I really can't believe that he is 3. He is such a big boy! This past year has been a very, very challenging year with Elijah. I'll make a long story short by just saying that around 8 or 9 months ago we starting noticing that some of Elijah's behaviors were pretty extreme. I know that toddlers can be emotional, but it was obvious to me that his anger, aggression, and overall emotional state was just not quite normal. So, we starting doing some research, and the Lord led us to some information on food sensitivities.
We already knew that he has some food allergies, but when I started reading about these food "sensitivities", he fit the mold perfectly! It was wonderful to finally feel like we might have some answers, and have a way to help him. The things that we know, without a doubt, that he is sensitive to are: artificial food colorings, artificial flavorings, bell pepper, tomatoes, pineapple, almonds (plus he is allergic to egg and soy). There are more things that we suspect he might be sensitive to, like apples, oranges, and berries, but we haven't yet determined for sure.
He is on a diet called the Feingold Diet. There is a systematic way of determining which specific foods are causing the problem, but it takes time. First we had to eliminate all of the possible offending foods, until we saw an improvement for about 8 weeks (and boy did we see an improvement!). So we did that phase for several months. Then, you take each food item, 1 by 1, and add it back in to the diet for a week or two, carefully observing behavior and any physical symptoms (for example, excema). Once you can determine if the food is a problem or not, then you must eliminate it, and keep the strict diet for a week or so to make sure that the previous food is out of the system, and then try the next food. So, it is a slow process, but one that we are more than willing to go through to be able to pinpoint exactly what foods are triggering these behaviors.
Ok, now onto pictures! We had a very small, impromptu party with some of our closest friends here (I don't think any friends are in the pictures though! How is that possible??)
The theme was, of course, Cars! Elijah's favorite :) I made lemon bars and sugar cookies (all are made of only ingredients that are acceptable on Elijah's diet.)
Blowing out his 3 candles!
Family picture
Happy birthday to our precious firstborn son! Oh how we have prayed and prayed for you. We love you so much, more than any words could ever express. We are so thankful for your fun spirit, your loud laughter, and the creative things you do to get into trouble ;) How full you have made our lives! How blessed we have been to watch you grow and learn this year, and to see the "real" you emerge when we started your special diet. How we love you, little one, and pray each day for God to draw you to Himself, give you a new heart, and grow you into a mighty man of Faith. Have fun being 3!!
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