My little boys turned 2 last Tuesday. I really don't know where the time as gone.
I sometimes wonder if I don't pay enough attention to him given the circumstances but then I realize:
1. He's a happy little boy
2. He's an inquisitive little boy.
3. He's sociable
4. He will find everyday something new to get into ( I guess that the same as #2)
5. He's included in most of the events except if it's going to be too long of a wait for him.
But when he gives me those heart melting hugs and kisses.. I know that he loves me and that he feels loved.
So to my happy, boisterous, inquisitive little boy.. I say " Happy Birthday" and whisper "Don't grow up too fast"
With this, I've come to realize that every mother borned with guilt.. not being there enough, not having enough money to do things, having to work.. the list grows as your children grows.. So I think and say.. enjoy the moments that you have and cherish the memories that you have made.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Grieving what could've been..
Today, I had a meeting with the school board for my daughter because of the severity of the brain injury left by encephalitis. We need to plead our case for her to have an educational assistance (EA).
Here's what I realize.. my daughter is universally loved which I already knew but was just reconfirmed. The biggest shock was how emotional I still was about this whole situation.. I wonder when you get use to this new life it's been almost 15 months and I still can tell her stories without tears but today was worst.. It knocked the breath right out of me... I couldn't breath.. I literally forgot for a few seconds when all these emotions and memories came rushing back at me.
The other big realization is that she will never have that normal childhood that we all had.. She won't climb monkey bars because she can't.. She'll need her walker in the school yard because if she gets bumped by another child.. She'll fall over.. To go to the park or outing, they will need her to use her wheelchair so she doesn't tired out during the day.. I'm so sad about this.. I've come to realize that I'm grieving what could have been.
I know that my daughter is adaptable, she more than willing to be different and work at what she needs to do to accomplished what she originally set out to do. She will have a terrific childhood with friends that will hopefully admire her and respect her. She will play in her own way and will learn to adapt and work at being who she wants to be.
Neither one is really related to one another is just sometimes you have to grieve the "normal" to be able to appreciate the "spectacular" or "different".. It's not a bad thing even though I have mix feeling about it.. I just needed to recognize these feelings so I can work with my daughter to help her achieve her goals.
Take care,
MommaBear
Here's what I realize.. my daughter is universally loved which I already knew but was just reconfirmed. The biggest shock was how emotional I still was about this whole situation.. I wonder when you get use to this new life it's been almost 15 months and I still can tell her stories without tears but today was worst.. It knocked the breath right out of me... I couldn't breath.. I literally forgot for a few seconds when all these emotions and memories came rushing back at me.
The other big realization is that she will never have that normal childhood that we all had.. She won't climb monkey bars because she can't.. She'll need her walker in the school yard because if she gets bumped by another child.. She'll fall over.. To go to the park or outing, they will need her to use her wheelchair so she doesn't tired out during the day.. I'm so sad about this.. I've come to realize that I'm grieving what could have been.
I know that my daughter is adaptable, she more than willing to be different and work at what she needs to do to accomplished what she originally set out to do. She will have a terrific childhood with friends that will hopefully admire her and respect her. She will play in her own way and will learn to adapt and work at being who she wants to be.
Neither one is really related to one another is just sometimes you have to grieve the "normal" to be able to appreciate the "spectacular" or "different".. It's not a bad thing even though I have mix feeling about it.. I just needed to recognize these feelings so I can work with my daughter to help her achieve her goals.
Take care,
MommaBear
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Last one I swear
Alright, this is the last one for tonight I have to go to bed.
My daughter is finally for the second time potty training after 14 months of recovery.. She can finally wear underwears again! She has however had two accidents but I am told that even a typical child will have accidents! I can't remember she was potty trained for 8 months prior to her illness in a blurr of postpartum.. I don't remember if that was the case.. So one big step.
Another big step.. she's had written her name without assistance! horray, she traced it but still no one was holding her hand.. She has the concept now she just need the practice! Ladies and maybe, gentleman, she's a lefty...
And finally, I've realized today that she can associate song to movie.. .. maybe I'm undereducated in this matter but I think that this is no small feat.. Of course, she got all the little mermaids songs but she also name pinocchio and Toy Story (she called it woody)...
Not to say, that I'm not impress with my son.. For an almost two, he follows directions very clearly. He seems to thrive on this.. He's got my photographic memories.. When I can't find something, I ask him... and more than often, he finds it.. He's potty training too.. He's getting pretty good at it.. He now tells me when he's gone in his diaper and gets all upset.. How can you just not love that.. He's not even two!
Wishful thinking, but it would be nice to be diaper free for the summer! or maybe even just a little part of it! Well actually, I'd take diaper free by Christmas!
Good Night to you all.
