Success!!

William and I made a trip to the store this morning to replace some of our dairy products, with those which are non-dairy....We ended up purchasing Pacificfoods Chocolate soy milk (individual box was under 70 cents, so I bought 2 for "on the go" to see if he'd like them, he requested one on the car ride home and consumed it within 5 minutes, thus I will be returning to purchase more of those!) I also purchased some rice milk, some vanilla soy milk, some soy yogurt, one vanilla and one blueberry. I purchased one box of glutino gluten free crackers, and really they aren't that good, but maybe they will grow on us. I plan on making a trip to whole foods sometime in the next week and stocking up on many more cf and gf foods, but at least we are making steps in the right direction!

Nathalie's school Halloween Carnival and the awesome gluten free snack I discovered

Was last friday (the 24th) the kids had a great time running around playing games, it was fun for them, and even a bit fun for us. As a family of 4 it isn't often we get to do things together, with 2 working parents and a mama in school, the kids normally have one or the other of us at a time, so it really was a nice treat for us all. They had a raffle, and Nathalie asked if we could buy 3 tickets, 1 for her, 1 for William, and 1 for mom and dad to share, so we did. We actually won a great prize a Large Trader Joe's Bag full of goodies! In this bag of goodies were some things, giant spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce, some organic green tea conditioner (for mama :) ), but also was Kettle Corn, that is....GLUTEN FREE, and it is dELICious. William agrees, he has been snacking on it over the past few days, so I know this will definitely become a staple in our household under the new dietary restraints. Also were some gluten free thai sesame rice crisp bars that William enjoys a bit, but I think its more of an acquired taste, I personally loved them!

ok, so most likely, most of what you'll be hearing for a while from me will regard the food thing

Ok, so I spent a lot of time last night researching.and researching. and researching some more. And the approach I am going to take with William, is to become GFCF in 6 weeks. Why so long you may ask? Well the reasons are numerous, but the main number one reason is this, in kids that have developmental delays, speech delays, behavioral delays that will truly benefit from a GFCF diet, the foods that they are so addicted too actually act opiod-like to there little brains, so they truly are addicted. Due to this fact, things can actually get worse, before they get better, a risk I am definitely willing to take, given the results I expect we'll see in the end! So here is the "low-down" of the first 6 weeks, as is explained on the TACA website:

Starting on Saturday, November 1st (just so that its easier to keep track of,) William will receive no more casein (milk, containing products), this initial phase will be a 2 week elimination of all casein containing products. After 2 weeks, beginning November 15th, William will remain on a Casein free diet and be introduced to GFCF breakfasts, I hear that Van's GFCF waffles are good, he will still be allowed eggs, I will probably try a couple different gf cereal's, with soy or rice milk... At the beginning of week 4, November 22, the above mentioned eliminations will remain in place, and we will introduce GFCF Lunches, this week will be one of the hardest in our house, as for Lunch my son eats PB & J sandwiches, etc, and the suggestions on the TACA website for lunches aren't exactly things I want to be feeding him, although I will try these chicken nuggets, the kicker is trying to find them locally, or else find some friends who need some too? (ANYONE?) and then we could place a group order! Week 5, Which will begin November 29, will bring the introduction of GF dinners. In week 6, beginning Dec 6, GFCF snacks (although as we run out of the things that contain Gluten, I will be replacing them with gluten free). TACA goes on to list weeks 7-10, but I am happy to say that in the department of soaps, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, toothpaste and laundry detergent we currently use products that do not contain gluten and Casein. I will replace all of my baking products with those that are gluten and casein free.

As far as Nathalie and the rest of us go, we will obviously follow these dietary restrictions in our home, not only to support William, but to benefit us all. However, I will allow Nathalie to mantain a normal diet at school, for now, but next year, I will be packing her lunches anyhow, so they too will be gluten and casein free.

