Slack-a-lackin'

Hey there all! I know it's been quite a while since I've written, but there has been an immense amount of busy-ness going on in the Barton world!

Roman and I head off to Texas tomorrow! I am so dang excited! (and anxious...need some ginger-ale). I've been busy trying to pack everything you could possibly need for an 8 month old and for myself, for the last few days. It's been difficult because we've been using everything I plan on taking (ie. clothes), so I have had to wait until now, today, to pack it all up. Man, I am tired of packing! I've also been trying to pack up my casa, which is even harder when Jeff will be needing some of the stuff I want to pack. We have boxes everywhere that need to be filled, but since Jeff will be living here for another week, he will be the one to have to pack up the last of it. I'm feeling a little guilty about leaving to visit my friend while Jeff stays here and cleans and packs...doesn't seem fair. But he wants me to go. What an amazing husband I have! Sorry ladies....took the best one EVER!!!

Roman is doing some pretty awesome things lately! He's learned to pinch. Hard. It really hurts! He's also discovering different ways to move his mouth around to create different sounds, which is hilarious! We moved him up to a size 5 diaper!! woot! fatty. He's still not crawling, but really wants to! 1 not so awesome thing is he still wakes up about every 3 hours at night. He's also had a dry nose for the last 7 or 8 weeks....poor guy. Makes breathing a little difficult! He can't have squash...makes him break out in hives on his chest, peaches give him an upset stomach, and he is SUPER sensitive on his skin if even you kiss or touch him without washing your mouth/lips or hands first, wait a few minutes and a rash will appear. :( Lets see, what else. In the midst of his babbling, it sounds like he says 'mom'....a lot! :) There's more, but currently my brain is thinked out.

This should get the opinions rolling...

I've recently discovered that Roman's food allergies were most likely caused (i think...) by his vaccinations. I know this is a very controversial topic, but I have done a LOT of reading about vaccines and their affects on children. Not just a coincidence, folks! Jeff and I are still researching the topic, but I have very strong feelings about vaccines now. For example: When roman and i were still learning how to nurse, we supplemented with formula. He had NO reaction to it whatsoever. It wasn't until AFTER he was vaccinated he developed the allergy to milk protein. Regarding eggs....when I was pregnant with him, I was told I needed a flu shot. This vaccine is kept in egg as are many of the other vaccines out there!!! My aunt was appalled when I told her I got the flu shot, and she's nurse! Have you looked at what the ingredients are in vaccines? if not, you should...it's quite disgusting. Regarding peanut...

CAN VACCINES CAUSE FOOD ALLERGIES?

JAMA 2001 Apr 4;285(13):1746-8 Detection of peanut allergens in breast milk of lactating women states, “Most individuals who react to peanuts do so on their first known exposure”……………..and concluded “Peanut protein is secreted into breast milk of lactating women following maternal dietary ingestion. Exposure to peanut protein during breastfeeding is a route of occult exposure that may result in sensitization of at-risk infants." PMID 11277829

Women have been ingesting peanut protein while breastfeeding for decades. What has changed in the last 15 years to cause infants to develop life-threatening allergies to this legume? One change has been the vaccination schedule.

The Int Arch Allergy Immunol 1999 Jul; 119(3):205-11 Pertussis adjuvant prolongs intestinal hypersensitivity concludes: Our findings indicate nanogram quantities of PT (pertussis toxin), when administered with a food protein, result in long-term senitization to the antigen, and altered intestinal neuroimmune function. These data suggest that exposure to bacterial pathogens may prolong the normally transient immune responsiveness to inert food antigens. PMID 10436392

Does this study explain why babies and toddlers react on their first exposure to the peanuts or other antigens? The babies may have been sensitized by the vaccines to the proteins through breast milk or formula ingested at the time of vaccination. This would also explain why children are anaphylactic to a variety of proteins, such as different tree nuts, peanuts, egg, legumes, milk, seeds, etc., depending on what proteins the mother ate at the time of vaccination.

http://www.vaccinetruth.org/peanut_oil.htm (this is the link I found this info on)

Interesting, isn't it?! Back to the ingredients in vaccines; I compared the ingredients in vaccines to the ingredients that we now have to avoid in food for Roman, and wouldn't you know, according to my list, he is allergic to pretty much all the vaccine ingredients. That has pretty much consumed my 'free time'. Researching this stuff.

Anywho! To switch subjects, I'm tired and still need to pack! I'll have photos and stories of Texas when I get back!

dad & roman lounging

Roman was really interested in our hamper, so I stuck him in it. And he LOVED it!!

is he cute or what!!

It was a hamper day. He decided to help 'fold' his laundry

new favorite toy

hair blowing in the wind

loooves this water ball

laughing at dad

guitar lesson before bed

he's a hands-on learner

I couldn't be happier July is over. The weather was great, but that's about it. We Bartons had some life changing events go on, and could use a break. I keep wondering what God has planned through all of this. Maybe it's to draw us closer to Him, or maybe it's to use these events for His purpose in the near/far future (duh and duh). As much as I am all for that, and I totally am, I could use a bit of an emotional time-out to reflect and gain some perspective. Between learning about Roman's food allergies, deciding it was best for him if I quit breastfeeding (hardest/saddest decision ever), renting our house out, needing to pack it all up and store it before we head to Texas on August 19th -less than 2 weeks from-, move into my (fabulous) in-laws house, missing spending time with my amazing, hard-working husband, and dealing with some other family issues, it has been a rollercoster ride of a month.

Between my last post and this one, I decided to try cutting out milk, egg and peanuts from my diet. after spending an afternoon crying over the fact that I was no longer going to nurse my sweet baby boy. Jeff, the sweet, caring man that he is, encouraged me to try the diet, and that he'd do it with me. Oh how relieved I felt. Until I realized how hard it actually was going to be. I spent 2 1/2 days not eating. Eliminating dairy is one thing, but eggs and peanuts too? My problem is that I am a snacker and on such a diet, you have to cook pretty much everything you eat, so, there is nothing to just grab and go. Needless to say, saturday, august 1st was my last day nursing Roman. :( Its been hard adjusting. I had an evening of tears, and occasional bouts of sadness, but it's getting better. Roman is taking to the formula much better (he hated it at first...don't blame him) and doesn't seem to mind as much that he can't nurse to sleep anymore. It's been easier for me now that he drinks his formula without a fight, too.

Roman and I head to Texas in 11 short days! woot woot! super excited to see my best friend, Erika! It's been 6 months...FAR to long! Jeff will drive Ro and I to Omaha in the weeeee early hours of the morning and our flight leaves around 11am! We don't really have any plans as far as 'seeing Texas', we just mainly wanna hang out with Erika, Chad and sweet baby Caillet (roman's girlfriend....tori... ;)) We'll be there for a week, and when we get back....

We move into my in-laws house!! Roman also has his 9 month dr. appt that friday, the 28th. Can't believe my baby is going to be 9 months old.

Pretty sure August is going to fly. Which I don't mind so much, I guess. Well, that's enough wordiness for now! lata!