Input. Suggestions. Advice? Anyone?!

We have a lot on our plate right now. Obviously. Things can get stressful at times...very stressful. We have managed our way through it...except for one thing.

Food.

Feeding my family is the single most stressful thing in my life. I am at the verge of collapse where this is concerned.  I fight off tears of frustration every night around 4:30...because it is dinner time...AGAIN.
And we need to eat.

It was HARD initially to adjust to life with allergies...I am grateful now however because I know so much more about nutrition and sources, and ingredients. I know how to get a little creative and where to shop and how to budget (okay, not really...it just is what it is...) for the astronomical expense it is to accommodate specialty foods.

The limitations now however are growing past where my chef skills and imagination can accommodate. At the best of times, with every food available to me, I do not inherently enjoy being in the kitchen. I don't like the preciseness of baking and the waste that goes into my "experiments" with swapped ingredients. Before all of THIS I would transfer something from the freezer into the oven and call it "cooking dinner"....maybe a can of green beans if I were feeling especially health inclined.
We've come a long way baby!

But the road ends here.
I need help.
!!!!!!!

What we cannot eat. (and a little bit of why...)

Peanuts.
*Ben is seriously allergic to peanuts. His level is off the chart. We bring no peanuts into our home, we buy no product that has a "may contain" warning on it and we never eat them ourselves.

Peas.
*a cousin to the peanut. 

Treenuts.
*see peanuts- He CAN have all seeds (sunflower in moderation) and coconut)

Eggs.
*This is the one I would chose to bring back if I could. We hoped Ben would have outgrown his allergy to these as is common by age 4-5 but he has not. We used to not cook them in the house at all and after attempting to last month again both of his eyes swelled and we have reinstated the no eggs in the house agreement.

Wheat.
Though Ben's skin testing showed a negative immune response to wheat we finally noticed that when he ate it...even a small amount, his asthma flared. When he didn't eat wheat, he was fine. Jacob gets a rash all over his mouth if he even has a few bites of wheat. I am itchy, rashy and addicted to bagels most of the time. After reading more about modern wheat (not even close to what our ancestors would recognize) and the health impacts of it, I am more inclined to think it isn't really fit for anyone to eat, allergy or not. Wheat Belly is a great read on this topic. Considering that most wheat is consumed through empty calorie foods like white bread, pasta's, crackers, waffles etc the nutrients have been stripped and then added back chemically (or "enriched") along with a lot of other unpronounceables on the label...preservatives, artificial flavors, stabilizers...nothing you would ever find naturally occurring in a carrot for example. I really want to get away from the "white stuff".

Dairy.
Both Ben and Jacob are intolerant to dairy, both lactose and casein. Jon and I are too...to varying degrees (though I force feed myself ice cream daily...it is interesting that the foods you crave most are often the ones most damaging to the body. To say it simply, the hormones released to counteract ingesting something the body doesn't like can also trigger dopamine release which feels good...so you actually want to eat more of it, even if you KNOW it is bad for you...ie...ice cream.) Not to mention that dairy is acid forming, which creates an environment rich for cancer growth. The body actually uses calcium to reduce acidity so even though many people drink dairy for calcium, they may come away robbed because their body used it (and maybe more )simply to metabolize and balance itself as a result. There are better sources of natural calcium.
Jon has not been able to tolerate dairy at all since his surgery and we felt it best not to push it.

 Meat.
***  I am talking about factory farmed meat when I say "meat"...a grass fed, organic and hormone free cow is not the same thing as the hamburger patties from the grocery store. I do think that for a lot of people meat (high quality and in small quantities) has a place in the diet but in our case I do not.

Beyond the simple fact that I think meat is gross. I could not kill, skin and butcher any of the animals that are so pleasantly plastic wrapped on the grocer shelves...I also cannot watch the process so I feel like I have no business eating it either. That is probably the last point though...through my meat bias I would prepare and serve it to my family if I was persuaded in the least that it was doing them any amount of good. All I have found though in TRYING to find information to the contrary is that it does not.
The sources vary in exact numbers but people who consume (factory farmed) meat have 70-80% higher incidences of cancer. Iron is a common nutrient, easy to find and better digested elsewhere...other than that...diabetes, heart disease, cancer are all words commonly associated with "steak" unfortunately. Pork...well... if you want to be grossed out..consider this...
But what could be wrong with a little chicken? Likely, for most people not really a big deal and the best choice of the meat options but in fighting cancer there are different considerations I have learned. The most pressing is that meat uses up the two enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin, which are critical to allowing the immune system to kill cancer cells. It also contributes to an acidic environment in the body.   Considering that Jon's genetics have played a large role in his cancer and considering my children share those genetics...removing this from our diets permanently seems like the only logical option.
And to answer "where will you get your protein from?"
..."The same place the cow got her's" I think it is funny that the main source of protein for a lot of people comes from a (huge) animal that was purely vegetarian and yet they struggle with the idea that they could be. I choose to bypass the cow:) All food from nature has protein in it, in varying degrees. Seeds and Greens are our main sources. I have not only been 95% vegetarian for the last year, I have also managed to grow a (large and healthy) baby while doing so...I have never counted protein grams and my hair...well never better. I am not worried about protein.

