Okay, I mentioned last week that due to some health concerns, we would have to be undertaking an new lifestyle. We have spent much time this last week reading, studying, and praying and have finally come to a conclusion. The final decision: we are going to move into a predominately Pescatarian diet.
For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a pescatarian eats a mostly vegetarian diet consisting of grains, fruits, and vegetables. As with some vegetarians, we are also going to continue to include dairy and eggs. In addition to that, we will be including fish, shellfish, and mollusks in 2-3 meals per week.
We currently still plan to consume some limited amounts of meat or poultry during cold weather (no more than 1 meal per week) hence my statement of a predominately Pescatarian diet. And, we will be enacting these changes over the next few months.
There are 3 main reasons for this:
1. As anyone who knows us well knows, we are food storers. That means at this point we have a chest freezer and a regular (over the fridge) freezer both full of predominately red meat. In addition, we have soups, etc in the cabinet that will not fit into the new diet. The idea of wasting all that money is more than I can stand!
2. Sudden and radical changes in a person's diet can lead to severe abdominal discomfort and other surprising complications. With me currently being pregnant (hope to peek at gender tomorrow!), I am not going to risk making me, Baby 6, or any of the other children sick by drastically changing our diet.
3. We need some time to build a stock of the items that do coincide with our new diet since we are food storers. The idea of not having some extra on hand is unnerving, lol.
So, the current plan is to decrease the meat served at each meal until we are eating some meals each week that are meatless. I hope to have us completely converted within 6 months. I know some are thinking that's a long time to transistion, but it does take into account our 3 main concerns with the changes.
Wish us luck!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
An Update
Well, it has been forever since I updated. So much has been going on lately. We are also well into our homeschool year. It seems to be going well. Nicci is flying through her Pre K stuff. Jenny seems to be doing well this year too. Of course, Samantha has no trouble at all other than lack of want to go to school, lol.
Elli is 100% back to the way she was before her accident. No one would ever look at her and have any clue as to what she has been through. I am so thankful every day that we have been given another chance to watch her grow up.
I'm finally 34. I know a lot of women act like their age is some sort of top secret, but I've worked hard for every last one of these years and I think they should each be a celebration.
Hopefully we will be finding out in just a few short weeks whether baby #6 will be a boy or girl. I can't wait! It seems like only yesterday we found out we were expecting and now we are in our 17th week. Time sure flies!
Elli is 100% back to the way she was before her accident. No one would ever look at her and have any clue as to what she has been through. I am so thankful every day that we have been given another chance to watch her grow up.
I'm finally 34. I know a lot of women act like their age is some sort of top secret, but I've worked hard for every last one of these years and I think they should each be a celebration.
Hopefully we will be finding out in just a few short weeks whether baby #6 will be a boy or girl. I can't wait! It seems like only yesterday we found out we were expecting and now we are in our 17th week. Time sure flies!
Monday, August 27, 2012
My Own Miracle Experiance
It has taken a little while for me to be able to share this, but I have witnessed a true miracle! Let me apologize in advance if this seems a little disconjointed as it was a very emotional day.
It all started last Tuesday. I had the kids playing in the horse tank (we use it as a wading pool as so many in our area do). Houston, of course, was not swimming but all the girls were. And as usual, Elli was in her US Coast Guard approved life vest. I stepped inside the back door to grab a bucket of sidewalk chalk then stepped back out and told the girls everyone out of the water. I saw girls tumbling out, Samantha fling a leg over and turn back (she generally gets Elli out) so I thought everyone was out. I ran back into the house to use the bathroom and grab towels. As I approached the back door, Jenny and Nicci run up crying, screaming "THE BABY IS DEAD!" I ran out and saw Samantha standing by the tank. She was holding Elli who was pale and limp. I grabbed Elli and ran into the house. She wasn't breathing. She was cold, and she was turning blue. I called 911.
