Dem Bones Dem Bones

(Fair warning: LONG post)

Will's Bones

Ever been to the chiropractor?

Will went two years ago. I took him to see if there was anything that could be done to help him stop walking on his tip-toes, which he has been doing since he was about 2 1/2 years old.

I've had two medical doctors give the opinion that Will should have surgery if he hasn't stopped tip-toeing by the age of 8. This surgery would include snipping the tendons in order to lengthen them so he would physically be able to walk flat-footed. Not something I'm really interested in doing.

So, we went to a chiropractor and he had a few things to say, but after two months of 2 -3 visits a week (!) I didn't see any improvement. Plus, the new year was coming with a new deductible to meet... so we quit going.

Starting mid-summer of this year, Will has been having severe headaches, possibly even migraines, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of days. After talking with a friend in our homeschool group, I decided to bring him back to a chiropractor... but I chose a different one this time (Dr. R).

Will's first appointment was about four weeks ago. The initial reason for the appointment was the headaches, but I also brought up the tip-toes again. After a couple x-rays, the ultimate source of he headaches was said to be from his misaligned hips which he thinks is a congenital issue. (I was given further information, but not going to share the lengthy diagnosis here.) The doctor also felt as though Will was tiptoeing as a response to the hips to keep from hurting while he walked.

Will has had a total of four treatments this go-round. Dr. R hasn't popped Will's back even once (which I really like); he has solely used a sort of percussion instrument that taps.

Will hasn't had a single headache since then! Four weeks without a single headache is a FANTASTIC improvement for Will. I am so pleased!

Will has also started to walk flat-footed a *little* more. From time to time I notice that he's not on his toes, which is s wonderful improvement as well! It's just going to take time for him to recondition his brain into knowing that it doesn't hurt anymore to walk flat-footed now that his hips are figuring out how they should be properly aligned. It's going to take some work to stretch out those calf muscles of his, too. Whew! He's got some mighty tight muscles from tip-toe walking for 5 years!

So far, I am very pleased with the results Will is having!

My Bones

Shortly after Will's first appointment, I hurt my back somehow so I made an appointment for myself. After an x-ray, it was concluded that most of my problem was muscular. I got a few taps here and there with that percussion instrument (sorry I don't know what it's called) and then I had my first-ever acupuncture treatment. (Yes, he is a licensed acupuncturist, too.) I walked out of there a new woman!

The following week, I told Dr. R that the muscle in my shoulder has been bothering me on and off since Nathan was born (he had colic and I held him A LOT). More acupuncture and a dramatic improvement.

Today, I discussed my plantar fasciitis issues with him. Basically, it feels like someone is jabbing an ice pick in my foot between the heel and the arch. Nice, huh? I went to our family doctor about this earlier this year and received some inflammatory meds as well as some PT. The PT and meds really helped and has dramatically decreased my pain, but it was still there... nagging. Well, today I got a few needles stuck in different places than before plus a tug, pull, and tap here and there... and my foot feels as good as new! It's not tight. It doesn't nag. It doesn't ache. It doesn't hurt. At all! And my back and shoulder are still doing well!

I'm feelin' pretty good these days! LOL!

Nathan's bones

Nathan has had sinus issues since, well... forever. I remember telling Jeff when Nathan was 3 months old, "He's only been here for 12 weeks and for 8 of those weeks he's been on a decongestant." He's always had sinus trouble and I figured I might as well get Dr. R's opinion about Nathan's sinus situation as I've heard of chiropractors working on the sinus area.

Turns out his cranial bones are out of place! Dr. R was surprised that Nathan could even breathe or hear out of the left side of his head. After seeing Nathan's xray, Dr. R was very displeased that no one had caught the obviousness of the problem before. I saw the xray. I saw what he was talking about. And I teared up. My poor little guy.

Now I will admit, I have a bit of hard time with this. Backs and hips are one thing, but the bones around the brain are a different story... and scary one at that.

There were no tools used on Nathan. He laid down and I was right there with him. Dr. R applied some pressure on his head in the appropriate places with his hands then released and gave Nathan's body a few moments to adjust to the adjustment. Nathan was never in any pain and never winced or looked uncomfortable. During the moments of rest, we could actually watch as his facial features changed. It was really strange and cool and again, scary... all at the same time... to see his bones and muscles adjust to a more natural looking forehead and hairline.

Dr. R is also a homeopathic doctor and gave me a solution to take home for anti-fungal use against the current sinus infection. While on the topic of medication, I asked him about Nathan's eczema. It has been really bad this season. I have been rubbing him down with EV coconut oil this last week as I've heard it is a really good moisturizer. Dr. R pointed out the coconut oil has a particular acid in it that might actually irritate the eczema further and recommended shea butter and/or Desitin (zinc oxide) as a better topical remedy. Hey... I've got Desitin here at the house; I can do that! (And the shea butter will be a good excuse to place an order with Mountain Rose Herbs! :) )

Witt's Bones

Well, Witt really doesn't have any bone issues, thankfully. HOWEVER, I did ask if there were any tests regarding food allergies. I was just curious. Apparently there is a test that has something to do with electromagnetic fields. Huh. Who knew? Not me. I'm thinking that since we've met our deductible for the year, I might as well give it a go... even if it is just out of curiosity.



