Summer Solstice: Reedy Creek

The plan this morning was to buy out the local Farmer's Market. Not only was the selection of produce unimpressive, but the worker was downright rude. Completely disappointed, we made up for it by going to the park. With Jesse home for the summer, we were able to divide and conquer so that all four kids could crawl through tunnels and go down slides. The kids had fun despite some extremely obnoxious, unsupervised children taking over the playground.

We continued our park adventures by exploring the adjacent nature center and trails. The nature center could have easily provided free entertainment for an hour or more. Jack checked out the numerous reptiles and stuffed animals. 

There was a baby-friendly area with building blocks, smooth wooden logs, puppets, and a large tent. James spent most of his time moving logs around while Maddie and Amelia enjoyed the plethora of hand puppets.

It was so nice to be able to walk around the trails together as a family. The early morning weather wasn't too hot or humid yet, which created an ideal environment. It's so important to me that Jesse and I are active with the kids and our children are able to enjoy playing outdoors.

After a busy morning, we still couldn't leave without stopping to play on this hidden gem. Jackson and I frequent dozens of playgrounds, but this is probably the most unique one.

No surprise, Jesse and I pulled into the garage with a van full of four sleeping children. Our first day of summer was a success!

Research & Lunch Date with Jack

Jackson and I have participated annually in a research study since he was a newborn. The study is through UNC Nutrition and Cognition Lab. It began as a study on breastmilk and DHA. Each year we have been invited back for saliva and blood samples and asked to complete various activities and questionnaires.  

Now that Jackson is old enough, he was asked to participate in hundreds of games, puzzles, and activities that tested his memory and IQ. I was required to keep a food log for Jackson and fill out multiple surveys with over 400 questions. Most of the research was conducted in this tiny interrogation room.  The sessions were filmed through a two-way mirror and everything was timed. 

Despite the intimidating set up, everything was surprisingly fun and age-appropriate. The researcher taught Jack how to build several objects with oddly shaped blocks. Jackson was asked to repeat what she did immediately afterwards, an hour later, and a full week later. I was surprised at how thorough everything was. I'm very curious to see what Jack's results are, especially since he answered things in unusual ways or refused to complete some of the tasks in the correct order. I knew he knew the answer, but I wasn't allowed to redirect or assist. For example, the researcher showed Jackson a picture of a girl sitting in a highchair with an empty plate. She asked, "What do you think the girl just did?" Jack said, "Maybe she fell and broke her legs." The researcher and I looked at one another. She asked, "Why do you think that?" Jack pointed to the picture of the girl and said, "Her legs are broken." Sure enough, the girl had braces on both of her legs.

Jackson was as stubborn and silly as always. He had both the researcher and I crying from laughing. For example, the woman handed Jackson a baby doll, cup, spoon, and washcloth and asked him to take care of the baby. He fed her with the spoon and bowl. She asked, "What are you feeding her?" He replied, "slugs and worms". She asked him to clean the baby. Jack rubbed the washcloth all over the baby doll. She asked, "What are you doing?" He replied, "rubbing vomit all over her. She throw up." 

In addition to the hundreds of questions, Jackson also had to complete physical tasks such as hopping on one foot, walking backwards in a straight line, walking down stairs without holding on, etc.

We attended two sessions, lasting about two hours each. I really enjoyed the individual time with Jack and hearing his responses to the questions. He seemed so grown up.

After leaving the research campus, I pulled over on the side of the road and made Jackson take a picture at this intersection. I couldn't resist. How cool is that?

Since we were generously compensated for our research participation I decided to take Jackson out for lunch. He wanted spaghetti and apples. Denny's was the perfect place.

I ordered a baja burger (peppers, onions, pico de gallo, and chipotle sauce) and baby carrots. Jack devoured his enormous portion of spaghetti and apples.  Our entire bill was a whopping $7. This was the best photo of the two of us. Ha!

After lunch, Jackson requested to go across the street to see the fish (aka Bass Pro Shop). We went to the large aquarium. As we were leaving Jackson said, "Can you take my picture with that giant bear?" I was seriously elated since I'm always the one begging him to pose for a picture. He growled and mimicked the bear.

It was such a fun afternoon with my silly guy. I look forward to more one-on-one time with each of the kids this summer.

You Know It's Hot When...

...your coconut oil is permanently liquid.

...while sitting on the couch, Jackson asks, "Why my hair wet?"

...you go outside to cool off because you can at least feel a breeze.

...your children wake up with runny noses from the windows being open all night.

...your living room is so humid your legs stick to the couch.

...you wish Mr. Miyagi could come catch all the flies that have come inside from the open doors.

...Jackson proclaims, "I can touch the roof!" after discovering a rip in the upstairs window screen.

...you refuse to use the oven because it only adds to the heat.

...Maddie's legs are covered in heat rashes.

...showering is pointless.

...your living room thermostat reads 89°.



After over a week without any air conditioning and receiving multiple estimates on new air conditioners, we selected a small company to replace our entire dilapidated unit (furnace and AC).  They could not replace the unit the same day (or the next day) so they gave us a large unit to keep the nursery cool.

