Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Cats
Lamar and I took Shianne to go see Cats today. It was so nice to have a day that we could just devote to Shianne. Our day was almost changed by a sick Nora Beth, but she was doing so much better today and we had a sitter who was willing to stay with both Calum and Nora Beth. Nora Beth has been battling a case of pneumonia, ear infection and chicken pox...she hit the trifecta of illness! On a silly note, Jessie, the sitter, has now officially changed Calum's diaper more times in one day than Lamar has in the 7 months since Calum was born!
OK, back to our day with Shianne. We started off with seeing Cats. We had fantastic seats. It was fun to watch Shianne's expressions during the show. So much joy in her face. Lamar had seen Cats years ago, but Shi and I had never seen it. Afterward, we went out for sushi, one of our favorites. As always, the food was delicious. We tried sea urchin for the first time, but none of us really liked it. The texture was just to slimy! The fatty tuna belly was delicious!
OK, back to our day with Shianne. We started off with seeing Cats. We had fantastic seats. It was fun to watch Shianne's expressions during the show. So much joy in her face. Lamar had seen Cats years ago, but Shi and I had never seen it. Afterward, we went out for sushi, one of our favorites. As always, the food was delicious. We tried sea urchin for the first time, but none of us really liked it. The texture was just to slimy! The fatty tuna belly was delicious!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bath Time
I gave Calum a bath in the big bathtub for the first time today. He had so much fun splashing! He really likes to splash and have water land on his tongue. He knows that after his bath he gets a massage with some yummy smelling oil. He is always so happy afterwords.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
7 Months
Time is going by so fast. Calum is 7 months old today!! What a beautiful day to celebrate, the sun is out and we have the whole day to play.
So what is Calum doing now? He crawls everywhere, giggles all the time, he has 2 teeth and takes two naps. I have gone from complaining that he does not sleep enough during the day to complaining that he sleeps to much! He is such a happy baby. Always smiling and making the cutest noises. It is a good thing that he is so laid back since he is being toted around to all of his sisters practices every day.
In this picture he is "hiding" at the end of the couch. He is so thrilled with himself when he pops his head around the edge of the couch, then just to disappear again.
Shianne and I went through his closet yesterday. He is growing so fast, that I can hardly keep up with what is to small. A huge box of clothes are on their way to a new baby, so that means it is time to go get some stuff that fits him. He is wearing 18 month clothes...he is turning into quite the big boy!
Happy 7 months baby Calum! I love you!!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Brooklyn Ann
I am so excited to be an "auntie" again!! Brooklyn Ann was born on Monday night weighing in at 7 lbs 11 oz and 20 inches. We are so happy for Nicole. I took Shianne to see her for the first time this morning. Shi was so excited to hold her. It really was not that long ago that Nicole was holding Shianne the same way!
Little ones grow up so fast and we are thrilled that we have a new member to our "family." Welcome Brooklyn Ann...we love you!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A new diet
It is no secret that I have been having all kinds of problems with migraines. I have also been questioning some other things that have been going on with my body. I have been seeking answers, but still I am not sure if they have been found yet. This search has led me to a new Naturopath. I am a firm believer that we are what we eat and that gut health is a huge part of our overall health.
I had some testing and it turns out that my thyroid is low and that I am highly reactive to many foods. Now the low thyroid is common for being postpartum, so I am not getting really excited about this. Now the reactive foods really threw me for a loop. I eliminated processed soy and corn from my diet two years ago because I did not feel that they were healthy for me to consume. Really, once you eliminate processed soy and corn you eliminate a good portion of all the crap junk food on the market.
I am now cleansing my body and eliminating the foods that I am reacting to. For three months I am avoiding dairy, chicken, eggs, turkey, kidney beans, lima beans, corn, filberts, wheat, rye and spelt. At the end of the three months, I will start adding these foods back and I should be able to tell what I am truly reacting to and what, if anything, needs to be permanently removed from my diet.
So, what is left? I am learning...LOTS OF STUFF! Since I am avoiding all these foods and I do the cooking in the house, the whole family is following this. We have actually been eating quite well. I do not feel deprived at all. Really, the only things I am missing are eggs. There are some great egg replacers for baked goods, but nothing for a breakfast option. Scrambled eggs and quiche are staples for us. I am experimenting with gluten free vegan bread recipes, and they are not that bad if you eat them toasted. I even made some amazing brownies that Lamar even happily ate.
My problem with much of the gluten-free options is that they are high on starch (tapioca, potato) and low on actual nutrition. Several of the baked goods I have tried have turned out more gummy or bean tasting. I will figure out what the best mix for me is. I have invested a small fortune in "alternative" flours and I am up to the challenge.
By eliminating all these foods, I am also eliminating a huge amount of calories from my diet. I am not doing this to lose weight, but rather to improve my overall health. Since I am nursing Calum, I have to keep my calories up so he is not adversely affected. I feel like I am eating constantly.
