tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91583510819707448102024-02-07T22:08:09.827-08:00FoundationsJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.comBlogger412125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-19547550534357745362012-09-21T08:34:00.003-07:002012-09-21T08:36:23.886-07:00My Monster. Part Two. Do you remember <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9158351081970744810#editor/target=post;postID=1689621143445126876">my Monster</a>?<br />
<br />
I still love it. Things actually feel cleaner with a Monster in the house, and although we bought it refurbished, it is still going strong.<br />
<br />
Beau's uncle asked me if I thought he should buy a little vacuum/steamer combination unit for $80.00 plus shipping and tax. At first, it looked like a good idea. Then I thought <i>he probably has a vacuum </i><b>and</b> <i>every single cordless vacuum I have ever had lost suction</i>. These things made me think of my Monster. Don't waste your money on a handheld unit, Uncle Scott. Get the big gun!<br />
<br />
As I got out my Monster and looked lovingly upon it this morning, I realized it held the answer to another problem that has been plaguing me. Ever since I spied this: <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ab.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/ab/images/dp/wcm/201221/0073/img76o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ab.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/ab/images/dp/wcm/201221/0073/img76o.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
at a friend's house, I have wanted one. Of course. <br />
<br />
I have thought about it many times as I lugged out my squeaky old Pic N Save ironing board. And my drippy iron. I had decided to ask for it for my birthday. <i>Yup, that's what I'll do</i>.<br />
<br />
But wait! I forgot there was a Monster lurking in my closet, waiting patiently for his chance to be useful. So I plugged him in and hung some clothes on hangers. As I steamed the wrinkles right out of our clothes, I laughed gleefully. <i>Inside my head. </i><br />
<br />
My Monster gets rid of wrinkles, too. Imagine that. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-76262070950926239022012-09-07T15:16:00.001-07:002012-09-07T15:16:56.017-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJgo_Rx0CLx2OFD_WnDETMFkp1gnKnt4SBrw8nHts853EwgrEuspbxr3JPis2ul1xeSL8tLGk22idIqbpGrKttneacyuPOrjpAV-pXgZstsOoXwGzISxtBk5xsaMh6NtE38uRhatfXGVm/s1600/friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJgo_Rx0CLx2OFD_WnDETMFkp1gnKnt4SBrw8nHts853EwgrEuspbxr3JPis2ul1xeSL8tLGk22idIqbpGrKttneacyuPOrjpAV-pXgZstsOoXwGzISxtBk5xsaMh6NtE38uRhatfXGVm/s400/friday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-10201066494987476582012-08-27T08:29:00.001-07:002012-08-27T08:32:42.738-07:00Cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPDtBlGjVTTxEAJ3C4dnexXXDKHvv559yBFT-vLaAtl9nNWecBpHP0U3bPtpb_mphP3msWHAqCQWQJsTNnj2lrF-JD9Z25X4PxD_t4t1SO9z3uDQauet9_0UDfiX8LU4lUpIl_FRbTs1X/s1600/summerpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPDtBlGjVTTxEAJ3C4dnexXXDKHvv559yBFT-vLaAtl9nNWecBpHP0U3bPtpb_mphP3msWHAqCQWQJsTNnj2lrF-JD9Z25X4PxD_t4t1SO9z3uDQauet9_0UDfiX8LU4lUpIl_FRbTs1X/s400/summerpool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is the end-of-summer picture with all of the Woodward cousins.<br />
<br />
Last summer, there were 9.<br />
<br />
This summer, there are 11. No one is pregnant right now, but there are no promises that 11 is the final count. (<i>Staci</i>....)<br />
<br />
The list:<br />
<br />
Roman (2)<br />
Dax (2)<br />
William (4)<br />
Rebecca (5)<br />
Chase (6 mos)<br />
Hudson (5)<br />
Mattie (5)<br />
Jackson (6)<br />
Thomas (7)<br />
Reese (7)<br />
<br />
That is a 7-year Woodward explosion. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-994129720655372922012-08-22T12:23:00.000-07:002012-08-22T12:24:08.793-07:00Hmm...Well, we lasted two weeks.<br />
<br />
Here's what happened:<br />
<br />
My kids were sitting outside, chatting with some friends. The friends asked if my kids would like a breakfast burrito. My kids said, <i>nope</i>. We're <i>allergic</i>.<br />
<br />
The four older children then proceeded to launch into a mini-discussion about everything they couldn't eat...cow's milk..cheese...eggs...tomatoes...hamburgers....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/milkdrop.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/milkdrop.gif" width="313" /></a></div>
I was shrinking into the grass under the withering stare of my husband. I could almost hear the disdain in his glare. <br />
<br />
Later that afternoon, we had a very informational, helpful discussion about what is <u>right</u> and <u>balanced</u> and what is <b>weird</b> and <b>obsessive-compulsive</b>.<br />
<br />
Here is the rundown: Roman gets hives from milk. Roman will not be eating milk products. The other kids will be eating like normal kids. For the most part. (<i>Normal healthy kids</i>?) Mommy stands corrected, a little humbled, and thankful for her husband who can see a little more clearly.<br />
<br />
Beans 6x a day is not really normal. Right?<br />
<br />
Just thought you should know. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-11884720885236414642012-08-20T14:08:00.000-07:002012-08-20T14:08:11.387-07:00First Day of School!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge35-8B0skiY-CeSoaW4KA7OLgfEQlA2-AYCI5ZxHYj0cpBR_7Z0qokhYu3k3bxaVZcEaJD96mr-V1y2sK91Q_Hqvt_2M4wNKJ3vT-9_6D9JdvpH0YmY1PWR2WNrzUt39Gf7FWnjItOF4k/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge35-8B0skiY-CeSoaW4KA7OLgfEQlA2-AYCI5ZxHYj0cpBR_7Z0qokhYu3k3bxaVZcEaJD96mr-V1y2sK91Q_Hqvt_2M4wNKJ3vT-9_6D9JdvpH0YmY1PWR2WNrzUt39Gf7FWnjItOF4k/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I feel like I just posted that Jackson was going to kindergarten. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgf6IE04ndPZguYyi0P8G_aNailWdX1XRtbgofXPP3t2wYP0qgF5dWde7Lp4H1wDybaXggKvBoSQUWrF4lgMTRaCJMph9gwWi0BEJS_jaItZUFBgkFZxSPeWl0nOOOk8nfg8d1B8ZOfR4/s1600/IMG_0927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgf6IE04ndPZguYyi0P8G_aNailWdX1XRtbgofXPP3t2wYP0qgF5dWde7Lp4H1wDybaXggKvBoSQUWrF4lgMTRaCJMph9gwWi0BEJS_jaItZUFBgkFZxSPeWl0nOOOk8nfg8d1B8ZOfR4/s320/IMG_0927.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
He is in first grade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZ85G-Djttw0ODXrQogFerPOWjT85T62UuSWZ_6r0W5-G1WpTymwui3aLhrKnr-qx2G2Ub3u2OY4ilNUQgzfmvB2T2cMxpt_91f0t9tTo1it93QwT_vSi8yKdf54QPlyuCA5uMDT8okJU/s1600/IMG_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZ85G-Djttw0ODXrQogFerPOWjT85T62UuSWZ_6r0W5-G1WpTymwui3aLhrKnr-qx2G2Ub3u2OY4ilNUQgzfmvB2T2cMxpt_91f0t9tTo1it93QwT_vSi8yKdf54QPlyuCA5uMDT8okJU/s320/IMG_0926.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
She is in kindergarten. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqMGoUyB95DcJhF1f5XRbzccLFTxurzsS-IiJE-T3C5tlZHLVdmweRiPbt8xGmHQq7XwPX7tur1L6PwPhyphenhyphenmmjkHd9Sl1xrrCZOC4nRWYymGORXWGQNvzkM9zoPj09kxEHTSbsXzky_SJv/s1600/IMG_0924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqMGoUyB95DcJhF1f5XRbzccLFTxurzsS-IiJE-T3C5tlZHLVdmweRiPbt8xGmHQq7XwPX7tur1L6PwPhyphenhyphenmmjkHd9Sl1xrrCZOC4nRWYymGORXWGQNvzkM9zoPj09kxEHTSbsXzky_SJv/s320/IMG_0924.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
He is with me now. We get some good quality time. And <i>discipline</i> time, says Daddy. <br />
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Another year. Here we go!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-11723234966678025492012-08-16T09:04:00.000-07:002012-08-16T09:04:05.227-07:00Allergy-Free Rotation Diet Good morning! After finding out that Roman is severely allergic to eggs and milk, I couldn't help it. My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to find out why Jackson gets a red rash around his mouth after certain meals, and why Rebecca gets dark circles under her eyes. I wanted to test them too! Beau let me test the older children and we got their results right before we left for vacation, so I was able to do some research while we were away.<br />
<br />
In a nutshell, I have implemented a <a href="http://www.food-allergy.org/rotation.html">rotation diet</a>. The theory behind rotation diets is this: if a child is allergic to multiple foods, he probably has a leaky gut. Therefore, if I simply remove offending foods from his diet and replace say, wheat, with rice- he will eventually develop an intolerance to rice. The body simply cannot be bombarded with the same substance time and again. However, if you give time to let the body clear out each food, the immune response will decrease and the body will begin to heal- even to tolerate very offensive foods. <br />
<br />
Do I believe it? I think so. I am starting to feel a little wary about all of the nutrition research I do... it is like the Bible. The more I study and read, the more I realize I don't know! And while Scripture is true and unchanging, nutritional research can be subjective and transient. So we go into this journey with a grain of salt. I still live by the 80/20 rule. We will not tell a gracious host that we will not eat their food because we are <i>allergic</i>. There is no perfect control in this life. <br />
<br />
That said, I have put together a plan for our family. We are not supposed to have eggs, milk, beef, pork, and turkey. And black pepper. <i>Really</i>. Really?!<br />
<br />
(However, after a week without red meat, I asked Beau to bring home a steak to BBQ with our salmon. I needed some iron!)<br />
<br />
There are not a lot of rotation diet menus available online. The thought occurred to me that this is because every kid is allergic to different things. So, the menu and shopping list is Woodward-specific. However, I hope it can be of help to someone. This is a dairy-, egg-, and beef-free menu. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Allergy-
Free </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Trader
Joe’s Shopping List</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Apples</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Grapes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Bananas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Cucumber</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Strawberries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Carrots</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Lettuce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Bell
pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Pears</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Spinach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Cauliflower</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Blueberries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Avocado</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Sweet
potato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Potato</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Romaine</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Lentils</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Hummus</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"> Chicken
slices</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Roast
chicken</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Salmon</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Corn
tortilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Brown rice
tortilla</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Frozen
corn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Berries</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Fish</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"> Tuna</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Split peas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Brown rice
pasta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Rice</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Corn pasta</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Maple
syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Applesauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Pear sauce</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Goats milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Coconut
milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Rice milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Almond
milk</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Raisins</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Walnuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Sunflower
seeds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Prunes</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Almonds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Macadamia
nuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Cashews</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Corn chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";">Potato
chips, no pepper</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"></span><br /> <style><!--
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<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 24.0pt;"><u>Day 1
Rotation Diet</u></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chicken slices</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raisins</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Walnuts</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Apple</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Grapes</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Walnuts</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Lunch-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chicken slices</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cucumber</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Apple</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Grapes</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raisins</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Walnuts</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Dinner-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roast chicken</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Split peas</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Swiss chard
with sesame oil</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strawberries</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Broccoli</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 24.0pt;"><u>Day 2
Rotation Diet</u></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Breakfast-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rice</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Almond milk</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Olive oil</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stevia</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prunes</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sunflower
seeds</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carrots</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Potato chips</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Lunch-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tuna</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rice</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lettuce</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carrots</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prunes</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Almonds</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Dinner</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Salmon</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Brown Rice
Pasta </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">with olive oil</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Salad with-</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lettuce</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bell pepper</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carrots</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Almonds</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 24.0pt;"><u>Day 3
Rotation Diet</u></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Breakfast-</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Socca:</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 cups
garbanzo bean flour</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">2 scant cups
water</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">4 tablespoons
olive oil</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Salt</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maple syrup</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Peanut butter</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Goats milk</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Peanut butter</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pear Sauce</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Lunch-</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lentils</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black beans</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Olive oil</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pear</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hummus with
socca</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pear </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Peanut butter</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Goats milk</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Dinner-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cod</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black beans</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hummus with
socca</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cauliflower</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Spinach</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 24.0pt;"><u>Day 4
Rotation Diet</u></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Breakfast-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Banana</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Blueberries</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cashews</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Coconut milk</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Oatmeal</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pistachios</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Coconut milk</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Lunch-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corn</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Avocado</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Banana</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cashews</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corn chips</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Snack-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Banana</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pistachios</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corn chips</span><span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 18.0pt;"><i>Dinner-</i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sole</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pistachios</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Romaine</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Avocado</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corn</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: Cochin; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sweet potato</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-19845367112814152392012-08-09T08:01:00.003-07:002012-08-09T08:18:08.912-07:00Vacation 2012 We are back from vacation. It was lovely to be away with my family. They say vacationing with children is not really <i>vacation</i>. It is doing the same thing you normally do in a different place. <br />
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<br />
Like the double stomach flu?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuxQKoSxsoStIcu2nGWkx0j-ymR4RW1z7hH6qTMxeRHYaNaUIOQpJPxIrtbsMPhGbtqr6SUQ4RZSC3OKXj-lQp5feo0FzmM2jpOasVkT4NGi-A-4zZYelLDVnIimrqVTPhWyrmNM3yUw/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuxQKoSxsoStIcu2nGWkx0j-ymR4RW1z7hH6qTMxeRHYaNaUIOQpJPxIrtbsMPhGbtqr6SUQ4RZSC3OKXj-lQp5feo0FzmM2jpOasVkT4NGi-A-4zZYelLDVnIimrqVTPhWyrmNM3yUw/s320/IMG_0754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Yup. Just Roman, though. And we were at my in-law's beach house for those three days, so my mother in law was very helpful. A little throw-up, a little diarrhea doesn't faze the mother of three boys and grandmother of eleven. <br />
<br />
After two days of a painfully empty tummy, Roman started following me around the house, saying "I'm HARGY, mama!". Beau and I decided that this phrase is our new favorite in the children's made-up vocabulary. <br />
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Besides that, though? We had the nicest time. I loved getting to wake up every morning knowing that Beau would be there for the day. He did work two of the days on vacation, but it was different, more relaxed. <br />
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While we trekked to San Francisco, Pismo, and Monterey, it didn't feel that cumbersome because the weather was so darn nice. So nice! We wore pants and sweatshirts the whole time.<br />
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We went to an aquarium, the coolest park we had ever seen, and to the beach. Twice a day to the beach. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnVypy2lKAw1nGp25OmZVdFMrC4nnRHOLYDvT_mHrwTCwQCkPPERVxaMjO8f5gEGS0reju0XI0QDDR32vhgahTIApAp7UZ7z74WclrZRHGiR3l47giWLxRvghOxvs6pTydnF20m7w4sI/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnVypy2lKAw1nGp25OmZVdFMrC4nnRHOLYDvT_mHrwTCwQCkPPERVxaMjO8f5gEGS0reju0XI0QDDR32vhgahTIApAp7UZ7z74WclrZRHGiR3l47giWLxRvghOxvs6pTydnF20m7w4sI/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkUsxCSYQ8pI8Xl9GMUrOpSPtV4M2Ov4jR-4UFQFOEUI6wTyUpuWZLPv8ZIXppjRN4rF1l7WWmHDxE-TYprBiDjB87KsshXCHCO010UD9hCaQhltlG1g42aET_lQulA0dPu8_uze9Khs/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkUsxCSYQ8pI8Xl9GMUrOpSPtV4M2Ov4jR-4UFQFOEUI6wTyUpuWZLPv8ZIXppjRN4rF1l7WWmHDxE-TYprBiDjB87KsshXCHCO010UD9hCaQhltlG1g42aET_lQulA0dPu8_uze9Khs/s320/IMG_0757.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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The view was amazing, and we could hear and see the ocean from the living room of the place in Monterey. We left early so Beau could work today...we were ready, though. It is nice to be back! </div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-26962935769808902632012-07-24T13:36:00.001-07:002012-07-24T13:37:26.037-07:00The Cure is in the Cupboard<br />
We were over at some friends' home this weekend and I spied this book laying under a coffee table.<br />
<br />
Oooooh. Yes, please.<br />
<br />
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Not wanting to seem overly weird, I casually asked where she got it and if I could borrow it. She graciously let me take it home- even though it was her mother-in-law's- and so I read through it.<br />
<br />
Oregano, hmm? I have some of that growing in my backyard.<br />
<br />
But, I learned, it is not <i>that</i> oregano.<br />
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<br />
"Oil of wild oregano is an herbal oil derived from certain species of oregano plants. The medicinal oregano is different from the type usually found in the garden. It is also different than the commercial spice, which is often only a small percentage true oregano.<br />
<br />
It is important to realize that wild oregano is not the same as the one found in the spice section of the grocery store or the type found in pizza...be forewarned that it would be difficult to accrue its curative powers by eating pizza and spaghetti.<br />
<br />