***Fish...we simply don't like it. Most water is polluted beyond what I would want in my body and mercury in any amount is something I want to stay far away from- essential fatty acids can be taken in capsule form and found in foods...again the benefits don't outweigh the risks for me.

Sugar.
Cancer eats glucose. It is counteractive to be doing cancer treatment while simultaneously eating the very food that helps it grow. Sugar is very damaging to the immune system and while chemotherapy is also weakening it greatly it is again counterproductive to bring it down further rather than build it up. It is a horrible thing really...and so addictive (I know...full fledged addict right here!) There is so much information available on the horrors of refined sugar but somehow my mind is blank when there is a pie to be eaten (with ice cream?!).

Cold foods.
Jon can't eat anything cold. It is a side effect of Chemo. It makes him feel like he is in anaphylactic shock and can't breath. Seriously.

***Disclaimer...
I wholeheatedly believe that people need to make the best choices for themselves. Likely that will be different for everyone. It is not a contest. Finding what is the right "right" for you is the key...that is what I am trying so hard to find out for my family. There are people who do not do well on a vegetarian diet, and there are people who seem to have immune systems stronger then sugar can attack. A lot of us probably fall into the middle. The way that we each weigh risk is different too- someone may say "life to me isn't worth living without XYZ" and that is legitimate too. I know sugar is bad for me and yet when it was just me, I choose to eat it anyway- because the enjoyment I found from sweets was worth it.  I am now choosing not to however because it stretches past me and I have different perspective now. To have my family be unwell and watch someone I love suffer is not something I am willing to accept. I want to support the heath of everyone in my family and so that choice is weighed differently now.

Goals.

1- My family will all eat the same thing. There is a unity in eating together. When one person is each eating something different it creates a distance at meal times, a headache for me and lack of support for the person unable to eat what another may be. Dining at restaurants, or homes of friends or family is pretty much out of the question (I don't blame you! I can't even feed us!!!!) so I try to make meal times as enjoyable as they can be here. And to make meals palatable enough that I could maybe one day host a meal here, to which I have great anxiety about and have not done for at least a year. Sad.Yes.

2- Make food that we enjoy, not just that we don't have a choice about. I don't want us to feel like we are being punished or this is some kind of sentence...I know from various bouts of healthy eating that when I am commited to putting the best things in my body I feel AMAZING and the food I used to crave does not appeal to me at all. But goji berries are gross.

3- To see a time where food does not comprise most of my thoughts, energy, emotion, stress, worry or finances.

4- Have a realistic budget. We can actually AFFORD about 1/3 of what I find it necessary to spend now. This has to change or food will put us into debt. The meal ideas need to be affordable with more natural than specialty ingredients.

5- Retrain our tastebuds. Right now "healthy food" doesn't taste as good as junk food because our tastes have become perverted. Moderation is a wonderful concept...if you can DO it. It seems like there are so many "sometimes" foods that feasibly can be enjoyed in moderation that is seems like they become "all the time food" as a result. A cookie here...a donut there...a little french fries, a burger? Maybe some chips...a small handful of candy, some pizza? The list goes on...and in moderation...it looks like I just ate a lot of crap...and in comparison, after all that a salad doesn't cut it. I know some people CAN do this...I/we are not those people. I have seen the systematic breakdown of Jacob. This was a boy who would eat a bowl of vegetables anytime, anywhere. He loved any fruit, would gobble a whole avocado and chug a green smoothie. But now...at the ripe old age of 2, he has been exposed to more "sometimes" foods and when presented with a good for him option he will shriek "Noooo! Jakey eat French fries!" ....he is developing a sweet tooth as well...this from the kid who would literally spit out something with refined sugar in it. It has been proof to me that poor eating is LEARNED. It isn't too late for him, and it certainly isn't too late for us.

