Progress!

Cashton has officially been gluten free for a full week with only one little "oopsie" when sweet Tony surprised the kids with a donut on Tuesday morning! Whether or not it's completely contributing to his behavior change, I do feel like it's helping his belly. TMI, but he was going #2 a few times a day and now it's just once and I don't hear any complaints from him. His doc appt is next week to start testing allergies, etc.

A HUGE difference I've noticed while keeping him gluten free is that his night terrors have stopped completely! Before switching his diet, we were going two weeks strong with him waking up, acting delusional and screaming. I would have to sleep with him in the guest room just to get him to go back to bed. He was convinced he was hearing noises and seeing monsters in the window, etc., but not any longer! (Another thing that might be helping that is we put his mattress in Lakely's floor so he could sleep with her. He had been asking to sleep WITH her in the bed and she freaked out, (don't blame her), so we have his bed on the floor next to hers, ha! It's working for now, but will hopefully get him back in his room shortly.

Now for the BIG news. This is a LIFE CHANGER for those that might be dealing with behavior issues and aren't having much luck. First and foremost though, remember that every child is different. Once you've done that, read this article:
www.naturalchild.org
Search: When It Falls Apart

I'll preface it with it being extremely difficult to get started and execute, but it has made an impact like you wouldn't believe. Prior to parenting the way described in the article, when Cash would act up, yell, hit, whatever, he would be sent to the time-out chair or in his room for 3 minutes. Well, not any longer. We now try and talk to him, let him get his anger out and then lead him to something that is distracting to help clear his thoughts and calm him down. Honestly, I used to think parents were nuts letting their kids get to that "point of no return" and still remaining calm. I would just want to step in and start yelling....but what the heck does that do?! I mean really. YOU, as the parent, are their examples for everything! If/when you get angry with them or anything for that matter, they're watching. They are going to mirror your tone and behavior and then before you know it, you're in a yelling match with a preschooler. A counselor reminded me it takes two to argue, so just end the "argument" immediately but not getting upset and raising your voice. IT IS SO HARD. The process from start to finish with any tantrum feels like decades. You'll be late to events, meetings, playdates. But let me tell you, it is working!!!!! The funny thing about this technique is it is going against everything that the DOCTORS/NURSES told me to do. They actually suggested removing him from the situation, ignore the erratic behavior (because he's looking for a reaction), and then secluding him in an area where he can calm down. This isn't for our son. We did this and I truly believe it made it worse and created anxiety.

Yesterday was a milestone for sure. We were on the cusp of only two tantrums and both ended on a good note. I was able to calm him down with distraction, talking and hugs. We had been dealing with several BIG, long-lasting tantrums per day (I can't even remember how many we experienced last Saturday!!) So I would officially declare yesterday as a tantrum-free day!!! HOORAY!!!

Answered prayer!....(I think!)

I'm just a horrible blogger. I've been MIA (again) for 9 months...this time will be different though, at least for a little while. My original idea was to write a journal, but having my daily/weekly updates all in one spot just seems to make sense, so I'm baaacccckkkkk!

Extremely long story short, we've been having behavior problems with Cash and just yesterday one of my many prayers was answered. I was once again at my breaking point. I had been yelled at since the moment I picked him up from school. Nothing I said or did was what he wanted to hear and in turn, he would lash out and scream horrible things. I walked away and headed upstairs to get my head on straight before I addressed the latest tantrum of the day. I got on my knees and prayed as loudly as I could begging for relief and answers to help my "angry child." I took a few deep breaths and headed back to face the monster. The VERY moment I landed on the last stair, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I ran over to my IPad and googled it. The 2nd to the top post nailed it; Angry Boy. I clicked on it and post after post was from parents experiencing the same behavior from their young children. Drum roll......gluten intolerance. Whether Cash has Celiac's or not, (he's getting an appointment to an allergist), we are going to try it out. It certainly won't hurt him and if we can get SOME relief, we're winning!!!

From that point on, he's been without gluten. We went straight to the store after picking up Lakely and I loaded our buggy with all sorts of incredibly expensive food for him to try. I called it his special food so he would think it was too good for any of us. Fast forward into the evening, we had an interesting bedtime situation that ended up pretty stellar. For the past two weeks, he has been sleeping in the guest room and having night terrors. Last night Tony was working on convincing him to get back in his own bed so Cash agreed....sorta. His mattress is now in Lakely's bedroom floor! Low and behold, without any gluten for half the day, especially at dinner, and with him in the same room as Lakely, Cash slept through the night!!!! HUGE SUCCESS!

Today was the first full day without the poison and he did wonderfully. I told his teacher (even though he's apparently an angel at school), and gave her a baggie of chocolate goodies to give him if another student brought in cupcakes or something. At least he could have something special too!

We only had a couple of very minor meltdowns today. One instance was him refusing to get his shoes on to go pick up Lakely from school so he went barefoot. I definitely got several looks having him walk over to the pick-up area without shoes, but I just flashed a smile with a look that dared them to ask a question or give me grief. No one did.

This evening we went to his soccer practice and for the FIRST time since the season began he participated! He had a great time, no whining and acted excited about the upcoming game this weekend. I couldn't be more proud!!

Tonight, I put him to bed in Lakely's room again and we'll just hope for the best that we all get a good night's rest!
Cheers to a great day tomorrow!!

Two years behind....Whoops!

