I haven't posted on here in a while, as our schedules have just been so busy!! October 2, I hosted a spa party at my house, and the next week, I was in Atlanta for my best friend's wedding! I just got back in town Sunday afternoon. We have a yard sale planned the weekend before Halloween, and then of course, Halloween. And then it's just another whirlwind holiday season.
I promise to post pictures of all the things we've been doing, along with recipes from the parties, etc. It has been a fun time, and I anticipate even more fun to come!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Become Green for Less Green$
So, when Jack was around 12 months old, we decided to switch to non toxic methods of cleaning. Mostly, we were concerned about neurological development, and not so much about the effect on the environment, but it's had a wonderful impact on us! Our house doesn't smell like chemicals, it's clean and bacteria free, our son doesn't have a chance to get into any chemicals, and we have more money in the pocketbook! I love that last reason, it's a great bonus. Extra money for pedi's or mani's! Some cleaning products we do buy, and we buy Method Non Toxic. We buy ours at Lowe's, and they recently clearanced them out, so I stocked up. However, I still needed something for our dishwasher, and I decided to try my hand at making my own cleaner. After much experimenting, here is what has worked for us (and for the water down here).
1 cup Borax
1 cup WASHING Soda (sodium carbonate). You can also use pH up, found in the pool section. Most of the time, washing soda can be ordered online in bulk (amazon) or from the Arm & Hammer website.
Mix above 2 ingredients together, and use 1 Tbsp of the mixture with each wash cycle. Add ONE DROP of Dawn (or whatever dish detergent you use when you hand wash).
Fill Rinse Dispenser with Vinegar. If you don't have a dispenser because your washer is older, just add some vinegar to the dishwasher during the rinse cycle.
Now, I've also added a few drops of lemon juice instead of Dawn, and that works well too. Using Dawn or lemon juice is essential, as it keeps the film off your dishes that can build up after time. Also, if you have hard water, add 1/2 cup of salt to the Borax/Washing Soda mix, as it prevents hard water stains.
This homemade mixture has kept my china and silverware spotless and looking new. It only costs about $0.05 per wash load to use!
Other uses for Borax:
cleaning the house
adding to your laundry to extend your detergent (use half of the amt of detergent and half borax)
killing ants (make a solution)
stain fighter
cleaning appliances
Here is a great basic cleaning solution that I use daily in the kitchen:
equal parts vinegar and water, add in 1/2 cup lemon juice. Put in Spray Bottle (and label of course!). The vinegar disinfects, and the lemon juice disinfects and cuts grease and stains. If I need to scrub or have an abrasive cleaner (like on the stove or in the sink) I just sprinkle some salt, spray my vinegar lemon cleaner, and wipe with a sponge. It was EXCELLENT at getting water spots off of the faucet, not to mention cutting grease.
Stay tuned for more cleaning tips that will help you become green while you save green!
1 cup Borax
1 cup WASHING Soda (sodium carbonate). You can also use pH up, found in the pool section. Most of the time, washing soda can be ordered online in bulk (amazon) or from the Arm & Hammer website.
Mix above 2 ingredients together, and use 1 Tbsp of the mixture with each wash cycle. Add ONE DROP of Dawn (or whatever dish detergent you use when you hand wash).
Fill Rinse Dispenser with Vinegar. If you don't have a dispenser because your washer is older, just add some vinegar to the dishwasher during the rinse cycle.
Now, I've also added a few drops of lemon juice instead of Dawn, and that works well too. Using Dawn or lemon juice is essential, as it keeps the film off your dishes that can build up after time. Also, if you have hard water, add 1/2 cup of salt to the Borax/Washing Soda mix, as it prevents hard water stains.
This homemade mixture has kept my china and silverware spotless and looking new. It only costs about $0.05 per wash load to use!
Other uses for Borax:
cleaning the house
adding to your laundry to extend your detergent (use half of the amt of detergent and half borax)
killing ants (make a solution)
stain fighter
cleaning appliances
Here is a great basic cleaning solution that I use daily in the kitchen:
equal parts vinegar and water, add in 1/2 cup lemon juice. Put in Spray Bottle (and label of course!). The vinegar disinfects, and the lemon juice disinfects and cuts grease and stains. If I need to scrub or have an abrasive cleaner (like on the stove or in the sink) I just sprinkle some salt, spray my vinegar lemon cleaner, and wipe with a sponge. It was EXCELLENT at getting water spots off of the faucet, not to mention cutting grease.
