After much discussion Sean and I decided before we medicate Connor we would first try a natural solution. So we began all 4 little's plus myself on the GF/CF diet. That's the Gluten free, Casein (dairy) free diet. It's recommended for autistic children but there are a whole lot of other "issues" that can benefit from it as well. We've kept Kyalynn from dairy for some time due to seeing an increase in her autistic behaviors. They have been eating this way for 3 weeks now. At first it was a bit challenging to figure out how to make this all fly but I'm very pleased with how well they are doing with it. For our Thanksgiving meal I just took out some corn and potatoes before they were buttered for the little's and doctored them with our dairy free butter. They did ask for grandma's yummy fudge but I told them it had dairy and gave them the cupcakes I had made for them instead. I am baking every day now as I make everything instead of buying it for them. The GF/CF foods already prepared you can buy are very expensive and that's not an option for us right now. Actually, I'm rather enjoying it. It takes more time and effort but I feel so good knowing we are giving this a chance and I know God will bless it. I feel so Betty Crocker cooking away in the kitchen. LOL! And of course, I have many willing helpers too! :)
As for if we are seeing any changes, we are. Kyalynn seems so much more calm overall and her ability to speak in sentences is improving greatly! She was actually having a conversation with Sean yesterday and it just blessed his socks off! :)
We haven't seen alot of change in Connor yet but we aren't giving up hope!
The most change we've seen so far has been in Gabriella. I am not kidding when I say that EVERY night at supper Gabriella would scream and yell because she didn't want to eat what I made. Basically, all she eats is chicken nuggets, fish sticks and peanut butter. Whenever she is asked to eat anything outside of that list she would go ballistic. It made dinner time so much fun! (read sarcasm here) I'm sure she has sensory issues but she also has a very strong will. LOL! We began the diet on a Monday and for the next 2 1/2 weeks she would eat her meal EVERY NIGHT without so much as a whine! I'm talking the same foods the rest of us were eating. We praised her and at night during her bedtime prayers she would say "Thank you that Gabi didn't scream at supper". When talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas and what we can give to God she decided that she could give God the gift of her eating her supper without screaming and a happy heart as a gift of thanks to Him. It's been so peaceful during meal time now! I will admit that there has been about 3 nights that she has cried and fussed about the food but is still required to eat it, which she does but only if I feed it to her. I keep praying that this will become the norm around here.....no screaming at mealtime for our digestion's sake and for our sanity. :)
We have a goal that we will have the little's eat this way for 3 months and if we don't see any improvements we will go back to our regular diet. Honestly, I hope we don't. The kids are eating so much healthier now and I feel God's pleasure when I'm cooking and baking away in the kitchen. Although, that piece of fudge does smell pretty enticing, my GF/CF cupcakes are pretty divine themselves! LOL!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Special Diet for Special Kids....
Monday, November 30, 2009
This Boy Has Talent....
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that HE AND ERICKA ARE ENGAGED?! Yeppers! The date is set for March 2011. Just look at them, aren't they gorgeous together?!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
EEK!
I am soooo far behind. I can't believe I didn't blog Kyalynn's 7th birthday yet. To say there's always alot going on here is an understatement! :)
So without further ado, Kyalynn's special day.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I am ....
Monday, November 23, 2009
Never a Dull Moment...
Zack has been having an intense headache since Friday morning. No cold, no fever, nothing else but pain. Of course persuading him to go to the hospital or the doctor is harder than pulling a crocodiles tooth! LOL!
Then last night we had a full house and as Sean and I were doing nightly bedtime rituals with the little's Ryan was playing airplane with Nolan. (You know, you lay on the floor with your feet up in the air and the child lays across them and flies.) Anyhow, Ryan got a leg cramp and Nolan started to fall and Ryan grabbed his arm and voila instant pain for Nolan. He cried non-stop for a long time. That is VERY unusual for our sweet boy. He is such a happy joy and if he cries is easily consoled but there was no consoling him last night. We felt his bones and looked him over and everything looked fine but he wouldn't move his right arm so we had the older boys take over the bedtime routine with the little's so we could take Nolan to the hospital. I did try calling the pediatrician but the Dr. on call had an answering machine message stating that they were so busy with flu cases that if you left a message it could be a 2 hour wait for a phone call! So, off we went to the ER. He was so stiff and still and wouldn't talk, smile or snuggle. Not like my boy at all. The Dr. took one look at it said it was most likely nursemaid's elbow (the tendon gets pulled off the bone/dislocated elbow) manipulated it quickly and he was good as new. Within in minutes he was using his arm and wanting to walk around and check things out. Soon he was doing a little dance entertaining Sean and I. LOL! By the time we reached the car he was playing peek-a-boo and laughing and talking. He didn't want to go to bed when we got home and it was after 11:00 until he was asleep! We are so thankful he is just fine and to hear him happy laugh again!
This morning Zack didn't go to work (which is a HUGE deal for him) so I knew his head was still hurting. Did I mention he's had blurry vision, lack of appetite, sharp pains in his head? Yea, this mom was done. I called Dr. set up appointment and he's on his way there now. Praying for discernment for the Dr. and that Zack tells them all about the pain, and above so they can have an accurate assessment.
So, that's our morning so far....like I said, never a dull moment. Hey, at least I haven't had any RAD issues to deal with yet today! Woo Hoo that means it COULD be a GOOD day!!! Thank you Jesus!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Getting My Brag On....
Ryan is an all around amazing kid. Not only is he a great big brother to the little's, he and Zack share a very cool brother bond as well. In fact, up until a couple years ago they were best friends. They are very different from one another in temperament and in talents, so they compliment each other that way.
These pictures are from vacation this year and it's just Ryan doing his normal big brother thing with the little's.