Someone knocked on the door. Two women from next door came in, one stating she was a nurse. They took Elli, laid her on the floor, and started trying to get her to breathe. After what seemed like forever, I finally heard sirens. I ran outside (the women were inside with Elli) to wave down the first responders since the address on the house is hard to see. Also during all this, I am trying to keep the other 4 children calm and in their rooms. Elli was still laid on the floor, limp and breathless. He dropped to his knees and started to pray. It was then, Tabi took her first ragged breath and spit out some water. It had been about 10 minutes since she was pulled from the water. We are told that they will need to Mediflight her to OU Children's Hospital but we cannot go with her. I call a friend to come get the other kids.
I load the van and drive as fast as we can the hour plus to OKC. Elli was having seizures and they were concerned that her brain was swelling. They took her in for a CT that showed no initial swelling but wanted us to understand that did not mean things were okay. They let us know they needed to intubate her. We were told to give her a kiss before we left. When the church members present prayed for her, I and her entire medical team also laid our hands on her body. After the prayer, we were sent out.
After what seemed like forever, I was finally allowed back in to see her. She was so still. The doctor explained she was sedated. He was saying that the best we could hope for was several days to weeks on the ventilator in the ICU then weeks more in the hospital. Even then, she may never be the same child she was before because there was no telling how much damage had been done by the lack of oxygen. We were moved up to the ICU to wait it out.
It could be seen on the monitor that she was initiating breathes so they decided to turn down the sedation so she could be evaluated by a neurologist. As soon as she started to come around, she started trying to pull the tube out. Because she was doing so well, it was decided that they would let her wake up and see if the tube could be removed. As she woke up, she tried over and over to pull the tube out, even trying to use both arms together to grasp it as she had immobilizers over the IV lines. About 9:30 she woke up and the tube was removed. She looked around the room, asked for Samantha.
I was told I could hold her. I picked her up but her head was super floppy, like when she was a newborn. As the hours passed, though she wasn't able to lift her head, she started getting up on her knees and turning circles in the crib. By morning, she had some neck control though she still couldn't sit up. She was also asking for and signing milk and asking for Samantha and Jenny. She was given some milk and she did great with drinking it and keeping it down. Around 2pm we got word we would be moving to a regular peds room.
She continued to improve at an incredible rate. By bedtime, she had eaten a meal of solids and was sitting up alone. By the next day, she was standing in the crib and talking as well as she did before the accident. In the afternoon she was allowed to be off the monitors and go down to the play room. She kept trying to stand and walk but was extremely wobbly even for her. By later that evening, she could walk several steps at a time without falling. And, by the next morning, she was walking almost as well as before.
At about 11:30, which was almost exactly 72 hours after the accident, the doctor came in and told us that had no intention of letting her go so soon, but everyone was talking about the miracle baby and he had to come see for himself. He said they weren't doing anything for her because God had already done it all and we would be going home that day! To look at her now, you would never imagine what she has been through. She is doing absolutely everything she was before and can't seem to understand what all the fuss is about.
And for those who are wondering how this could have happened with her in a life jacket, she was able to slip her arms out and turn the "puddle jumper" jacket around. Then, the jacket held her under the water until her sister pulled her out.
It all started last Tuesday. I had the kids playing in the horse tank (we use it as a wading pool as so many in our area do). Houston, of course, was not swimming but all the girls were. And as usual, Elli was in her US Coast Guard approved life vest. I stepped inside the back door to grab a bucket of sidewalk chalk then stepped back out and told the girls everyone out of the water. I saw girls tumbling out, Samantha fling a leg over and turn back (she generally gets Elli out) so I thought everyone was out. I ran back into the house to use the bathroom and grab towels. As I approached the back door, Jenny and Nicci run up crying, screaming "THE BABY IS DEAD!" I ran out and saw Samantha standing by the tank. She was holding Elli who was pale and limp. I grabbed Elli and ran into the house. She wasn't breathing. She was cold, and she was turning blue. I called 911.