Medicinal grade oregano arises from a unique species of plants which grow wild throughout the world. The highest grades are found in the Mediterranean. This "wild" oregano is rich in essential oils, which may be extracted by distillation...the result is an amber looking oil possessing a powerful and hot tasting flavor. Its odor is similar to that of camphor. The oil blends readily with fat in which its strong taste and odor is modified. With time oil of wild oregano turns brown and may eventually develop a darn brown hue. "</blockquote>
<br />
Here is the most useful part for mommies:<br />
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"Researchers havec tested a variety of spices for purported antibiotic activity. This research was performed in the hope of finding spices that could halt or impede the spoilage of food. Of all spices tested, oregano was the only one to exhibit significant antifungal and antibacterial activity. The ability to destroy both bacteria and fungi makes oregano unique in the spice kingdom. Finding it difficult to believe that a natural substance could be this powerful, the federal government also tested oil of wild oregano. In an attempt to prove it didn't work, they found the opposite- oil of wild oregano killed every germ against which it was tested. Nice pathogens succumbed, including salmonella, E. coli, listeria, staph, pseudomonas, and molds."</blockquote>
<br />
The oil can be taken, up to one drop an hour, until the cold or flu is gone. Interesting. I have been researching a bit and found that while I can buy it online, I will probably purchase mine through our local health food store, Cone's. The book says to get a high-<i>carvacro</i>l (the medicinal compound) oil, which Cone's says they have. <br />
<br />
Apparently you can use it on athlete's foot, psoriasis, and ringworm, too. I will be keeping it in my ever-changing medicine cabinet and will report if I find it useful!<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-37022357485580992772012-07-02T10:19:00.004-07:002012-07-02T10:19:53.410-07:00Happy Birthday, Rebecca Sky!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQh7_0Uz1uA5m0oREMoAG1ZBWIqILy5V7fBm1tvUulRv2KDg2hcBM0SlCUB7S2zXefmj5I-1LqJc-FlociHhQ8f6umTFzxI_AKF5T1vBJCAGNpN1WrGeSy60evEERgG0WWhLZFrkRn48/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQh7_0Uz1uA5m0oREMoAG1ZBWIqILy5V7fBm1tvUulRv2KDg2hcBM0SlCUB7S2zXefmj5I-1LqJc-FlociHhQ8f6umTFzxI_AKF5T1vBJCAGNpN1WrGeSy60evEERgG0WWhLZFrkRn48/s320/IMG_0599.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Notice anything? </div>
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Rebecca
lost her first tooth two days before her fifth birthday. I wasn't quite
ready for that! Jackson didn't lose a tooth until halfway through
kindergarten, for heaven's sake! It is not time yet. <br />
<br />
Slow down...please?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKMRMwlHl-ChDKsqxLR8HoRbsgjoMbyyxa7q5xLt3dvLnpREwOJzfZEIOQ-f1IUSVysFgN7qCEraY5w8twu3BXIdqOrOl3UyT2RjaCWrsUVxt1t1WSKe83oRbnbbxYtkb881SikLXeqk/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKMRMwlHl-ChDKsqxLR8HoRbsgjoMbyyxa7q5xLt3dvLnpREwOJzfZEIOQ-f1IUSVysFgN7qCEraY5w8twu3BXIdqOrOl3UyT2RjaCWrsUVxt1t1WSKe83oRbnbbxYtkb881SikLXeqk/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
She
will be at school in a few short months. I will miss her so much! But,
as happened with Jackson, we are beginning to naturally ready ourselves
for this first separation. When the time comes, it will be time.
Right?<br />
<br />
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This
has already been such an eventful summer. We drove up to Tehachapi and
found an ostrich farm. That was quite the experience. <br />
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We
have attempted to participate in the Rio Bravo Swim Team program.
Alas, we are not very good members of a team. We have been away from
the pool more often than we have been in it. But it has been so much
fun to spend time with our cousins each day that we can!<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy birthday, my dear Rebecca Sky! You truly are a summer
birth-day. Sunny, warm, breezy... every good thing about the respite
the Lord gives us from "normal" life. We pray you grow into a wise and
lovely woman of God. We love you so very much.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-64744697748047456472012-06-28T17:00:00.000-07:002012-06-28T17:01:01.342-07:00Out with the old, in with the new!A month!<br />
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It's been too long. How are you, blog world? It's nice to see you.<br />
<br />
Roman has just been diagnosed with a severe casein allergy. He is also allergic to eggs. He is also allergic to chlorine.<br />
<br />
How does this affect our family?<br />
<br />
Well, for starters, our pool was just finished last week. That's a bummer.<br />
<br />
Roman has had these horrible, scaly patches on his feet and legs for 6 months. I was sure he had a soap additive allergy. Soap is easy to change, right? I thought my trusty Dr. Bronner's soap was working. But after a week or so, the patches were back, mad as ever. It seemed that the moment he even entered the bathtub or shower, the patches flared up. We thought maybe it was residual cleaning products. But we used only tea tree oil and vinegar. It couldn't be the water he was allergic to, right? That would be crazy.<br />
<br />
It is crazy. And true! Who is allergic to WATER? Roman Bradley Woodward, that is who. And how, pray tell, does one avoid water? In Bakersfield? In the summer? With a brand new pool?<br />
<br />
Thankfully, the pool will be saltwater. However, a small bit of chlorine is still necessary in a saltwater pool. The house will need a filtration system. I thought we could get away with spigot filters on all the kitchen sink and the bathtubs. But I realized I wash the kid's clothes in...water.<br />
<br />
"I suppose I could wash his clothes in the bathtub", I told a friend. <br />
<br />
"Jennie", she said. "That's dumb".<br />
<br />
Yup. <br />
<br />
I wouldn't stick with it anyways. Come the next round of stomach flu, I would be tossing clothes into my nonfiltered-water happy washing machine with abandon. <br />
<br />
I have also been on my nutritional high horse for quite some time. <i>Eat eggs for breakfast. They are so sugar free and healthy. </i><br />
<br />
They are also destroying my kid's intestines from the inside out. Nice, mama.<br />
<br />
Well, there is no place to go but forward! His diet will get a complete overhaul (thank you, family, for your willingness to undergo yet. another. diet. overhaul). He has eggs and milk for breakfast, yogurt kefir for a snack, meat and cheese for lunch, and something with cheese or eggs in it for dinner. Whoopsie.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, as our food gets more GM and processed (<i>oh, he is also allergic to BHT, found in every packaged food out there)</i>, more and more children are being diagnosed with allergies such as these. Which means more and more cookbooks are being written. So this mama will eventually be armed with plenty of resources to aid her son. I also have two dear friends who have paved this path before me and are fantastic wellsprings of inspiration and help. <br />
<br />
So, here begins our dairy-free, egg-free journey!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-49507549346951731672012-05-24T11:24:00.000-07:002012-05-24T11:24:56.567-07:00Crunchy Tutorial #2- Fabric Softener<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I do two loads of laundry a day. Beau insists that I use Tide with Bleach detergent.<br />
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It is, after all, what his Mama used. I don't mess with that. </div>
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But I did have to cut out additional fragrances and additives elsewhere. Roman breaks out in angry hives every time a fragrance even comes near his skin. Chase started to develop red and bumpy rashes on his face. </div>
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My first plan of attack was to switch our bath products. I tried five or six different kinds of soap and special washes. I even spent $20 on a special organic baby shampoo. Of course, it still made Roman break out. Dummy. :)</div>
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Then I bought some Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. It comes in a huge bottle for $10 and has only a few natural ingredients- saponified coconut, jojoba, hemp and olive oils, and peppermint oil. Success! It does not make the babies break out. I am using it on my hair and body as well. I love it! It stings the eyes like a mother, though. Use caution. I figure I will save about $15-$20 a month by using only one product on all of us. It will take probably three or four months to break even after my special-soap-hunting spree. Oh, well. </div>
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As I read further about dyes and fragrances, I realized a likely culprit in the boys' breakouts was this:</div>
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oops. No, this:</div>
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I had been using the cheapest dryer sheets I could find. I didn't even like the smell. They were just inexpensive. I was trying to save money. But we were not living better...</div>
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So I chucked the sheets, searched the internet, and found another use for white vinegar. </div>
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When added to the rinse cycle of your laundry, white vinegar does a fantastic job of softening your clothes. Amazing. </div>
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I added this as well:</div>
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I really love this peppermint oil! It has so many uses. The bottle is less than $5.00 on Amazon and it lasts forever, through many homemade experiments. </div>
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I pour a half of a cup of vinegar to my rinse cycle, and add a generous shaking of peppermint oil to the vinegar. While I thought I loved the smell of dryer sheets, there is nothing like opening the washer to the fresh, minty smell of clean laundry. </div>
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I have experimented with adding this mixture to a washcloth and putting it in the dryer, but the clothes come out no softer, and a faint smell of vinegar lingers. There is no vinegar smell when I use the concoction in the rinse cycle. </div>
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I won't claim it is as cost-effective as cheap dryer sheets, but it is really close. The gallon of vinegar lasts three weeks, and the peppermint oil lasts probably six months. Like I said, that is with two loads every single day. It costs about three dollars a month. Not too bad. </div>
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Have you ever used this method? Would you like to try? Let me know :) </div>
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<br /></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-12995595585735428162012-05-06T21:05:00.002-07:002012-05-06T21:05:47.385-07:00Crunchy Tutorial #1- Natural Mouthwash/ Teeth Whitener<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
'Round here, we like our teeth-whitening mouthwash. We both use it every single day. It costs about $6.00 per container of this: </div>
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We were going through about one container every four weeks. They don't sell it at Trader Joe's, and I rarely have time to go to any store but Trader Joe's each week, so I decided to buy more on Amazon. As I read through the reviews, I started to get a little worried. Some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Listerine-Whitening-Pre-Brush-Rinse-Clean/product-reviews/B0009I4J50">excerpts</a>:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>1. If I use the full dose, my tongue goes numb and stays that way for
over an hour. And yes, my sense of taste is also diminished.<br /><br />2.
