Will is nine!

My Will,

You are nine! Not so little anymore. You've started playing baseball this year and loved it. We loved watching you play. You had a great 3rd grade teacher and made the best friend you've ever had - Jude. It's been a good time of life. You're old enough to go play on your own, having late nights and riding bikes through the neighborhood. Any time we talk about the eventuality of us moving, you've been very vocally opposed. You don't want to leave your friends or your wonderful school, ever.

You carry the weight of being the oldest, I know. We've had a lot of change this year with Dad working three jobs and taking classes, Mom teaching from home, Emma being diagnosed and learning to live with Type 1 Diabetes. I've relied on you to help a lot - especially at meal times - and you have done so (mostly) cheerfully. You want to help dose Emma, but I don't see her letting you do that anytime soon. 😉

Right now you love baseball, swimming, friends, and drawing your own comic strips. You also love staying up late at night and will offer to do anything! if I'll let you. You'd spend most of your time playing Minecraft, Clash of Clans, or any other video game if you could. But you can't.

More than anything else, you love making people laugh. You've discovered a talent for this in your classes. It's becoming a challenge to keep this special talent from becoming a burden to your teachers. We hope to channel/direct it in the best ways we can.

We love you and have loved watching you grow! Halfway to 18, my boy!

Love, Mom

George turns THREE

My dear George,

I can't believe my baby is three. It's been three years since you arrived so unexpectedly to our family. You are officially a "big boy" now, with a big boy bed and sleeping in your underwear.

You like to sleep anywhere but your own bed. You choose where to take naps, so sometimes it's under Emma's bed, sometimes it's in Lexi's bottom bunk with a fort built around you, sometimes it's in Will's or Emma's bed. I'll let you nap anywhere - as long as you sleep!

You are the light of our family. You make us laugh, you're everyone's favorite. We cheer when you wake up, hold you when you cry. Will and Emma are especially protective of and helpful to you. They rush you to the bathroom whenever you need. They help you find jackets, socks and shoes when you want to join them outside. They read to you and play with you and love you so much. You are lucky!

You've become quite a chatterbox (like each of your siblings did at this age). You have so much to say and talk about. I love hearing what is going on in your little head. You ask the WHY questions and "WHEN will we go to grandma's house?" questions, not really understanding the answers. It is endlessly entertaining.

You love Paw Patrol and any show the other kids are watching. You also love Thor with a mighty passion. You get scared of animated villains but not the live-action superhero bad guys?! You like to direct photos of yourself whenever the camera comes out. "Mom, take a picture of me doing this. And this. And this. And this. Now can I see them?"

You love snuggles, back scratches from mom, and tickle-kisses. We are so blessed to have you. Love you so much.
Mom

Lex is 5!

Dear Lex,

You are five years old! You are dying to go to school (and you've been ready for it for ages). You are reading some, writing a little, and you are my little social butterfly. You want to be playing with friends every second of the day.
You are very loving and affectionate. You want kisses and hugs multiple times a day; you sit on the laps of your primary teachers anytime they will let you; you'd sit on MY lap all day if I let you! (I don't.)
If I picture you in my mind, I see you galloping everywhere you go, bossing everyone around. You like to tell people what to do - so when you play with other younger or more pliant children, you get along wonderfully. When other kids don't do what you want them to, then we have problems that result in yelling and screaming and crying from all parties involved. It's exhausting for me.
You're SO smart, as every teacher of yours has exclaimed to me. You finish sentences for your primary teachers, expound on stories in class. You have so much to say and do!
You're brave and tough and your pain tolerance is higher than any of your siblings'. You've had a hard time watching Emma get so much attention for her Type 1 Diabetes that it's become something of an obsession. You talk about Type 1 Diabetes ALL THE TIME. We've told you to stop (it seems morbid) but I imagine this is a fixture of our lives that isn't going anywhere.
I'm excited for you to start school this fall! I think it will be everything you ever dreamed  it would be. But I'll miss you when you go.
Love you so much,
Mom

Emma 7

My dear Emma,

I'm in a delightful stage where I'm starting to realize what everyone means when they say their daughter is their best friend. You have been my right hand man for over a year now, and I often think about what a gift you are to me.