Someone knocked on the door. Two women from next door came in, one stating she was a nurse. They took Elli, laid her on the floor, and started trying to get her to breathe. After what seemed like forever, I finally heard sirens. I ran outside (the women were inside with Elli) to wave down the first responders since the address on the house is hard to see. Also during all this, I am trying to keep the other 4 children calm and in their rooms. Elli was still laid on the floor, limp and breathless. He dropped to his knees and started to pray. It was then, Tabi took her first ragged breath and spit out some water. It had been about 10 minutes since she was pulled from the water. We are told that they will need to Mediflight her to OU Children's Hospital but we cannot go with her. I call a friend to come get the other kids.
I load the van and drive as fast as we can the hour plus to OKC. Elli was having seizures and they were concerned that her brain was swelling. They took her in for a CT that showed no initial swelling but wanted us to understand that did not mean things were okay. They let us know they needed to intubate her. We were told to give her a kiss before we left. When the church members present prayed for her, I and her entire medical team also laid our hands on her body. After the prayer, we were sent out.
After what seemed like forever, I was finally allowed back in to see her. She was so still. The doctor explained she was sedated. He was saying that the best we could hope for was several days to weeks on the ventilator in the ICU then weeks more in the hospital. Even then, she may never be the same child she was before because there was no telling how much damage had been done by the lack of oxygen. We were moved up to the ICU to wait it out.
It could be seen on the monitor that she was initiating breathes so they decided to turn down the sedation so she could be evaluated by a neurologist. As soon as she started to come around, she started trying to pull the tube out. Because she was doing so well, it was decided that they would let her wake up and see if the tube could be removed. As she woke up, she tried over and over to pull the tube out, even trying to use both arms together to grasp it as she had immobilizers over the IV lines. About 9:30 she woke up and the tube was removed. She looked around the room, asked for Samantha.
I was told I could hold her. I picked her up but her head was super floppy, like when she was a newborn. As the hours passed, though she wasn't able to lift her head, she started getting up on her knees and turning circles in the crib. By morning, she had some neck control though she still couldn't sit up. She was also asking for and signing milk and asking for Samantha and Jenny. She was given some milk and she did great with drinking it and keeping it down. Around 2pm we got word we would be moving to a regular peds room.
She continued to improve at an incredible rate. By bedtime, she had eaten a meal of solids and was sitting up alone. By the next day, she was standing in the crib and talking as well as she did before the accident. In the afternoon she was allowed to be off the monitors and go down to the play room. She kept trying to stand and walk but was extremely wobbly even for her. By later that evening, she could walk several steps at a time without falling. And, by the next morning, she was walking almost as well as before.
At about 11:30, which was almost exactly 72 hours after the accident, the doctor came in and told us that had no intention of letting her go so soon, but everyone was talking about the miracle baby and he had to come see for himself. He said they weren't doing anything for her because God had already done it all and we would be going home that day! To look at her now, you would never imagine what she has been through. She is doing absolutely everything she was before and can't seem to understand what all the fuss is about.
And for those who are wondering how this could have happened with her in a life jacket, she was able to slip her arms out and turn the "puddle jumper" jacket around. Then, the jacket held her under the water until her sister pulled her out.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
So Many Big Events
Things have been so busy that I haven't had time to breath lately much less post on my blog. Let me give you a quick rundown before I get back to the tasks I am supposed to be on, lol.
First, Elli is quite the walker these days. She still hates to wear shoes but she sure can go!
Secondly, Jenny is now 6. I can't believe it has been so long already. Of course, she is still the tiniest thing ever. She is still wearing a 4T. I am really beginning to think that I need to talk to her dr about it as she has been wearing a 4T since 2010. Anyway, her celebration was awesome complete with a Barbie Princess cake.
