Bye Nikki!!!

Tonight I got to out without the kids to have dinner with my dear friend Nikki. Nikki is my very first friend in Texas and so incredibly sweet. She is moving up to the Dallas area tomorrow so we had a wonderful dinner. I am going to miss her so incredibly much!!!!

LOVE YOU NIKKI!!!!

Scooting... (video)

Cruz is getting so fast! This video is from yesterday and today he's already scooting faster!!

iPhone for good & More thoughts on CFL's/Mercury

If you know me well you know that I have wanted to smash my husbands iPhone against the wall. No wait... worse... I have wanted to give it a slow, horrible death. That may sound harsh, but when that thing came into our lives, I saw so much time wasted on it and so many moments with the kids missed.

Peter has improved tremendously. In fact, I applaud him for making such a huge effort to leave his phone upstairs and away from our dinner table and our family time.

But remember I said this post was for the GOOD? Well .... finally an app that I can appreciate. Since I love all things vintage and all things photography, Peter found this app that turns the iPhone into an old camera with various lenses and various films. We had so much fun with it today just capturing random stuff.

And now for some other thoughts entirely...

When I read the information on CFL lights, and the fact that they contain MERCURY, it got me and my mom to thinking... because last January a CFL lightbulb broke all over Kai. I don't know if I have mentioned it on the blog, but Kai is showing signs of speech issues and he has a severe drooling problem. When I went online to research mercury poisoning, increased salivation and speech delays are listed as some symptoms (among other things). I am hoping that he will be tested at his appointment on Monday. Because of this possible contamination, I am not giving Kai the flu shot this year and I won't be giving it to any of the other kids either. I think we're going holistic this winter. I have read up on Elderberry (scroll down to the medicinal use section) and have stockpiled Oscillococcinum. Also after researching mercury poisoning I have learned that Cilantro paired with Chlorella is a natural detox and will be starting Kai on a tincture when it comes in. I am hoping that he doesn't have mercury poisoning, but if he does, it sure explains a lot. And the good news is that we can detox him and he should show signs of improvement. I am also hoping to get him into speech therapy (which reminds me they haven't called me back yet!). Ry & Kai have also started Omega Fatty Acids in addition to their multi-V. I just want everyone to stay healthy this winter.

Regular bulbs are now replacing all CFLs in the house. I don't even know where to take the used CFL bulbs! So they will sit in the garage until I figure it out.

Tomorrow is Kai's birthday and little does he know that we're all driving up to Burnet to meet the REAL THOMAS THE TRAIN! And we even get to ride the train. He is going to be so excited!!!

Information on CFL bulbs... I had no idea!

There is a photographer in town - I don't know her personally, but I follow her blog - and her little two year old got VERY sick at the beginning of the summer. Throughout the summer they have been doing a lot of homeopathic methods and learning a lot to heal their son. 

She recently posted this information that she found about CFL bulbs - bulbs we all thought are the "bees knees" for being awesome. But come to find out... not so much. While they do save energy, they are adding "dirty energy" to our home and we are surrounded by it. It's worth a watch and very thought provoking... I wonder what kinds of effects these things have on Autistic children and ADHD!

Blur...

The last few days have really been a blur. I think I'm still in recovery mode from everything... from my fight with Peter (not going into detail here), Kai's head, Pono's passing, the wedding... and then last night Ry got a stomach bug and I was up most of the night with her while she threw up. BLUR. 

But aside from that I had rented a camera to use in addition to my two cameras on the wedding. I wanted to test the waters with a Nikon, and I rented a D3s because my Canon cannot handle the SUPER high ISO needed in the particular church we were shooting in. The camera arrived on Thursday afternoon and these images were taken on Friday morning. My living room was practically dark and this camera could manage it. It was wild. 

Even more special was the tender moment that unfolded before my eyes. Ry and Kai are at the age where they are starting to torment each other. But this particular morning, Kai was laying in her lap and she was feeding him cereal. It was truly sweet. And then... without me even having to ask, she kissed him. AWE! 

And Cruz... oh he's so big. It's starting to feel a little more like Fall and I grabbed one of Kai's footy jammies. It's the same one that Kai was wearing when Cruz was born... and Kai was 17 months old. And Cruz isn't even 7 months old and he fits it. {insert little tear here}. Growing so fast. See that gummy smile up there? Not going to last for long. Two little bottom teeth have already made their appearance.

Back in Austin

What a whirlwind couple of days...

On Friday night we had a wonderful dinner to celebrate Kupono and then on Saturday morning Peter and I woke very early while Pops took us to the airport to drop us off. Peter and I went to El Paso to photograph a wedding.