Speaking of curiosity... anybody else have good experience with a chiropractor? bad experiences? Have you been to a homeopath? Undergone acupuncture? I'd love to hear about it!

We Love Chee Bang

Will, age 7

On the way home from a campus day after waiting for his turn on the swing: "When girls say, 'Wait a minute,' they really mean, 'Wait a long time!'"

How do you spell 'C', as in the letter C?

Nathan, age 4

When asked where his cup is (or any other object for that matter), he throws up his hands with, "'Round here somewhere!" I had no idea where he got that from until I heard myself say that! LOL!

And if it's not 'round here somewhere, it's "in my shop!" (Yes, Daddy has a shop.)

He brought me a broken tractor asking me to fix it. I showed him where a few pieces had come off that were missing and told him it couldn't be fixed. He told me to "buy some more pieces". I asked him where I would get more pieces and he said, "The pieces store!" Jeff and I both think he was talking about a local merchandise store that does in fact have a lot of pieces ( nuts, bolts, screws, light bulbs, switches, etc... by the bucket load!)

Witt, age 2 1/2

The immediate response when told he needed a haircut? NO WAY! (Jeff about spit his coffee out of his nose! LOL!)

Overheard: "Chee Bang Bang... LOVE YOU!"

Allergies and God's Plan

This morning when I logged in and saw my ticker showing less than 1 month before Witt's allergy testing, my heart just about jumped out of my chest!

No matter how hard I try not to get worked up over this testing, I always do. I'm hopeful and prayerful, but yet realize at the same time that although God could take away these allergies, He may not... ever.

I realize that we've made it through another year without any major issues regarding these allergies and I'm so very thankful for that, but I also realize that we may have to struggle with dietary issues for another year... possibly longer. But I really don't want to.

It's hard having this testing at the end of the year when my thoughts are lead to remembering what 2009 held for us and what direction I want 2010 to go in. I know where I want to go, but I need to follow God's lead. Thankfully, this is an all or nothing situation and I will clearly know God's plan regarding our diet for 2010 once these test results are in.

The past three annual testing times have consisted of going for the skin test and the blood test on the same day. The skin test results are in within 15 minutes, but it takes another 2 - 3 weeks for the blood test results. Then it's just a follow-up call from a nurse telling me what was positive and what wasn't. I really haven't been satisfied with that.

This year I'm doing things differently. Yesterday, I called and requested the doctor's orders for the blood test so we can go ahead and get that done before the skin test. This year I'm going to get his IgE numbers in person from the doctor instead of over the phone from someone that doesn't really have all the answers I want.

I requested testing for

• cow's milk
• goat's milk
• egg white
• egg yolk
• peanuts

We have never tested Witt for goat's milk. I understand that the proteins are fairly similar between the two milks, but that some people that are allergic to one are not to the other. Might as well give it a shot. We could at least improve our cheese situation if we could include goat's milk! :)

I can't help but wonder if the trials of this allergy were partly to lead me to stop feeding my family the SAD (Standard American Diet). Our diet certainly has improved over the last few years. I know the direction I would like to go in, but again... I just have to wait for God's answer on that one.

*** We interrupt this post with a call from the allergist's office!

Apparently, since Witt's blood test came back negative last year (although he's not at exactly 0.0 with his IgE numbers) they are not going to do the blood test this year. Hmmm.... I'm not really sure what I think about that.

I almost got in an argument over the phone with whomever I was talking to. I almost cried. I've heard of tests results spiking back up after they've gone down. I think I'd really like a second year of "negative" just to be on the safe side. But she wasn't budging on "The doctor's orders were to stop the blood testing once they came back negative."

Looks like I'll be talking with the doctor about all this at the appointment and possibly doing the blood test that day as well... if I can talk her into it... and assuming there are positives with the skin test.

AGH! I hate this! (And I rarely use the word "hate".)

I hate the not knowing.

This is where I have a hard time just submitting to God's will. I have to believe that part of this is not only so that I feed my family better, but that I learn to submit better as well. It's just so hard and emotional for me.

I gotta go before I start rambling... my thoughts are going in a million different directions now with this new information.

Please just pray for Witt. Pray that these allergies will be taken from his body and that he will be 100% allergy free. To enjoy an egg, a glass of milk with a chocolate chip cookie, to sprinkle cheese on whatever he pleases!

Pray for me that I'll submit to God. That I'll be accepting of his answer and thankful for all the many blessings that I have been surrounded with. That I will focus on the positive and be strong for my children.

Just please pray. That's what I'm going to do.

Thanks for listening.