The product removes the inner membrane of my lips and cheek. It
sloughs off right after the swishing. This is unpleasant and, needless
to say, disconcerting. The amount of skin that comes off is in direct
relation to the amount of product I use.<br /><br />3. The longer I use it
(I'm up to about 5 days and am only using it at night now), the more
temperature sensitive my teeth become. At 5 days, they are mildly
sensitive.</i></blockquote>
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and:<br />
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<i>I've used this product 4 times in the last 3 days. My gums first
started to die and peel away ONE HOUR after I first used the product. I
didn't know what it was, so I used it a few more times, each time
thinking, "Surely this product woudln't be on the market if it was that
bad..." This morning, sheets...SHEETS of my gums peeled off! Gross,
white, slimy, dead mucous membranes all over my mouth. To make things
worse, my taste is nearly gone and my allergies have been killing me!</i></blockquote>
<br />
Eeew.<br />
<br />
To be fair, neither Beau nor I ever experienced anything like this, and we used the product almost every day. However, I decided to discontinue use of this particular product. Naturally, there had to be a way to make it at home. Naturally.<br />
<br />
So I did a little research and rediscovered this:<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21dmPbMtETL._SS400_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21dmPbMtETL._SS400_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have used it as a gargle and a rinse before. But it tastes...gross. Like a fizzy, tasteless wetness- lighter than water and not refreshing in the least. (By the way, <i>never</i> drink hydrogen peroxide.)<br />
<br />
So I decided to add this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rgv-WHxFL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rgv-WHxFL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31pwSSdqSOL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31pwSSdqSOL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and all of the sudden, I had a product that tasted similar to the expensive, tongue-hair-growing Listerine. It is more concentrated, so I use less. Just a small capful each day. <br />
<br />
Here is the recipe. Use it if you feel like it. :)<br />
<br />
<b>1 8 oz. container of hydrogen peroxide</b><br />
<b>20 drops peppermint Stevita</b><br />
<b>1/4 teaspoon organic peppermint oil</b><br />
<br />
shake and store. Enjoy.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-83428415097233383492012-04-27T14:41:00.001-07:002012-04-27T14:42:40.372-07:00Ranch Outing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m2aeBCUXYunZ7hyPw23n8Qryd826IKjjSxMN0Byd5kPVnzDe_B1xi_Bb51lrGk6v0rikoLNWYVhT0S0tYMfE1-pogcX5XkCVA6-tvNI0XMEAAqCek8R0pegZpU7Lb2o9u0ZspjmQ4dE/s1600/IMG_0315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3m2aeBCUXYunZ7hyPw23n8Qryd826IKjjSxMN0Byd5kPVnzDe_B1xi_Bb51lrGk6v0rikoLNWYVhT0S0tYMfE1-pogcX5XkCVA6-tvNI0XMEAAqCek8R0pegZpU7Lb2o9u0ZspjmQ4dE/s640/IMG_0315.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
We made a trek over to Santa Maria this week- myself, Rebecca, Roman, and Chase. We visited a friend at their vineyard ranch. It was beautiful and surprisingly, somewhat relaxing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVYoscSP8NQwiVr5T2_rx-CQk2HIPdHISGLJHGGWSdrR6S5jf86i47e8pid5XSVNV-wx8-RYjY3xkkIFn44pZh1X-JtzVMFy-3wi410m3eyAQQ8N43wIMaRBjx53W3kz3kLnvZufDHrI/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVYoscSP8NQwiVr5T2_rx-CQk2HIPdHISGLJHGGWSdrR6S5jf86i47e8pid5XSVNV-wx8-RYjY3xkkIFn44pZh1X-JtzVMFy-3wi410m3eyAQQ8N43wIMaRBjx53W3kz3kLnvZufDHrI/s640/IMG_0316.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I am not sure if I will travel in the near future without Beau, but the trip went as well as it could have gone. We picked blueberries the first afternoon. I have never tasted anything quite like them- huge, warm, sweet as can be. We picked all we wanted. We filled a shoebox full! The plan was to make pie or muffins, but our stash did not last that long. <br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-90573615525595505492012-04-16T11:22:00.003-07:002012-04-16T11:42:43.741-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZHQnsri9j2cIMNubip4hD4RAd4UvqR3FS_rDnIpHXxjFbBG_KiLr3ImA_kNv3XbI7OslMuFPHMKlQ45o3jMxZDjyNDfGKKxMAqp8CHaslcMed06J7WYy0SrOQmyQorb4wonvEGwMZkg/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZHQnsri9j2cIMNubip4hD4RAd4UvqR3FS_rDnIpHXxjFbBG_KiLr3ImA_kNv3XbI7OslMuFPHMKlQ45o3jMxZDjyNDfGKKxMAqp8CHaslcMed06J7WYy0SrOQmyQorb4wonvEGwMZkg/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732066332716266082" border="0" /></a>Chase will officially be two months old this week. Guess what? He slept from 10:30-6:15 on Thursday night. We were elated. At 6:16, Beau turned to me and said, "Well, he will be sleeping through the night from now on". Ok! What this means: I feed him at 9:30, put him to bed right after, close the door to his room, and go get him at 6:30 in the morning.<br /><br />Doesn't he cry?<br /><br />The first two nights, he did. I had to pray and put my pillow over my head as I dealt with Mommy Guilt. But last night, he didn't make a peep. He slept 8 full hours, no problem. What a sweet baby!<br /><br />As I recently read in a book, by <span style="font-style: italic;">allowing</span> babies to eat in the middle of the night, we basically <span style="font-style: italic;">train</span> them to eat in the middle of the night. It makes sense. He is gaining weight, is plenty chubby in the cheeks, and takes good feedings throughout the day. I need to sleep a full night to take care of my family. He needs to sleep a full night to grow and thrive. It is a good time to implement these changes. I have always been a proponent of the "cry-it-out" method of sleep training, but I have also always been hesitant to go full steam ahead with the process. I couldn't take my baby crying. Now I know that the process works, and that it is beneficial for all involved. Any hesitancy or guilt is gone, and we have a happy baby and a rested mama.<br /><br />While nursing, I get a chance to read on my iPad. There is a free online library called <a href="http://www.chestofbooks.com">C</a><a href="http://www.chestofbooks.com">hest of Books</a><a href="http://www.chestofbooks.com">.</a> There is a huge, free section on health and nutrition. I have been so excited to explore! I read a book from 1921 by a holistic physician who claimed that his contemporary Americans ate an average of 125 pounds of sugar each year. At that time, diabetes and heart disease were beginning to be problematic. He warned his readers to cut down on their consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods and take in a diet rich in protein, vegetables, and fruits. How telling! 90 years later, we are reaping the poor health our great-great-grandparents sowed generations ago. And here we thought "paleo" was a hot new buzzword....Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-67372085495806885462012-04-09T09:03:00.002-07:002012-04-09T09:28:57.273-07:00He is Risen!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzMnIQTA54TS5tYZHgzsZFZ9c6-ELa0YUwT3RhqpOJBwiBERy6mwwQKnjJe7Tnf4QcmXM_Xffvy-Mvl-1yU6gUNXEc5XvQPzJFy5JhcPjqkfWgamooi0dRZlOHgUq2AX0K07NaT3-nA0/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzMnIQTA54TS5tYZHgzsZFZ9c6-ELa0YUwT3RhqpOJBwiBERy6mwwQKnjJe7Tnf4QcmXM_Xffvy-Mvl-1yU6gUNXEc5XvQPzJFy5JhcPjqkfWgamooi0dRZlOHgUq2AX0K07NaT3-nA0/s400/IMG_0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729432674098984738" border="0" /></a>When you explain things to children, do they become that much more apparent to you? On Good Friday, we read the story of Judas' betrayal. And then the story of Peter's betrayal. And then I tried to explain to the children how we betray the Lord's love and trust every day. But Christ never did. What huge concepts for little minds to grasp! As I tried to explain these things simply, I was just overwhelmed by the true nature of God's sacrifice for us. I held my tiny new baby and realized that God turned His face from His Son and allowed Him to die, not for His own punishment, but for mine. And this tiny new baby's. I can't fathom that kind of love. <br /><br />But then, miracle of all miracles- Christ did not stay dead. He rose and is risen. And He lives, seated at the right hand of the Father. He died for me and continues to intercede on my behalf. These are the things we think of when we realize <span style="font-style: italic;">we are not worthy</span>. <br /><br />Holidays' stressfulness seems to trump the quiet moments where we can reflect on how amazing our Lord is. Yesterday was no exception. Two family get-togethers, helping with the toddlers at Sunday School, cooking, baking, cleaning, parenting...