monitor in there so it's not like I abandon her but you would think I did when she wakes up and it takes more than 5 sec for her to be freed from her seat and with me.

Maybe one day life will line up...until then I'm off to try to tend to life and my girls as always!

Library Cards

I've been looking for my lost library card for oh like 6 mos! I finally gave up and went to pay the $2 for a replacement...they guy gave it to me for free!

After I was done getting my pic retaken I asked at what age they give kids a card. He said how old is she, I said 3, he said I can do that. So I filled out the form, she sat on the chair and after a bit we got her to smile. Martha didn't hear the camera click and was upset that he didn't take the pic but I assured her he did and a min later the thing came out of the machine. So my baby is the proud owner of a Library Card! Man too bad the camera was at home! I so want fancy phone and plan!

She took great joy in being able to place her items on the counter with her own card when we were done with our time playing in the early education center!

Swim suit shopping

I've been trying to get Martha a swim suit that fits for months now. Found a great suit that looked like it would be perfect at a rummage sale for $1 and she HATES it! Got a suit from Target top was good bottoms way too revialing! So tried the next size down...bottoms still bad top almost too small. So I tried Lands End at Sears for her today! Pretty good fit and thank goodness they were on sale. This kid seems to only fit in expensive things! Their clothes fit her nicely also...too bad my budget and my kids shape don't match up! I do know that she will use the heck out of it as we swim year round...and I love the fact that the top will decrease the need for sunscreen and the little skirt on the bottom will cover up any gaps from her tiny tush!!

She got to pick the color/ pattern...though there were not many left to pick in size 4... the pattern she wanted was the one they had! I'll hold off on washing them as I check around but I doubt I'll have any luck finding anything else!

Got out and took a walk today too...ahh the bliss of getting a toddler oh wait I think she's a preschooler now, to sleep... then I had to take Ruth home to do a diaper change and Martha woke up...then Ruth was fussing so I had to check on her and some people out noticed the babies and though my stopping was an invitation to come peek in my stroller and stand in the sidewalk so I couldn't get by! They woke up Martha and didn't even seem to care after noticing and talked about how cute the girls were...EEERR AAHH seriously!

Raising Spirited Kids

I long ago discover Martha is a spirited child! And the book Raising your Spirited Child was recommended to me but the local library didn't have it at the time I was looking for it so I didn't get around to reading it. Well I found it at a garage sale a few weeks ago and started reading it last weekend while we traveled.

Yesterday both girls were having a car nap so I was reading in the parking lot. I was reading the chapter "EXTRAVERT OR INTROVERT: FINDING THE ENERGY TO COPE" and I came to the conclusion that some days the reason Martha and I clash and I sit and try to recover and unable is because she is STRONGLY extroverted and I'm mildly introverted. I need some time alone to recharge and she needs time with me! So that leaves my energy reserves sorely depleted and it gets ugly! Now if I could just get the time to read through the book and the brain power to assimilate it all we might be able to learn to get along! There is way too much good stuff in this book! It's well written for parent's of these spirited kids as you can literally read a paragraph or two and come back to it not lost! Hmm I wonder if I can get into one of her seminars! Now I'm wanting to get a the rest of Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's books!

I suppose if I can't get my recharge time I'm going to have to start singing one of the many Steve Green kid's bible song to get me though the day. His song Without Complaining from the Album HIDE 'EM IN YOUR HEART VOL. 1 was my matra when dealing with everyday life for quite some time. Come to think of it that's when I started being able to cope with life's challanges more. Welp guess I need to work some more on my bible memory though children's music!

In Search of the Elusive Nursing Bra

A few of my friends and family have heard of know of my search for a nursing bra that actually fits...so here is the update and latest saga.
I seem unable to find a nursing bra that fits! I tried on everything that was near my size at Be By Baby and only one fit but I refused to buy it because it was too wide...inhibited my ability to move my arms in front of my body. Next I went on a venture with Bella Materna and tried oh every style they make in a few sizes They were great to work with sending me extra's to try on after I talked to them on the phone about my saga. I even tried the Intimacy bra store the Opera show had their intervention thing for...no luck! I did end up keeping one Bella Materna that fits pretty good...support is iffy but supper comfy except the darn band rolls under the busts and messes up the support and fit so it slides around way more than I would like or a bra should! Then I tried with New Mother New Baby in Northbook where Hy and I are teaching BWing and CDing classes...she is going to order me an Anita in a 32 G (yes I know 32 and G!) I'm hoping that will fit....because in Bella Materna I'm like a 32 H/I! What the heck!

