Owner: My Two Boys URL:http://adopttwoboys.blogspot.com Join Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:05:41 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: I am a SAHM wanting to be a WAHM. I am a mom of one blond angel from Arhkangelsk, Russia who lights up my life. Journey with our family as we travel to Guatemala to adopt our second child, chelate our first, and try to stay sane. Site statistics:Click here
I'm addicted 2007-07-17 21:26:00 I'm addicted to America's Next Top Model.Yes, you can shun me now.Tags: americas next top model
Oh My Gosh, What do I Wear? 2007-07-16 13:53:00 I live about 40 minutes from Chicago and I am not going to BlogHer. Why? Because I just started blogging about 2 months ago and I have to admit that I am just not that gungho about taking the train into Chicago two days in a row to see people I have never met before in my life.And, I'm not really good with girls.But, I am VERY excited about going to the Chicago Moms Blog dinner on Thursday night before BlogHer starts. I even got a personal invitation to it because I am a Chicago Mom.The only problem?What the heck do I wear? I am sooooo not good with clothes! When I dress up I usually end up looking like this when I want to look like this. What do you suggest?Tags: BlogHer, Chicago Moms Blog, New Dress
Yes, I have "That" child 2007-07-19 19:07:00 I was told today, by a friend, that her two child
ren are not thrilled to play with my son. Great...he's "That" kid. You know, the one that all of the other kids don't want to play with but all of the mothers say they have to in order to be nice?Random Mom: He's different, honey, and you have to respect that.Random Kid: Ahhh, but Mom.Random Mom: No, ahh, buts. You do it. (grumble, grumble)So, this is why I have no friends, eh? Either that or they are intimidated by my beauty and since I have gained 15 pounds and developed a mustache of freckles I don't think that is the case.With a special needs son this is going to be a problem for a long time. But how do I solve it? We don't have very many children in our neighborhood that Little Pickel can play with and since he is in an Early Childhood program at a school that is not in our neighborhood it is difficult to find playdates.I have brainstormed some things (with the help of my honest friend).1. Join a Mommy and Me group so we can bo
Funniest Kid 2007-07-19 10:47:00 Last Halloween Little Pickel and I were decorating pumpkins for the first time. We had all of the essential accessories; glitter, glue, paint, eyes, you name it. When we were all done and I was cleaning the paint brushes in the sink he decided that the eyes did not deserve to go on the pumpkin...instead they should go on him. Thus, the wiggly, giggly, Little Pickel. I had no idea he knew how to do that but he is a genius little boy. He is so excited about Halloween this year already and I have a feeling a Winnie the Pooh costume is on its way. Tags: Blogmommas, funnies kid, photo, contest
Boy Birthday Party Ideas 2007-07-18 09:16:00 I have been to a ton of birthday parties this year, some good and some not so good. And it seems to me that moms everywhere are searching for some great ideas on how to throw the best birthday party for their 4 and 5 year olds...especially boys. Girls are easy, right? Give them princess dress up clothes and they are good to go. But boys? Gosh, who knows!Well, I have found some things to make your lives a whole lot easier. I've bundled them into "packages" for you so all you have to do is click on the following links and order those products. How easy can that be?You might gasp at first when you see these prices but think again...What do you really spend on your son's birthday? Do you add it up? Or do you spend a little here and there and end up spending way more than that price at the bottom of the picture?Those favors add up, and the pinata, then the party games, the cups, the plates, the tablecloth, the cake, the invitations. When you are all said and done...you have probably spent Read more:Birthday
, Party
Kid's Birthday Party Books 2007-07-22 22:10:00 Learn how to plan the birthday party your child will remember for a lifetime...and do it yourself. Why pay someone else hundreds of dollars to throw an extravagant party that your child may not even like?Here are four great books offered by Amazon to help.FamilyFun's Parties: 100 Party
Plans for Birthday
s, Holidays & Every Day (FamilyFun Series, No. 3)Kids Party Games And Activities (Children's Party Planning Books
)The Ultimate Birthday Party
Book: 50 Complete and Creative Themes to Make Your Kid's Special Day Fantastic!Diane Warner's Big Book of Parties: Creative Party Planning for Every OccasionTags: Birthday party books, Kids birthday parties, plan party
My First Award 2007-07-21 10:43:00 My Nesting Place has awarded me my first award and its such a nice one.My Two Boys is such a friendly blogger. Her posts are very interesting. She is in the process of adopting another child. Her blog has a lot of really great information on autism. I am supposed to pass this on to all the bloggers that I think are thoughtful but I am going to be stingy and pass it on to only one that has made a difference in my week...who was not only thoughtful to me but who touched my heart because she is digging through the same *%^ that I am muggling through.Little Wool Gatherings thanks for being real. Tags: thoughtful blogger award Read more:First