Take Care
MommaBear
My daughter is finally for the second time potty training after 14 months of recovery.. She can finally wear underwears again! She has however had two accidents but I am told that even a typical child will have accidents! I can't remember she was potty trained for 8 months prior to her illness in a blurr of postpartum.. I don't remember if that was the case.. So one big step.
Another big step.. she's had written her name without assistance! horray, she traced it but still no one was holding her hand.. She has the concept now she just need the practice! Ladies and maybe, gentleman, she's a lefty...
And finally, I've realized today that she can associate song to movie.. .. maybe I'm undereducated in this matter but I think that this is no small feat.. Of course, she got all the little mermaids songs but she also name pinocchio and Toy Story (she called it woody)...
Not to say, that I'm not impress with my son.. For an almost two, he follows directions very clearly. He seems to thrive on this.. He's got my photographic memories.. When I can't find something, I ask him... and more than often, he finds it.. He's potty training too.. He's getting pretty good at it.. He now tells me when he's gone in his diaper and gets all upset.. How can you just not love that.. He's not even two!
Wishful thinking, but it would be nice to be diaper free for the summer! or maybe even just a little part of it! Well actually, I'd take diaper free by Christmas!
Good Night to you all.
Take Care
MommaBear
Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcakes
Surprise! Surprise! These cupcakes are moist and keep you coming back for more.
Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcake
2 cups of Bob's Red Mills All Purpose flour
4 eggs
1 tsp of xanthan Gum
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 3/4 cup of sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup Ryza's Original Rice Milk
Preheat oven at 350C
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum set aside.
In a large bowl, cream oil and sugar until light and fluffy
Add vanilla and eggs one at a time
Add flour and milk until smooth.
Bake for 25min
I have now tried this as a cake.. you need to add another 20 minutes of baking.. It has a banana bread texture but very tasty..
Gluten Free Dairy Free Cupcake
2 cups of Bob's Red Mills All Purpose flour
4 eggs
1 tsp of xanthan Gum
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 3/4 cup of sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup Ryza's Original Rice Milk
Preheat oven at 350C
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and xanthan gum set aside.
In a large bowl, cream oil and sugar until light and fluffy
Add vanilla and eggs one at a time
Add flour and milk until smooth.
Bake for 25min
I have now tried this as a cake.. you need to add another 20 minutes of baking.. It has a banana bread texture but very tasty..
Honey Chicken with Potatoes
This one wasn't a hit with the kids.. but I like it and even ate the leftovers cold the next day in a salad!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup chicken stock or water
Preparation
In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and brown on both sides.
Scatter the potatoes, onion and garlic in the bowl of a crock pot. Season with salt and pepper. Lay the browned chicken over the veggies and drizzle with honey. Add stock, cover and cook, undisturbed, for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
Served with steamed vegetable.
Serves 4
Cream Corn Sauce Recipe for Fish.
I have to say I was a bit apprehensive when I tried out this recipe.. I was longing for a sweet tropical island taste.. I serve fish at least twice a week and for some reason always on Friday.. I'm not overly catholic.. It just so happens this way.. I won't put too much thought into that.
The recipes wasn't a total hit with my kids.. I think they were intimidated by this adult looking plate were everything is not mashed up together! But they did eat it that always a good start.
Fish with cream corn sauce
Cream corn sauce recipe.
2 Tbsp VEGETABLE OIL
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 large Onion, chopped
1 tsp Ginger, chopped
1 cup stock (vegetable)
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
1/4 cup of Vinegar
2 Tbsp Sugar
1/4 cup Green Sweet Pepper, julienne
1/4 cup Red Sweet Pepper, julienne
1 can CREAM STYLE CORN
In a saucepan heat oil, add minced garlic, onion and chopped ginger and saute for 2 minutes.
6. Dissolve egg powder in stock. De glaze pan using stock . Add sesame oil, sugar, vinegar and sweet peppers; allow to simmer.
7. Add cream style corn, combine well and continue to simmer for an additional minute.
8. Drizzle over fish fillet
Serve with rice and mixed green salad.
Cabbage Rolls without the Fuss
My kids loves this recipe it's simple to toss together and its full of good vitamins that they would normally not touch.
2lbs of ground meat (beef, pork, chicken or turkey)
1 cup of onion
2 garlic clove
1 jar of favorite spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cup of water
1 cup of instant rice
3 cup of cabbage
3 cup of bok choy
preheat oven at 325C
cook meat; add onion and garlic; cook until onion are transparent. Stir in spaghetti sauce, water and rice.
Put cabbage in oven safe dish. Pour meat mixture over.
Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hour.