I was extremely nervous about this
A) because my mom had just lost one of the very best things in her life
B) Cruz is still nursing
C) I felt guilty for leaving my babies with my mom who is so full of grief that it is tangible.

Saturday was crazy. We were up at 5am to make sure that we had packed every piece of camera equipment and double and triple checked it. We flew to El Paso and checked into our hotel and shortly thereafter started wedding coverage from noon to 10:45pm. By the end of the wedding (which was beautiful with a stunning couple) we were both thoroughly exhausted. I don't think I could have walked any further than the bed. My body kinda gave out on me.

I couldn't sleep. Although I brought my breast pump, it just wasn't working well and I was engorged and in pain. I cried when I dumped the milk down the drain. I was upset because when I checked with my mom Cruz wouldn't take a bottle and he was hungry and I was so far away from him.

This morning we checked out, turned in the car and got on a plane back to Austin. I was so happy to see my kiddos and hug them and kiss them. I know that my parents got "worked" and had a rough time and I am soooooo thankful for their help this weekend. I really needed this wedding job, both for my business and my bank account.

I hope everyone gets peaceful rest tonight!

An Angel

Purpley nose. With Freckles.

Warm, golden fur. 

Expressive Eyes.

Large, but oh so tiny.

Gentle Giant.

Beautiful Soul. 

Angel. 

Our Kupono dog went to Heaven today. Words cannot express the hurt I feel for my mom and dad.

Nico & Koa's Visit

These are just a few of the images that Nico took on his point and shoot while he and Koa were here. As many of you know, the boys came out to spend time with Kupono, who is quite sick. They loved on him and said their goodbyes.

Ryenne was on cloud 9 that her Uncles were here. Pops set up a special fishing trip and she got to go along to Bastrop with her Pops and Uncles. She loves fishing and she's been talking about it nonstop since they went. I just love that she got to go with them. 

It was really wonderful hanging out with my brothers. I wish that we could do it more often! 

And a Kupono update: Pono is still holding on. He is happy when he is around his ball, but he gets tired very quickly. Mom and Dad have made several "appointments" for him, but it's just such a hard decision to make. On the one hand you don't want to end their life too soon, while on the other you don't want them to suffer.

BUG!!!

Been a busy week. Cruz and I drove to Wimberley today to meet with a really amazing wedding coordinator. I'll post more about our week later... 

But for now, here's the poor bug we hit on the way home. :( 

drained

We started today on a very happy note - Pops' birthday! We headed over to Gams and Pops' house and the kids were excited to see donuts waiting for them. They scarfed them up. They also went outside with Pops and searched for ant piles. Then the real breakfast was ready and we were sitting at the table. Kai wasn't sitting still in his chair and he fell off and whacked his head on the wrought iron table leg. It was a really hard fall.

I scooped him up and loved on him. He was acting tired. We put on cartoons to divert his attention elsewhere. He seemed to be feeling better and I asked if I could leave and take a walk.

I needed that walk. I needed the cool air around me and the slight wind in my face. I huffed and puffed and walked and walked to the end of the road and then turned around and walked back. I felt so wonderful.

Kai hadn't much improved and snuggled on me. Normally he's a lot more alert and carefree and happy. I took the kids home and put Kai on his nap mat in the living room where I could keep an eye on him. As I was hugging him, he rolled over and threw up. Alarms went off in my head. "DANGER! DANGER!" They kept saying. I immediately called our pediatrician and explained what was happening. As I was on the phone with her he threw up more. She said to take him to the ER for a CT Scan.

Called up Gams on the phone and she came right over. I buckled up Kai and headed for the ER. As I looked in the mirror I saw him asleep in his carseat. I kept saying his name and telling him not to go to sleep. I sang and he had very tired eyes.

As we walked into the ER and I went to the triage desk, he threw up again - all over me, his blanket, and the floor. The triage nurse helped me and got me a new blanket and we didn't have to wait long for a room. Kai was such a trooper in the big Scanner. He fussed when he was put on the bed thingy, but then when the bed raised and he started sliding into the machine me and the tech said, "Choo choo!" and he smiled like he was on a train ride. He was nothing short of amazing in that very scary situation.

Back to the room we went with more waiting and more vomiting. I just held him tight. Fortunately, the doctor came in and said that he does have a concussion, but he doesn't have any brain or skull damage. We got to go home.

Kai and I were both covered in vomit so we took a nice bath together. As the afternoon progressed he started acting more and more like himself and even played a little basketball in the play room.

