And so it Begins

Most of you know that it took more than the usual to conceive Jack. As in we used acupuncture, herbs, prayer, radical gluten free diet, etc. etc. to get my body to cooperate. As Jack is now almost 15 months– where has the time gone?– we are beginning again.  Taking my temperature every am with a basal thermometer (for the uninitiated, it is more sensitive than normal kinds and helps detect the slight rise in temp that indicates ovulation has occurred), being more strict about my gluten free diet, going to acupuncture where they stick needles all over my body and look and my tongue and it feels relaxing (promise!) and helps balance what little energy I have left after chasing Jack around. And oh I forgot also boiling sticks and weeds and other strange objects that my Asian medicine doctor gives me in a paper bag and then drinking the subsequent brown sludge twice a day. It really isn’t so bad. I fully intend to start the Yoga for fertility– soon– like I did last time. We also haven’t started on the weekly belly massage– yet– though I am looking forward to it, truth be told.

So we’ll keep you posted with any news of a potential new arrival at the Illian household, but be aware that we are eager for another blessing and doing our best to make it happen. (I also neglected to mention that I’m also taking Fish oil with DHA twice daily and of course a prenatal per the advice of my nutritionist)

I really am feeling hopeful and excited and also patient with what I know could be a long process. I am learning to be patient with myself and my funky non-traditional body that doesn’t like to ovulate.

In other news,– that could be titled ‘Side of Lead Chips Please’

Jack’s lead results came back elevated. (every child in most places is tested at 1 year) Elevated means  an 8 for the uninitiated and if the level is above 10, the health department comes round to your house for a look-see to find the source of the dreaded lead. Lead, again for the unaware, is not pencil lead. No, it is a harmful toxic substance that has been known to harm people for centuries. (go and GOOGLE it if you haven’t yet) However, as recently as thirty years ago people were still adding it to paint and gasoline. Not that we sit around eating paint and gas, but hey, sometimes I can’t help myself.

Anyway, our house is old and was built many years before 1970 when they outlawed the said paint. So that means that any paint in our house has lead in it and therefore a potential hazard to anyone but especially young gnawing infants or toddlers. Any paint chips or even worse paint dust formed when windows are opened or doors have friction or trim paint chips beyond the thin layer of non-leaded paint we have on it is harmful to Jack when he breathes it or ingests a chip. Lead causes mental retardation and in less severe cases, lower IQ. While Jack may choose in ingest substances later in life that may lower his IQ as well, I would like to think that any ingestion of questionable substances or air could be left up to him when he’s older. So– what to do? Enter Richmond City Health Department! I sweet talked them into coming out today and inspecting my house for lead dust and found that –drumroll please– my house has lead paint! What a shocker– but now we need to find someone to come out and fix it for us. Which involves trying to contain said dust and cover over any offending paint. We have had several quotes, all very expensive– at least for our tastes and now we also need to buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. I researched them today and they aren’t cheap either. This whole process has left me feeling overwhelmed and like Jack and I need to be constantly dressed in Hazmat gear with a HEPA filter vacuum at our side for defense.

HEPA Filter

Jack update

Aside from sleeping so much better, my little man had more growing up at Hunny’s house. He

*Learned to WALK

*Now says Duh=dog, duck or really any animal

Buh=anything round ie. ball, grape, tomato, globe, apple, etc.

Ma=Mama

Na=No

Wawa=flower or any kind of living plant

bye bye combined with finger pinch wave=bye bye

claps on command

signs more when hungry

blows when something is hot

points at everything

dances to music by bouncing up and down

It is so cute– I feel like I left Jack a baby and came back and he is a toddler. He is communicating to me all day through words and gestures and I think he understands a lot more. He can also attempt to repeat many words, but he doesn’t initiate saying them. Such as Guh for Go, Yesh for Yes, Roh for rock, etc etc etc.

We are still nursing–twice a day. I wasn’t sure if after 2 weeks without it he would be done, but he can’t get enough!

In another cuteness development, he now gives hugs and “leans” which are his version of kisses and says “Aww”  which of course just melts me.

I love you little man

So Many Things

I have been gone. Literally. For a long time. I have so many posts jumbling about in my head it may take a while to write them all. Or they may never get written. Sad thought! Here is a quick update and then more about what I’ve been doing recently. As in an hour ago.

What has happened since 8-14-08 (when I last posted)

Went away on a personal retreat (without Jack– first time ever!)  to Charlottesville. It was wonderful, refreshing and  a great reminder about the importance of silence and quiet

Two weeks with husband sans Jack in London and Ireland. Lots of good food, interesting beers and ciders, places, time with dear friends, and all around wonderful (on all fronts) for our marriage. Didn’t  miss the boy as much (if any) as anticipated. Is that bad?   Would like to do something like that every year– but know it probably can’t happen– but maybe a week a year?

Flew to GA to pick up Jack. Mother has helped Jack to sleep through night and take long naps.  Another blessed unintended byproduct of leaving the boy– he was able to form new and improved habits!  She is also feeding him “gruel” which consists of a banana, applesauce, meat, veggies, and rice or oatmeal. He downs this like candy three times a day and has been sleeping lots ever since. He also goes down very easily. In like three minutes with no routine or coaxing from me.  I asked her if she was going to write a book.  Anyway.

Spent a few days in GA and then drove to NC for a family reunion at a very interesting farm. Never seen one like it.  The farm was in Eastern NC and they are VERY into hunting there. Probably because there is so much land around.   But the farm is dedicated to providing a habitat for quail, dove and deer. Which they then shoot during hunting season.  It was also fun to see family I hadn’t connected with in a while.

Finally back in VA after three weeks of being gone.

Monday a dear friend surprised three of us by keeping our kids, and sending us to a yoga class, a massage, lunch and then bead making. Very fun to chat with friends when we usually can’t finish a conversation while chasing kids around.

It is going to be very hard to get back to regular life after all of that.

Also– have been reading some great parenting books, altar books, and This AM as in– during Jack’s nap, am reading Interior Castle by Teresa of Avila. HIghlights so far:

Few of us realize the worth or makeup of our soul. Our soul is made in the image of God and therefore has a measure of his infinite worth and complexity.

We are very preoccupied with impressing others and don’t make the time to listen to God and know him.

As we focus on humility and knowing God, we understand ourselves.

Until next time.  Thank you for listening!