Gluten/Dairy Free Pot Pie Bowl
Gluten/Dairy Free Pot Pie Bowl.. The kids couldn't get enough of this one.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
* 4-5 potatoes, scrubbed and cut in small chunk
* 2 cloves garlic, smashed
* 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 pound of chicken, fish or any meat you have on hand. cut into small pieces
* 1 small, finely chopped onion
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 2 cups gluten-free chicken broth
* 1 cup frozen mixed vegetable
* 1 cup small broccoli florets
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper
Preparation:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the potatoes, garlic and enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes; drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the gluten-free chicken and cook for 4 minutes each side.
3. In the same skillet, add the onion and thyme and cook, stirring over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Lower the heat to medium, add the peas and carrots and the broccoli; cook for 2 minutes. In a bowl, stir the cornstarch into the remaining 1/2 cup gluten-free chicken broth, then stir in the mustard; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
4. In a bowl, mash the potatoes with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the reserved cooking water. Divide mashed potatoes among 4 shallow bowls; make a well in the center and top with the chicken and vegetables.
Serves 4
Recipe:
Ingredients:
* 4-5 potatoes, scrubbed and cut in small chunk
* 2 cloves garlic, smashed
* 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 pound of chicken, fish or any meat you have on hand. cut into small pieces
* 1 small, finely chopped onion
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 2 cups gluten-free chicken broth
* 1 cup frozen mixed vegetable
* 1 cup small broccoli florets
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* Salt and pepper
Preparation:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the potatoes, garlic and enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes; drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the gluten-free chicken and cook for 4 minutes each side.
3. In the same skillet, add the onion and thyme and cook, stirring over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Lower the heat to medium, add the peas and carrots and the broccoli; cook for 2 minutes. In a bowl, stir the cornstarch into the remaining 1/2 cup gluten-free chicken broth, then stir in the mustard; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
4. In a bowl, mash the potatoes with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the reserved cooking water. Divide mashed potatoes among 4 shallow bowls; make a well in the center and top with the chicken and vegetables.
Serves 4
Dairy Free Ice Cream Popsicle
A picture would not do justice to these fabulous treat. Both my kids are dairy intolerance..I'm talking major cramping, fussiness and loose bowels.. So I had to come up with a treat that the whole family could enjoy.. Here's one that I found was a great hit..
Tropical Coconut Bliss
1 can of organic unsweetened coconut milk
2 ripe bananas
1 cup of frozen mango
Toss in the blender.
Pour into your Popsicle mold and Voila! you've got dairy free (high in iron) ice cream bars!
Both kids devour there within 15 minutes which is a record in my house!
Enjoy
MammaBear
Tropical Coconut Bliss
1 can of organic unsweetened coconut milk
2 ripe bananas
1 cup of frozen mango
Toss in the blender.
Pour into your Popsicle mold and Voila! you've got dairy free (high in iron) ice cream bars!
Both kids devour there within 15 minutes which is a record in my house!
Enjoy
MammaBear
Simple Days
Remember when we just worried about what we were going to do tomorrow. That was the life before kids. Even if you were strapped for cash, you never really worried about it. Why would you, you only had to take care of yourself.
These days, between figuring what dairy free, gluten free meals, I am going to prepare for the days. I need to fit into my weekly schedule my daughter's physio, my own physio (recovering from a car accident), the meals, the 30 hour work week and maybe get some cleaning done. By the weekend, I'm exhausted and I just want to have a quiet day but you still need to fit time in for your family and yourself. Yeah, my self... I haven't figured that one out yet..I use to scrapbook but I don't have time for that anymore when I do have time.. My imagination or motivation has taken a sabbatical. I use to bake for the fun of it and now I look at my kitchen counter and either it needs to cleaned first or it just been cleaned. I'm not sure that I want to tackle that mess again.
I often find myself wishing for that simple life, a small house in the middle of no where close to family, with a yard that goes on for miles and the only thing I need to do is take care of my children, my house and my husband. Is it bad that I don't want to be a career woman after all? Where did all that drive an ambition go? Did our grandmothers know something we didn't? It just seemed more simple then.. lots of work, needless to say, but simple.
Just food for thoughts.
Take Care,
MommaBear
These days, between figuring what dairy free, gluten free meals, I am going to prepare for the days. I need to fit into my weekly schedule my daughter's physio, my own physio (recovering from a car accident), the meals, the 30 hour work week and maybe get some cleaning done. By the weekend, I'm exhausted and I just want to have a quiet day but you still need to fit time in for your family and yourself. Yeah, my self... I haven't figured that one out yet..I use to scrapbook but I don't have time for that anymore when I do have time.. My imagination or motivation has taken a sabbatical. I use to bake for the fun of it and now I look at my kitchen counter and either it needs to cleaned first or it just been cleaned. I'm not sure that I want to tackle that mess again.