, Award
I Once Was Lost: How not to get lost in the Chicago suburbs 2007-07-25 11:45:00 In the past week I have gotten lost two times. This is totally NOT like me. So, I have decided that I need to make a travel directions notebook to keep in my car, no, purse.ie: a Dummy's Guide to Where Pickel Has to Go.Step 1. purchase a spiral notecard book but I love this one and signed up to win it in the Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Give-Away.Step 2. Each time I write down directions I copy the directions into this notebook with a title of the location AND a phone number.Step 3. Make sure to take cell phone.Part Two coming up tomorrow: How to keep a toddler busy in the car while you get lost.Turn your kids into happy, patient travelers with madallie.com a children's online travel store. We've hunted down the most creative toys, books, games, backpacks and more to keep your kids occupied and keep you sane whenever you're on the road. Even if it's only to soccer practice...Travel with us through our website! Tags: How to get lost, Chicago
, suburbs
I Gotcha, My Sasha! 2007-07-25 11:41:00 Today is our Second Adoption Day! YEAH! How time flies. I will update you all later this evening on how our trip to the zoo goes.Here is the little man two years ago.It is my belief that each Adoption Day should be celebrated because it is certainly a special day. Last year we went to the Toledo Zoo and Little Pickel had a blast. He tuckered out quickly but nonetheless he had a great time.This year we decided to do the same thing, as he has been asking to "see animals, go zoo" for about a week now. We chose to go to a small local zoo instead of heading downtown to Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo because after Summer School in the morning he would have been a basketcase.Its a good thing because he was a holy terror the entire time we were there. He has been going through a screaming phase again and decided that the zoo was a wonderful place to practice these skills. We did not have a great time.So, we left there and went to the local outdoor outlet mall just to wander around. Ironica Read more:Sasha
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER Bloggy Giveaway 2007-07-24 22:12:00 Yes, I am a Jump on the Bandwagon, Rocks in my Dryer, traffic "slut", kind of blogger. But, I don't CARE!So, join in the fun and win these! I call these Pickel's Pearls "Funky Mama's". They are named after my godmother because she is just so darned Funkey! (pardon the spelling, but that is her name)
I Would Die For That 2007-07-23 09:13:00 Emotionally, I have been through my ups and downs in the last three years.I have experienced the heart wrenching loss of being told that I can not have children and then seen a neighbor get pregnant when she did not want to.I have had the joy of announcing our adoption to friends and family only to be told that once we adopt we will get pregnant.I have experienced the elation of being a mother and then enduring my first sleepless night with a screaming toddler.Yet, I still, no matter what anyone says, or how much I try to kid myself, yearn for a biological child. Of course, Little Pickel is my child as much as a biological child ever could be but the entire birth experience is what I miss.My gut, my hormones, my ovaries, whatever, still tug at me. They still want to feel a baby kick against my stomach or flop hiccup. I want to be able to rest my hands on a tummy that has a reason to be large and eat chocolate because the baby wants it.And I want to hold my child for the first time and
Praying for Parker 2007-07-23 09:02:00 **Win Win Win** Simply donate to Parker
this week to be in with a chance to win some of these awesome prizes: A HP Photosmart R837 Digital Camera and case. A HP Photosmart A616 compact printer, carrying case and paper and more... What are you waiting for, click on the button and offer Parker a little love.To read more about Parker click here to read an interview with his Mother by Melody from Slurping Life. Tags: Praying for Parker
Then Things Every Child with Autism Wishes you Knew 2007-07-22 18:16:00 I am stealing this from an article way back in 2005. But, I think it is so worthy of the steal.Ten Things Every Child with AutismWishes
You KnewBy Ellen NotbohmSouth Florida Parenting Some days it seems the only predictable thing about it is the unpredictability. The only consistent attribute, the inconsistency. There is little argument on any level but that autism is baffling, even to those who spend their lives around it.The child who lives with autism may look "normal," but his or her behavior can be perplexing and downright difficult. Today, the citadel of autism, once thought an "incurable" disorder, is cracking around the foundation. Every day, individuals with autism show us they can overcome, compensate for, and otherwise manage many of the condition's most challenging aspects. Equipping those around our children with a simple understanding of autism's most basic elements has a tremendous effect on the children's journey towards productive, independent adulthood. Autism