Update on William, and the new diet that will be entering our house

Friday, I had the priveledge of attending the DAN (defeat autism now)! Fall Conference at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley! I learned so many very interesting and helpful things. Although Willliam is not officially autistic, he does portray quite a number of "autistic" traits. From everything I have learned, both Sam and I agree that he will benefit greatly from a GFCF diet (gluetin and Casein free) which means, no dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt) and no bread (wheat, oats, rye)....no chicken nuggets, eliminating almost everything that he is so use to eating. An interesting note on that fact is that kids (and adults alike) crave that which they are most sensitive too, in William's case I believe this to be Bread, this boy loves bread will ask for it anytime he can see it..I invested in a great "kid-friendly" GFCF cookbook, and have found recipies to make our own chicken nuggets, that are gluten free....etc....I will also be adding some supplements in for him, he just received vitamin c chewables, that he will now take everyday along with his multivitamin. Furthermore, I have ordered him some melatonin, to hopefully help even out his sleep pattern (for those of you not intune to the lack of sleep William provides us, he usually does not go to sleep until 12 or 1, and Friday night I was actually up with him until 3). I intend to add Omega-3's to his diet as well, I just need to find him a chewable brand...... There are several other options in the form of supplements, but these will be the initial few we introduce to him. Rather than eliminating all of the restricted foods at once, I will initially begin with Casein/dairy, no milk, no cheese and no yogurt, of course no other dairy containing products, but those are the three biggies in our house. After 3 weeks of 100% elimination of dairy, we will remove the gluten as well. During the initial 3 week period as we run out of gluten containing products, they will be replaced with those which are gluten-free. So any of you that have ideas in the gfcf free category that will help me out please let me know!

our little soccer girl

Nathalie is thoroughly enjoying her first season of soccer! When Tuesdays role around (practice day) she is optimistic, and happy all day long. At practice she listens to her coaches and runs with her team. On Saturdays (game day) she gets so happy when putting on her oversized uniform! She loves it, and I'm glad

anna rose

long overdo, here is our precious granddaughter Anna Rose! The cuteness kills me, it kills me even more that she is 3000 miles away, these few momentary glimpses will have to do for now. Sams daughter, Briana who is Anna's mommy is doing great, she is such a proud mother who brags about every coo Anna makes. As a teenage mother it can't be easy, but I am so glad she is giving her little girl every fighting chance!

William

does not have autism, but just some speech and developmental delays. I am melancholy about it all, I'm glad he doesnt have a label to an extent, but at the same time I struggle that we will be able to get him all the help he needs/deserves.

My Birthday

Was lots of fun! 29, I really can't believe it! In one more year I'll be 30, wow! Dinner was delicious at on the border, I had the grilled avocado enchiladas (YUUUMMMMY). I was surronded by family and wonderful friends, showered with gifts that I never expected. My mom and dad bought me a new purse. My friend Jezzy and her boyfriend Johnny bought me Pablo Neruda's essential collection. He is my all time favorite artist. I got a pedicure, I haven't had one since William was in my belly. It really was a great day!

a month

really, I cant believe that nearly a month has passed since I last posted, I think about posting often but by the time I get around to it....

Our trip to Oregon rocked, it was amazing, fun, amazing! I loved it!!

Our grandbaby was born!!!! Anna Rose entered the world 13 days late on August 21st and was a healthy 9 pounds 2 ounces!! Mom is in love with her, and we can not wait to meet her!!

I am loving my new job! I work between 24-30 hours a week.

I am back in school, taking 2nd semester Organic Chemistry, plus lab. I have been blessed with an amazing friend Jezzy, who is in this class with me, and makes it much more bearable, its awesome to have a "study buddy"!

I will be 29 in 15 days! We are going to do a group dinner, and then go play some darts and pool, we don't get out much so it should be fun and entertaining!

Nathalie had her first soccer game last saturday and is in love! She scored 2 goals, and only one was in the " wrong" goal. Her team color is green, and they are called the green dragonflies!

Here is the "heavy" part of this post. William is undergoing some evaluation and testing right now, he has been diagnosed as "borderline" autistic. He definitely is not severe, but does portray some traits. He has a more thorough diagnostic psychological developmental evaluation at the end of the month, so we will find out more then.


so there in short is what we have been up to more or less.

Playtown

So I took the kids to playtown today, and....
they both had a blast. But Nathalie, made instand friends with a couple of girls, that she had never met before, initially she said they "hurt her feelings" but within minutes the three of them were like the 3 amigos, up until we got ready to leave 2 hours later.....So here is something to consider,What happens in the time between then ( you know being 4 years old) and, say, our age? It's an amazing phenomenon to me, how kids can instantly run off playing and have the BestTimeThatTheirLittleMindsHaveEverImagined when they've known each other all of ten minutes.And why don't we do that more as adults?I'm just wondering, what do you all think about this? seriously, let me know!