Third on the update list is Mr. Baby. I guess as he is 3 today, he's not really a baby anymore :( He still isn't wild about the idea of potty training but I keep hoping! He got a Batman race car set and a Batman doll for his birthday. He was so excited since Batman is his very favorite. Also, he was allowed to eat anything he wanted for dinner that night. Unlike his sister who at least wanted real food, he opted for 3 large cotton candies and some ice cream, lol.
And, last but certainly not least... we are currently expecting #6! I just took the test today but I guess I've known for a couple of weeks it would be positive. EDD is 3/31. So, now we have to look at modifications on the van or making the Expedition our primary car come March. I guess we will wait and see how all that works out.
Okay, I have company coming for dinner and way more things I should be doing, so I better go for now. I'll try to update again soon.
First, Elli is quite the walker these days. She still hates to wear shoes but she sure can go!
Secondly, Jenny is now 6. I can't believe it has been so long already. Of course, she is still the tiniest thing ever. She is still wearing a 4T. I am really beginning to think that I need to talk to her dr about it as she has been wearing a 4T since 2010. Anyway, her celebration was awesome complete with a Barbie Princess cake.
Third on the update list is Mr. Baby. I guess as he is 3 today, he's not really a baby anymore :( He still isn't wild about the idea of potty training but I keep hoping! He got a Batman race car set and a Batman doll for his birthday. He was so excited since Batman is his very favorite. Also, he was allowed to eat anything he wanted for dinner that night. Unlike his sister who at least wanted real food, he opted for 3 large cotton candies and some ice cream, lol.
And, last but certainly not least... we are currently expecting #6! I just took the test today but I guess I've known for a couple of weeks it would be positive. EDD is 3/31. So, now we have to look at modifications on the van or making the Expedition our primary car come March. I guess we will wait and see how all that works out.
Okay, I have company coming for dinner and way more things I should be doing, so I better go for now. I'll try to update again soon.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
So Much Going On
Wow. I have not had time to update my blog in forever!
I'll try to update all that has happened. First, as I said on June 5, we are in the house! On May 28 all the power went out in the trailer. Not storm out but soaked electrical out. We moved in to the house that night and have continued to finish up details around boxes, etc. We got everything out of the trailer June 11. The kids rooms are completely set up and box free. Most of the other rooms still have boxes but we are making progress and the rooms themselves are completely set up. The only exception is the hall bathroom that still needs a shower curtain and a blind before we start using it. I know you may be thinking that in nearly a month we should have more done, but....
Vacation called! We spent nearly 2 weeks starting June 15 on a blowout vacation. We spent some time visiting my sister and her family in Teague, TX. We spent a week on the beach at Galveston (LOVE the ocean), then meandered back home via a night in Teague, then Dallas, then Oklahoma City. We had a fantastic time and lots of pics on Facebook to prove it :)
And, I also received my first VoxBox from Influenster. I'll be sharing the products I tried and what I thought of them on a blog next week. Don't miss it.
Well, that's it for tonight. With all that going on, we need to get some rest. Talk to you soon!
I'll try to update all that has happened. First, as I said on June 5, we are in the house! On May 28 all the power went out in the trailer. Not storm out but soaked electrical out. We moved in to the house that night and have continued to finish up details around boxes, etc. We got everything out of the trailer June 11. The kids rooms are completely set up and box free. Most of the other rooms still have boxes but we are making progress and the rooms themselves are completely set up. The only exception is the hall bathroom that still needs a shower curtain and a blind before we start using it. I know you may be thinking that in nearly a month we should have more done, but....
Vacation called! We spent nearly 2 weeks starting June 15 on a blowout vacation. We spent some time visiting my sister and her family in Teague, TX. We spent a week on the beach at Galveston (LOVE the ocean), then meandered back home via a night in Teague, then Dallas, then Oklahoma City. We had a fantastic time and lots of pics on Facebook to prove it :)
And, I also received my first VoxBox from Influenster. I'll be sharing the products I tried and what I thought of them on a blog next week. Don't miss it.
Well, that's it for tonight. With all that going on, we need to get some rest. Talk to you soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)