Two more days, over 10 hours of labor, and nearly $7,000 later, our house is now a cool 72°.

Ah, the joys of being a homeowner.  At least we shouldn't have to worry about heating or air for the next 10+ years.  Paying the mortgage, on the other hand, could be tricky.

Wheat Belly: One Month Later

It's been just over a month now since beginning this way of eating so I thought I'd share our "official results".

We took all measurements again. I'm only updating the areas that changed.

Jesse's Measurements
Weight: -18 lbs
Chest: -3"
Waist: -4"
Hips: -2"

Bonnie's Measurements
Weight: -23 lbs
Chest: -3"
Waist: -5"
Hips: -3"

Jesse's Labs (April 15 vs. June 16)
Blood Pressure went from 132/86 to 110/80.
Hemoglobin A1C went from 5.7 (prediabetic) to 5.4 (normal).
Thyroid decreased. Doctor lowered medication.
Cholesterol was not repeated.

We managed to try 30 new Paleo or Wheat Belly recipes over the past month. Most of those meals have appeared in our weekly posts.

Here are some more recipes from the past week:

Gazpacho

Spinach and Chicken Torte (loosely based off of this recipe)

BBQ pork chops, green beans, oven roasted potatoes

Pizza (WB crust and uncured pepperoni) with salad

Rotisserie chicken with roasted broccoli

The plan is to continue following Wheat Belly lifestyle but with fewer restrictions. We reintroduced white potatoes to our diet last week. We may occasionally have brown rice, corn, or oats. And I'm willing to indulge in an infrequent non-WB dessert. I would guess 90% of our diet will continue to be homemade foods with single ingredients and very little processed foods.

Making Room for Changes

Jesse did a bit of rearranging last week to provide better space for our new hobbies. The first major change was clearing the office to create more floor space for our home gym. By gym, I mean weights and an exercise bike, with lots of room to move around. Jesse follows P90X videos daily and I have started T25. Those intense workout programs require adequate space.

Jesse also took down Maddie's pack-n-play that had been in the corner of our bedroom for the past year. Though Maddie has been sleeping in the nursery for a month now, I still liked having it there just in case she needed to come back. The pack-n-play is now in the attic.

Both Jesse and I have spent most of our recreational time reading. He moved the oversized chair and ottoman that was formerly in the office into the corner of our bedroom.

The comfy spot is between the windows and a dresser with a lamp.  We have nice reading light no matter what time of day it is.

In case you're wondering, this was my reading list last month. Clearly my preference is realistic fiction. I returned my library books and have put a dozen more on hold. Happy reading!

Big Boy Coming Through

James is the first to pull up to standing. He has even pulled up on the coffee table and taken a few steps while holding on. Of course, I promptly sat him down. Such advancements will not be tolerated yet!

James' first tooth cut last week. His second tooth made it's appearance a few days ago.

I swear he has aged months in the past week!

11 Months

sleeping habits:
All three are asleep in their cribs between 7-7:15 p.m. They wake up between 6:30-7 a.m.  They rarely wake in the middle of the night and haven't had any middle of the night feedings in over a month. (Confession: Maddie has been waking hourly the past few nights! It's like having a newborn again.)

They go down for a morning nap in their cribs around 9:30/10 and sleep until noon on good days. Afternoon naps are shorter and the times vary depending on our outings.

eating habits: 
The babies receive four 6-oz bottles a day. Three are formula and one is donor breastmilk.

7:00 am- 6 oz bottle
8 a.m.--fruit cup, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, graham crackers, pancakes, etc

11:30/12.--6 oz bottle
1 p.m.-quesadilla, grilled cheese, leftovers, heated deli meat, fruit, veggies, etc (all finger foods)

4/4:30 p.m.--6 oz bottle
5/5:30 p.m.--eat table food in high chairs

7 p.m.--6 oz bottle

I just purchased squeezable pouches and look forward to offering yogurt, oatmeal, purees, etc.

milestones:
James-pull himself up to standing position, crawls on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds himself finger foods, has two bottom teeth, drinks from a sippy cup
Amelia-pull herself up to knees, crawls on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods
Maddie-smoothly transitions from belly to seated position, takes a few steps on hands and knees, sits unassisted, feeds herself finger foods, has two teeth

challenges:
-The girls are boycotting sippy cups, despite being offered water three times a day. Amelia will suck it out and let the water dribble down. Maddie just plays with the cup.
-We've all been a sweaty mess after our air conditioner finally broke a week ago.

victories:
-Connecting both baby gates has created a large, safe space on the deck for the babies to play outside.
-Maddie has increased mobility and core strength thanks to regularly wearing hip-helpers.

special notes:
-The babies love swimming in their inflatable swimming pool and their aunt's in-ground swimming pool.
-We have yet to spend a single dime on formula, thanks to pumping for 9 months, donor milk, and Enfamil multiples program.
-Friday was the last day of school, which means the babies get to enjoy summer with their Mommy AND Daddy!