Don't Talk Backwards

I've been trying to get a Tiny Talk Tuesday post up for awhile. Seems like there have been tons lately where Jeff and I have said, "That needs to go on the blog!" Unfortunately, I just haven't stayed on top of it and I know there are some cute little sayings that will be gone forever. :(


Nathan, almost 4, comes shaking his index at me, "You no talk backwards to me!" (Don't back-talk me)
******

Another day I had a bandage on my finger and he asked, "Mama, you got band-aid?"

Me: Yes, I cut my finger with a knife.

Nathan, paused and then shook that finger at me: "You tell you-self you sorry!"

******

Will (age 7), has had some laugh-out-loud misinterpretations lately, but for the life of me can't think of any! :(

However, I could easily sum up most of his brain activity with, "Can I tell a story?" He asks this at least once every day!

******

Witt, 2 years old, is now talking up a storm and has some cute ways of saying things:

T? for "Can I watch tv?"

He confuses "put it in the trash" and "put it in the sink" - so I've found utensils in my trash and banana peels in my sink! Bleck.

He does not refer to me as mama, mom, mother, or mommy. I am now just "Ma".

"Tanx, Ma." "Help, Ma." "No, Ma." or the really adamant, "No, Ma, No." I hear that last one a lot because:

"Me doo-et" - "I want to do it"

After Halloween, he started adding the "dy" to the end of "Can-dy" and "Dad-dy".

He's also picked up the phrase, "Awwww.... Man!"

The best from him, came a few nights ago while we were praying before bed. He likes to have his turn, too. Jeff will start the prayer and Witt copies him:

Jeff: Dear God,

Witt: God

Jeff: Thank you for the trees

Witt: Trees

Jeff: Thank you for my family

Witt: Fam

Jeff: Thank you for our house

Witt: How

Jeff: Please keep us safe

Witt: Say

Jeff: Please help the boys to be quiet

Witt: -

Jeff repeats: Please help the boys to be quiet

Witt looks at Jeff: -

Jeff looks at Witt and repeats: Quiet

Witt continues to look at Jeff.

Jeff, still looking at Witt and me starting to giggle: Quiet

Witt: No.

Jeff, holding in laughter: In Jesus name, Amen.

Witt: A-meh.

(**I'm still laughing as I type this. I equated it to a bride getting married and not expecting the word "obey" to show up in the wedding vows! LOL!**)

Nathan is FOUR!!!

As you will see our birthday boy, Nathan, has a fondness for a certain green and yellow tractor. :)


I made the cake and decorated it, too. I'm not bragging, but he loved it. :)


We just had family over, but we all had a great time! Gran, Papaw, Aunt Debbie, Great Grandmother, and Great Grandaddy all came to party with the Birthday Boy!




He looks pretty comfortable here on Papaw's lap, right?

Well, I promise you that expression changed when someone said, "Birthday Spankings!" (He didn't get any, of course!)


Singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!






PRESENT TIME!!!!

Tractor 1 and 2:


Daddy made special John De.ere wrapping paper!


Trailer 1:

Trailer 2:



Can you guess what the last gift might be? ;)


He also got money from Aunt Debbie and Aunt Deborah! He has JD pillowcases and a JD flat sheet on the way from Nana and Grampa (my folks in Washington state).

I'd say he had a Deere of a birthday!

Food Allergy Moms: HELP!

Nathan turns 4 this Friday! He wants a green cake with green frosting. My standard birthday cake is chocolate... which I can't turn green! Thankfully, I can handle the frosting.

I checked our local grocery store today for boxed mixes, but all the white cakes have milk and/or eggs listed as ingredients. None of the local stores sell Cherrybrook Kitchen mixes.

Do you have a DFEF WHITE cake recipe? I'm usually up for just substituting in a regular recipe, but I've heard that doing that with white cake mixes doesn't make for a good cake.

Maybe I should make a yellow cake and add blue?

Suggestions... PLEASE! :)

Halloween 2009

We went to the church building Halloween night for the annual chili supper and candy grab. Basically, the adults sit in a circle in our fellowship room and the kids walk around that circle gathering up their goodies. It's the most efficient Halloween I've ever seen. LOL!


Nathan isn't really opinionated about most things, but when I asked him what he wanted to dress up as, he immediately said a fireman. Will do!



Witt's costume came down to what they had left at the store in his size. I think he makes a pretty cute cowboy! Complete with "Ka-tee" (Canteen).

And yes, those green frog boots were his own personal addition to the outfit. We just went with it. LOL!


Will has been Thomas the Train for the last three years! Oh, but not this year! Let me explain.

He said he wanted to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" with his old costume. He wanted to cover up the face and add a lantern... creating a locomotive. So, that's what we did. ;)



Grabbing candy:



Eating candy:


We had a great night!

As an allergy note, we had no hives or scratching. I thought for sure we would end up with something having sour cream and cheese on the tables for the chili and all the chocolate going around that room. But there was not one sign of anything on Witt. Maybe that's a good sign?! Keep praying for him, please!

Hope everyone had a happy and safe Halloween!