Stay tuned for more cleaning tips that will help you become green while you save green!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Jack's 1st Developmental Pediatric Appt
Yesterday was Jack's first appointment with the Developmental Pediatrician (whose name happens to be Maj. Flake). First, can I just say that this doctor is WONDERFUL?! Dare I say it...is it even possible...I think I like him even more than Jack's primary ped, Dr. Helo! Anyway, Dr. Flake was very thorough. He didn't rush us out of the office, he made sure he really spent time observing Jack, asking us questions, letting us just talk to him, asking preferences for treatments, etc. I mean, it's like he isn't a military doctor ;)
Anyway, when we were put into the exam room to wait, Jack was THRILLED. Seriously. But the room had foam mats with letters, a fisher price table and chair set, a really cool exam table that looked like a school bus, complete with stairs, bright pictures on the wall, and a velcro board with a velcro ball to throw to it. Jack was in heaven. His current "thing" is letters. He has learned his letters and numbers and whenever he see's them, he likes to point them out (which gets old, believe me!). Also, since the foam mat came apart, he was doubly in heaven, as he LOVES to take things apart. So, he got to play for a good while since Maj. Flake was on the phone with a school. When he came into the room, Jack stopped dead in his tracks, ran over to the table and chair set, and buried his head and wouldn't respond to ANYONE. The closer the doctor got to him, the further he shoved his head down. I knew this wasn't a good sign, and I could tell the doctor was worried with this. He asked if it was ok if he went to pick him up, and how would Jack respond to that. We told him he was welcome to do that, but Jack would probably not like it. He attempted to pick him up, but Jack wanted nothing to do with that. He went back to hiding in the chair. The doctor called his name several times and we did too, but he refused to acknowledge any of us. So, Dr. Flake began asking us when we first started worrying about his behavior, and while we went through this, he began blowing bubbles. Jack came away from the chair after a while, but still did NOT want to play. He was holding onto his "beer" (his teddy bear) for dear life. After a while he did point and say "Bubbles!" and the doctor was VERY pleased with this. So, Dr. Flake played with him and observed how he interacted with us and with him. Jack eventually warmed up, but still did NOT want much to do with him (pretty normal behavior for him...). The doctor brought out a wooden board with shapes that nestled in (much like a puzzle) and watched Jack figure out where the pieces went. He immediately put them in the correct spots, and this was no surprise to us because he has been proficient at his shape sorter since about 9 months old. So, Dr. Flake flipped the board around to see how Jack would react, and if he would be able to figure out the difference. Jack didn't even bat an eye, and put the shapes in their correct spaces. Dr. Flake was really amazed at this, because he said even "normal" children that are older don't get that correct. He said Jack was very smart- but we knew that already! :)
So, basically, after watching him play and interact, and asking us a jackjillion questions, he said that he wasn't AS concerned about Autism as he was when he got the consult about him. When he got the consult, Jack wasn't really talking much- all of his vocabulary is about 3 weeks old. Also, he said that it IS evident that Jack has behavioral and sensory "problems" , but he isn't quite sure about speech problems yet. He IS developmentally delayed in that aspect, aside from the size of his vocabulary. He has 30-50 words, which is on target for 18-24 months (he is 21 months), but the way he expresses his ideas, asks for things, etc, is only around a 12 month level. He said that right now, he absolutely wouldn't put a diagnostic label on him, because this age is tough. He could just be waiting to talk, a little behind developmentally, or have a real problem.
So, we are to go back and see Dr Flake in conjunction with his 2 year appointment in December, Jack is starting out with a hearing test (he is hypersensitive to sounds, but ignores voices), and then he will begin receiving Early Intervention therapy to assist with behavior/sensory issues. All in all, a great visit. I'm very excited to see how the therapy will help Jack, and ME too! Maybe I will finally learn the proper way to connect with him, or the way that he understands, anyway.
Incidentally, while we were waiting in the exam room on the doctor, his primary ped, Dr Helo, called us with lab work from last week and said that his Immunoglobulin panels came back and they are STILL low. This problem was noticed at 12 months, and the labs have been repeated a LOT to make sure it wasn't a fluke. They thought that repeating the tests after 18 months would show that his immune levels were normal, since around 1 year -18 months is when they build their own antibodies and lose the antibodies from mom. But, Jack's are still low- all of them except one (IgM is on the low end of the HIGH range). We have an appointment for THAT next tuesday, and I think that will conclude our visit to every pediatric specialist that Keesler has to offer. This will begin ANOTHER round of testing and referrals...just like last year. Last time around, they could not figure anything out, and decided to wait and see, hoping that it was a benign immune disorder. But it seems that isn't so.