6- Accept that the "rules" that apply to the general population do not apply to us. I find myself justifying less then the best choices because of how they compare to others. "Well a lot of kids eat hot dogs and chicken fingers everyday...at least mine just want toast and pumpkin butter..." ($7.00 a loaf...$16.99 a jar respectively...these are the only brands that are not made in a nut facility) "yes, they drank a lot of store bought juice today...but at least it isn't kool aid or sunny-d!" "Sure we didn't eat any greens today and ate a lot of boxed food...but at least it was organic and didn't come through a drive through window".  Justifying why making less then ideal choices is slowly putting us off course. It can always be worse...but that certainly doesn't make it the best.

7- Calm down. I get pretty hyper about food. I have a lot of anxiety about it. It seems like It has the potential to either make us chronically sick, pose life threatening risks to our kid and make me fat (oh yes, I have gained a lot of weight...as usual...this pregnancy and I am less than thrilled about it...thus...more stress).  The irony is of course the worse I feel about it...the more I seem to eat it...and no, not salads. Oh food issues I tell you...I have spares to share! But drowning them in a bowl of mint chocolate chip cookie dough each evening had been quietly holding them at bay...but it is time for a long term solution.

8- Toughen up.
I guilt feed a lot. I feel guilty when Ben is left out of something that he can't eat. I know that feeling of being different (ie the birthday party in 2nd grade where I sat in the corner while the cake was served because I couldn't eat it) an adult can suck it up...a 4 year old...it matters. If Ben is somewhere where he was left out of something, my issues crop up and I will try to make it up to him. I will let him eat things I otherwise wouldn't...make rice krispie treats and let him have candy because I feel bad. I buy Jon bagels and English muffin, chips and other otherwise nutritionally empty and damaging food because he can't eat ice cream...or BBQ hamburgers. Probably ever again.
I need to stop this. Sometimes things just are the way they are...and they are only negative if you make them so. My guilt is making it worse.

9-Get over it.
I would love to put a roast beef in the oven..serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy and warm fresh buns. Whip up some cream and biscuits for strawberry shortcake and drown that cob of corn in butter and salt. I would love to try that  peanut butter ice cream cake recipe I saw in pinterest.  I think a bubbling, cheesy slow cooker lasagna would be a welcome relief at 5pm when I am far too tired to cook and no other relief is in sight. Better yet, I would love to take my family to a restaurant...where our kids eat free Monday through Thursday and there is a kids menu they can eat from. We have NEVER eaten at a restaurant off the menu as a family. Ever. Heck I would be happy with ordering pizza... We would love to be able to go to BBQ's and picnics and social events surrounding food without feeling like we aren't a gigantic burden and inconvenience.
But that is not our reality. The reality is for me, right now, is it is very isolating...trying to feed this family of mine. It is worse because I am so focused on wanting what I can't have. Waiting and wishing for things to be different. Allowing myself to dwell on what isn't.
"Happiness is wanting what you have".  I need to remember what I DO have and get over the rest.

PLAN B
You know what the biggest risk factor for all chronic illness is? Stress.
Maybe I could throw it all out the window and just stop worrying about it so much (with the non negotiable dairy, nuts and eggs of course). Kids eat candy...they have forever...There is a whole generation raised on wonder bread, cheez whiz, lunchables and fruit role ups. I know...I sat beside them for all of elementary school while I ate rice cakes and apple slices. Are they REALLY that bad off now as a result? Do I need to feel badly because I let my sons eat skiddles when I realized that, though they had a whole lot of other crap...they were nut, egg and dairy free? Did I potentially risk Jacob never eating another piece of broccoli again as a result? how do I find the balance? Is there one? What if they get sick, and I could have done better and I knew it...what do I tell myself then?
I just don't know. I really don't.



I would love to hear any thoughts on, my thoughts...perception (if you think I am wrong or too extreme on anything...tell me!) and ideas. I would love practical suggestions or ideas on any of my goals and any meal or snack idea that doesn't have any "avoid" foods in it. I know there are people who are so creative in the kitchen and just know what goes together. I am just not that person.

Here, as an idea is what a day could look like...

Breakfast- quinoa, flax seeds and vanilla and cinnamon.

Snack- green smoothie (greens, coconut milk, berries)

Lunch- Salad with mixed greens, vegetables, hemp seeds and nut free trail mix.