You like to be clean and organized, you love your brother George with all your heart. You've been sharing a room with him, and I know it's not always easy, but you won't have it any other way. You still read to him and help him with things and comfort him when he's sad. He bear-hugs you when you get home from school, and when he wakes up from naps. He misses you anytime the two of you are apart.

You LOVE fishing, roller skating,  writing, drawing, any arts & crafts you can get your hands on. You've started attending Up With Kids, where you take lessons in singing, dancing, acting, etc.

You've become quite the organizer. You like order and calm, and usually complete your chores without complaint. You're turning into fantastic reader and great student - even better, your teachers can't tell me enough about how kind and patient you are. You've been attending speech for over a year, working on your stutter, and you've been patient through it all.

You love weird things (fish, sushi, asparagus, grapefruit, baked potatoes) but hate the most commonly loved foods (donuts, cinnamon rolls, quesadillas). You've gotten better at trying new foods. You are quirky, sometimes zany, usually kind. You are fun to talk to and be with. We've recently watched Princess Diaries (1 & 2!) and you giggled through them. I am really enjoying watching you grow up and become your own person. (You're still MY person too, right?)

Love you tons,
Mom

Will at 8

My Will,

You are eight years old, the age you've waited for as long as you can remember. It's been a very exciting time and a lot of planning has gone into the events of the birthday week. Memorial Day (when we went for the first time, and also bought Lagoon season passes!), Last Day of School, Birthday, Baptism. You've been pretty mature about it all.

You have thrived in Kaysville. Any time someone (usually Lex) mentions moving somewhere else, you protest mightily. "I'm in the best school in the whole world! We can't move until after 6th grade!" We've tried to be pretty open about our future and the possibilities and unknowns. It's been quite a year for us. We moved to Kaysville, spent a summer traveling, started school, lost a job, Mom and Dad both got new jobs, and Dad started taking EMT classes. We've started talking about money a lot. You've taken on more responsibility with chores and helping out at home. You have been left "in charge" for short stints of time.

You love Minecraft, Legos, Star Wars, and graphic novels. You also like to eat noodles, rice, bread, tortillas ... basically anything beige, and not much else. You requested a chocolate-chocolate birthday cake, and you got one! Your favorite people are Derek and your Dopp cousins. 

We expect a lot of you, especially your dad. He helps you with homework and studies spelling. You two love to watch fail videos on YouTube at bedtime. You love to laugh and have started "pranking" people and trying to be funny in class. I see a lot of your dad in you!!

We love you lots and have been proud of your choices. You have so much to give. I hope to help you learn how to shine.
Love,
Mom

Georgie Porgie

Dear sweet George,

You are two! I'm excited because you have such big things ahead of you - talking, potty training, moving to a big bed. I'm sad because that means, for the first time in nearly eight years, I won't have a baby. You've already been in a crib longer than any of your siblings....we always needed the crib for another baby by now!

You are the joy and entertainment in our home. You make us laugh all day long! Emma adores you and entertains you in the morning while she is home. The two of you read, play, take baths, clean up, and watch TV together. Sometimes Emma even gets you dressed and changes your diapers! If you're hurt, she tries to make it better. She is the best big sister and you are lucky to have each other.
Will thinks you're the most hilarious thing on the planet, and laughs at everything you do. Occasionally it makes you mad, but usually, you love it. You make funny faces and whisper prayers (if you even whisper!) and threaten injury with your sword or pointing finger.

Speaking of swords - they're your very favorite thing. Any object that resembles a sword is used as a weapon. Even wheelbarrow handles!! It's crazy and endearing. You're the sweetest boy around, but once you have a "sword" in your hand, you become a terrifying warrior. You are a boy through and through.

You love me more than any of your siblings did at this age. You hate it when I leave even for a minute. You follow me around the kitchen asking, "Hug you me??" And how can I resist?? You climb into bed with me for snuggles. You let me carry you back to bed after you fall asleep in the car. You ask me to sing "Tuppence" at bed time or read "one more."

You adore your grandparents - still - more than any human I've ever seen. You light up when any of them are around, or even on a phone call. You were ecstatic when Grandma slept at our house one night; you were ready to snuggle up and sleep with her right on the couch!