Thank the good Lord that I listened to what my "mama instinct" was telling me, and delayed vaccines, pushed the doctors for referrals when they couldn't find anything wrong with him, and that we have access to wonderful (pediatric) doctors. I won't comment on our Internist/Family Practice docs.
Anyway, when we were put into the exam room to wait, Jack was THRILLED. Seriously. But the room had foam mats with letters, a fisher price table and chair set, a really cool exam table that looked like a school bus, complete with stairs, bright pictures on the wall, and a velcro board with a velcro ball to throw to it. Jack was in heaven. His current "thing" is letters. He has learned his letters and numbers and whenever he see's them, he likes to point them out (which gets old, believe me!). Also, since the foam mat came apart, he was doubly in heaven, as he LOVES to take things apart. So, he got to play for a good while since Maj. Flake was on the phone with a school. When he came into the room, Jack stopped dead in his tracks, ran over to the table and chair set, and buried his head and wouldn't respond to ANYONE. The closer the doctor got to him, the further he shoved his head down. I knew this wasn't a good sign, and I could tell the doctor was worried with this. He asked if it was ok if he went to pick him up, and how would Jack respond to that. We told him he was welcome to do that, but Jack would probably not like it. He attempted to pick him up, but Jack wanted nothing to do with that. He went back to hiding in the chair. The doctor called his name several times and we did too, but he refused to acknowledge any of us. So, Dr. Flake began asking us when we first started worrying about his behavior, and while we went through this, he began blowing bubbles. Jack came away from the chair after a while, but still did NOT want to play. He was holding onto his "beer" (his teddy bear) for dear life. After a while he did point and say "Bubbles!" and the doctor was VERY pleased with this. So, Dr. Flake played with him and observed how he interacted with us and with him. Jack eventually warmed up, but still did NOT want much to do with him (pretty normal behavior for him...). The doctor brought out a wooden board with shapes that nestled in (much like a puzzle) and watched Jack figure out where the pieces went. He immediately put them in the correct spots, and this was no surprise to us because he has been proficient at his shape sorter since about 9 months old. So, Dr. Flake flipped the board around to see how Jack would react, and if he would be able to figure out the difference. Jack didn't even bat an eye, and put the shapes in their correct spaces. Dr. Flake was really amazed at this, because he said even "normal" children that are older don't get that correct. He said Jack was very smart- but we knew that already! :)
So, basically, after watching him play and interact, and asking us a jackjillion questions, he said that he wasn't AS concerned about Autism as he was when he got the consult about him. When he got the consult, Jack wasn't really talking much- all of his vocabulary is about 3 weeks old. Also, he said that it IS evident that Jack has behavioral and sensory "problems" , but he isn't quite sure about speech problems yet. He IS developmentally delayed in that aspect, aside from the size of his vocabulary. He has 30-50 words, which is on target for 18-24 months (he is 21 months), but the way he expresses his ideas, asks for things, etc, is only around a 12 month level. He said that right now, he absolutely wouldn't put a diagnostic label on him, because this age is tough. He could just be waiting to talk, a little behind developmentally, or have a real problem.
So, we are to go back and see Dr Flake in conjunction with his 2 year appointment in December, Jack is starting out with a hearing test (he is hypersensitive to sounds, but ignores voices), and then he will begin receiving Early Intervention therapy to assist with behavior/sensory issues. All in all, a great visit. I'm very excited to see how the therapy will help Jack, and ME too! Maybe I will finally learn the proper way to connect with him, or the way that he understands, anyway.
Incidentally, while we were waiting in the exam room on the doctor, his primary ped, Dr Helo, called us with lab work from last week and said that his Immunoglobulin panels came back and they are STILL low. This problem was noticed at 12 months, and the labs have been repeated a LOT to make sure it wasn't a fluke. They thought that repeating the tests after 18 months would show that his immune levels were normal, since around 1 year -18 months is when they build their own antibodies and lose the antibodies from mom. But, Jack's are still low- all of them except one (IgM is on the low end of the HIGH range). We have an appointment for THAT next tuesday, and I think that will conclude our visit to every pediatric specialist that Keesler has to offer. This will begin ANOTHER round of testing and referrals...just like last year. Last time around, they could not figure anything out, and decided to wait and see, hoping that it was a benign immune disorder. But it seems that isn't so.
Thank the good Lord that I listened to what my "mama instinct" was telling me, and delayed vaccines, pushed the doctors for referrals when they couldn't find anything wrong with him, and that we have access to wonderful (pediatric) doctors. I won't comment on our Internist/Family Practice docs.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sleep? What's that?