I want to write angry letters to all the bra manufacturers about lack of consistancy and lousy size selection!

But today I attempted to go to Betty Schwartz in Buffalo Grove because when I called I though they said they had 5 styles in 34 F and some in 32 G...yeah I heard WRONG they had 2...one Anita underwire (that darn brand has no size consistency) and a really old Leading Lady in a cotton soft cup...it even had the 3 step old hook and eye nursing "clip." If I wanted a plain old underwire I would have been all set as they did have a few of those to try!

Yeah and no exerciseing today though we are planning a family walk in a few min...hopefully Dan can wear Ruth down and transfer her to bed...I took too long being "held" down my a nursing toddler while typing...daddy says its too late!

Martha woke up with Dan this morning at 5:30! after going to bed at 10:30 or 11. And Ruth woke up just before 6am because Martha was being noisy talking with daddy in the bathroom! So I was a bad mom and put Martha in front of PBS for way too long and wore Ruth for some napping while I got all sorts of cleaning done in my kitchen...it looks quite nice...I even managed to load almost all the dinner dishes!

In retrospect I'm glad the girls woke up early as the grinding and what not to resurface our road was quite noisy at 7 am! I though it was really cool to watch the stuff being shot into the truck and what not Martha didn't care she was missing her show! After we got done "shopping" both girls were asleep and I though the loud uneven road was going to wake them up...it didn't and I sat in the car while they slept because transfering would end all the happy sleeping!

The road is a dusty icky mess! So I'm happy we didn't breath that in!

Rain Rain Go Away

Rainy day today but it's ok for the morning we had a mom from the attachment parenting group come over to look at diapers I was selling. So I real quick tidy's up a bit and vacuumed the place and finally got the new sheets on the bed! Martha had a great time playing with Gilly and her mom bought a bunch...I recouped $80 YEAH!

Martha spent a little time playing in the backyard today and couldn't understand why we couldn't go for a walk or to the park....I just don't feel like dragging a little baby out and possibly getting drenched on! And again Martha went down for a nap w/out a fuss!!!!!

Now if I could just minister to my hubby and get the kitchen tidy's up for him! One day...the darn thing just exhausts me it never ends!

Baby Swimming

So a fellow mom posted about Tink-Tinks blog on swim diapers and I though I'd jump in being a big swimming family!

I researched tons before Martha was born and when she was little on swimming. Found a great school, Chicago Swim School, that was only 40 min away to take her for classes. It had the 90 degree pool recommended for little babies and swim class and I could go during the day...so we did for about 6 mos. It was great but the road construction killed my trip and I really didn't need a swim class just a warm pool. So we started going to the Gurnee Park Districts Family Open Swim at Laremont School as supplement and eventually for our full swim time during the school year. They have an awesome warm water therapy pool! Their swim classes didn't ghive with our lives so we just did the open swim even though it challenged our family. We have to get up and go to "early" 9 am service to make pool time worth it because it's from 11:30 for 1 pm and a 20 min dip in the pool is just not enough for Martha.

I love Imse Vimse Swim diapers! The Med size fit my first from 6 mos to potty trained at 28 mos...granted shes a tiny one! She wore it under a Splash about Happy Nappy (for her 2nd layer protection required by public pools) and then their baby wrap(wet suit) on top to keep my skinny mini from turning blue!

Size by age/ height on the IV's not just weight because if you don't have enough rise and need to use it's poo catching abilities. Thank you Happy Nappy for catching the stray breastfeed poo IV missed because the diaper needed more rise! As long as the waist is tight it's all good! The legs are tight no mater what!

This same IV diaper worked on my 2nd at 2 mos but is going to need to be uped in size before too long.

When I knew I was having another baby I knew I wanted the Baby Sung to keep the little one warm in the pool...you supposedly can use it w/out an additional swim diaper but I have always used the IV under it and in the beginning used a Small Happy Nappy too...I so don't want to be the mom to have the pool emptied!

Welcome to Blogging

I've decided to join the blogging world! Join me on my journey while I try to raise my two girls in a God honoring way!

