Our Incredible Journey

I haven't updated on our {now} 5 year old in some time & I have fantastic news for you all!

So, back in April we received the "diagnosis" of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder & ADHD. Wow! As you may recall, I was relieved to know what was going on, but SO overwhelmed. 

Well, we've kept up with his digestional supplements, Gluten-free diet,  no dyes, limited processing. It's a lot, to say the least. BUT... We have seen a huge improvement in his digestion as well as behavior! He is having fewer outburts, and we can occasionally talk him down from the small ones. Now, he is not where I feel he should be by any means, but the good news is THERE IS IMPROVEMENT!

In addition to all that the alternative doctor suggested, we have also begun a few other routines:

• An amber necklace to reduce any inflammation in his body. 

• Chamomile drops 3x a day to calm/soothe him both mentally & internally

• A Himalayan salt lamp to combat the charged ions in our home

• Essential oils with various purposes; Lavender was our go-to previously. Now we also use a blend called "peaceful child" at various times during the day, as well as a blend called "balance"(a grounding blend) that we diffuse throughout the night. 

I feel like all these things are helping us to maintain what could become a very difficult situation. We are beginning to see the *light* in his eyes again. We are starting to see his personality return from the neutral state it was in. 

I feel like the biggest leap recently has been socially. He still can't handle large groups of people, but he is playing with other children besides his siblings & 1 best friend for the first time EVER. He's looking into people's faces that he knows as they talk to him. If you have ever met a child like our 5 year old, you know this is a big deal! 

I just feel so blessed that we get to walk through this together as a family! It's brought us all together in a way that I never would have inagined!

Our next step is to conquer the root of his current, aggressive behavior & outbursts. They are not happening as often, but it seems as though they have gotten more intense. Also, the ADHD that I was so surprised about... has become SUPER obvious! So, we are working with our chiropractor, and took a hair strand test last week. In a few more weeks we will have the results regarding hormone levels, body functions, and potential toxicity. I am really looking forward to seeing the results!

Thanks to everyone who has been supporting us & praying for us! Keep it up!! We are gaining ground, but still have a daily battle to face. 

The Best Summer Ever

Tomorrow it will be 1 month since our "summer" officially began. I've been thinking lots about how fun summer should be for a kid. I remember how fun it was when I was a kid. 

My mom always kept us super busy with fun stuff:

Library Day, Pool Day, Movie Night... 

and the rest of the time was spent at camp, outside riding bikes, playing baseball & softball, eating Popsicles, running through the sprinkler...

Summer was the best!

I didn't sit inside on an iPad, or watching Netflix. Haha! They didn't exist! 

After reading this a few weeks ago, I became even more committed to making the most of our summer. 

http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/05/07/how-to-miss-a-childhood/

Childhood only last for a short time! I don't want my children to miss out on the things I remember so fondly!

I'm determined to teach my kids how to do normal childhood things like jump rope, play hopscotch, and skip rocks. I'm sure we will still watch tv shows & play Angry Birds, but the point is that we are consciously making a decision regarding the intent of our free time! 

So I sat down with my kiddos, and we started writing down all the things we wanted to do before school starts in September. They don't know what a "bucket list" is really, so they think it's like a sand bucket. But regardless, here's what we put together:

We also all worked together to make a list of the Top 5 things we wanted to work on this summer: learning to tie shoes, organizing the Legos, no more potty accidents, etc.

We've already checked a bunch of things off our list after only a couple weeks! I can't wait to look back & call this the Best Summer Ever!

What about you all? Do you have a summer list? Share your favorite summer activities & get the conversation going!

Don't BLINK!

My sweet mother sent this to me in a facebook message. She sends me a lot of kind "mommy" posts that might inspire me or make me laugh at the life I lead. Most of the time it works. She found this little tidbit shared by a friend of a friend of a friend, and I really think it captures the true essence of "mommy-hood" as I know it.

I shall not judge my house, my kid’s summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest’s standards.

I shall not measure what I’ve accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I’ve tickled into my kids

I shall say “yes” to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we’re building.

I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.

I shall not compare myself to other mothers, but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.

I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.

I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.

I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.

I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.

I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children – out loud, especially in front of my daughter.

I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.

I shall do my best to admit to my people my “unfine” moments.

I shall say “sorry” when sorry is necessary.

I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.

I shall make space in my grown up world for goofball moments with my kids.

I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.

I shall model kind words – to kids and grown-ups alike.

I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan – this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.

I shall always make time to encourage new moms.

I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they’ll all be in college.

So, today my dear mommy friends...

Let's build a fort, forget the trash in the van and the unfolded laundry, and tickle that love right into our precious kiddos! And above all else, don't blink! 

