End of Month Recap - May 2012

The end of another month.  I think I did fairly well with goals this month.  At least I feel like I'm getting closer to figuring out my "diet."  I also managed to do some decent cleaning/organizing around the house.  Here's how it went.

FOOD
1. Eat for Digestion - I think I'm figuring out what foods cause inflammation and how individual things impact me/how to "fix" things when I'm not feeling well.  I'm also figuring out how to find balance.  More work on that next month.

2. Try new recipes from Nourishing Traditions - I didn't get to this.

3. Sourdough - I made a few things with my sourdough.

HEALTH

1. Continue to push myself out of my comfort zone/defeat OCD - friends, outings, playdates.

2. Supplements - I currently take a multivitamin, FCLO and probiotics.

FAMILY/PERSONAL

1. Activities and Outings - some stuff we did this month: MOPS, Kindermusik, celebrate Abram's birthday, Soccer lessons, soccer game, MD parade, beach.

2. Rebecca

a. Start an encouragement chart to help focus on the positive/good things she does - we just started this yesterday (oops).  So far it seems to be going well.
b. Eating - Rebecca has some pretty serious texture/chewing/swallowing issues. I need to learn to just let her eat what she can how she can and not stress over it. If she only makes it through a half piece of bread in an hour then so be it. She's growing well and getting lots of nourishing food - we still have our struggles.  I know she has texture issues.  But I think it is also largely related to her focusing issues.  So I'm trying to figure out some new strategies.
c. chart - staying dry at night - Rebecca is doing very well with this!  All of a sudden she just decided that she wants to wear underwear to bed.  She has been staying dry most nights.  So far we still use a pull up.  But maybe we'll try underwear soon...as soon as I go buy a cover for her mattress :P
d. Mommy-daughter date - out for dinner with my mom and my grandma? Four generations of ladies going out together - sadly this did not happen.  My mom wasn't up for it this month.  And we didn't get around to planning a different date.  We might go mini golfing this weekend, though (just the two of us).
e. Organize drawers/figure out our summer clothes situation - finally I was able to organize Rebecca's drawers, clothes, closet and toys!!  So glad to have that done.
f. sign up for swimming lessons and other summer activities - so far we have signed up for dance and swimming.  We might do an arts and crafts camp as well.

3. Abram

a. Work on development/milestones - talking - still working on this.  Abram is very smart and understands more than I expect.  But he still doesn't say a whole lot.  He's trying, though.  He has quite a few "words"...but they are not very clear.
b. Food - Abram has been grain and sugar free until now. He turns one this month. I might start adding small amounts of grains to his diet and see how he does. He loves to feed himself, so I need to figure out more finger foods too. So far he LOVES scrambled eggs and cheese. If you say the word cheese he immediately says "mmmm." I might try a little milk in a cup for him soon too - Abram loves to spit out his food.  So it's tough to feed him.  I just keep offering a variety of foods.  At the moment his favorite food is chicken.  He'll eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.  He also seems to really enjoy blueberry based smoothies and homemade pesto.  So far Abram is still EBF.  I'll have to work on using a cup at some point and slowly add cow's milk to the BM.  So far he won't drink just plain cow's milk.
c. Organize drawers/figure out our summer clothes situation - I just finished Rebecca's room.  Now I have to work on Abram's.

4. Me
a. Writing - Continue posts for GRNL. I will likely become a regular contributor in June or July. Seek other opportunities to write? - I am now a regular contributor at both Grand Rapids Natural Living and Real Food and Health magazine!  Very exciting.

b. Sewing/hobbies - I want to keep working on the matching dresses for Rebecca and her doll. I will also be making Abram's birthday cake. - I made the cake.  No time for sewing yet.

c. Marriage - I want/need to make my marriage more of a priority. Now that Abram is a little older and we have somewhat of a routine life isn't quite so crazy. So now I can spend a little more time with Justin. My other hope is that we spend more time just talking and more time in the Word and in prayer together - we still need to work on this.