We can't imagine our lives without you Georgie! I'm so excited for the years to come!

Love,
Mom

Lucky Lex

Dear Lex,

You are four!! You've been excited for this day for months. And really, it's hard to believe you're just barely four. I'm not the only one who thinks you act older - your nursery leaders, primary and preschool teachers do too. Pretty much anyone who interacts with you can see how mature you are.

You've grown SO much in the past year. You started preschool, the last seven months of which have been at HeadStart. It's a long time away from me, 4 hrs/day, Monday--Thursday, but you love it so much I have a hard time keeping you home. So you get up and dressed every morning with Will, head out the door around 8:40, and I pick you back up at 12:45. Afternoons are spent with me while George sleeps.

The most dramatic thing that's happened to you since we moved last summer was the switch of your HeadStart teacher. You grew to LOVE Miss Kylie and when she announced that she got a job as a kindergarten teacher, you cried for hours. You still see her at school and give her hugs (you'd kiss her too, if she let you).

You're loving and affectionate, giggly and fun, as well as incredibly smart! You started reading a couple months ago after Miss Kylie suggested I start teaching you some phonics blends. You've picked it up quickly so far, and I'm excited for you to start discovering the joys of reading on your own.

Sometimes you tell me that you miss our old house. We have frequent conversations about how our lives are different now than a year ago. No chickens, less time with grandparents, a smaller house and yard, more time with Matt & Kim's family. Most of the time we're happy with the changes.

I love how enthusiastic you are about life. You want to see, hear, touch, eat and experience it all. Right now you have your own room - and we all sleep better at night, because you don't have anyone to talk to! You're a good big sister to George, and usually play well with Will and Emma one-on-one. But when someone crosses you, the whole family knows about it.

We tell you every day how beautiful you are! I wish I had your gorgeous curls! I feel like they define you and I hope they stay forever. You are so special, Lex. We love you.

Love,
Mom

The AIP

FIRST, SOME BACKSTORY.

Ten years ago, when Slice and I were dating, engaged & newly married, I got really sick for a long time.  After six months I finally went to the doctor, confident that I had Mono. He tested me for strep, it came back positive immediately, he gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way.

A few years later I felt sick again - I was having dizzy spells, my hair was falling out in handfuls, and I could barely drag myself out of bed in the morning. I went to the same doctor and had him check my thyroid. He was surprised by the results, hypothyroidism. He put me on a dose of Synthroid and sent me on my way.

Since then, I've been watching my thyroid die slowly. Every couple years (or, more likely, every pregnancy) I get bloodwork done and have to increase my Synthroid dose. I WAS diagnosed with Mono (i.e. Epstein-Barr virus) a few years ago, and I've had positive Strep tests every year. In the meantime, I did lots of reading. And I think it's all connected.

This leads me to ... the AutoImmune Protocol. I saw it mentioned many times over the course of my online research. The theory is that autoimmune disorders are caused by inflammation/imbalance in the gut, which is caused by our diets. Many people with autoimmune disorders report a reversal or relief from their symptoms after cutting the most inflammatory foods (gluten, sugar, dairy) out of their diet. To take it one step further, if we cut out ALL foods that can be harmful to the gut, restore gut health, and gradually reintroduce the harmful foods, then we can figure out what is causing the problem in our own bodies.

The AIP diet cuts out ALL grains, dairy, eggs, sugar, nuts and seeds (and many spices derived from those seeds). It also cuts out legumes (practically every form of bean) and nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, etc.). 

The "yes" foods are fruits (in small amounts), non-nightshade vegetables, fermented foods, healthy fats (avocado, so much coconut), seafood, and meat (organic grass-fed when possible). Also honey and organic maple syrup, in very small amounts.

I've been wanting to try the diet for a long time, and finally bit the bullet in January. I'm shooting for 30 days in the elimination phase. AIP doesn't prescribe an elimination phase period, they just say "wait until you feel great!" before you start reintroducing stuff.

PREPARATION.

I bought the book The Healing Kitchen in January after going through a bunch of AIP cookbooks on Amazon and reading all the reviews. This one seemed like the most practical for me, since it includes meal plans, shopping lists and recipes "with 5 ingredients or less for people that hate the kitchen." Perfect!  