Where We Are

Today I am writing from the laundry room. It is also the pantry. It is also the room where all the crap hangs out... in many forms... the diaper pail is straight across from me!
Needless to say, I'm feeling quite inspired this morning!

So, last week we were struggling. I was feeling a little hopeless with this new regimen for our 4 year old, finishing up our homeschool year, our 7 year old beginning the craziness of baseball season, working on my childbirth educator certification... the list could go on. These are all things I feel we are supposed to be doing. I was just feeling stretched!

Then Wednesday happened. I can't explain it. Our 4 year old just woke up in a great mood!
That NEVER happens!
He was sweet, patient, kind; the little boy I hadn't seen in quite a while.
It was an amazing day. We had a few little meltdowns, but I was able to talk him through it! I stuck with the normal routine. I didn't push the little things, as usual, like socks or matching clothes. He even ASKED to do school!
Again let me remind you...
THAT NEVER HAPPENS!

I tried not to get my hopes up, but I definitely enjoyed the day.
I was expecting an absolutely awful day on Thursday.
It couldn't happen again...
But it did!!!
Then it happened again on FRIDAY!

Please understand, these are not perfect days. These are not even "normal kid" kinda days. But I can honestly say that he was on HIS best behavior about 75% of the time.
HIS best is all I'm shooting for at this point! Any glimmer of hope is accepted!

Weekends are always rough, especially if there's anything out of the ordinary. This last Saturday we had a birthday party... which I have to always prepare myself for the aftermath. He did really great. His usual 15 minutes at a time with the other kids would be followed by another 15 minutes inside by himself. It was a normal party for him. However, what was also normal for us was the exit. I am so glad we were with friends who understand! haha! We left that party with a moaning 4 year old draped across my shoulder.

Then we had church the next morning...

So I say all of this as a precursor for this morning. Today, no one woke up in a good mood, in particular a little 4 year old I know. 30 minutes ago, I'm in the bathroom with kids screaming outside the door:
"I want juice!" "I want breakfast!"
The 1 year old was chanting my name:
"Ma-ma! Ma-ma! Ma-ma!"

It was like before a football game when the players run onto the field... the fog, the lights, the fans chanting their names...
Except I certainly do not get paid like that!

Today, I am getting paid in poopy diapers, time outs, math worksheets, a whole lot of dirty laundry, & hopefully a really big coffee.
No judgements.
It's just where we are!

Every Once In A While I'm a Genius...

Once upon a time, I had lots of free time to think. Clearly this was when I only had a couple of little ones. In fact, once we had #3 free time was long gone.

When I use to have a spare moment, I would come up with brilliant ideas for decorating, organizing & things like that. Pinterest didn't exist. I was my own Pinterest. Well, now things are different. Now I don't have time for thinking. I barely have time for Pinterest. Especially since the baby is starting to nurse less during the day. I really only get to sit & nurse (therefore getting to think for 15 minutes) twice during the day anymore. He still nurses twice in the evening/bedtime hours & at night a couple times. We aren't planning on weaning anytime soon.

But this isn't a post about extended breastfeeding! Haha! I promise!

This is a celebratory post, today! This last week, I had a GENIUS IDEA! We have a real problem with mail at our house. There isn't a good "office" space in our downstairs, so our kitchen becomes the main hub where bills, calendars, keys, school, coupons, etc all reside.

Mail wasn't getting sorted. Bills were getting lost. As a result, they were not getting paid on time. Bad news...

One day, however, it hit me as I was making breakfast. "These oatmeal containers would fit envelopes really well." Wait... Mail comes in envelopes! BRILLIANT!

I went to my "trash collecting" area in the garage. I have every container we've ever purchased food in. There are egg cartons, yogurt cups, paper towel rolls, Happy Baby puffs containers, and much, much more. There are also approximately 20 oatmeal containers. I keep this stuff for crafts, and I'm so glad I did.

Here's the finished product. I hung them with 3m strips. It's still in need of labels & if I could do it again I would cover the outsides of the cans with some sort of paper. In fact, I might re-do it that way in the future. But for now, the piles of mail are under control, and I'm a happy momma. Not only did I have this marvelous idea, but I FINISHED IT! Now that's saying something.

A very big day...

Yesterday was a big day!

It was the long-awaited appointment for our son with the alternative doctor. 

I stayed up late Sunday night typing up his 3-day food diary, a chronological history of his life including (but not limited to) symptoms, and a page with our main concerns & goals. 

I woke up yesterday morning with a migraine, but brushed it off as best as I could because 

I couldn’t let anything else distract me. 