Peter and I got into a fight this afternoon, which just made me feel even more physically and emotionally drained. Overall it has been an incredibly draining day. I think every muscle in my body is hurting. But my heart is happy. My little Kai Boy is ok.

So big!

Gave Cruz a bath in the sink tonight. I had ground up spaghetti and he ate a whole bowl and he was messy. Then he did something I wasn't expecting. He sat up on his own!! He's such a big boy!!

New Outfit

This is the new outfit I got today. It felt really nice to be able to shop in the normal sized persons section instead of the plus size section. 

Ryenne was making Cruz laugh. It was the cutest thing. She was biting the bear on his walker and he thought it was hilarious. 

And then here she's got my cowboy boots on. These boots are so cute but man oh man do they hurt my feet (so I just rarely wear them)

I couldn't quite capture Kai since he was moving around so quickly. He had gotten into my high heels and was prancing around the living room. 

Cruz officially has two teeth now and he has started biting me while nursing. The pain is horrible. Part of me wants to say, "That's it!" and throw in the towel. But then the other part of me says, "It's your last baby. Enjoy every moment."

The last couple of days I've also noticed a lot of growth with Kai. He is really trying to talk more. We have been working on mouth sounds. Aside from basketball, he has also really enjoyed playing with his toy cars lately and his trains (he loves trains). The newest thing for him is to watch breakdance videos. He is in complete awe and tries to dance on the floor. It is the cutest thing ever. I'll try to do a video really soon.

At the park & a new endeavor

Yesterday we took the kiddos to Southpark Meadows to splash around in the dancing waters. Cruz had a great time as I laid on the hill and tossed him around.

Today the kiddos went to school and Cruz and I putzed around. A dear friend from Iowa had sent me a Target gift card and I finally went to use it. I got some really cute clothes - THANK YOU SUSAN!!! Afterward I got dressed up and went on a business meeting to a retirement home called Marbridge. They had contacted me to see if I would be interested in volunteering my time to photograph some of the long term residents so they can display them on the walls - they have a brand new wing.

When I arrived, the residents were having a (virgin) Margarita party. They were having such a wonderful time. I got a tour of the place and learned that they also do Equestrian therapy for the residents, which I thought is wonderful.

During my visit I personally met with two residents. The director Alicia introduced me to Greg, who is in a wheel chair and has lived at Marbridge for quite some time. He shook my hand and asked if he could hold my hand for a minute. And he asked if he was going to get to be in a magazine when I told him I was a photographer. His eyes lit up. He promised to smile for all his pictures when I come back. I also met Robert, who called me "Darlin" and "Ma'am" and invited me to see the deer on the wall that he had shot as a young man (which really isn't my forte but he was so proud of them) and to show me the book he had written. He was excited to see me again for pictures.

So for the next month or two I will be going back to Marbridge to capture activities around the retirement home and meet some more of the extraordinary people that live there. It was truly touching and I left feeling a great sense of pride. I'm really excited for this project!

Clarification on Amazon.com

For all my family who receive this in email format...

The link to Amazon.com is on my actual blog page itself. When you receive this as an email, there is a link at the bottom of the page that says The Dagupion 'Ohana. Click on that link and it will take you to my actual blog page. The Amazon link is at the bottom. :)

Do you use Amazon.com?

I know that I shop at Amazon.com for odds and ends that I can't find, or order for the convenience of having it come to me - especially at Christmas time.

I signed up as an Amazon Associate. What does that mean? It means that if you go through my search (located at the bottom of this page) to search and purchase anything from Amazon.com, they will send me a commission. This is invisible to you - the cost of the product doesn't go up and there's nothing special you have to do. But the commissions will be used toward the cost of Peter's schooling. So if you shop there anyway, please use our link! Thanks!!

Eye Opener

Ever wonder about the things in your everyday use items? Check out this website and look up your favorite items. It tells you what the ingredients/chemicals really are!


http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Banana "Nini" Muffins

I had some zucchini and bananas that needed to be used. I took my zucchini bread recipe (it had a lot of oil and sugar) and doctored it up for some healthy muffins.

Last time I made zucchini muffins with Ryenne, she commented that she wished the zucchini wasn't shredded. So I tried a different method this time.

You will need:

2 C unbleached flour (or sub with 1 C all purpose & 1 C whole wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C butter
1/4 C Agave Syrup
2 eggs
1-2 bananas
1 med to large zucchini
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin pan with paper cups.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and set aside

In your food processor, cut up the banana(s) and zucchini and add to processor bowl with agave syrup and softened butter. Whirl until bananas and zucchini are pulverized. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix. If you would like to add chocolate chips, this is the time to add them. I had about half a cup left and so each muffin got about 3-4 chips - just right for the kids to think this was a dessert.

