4 Months into GAPS Update

It's been 4 months since we began this journey. It's certainly been a wild ride, full of me learning things I wish I'd known earlier. In many ways it doesn't seem like we're making any progress, but I trust that we are. I want to take a moment to focus on the positive things that we have noticed and just to check in on where we're at, physically and mentally.

-Currently Charlotte is eating beef, pork, lamb, and turkey, and stocks made from meats and bones of these animals. Once in awhile she has venison when we're lucky enough to get it. She is tolerating a probiotic as well.

-Prior to GAPS I was limiting my diet since so many things bothered her through my milk- onions, garlic, spices, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, brussel sprouts, chocolate, caffeine, legumes, and various other foods. Now I don't avoid any of these foods for discomfort reasons (although I am avoiding her allergenic foods). Any of these foods would keep us up for hours at night with her crying in pain.

-Since we started GAPS we have only experienced a handful of times when Charlotte's been up crying in pain for hours at night. We still have sleepless nights, but her discomfort level is nothing like it used to be. Usually now when we have sleepless nights it is because she is dealing with me trying to increase her fermented foods, or when she has eaten something she shouldn't.

-We are moving from 1 drop of sauerkraut juice per day to 2 drops. 3 drops was too harsh so we will move at a slower pace. Everything I'm learning about GAPS comes down to "slow and steady wins the race." We are pushing though "die-off" symptoms (rashes, eczema patches, irritability, clinginess, sleeplessness, and in general her just not feeling well). Healing foods like fermented foods, probiotics, egg yolks, and fermented dairy are instances where you push through symptoms unlike symptoms experienced with other foods (like vegetables). Symptoms from veggies or other foods are indicators that her body is not ready to handle them yet. This is why her diet is still so limited. The healing foods force her body to deal with the bad stuff in her gut, hence the "die-off." Once her body gets these healing foods in, they help repopulate the gut flora with good bacteria, and they kill off the bad bacteria, yeast, parasites, etc. Toxins are often released through the skin- this is a clear indicator that GAPS is working- her skin rashes are proof that her little body is trying to heal.

-We have had ups and downs with Charlotte. Despite struggling through symptoms and stuff, she is thriving. Her immune system seems to be stronger. Before starting this diet she was so susceptible to germs and was always sick. When she feels well, she just seems to be carefree and enjoys life. She continues to grow chubbier by the day. Developmentally she is well ahead many of her peers, knowing the alphabet, colors, some shapes, putting phrases together, attempting to sing, and recognizing concepts like "A is for ____. B is for ____."She can identify any animal, what it says, and will joke about whether or not it eats hay! She is smart as a whip. She will repeat any phrase, or word she hears- "a-ma-zing!" She loves dancing, Winnie the Pooh, being outside, doting on her baby dolls, playing with Parker, coloring, and doing just about anything. Her smile, spunk, and sweet spirit are contagious. She is incredibly good about not making a fuss when other people around her enjoy foods she cannot have. She will even pick a pea up off the floor (one of her favorite foods), walk over, and hand it to us. There have only been a couple of heartbreaking times when she cried because she wanted what she could not have. She has been so, so good about her diet. Praise God for this! I'm so glad she loves meat and has been a sport about the monotony.

-Since I've been on the Full GAPS diet, I feel so much better, and I didn't even feel too badly before. I no longer get daily headaches. I used to chalk them up to the exhaustion of running after two children all day. Well, I'm still running after them every day, but I no longer have to deal with mid-afternoon energy crashes or headaches. I think I've had one headache in 4 months, and that was a day when I was overdoing it and not drinking enough water. My energy levels are more consistent and my brain has more clarity. I really don't crave starchy, bready, sweet foods whereas I always did before. They don't even smell the same to me anymore. Once in awhile I smell or see something I wish I could eat, but it's really not that big of a deal. I am enjoying my diet and the things I am eating, and I am enjoying how well I feel. I am still struggling with planning, finding new recipes, not having any shortcuts during busy times, but it's getting easier. My skin is healthier, less dry and more clear. My cycles are less painful. I've lost some weight- even better is that I just don't worry about what I weigh anymore. I know I'm eating really healthy foods, and my body is healthy, strong, and the shape it was designed to be. I know it sounds silly, but I no longer stare down my "problem" areas in front of the mirror; I accept them and get on with my day.

-Mentally and emotionally things have been tough lately. I will post soon about our recent medical appointments and our decisions regarding them. This is worthy of its own post!

-We are living in Springvale for the summer at CJ's parents' house. This is a huge blessing! CJ graduated in May, so now he is hard at work getting applications out. We are praying that God will provide him a wonderful new job, in the right place, and a new home to live in (ideally that will allow us to be near our family support, for us to have room for the kids to play inside and outside, kitchen space for all our cooking needs, and a large outdoor area to explore, grow our own foods, and keep animals). After living in a small apartment, can you tell we're just craving SPACE?! Having somewhere to live this summer takes some of the pressure off and will allow us to be nearby family, which should be a great encouragement to me. We also have a big garden planted, which we (and our wallets!) are so excited about. Good things lie ahead.

-This means many changes right now and changes to come. CJ will move our stuff down this coming weekend. He's been in Orono without us, or rather we've been here without him. It will be good when we will all be together and can get into a new routine for the summer months.

-We appreciate the prayers and support. Please continue to pray for patience and wisdom for us, and for God to meet our upcoming needs through a new job and place to live. Please be in prayer that we will be able to successfully get some healing foods into Charlotte which should help her to be able to tolerate more foods (like veggies) in the future.

Thanks and love you all!