Snack- Apple and pumpkin butter

Dinner- vegetarian chilli, spaghetti sauce and  spaghetti, minestrone, stir fry, salads, (specific recipes for these things anyone?!)

Treats- date and coconut balls, vitamix coconut milk ice cream,  pumpkin butter and coconut squares, popcorn, oatmeal and date cookies... 


The supplements I have decided on are 
Vit B
Vit D
omega 3
Wheat grass
Calcium
curcummin

And apple cider vinegar a few times a week as well mixed with raw honey. Very high in potassium and a natural anti bacterial and anti fungal.

Okay. Now.... help?
 

The Countdown...

It still seems like I am just getting over the surprise of finding out about this little baby...watching in shocked elation as a second line formed on the strip. I was so stunned that I couldn't even wait to tell Jon in a cute or special way with any kind of forethought. I just blurted it out as we backed out of the driveway 30 minutes later and he almost hit the lamp post.
No not expected, but certainly wanted...it was like every Christmas wrapped into a surprise party.
Then the smell of anything made me run for the bathroom for the next 12 weeks.

It shouldn't then, have come as a surprise that she is a "she". But that same feeling of dazed-shocked-joy rushed at us again in the ultrasound room.

And now...she is almost here.

Soon.
PLEASE.

There comes a point in pregnancy where the thought of the exit strategy no longer seems that unappealing. In fact...if they told me she was coming out through my nose, I would agree as long as she was in my arms rather then my body. I would have a sweet baby to snuggle and no more heartburn, migraines, exhaustion, indigestion, waddling, swollen ankles, hot flashes, constant need to pee- well you know...the list goes on (funny how we forget!)  And it was all tolerable...until a certain point.
I reached that point. This past weekend. I am ready to have this baby.
I would like my body back (with the exception of my thick hair...can I keep that?  A parting gift maybe?).
The countdown is on.
I am 35 weeks on Friday...3 more weeks until she is full term... 42 weeks was my longest pregnancy...41 weeks as a close second. I am throwing in the towel earlier this time...she has a few weeks before the infamous eviction notice is composed... So baby...enjoy your final time at Chez Utero...I know you have enjoyed your time here; complimentary meals, automatic temperature control, special events such as "kick the bladder". We try to foresee and accommodate every need but soon...it will be time to move on to better things.
Just a heads up (or down...or whatever).

Life Right Now

I think people are surprised when they see us being so....normal. I don't know what I thought Cancer would be like...probably like the movies. Bald, sick, nightmarish, sadness, despair... but Cancer depiction in the movies is a lot like pregnancy; hormonal crying jags, bossy man hating women with bowling ball bellies eating pickles and eventually giving birth in an elevator. 

Not all accurate. 

What life really looks like is...well probably what each individual makes of it. But we are determined to nail this so I'd say we know a thing or two about a thing or two. 

Jon has a "portacath" in his chest. It is a line that goes directly into his jugular vein by his heart so that it is easily accessible since he has so many injections, IV's and drug treatments they can all go in there. The other option was a IV line in his arm but that has to be covered when he gets wet and could get ripped out by one of the boys accidentally because of the location.

Every other Friday Jon has blood work done at the Cancer center where we live (which we are tremendously blessed to have about 20 minutes away from our home). It feels more like a resort than a hospital wing with beautiful art, barn doors, atriums, meditation gardens and nurses and volunteers who are extremely supportive and doting. Jon...of course is a favorite:) 

I can't go with Jon to his Chemotherapy treatments because I can't be in the room as I am pregnant. It is too toxic. He then, is considered toxic upon leaving after half a day on an IV of a concoction designed to kill his cells...good and bad. He takes home a "pump" with more drugs in it that drains into his portocath for 46 hours afterwards. During this time it is very important that the pump not get spilled. For this reason he goes to his treatments with his Mom (more commonly referred to as Gramma around here, but Jon's Mother first) and she brings him home with her afterwards to spend the next two days resting. On Sunday Morning Jon comes home and a nurse comes in to "unhook" him from his pump. Then his detoxing begins. 

These symptoms consist of fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and others. He experiences neuropathy symptoms that don't allow him to touch anything cold without discomfort or pain. If he drinks or eats anything cold he feels like his throat is closing up, he gets shooting pain in his jaw when he chews and he also has a lot of food and smell aversions and is prone to mouth sores.