Fussing and moving

Yesterday Martha didn't nap and went to bed before 8pm unheard of for her! Granted she still doesn't sleep through the night but anyway! Ruth on the other hand is having an awful time getting to sleep darn little teeth. Every time I though we might get outside I had to put fussing Ruth on my back or nurse her and she'd fall asleep...and after yesterday's crying while strolling I wanted a happy baby in the thing! So we never made it for our stroll today :(

Martha has taken to it's lying...saying daddy said I could when he never did or vise versa. So I decided that her wanting to read books...and we would read a story from her kid's bible on lying. Well the only one I could think of that was listed was Cane and Able. While she just loved reading it...I don't think she really got it. So I tried a different kids bible still no go but she seems to really like that bible so for like 20 min we read stories out of there motley over and over...she made me read the one about the Sumerian over and over...asking about the guys owies on the picture and why the guys were mean and on and on.

But Martha went down for a nap easy and I got to do some video footage of Ruth on the move. She crawled sideways (didn't remember Martha ever doing that but it was cute!), forward, scooting, and sitting! Poor kid is having developmental milestones up the wazoo...and a tooth poking at her little gum's!

I did wear Ruth during a family walk and getting her to sleep then having her wake up the second I removed my boby from hers on the bed...I do hope my easy to nap little one returns sometime before she turns 3...ok seriously way before!

Day 3 BOB

Went for a 40 min walk around he neighborhood...got funny looks from the road workers as I wrangled the stroller around the holes they had put in the sidewalk corners redoing things...but it went pretty easy...feels so GREAT to be exercising again! Ruth is getting crazy fussing with teeth coming in and really would rather just be worn or put down to learn to crawl....she didn't enjoy today's stroll much!

All Martha wanted to was to go to the park but that got nixed because she was being a stinker! But I did take her out for tricycle riding while Dan did dinner later. Nothing lengthy here...and in case you didn't figure it out I'm back posting because I want a log :)

Day 2 BOB Use

So it's Mother's day and it started off grand...haha...hubby telling me to get up or we were going to be late to church...me tired and not wanting to...the nursing sleepy children...then racing to get ready...only to be followed by a comment that we are too late to make it to first service...then being told to get in the car...the sitting in the road looking at the clock on the car...and returning to the house because we are indeed too late.

So fold some laundry and we end up a little late to second service...SAD isn't it! After church we "race" to the pool to get a little big of Martha's much loved swim time. Since there were only 30 min left of family swim the supervisor says we can go for free! YEAH! We have a great time get showered and come out to find Ruth and daddy "picnicing" on the grass! So Martha joined Dan and I head to the car to nurse Ruth.

Then BOB gets use #2 we load the girls and head to the nearst park...nice walk there interesting to push a big stroller and hit buttons to get walk lights to change but it's all good! Ruth fell asleep on the ride in so we park her for a nap while we all run around the playground and go down slide...ahh the freedom of the spiral slide as an adult...so fun :) We got Martha to go by herself again for the year and shorly afterward Ruth wakes up so I took her around the "jogging" trail for some exercise! We did 1 mile and it was great...except for going up hill into the wind! WHOA I'm out of shape with some aching shins! Dan pushed the girls home and got to check out the stroller.

Joining the Stroller Brigade

So I finally convinced my husband that a nice double stroller would make life easier for me...so off we go to REI's last day of the sale for a hugely discounted BOB Revolution Duallie.

I still couldn't decide if that is the stroller I wanted I was back and forth on the BOB Revolution, Baby Jogger City Elite or Summit 360 and the Bumbleride Indie. Well BOB was the cheapest and if I couldn't convince my hubby that the extra $'s were worth it so while he still can't believe I need or should ever spend $500 on a stroller I get to! And I plan to use this blog to help me get good use out of it!

So we got it home and that day I made Martha go on a ride with Ruth to "test" it out. And since our neighborhood was underboing curb, sidewalk, and driveway reconstruction...I got to do all sorts of "testing" it. Down the sidewalk drop like nothing! Even with a 10+ pound differance between the two girls. Down over curbs...a little bumpy but everyone seemed fine. Up over curbs...too a little muscle with the weight imbalance on the single swivle wheel but very doable. Over dirt and gravel...had to push a little but still easy to stear. Through the yard...just push a little harder. Since I'm not in the kind of shape nore do I even own a bra that can handle a jog the fixed wheel will have to wait till later!

After Martha's great test ride she was off following the neiborhood girls around on ther trycicle saying she was riding with the girls...and I kept little Ruth in the double because it is so nice to drive compared to the $45 I've spend on 3 "junky" strollers sitting at my house.