I tried to publish this via email two days ago, but it got lost in cyber-space...
Did I talk about this already? I became vegan at the end of 2011, for a number of reasons: cruelty to factory-farmed animals, my health, to lose weight. As I became certain this was someone I was going to be able to commit to, I started trying vegan foods on Ronan. I never really considered him a picky eater until I was trying to substitute his favorite foods.
First came the chicken nuggets. I got a high recommendation for Gardein tenders, and bought a couple bags. I thought they were fantastic! Ronan, however, was not fooled. For two weeks (not every night, I'm not that crazy) I tried getting him to warm up but he was having none of it. Begrudged, I bought more Tyson chicken nuggets and pondered some more.
Second came the hot dogs. Ew! At least I was buying all beef franks before, and not a mixture of, well, whatever. But he wasn't fooled by Smart Dogs or Tofurkey franks either. I couldn't even get him to try more than one bite of cheez.
Then, I found vegetarian chik'n nuggets by MorningStar Farms. Why not? And...he likes them, whew! Next, a tofu scramble...victory! Homemade macaroni and cheez? Well, the noodles were a little al dente so I can't blame him for not having more than a few bites. But he did say it was good.
Why is it so important that my son is vegan, as well? Well, learning what I've learned about the way animals we consume are used and abused sends shivers down my spine...and then I've read up on the health benefits of vegetarians/vegans versus non. What better gift can I give than a life of compassion and understanding and a healthy start from here on? It took me 31 years to get it right...
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Potty-training victory!
So, I think we're on week...4? of potty-training. At the end of week 3? I somehow got Ronan to stay naked from the waist down for an entire weekend. It worked! He went in the potty EVERY TIME. As a reward he got to move up from the bulky, reusable training pants into regular underwear that he picked out himself (Toy Story, Cars, and Thomas and Friends). All last week I think there were only a total of 5-6 accidents!
As of 3 days ago, he started wanting to use the potty before going to bed, even though he had a diaper on. And he's successfully making it there with #2s almost every time. This morning, he wanted to go as soon as he got up! I think we're definitely ready to start on nighttime training. He's so proud and even amazing his teachers with his progress!
As of 3 days ago, he started wanting to use the potty before going to bed, even though he had a diaper on. And he's successfully making it there with #2s almost every time. This morning, he wanted to go as soon as he got up! I think we're definitely ready to start on nighttime training. He's so proud and even amazing his teachers with his progress!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
My Review of Dri Nights Waterproof Mattress Protector Crib/Twin Size
Originally submitted at One Step Ahead
Potty training? Bed wetting? Our saddle-style mattress protector makes clean-up easier and its more absorbant than others! No more changing the sheets at 2:00 a.m.! Simply place over the fitted sheet and tuck in the extra-long side flaps. It stays put, yet lifts off quickly when needed (buy 2, so y...
More Than I Expected
By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012
Pros: Portable, Easy To Set Up, Lightweight, Easily Stowed, Easily Cleaned
Best Uses: Toilet Training, Potty Use, Hygiene, Traveling
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent
This was so easy to install, and the long flaps keep it in place well. I was also surprised at how wide it is, so as my toddler moves throughout the night, he's always "covered." Easy to remove, too, when he has an accident, and I bought two so we always have a spare.
(legalese)
My Review
My Son Loves It
By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012
Pros: Easy To Use, Durable, Good Value, Quality Construction, Easy To Clean, Lightweight
Best Uses: Gift, Developmental, Travel, Everyday Use
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent
Was this a gift?: No
My son was so excited to get this new book, and we read it several times the first few days. It was fun for him to see the "big boy underwear" and that other boys use a potty just like his. And the stickers are great prizes for every triumph.
(legalese)
My Review of Dri Nights Cloth Bedwetter/Potty Training Pants BLUE 10
Originally submitted at One Step Ahead
Thanks to our new, high-tech fabric and leak-resistant fit, our green bedwetter pants are more absorbent than others on the market! Kids like the big-kid look and feel (and can pull them down in a hurry). Unlike disposable pull-ups, they're earth-friendly, economical, and chemical-free. A comfortab...
Great for Sensitive Skin
By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012
Pros: Easily Cleaned, Portable
Best Uses: Potty Use, Toilet Training, Traveling
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent
My son can't use disposable training pants - they make him break out in an awful rash. So I decided to try these. Not only are they easy on his skin, but he can tell when he's wet before he's soaked, they're easy off and on, and we're saving tons of money during his potty training. These will definitely pay for themselves. We did have to go up a size on his pants and shorts to accommodate the bulkiness, but not a problem.
(legalese)
My Review
Originally submitted at One Step Ahead
Our cloth pull-ons are more absorbent than other reusable training pants! Our secret: new, thirstier, high-tech fabric and leak-resistant fit! More affordable and green than disposable diapers, and of course, they're chemical free. Parents report they accelerate potting training, because kids know ...
Great for Sensitive Skin
By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012
Pros: Portable, Easily Cleaned
Best Uses: Potty Use, Toilet Training, Traveling
Describe Yourself: First Time Parent
My son can't use disposable training pants - they make him break out in an awful rash. So I decided to try these. Not only are they easy on his skin, but he can tell when he's wet before he's soaked, they're easy off and on, and we're saving tons of money during his potty training. These will definitely pay for themselves. We did have to go up a size on his pants and shorts to accommodate the bulkiness, but not a problem.
