Does Every Post Have to Have A Clever Title?

Are we just about halfway through February already?! It's almost Valentine's Day - sorry, hubby's birthday (therefore he doesn't celebrate V Day) - and nearing the start of our vacation. We've been busy - a trip to the zoo, playdates with some good friends and their sweet babes, visits with doting grandparents, visits to the neighborhood drop-in centres, weekly swimming classes ... never a dull moment!

Just had to write an update about the status of our elimination diet. It has morphed into a 5-day rotation diet, and I have added a lot of foods in a very short time. I'm nervous. I feel like it may have been too much, too soon. We hadn't even reached true "baseline" yet. I've done this for a number of reasons, and I think, I hope, it will be a step in the right direction. The theory is that the rotation diet will minimize any potential reactions and will help us to pinpoint reactions, which will happen in a pattern. Theoretically. Hopefully. I just don't want to look back on this, like so many other decisions that I have made, and feel regret. I really should be embracing this newfound freedom to enjoy more foods, many which I hadn't touched in months! No dairy or soy, obviously, I'm limiting the other major allergens, and I still can't bring myself to try chocolate again (the vegan kind, with no dairy). And I still won't be eating at any restaurants any time soon (except while we're away, of course - there's no way around that so it will be rather tricky).

We have an appointment with a homeopath tomorrow. I'm not sure what to expect. I have only recently become interested in homeopathy, and the search for answers and help in all forms has inspired this appointment. It's not covered by our benefits. I guess that doesn't and shouldn't matter. We're considering alternative testing myself or Lovey for food sensitivities, either through a naturopath or through a holistic nutritionist - tests that are also not covered, and somewhat controversial/criticized. We're running out of benefit money to cover osteopathic appointments (Cranio-sacral therapy) - possibly the most effective treatment thus far in terms of his general comfort. We've gotten a bit disillusioned with our naturopath - she always has the most suggestions but gives us an overwhelming and expensive regimen of supplements and treatments to undertake. We go back to see the gastroenterology team in early March, but they've let us down before.

I've put in hours and hours (days!) of research looking for explanations and solutions. Some possibilities:
- his digestive system is immature, or has been compromised by an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria ("leaky gut"), causing food sensitivities/allergies,
- my digestive system is compromised by an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, causing food sensitivities/allergies, leading to incompletely digested proteins ending up in my breast milk,
- he has a yet-undiagnosed gastrointestinal disease or condition (such as Celiac Disease, GERD, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder, low hydrochloric acid),
- I have a yet-undiagnosed gastrointestinal disease or condition (such as Celiac, which is not in our family that I am aware of, but can be triggered in pregnancy, apparently),
- there may be a connection to my overall toxic load (which I am sure is high due to environmental exposures when I was younger and to my own bad choices pre-motherhood and to everyday toxins that we all intake no matter how hard we try to avoid them),
- or maybe, just maybe, it really is just sensitivity to dairy and soy, and our systems are still working to clear them out from repeated accidental exposures.

Certainly I have found a lot of information that points to the connection between his health and my health. No big surprise there. We are connected in so many ways. It kills me to think that there is something about my health that could be causing his problem. It makes me second-guess my decision to continue breastfeeding all the time. And it's confusing because, overall, I think I've been so careful with my nutrition and health, particularly in the last 5 years. I have never had any symptoms of food sensitivities ... or maybe I never noticed them.

This is the path that we're on. I read a post on an allergy forum that spoke of our babies being the "canaries in the coal mine" and that their problems are markers for our own health. If that is the case in this situation, it is up to me to heed the lessons that my son is teaching me about healing our bodies and making changes for a healthier future. I am learning so much every day.

25 Things About Me

Since I have been slow to update this blog, mainly because I haven't had much time to sit and type (really type, not the 1-finger typing that I often have to do with babe in arms) and also because I just can't really sort out what I want to write about, I now present the cut-and-paste, lightly edited (for names) version of my 25 Things note from Facebook. I will say that another blogging friend did the same, just so she doesn't think that I have totally ripped off her idea. Although I was planning to do it anyway ;P

1. I'm on maternity leave until September 2009 with my now 8 month old son.

2. I met my husband at a pub. He was drinking, I was not. I accidentally spilled my drink and he made me dance with him. He sang karaoke. I still called him the next day.

3. I met my husband in Nov 2005. We bought a house together in Nov 2006. We were engaged Dec 2006. We were married Aug 2007. We had a baby 9.5 months later. It's been a busy few years LOL

4. I lack the confidence to believe that I can think of 21 more interesting things to list.

5. I really like space shows. Loved Farscape (thanks to hubby) and Stargate Atlantis, and wish they didn't end. Also dig Star Wars, Star Trek (not the original, for some reason).

6. I'm currently on an extremely strict diet because I am breastfeeding my son and he has some food sensitivities that we are trying to figure out and help him with. It makes me cranky sometimes. I miss chocolate. I lost 70 pounds in 7 months (gained 50 in pregnancy).

7. I'm a landlady. We rent out our downstairs apartment.

8. Sometimes I triple-check things, like Did I lock the door? Did I turn off the stove? Do I have my keys? (the answer is usually yes x 3)

9. I was a straight A student up until mid-high school when I got a bit distracted. I failed one course in university - Psych Stats - mostly because I gave up halfway through.

10. I can have a short attention span. For example, I'm wondering how much longer this is going to take me, when can I have a snack, maybe I'll just quickly check my e-mail, and what is on TV right now.

11. Lately I'm addicted to the Mothering.com forum, particularly the Allergies section. I'm into Attachment Parenting.

12. I just started a blog that I don't think anyone except my mother has actually checked out yet. Not that I blame them.

13. I have visited every province in Canada, but not the territories. I have lived in 2 provinces and 1 state.

14. I have done 3 really interesting extended road trips - 1. west coast by car (came home on a bus from Vancouver because the car died), 2. east coast by bus by myself (came home by car from PEI with a dear friend), and 3. put over 12000 km on my brand new car (Canada & US), mostly by myself, including camping and hiking in the Rockies on my own.

15. I love to travel. My travel goals are to set foot on every continent, and to see all the major mountain chains (love, love, love mountains!).

16. I've often thought of starting a business - just not sure exactly what kind.

17. I'm my own worst critic.

18. I don't know where I want to live. Today I'm thinking ... somewhere warmer!

19. I spend too much time on the internet. I check Facebook too often. Yet I don't reply to messages in a timely fashion.

20. I love to order things online. Or, rather, I love to receive packages in the mail!

21. I get kind of annoyed when people don't bring their own bags to the grocery store.

22. It's 10:30 on Saturday night, and I'm on Facebook. I'm hoping that my baby doesn't wake up and I'll probably be in bed within the hour. 10 years ago I would have been getting ready to go out somewhere.

23. I have typed and erased about 3 different things for #23. I'm hoping for better luck with #24 and #25.

24. I am caregiver to my grumpy-old-man cat who is about to turn 16 years old.

25. I am grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life - friends, family, my husband and my son. I am truly lucky :)