Weekend Reading: August 20, 2011

by Mandi on August 20, 2011

sid & momma

It’s hard to believe we’re already counting down the days until our Baby Girl’s 2nd birthday. Two is my absolute favorite stage, and we’re already entering that inquisitive, always-learning-something-new, chattering-nonstop stage with her, so I’m not really sad about it, but it is a little bittersweet since she is the baby.

As much as I love her, the past two years have been anything but easy as we’ve dealt with colic, reflux, food intolerances and more, and this past week we started her on a GFCF/soy-free diet. I’ll be sharing more about what that looks like for our family (because, honestly, I was petrified ahead of time, but it hasn’t been as hard as I expected!). While I don’t want her to have to live GFCF/soy-free, figuring out the cause of some of her issues would be a huge answer to prayer, so we’re hoping it will be obvious whether it’s making a difference or not!

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out this week’s Grateful Giveaways as we celebrate back to school, with prize packages from HP, iHome, Shout + more!

Here are some of my favorite posts from around the blogosphere this week. As always, check out what I’m reading to see the other posts that make me stop and think. You’ll find new posts all week long!

Success {Is it Possible?}

Marriage — It Really Is a Beautiful Thing | FoxNews.com

Why No Business Should Ignore Search Engine Marketing | The Mogul Mom

Do Nice Guys Finish Last? | Jon Acuff’s Blog

Food {How To’s}

How to Make Butter at Home | Family Kitchen

3 Simple Methods for Making Herbal Iced Tea | Keeper of the Home

How to Steep a Perfect Cup of Tea Every Single Time | Stepcase Lifehack

Motherhood {What’s a Mom To Do?}

The True Value of Music for Preschoolers | Not Just Cute

Homeschooling is Dangerous | Books and Bairns

Creating a Daily Homeschool Schedule or Routine | Life As Mom

Have a great weekend!

Erin@TheHumbledHomemaker

Wow–I am so sorry your daughter is having to go GFCF/soy free (although I try to avoid soy myself!), but I am very interested in what you have to say about it. My 3-year-old is having some issues, and her doctor is currently have her go dairy free for several weeks. If this diet doesn’t resolve things, she wants her to try GF. I am interested in her symptoms–if it isn’t too personal.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Absolutely, Erin!

Besides the severe reflux — which seemed to go away for about 6 months and then come back with a vengeance, she is incredibly unhappy a lot of the time. Not just melancholy or serious, but actually unhappy. When the reflux came back, we had no idea that that’s what it was, and she was literally inconsolable for almost a week straight.

She also has a high number of dirty diapers each day — at some points it has been 6+ a day, and many times they’re beyond normal “ew” and really foul, which has been our clue that there’s more going on with her gut.

And then she has a bit of eczema, but we can trace that almost directly to the dairy because she tends to get a big patch after we do a “dairy test” since she’s been dairy free since she was born.

In some ways, I’ve found it easier to go completely dairy free now that we’re doing a GF diet as well, because we’ve never been really good at avoiding trace dairy in products since none of our other girls were as sensitive. Maybe it’s just that we’re being more intentional about everything she eats, but the key for us has been to focus on what she CAN eat rather than what she can’t. As long as I have a list of foods to serve her, it doesn’t feel too stressful!

I’ll share more in a week or so, including our list of meals/snacks that we’re working from. I’ve already discovered some really yummy recipes!

Erin Odom

Thanks so much for replying! Our daughter has always had very, very messy diapers (she’s still not potty trained…it has been a hard battle of trying for a year). She has dirty diapers just 3 or so times a day, but they have always been extra gross and foul like you described (never solid). Anyway, I know–TMI–but we are trying to get to the bottom of this! We recently switched to an integrative doc who specializes in allergies, and she said this is not normal. So, we started the dairy free diet on Monday, and we are supposed to try it for 3 straight weeks. She said the next step is soy (which I try to avoid anyway) and/or gluten. I am very interested in what you have to say! It’s very perplexing. My husband has a tree nut allergy, but that is the only allergy either of us have. It just seems like today’s generation of kids are developing all sorts of new allergies.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Victoria-Sconion/505430802 Victoria Sconion

Oh man! My 2nd daughter’s bday is on Monday she will be turning 4! She was born at 32 wks with breathing problems, infections, and feeding issues. She now is allergic to tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and soy. (All my children except 1 have food allergic and I also have severe food allergies) Its hard coming up with recipes! I would love to see what you make for her.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Unfortunately, I think your list of foods to avoid is our list of staples, LOL — lots of tomatoes, potatoes and corn on the menu plan!

I will be sharing my list, though, and I hope it gives you some more ideas!

http://www.thehumbledhomemaker.com Erin@TheHumbledHomemaker

Is your whole family going GFCF/soy free or just your daughter? I’m so nervous about my daughter, but I’m encouraged by other moms who have been through this!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

She is the only one who will be GFCF/soy free, but it’s definitely affecting the way our whole family eats.

Anonymous

I have dealt with severe reflux and other stomach issues since I was a baby. As an adult I continued to have terrible reflux problems and other health issues. It was not until I went totally gluten free that I found any relief. Going gluten fee has not always been easy, but it has changed my life and how I feel. I know the difficulties of what you are dealing with, and how challenging it can be. I hope you are able to figure out what it is and that your daughter will be able to get some relief. It may be challenging to figure out and it may take time, but it will be so worth it if you can figure out what is causing it.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I’ve heard so many people share this same experience, which is what convinced us to give it a try. Thank you so much for sharing your story!

http://clarke-family.net Brittany

We’ve gone GF because of Corinne’s ADHD symptoms…it has helped A LOT!!!! Good luck!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Thanks, Brittany!

Pingback: Delightful Links for the Weekend (and Tell Your Time Winner) | A Delightful Home
http://modernmrsdarcy.com Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy

We have been down the GFCF free road, too….I hope it delivers the answers you are looking for! For us, it was really hard the first two weeks. I remember standing in front of the fridge thinking “there is NOTHING we can eat.” But the new diet became automatic after several weeks. Now we are rigorous on the gluten but not the casein.

You can do it!