Add mix to paper muffin cups and pop in the oven for about 30 minutes. Makes 12 muffins

I liked my muffins not overly sweet so I did 1/4 C Agave. If you like a sweeter muffin, you may want more. Agave Syrup is available in the honey section at the store. It's processed easier by the body than sugar and is a great substitute.

Concentration

I don't know why but this image didn't come through in the last post. Couldn't leave it out!

The Land of Magic

When my brothers were here, I sat back and enjoyed watching my family - everyone interacting with each other and celebrating being together with each other and with Kupono. I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I should have. Nico and Mom snapped away and I'm still waiting for my disc of pictures (hint, hint) so that I can blog them. 

But one evening, it was before school had started, it was like the celebration of the ending of Summer. It was truly the land of magic... magic light even. Believe it or not, these images are straight out of the camera - just sharpened for the web. 

The kids were playing in the forest...

The grill was fired up...

Magical games involving Kupono, the pool, and lots of sticks...

And little Cruzito was turning 6 months old the following day. He has mastered the walker and can power across the living room really fast. He is so expressive and so beautiful. 

This has to be one of my favorites because he was trying so hard to scoot himself across the pavers. The tongue came out... look at that concentration! 

Today was his 6 month check up. He is 19lbs, 8oz. When the nurse Leticha saw us she commented on how much Cruz looks like me. And when Dr. Collins came in the room she said, "Oh my goodness, he looks just like his daddy!" and me and Leticha started cracking up. We all had a good laugh when we explained why we were laughing so hard. Dr. Collins made Ryenne the helper and she helped examine Cruz and she thought that was the coolest thing ever.

Mission Accomplished!

Friday = weigh in day. Stepped on the scale and I was 198.6

This is the first time since high school I have been under 200 pounds. I am feeling so liberated and really... well... over the moon is how I can explain it!

My first BIG goal was to hit 199 pounds. Now it's done and I can set my next goal - 185. Baby steps!

We have a tooth!

Cruz has cut his first tooth - a little bottom front toofer. He has had a rough few nights which means I have had a rough few nights. Since it has just cut the surface, I am enjoying my last moments of a purely "gummy smile" from my last baby. Pictures soon!

First day of school

The first day of preschool was on Thursday morning. Of course even though I had planned this, it was a chaotic morning. And it wouldn't have been complete without getting the kids out to the car only to discover that one had pooped. 

Even though we were a couple minutes late, it seems we weren't the only ones with morning chaos. The preschool was alive with excited children, nervous children, parents, teachers... In fact, the kids were so excited that they held hands and took off for the entrance! 

They were so excited that it was tough to get the "first day of school picture on the stairs" - I might have to try it again on Tuesday.

I took Ry to her class first and she kinda shoo'd me out the door so she could get to the fun of school already. I then took Kai to his class and it was full of screaming children. He is the oldest in his class and the little ones didn't want their parents to leave. He looked at me, looked at them, looked back at me, and I saw a pouty lip emerge followed by crying. I couldn't take pictures - had. to. escape.

I think next week I will drop Kai off first - it will just be easier that way. They had a wonderful first day. It feels so good to have them back in this environment. I love their school! And hopefully cooler days are ahead as well.

Ry ballet Video

Kai Boy Toes

Down the street a neighbor is working on an old truck. For the past week Kai has been fascinated by this red truck. 

While Cruz was sleeping and Ry was at Gams, I took him out for a quick few snaps. This is my favorite. I've been waiting to get back to the 'puter to pull it off the card. My big boy...

Sweet Potato Harvest & Ballet Performance

Finally plugged in the little camera to nab the images from our sweet potato harvest and Ry's last day of ballet. 

Natural Dishwasher Soap

We had a giant bottle of dishwasher soap - Cascade I think - and I had started to think it was very harsh. I figured I'd try to find something more natural. And there are natural ones out there - Mrs Meyers and Seventh Generation to name a few.

But I ran out of the Cascade and haven't been to the store, so I went in search online. I found a recipe for a natural dishwasher soap online! I just made a batch and have tried it out on two loads.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup liquid castile soap (I used Dr. Bronners)
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 drops tea tree oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
Method:
stir all ingredients together until blended. Store in a squirt top bottle. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes, shake well before use. 

You will want to add the castile soap first to the container and then add the other ingredients. There is a chemical reaction with the vinegar and it kind of gels up making it hard to transfer to another container.

My dishes came out smelling good and clean. If spots bother you than this might not be your favorite dishwasher soap. But the few spots didn't bother me - I just wanted it all clean.