This day was about my sweet boy.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. We had opinions on a “diagnosis”, but nothing from anyone we actually wanted to work with. This doctor, in our opinion, was the expert on kids behavior disorders & treating them holistically, as opposed to medically. To be going to her and getting what was, in our opinion, the real diagnosis… definitely scary, but exciting.

We sat in her office, talking about his life. When she asked about vaccinations, and I told her about the reactions he had at 2,4,6 months& again at 15 months (the usual DTap, MMR, Chicken Pox) she said… “Wow! Youguys are so lucky he isn’t completely autistic!” 

*Especially considering the antibiotic he was put on at that same 15 month appointment 

for an ear infection. Talk about a compromised immune system!

At one point I was starting to feel really guilty, and I just felt my son lean his head on my shoulder, 

as if to say, “It’s ok mommy”. 

Then she started on what we’ve been doing to deal with the struggles. We took away Gluten, most sugars, all dyes; we give him lavender or an Essential Oils blend called “Peaceful Child” at least 2 or 3 times a day; we give him chamomile drops in his water twice a day. That’s when I started to feel ok.

She was so relieved that we weren’t started from ground zero with him. 

She commended us for going with our gut when we suspected Gluten intolerance. 

She was impressed with our use of oils & herbs. 

She was extremely pleased with the reduced sugars and dyes, 

telling us this is usually shocking news to most parents. 

PHEW! What a relief! 

Sometimes you just need a good pat on the back! Sometimes, as a mom, you need to hear someone other than your husband tell you you’re making the right choices. 

I knew we had been doing good things, but it often felt like just a whirlwind of options that all 

could be right for our son.  

When you’re in the middle of a storm and the rain is blowing sideways, 

it’s hard to tell if you’re umbrella’s working or not… IT’S ALL SO WET! 

So, basically we found out that our umbrellas were working!

What is going on? Well we were right that our son does have Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

He also has ADHD. I was a little shocked by this, because he is not outwardly hyperactive. He has trouble sitting still and is very boisterous, but I know ADHD kids & it didn’t look like my son. 

The way she explained it was genius. 

His ADHD all takes place inside. 

He is never at rest. So much that all his body’s systems are moving at such a fast-paced rate that they aren’t processing things properly. His digestive system is a wreck, because his body is essentially heating up everything as it passes through due to such rapid activity.

We are treating him with herbs, supplements, digestive enzymes & probiotics… right down my alley! 

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this little guy. 

He is overflowing with potential, and we are just using natural remedies 

to help his body begin to heal it self. 

Our goal is to help him succeed in life, 

with as few struggles as possible…

For now that means I have 4 boxes on my counter dividing his drops & supplements 

by morning, evening, bedtime, mealtimes. 

A little overwhelming, but I am really looking forward to the 

journey we are starting right now!

Keep following Everyday Is Laundry Day for updates on our ASD/ADHD journey…

The Color Blue

Today is my first blog back after the Easter & Passover holidays. I decided I needed a break for a couple weeks. I needed time to re-group.

We have been on this roller-coaster in the past year with our middle son. He is 4 1/2, and has lots of behavioral and social delays on the Autism Spectrum. We are in the very beginning of this process with him. It took me a good 6 months to even use the term "Autism Spectrum Disorder". I felt like if I acknowledged what we were dealing with that I was "labeling" him. I had been carrying around this burden for months, years even; since he first started behaving differently than other kids his age. I felt responsible, almost guilty, for what was happening to my son! There were several moments that I felt had contributed. As parents, it's hard to see your child struggle, and to think that a decision you made could have started it all is often too much. It was for me! The reality though, was that I needed to give it a name. Giving it a name would allow me to start helping him recover.

I truly believe that he will recover. I have already seen changes since we began certain routines. We have kept him on a strictly Gluten-free diet, and noticed a significant difference within about 3 days, then again at 2 weeks. He's still at that same place now, but any little change is a big one when you're walking through this with your child. We have just begun to dive into all the Essential Oils options, and have an appointment with a natural, alternative doctor next week.

I am still hopeful. I look forward to the day that he can walk into a room full of other children and not have an anxiety attack. I can't wait to see him have meaningful relationships someday. Sheesh- I look forward to the first day there's not a screaming meltdown over someone talking to him while he's playing! He will do those things. He will do more!

Today as I am writing this, it is Autism Awareness Day. Last year this day meant nothing. Today, however, I am completely aware. This disorder has become a part of my daily life. The motto for the Autism Awareness Month is "Light It Up Blue". People everywhere are wearing blue, putting blue lightbulbs in, and spreading the word that these children are just as "bright" as every other child... just a different light. It holds a special place in my heart, because my special boy's FAVORITE color, to the point of obsession, is BLUE! How perfect is that?! How perfect is he!