During this detox period of about 5 days any body fluids are not safe for me or the boys to be around. He uses his own bathroom, has to flush twice, wash his clothes and bedding twice in hot water (which his mom kindly does for us). We can't sleep in the same room so we have made a guest bedroom on the third floor for me and the baby when she comes. 

The point of the drugs is that is kills fast growing cells. Some of these cells unfortunately are very necessary, like white blood cells. Jon has missed the last 2 weeks of treatment because his white blood cell count has remained low. This Friday we are hopeful that they will be up enough to continue. My mom comes over after work and stays for the weekend with me. My dad comes on Saturday to play with the boys and do any projects that I need him to help out with. Jon's parents look after him. I don't know what we would do without them.

With the upcoming birth of our long awaited little girl, we were worried about the timing around Jon's treatment. It will be difficult for him to attend if labor begins during one of his treatment or detox days. We decided, along with our midwives that an elective induction would be the solution. As we sat with this decision though, it didn't feel as reassuring as we had hoped. We knew it was the wrong one. Through this experience we have really grown to trust God;s timing.  We will continue to do this. My midwives introduced me to a doula (a labor support woman) who generously offered her services without charge to us. She will accompany me to the hospital (she lives only about 2 minutes away from me) and remain with me for the birth, with or without Jon. The prospect of Jon not being able to be there is a difficult one, but he will see her very soon afterwards and it will be all the more exciting when he does get to meet his daughter. Our hope though, of course is that he will be able to witness her birth.

We are learning to be flexible, faithful and optimistic in everything. 

"It will all work out in the end. If it hasn't worked out...then it isn't the end.

What do we do? 

We feel the forceful and reassuring kicks of our baby girl. 

We enjoy spending time together as a family. 

We laugh a lot. 

We appreciate that we can do hard things. 

We hold strong to our faith. 

We do not allow ourselves to get too discouraged for too long. 

We play with our boys. We talk about them long after they have gone to bed. 

We wonder how we could possibly ever express to our families the gratitude we have for the help and support they endlessly give us.

We try to make life as normal and simple as possible. 

We enjoy our new home. 

We talk about plans for the future but mostly try to enjoy today. 

We love each other. 

We seek out stories of inspiration that remind us what is possible and how mindful God is of us.

Farm School Season!

 Ben is planting potatoes.

 Jacob has really sensitive ears...he has his hands over them a lot!

 He is also a good worker!

Daddy came!(At Jacob's insistence!)

         Gramma and Jakey feeding the ponies.




We love farm school! We are so fortunate to have this resource a few minutes from our house. Jacob is a lot more involved this year which is so fun to see.

Mommy's Helper

Jacob loves more than anything to follow me around and "help mommy". He wants to do everything I am doing and finds such accomplishment in helping with an adult task. There is nothing he won't do though spraying the cleaning spray on the counters, bringing out the garbage, getting the mail and using the little kitchen floor vacuum are among his favorites. Afterwards he will proudly declare "Jakey, big guy!" It melts me and forces me to forget that the job at hand took 30 times as long to complete with his "help":) *** Yes he did unload the potato chips and avocado's into the freezer drawer... I did remember to move them when he wasn't watching:)

Jacob loves to dress up...usually with everything at once! This kid is such a character! I never can guess what he will come up with next.

Brothers

As Jacob nears two and half he and Ben are able to play a lot more. He can follow instruction to the games Ben dictates, makes up and organizes. He enthusiastically obliges but is also displaying an opinion of his own. They really love each other and nothing makes me happier than watching their relationship. They are best friends. I think they make great buddies! All they need is a sister to tell them what's what.

Ben and Jacob are very excited for their new sister to arrive. They seem to understand more than we realize...the final piece of the puzzle... They talk about her everyday, talk to my stomach, whisper to my stomach (they seem to think that my belly button is a direct line to her), sing to my stomach... they are going to be such great big brothers for her. They also LOVE her accessories...and because she is a baby of the pink variety she has many accessories! Ben came down the other day causally sporting her newborn baby shoes. We can't wait for her to arrive!

Bedtime Prayers For Daddy

"

"...and please bless Daddy that he can pick us up and wrestle with us again..." When I relayed Ben's bedtime prayer request to Jon, he decided that at 7 weeks post operation he could indeed take on his boys the next morning for some post breakfast throw down... and he did. And they beamed.

The Season Is HERE!