<br /><br />Thankfully, (!) I am still getting very quiet moments in the wee hours of the morning for reading my Bible and praying and thinking. It is fragmented and a little sleepy, but I am so glad God provides this quiet time for me. I don't get it during the rest of the day. When Chase starts sleeping through the night, I am going to have to dig deep to find some self-discipline to continue to find comparable quiet time. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONcyYs91pdSDoptbcHu-sI9Q2aWd95Cmq_cQ-dqgKFE4sPrSkZPUtNBGmN872EevFdJ6OvCxQ9-pjnrml7jQT5JxV9CAII_1Mjh6eYLIMVOEe5GamP7mIvFB48d75DJYoNfzy4DvWWAI/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONcyYs91pdSDoptbcHu-sI9Q2aWd95Cmq_cQ-dqgKFE4sPrSkZPUtNBGmN872EevFdJ6OvCxQ9-pjnrml7jQT5JxV9CAII_1Mjh6eYLIMVOEe5GamP7mIvFB48d75DJYoNfzy4DvWWAI/s400/IMG_0292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729432656538273186" border="0" /></a>Even though Easter was hectic, it was still lovely to spend the day with my sweet family. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyLoaEg1GvwD77sHoiaCFNxXXqoGJyptx1Xn0C-QxwnLD9FPoyCTEgfmb5uxNdgvM61JWEWZ1N1wKNE-y_iXxQEqFi-9RSxL0nO6eP_aJ4z56xsza2Gy2W4j6Tv2inAVXKjrOjlmjVBU/s1600/IMG_0295.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyLoaEg1GvwD77sHoiaCFNxXXqoGJyptx1Xn0C-QxwnLD9FPoyCTEgfmb5uxNdgvM61JWEWZ1N1wKNE-y_iXxQEqFi-9RSxL0nO6eP_aJ4z56xsza2Gy2W4j6Tv2inAVXKjrOjlmjVBU/s400/IMG_0295.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729432650864397474" border="0" /></a>And my handsome husband, still the person I would rather be around more than anyone else.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-SV6QKzPsRBxjpsHxHCOuCL5YUGhoZVDKkifm2RDgIgbI_iKVCZi_Vu0o649ufRDKi6hgnXL0_Fvsb80B0CwLKSiAnBVNQsRbZXzRH0LT0gbMNZveuKIkyxzfLe016hl9hROobfbN0c/s1600/IMG_0271.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-SV6QKzPsRBxjpsHxHCOuCL5YUGhoZVDKkifm2RDgIgbI_iKVCZi_Vu0o649ufRDKi6hgnXL0_Fvsb80B0CwLKSiAnBVNQsRbZXzRH0LT0gbMNZveuKIkyxzfLe016hl9hROobfbN0c/s400/IMG_0271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729432689020413218" border="0" /></a>This one has been home from school for a whole week. It has been really nice to have him around. This picture is from the day of his Festival of Spring. I tried to dress him doctorly.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-53272292139969089692012-03-23T21:39:00.005-07:002012-03-23T22:09:11.382-07:00Worst Date EverWell, maybe not <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span>.<br /><br />Beau and I started dating when I was 17 and he was 22. In that long span, there have been date nights that have ended with one of us on the side of the road, not able to be in the same car for one moment longer. Dates that have ended with arguing and crying. One memorable date that ended with one of us threatening to bash the windshield of the other's car in with a large baseball bat...<br /><br />Whew. That was a long time ago. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9DKEn6qV8tf_T9JKMMZhH67UVh-sy6hmhzYYA5HBmFpLOocLLR8WG4PnlhJBa-Z-nqfdtUighAHwbsdkMSpJ1UWP7y3wl0BSUkKSKtOjz8F7gbGLsifPaFpMjuKv0BgA3SALH4sgEL4/s1600/dripping-faucet-md.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9DKEn6qV8tf_T9JKMMZhH67UVh-sy6hmhzYYA5HBmFpLOocLLR8WG4PnlhJBa-Z-nqfdtUighAHwbsdkMSpJ1UWP7y3wl0BSUkKSKtOjz8F7gbGLsifPaFpMjuKv0BgA3SALH4sgEL4/s400/dripping-faucet-md.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723325386710945394" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight was a strong contender, though.<br /><br />I had put on real clothes and makeup, awaiting the return of my Prince Charming . Charming had been out in the sun all afternoon, participating in a charity golfing event. He is quite the athlete, but not a golfer. He did not come home happy. He did not come home on time.<br /><br />I had bathed Chase and put him in his cutest pajamas, ready to hit the town. We were going out to dinner! After arriving at the restaurant, Beau looked at his phone. I looked at mine. Our sitter had called both phones 8 minutes ago, right after we had left the house. Uh-oh.<br /><br />I stepped outside to make the call and she answered, breathless.<br /><br />"The-bathtub-faucet-broke-and-there-is-water-flooding-the-bathroom-everywhere-and-the-neighbor-is-helping-and-I-wasn't-sure-what-to-do-"<br /><br />"Okay", said I. "We are on our way". I had heard three kids crying in the background. I figured she probably needed reinforcements. Had my mama's heart not heard the wails of my children, I would have called a plumber, told the sitter I would pay her extra, and gone back into the restaurant to order my long-awaited sushi.<br /><br />Our first date night since the baby, dang it!<br /><br />I pulled an even grumpier Charming out of the restaurant and we sped home in relative silence. He did say at one point, "I know you are thinking 'He got to have fun golfing all day'. But I suck at golf. And I don't want to be out there. So I spent five hours outside doing something I hate."<br /><br />Oh, cry me a river, Charming.<br /><br />We got home, did not console the children until we checked the damage, praised the sitter for her quick thinking, and got to work.<br /><br />My idea was to call a plumber. This was met with a scornful glance. "Do you know what a plumber will charge you in the off hours?!".<br /><br />Clearly, not the best suggestion at the time. I got towels and buckets and tried to work alongside him without getting in the way. As usual, his idea was better. We were able to get up all the water, three inches deep, from the bathroom floor. And there should be no long-term damage to the floor.<br /><br />Now he is working on fixing the faucet. He has been to Home Depot once and YouTube twice. There are worse things than going without reliable water for a weekend, I guess. Like getting your windshield cracked with a baseball bat (it never actually came to that, by the way).<br /><br />What was your worst date ever?Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-48098607383637796732012-03-22T15:16:00.002-07:002012-03-22T15:19:49.225-07:00RePost from Resolved2WorshipI wanted to share a link to a website from which I draw encouragement. The woman who writes Resolved2Worship has 8 children and a very soft heart. I love to read what the Lord is teaching her, and she always has gentle, prodding insight on how to be a mommy who loves and serves the Lord, first and foremost. <br /><br />Here is a link to her website- a post that was particularly dear to my heart. Enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="http://resolved2worship.xanga.com/759865481/who-is-my-life/">Who Is My Life? </a>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-47133394488705395222012-03-19T09:04:00.003-07:002012-03-19T09:19:11.986-07:00Monday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAUPKVymlAuAAfAdVqU2A-fdJxDktXl5oPR1MwCEiLxIB-IrqWZ0_7HGX0mOqVtLLrr9zJaLTGxfzH5bUzKx0-jSJ8Vi0YjlaxiQCN9oaLivWI4_GLf4vUFq8VuNMcEYAFsINOabMXWs/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAUPKVymlAuAAfAdVqU2A-fdJxDktXl5oPR1MwCEiLxIB-IrqWZ0_7HGX0mOqVtLLrr9zJaLTGxfzH5bUzKx0-jSJ8Vi0YjlaxiQCN9oaLivWI4_GLf4vUFq8VuNMcEYAFsINOabMXWs/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640424640163250" border="0" /></a>Chase will be a month old on Thursday. My goodness. He eats well, he sleeps well, he does everything else well. What a blessing of a baby. He is fond of peeing on me, but that is my fault. You would think I would know what I am doing after three boys. My reflexes, along with the rest of me, are sleep deprived.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOUbpap7BpnmjRpwaMgzz32fHOwbS7M9Xy7PawSFazRADMx5HA5N0mQLfdEDAtzi7qZALDWSW4nkLS2FDR1bUUAQ0XUoYxSrOWRFZrW3qDADOEYBVGhilnypLzHCZAAqD2rt4mFkMpXA/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOUbpap7BpnmjRpwaMgzz32fHOwbS7M9Xy7PawSFazRADMx5HA5N0mQLfdEDAtzi7qZALDWSW4nkLS2FDR1bUUAQ0XUoYxSrOWRFZrW3qDADOEYBVGhilnypLzHCZAAqD2rt4mFkMpXA/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640268342006002" border="0" /></a>I got to spend a wonderful week with my baby sister and her daughter. Jackie just finished 7 months of training to become an official soldier of the USA. She joined the Army Reserves last June and spent the last 7 months in South Carolina and Georgia, firing rocket launchers and learning hand to hand combat. I got to see her every day she was here, and Rebecca and Madison got to play together for hours and hours. We even snuck in a trip to Rosemary's. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLi4YOowbhXPEMPzw38ixVaBi3M4GYhEFhqV7mpIKqVLATnCuOOJyBqfSt2UJDILHb1NqjCLum8V0i_Dbv1OgMM7u9LuXCvfNoanzODc1Hy8RPmyqNCCs6xPU_EeWKPzXk87DcshGLKg/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLi4YOowbhXPEMPzw38ixVaBi3M4GYhEFhqV7mpIKqVLATnCuOOJyBqfSt2UJDILHb1NqjCLum8V0i_Dbv1OgMM7u9LuXCvfNoanzODc1Hy8RPmyqNCCs6xPU_EeWKPzXk87DcshGLKg/s400/IMG_0239.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640253512520754" border="0" /></a>My 5-year-old is now a 6-year-old. His birthday was on Monday. We took brownies into his classroom and had a short celebration with his class. Mrs. Sandoval prayed for him heartily- how I love our school!