This boy ...

I need to take lessons is creative blog titling.  Do they exist?  I could sit for an hour trying to think of the perfect title to each post and I still end up with nothing.  Whatever.

This post is actually about this boy and his stomach.  I'm at a loss.  Both of the girls had some sort of sensitivity to milk.  They were both on formula until they were 18 months old.  Both had reflux.  Both still have issues with it.

So, the boy is just doing his brotherly duty and following in his big sisters footsteps.  He's had reflux.  He's on Zantac 3 times a day.  He was on formula.  Then he seemed to tolerate drinking Lactaid pretty well.  I went straight to Lactaid because that's what the girls drink.  I stuck with it for 2 weeks and the entire time he had a crazy runny nose.  So I switched him to Almond Milk.  Now he's had diarrhea for a whole week.  Back on formula we are.  Yes, I'm queen of switching things, but I also believe that if something doesn't work, you make a change. 

See the rash around his mouth too?  It's not that noticeable in this picture, of course.  It's typically really red and bumpy.  He's had that for about 3 months now.  It comes and goes in severity, but it's always there.  I blame it on the thumb sucking.  But now I'm wondering if the rash paired with the diarrhea is some sort of food intolerance. 

I've always just gone with my gut.  And typically, when it comes to my children, my gut has been right.  Not always, but usually.  And my gut says that something isn't right.  He's the pickest of all picky eaters.  He already doesn't eat any dairy.  He eats a lot of fruit, but I've limited those. 

I'm seriously at a loss.  And I'm not a fan of going to the doctor for him to tell me "it's just a phase" or "let it work it's course".  That's 20 bones I could pocket.  So, you play doctor.  Tell me what you would do if this cute boy was yours.  (No, he's not for sale.)

It's my biggest fear

{Heads up.  This is some rambling with no pictures!}

We all have fears in life.  The fear of heights and snakes are two real fears that come to mind.  I'd have to list snakes as one of my top fears and have often said that "the only good snake is a dead one", I would say that snakes are not my number one fear.  You probably wouldn't guess what is either.

My biggest fear right now is that my children will be overweight.  True story.  I actually fear that my children will know what it is like to be obese.  And it's up to me to make that NOT be a reality.  You see, my husband grew up overweight.  It's something that he has struggled with for so many years and is finally facing his weight and punching it in the face.  I'm so proud of him.  He was raised on fast food though.  Raised by two obese parents and never taught the importance of eating healthy.  I wasn't overweight until I was married, pregnant and in control over my own eating.  I literally went crazy on the fast food and eating out.

I won't quote any statistics about childhood obesity, but both of my daughters have shown that if they do not learn right now the importance of eating healthy and exercising, they could be overweight at some point.  Now, don't go thinking that I'm one of those moms who already has their daughters on diets and focuses on their weight.  I absolutely never mention the word "fat" in front of them.  We have weighed them once, just so I could see their BMI, but we just made it a game to see their "number".  We ALWAYS talk about healthy eating and how important it is for our bodies.  We talk constantly about how mommy hasn't always been healthy, but how I'm working hard to be healthy so I can have energy to play with them.

Now.  BMIs.  Mykah is actually "at risk for being overweight".  Karsyn is "a healthy weight".  Mykah only weighs about 5 lbs less than Karsyn and they are 2 years apart.  I used to worry about Karsyn until she started school and she stayed even more active/busy and grew taller.  I do worry about Mykah because she is my child who fights me every chance she gets when it comes to eating fruits & veggies.  She also is my lazy child who hates any form of exercise.  Her actually enjoying soccer was a big shock to us because she has never had an interest in moving in any way.

Sadly, it's only been in the last year that we have actually eaten healthy.  Before then, we did feed our family fast food, cookies, chips, sodas, and whatever else we had that was convenient, full of sugar, and who knows what else.  In all of my pregnant years, I kept my toddlers happy with snacks.  All day.  And movies.  All day.  I could go on and on about the regrets I have for not showing my family how to be healthy from day 1, but the important thing is that we are fighting to be as healthy as we can right now.

What do my kids eat?  We do still eat some processed foods.  If you look in their lunchboxes, you will see frozen Smucker's PBJ sandwiches, but you'll also see organic apple slices, whole grain crackers, and several other healthier options.  Karsyn prefers to take a package of pretzels for snack and actually eats lunch in the school cafeteria almost everyday.  We do get Little Ceasar's pizza every once in a while and eat out more on the weekends than we should.  We are trying.  It's a process.  Tonight for dinner, we did have grilled chicken, asparagus spears, and seasoned brown rice.  The kids eat frozen waffles many mornings for breakfast, paired with some sort of fresh fruit.  We also dig Tyson chicken nuggets.

Bottom line is, I have chosen to let my kids be kids, but doing so in a way that is as healthy as I can make it at this time.  Conveniences is huge.  Price is huge.  And getting them to actually eat is huge. 

It's a process, like I said.  And I'm so thankful we have chosen this path right now and for the rest of our lives.  I feel like I'm giving my children the tools they need to lead a healthy life and to make the right choices later on.  My children being overweight is definitely my biggest fear, but it's a fear that I feel I can now face because of the tools I have to teach them and keep them as healthy as I can.