P...A...R...

Have we mentioned that he is spelling? Yup. The boy spells. He doesn't say his name, but he can sure spell it!! Monica (2,3,4 as she is lovingly referred to by Parker) was working on a worksheet with Park. They were coloring a duck and she told him she was writing his name on the top of the page, and did so. The next day, they were coloring shapes, and she wrote his name on the top of the paper, without saying anything, and he just watched. The third day she got out a paper, and asked, "Should we write your name on the paper?"
We hear a soft, "Peeeee"
She silently writes a "P" and looks at me.
He is staring at the page.
"A"
She writes it. I am silently FREAKING OUT!!
"R"
I feel like I am going to hyperventilate. Monica is holding it together for the both of us. ;)
She writes an 'R' and looks at Parker.
"What comes next?"
"Kaaaaay"
She writes a 'K'.
"Eeeeeee"
She writes an 'E'.
I pinch myself. This can't really be happening. Our son can spell?!
"what comes next, Parker?"
"R!"
He says this last letter in a sing-song voice. I grab him and pull him into a hug.
"Good Boy, Parker!!!!! You are amazing!!!! You spelled Parker!!!"
He looks at me (his eye contact is improving)
"Peee..."
And it starts again.

There is not much better than these huge sucesses. He doesn't say his name, but he can spell it!!!
The wonderful couple in the nursery at church told me that he spelled "W-E-L-C-O-M-E" to everyone who poked their head in (there is a sign up on one of the walls);)
My silly, amazing boy!

Our family is expanding!!

No, I am not pregnant! (I hear both sighs of relief and moans of disappointment from all over the world right now) ;)
We put a down payment on a newborn cavalier-poodle mix puppy!



The boys are BEYOND excited to be getting a dog, and Matt can't believe that they finally wore us down. We have spent the weekend discussing names. The puppy is a little boy (what else would you expect in this household!), and is a newborn. He will be ready to come home with us around Easter.


This is what he probably will look like :


We have a lot to do before the puppy arrives, but are excited for the challenge...I think!

Help Parker and I by voting!!

http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/?rsc=ts_Homepage_Homepage

Martha Stuart is having a contest on her blog.

THE BIG IDEA IS A COMPANY-WIDE COMPETITION THAT GIVES STAFF MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR OWN IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA. I WAS ABLE TO NARROW THE 40 ENTRIES DOWN TO 7 FINALISTS...BUT I JUST COULDN'T CHOOSE A WINNER...SO I'D LIKE YOU TO HELP ME DECIDE. HERE'S A SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSALS FROM OUR 2008 BIG IDEA FINALISTS!

The entry that I am asking you to vote for is the FOOD ALLERGIES publication. This publication will have a large emphasis on gluten free recipes. While there are gf cookbooks out there to pull recipes from, it is always a risk. An expensive risk. Gluten free cooking and baking is not cheap (to purchase a loaf of gf bread is about $6). In my experience, recipes produced in magazines are a home run (due to the fact that many are tried before they are printed by non-gf eaters). If a gluten-eater gives a stamp of approval on a loaf of bread, it is worth the time and money for me to try to make it.

So far, I have only found one magazine that is dedicated to recipes for those with food allergies. That magazine is Living Without (thank you mommy!) and it is fantastic! Unfortunately, it only comes out 4x/year. Any kind of additional publication would be an amazing help to myself, Parker, and any others out there living with food allergies.

PLEASE, PLEASE vote for FOOD ALLERGIES. http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/?rsc=ts_Homepage_Homepage
You can vote every day until the 7th of February.
So vote, and vote often.
Thank you!

Snow Day!

So, after a week in bed with pneumonia, Andrew was glad to get out with Bren and some friends for a snow day!

The "Fearsome Foursome"

Andrew, Daniel, Brennan, and Amy

Daddy hard at work on the "Snow fort"

Brennan and Amy

Andrew

Inside the snow fort

Sourdough Bread #1

The taste was good.  The consistency was ok (definitely yummy toasted).  It was very crumbly, but most gf products are.  I changed the recipe a bit, so may try again, and follow the recipe EXACTLY, and see if that makes a difference.  Parker loves it!

The sourdough bread - attempt #1

I didn't get a chance to bake last night, so I am baking this afternoon.  The sourdough bread dough looks good.  It is rising right now.  We shall see...

So now I know why I was so grumpy!

When I read my last post this morning I thought, "Geez, Emilie!" I really did need a cup of coffee...and maybe some Sudafed!  I came down later that day with the bug that the rest of my family has been passing around (how generous of them, huh!).  I am usually fairly optimistic, and not usually prone to complaining, so when I do, it is a clue that something is up.  I could barely get up off the couch on Thursday night, and Friday was painful, but by Saturday morning I was feeling considerably better!  I still seel like I am breathing in ammonia when I inhale through my nose, and am still pretty stuffed up, but all in all, I am able to function.

Last week I discovered a new little health food store in Medford.  Of course, I had to pop in and see what kind of gluten free goodies they offered.  The couple that owns it is super nice, and they had the new Glutino Pretzel Sticks!! 

They taste SO MUCH like regular pretzel stick, but are stronger than typical pretzels, so they are great for dipping.  The down side...$6.99/bag.  Yup, they are not cheap, but it isn't common that I find something gf that Parker and I instantly fall in love with.  I figure they are OK for a treat every now and then.  I have to limit Parker though.  He would eat the whole bag in one day if I let him (He is a pretzel boy like his Papa.  Since M&M's and Tootsie Rolls are out, be will have to fall to the pull of Diet Coke next! :))

I am committed to saving all our receipts and document our spending on GF/CF food this year, so that we have it for tax write-offs next year.  Plus, I think that it will be interesting to see how much we are spending on "special diet foods".  I am pretty good about not buying TOO many prepackaged gf foods.  It just adds up too quickly.  Speaking of which, I have been attempting to make a gf sourdough bread.  I think that my starter is ready, so tonight I shall bake!  We will see how it turns out.