2010 Holiday Gift Guide: Top Twelve

Happy Holidays everyone!! Here is a list of my top twelve must have's for the holiday season this year. 

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Chancellor Print by Moby Wrap 
(LINK)

KinniTOOS by Kinnikinnick

(LINK)

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

(LINK)

Pink Friday Lipstick by M.A.C 

(LINK)

Girls Soft Party Dress by Sensory Store Canada 

(LINK)

KOBO E-Reader 

(LINK)

Japster.Inc: A wordpress conversion company
(LINK)

Disney's Tangled
(LINK)

Tassimno Home Brewer
(LINK)

Orange Blue Vintage Dot Wristlet Clutch by Peggy Ann Design
 (LINK)

Donation to Best For Babes (LINK) and/or Canadian Celiac Association (LINK)
(#1Pick)

Happy 2010 Holidays! ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

               Find Me:

Today I Am Grateful For Extended Breastfeeding

As a mommy nothing makes me feel as bad as when my kids are sick.  This week my kids have caught the stomach flu - something that seems to be making the rounds everywhere. With this type of flu I always get really nervous about dehydration. It doesn't take a lot for a child (my kids are young - 4, 3 & 22mo) to get to the point of dehydration and it can be a struggle sometimes to do your best to prevent that from happening.

My kids kind of shut down when they get sick - not wanting to eat or drink or move.  The quiet I will admit is nice, but seeing them so not themselves is a bit heartbreaking.  Getting the older two kids to at least drink some water or diluted juice is easier now then when they were younger but for E is can be a struggle.  I understand too because when I don't feel well, the last thing i want to do with my upset stomach is put food or water in it.

That is why I am so thankful for "extended breastfeeding".  E is 22 months old and our breastfeeding relationship is still going strong.  

She gets the perfect comfort and medicine for when she is sick.  

And I don't have to worry that she is not getting enough liquid - at risk for dehydration - because my body is providing for her.  She  gets her liquid, food and comfort all from me - with an easy-to-digest bonus to it.  

So, today is a big THANK YOU to my breasts and body for making things just a little bit easier for my sweet, sick babe.

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

               Find Me:

Wordless: My Child Dressed Herself. Can You Tell?

no lies. This is what E {22months} picked out to wear & put it on. Making her diva face.

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

               Find Me:

Fears & Anxiety In Children: Where Do They Start?

I am a high anxiety lady.  I have been for a long time - well, forever really.  I am not sure why.  I can't seem to pin point it to any particular time or event but I know that I have always been this way.  Along with my anxiety comes some very specific fears and things that amp up my anxiety.  Most of them make really no sense but they have been around forever. always.

What I have been wondering lately is where do my fears and more specifically my children's fears/anxieties come from? they are young so they don't have a lot of exposure to a whole lot and funny enough their anxieties are not the same as mine - so i don't think they are mimicking me.  part of me wonders if our own fears/anxieties come from some sort of instinctual place. 

I read a great book recently that was a love story but also had a huge component about reincarnation. Without being too religious - there really was no religious part to the story - it talked about past lives and how they influence our present lives {eg. your fears are reactions to something that happened in your past life}  in how we live and our fears and the type of people we are drawn to {eg. those people you have an instant connection to are because you knew them in a past life}. 

It got me to thinking - I mean that makes sense.  I am not saying I believe in reincarnation or that i don't but our instincts do guide us.  My daughter R has a fear that just doesn't make sense to me. I mean I can understand why it is there - but not why she has this fear. 

R will get very anxious to the point of crying if a grown man {stranger} enters a room that she is in. Like, if we are at home and a guy comes over that she doesn't know or if she is in her 1 hour preschool class if one of the Dads goes to pick up their child she will start crying... instantly. It doesn't bother her if we are in crowds and doesn't really matter if we are there with her or not - since it happens in our house too.

She is only 3 years old and I know that she has not had any bad even that would have spawned this off. It started nearly 2 years ago and she has never been anywhere other then in my care.  She only started preschool in September {it's only 1 hour a week} so I am sort of baffled as to why she has it or where it came from or even how to help her with it.  Will she grow out of it? 

Do you think fears in instinctual or are they a result of something?  A little of both?  What fears do you have?

Disclaimer: This post was inspired by the book My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares which is this month's book in the EverythingMom National Book Club.  As a Mom Influencer for EverythingMom. I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

               Find Me:

I Am Doing Something Crazy This Morning...

Friends, today I am doing something so out of the ordinary.  Like crazy in my world on a few points. 

1.  I am getting up earlier then I have to.

2.  I am going out of the house without the kids.

3. I am going RUNNING. 

Oh the thought of it horrifies me. I don't run. Ever.  I walk a lot every day with the three kids- taking them everywhere in my Moby Wrap and/or our double stroller (my "Car") but running ... never.  I am more of a swimmer or exercise biker.

I have always been jealous of the people I see each morning pounding their feet on the pavement. Peaceful. It looks really peaceful.  Nothing but your own feet and some comfortable shoes and maybe some motivational music.  I have always wanted that.

My brother is coming with me. Bright {well, not likely bright} and early.  I will be attempting my first run. In the winter. In the cold and I am excited and nervous.  Starting slow & I am not making any promises to continue but the goal is to go 3 times a week.  It will probably be laughable but I can only get better {well, unless my knee craps out on me} and I could really use the stress release and quiet time. 

:: Did I mention that it will be snowing 5cm (2") tonight? ::

Wish me luck & if you have any tips for a new, first time runner/jogger I would love if you could impart some of your wisdom!

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

               Find Me:

Gluten Free Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Marshmallow Cookies (just like Viva Puff Cookies)

Growing up Viva Puffs were one of my favourite cookies and it has been well over 5 years since I have had one and since they are not gluten free I decided to come up with my own recipe - totally gluten free.  These cookies are simple to make and taste just like a viva puff. Even if you are not eating gluten free these cookies will not disappoint!

keep reading for ingredients and directions:

Book Review: "Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease" & Gluten Free Holiday Giveaway Galore x10

 

As you know - myself and my daughter have celiac disease and she is just now getting to that age where she is going to be venturing out into school and birthday parties as well as her older brother.  I have been talking with them lately about what celiac disease is, what gluten is and trying to put it into words that they understand. I know this conversation is going to be an ongoing one - as they grow older and start to understand a lot more.

Earlier last week I was given the opportunity to read the book "Mommy, What is Celiac Disease" a book for children written and illustrated by Katie Chalmers about celiac disease and the gluten free diet. 

The information in the book was well directed to children.  The main questions were answered in a way a child would understand and this book does not scare children - it is aimed to do quite the opposite and promotes a positive outlook for children and their families. The information is aimed to the United States labeling laws as it does not mention oats as being a gluten-containing grain, but does have a wonderful dialogue on what happens to your body when you eat gluten.  This book addresses the role of the whole family in eating with the new diet - and attacks it from the angle of a new adventure - something fun and new for the whole family to do.  I love that! 

Now the fun for YOU! Just in time for the holidays YOU can win 1 of 10 holiday gift bags loaded with gluten-free goodies & treats for children & adults with celiac disease, plus a signed copy of Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? courtesy of Katie Chalmers, Author and Illustrator of the book.