Before I started, I ate like I was dying. Ice cream, pasta, my best homemade whole wheat muffins & waffles, cookies, wienerschnitzel and apple strudel from Siegfriend's. I ate so much that I was sick of it all, literally. Then we made a trip to Whole Foods and bought the weird foods that I couldn't get at my local stores. We were a sight to see - three grumpy children, me consulting my list and Slice looking for things that we'd never even heard of before.😐You can imagine.

Now I'm on Day 10, and feeling pretty good. Noticeable changes:

• Daily mild headaches (maybe not from the diet) 
• A few days where I didn't need a nap
• One full day of upset stomach (again, could've been a bug and not the diet)
• Fewer regular stomachaches (I've been getting them after almost every meal for months) 
• Breaking my sugar addiction! This is huge. I've relied on it physically and psychologically for so long
• Lifting of "brain fog" - this is hard to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it, but Hashimoto's often brings a brain fog that, to me, feels like depression. I don't always know that I'm in it, like a fish doesn't know it's in water. But it's real, and I feel like I may be climbing out of it.

Other notes: SOOOOOO MANY DISHES. I'm cooking 3-4 vegetables and at least 2 meats a day, in addition to feeding my family their normal foods because there's NO WAY they would all eat the way I'm eating. No way we could afford it, either. I have to shop a couple times a week, my fridge is always completely packed, and non-sugary desserts just don't seem like dessert. I like my treats, OK?! I've scoured Kaysville & Layton looking for carob powder (the chocolate substitute I can have), to no avail.
Gonna have to go back to Whole Foods.

Emma turns 6

Emma Grace,

My very favorite thing about you right now is this: "Mom, what can I help with?"
That pretty well sums you up; you ask every day. You're so helpful and caring and responsible, I forget that you're only six. You play with George. You fetch things. You help me clean and organize and even cook, always cheerfully. I'll tell you how grateful I am, but I don't think you'll understand unless (until?) you have your own very helpful daughter.

You had another exciting year. We changed everything about our lives when we moved from Roosevelt to Kaysville. Our Battistone cousins moved far away, which you frequently lament. You graduated from preschool, lost your first tooth (that seemed really early!), and started Kindergarten, which you LOVE. You're reading well - tested high enough to get invited to a special advanced program in another school. You started going to speech therapy in school to help with your "disfluencies," AKA stuttering, so we've had something to work on. Most importantly, you have a great heart. You watch for other kids who need a friend, and then you become that friend.

You also started taking karate. I tried to persuade you to take dance, tumbling, or something else, but when you heard that Will was doing karate, there was no talking you out of it. Maybe it's a phase (Lego Ninjago?), maybe you'll stick with it forever and become a master. We'll see.

You love to laugh and joke with Will, play tea party with Lex, and try to boss George around. You're a dedicated artist and would draw/paint/color your life away if we'd let you. I'm constantly picking up, throwing away, or deciding to keep pages of your artwork.

We've had some hard and stressful times over the past year. They'd have been harder if we didn't have you around. 💖
We love you so much, Emma.

Will's 7th

Will,
I'm writing this much after the fact, but don't think I just forgot. Our lives have been unbelievably crazy in the last year. In August of last year, your dad left for DevMountain. You started 1st grade and, to be honest, it was a rough start. You didn't want to go to school, you cried often and never wanted to do homework. It was a hard transition and having Dad gone all during the week didn't help. Your teacher was very kind and understanding, and over time, you made some good friends and changed your attitude.
Dad finished bootcamp in November and god a job in March. It was far away, so he was gone again, and we had to move. We started packing up and preparing ourselves for the big change ahead of us. You weren't really sure what "moving" meant. Then AFTER we moved, we went back to Roosevelt to finish the last week of school and clean out the rest of the house.
After that, we drove to Cedar City and you stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Morgan for a few days while Mom and Dad went hiking to Havasupai. You had loads of fun, and when we were done, we all went to the Aquatic Center for your birthday adventure.
We haven't had much money to throw around for a while, but we've had lots of time together and lots of love. You are brave and strong and we love you for everything that you contribute to our family and lives. Excited to see what the next year brings!
Love,
Mom