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW88yZqSs20RxHFY_C3fFMZtWqJVXym4CJP1ZW5K6I-0-_o9OSwOFDQa4De5DUBGAzhXR0O4NRXX75IisX1ioz915Ba0a47n2PVwDAHxA5116OOcbnnW4GBS0YJj4ZwlG-HfQ3JU9mpo/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrW88yZqSs20RxHFY_C3fFMZtWqJVXym4CJP1ZW5K6I-0-_o9OSwOFDQa4De5DUBGAzhXR0O4NRXX75IisX1ioz915Ba0a47n2PVwDAHxA5116OOcbnnW4GBS0YJj4ZwlG-HfQ3JU9mpo/s400/IMG_0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640248526064418" border="0" /></a>Beau, Jackie, and Madison met us in the classroom on Monday. Later that night, my family all came over for a birthday dinner. Jackson is getting more mature- calmer, more thoughtful. He adores his little brothers and is as good as he can possibly be with his little sister. He loves Star Wars and Transformers. He and his friends at school play some variation of Ninja-Pirate-Star Wars every day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S-_iTERGuDDzKaBbZItkF_TholMftnEXmVkK_zXtd62e1VvxZMWNB1PtYZ_BPzuuzm-PIGGy0-Yqgi_q4b53Dni614vNtgWAVDOHLNgKgvTZg5V3MAkL9kxlEWAReShyphenhyphenpy9CpX7eqhM/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S-_iTERGuDDzKaBbZItkF_TholMftnEXmVkK_zXtd62e1VvxZMWNB1PtYZ_BPzuuzm-PIGGy0-Yqgi_q4b53Dni614vNtgWAVDOHLNgKgvTZg5V3MAkL9kxlEWAReShyphenhyphenpy9CpX7eqhM/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640282074303794" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurKDQ_xB7GlSFEiVCHKeYIRVaUjMpY4TCP5VSVA226OEWakuYL0-b9T3o55pwGRl0wZuU3vCxV5TKaCEhwOePDwMkZ7Ie0v0ZxppwJQCIm15O9b15-FXcojhyphenhyphenkpQiLr2dw03vE-Q8y88/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurKDQ_xB7GlSFEiVCHKeYIRVaUjMpY4TCP5VSVA226OEWakuYL0-b9T3o55pwGRl0wZuU3vCxV5TKaCEhwOePDwMkZ7Ie0v0ZxppwJQCIm15O9b15-FXcojhyphenhyphenkpQiLr2dw03vE-Q8y88/s400/IMG_0215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721640258325553522" border="0" /></a>Signing off, looking forward to a calmer week. Roman is running around in a shirt and legwarmers as we are attempting to potty-train. Changing a newborn's diapers makes me realize how disgusting it is a change a two-year-old's poops, multiple times a day. We have juice and M&Ms I found in the back of the pantry, left over from Halloween. I guess my nesting phase was not as far-reaching as it could have been :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-16425626732762895002012-03-05T18:58:00.003-08:002012-03-06T12:52:45.135-08:00Newborn Session with Daniel Boone Photography<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzn1xGib6FNdq7dD5G6Gehwa9RT10KFZICrlN62hX4Nw_11q7-L67fMHpGN7BtIIcyECwwtUAAgTzlgH9GjEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />All Images Courtesy of Daniel Boone Photography</span><br /><br />A few family gems from the past weeks:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jackson</span>:<br />"I don't know why Mrs. Sandoval calls it Fun Fun Friday.<br />We don't do anything Fun Fun.<br />It's more like Lame Lame Friday."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Beau</span>:<br />"You are such a firecracker".<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rebecca</span>:<br />"What is a firecrapper?"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jackson</span>:<br />"I am going to be a doctor for the Spring Festival (at school)."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Me</span>:<br />"Oh! Do I need to get you a costume?"<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Jackson</span>:<br />"Nope. You just need to dress me doctorly."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I am not sure if the video loaded properly. If you can't see it, the pictures are <a href="http://www.danielboonephotography.com/blog/?p=428">here</a>. </span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-5282889437209610552012-02-27T09:14:00.005-08:002012-02-27T10:51:20.330-08:00A Baby Story<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRJKcUHCeGV6-03Ka0TvE1PWk1ilTo56SirI_Ot6PdBWbrGFPmM_8arwdC1GJMCwXcQn4JUJM8pNfjXMYtK8sOnO9HvQkatAtznBNV9079hwvNZFWtvXilNJyYpkp_-gyyGoM3yn5xLQ/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRJKcUHCeGV6-03Ka0TvE1PWk1ilTo56SirI_Ot6PdBWbrGFPmM_8arwdC1GJMCwXcQn4JUJM8pNfjXMYtK8sOnO9HvQkatAtznBNV9079hwvNZFWtvXilNJyYpkp_-gyyGoM3yn5xLQ/s400/IMG_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713865303671188802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Chase Bron</span><span style="font-size:130%;">s</span><span style="font-size:130%;">on Woodward<br />February 23, 2012<br />8 pounds, 4 ounces<br />21.5 inches long<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKJ39gjA0kUsRQ-pLoW91Be7Fesr4b5aVxYIsmwaIAMdNBBqYJ8odZOzLclJSJWGpeFIo3Jffxk70Ac6VwIypOhyf0Lvkegi4p7eaGYRetR5RCUdglN-jtKfHmU6U3wOz7Iem9EyL_OE/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKJ39gjA0kUsRQ-pLoW91Be7Fesr4b5aVxYIsmwaIAMdNBBqYJ8odZOzLclJSJWGpeFIo3Jffxk70Ac6VwIypOhyf0Lvkegi4p7eaGYRetR5RCUdglN-jtKfHmU6U3wOz7Iem9EyL_OE/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713865917753304274" border="0" /></a></div>The last few weeks of pregnancy were miserable. I felt like I might get to have the baby at any moment just because it was my fourth pregnancy, but there were no real signs of impending labor.<br /><br />My due date came and went with no activity at all, and I actually had to go into the bathroom before church started and cry because people kept saying, "still no baby?". They were just being friendly conversationalists, but I was maxed out physically and emotionally. I am sure all mommies can relate!<br /><br />The Tuesday after I was due, I went in for a "non-stress test" to see if the baby was ok- which he was!- and to get a check-up by the Physician's Assitant, as my doctor was in surgery all day. That visit left me frustrated and irritated. The PA had no personality or bedside manner, and she informed me that I was still dilated to a ONE! I had to make an appointment to come back the next day to see my doctor and have an ultrasound to check my fluid levels.<br /><br />So after getting a doughnut to console myself, I had to go home and pray about my terrible attitude and my reluctance to trust God's timing. God reminded me through Scripture that He requires that I walk humbly <span style="font-style: italic;">with</span> Him, not in front of Him.<br /><br />Then I went into labor at midnight.<br /><br />I felt like my water might have broken around midnight, and I had a contraction that woke me up. I was able to go back to sleep until 1 am, when I was awakened again by a big contraction. Rebecca had gotten into bed with us, so I was able to slip out into the living room unnoticed. I labored in the living room for about an hour, resting in between. At three, I realized I may actually have to go to the hospital soon, so I got in the shower. It felt amazing! It helped the intensity of the contractions. I laid down in Rebecca's empty bed after the shower until Beau came in to return her to bed at 4. My contractions were regular and intense at that point, so I told him I was in labor and would come get him when I needed him. It was so nice to get to go through the contractions in the quiet dark of my own house instead of the bright hospital.<br /><br />At 4:18, I had two contractions in a row and realized I should call my dad to come stay with the big kids. He got there at 4:45, and I was hanging onto the washing machine for dear life at that point. I'm pretty sure I snapped at Beau for brewing a pot of coffee during that time. Whoops.<br /><br />Beau laid me in the backseat of the Hummer and we began our painful, bumpy journey to the hospital, 5 minutes away from the house. Beau prayed for us on the way there, and as he parked, I felt like I might need to start pushing! On the way in, I had a contraction at the light post, and then one on the floor of the lobby, which is locked at 5 in the morning!<br /><br />Two nurses met us at the elevator with a wheelchair and rushed us up to the Triage room, where they changed my clothes and checked to confirm that I was certainly at a 10. That was 5:02 a.m. The nurses shouted at each other to call Dr. Kaneen, and I was yelling that I needed to push. They told me to wait, that he was coming too fast- wait for the doctor. Beau held my hand and told me to pant, which I tried to do. All of the sudden, Dr. Kaneen was there and I was told I could push. Oh, thank the Lord! So I gave one big push, and the whole head came out....then the rest of his body in the same push! I couldn't believe it! He was put on my chest and I got to see my big, purple baby. That was 5:19 a.m. Later, Beau said he could tell that this boy was considerably bigger than Roman was, bigger than any of our babies. That is what we had prayed for- a nice, big, strong, healthy boy.