Proprioceptive Outdoor Toys 2007-07-21 19:48:00 On the subject of Proprioceptive Sensory Issues...here is a great outdoor movement toy. We have a great indoor one from IKEA that took Little Pickel about 6 months to even sit on. But, IKEA does not carry that particular one online. If interested...that one is a green rocker sold in IKEA stores anywhere.Sold everywhere through Amazon and KBtoys is the Naturally Playful Teeter Totter.Tags: proprioceptive, sensory integration, amazon, kbtoys, naturally playfull teeter totter, little pickel, ikea, rocker
Copper Kid 2007-07-21 18:32:00 So apparently I have a Copper
Kid, aka, a kid that is high on Copper. Ooops, has high copper levels.The importance of copper:IMPORTANCE: * Helps oxidize glucose and release energy. * Helps the body absorb iron. * Aids the thyroid gland in balancing and secreting hormones. * Carries oxygen in the blood stream. * Supplies the body's tissues with oxygen * Increases the body's energy levels. * Aids in nerve and brain function * Needed for the functioning of the amino acid, tyrosine. * Essential for making red blood cells. * Helps the body absorb iron. * Helps tyrosine work as a pigment factor * Helps supply oxygen to the brain. * Enzyme component * Necessary for the synthesis of the hormone adrenaline. * Associated with intestinal enzyme activity. * Acts as a brain stimulant * Copper antagonizes manganese ions. * Copper level in the body parallels estrogen levels. * Copper is a natural yeast fighter * Copper improves epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine.* helps ox
Why Should I have to Warn Strangers? 2007-07-20 19:24:00 Why should I ever have to warn strangers not to touch my child? Strangers
should never touch my child in the first place. I would never touch theirs.This evening we went to pick up pizza at our favorite pizza place, Lou Malnatis. They don't have a dine in area, so Little Pickel was running around in the small area and the owner came out to say hello and check on customers. We, luckily, were the only ones in there.She commented on how cute he was, as most people do. He is active, vivacious, and has these adorable glasses that make him look like the kid from Jerry Maguire. She tried to talk to him about where he got his car and he tried so hard to answer her and actually got out half the sentence. (He usually does not answer at all so this was a huge accomplishment.) She then reached out and touched him, something he does not allow strangers to do at all, something he did not allow us to do for days.Surprisingly he did not even flinch. Whew.Last week, however, I had to give a full blown
Epsom Salt Recipies 2007-07-19 18:19:00 All Recipes from Enzyme StuffRecipe 1from Karen D: Heat some Epsom salts with a little water to dissolve them. I put about one teaspoon of water in three tablespoons of salts and microwave for a minute or so. Add more water if necessary. Then mix this into around four ounces of any lotion or cream you like. I have used suntan lotion, handcream, cocoa butter, body lotion, aloe vera cream, whatever I find that is on sale or inexpensive without the chemicals I am trying to avoid. This seems to work better if the cream or lotion is water-based rather than oil-based. Good buys are at the local grocer in the lotion section. Apply to skin anywhere as often as desired. Some new commercially prepared Epsom salt creams are available but can be very expensive and may contain chemicals that are not tolerated. Recipe 2 from Rubby: Well – my recipe for the Epsom salt cream is quite unscientific. I don't really measure my ingredients – I just add a bit of everything until I have the c Read more:Recipies
The Benefit of Epsom Salts 2007-07-19 18:19:00 Epsom Salts are actually Magnesium Sulfate and they have several medicinal uses. Typically, epsom salts are used as a topical pain reliever in bath soaks like Tea Tree Ultimates Soaking Crystals or gels. It is also used as a laxative in products such as Phillips Milk Of Magnesia Original - 4 Oz What is interesting though, is that a 2004 research study by Rosemary Waring at the School of Biosciences, Birmingham University, UK has shown that both magnesium and sulphate are absorbed through the skin when bathing in 1% solution.This is what makes it useful for children with Autism. Dr Waring found that most children on the autism spectrum are very low in sulfate and may be as low as 15 percent of the amount in neurologically typical people. People with low or no ability to convert compounds to sulfate have problems handling environmental chemicals, some medications, and even some chemicals produced within the body. When we began Little Pickel's diet we were prudent to decrease his phenol
