Behaviors

We went through last night and noted all of Vanya's behaviors on the Feingold list - behaviors that can potentially be helped. 31. 31 different "symptoms" of the chemically sensitive person. So we have started keeping a food and behavior diary to see if there are any correlations that we can see. We have also eliminated "smells" in the house, colored toothpaste and soap, and several other non-food items from our house.

This is a pain. A PAIN. I spent SEVERAL hours at the grocery stores (yes, storeS) with a list and a book of "safe" foods and still didn't get everything. But it is getting easier to eat at home, knowing that we have plenty of foods that he can eat without thought. But then we leave the house ... out to eat, to the zoo, to visit family. And it is SO much harder again. Thankfully, Vanya is starting to understand that there are foods that he is "allergic" to and that make him feel bad and do naughty things. Since I am lactose intolerant, he can understand that sometimes Mama WANTS to eat ice cream but CAN'T because it will make her sick. And we are trying to help him understand the same thing with his foods.

The greater challenge now is that some of the foods we have been avoiding, namely high fructose corn syrup, is "allowed" on the Feingold diet. And it is not something that I want to add back in. Too many unknowns. Too connected to diabetes and obesity. As we also learn more about child traffiking and its connection to chocolate, that is becoming a struggle since there are a number of not-fair-trade chocolates that are REAL chocolate and thus safe for Vanya to eat.

Sadly, companies are not required to list ALL ingredients on labels. Sometimes, a chemical is sprayed on a food (such as nuts or cereal) to keep it from sticking to the packaging. Canned foods are also prone to this.

All right ... more later ... maybe a list of what we are avoiding for the next four weeks? Fascinating reading, I know. I read everynight before I fall asleep :)

Food Sensitivities

As you probably know, Vanya is a VERY active boy. Very. Active. Boy. To say it nicely. We have struggled over the past year and a half with his anger and extreme mood swings and constant motion. With all the adjustment and attachment, it is something that we have just rather lived with. Survived, really.

But a few weeks ago, after he went out for the day and had a snack, he was extreme even for Vanya. And it is hard to say that. I wonder, is it me (Karin)? Is it my lack of patience and my stress that he is feeding off of? But after I found out WHAT he ate, I started researching food additives and the effect on children. What I learned, astounded me. I read a list of behaviors and started to freak out - oh! my! WORD! Vanya has been there on the pages! So while yes, I am a frustrated and stressed mommy, our FOOD may be making a difference.

SO, we have started the Feingold program (www.feingold.org) to see what sensitivities Vanya (and all of us) may have. I believe that he is sensitive to artificial food dyes (a bottle of "Bug Juice" and M&M's will make him rather crazy). Today is the third or fourth day that we have been serious about it. Thankfully, it is not a RADICAL shift in our diet. He barely knows we are doing it. But there are definite changes. Especially for now. No tomatoes, pickles, or apples. Those will be the big changes for him, but those are foods that we may be able to add back in after we determine what things we need to avoid.

The past two nights, he has told me "Today was a good day". Nothing was special about either day. Didn't go anywhere special, didn't do anything greatly fun. I didn't really think the days were all that great myself. When I asked what was good, he told me he felt good. Huge. And his behavior has been calmer - no quick mood swings, no slamming doors, no screams of frustration.

Today for lunch, we went out to eat. Not sure what to order for him, I got Macaroni and Cheese. As soon as I saw it, I knew there was food dye in it. No cheese is that color orange! But let's try it, eh? We ate. Had a quiet afternoon with a movie (Thor fell and has gained quite a goose egg so he was mellow but we wanted him to stay awake). Went outside to play. In a matter of 2 hours, Vanya acted out to the point of being in "time-out" 3 times. Yelling, pushing, hitting, naughty words. Screams and cries when Thor splashed water on him. Drama, drama, drama. The boy we have lived with for months now.

SOOOOO . . . back to the diet tomorrow. With more close attention to what we can eat when we go out. And continued interest in how his behavior may change (or not change) as the weeks go on.

LOVING

**LOVING time at the CABIN **

** LOVING time with COUSINS **

Life is hectic. Busy. Not in the out of control way that it was a year ago. But in a different yet no less active way now. And so many questions about the future. So we try to enjoy the moments. Have a lazy day at home today, to prepare for more activity tomorrow and the rest of the week. LOVING life now ... but could really use a nap.