Let's get this part out of the way...Garage sales are my MOST favorite thing to do...I LOVE LOVE LOVE (love) driving around early Saturday morning while the rest of my family sleeps looking for the "big one". I have a list that I make of wish list items I am looking for as well as things that I am always on the lookout for (the next season's clothes for the kids and new shoes for example...) It takes patience some weeks...I sometimes will set myself up for disappointment by going out hopefully when it is threatening rain or going out too early in the season...like last weekend when the "garage sale bug" was just too bad...I wasn't too successful but I did cross off one thing on my list; a pewter soap pump (well I had "black" on my list...but close enough!)...it cost $1.00 and I was satisfied enough with my first purchase of the season. THIS weekend however made up for last. There were two large community sales in neighborhoods that were promising (I don't venture to neighborhoods that are more than 20 years old...I find in older neighborhoods the residents have had too much time to collect junk. In new areas the homes and their belongings are relatively new and the families are younger so they are selling what I am looking for- call me a garage sale snob if you will...but it works). Here is my haul... LAST WEEK...

THIS WEEK!

• 3 pairs of infant tights  
• 2 peices of tupperware 
•  old navy dress 
•  Children's place 3 piece dress 
• Carter's romper 
•  Tommy denim dress
•  Robeez infant shoes 
• JOE toddler shoes 
•  GAP 2 piece dress 
• 2 piece dress 
•  one infant headband 
• 6 newborn sleepers sleepsac 
•  2 bags infant socks 
• children's Place 2 piece set 
•  Carter's 2 piece set 
•  OshCosh 2 piece set 
• OshCosh 2 piece set 
• OshCosh 2 Piece dress 
• JOE sunhat (with strap! I hate when they don't have straps!)
•  Baby GAP sweater 
• White boys cap 
• GAP shirt MEXX dress shirt 
•  boys belt Boys 
• Gymoboree shirt 
• Boys Gymboree shirt 
• Children's place shirt 
• Children's Place argyle sweater 
• 2 black maternity t shirts 
•  1 pair of maternity capris 
• 2 Mr. Potato head sets 
•  1 Leapfrog magnetic letter set 
• one number and letter board set 
•  1 new in box finger skateboard set for Ben (not pictured as it will be a birthday gift) 
•  Grand total?! ...$44.00 
•  Yup. That is right. For the cost of any one or two of the above outfits new...I got a front seat full and a lot crossed of the "list". Some Rules... Only buy clothes that have tags or look brand new. If they look worn at all (to an acceptable level...which is not much) do not pay over $1.00 an item. Shoes that do not have worn bottoms or scuffed toes. Do not buy something because it is a good deal. It isn't a good deal if you don't need it or love it. Go early...7:45 is ideal. Don't be afraid to barter...the worst they can say is no...but offers are expected. Map your route the night before... Always buy lemonade from the kids stands. Disinfect all toys...don't be afraid to buy things to save for Christmas and birthdays. I like to get new in packaging but certainly am not limited to that...I don't think my kids have ever noticed or cared that the box was missing...and if they did they would be awfully spoiled and it would be a good lesson anyway! Till next week! Ben washing his "new" Mr. potato head set..."earning" his new toy:)

Home School Day

There are three typical reactions when I tell people that we home school; "You're crazy". "Aren't you worried about "A, B and C?" "Oh I could never do that! What would I do with them all day!" I think all of those things have crossed my mind at one time or another but now that we almost have our first school year under our belts I would say I have a feel for what it looks and feels like. We like it! Jon just says..."if it ain't broken, don't fix it" or "If our kids are doing great and learning a lot...lets not change anything". He always simplifies things. I like that guy. Here are some snapshots of a typical day. After 8 months at it (with a lot of challenges thrown at us!) I am happy to report that I do not fear for my sanity 5 out of 7 days, which are still odds I can work with. I am not worried about "A, B and C" because they are likable, social, bright and vibrant kids and I don't feel like I have to do something out of the ordinary with them all day...they are happy to just do what we are naturally doing in a day anyway with a little added emphasis on "teaching moments". They are busy, love to help out whenever they can get a "job" and are endlessly fascinated with topics I couldn't pull out of a curriculum. Ben is determined to read before he is 5 and judging from his commitment to what he sets his mind to, I have no doubt he will. I am so excited to share books with him that he can read on his own. I think we have found a great fit for our family!

The View From Here

32 weeks... officially can no longer bend over, paint my toenails or walk without waddling.

Toddler Proofing

We made child proofing our new house a priority this week... since you-know-who has made it a full time job to get into absolutely everything he can get his busy hands on. Eye liner not excluded.