Tactile Balls 2007-07-18 19:49:00 Tactile toys are so much fun...I have pulled a few that we have around our house and have listed them here. But, I will explain why they are interesting.This Elmo ball not only vibrates but it will also stop in its tracks and turn around to go a different direction. It is an absolutely wonderful toy for Floortime. It taught Little Pickel to share because when I would bring this toy out he would try to hoard it like he used to do in the orphanage. I had to practice Floortime techniques in order to teach him that playing is with 2 people.Okay, so this is a dog toy...so what? Little Pickel absolutely LOVED it. Like the Elmo toy above, this one vibrates but it vibrates A LOT MORE. LP giggled and then calmed instantly with this toy. But, if you put it on the floor he would chase it for hours, as it bounced all over the place. Super fun!The next three toys are simply texture balls that Little Pickel and I used to have ball fights with. It was great. He used to sit on the couch and thr Read more:Balls
13 Sensory Products Little Pickel Can Not Live Without 2007-07-18 19:26:00 1. Six Weights, 1 1/2lbs. each For Weighted Blanket2. FrogPockets Weighted Vest (includeds 30 frogs)3. Swing4. No Title Found5. Sheepskin Rug6. Red Chewy Tube ('' or 1.3cm in diameter) For Jaw Rehabilitation Program Kit7. Intex 117" x 76" x 53" Rainbow Ring Play Center8. I-Play Inflatable Water Play Center9. Chicco Shape Sorter Drum10. Parking Garage11. Music & Play Table12. Shopping Cart 13. Tube With A ViewTags: Thursday Thirteen, sensory products, have to have! Read more:Sensory
, Products
Mom's Best Friend 2007-07-16 18:26:00 If you try one diaper cream EVER, try this one. We tried every single cream on Little Pickel when he had diaper rash, yeast rash, and an acid rash from H Pylori. This worked on all three. Sure, its meant to treat cracked nipples on cows but it works. It works on cracked hands from too many sanitized washings, cracked winter feet, eczema, cuticles, anything one can think of. Gosh, you think I am a walking advertisement for this stuff....But seriously try it!I have passed this on to several parents already and they now swear by it. Pehaps it is the ingredients; 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate 0.3% in a Petrolatum, Lanolin Base and no alcohol.Tags: Bag Balm, diaper rash, yeast rash, acid rash
How to Choose a Pediatrician 2007-07-16 18:22:00 I admit, our first pediatrician was a bust...and we fired him because he refused to test Little Pickel for H Pylori, something that LP had (and was so riddled with that he still has after-effects now, 1.5 years after eradicating it).I had taken the advice of a neighboring parent who loved this pediatrician and I thought he was going to be really good. He just did not have the time for us, nor the international experience, nor the patience to deal with Little Pickel's numerous issues. And, he sent us to specialists that gave him a kick-back but did nothing for us.So, we searched high and low for our own special needs doctor and found a wonderful clinic 40 miles away. Was it worth it? Yes, every dog gone mile.We found specialists at the University of Michigan to help us. We did it on our own. Was it worth it? Every minute I spent searching.No thanks to butthead doctor.But, it just goes to show you how important it is to have the right doctor in the first place. Don't just chose one bec
The Midsummer Blues 2007-07-28 14:22:00 I know Little Pickel is getting the blues lately. I saw Wendy Piersall's post today and found 12 amazing links to activity web sites. Most of them are great for all year round so make sure to save them for the rest of the busy holidays!These are great activity web sites 1. Printables4Kids 2. StarFall Reading Games 3. DLTK’s Summer Activities 4. Kaboose.com 5. KidSites.com 6. TheKidzPage.com 7. Kidscom.com 8. U.S. Fire Administration for Kids 9. PlayKidsGames.com10. Discovery.com School Resources11. Internet4Classrooms12. CBC KidsAnd, some great craft sites: 1. EnchantedLearning.com - extremely comprehensive list sorted by holiday, theme, materials, or topic 2. AllCrafts.net - free crafts listing 3. FamilyCrafts.About.com 4. ChildParenting.About.com - Summer arts and crafts 5. CraftForKids.com 6. The Best Kids Book Site - also has a huge crafting section 7. OneHourCraft - for older kids (and, erm, their moms!)And my personal favorites...WondertimeFamily Fun MagazineNow, Wendy gives r Read more:Midsummer
, Blues
10 Grocery Saving Tips 2007-07-27 22:20:00 Unfortunately, my grocery bill has been astronomical lately. Mostly due to Little Pickel and his, oh so fun, food intolerances. But, also due to the fact that I can't live without Diet Coke and Breyer's Reeses Ice Cream.Recently I found some great ways to cut down on the grocery bill. I hope this helps you as well.1. Eat seasonally. Right now fruits and vegetables are at a low. Stock up on these and if they can be canned or frozen do so. I froze some blueberries to use in muffins later in the summer or early fall the other day because they were much cheaper than the frozen ones. Green beans, zucchini, and squash are all 10 for $10 at my local grocer. Those can all be frozen if I were to want to eat them, right?2. Go frozen.. Most concentrated juices can run (on sale) as low as .50-.99 cents. Compare that to fresh juice at $3 and you can save $2-2.50 just on juice. My local grocer also has frozen vegetables on sale right now for 2 for @4.50...much more than the seasonal veggies. Just Read more:Grocery
, Saving
Giveaway Winner 2007-07-27 13:29:00 The Winner is Dawn at Snakes and Snails and Sugar and Spice. Ironically, she is also an adoptive mom!Keep updated for more giveaways.