<br /><br />As is always the case, I can see how God's timing is perfect, so much better than mine. Four days late meant that Chase had time to put on more fat. He came naturally and in God's timing, so he has been eating well, sleeping well, resting well. He seems to be easing into the schedule I would have tried to set for him anyway. He has waken up each night around 3:45, and only once a night. That is almost 6 hours of sleep from my newborn! The Lord must know I can't handle much more than this. The big kids seem to be acclimating well, even Roman. Today is our first day at home without Daddy's precious help, and I know all things will come in time. But I just thank and praise God for His goodness and provision and perfect timing. I want to enjoy every single moment of the fleeting, sweet newborn days. If you desire to pray for us, please pray for good sleep for baby and mommy, and ease of transition for our family.<br /><br />Thanks for reading :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL4ON4znBIl1Qn7p1B1HLvCj7qOM_yDaHaXBlr4Q3Cz13yhglAZC-UlyB_fUuysMioXhGDzrwZh07onhIweDzF9cPAqM59n8cUzwdl96ILgQ-sqU8ZZIIWHi8IRjq-_CIwqFNZ-cUuh8/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjL4ON4znBIl1Qn7p1B1HLvCj7qOM_yDaHaXBlr4Q3Cz13yhglAZC-UlyB_fUuysMioXhGDzrwZh07onhIweDzF9cPAqM59n8cUzwdl96ILgQ-sqU8ZZIIWHi8IRjq-_CIwqFNZ-cUuh8/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713865290601775634" border="0" /></a>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-77685317669032500602012-02-18T08:57:00.000-08:002012-02-18T09:05:26.914-08:00She came in wailing, "bloody bloody bloody bloody!" She was a little hysterical.<div><br /></div><div>Smatterings of blood were all over her shirt, her pants, her hair, her face.</div><div><br /></div><div>What in the world? </div><div><br /></div><div>She had taken a fork - thank the Lord, just a fork- and attempted to slice open an orange all by her 4-year-old self. In the process, she had stabbed her finger.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then she ran back to put the fork back into the utensil drawer, freaking out and shaking her hand the whole way from the living room to the kitchen. There were tiny drops of blood everywhere. On the T V, on the fireplace, on the refrigerator, on the kitchen floor, on the carpet on the way to my room. This all happened in the span of four or five minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>So we got a popsicle, cleaned the puncture, put a bandaid on it, wrapped it in surgical tape, and finished it off with a Phineas and Ferb bandaid for decoration.</div><div><br /></div><div>No more cutting oranges with forks around here. This means you, Rebecca Sky.</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-46819406070914433552012-02-13T20:26:00.000-08:002012-02-13T20:40:35.283-08:00Still waitingIt is easier to check my blog than to call or text me about this baby.<div><br /></div><div>Besides, I may bite the head of the next person who conversationally says, "you're STILL pregnant?!".</div><div><br /></div><div>Have mercy.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I learned my dear doctor would be out of town again (third baby out of three, no joke) for my due date, I decided I would do the smart thing and take a dose of castor oil to ensure sweet baby would be here by the time she left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Have mercy.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was horrible. I have taken it before because I am impetuous and impatient. But I don't remember it being this bad. Two while ounces of thick oil in a cup is just disgusting. I was a little desperate. Anyways, all that happened was a terribly upset stomach and what naturally physiologically happens after taking that much straight oil. At least my body had enough se<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">nse to wait to deal with my nincompoopedness until after we were home from gymnastics.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So that was Thursday. Saturday I got the stomach flu. Every time I remembered the castor oil, I threw up. I know. I know.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">So now my doctor is gone, I've tried in vain to induce labor, I've cleaned the baby's room and closet, organized all of our DVDs, hammered a bunch of pegs into the garage to hang things from, and now I am sitting and eating oranges and blogging. I feel...peaceful. No longer in any rush to get to labor. I think I am content to meet him whenever he decides he is ready to leave the warmth and comfort of my round, round belly.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Ahhhh. </span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-41323765589341537942012-02-08T09:23:00.000-08:002012-02-08T09:37:56.933-08:00TimingMy favorite Scripture is Proverbs 16:9- "A man plans his day, but the Lord directs his steps". <div><br /></div><div>Or, "a very pregnant mama can have a to-do list and an expectation of going into labor, but the Lord makes her wait because the stomach flu is not yet done ravaging her house."<div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And that makes me trust His timing all the more. While I have 11 days to go and I am feeling Very Ready to Have a Baby, I am thankful that I don't have to take care of a 2-year old with the stomach flu AND a newborn baby. Whew.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The stomach flu is not too terrible for an almost-6-year-old. He makes it to the bathroom without fail, he can articulate how he is feeling, and he is content to lay on the couch all day, sleeping and watching cartoons. An almost-5-year-old just made the same strides last Wednesday for the first time. I told her that she must throw up in the toilet, not in her bed, and she did!</div><div><br /></div><div>But a brand-new-2-year-old doesn't understand. He doesn't want to let go of the contents of his tummy. He certainly doesn't make it to the toilet. He cries from pain and confusion. He needs to be held constantly (which is kind of my favorite). And that poor kid cannot understand why the pitiful entreaty, "mama, juice!" doesn't work.</div><div><br /></div><div>So while I am large and uncomfortable and being kicked apart from the inside, I am very glad for God's gracious timing.</div><div><br /></div></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-57946609753484559282012-02-06T20:25:00.001-08:002012-02-06T21:19:25.076-08:00Paleo Pregnancy- SupplementsHere is a little nugget of inspiration from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.primal-palate.com">The Food Lovers' Primal Palate:</a><br /><br />What eating sugar DOES NOT do:<br /><br /><ol><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> make you wrong.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> make you a bad person.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> make you a failure.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> make you worthless.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> mean you don't care about your health.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> mean that you are lazy.</li><li>Eating sugar <b>does not</b> mean that you are not Paleo!</li></ol> <div> What eating sugar DOES do:</div> <ol><li>Eating sugar makes you store body fat.</li><li>Eating sugar makes your skin break out.</li><li>Eating sugar makes you age faster.</li><li>Eating sugar makes you depressed.</li><li>Eating sugar causes more symptoms of pms.</li><li>Eating sugar compromises digestion.</li><li>Eating sugar compromises your immune system.</li></ol><p>I liked it. It sums up why I like to follow the "80/20 rule"- follow good dietary rules most of the time, but allow for a little wiggle room. Like my husband always says, "I care about <span style="font-style: italic;">quality</span> of life, Jennie"- meaning he will not eat broccoli every night for dinner on the off chance he may add three years to his life.</p><p>Balance. Balance.</p><p>On that note, I have decided to forgo the post on exercise. You all know you should exercise. Most of you like to exercise. It is very feasible and even recommended to exercise as much as possible when pregnant. Good for mama's brain, body, and baby.</p><p>But if you don't exercise, don't feel bad. </p><p>Since this series is supposed to be pregnancy-related, I did want to share the supplements I have been taking this time. I have told you how I have struggled with many (minor, really) health issues in pregnancies past and because I am a creature who attempts to make my life as pain-and-problem-free as possible, I wanted to experiment on myself to see what safely makes my body work a little better.</p>First, this:<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41uWzk%2BgVsL._SL500_SS100_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41uWzk%2BgVsL._SL500_SS100_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It is a magnesium citrate powder. Did you know that most Americans get far too much calcium and not enough magnesium? Calcium contracts muscles, excites nerves, and clots blood (in a good way, like in wound healing). Magnesium relaxes muscles, calms nerves, and keep blood flowing. Pregnant women are advised to ingest plenty of calcium, but if the calcium/magnesium balance in the body is off, the result can be a cranky insomniac with crampy legs. Anyone been there? I have, but not this time.