(legalese)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Potty training, legal issues, and abnormalities
Started hardcore potty training this past weekend. Going...well...even if it's on and off, depending on his mood. Though he still won't have a bm where it's supposed to go. And it doesn't bother him when he's soiled. Patience. And lots of hand-washing.
A week-and-a-half from now I attend a child support hearing via teleconference in Virginia. Ronan's "father" wants to reduce the amount of child support by over 50%. I would love to just say, let him. But I wouldn't even be able to afford daycare then...So I'm telling myself I did the right thing by my son's future in hiring an attorney in Staunton, VA to petition his MOA. Did I? I don't want Ronan to wonder who his father was the rest of his life, like I am now, but I also don't want him to be heartbroken by Jonathon's blatant disregard for his existence, let alone his welfare.
Next up to bat: After two years of struggling to pay retainer and filing fees, I finally have everything aligned to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Just waiting for the 70-odd page petition to be drawn up for my review and signature. Then off to court to feel even more humiliated about the whole thing than I already do. But, it will be over, finally. And I will have a chance to start rebuilding my credit. I'll never be able to afford a house on my own, but being a good influence and teacher for my son is priority.
And last, but certainly not least - the most recent news. I had my annual "lady" exam last week, and the results came back abnormal. Not just sort of abnormal, where they would just do another test in a few months. I have to have a colposcopy, which involves taking a biopsy of the affected tissue. This bothers me greatly because I was infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) years ago. I had to have exams every three months and colposcopies every four or so months. The reason being, HPV is the main cause for cervical cancer. My last biopsy showed suspicion of pre-cancerous cells, and so a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was performed to remove all of the affected tissue. Deep breath. This abnormal test could very likely be the result of the HPV returning. Deep breath. It might be a little easier to process if I didn't contract the virus in the first place because of a very horrible experience for which I had to seek therapy. All I can do for now is wait for my appointment and hope that it's something else. Something less...sinister.
Depressing post, I apologize. But if I don't get this out of my head I won't make it to the pillow tonight.
A week-and-a-half from now I attend a child support hearing via teleconference in Virginia. Ronan's "father" wants to reduce the amount of child support by over 50%. I would love to just say, let him. But I wouldn't even be able to afford daycare then...So I'm telling myself I did the right thing by my son's future in hiring an attorney in Staunton, VA to petition his MOA. Did I? I don't want Ronan to wonder who his father was the rest of his life, like I am now, but I also don't want him to be heartbroken by Jonathon's blatant disregard for his existence, let alone his welfare.
Next up to bat: After two years of struggling to pay retainer and filing fees, I finally have everything aligned to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Just waiting for the 70-odd page petition to be drawn up for my review and signature. Then off to court to feel even more humiliated about the whole thing than I already do. But, it will be over, finally. And I will have a chance to start rebuilding my credit. I'll never be able to afford a house on my own, but being a good influence and teacher for my son is priority.
And last, but certainly not least - the most recent news. I had my annual "lady" exam last week, and the results came back abnormal. Not just sort of abnormal, where they would just do another test in a few months. I have to have a colposcopy, which involves taking a biopsy of the affected tissue. This bothers me greatly because I was infected with human papillomavirus (HPV) years ago. I had to have exams every three months and colposcopies every four or so months. The reason being, HPV is the main cause for cervical cancer. My last biopsy showed suspicion of pre-cancerous cells, and so a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was performed to remove all of the affected tissue. Deep breath. This abnormal test could very likely be the result of the HPV returning. Deep breath. It might be a little easier to process if I didn't contract the virus in the first place because of a very horrible experience for which I had to seek therapy. All I can do for now is wait for my appointment and hope that it's something else. Something less...sinister.
Depressing post, I apologize. But if I don't get this out of my head I won't make it to the pillow tonight.
Monday, February 27, 2012
He's really three...
Ronan had his 3rd birthday last week...I can't even believe it. At the same time, I can't believe I don't have him potty trained yet :) Starting this weekend, no more diapers. Ever. Have ordered plenty of reusable training pants and bought lots of first- and secondhand easy-pull-up pants for him to get through the many accidents he'll surely have at first. But he's not interested, so I'm just going to have to go for it. We broke "bobby" this weekend, even though he was only getting the paci at sleep-times he seemed to be becoming more dependent on it again. I know Chris moving out has been hard on him - which if nothing else is evident in the lack of motivating to do anything I say. But if I baby him for too long, well...
About to officially file my bankruptcy, after two years of paying my attorney what I could, sometimes nothing for months at a time. Then I will finally be able to build my credit again and eventually buy a home for us. Aah, baby steps.
Almost 2 months being Vegan, and I've never felt better. Still working out working out...Between studying, work, toddler, meals, sleep, and whatever else I have to get done I just don't know where to put it. But hopefully my amazing organizational skills will figure it out soon.
About to officially file my bankruptcy, after two years of paying my attorney what I could, sometimes nothing for months at a time. Then I will finally be able to build my credit again and eventually buy a home for us. Aah, baby steps.
Almost 2 months being Vegan, and I've never felt better. Still working out working out...Between studying, work, toddler, meals, sleep, and whatever else I have to get done I just don't know where to put it. But hopefully my amazing organizational skills will figure it out soon.
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