Swag Me, Baby 2007-07-27 12:35:00 I'm a sucker for free stuff. So, when I heard that Jill Asher was giving away a Swag Bag at her Yahoo hosted Cocktail Party for the Chicago Moms Blog last night...I was in.I was so excited to get my very first Swag Bag that I thought I would share with all of you what I loaded up on.My favorite...the Busy Body Book, an ideal candidate to keep me organized. Will it work? possibly. I can't miss it with its design and colors!Jif Peanut Butter...WHY, you ask? Because after trying the Low-Fat kind it is a welcome gift. I love my Peanut Butter.Clean Well Hand Sanitizer...I LOVED seeing this in there. I am on the edge of being a Go-Green freak since Little Pickel has so many intolerances. We are headed to Whole Foods today and I am tempted to pick up some more but I am hoping they will donate some for my giveaways!When I showed Little Pickel these he ran right to the TV to put them in. He loves Baby Signs. Who wouldn't?Innobaby created this product with the traveling mom in mind. What a gr
13 Great Summer Sales 2007-07-25 22:04:00 School is just around the corner and every retailer has their summer goods on sale. Trust me, we went shopping today...on our Adoption Day. Go figure!Here are links to some Great
13 Online SummerSales
.1. New Items Just Added to The Land of Nod Outlet!2. Lillian Vernon SALE - Save up to 85% at the Big Sale3.Your Kids Direct Get up to 75% off during the Semi-Annual Sale at Your Kids Direct! Shop Now!4. KBtoys.com Weekly Offers5. Clearance Sale, Save Up to 80% Off over 1,000 Deals, now through 7/306. Leaps & Bounds 15% Off Orders $100 or More with code AFFSUMK7. Eddie Bauer: Ultimate Summer Sale - Save up to 50%8.Take 15% off New Arrivals of Denim, Dresses and More at Delias.com. Offer Ends 8.2.07. Use Code AFFD15.9. Pick your FREE gift!10. A Pea in the Pod - Best of Season - Up to 75% off, select Spring & Summer fashions11. Mimi Maternity - Best of Season - Up to 75% off, select Spring & Summer fashions12. Half Yearly Sale
Is Bottled Water Toxic? 2007-07-25 21:16:00 In my quest to win every Bloggy Doggy Giveaway (BTW Shannon, you are a genius) today I came across this most excellent product. Because of Little Pickel's copper toxicity, we can not allow him to drink tap water, as tap water contains copper from copper pipes.But, instead of also exposing him to antimony by allowing him to drink from plastic bottles, as this heavy metal was also high we usually use our Brita Slim PitcherThank goodness we use the Brita becauseBroomhuggers has informed me that a large percentage of bottled water is just tap water...which is a BAD thing for Little Pickel. Read this article.The good thing about these aluminum water bottles? They are completely non toxic.I have heard stories about the safety of aluminum. Should I be concerned about drinking from an aluminum SIGG bottle? No, not at all. SIGG bottles have been thoroughly tested both in Europe and in the USA to ensure 0.0% leaching – so absolutely no migration of either the liner or the container into th Read more:Bottled
, Bottled Water
Top Ten Oral Motor Tools for Christmas 2007-07-24 19:57:00 These were the BEST oral motor products we used to help Little Pickel learn how to eat, not necessarily teach him how to speak. That came later. Our primary goal was to get him to allow textures and foods inside his mouth, get his tongue to move, and get him to chew and swallow. We worked on speech sounds later.1. P's and Q's2. 3. 4. Z-Vibe5. Lip Whistles (cheaper at Oriental Trading)6. 7. 8. Chewelry9. Tags: oral motor, sensory, Christmas Read more:Motor
, Tools
, Top Ten
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