A lot has occurred in the two years I've been MIA from Blogspot, that's for sure! Over a year ago we finally found a home we love here in VA and pulled the trigger on purchasing it, (it only took four years and three homes later, but we're settled now;). Lakely has started Kindergarten and Cash is loving his classroom in PreK-2, two half days a week. We're pleased with the schools thus far, hope it can continue without having to go the private school route; we'll see! Tony is still with Sumitomo (9 yrs already- insane!), and I've just completed my first year of instructing Stroller Strides for Fit4Mom. Sweet Famous turned 8 in October and she's proven to be the ideal dog for our family. She's consistantly patient with Cash, which is tough, and is by far our best "listener."

To sum up 2014, we took a trip to Mexico, Cashy turned two, Lakely turned five, we went to see several concerts, took a trip to DC for my birthday since I had never been before, took a trip back to Charleston, visited ATL, had ATL family and some dear friends from SC come and stay, my bestie and her boyfriend came over from Germany, renovated our downstairs to add hardwood floors, and enjoyed the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in our own home. Whew! It didn't seem like that much when we were in the process of it all, but 2014 was a pretty busy year for us!

Here's to a happy, healthy, prosperous 2015!!! Stay tuned for pictures!

Cashdawg is 9 MONTHS OLD!

It's really hard to fathom my infant son rapidly appoaching the one year mark. Actually, I can't stand it. Some days, I catch myself saying that I can't wait for him to do this, or do that...but really I CAN. He's my youngest, he's my baby, he's my BOY. Before Cashton, I didn't understand what my MIL would mean when saying there was something different about a Mother's love for a son, but it's true. Don't get me wrong, Lakely could walk on water, but there is something about the twinkle in Cashton's eye that is certain to benefit his chances of getting what he wants when he gets older. (Or now, whichever ;) Anywho, here are some fun photos from the past month and of course the fun facts: -Weight: 24 lbs -Height: 29 inches -Teeth: 2.5 top/ 2 bottom -Diapers: Size 4 -Clothes: 12 months -Shoes: Size 4 -Bottles: 4-5 (LOVES his bottles) -Meals: 3 meals per day -Fave Snack: Puffs -Naps: 1 hr AM nap and 1 hr PM nap (if I'm lucky) -Bedtime: Around 7:00 (it was 5:00...thank goodness we got THAT adjusted!) Likes: He loves to be pushed in his car, swing, climb stairs, chase his sister in his walker, pull up on ANYTHING, play peek-a-boo, open/close doors and drawers, look out the window, play in the playroom, chew on books, feed the dog his snacks, push the step stool around the kitchen, and of course LAUGHING! Dislikes: He does not enjoy getting his diaper changed, getting dressed, being strapped into his carseat, waiting for a bottle, having something (dangerous) taken away from him, and baths are hit or miss. Love from Cousin Ava! Building and banging His buddy, Luke Aunt Sharon! With Papaw and Cousin Kiley More swinging :) Proud of his eggplant Caught gazing out of the window LOVE!

2012 Wrap-up!

It's honestly been so long I can't remember what all I've missed so I'll just have to tell our story with pictures! A quick synopsis: Tony turned 30 on 11/24, we had Thanksgiving at our house with Tony's parents, Cashton turned 7 months 11/28, we had Christmas at the beach house in early December with the Barletts, we had Christmas at our house with my Mom and Steve, Cashton turned 8 months on 12/28, and now we're nearing the end of January! (Actually he's 9 months today, but I haven't had the chance to get his mug shot yet ;)

Closing out October!

We had a delightful October this year, complete with a visit from Maga for Halloween! It was great to spend some quality time with my Mom and of course have a set of extra hands to help with the kids ;) We took Lakely Trick-or-Treating this year and she thoroughly enjoyed herself! She only had to visit a couple of houses to get warmed up and then she was on a roll. Luckily, she hasn't asked for any more of her candy since that night because Tony and me, or just me really, have housed it! Once I start, I can't stop...it's terrible. Lil dude turned 6 months old too! 20 pounds & 28 inches of love (75%wt. and 95%ht.) Hurricane activity to pass the time- pretty fun ;) Parker's birthday party Story time @ school School Partay!! Children's museum- awesome! Sibling love :) LOOK WHO IS SITTING UP!!! Three Generations

Fall "Festibidals"

A.K.A. Fall festivals; can't knock her for trying ;) Needless to say, our family loves this time of year! It's full of perfect temperatures for playing outside, great smells from the fall candles, pumpkin patches and hayrides, and best of all THE FAIR- MY FAVORITE! Before I get into all the fun we've had thus far in October, I have to mention that my little man turned 5 months (almost a month ago), so I can't forget to post his nursery mug shot first! He's growing like a weed! He weighed in at 18 pounds the morning of his 5 month b'day. He goes for a check-up in a week and I'm so anxious to see where his percentages are now. Back to our October fun. Our first big weekend was when the Peanut Festival came to town, which is my personal fav. Lakely enjoyed too; more than we ever imagined! She got on a ride by herself AND did the big pirate ship with me. Who would of thought?! Then, we went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch with all of my Stroller Stride moms. It was fun but certainly difficult to pick the perfect one given the huge selection! Sumitomo also had a family event at work the following weekend. Lakely thought that this was how Daddy's work was all the time. I asked her last Friday what she wanted to do because Tony had taken the day off to have a fun with us...she asked to go to Daddy's work again. Haha! Lastly, we took a trip to Clarke's Farm, a place we've taken Lakely since she was one. They have a huge pumpkin that's fun to get a picture with and see how much the kiddos grow from year to year!