*Sigh* Jack is almost 2 years old and we have yet to get a good, solid foundation of sleep for him. Actually, I take that back. We had about 2 months of good sleep until we moved into our new house. And since then, he has begun waking in the night several times, and getting up early in the morning. On occasion, he will sleep late and let us catch up on sleep. But generally he is awake and ready to be up no later than 6:15 am, and sometimes he has been up at 4:45 am. We have not been able to find anything that is waking him up. We haven't been able to pinpoint any patterns. I'm just at a loss. I'm going to purchase a book recommended by a friend today to try a different method, because I guess ours isn't working.
I am just so exhausted. I feel like I'm a failure as a mother, because my child can't/won't sleep. It doesn't just affect me as a parent (my temper being shorter, getting frustrated more easily) but it affects Jack too. His moods and tempers are worse on days that he doesn't get 11 or 12 hours of sleep each night. His naps are short and fitful on some days. Others he takes a nice 3 hour nap. I'm just at a loss. He values his routines so much, EXCEPT one for sleep!
Please help us, we are all tired!
I am just so exhausted. I feel like I'm a failure as a mother, because my child can't/won't sleep. It doesn't just affect me as a parent (my temper being shorter, getting frustrated more easily) but it affects Jack too. His moods and tempers are worse on days that he doesn't get 11 or 12 hours of sleep each night. His naps are short and fitful on some days. Others he takes a nice 3 hour nap. I'm just at a loss. He values his routines so much, EXCEPT one for sleep!
Please help us, we are all tired!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
You toot!
The past two days have been really good ones for Jack. As some of you know, he suffers from some developmental problems, though at this time we lack a formal diagnosis (but the doctor's are leaning towards Aspergers Syndrome). Jack is quite smart and catches on very quickly. His vocabulary has recently blossomed, and he has a list of at least 50 words that I can think of off the top of my head. However, he does lack certain social skills- he usually avoids any social situation and strangers. He has rituals and routines that must not be broken. One of his new routines is going to get the mail. He LOVES getting the mail. He will ask for it, even if we have already checked the mail. In our neighborhood, we have central mailboxes on each street, so we walk there to check them daily. Yesterday on our way over there, I saw that there was a man who had driven to the mailboxes and was listening to his music as a loud volume. Well, we walked up to the mailboxes, and I'm sure he didn't hear us over his music, because he passed some gas (though not very loudly), and Jack pointed at him, and yelled "YOU TOOT!" and cracked up. Jack and I BOTH think gas is funny. Well, because it was funny, and Jack's reaction was hysterical, I started laughing. This poor man was so embarassed that he turned red and scurried back to his car and zoomed off very quickly. I'm sure we scarred him for life, and he will make his wife check the mail from now on! However, this marks a milestone for Jack. He did not cry at having a stranger in his "space", and he spoke to them and even laughed. He conveyed a sense of humor and understanding, and while it may not be the most appropriate situation, I have to be grateful for the small things. Plus, it was just damn funny.
Welcome to the life of the Looney Lehmann's!
Welcome to the Lehmann family blog. My husband Zach and I have been married for almost 3 years (Dec 28, 2006), and we have one son, Jack, who will be 2 in December. He is the light of our life, and every day he teaches me something new and amazing. It's wonderful to see the world through the eyes of a toddler, where everything is brand new.
My husband Zach is in the military, and we currently live at Keesler AFB in MS. I'm a stay at home mom to Jack. In my spare time, I make hairbows and tutu's, and have begun making baby blankets and burp rags as well. It gives me a creative outlet and brings in some extra money as well.
This blog will contain a bit of everything, and will be linked up to a recipe blog (since I LOVE cooking!). I've gotten a lot of people asking about my recipes, so I figured I would just post a collection of recipes weekly that are grouped together (low carb, great for entertaining, holiday themed, game day food, etc) and share them that way.
I hope you enjoy reading about our life, as it keeps us very entertained!
My husband Zach is in the military, and we currently live at Keesler AFB in MS. I'm a stay at home mom to Jack. In my spare time, I make hairbows and tutu's, and have begun making baby blankets and burp rags as well. It gives me a creative outlet and brings in some extra money as well.
This blog will contain a bit of everything, and will be linked up to a recipe blog (since I LOVE cooking!). I've gotten a lot of people asking about my recipes, so I figured I would just post a collection of recipes weekly that are grouped together (low carb, great for entertaining, holiday themed, game day food, etc) and share them that way.
I hope you enjoy reading about our life, as it keeps us very entertained!
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