La Jolla Indian Reservation Camping trip

was sooo much fun. the kids had their moments.you know, the melt down moments. But, all in all it was an amazing weekend, loaded with fun! Nathalie liked the idea of tubing down the river, until we flipped...William would have floated down the river without an intertube, if I'd let him. We didnt arrive until about 9 pm friday night, so the kids were cranky and hungry. Once fed, they got a bit better. Saturday morning William woke up on the wrong side of the bed! Once he had a nap (in the late afternoon) he was much better for the rest of the day. Sunday, of course the day we were leaving, the kids woke up both in an overall happy mood!
It was hard to do without daddy being there, and I am looking forward to our family trip to Oregon next week, where daddy will be there to help!
I will post pics soon, Im currently on my laptop, not at home, so I will post soon.

camping

I'm taking the kids to La Jolla Indian Reservation this weekend, with my parents and my sister and her boyfriend. Sam can't go and for that I am sad, but I know it will be fun none the less! Our trip to Oregon is also just 2 short weeks away.

mommmy

i hear screams of agonizing pain from downstairs, Nathalie yelling "moommmmy mommmy" I jump up run down the stairs and find out that nothing is wrong. I hear the constant bickering of the two of them, Williams screech, Nathalie's stern voice! Please help me make it through the day!

My how you've grown

Today when I picked Nathalie up from school they gave us her "year book" it is all hand done by her teacher, with pictures and art projects from each month of the school year, in short this book it is awesome! On the very first page is Nathalies beginning of the year picture and stats as well as her end of the year picture and stats!

In September 2007 she was 3 ft 3 inches and 32 pounds
In June 2008 (9 months later) she is 3 ft 6 inches and 39 pounds!

my little girl, she is getting big!

Nathalie's end of the year field trip to Coronado

she had such a blast and said we have to bring Daddy and William the next time we go! I agree completely and hope to plan a family beach day soon!

here I am

I haven't been very consistent in the blogging world lately and I dont really have an explanation beyond I have been busy, lazy and busy! Nathalie just moved up a class in preschool she is no longer a piglet, she is now a tigger! She will be starting Soccer next month! I got a new job, no longer with Rite Aid, I will now be working for Save on, which is 1 mile from my house, which means walking, biking, not driving! Less Gas!!!!! Sam is most likely going to have to have another shoulder surgery. William is 2, and crazy and keeping me busy, and I use to blog when Nathalie is at school, but I find myself doing more and more activities with William now, so there is another reason I havent been blogging so much!

William's 2 y.o check up yesterday...

28 lbs....50th percentile

35&3/4"........75th percentile


all in all I have my self a healthy boy and for that I am truly blessed!

we are still alive

and have soo much to catch up on, promise...pinky swear I will update the month of May soon!

Happy 4th Birthday Nathalie

Nathalie Nichole~ I cannot believe that you are already 4 years old! You are an outgoing, spunky little girl and I love you with all of my heart! You are a lot like your mommy was as a kid, loud, energetic, and sensitive! You are an amazing daughter and such a good sister to your brother! You love to hug William and ask him what he needs. You have been having some hard times with some of your speech blends, like the sk sound, bl, pl, sm, st.....as a result you have begun speech therapy and are doing extremely well! You love to be outside and you love to play games, a couple of your favorites are cariboo and tic tac tony! You are almost complete with your first year of preschool and 3 days a week seems to be just right for both you and I! The things that you learn, the things that you say amaze me on a daily basis! I love you baby girl, Happy Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday William!

William 1 hour after birth

What is there not to love about you? The amazing amounts you've grown stretch my heart beyond expectations. William the past 2 years have gone by so quickly and I am watching you develop into an amazing little boy! You are always on the go and keep your Dad and I on our toes all the time! You are such a loving boy and Mommy really hopes it always stays that way, that never a day comes that you say "MOM please don't kiss me"! You love your big sister tremendously and are always interested in what she is doing! Your favorite toy is your wooden train set that Carina got you for your birthday. You love to eat bananas, grapes, watermelon and cherries! Your not as keen on veggies, but do good with some, you love green bell peppers, and carrots. You are starting to use more words and my favorites are "here you go momma" and "taank you"! Nathalie's name is still hard for you to say so you call her iiiiisssy for sissy and she loves it, as do we! William Richard thank you for coming into my life and showing me what little boys are made of! Happy birthday little one I love you, love MOM