I often find myself wishing for that simple life, a small house in the middle of no where close to family, with a yard that goes on for miles and the only thing I need to do is take care of my children, my house and my husband. Is it bad that I don't want to be a career woman after all? Where did all that drive an ambition go? Did our grandmothers know something we didn't? It just seemed more simple then.. lots of work, needless to say, but simple.
Just food for thoughts.
Take Care,
MommaBear
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Brain Injury
My 4 year old has brain injury and there's time that I swear that I have it too!.. She's having a hard time with transition and gets frustrated easily, I've been told that this is common for 4 years old. But I'm not convinced, our daughter use to have the longest attention span known to her age and she used to ask from help if it was required. Now, sometime, I have to intervene if I see a storm coming.. Sometimes, I just let it happen so she can learn to control these things. I'm sure that there's all these kinds of support group but that would mean that either I take more time off (that I can afford) or do it later at night ( I already don't spend enough time with the kids).
There's a lot of causes from brain injury and lots of different areas that can be affected. My daughter's injury is on the brain stem which means that it can affect everything. But the hardest part for me is that she gets so easily upset and it takes a good five minutes to calm her down. She can also be easily set off once she's had one of these outburst.. This also happens three to four times a night because she's stuck in the blanket, thirst or just work up. My days are busy and my nights are interrupted but this is my life.
So here I am trying to see how I can help her get better. I've started the whole family as a mean of support on a gluten free lifestyle. This as help her to remain focus and a drop down her outburst but if we derive from this lifestyle (ie. we visit someone, go out and are not prepared, or birthday parties), it can take up to three days for her to get back to her normal self.
When she first was sick, I research what kind of food would be beneficial for her the only recommendation, I found where the following:
1) Eliminate all alcohol and wine.
2) Eliminate all sugar and sugar substitutes, instead eat fruit with low sugar content.
3) Eat lots and lots of protein
4) Eat lots of vegetables
5) Drink plenty of water
Well the first one doesn't apply but the other one is just part of a sensible diet.. So I was not very impressed. A year later, I found myself a Naturopath and she recommend that we eliminated dairy which was already being done since I had just discovered that my son was dairy intolerant. She explained to me that since most dairy product are pasteurized a lot of the digestive enzymes are eliminated. Making it hard for people to digest hence compromising our immune system. And since, our daughter acquired this conditions from Influenza B. It would be certain that I would give this a try.
The second recommendation was to go gluten free. Celiac disease is on the rise and if we can eliminated the over consumption of this product at a young age, we can help their health in their adult life. Also this type of diet is recommended for the following: those suffering with joint pain, brain fog, loss of balance but I would check with a naturopath or a family doctor before making any change in my diet.
Since we started the kids on this lifestyle in march, there as been no cold and fewer stressful moments.
This is just things to ponder.
Take care for now,
MommaBear
There's a lot of causes from brain injury and lots of different areas that can be affected. My daughter's injury is on the brain stem which means that it can affect everything. But the hardest part for me is that she gets so easily upset and it takes a good five minutes to calm her down. She can also be easily set off once she's had one of these outburst.. This also happens three to four times a night because she's stuck in the blanket, thirst or just work up. My days are busy and my nights are interrupted but this is my life.
So here I am trying to see how I can help her get better. I've started the whole family as a mean of support on a gluten free lifestyle. This as help her to remain focus and a drop down her outburst but if we derive from this lifestyle (ie. we visit someone, go out and are not prepared, or birthday parties), it can take up to three days for her to get back to her normal self.
When she first was sick, I research what kind of food would be beneficial for her the only recommendation, I found where the following:
1) Eliminate all alcohol and wine.
2) Eliminate all sugar and sugar substitutes, instead eat fruit with low sugar content.
3) Eat lots and lots of protein
4) Eat lots of vegetables
5) Drink plenty of water
Well the first one doesn't apply but the other one is just part of a sensible diet.. So I was not very impressed. A year later, I found myself a Naturopath and she recommend that we eliminated dairy which was already being done since I had just discovered that my son was dairy intolerant. She explained to me that since most dairy product are pasteurized a lot of the digestive enzymes are eliminated. Making it hard for people to digest hence compromising our immune system. And since, our daughter acquired this conditions from Influenza B. It would be certain that I would give this a try.
The second recommendation was to go gluten free. Celiac disease is on the rise and if we can eliminated the over consumption of this product at a young age, we can help their health in their adult life. Also this type of diet is recommended for the following: those suffering with joint pain, brain fog, loss of balance but I would check with a naturopath or a family doctor before making any change in my diet.
Since we started the kids on this lifestyle in march, there as been no cold and fewer stressful moments.
This is just things to ponder.
Take care for now,
MommaBear
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