<br /><br />Next, this:<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LhZOYOUdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LhZOYOUdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> This is a blend of high vitamin butter oil and fermented cod liver oil. The cod liver oil provides highly absorbable vitamins A, D, and K. Modern diets are deficient in most of these fat-soluble vitamins, because most people are scared of "fat". These vitamins bolster and protect the function of the brain and nerves of mama and baby. The butter oil acts as a catalyst to help your body absorb these fat-soluble vitamins as well as any other vitamins you ingest. Beware: these pills smell and taste like fish. Not so great for a pregnant nose...I would take them with plenty of orange juice!<br /><br />Then, this:<br /><p><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4196MHiMYcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4196MHiMYcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> While I don't think one necessarily needs a "raw" prenatal (in freeze-dried capsule form, really?), I liked this prenatal because it has plenty of folic acid and an easy-on-the-tummy iron formula. It also has a blend of 25 fruits, vegetables, greens, and sea plants. I will continue to take it while I am nursing. While I honestly believe that my diet gives me most of the nutrition my body needs to build a baby, I would never take the chance that I may be missing something of crucial importance. It is a wise decision to begin building up stores of nutrients for months before conception, but please make sure you take a prenatal as well.<br /><br />Apparently my blogging is interfering with one Call of Duty, so I will post more on this later. :)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9158351081970744810.post-54178372985240681772012-01-26T16:32:00.000-08:002012-01-26T21:22:43.536-08:00Paleo Pregnancy- FoodThe first installment in our series is the most important part- food!<br /><br />I chose not to title this post "Paleo Pregnancy- Diet" because really, it is not a diet. It is more like an anti-diet. As my sister-in-law has marvelling lately: "I am not even hungry!" (And she has lost 6 pounds in 10 days!).<br /><br />There are many websites that can accurately explain the nuances of paleo eating. But first and foremost, just for NetRaptor, we shall start with a definition:<br /><blockquote><br />"In simple terms the paleo diet is built from modern foods that (to the best of our ability) emulate the foods available to our pre-agricultural ancestors: Meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers and nuts. On the flip-side we see an omission of grains, legumes and dairy". -Robb Wolf, robbwolf.com</blockquote><a href="http://classroomclipart.com/images/gallery/Dinosaurs/TN_green_Iguadodon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 133px;" src="http://classroomclipart.com/images/gallery/Dinosaurs/TN_green_Iguadodon.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There is not a lot to it.<br /><br />If you have ever thought you would like to cut back on sugar and processed foods, this is a great lifestyle to adopt. If you have never thought you should cut back on sugar and processed foods, please stop reading. It is not my intent to make you feel bad. :)<br /><br />One can do plenty of research to understand the science of health and disease and how food can either positively or negatively impact the body, both immediately and long-term. But most people don't really care about all of that. They just want to feel better, lose weight, and be healthy.<br /><br />So here is how you do it:<br /><br />Stop eating sugar.<br />Stop eating vegetable oils.<br />Stop eating processed foods (anything that comes with its own wrapper).<br /><br />And follow our definition. Consume only "Meat, fish, fowl, vegetables, fruits, roots, tubers and nuts".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But</span>, you may say, <span style="font-style: italic;">What about</span> (x)? <span style="font-style: italic;">How can I give up</span> (x)? And <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> (x) <span style="font-style: italic;">really that bad for me</span>?<br /><br />If you have to ask, the answer is probably: Get rid of it.<br /><br />That is the beauty of eating this way. I don't count points. I don't even count calories. I just eat real, whole, unprocessed foods.<br /><br />So how does this affect the pregnant mama?<br /><br />I did months of research to find out. This is my fourth child and fifth pregnancy in 6 years! The outward effects of such wear and tear are definitely visible, and I was sure there were many things <span style="font-style: italic;">inside</span> my body that were being affected as well. I wanted to make sure my baby was getting the very, very best nutrition that I could afford to give him. I wanted my to treat my own poor body as well as possible, building it back up instead of depleting it of its last resources.<br /><br />I subjected you to a few posts on Dr. Cate Shanahan's Deep Nutrition, and this book served as the springboard into my research. She shows how poor nutrition now can affect one's body in the short term (e.g.- elevated blood sugar, sugar "crashes") and the long-term (diabetes, cancer). She also shows how a poor diet during pregnancy can negatively affect a growing fetus, and how that same poor diet will have lasting implications throughout the child's entire lifespan.<br /><br />I came away with the understanding that I should try to follow these basic rules:<br /><br />Stop eating sugar.<br />Stop eating vegetable oils.<br />Stop eating processed foods (anything that comes with its own wrapper).<br /><br />It was a slow transition, and I don't perfectly follow these rules all of the time. But by drastically cutting back on my consumption of these "empty foods" and filling my body with whole, real food, I can tell a huge difference in how my body feels. I pray that this baby will be the healthiest of the bunch. I have high hopes, but only time will tell.<br /><br />So how are some practical ways this plays out?<br /><br />Instead of the USDA's recommended "fortified cereal with skim milk" for breakfast, I eat three eggs fried in organic butter and an apple.<br /><br />Instead of the "fortified whole-grain bread" with peanut butter and jelly for lunch, I have a whole avocado, some organic roast beef lunchmeat, a few whole carrots, and an orange.<br /><br />Our dinners look similar to the way they have always looked, but I just don't eat the bread. If I serve brown rice, I will occasionally only eat a few tablespoons with an equal amount of butter. Hee hee. Really. But for the most part, I eat a big serving of good protein, a big vegetable salad with a simple olive oil-balsamic-dijon dressing, and a roasted vegetable with lots of butter.<br /><br />I am pretty sure that I eat between 2500-3000 calories a day, much more than the recommended 2300/ day for pregnant women in their second and third trimesters. But I have gained half the weight I usually do. I feel clear-headed and not as hormonal or emotional as I usually do during pregnancy. We will see if I struggle with the terrible insomnia I had after Roman, but my sleep even this late in pregnancy is deep, restful, and solid (oh, praise God!).<br /><br />There truly are an abundance of resources online if you want to research this any further. I figured out that my nutrient/vitamin/mineral profile has far exceeded what it has in pregnancies past, just by changing my diet. I know now that I need good fats in order for my body to synthesize the vitamins it gets through fruits and vegetables. I am certain that I am lacking nothing nutritionally by cutting out breads, cereals, crackers, rice, oats, and the like.<br /><br />From personal anecdotal experience and through plenty of reading, my conclusion is that this is a very healthy way to eat while pregnant and for the rest of my life. Meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It is easy. It is inexpensive. It is do-able if you just decide to do it :) Your body and your baby will be all the better for it.<br /><br />I will be posting more specific meal plans and recipes in the future, but my next two posts will be on an exercise plan during a paleo pregnancy and supplements during a paleo pregnancy.<br /><br />Here are some resources if you want to poke around:<br /><br /><a href="http://robbwolf.com/2011/09/29/what-is-the-paleo-diet/">What is the Paleo Diet?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://everydaypaleo.com/category/food/">What are Some Recipes to Get Me Started?</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/category/success-story-summaries/#axzz1kdJUJknr">What Are Some Real-Life Stories I Can Read?</a>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11038172280482818723noreply@blogger.com4