We moved!

That's right! We moved into our own apartment and out of my in-laws basement. Took us long enough ;) I'm also in school going for CNA :)

The BIG cleanup. Round two.

I don't recall if I posted about round one. Either way, you probably remember my post about Moo having lead poisoning. A City health inspector came out and took samples. We found out that we have a high concentration of lead in our dust and we need to clean it up. This was back in December. We also have a support beam that needs to be painted over, and much more dust that needs to be cleaned up.

Now, being a stay at home mom with two kids three and under and a cat (more like a tiger) means that I have quite the mess on my hands. Always. Today I pretty much organized the unorganized, and at least made things look orderly. I still need to wash dishes (in my bathroom) which can't get done until the kids are fast asleep. I also need to mop, sweep, and put the slipcovers on the couches (which requires the strength of my husband!). The last load of laundry is in the washer.

The laundry room is a different story, as is the crawlspace under the stairs. My husband had to work all day and I obviously couldn't do it. His parents were watching TV all day (remember, it's their house, and these areas aren't ours) so the cleanup started about two hours ago when he got home from work. His father and grandfather are helping him, so that's good

tbc..

All Over the Place

I'm just spinning right now. I'm not 100% sure of the Aspergers diagnosis. The pediatrician didn't do a thorough interview/eval. I hope that the Occupational Therapist will do a better job. I know there's something up with N. I don't know if it's sensitive kid+introvert mixed together, or what. Something is not right. Not to say something is WRONG with her, but something is just different. I want her to be happy, confident, and to love herself. I don't see any of that right now. I've put the SpiritedAspieGirl blog on hold for now. Maybe.

Also, the City (I find it sad that we call them The City like we're talking about a holy entity. Yay for anarchy.) called and said they're coming Monday to check our lead issues again. Back in November (I believe it was November, lol) they came and took samples and said we have a high concentration of lead in our dust. So we've cleaned. We just need to do some hardcore organizing tonight and over the rest of the weekend so that this lady (who sounds pretty strict) won't have a hissy fit. Oy vey.

As for moi :) I've got a cold. I took echinacea tea on Tuesday, and tons of Vitamin C both days. I have to say- something worked! I felt like crap yesterday and though I still feel like crap, I feel a bit better today! :)

Plans for today? Laundry, eat clementines, relax.

Oh, and I really need some sort of buggy board for our stroller. It's getting to hard to wear Moo on my back and push N and her 2.5yo cousin C. So if anyone wants to offer one up.... ;) Lol. I kid. But it'd be nice.

Guess what?!

I started up a second blog, called Spirited Aspie Girl. It's a journal of sorts. Come check it out!

Murky Water

I figured I'd update the ol' bloggity blog.

We've known N was a little "different" for quite some time. We finally had her evaluated by a Developmental Pediatrician, and we found out that she has Sensory Processing Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome. Everything makes sense, but it's still difficult to hear the words come out of the mouth of a professional. Everything I've been wondering about is now confirmed. We're now waiting on eval round 2 with an Occupational Therapist.

If that wasn't overwhelming enough, we also found out that N has Celiac Disease, though just borderline. Still though- explains everything. We're making a whole-hearted attempt to go gluten free.

As for little M, Miss Moo, she's doing okay. She hasn't gained any weight in awhile so I attempted cutting back nursing so she'd eat more solids. It somewhat worked. We're going to keep trying this, and if it doesn't work, we'll look into dayweaning.

Getting back to normal

If anyone told you that taking Cod Liver Oil wasn't that bad, they're lying. If you hear someone tell you about the wonderful benefits of it, they're not lying, and you should promptly initiate a hug because they've just opened a new door to Awesomeland.

After much thought and research, I learned that my nutrient stores are very, very low. I'm always tired, cranky, etc. Moo was born with a few midline defects (lip tie, sacral pit, stork bite on lower spine, gap in her teeth) and I did some digging and found that to be related to low nutrient stores during pregnancy. N just washed out everything I had and took it with her.

SO, I've got myself on quite a regimen. Here's what I take...

Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Unflavored, the Blue Ice brand. Yuck. I take 2tsp of it because I'm nursing. Joy... but it naturally contains vitamins A and D, both things that I need more of :)

Vitex/Chasteberry
I'm taking this because it's an adaptogen- it regulates your hormones. Mine are whack because of nursing, plus a little extra helping of whack on the side. And whack for dessert.

Maca Root
I'm taking this superfood in powder form. Again, it's an adaptogen and I'm attempting to get my hormones in check. Supa Dupa Whack.

Folate, in the form of 5 MTHF
I highly suspect I have an MTHFR gene mutation, which means that I can't take folic acid, so insted, I take Folate. No, I'm not pregnant, but it's something your body does need and I need to make sure my body is getting it.

Also, I'm going to be taking Floravital (gluten free floradix) soon because I think I might be anemic and I need the added B vitamins anyhow.

My diet is rather balanced now and I've finally given into grazing as opposed to having set meals. It just feels right for my body and I function better this way!

Ya know...

I really like a lot of Waldorf Education. Mostly the Waldorf, and not the Education. I think I was really drawn in due to the whole "closeness to nature" thing, as any aspiring bush hippie would be. I really love tradition, and our N set her own rhythms over time (um, that has gone to hell.. lol). HOWEVER... I have came to the conclusion that Rudolf Steiner was a quack. Quackadoodledoo. I don't buy into anthroposophy, I just like the warm fuzziness. So there.

Back to my original plan (nonplan??) of unschooling. I was going to Waldorf Inspired Unschool anywho... but that felt a little too Waldorky. Okay okay. Enough of that...

Oh, and I don't plan on giving up any of my projects or anything. I love that stuff :) :) :)

Okay, uhmmm

Nightweaning failed miserably on Day 3. I decided she wasn't ready (she voiced her opinion as well, haha). So all is well.

In the meantime... She's had a scare with retinoblastoma (!!!) but we thankfully found out that she is just a little nearsighted, so she sees the eye doc again in a year. Phew!