Shianne is thrilled by the high amount of goat and sheep cheese in the fridge and the high amount of sushi we have been eating. She does miss her French Toast in the morning. I have not had a decrease in migraines yet, but I have noticed that I have had NO HEARTBURN. I have also noticed the 12 pounds that have disappeared from my body...a wonderful benefit!
Over the next three months I will post many of the foods and resources that I have come across and discuss this new adventure in our life. I have named this diet the Gluten-free Vegan plus Beef Diet. Lamar has named it MISERY!!
I had some testing and it turns out that my thyroid is low and that I am highly reactive to many foods. Now the low thyroid is common for being postpartum, so I am not getting really excited about this. Now the reactive foods really threw me for a loop. I eliminated processed soy and corn from my diet two years ago because I did not feel that they were healthy for me to consume. Really, once you eliminate processed soy and corn you eliminate a good portion of all the crap junk food on the market.
I am now cleansing my body and eliminating the foods that I am reacting to. For three months I am avoiding dairy, chicken, eggs, turkey, kidney beans, lima beans, corn, filberts, wheat, rye and spelt. At the end of the three months, I will start adding these foods back and I should be able to tell what I am truly reacting to and what, if anything, needs to be permanently removed from my diet.
So, what is left? I am learning...LOTS OF STUFF! Since I am avoiding all these foods and I do the cooking in the house, the whole family is following this. We have actually been eating quite well. I do not feel deprived at all. Really, the only things I am missing are eggs. There are some great egg replacers for baked goods, but nothing for a breakfast option. Scrambled eggs and quiche are staples for us. I am experimenting with gluten free vegan bread recipes, and they are not that bad if you eat them toasted. I even made some amazing brownies that Lamar even happily ate.
My problem with much of the gluten-free options is that they are high on starch (tapioca, potato) and low on actual nutrition. Several of the baked goods I have tried have turned out more gummy or bean tasting. I will figure out what the best mix for me is. I have invested a small fortune in "alternative" flours and I am up to the challenge.
By eliminating all these foods, I am also eliminating a huge amount of calories from my diet. I am not doing this to lose weight, but rather to improve my overall health. Since I am nursing Calum, I have to keep my calories up so he is not adversely affected. I feel like I am eating constantly.
Shianne is thrilled by the high amount of goat and sheep cheese in the fridge and the high amount of sushi we have been eating. She does miss her French Toast in the morning. I have not had a decrease in migraines yet, but I have noticed that I have had NO HEARTBURN. I have also noticed the 12 pounds that have disappeared from my body...a wonderful benefit!
Over the next three months I will post many of the foods and resources that I have come across and discuss this new adventure in our life. I have named this diet the Gluten-free Vegan plus Beef Diet. Lamar has named it MISERY!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A weekend at the beach
Shianne, Nora Beth, Calum and I spent this past weekend with my friend Eryca at her family vacation house in Cannon Beach. We had a great time doing nothing. Our days were filled with naps, beach play, yummy food and great conversations. The key to a great trip with kids is to make sure each kid has a friend of the same age. The kids were occupied at all times and the moms were able to actually put our feet up and enjoy ourselves.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sweet Pleasure
What is it about diapers hanging on the line that just makes me smile?
Maybe, it is that they belong to the sweetest little boy ever!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Kidical Mass
Nora Beth has been looking forward to this day for the whole week. All of her practice has paid off and she can officially ride her bike in public. Yes, the bike has made it out of the garage and to a public park. The kick-off ride for Kidical Mass was a great family activity and gave Nora Beth the confidence to ride in more open spaces. I was so happy that the weather held out and we had glorious sunshine!
She could not wait for the ride to start. She did take several practice rides around the driveway at Bush House. There was a fall that I thought was going to derail our afternoon, but she got right back on the bike without a tear. She did stop to pick some daisies to properly adorn the basket on her bike. You should have seen her eyes light up as she discovered that she could ring her bell while riding...multitasking in style!
Nora Beth was not quite ready for a completely solo ride, so Shainne and I walked along side her. It won't be long until we can ride along side her.
(We even made it into the newspaper... Statesman Journal )
The ride was a little to long for Nora Beth, so we stopped once we made it through the park and decided to play on the swings to regain some energy before riding back to the van. She was so proud of herself for her accomplishment today!
She could not wait for the ride to start. She did take several practice rides around the driveway at Bush House. There was a fall that I thought was going to derail our afternoon, but she got right back on the bike without a tear. She did stop to pick some daisies to properly adorn the basket on her bike. You should have seen her eyes light up as she discovered that she could ring her bell while riding...multitasking in style!
Nora Beth was not quite ready for a completely solo ride, so Shainne and I walked along side her. It won't be long until we can ride along side her.
(We even made it into the newspaper... Statesman Journal )
The ride was a little to long for Nora Beth, so we stopped once we made it through the park and decided to play on the swings to regain some energy before riding back to the van. She was so proud of herself for her accomplishment today!
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