New Year, New Blog

Wow, my last entry was last May! I don't know why I fell off the radar. Work, kids, husband, life?

Quick update: Andrew is 6 1/2 and in 1st grade and doing so well. Adam is 4 in pre-k and is growing too fast. I decided to get back into the blogging world to share my thoughts and wisdom on autism, parenting, discipline, eczema, and gluten-free - to name a few.  Things that I have learned so much about and things that have helped me and my family.

Up first: Gluten-Free and the product of the day

I decided to put Andrew on a 100% gluten-free diet for two reasons. 1. to help with the behaviors associated with autism spectrum and 2. with his eczema that he has had since birth.  Gluten is found in everything bread, pasta, lunch meat, chips, anything processed. It acts as a poison to kids who cannot digest it.  It has really affected Andrew's eczema too. he scratches non-stop until there is blood and his skin is extremely dry.

I have swapped out almost everything for gluten-free. I have tried new things like pastas and breads with no gluten and they taste fine, a little different in texture but good. Udi is a great brand for breads, and quinoa pasta is awesome too.  So far Andrew has accepted our new gluten free life style and you know what? The behaviors have gone down. He's much more compliant and easy going. And the eczema - nearly gone. Amazing.

I did some research on gluten and household products too. For a long time I thought Dove was the best thing for Andrew. Lately though, he's been telling me his skin stings in the bath. I read that the makers of Dove strip the soap of glycerin the ingredient that is needed to moisturize skin. Therefore drying out his skin even more!

So began my hunt for a better soap. I read many good things about goats milk soap or anything that has glycerin in it or palm oils. I found great products at sprouts. The other thing that I have been using is coconut oil. I put this on Andrew morning and night. All over his body, then his medicated lotions for the really red spots and then albolene over his whole body to seal in everything.

It's been two weeks since we have started gluten-free, glycerin soap and coconut oil. Andrew's skin has improved so much. He is less itchy, less redness, the dry skin has gone away and his skin is actually soft!!!

Product of the day:

Coconut oil

Been awhile

Time flies. Where have I been? What has been going on? Oh the same stuff as always. Raul traveling, working, being a mommy, a referee, wiping tears, keeping the kids busy. March and April were busy but fun. We had a small Easter lunch at our house, went to church and had an easter egg hunt. We've started attending church regulary now since Andrew has been asking questions about god and religion and didn't know what a church was. The kids enjoy going to church and get upset when we miss it. So now it's church on Sundays and a family activity afterwards.

Here's a picture of Adam at school. The Easter Bunny came to visit, and yeah, my kid is the only one crying.

April we celebrated Andrew's 6th birthday. I can't believe this kid is 6. He has gotten taller and his looks are changing. He has two loose teeth. Along with him getting taller, he has matured a bit too. Long gone are the huge tantrums we used to have, although one will pop up out of the blue but nothing like before. He is doing so well with processing why he's angry and calming down on his own. He knows it's not the end of the world if we turn the tv off before bubble guppies is over.  Now Adam on the other hand. He's my fire cracker. The two's were a breeze...the three's? oh boy. This little fire cracker has a temper and will let you know it! But I love his personality and his poutiness when he get's angry.

Andrew on the zip line at his birthday party





As for me, i've been busy with my little cake pop side job. I've had a few fun orders. I made these baseball cake pops for a friend at work.

Imagination.

Adam loves, loves his "guys." Guys meaning all his action figures like batman, Star Wars, and Transformers. He will go and get the "guys" almost everyday and create some kind of scenario. My favorite was last night when he told me batman was dead. I looked, and all the star wars guys were in a circle around batman. He didn't tell me how batman died, but it was a serious moment.

Andrew, who is just in Kindergarten, had to write his first book report this week. He had to write the title, author, draw and write his favorite part of the book. Not too stressful, but still a book report! Of course the book he picked was Star Wars. Of course his favorite part was when the people were fighting.

What a week.

Raul got back on Sunday from a 5 day trip only to leave yesterday. He'll be back on Sunday. Then, he leaves again next Thursday for 17 days, holy hell. Thank god my neighbor stocked me up with xanax. Seriously, it's not thaaat bad. The kids are awesome. I stocked up on art supplies and fun stuff to keep them busy. The thing that is hard is the fighting. oh the fighting. These two boys will fight over a piece of lint.

I have about three reward charts going to keep things running smoothly and lots of reinforcements when good behavior is presented.  Hopefully Grandma will step it up and take Andrew for a night or two. Adam attempted to stay the night at Grandmas last Saturday. He packed his bag and everything only to call me at 9 pm to come pick him up, oy! So, I picked up Adam and then dropped off Andrew and all was good.

I'm not scared of 17 days all by myself. Well, check back with me in a few weeks. I may be curled up in a fetal position.

Happy Friday.

Sad.

My best friend at work left Ryland yesterday. She found an awesome job as a personal assistant. I'm so happy for her, but so sad too. She has been my rock and seen me through dark days at work. Not only a good friend, but a mentor and a mom to me with advice that I will take with me forever. Work will never be the same. Martha's perosnality and sense of humor was one of a kind and this woman was so creative! I will miss her terribly, but wish her the best.

9.3

I woke up a few weeks ago and realized, it's 2012.  I started at Ryland (my job) 9/30/02. This September will be 10 years! I ran to my boss and she looked in the system and sure enough I've been here 9.3 years. The good news, I get 4 weeks vacation that's sweet. The bad news, what the hell have I done in 9.3 years. Oh yeah, got married and had kids. I keep thinking of things I wanted to do: go back to school to get my B.A., get back into my make up career (yes, I wanted to be a make up artist) and do more baking hoping I could get a little biz started.  Hopefully I can still achieve those dreams. I'm only ... 38, eek!

Happy New Year

It's been awhile. Christmas was fun, but hectic. The boys got everything they wanted. I think we may have bought too much, but the smile on their faces were worth it. Andrew kept saying, "this was on my list, this was on my list." Very cute. 

New Years was mellow. Raul and I went to dinner as we always do on New Years and were home just before midnight to toast and ring in the New Year with the kids.

My birthday was yesterday. 38. Can't believe it. I'll be embracing my 40's soon.

Some new years resolutions:
As always to be healthy and try to loose 10 lbs
Be more patient with the kids. They are only little once.
To start taking the kids to church on a regular basis. I would like them to have a good foundation of God. Plus, Andrew keeps asking about god, and religion.  Andrew, "what is that building over there?" Me, "A church" Andrew, "what's a church?

Happy New Year.