Being 2 Steps Ahead.

About 1 year ago, my five year old boy (Ruey) who then was four, was diagnosed with ADHD/ODD. Which is much worse that just ADHD, but occasionally happens. (Read about ODD HERE.) It was a serious change in my lifestyle.  We had been in and out the of Doctors office since he was 3 and showing signs of odd behavior.  He would rush and attempt to stop traffic, he was mean, and started yelling.  It was all so quick, as a baby and toddler, he was happy and easy-going all the time.  Nothing bothered him.  Nowdays it is a completely different story.
I get to be up in the mornings before him so I can make sure he gets his Adderall right at 6:30 otherwise, it ends up being too late to give him a second dose 6 hours later. (He can't have it after 2:00PM or it keeps him up all night.)
The good news is, he is usually pretty mild when he first wakes up.  He likes to just lounge around on the couch wrapped in a blanket.  Lucky for me, so I have time to get the 2 oldest off to school.
A year ago when we finally figured this all out, I wasn't too concerned.  My thoughts at the time were "oh, this should be easy, just make sure he gets his pills and he will be normal and everything will work out"  How I wish I was more concerned back then.  It wasn't just that simple.  I dealt with the mood swings and the being mean, just thinking "He had his pills, so this must be a phase or something like that."
The truth out the matter was and is, I have to be 2 steps ahead at all times.  I need to have a schedule worked out and stick to it.  He loves crafts and coloring and stuff like that. So that is one thing I need to stay on top of.  We run out quickly because he will do some for hours.  Gluing popsicle sticks, perler beads, beading on strings...you name it.  He loves them and I get something done and know he is not burning the shed down. (He actually lit it on fire one day when he was unattended for 2 minutes while I was changing the baby, but that is another story.)
  Getting him to so even the simplest chores can be an act of congress at times.  Other times he is willing to do his chores if he is getting something out of the deal.
We have been to see his pediatrician several times and changed his meds and doses.  Right now, he is quite a different boy.  The meds this time seem to be helping.  But that is no excuse for me to lax...his body still moves faster than is brain sometimes.  He never thinks about consequences, but I am told, as he gets older and I make sure to keep his meds regular, he will start thinking about things like this, and making better choices on his own.
I have changed alot in his diet, taking out highly processed foods, and Red 40.  I do, however, let him had processed food sometime and even red 40 sneaks into his diet occasionally.  I have on the blog some recipes that I have adjusted and made healthier. Check them out if you have a second.  Just changing his diet to a healthier, less processed diet has been beneficial not only for him, but for the rest of the family as well.
I am posting this because I know this is no rare disorder and tons of other children out there have it, whether their parents will admit it or not.  I would love to hear your suggestions and your stories about the best things you have done for yours and what has helped you.

Super Creative Tags...

I came across this great blog when I was bored and searching for ways to make things more creative.  I found these FREE, very cute, vintage gift tags.  I was very pleased with them, they make great "Thankyou" tags for tie to my sold Etsy items.  I love leaving little thank you note on them.  
Anyway....  Click Here to go to this exciting new blog that I found "Eat Drink Chic" by Amy Moss, and print your own tags.  This blog is just a whole lot of fun with some great ideas.  Thanks Amy, glad I found you.

A New Tactic

I have decided to try merging my 2 Etsy shops in to one and hopefully start getting a lot more traffic and hopefully a lot more sales.  It is a slow process as I don't have a lot of time on the computer to do it, so it will be a little here and a little there until I get them all done.  I have a lot more crocheting lined up to do and add to it as well, so keep checking back.  

Knitting.....

I have decided that it would be a lot of fun to learn to knit.  So I have ordered a few books and some basic supplies to learn how.  It will be fun to do something different than crocheting, but still making cute things.  I will post picture and post about my progress.  Hopefully I catch on quick so I can get some more darling things in my Etsy shop. 

My Mind is Cranking.....

I have been super busy the last little while creating new and exciting items to put in my Etsy shop.  I have a got a few in there, the latest being my cute Mary Jane Baby Shoes.  
I have in mind to make some soft crocheted baby blocks, still working it all out.  I am going to make a set for my baby and then, depending on how they turn out,  some to put in my shop.  
I will post pictures as soon as I get my first set done.  

Sneek Peek at My New Item

I have been working on something new and really cute to put in my Etsy shop.  I finally got it all worked out and practiced up enough to make some really cute little baby slippers.  They are alot of fun and super easy to adjust and add too.  There are so many options for these little cuties.  I don't have any in my shop yet, but am currently working on a pair to put on.  

Here are some sets that I made for my Sister-in-Law who recently had a set of twins.  They turned out really cute.  

Doubled Colored

Just recently added to my Etsy shop are some really cute 2 colored scrunchies.  Handcrocheted with 2 different threads, the result was just amazing and cute.  I made a bunch for a few friends, who really liked them.  Now is the chance to get your own.  If there is 2 particular colors you are looking for, I can probably find and make it up for you.  Check them out now. 

More crafting.

I got some more supplies for crafting, so you will be seeing some more pop up in my shop.  Some more socks, bigger sizes, and some different scrunchies - soft fuzzy ones.  These fuzzy ones are my favorite, I just wish I could find alot more colors.  I will keep looking.  So, keep checking my shop to be the first to get these great new items.

We have adopted another pet.

The newest addition to our pet family arrive about 1 week ago.  My 9 year old along with the neighbor boy caught a horny toad and it came to our house to live.  I don't really mind, as it just overjoys to boy to have a cool little pet like that.  It was rather shy in the beginning and would his and snap at him when he tried to pick it up, but after a while, he figured out that if he just rubbed behind the little horns on the top of it's head, it calmed down.  Great, now we get to chase the little guys around and make them scream.  
So, a place was made to keep the lil' toad thingy safe from the cats.  They really wanted to eat it!  So for a few days in lived in a barrel type home will plenty of red ants for snacks.  Now it has been moved to an empty fish tank filled with sand and rocks to enjoy a safer life.  We are still looking for names, so any suggestions would be great.

What do little people think?

The other morning I was combing my 2 year old girl's hair.  She was just jabbering along and through the course of the conversation, she let me know that the neighbor boy, about the same age, said she was ugly.  Then she stops, looks up at me and says "Kick him?"  I say no, we want to be friends.  She hangs her head for a moment then looks up again and says "Bite?"  It just made my day.  Makes me wonder what her idea of a friend was.

QuickRewards

Here is another great site I have found for taking survey and earning cashback while shopping online.  QuickRewards is a great place.  I have cash out so many times.  The great thing is, they don't require a minimum to cash out.  This is one place that I use alot, they have a pretty quick turnaround time in paying  as well.  They also pay through Paypal, which I used alot.  Here is the link so you can try it out.
QuickRewards

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow!  I have been so busy focusing on my Etsy shop that I have neglected my baking and cooking section.  I will get something made and the recipe and picture hopefully posted soon.  Don't give up on me :)

Got a bunch more scrunchies in my shop.  A few different colors.  I am currently working a barely small ones for those who have thinner hair, like myself.  Hope they turn out to be good sellers, I am starting to get discouraged. NO!  I will not, I will be patient and things will start selling.  Here are a few pics of the ones that are done and up for sale.  

Got my baby gift set completed finally.  I spent so much time trying to find the right ribbons for it (which I never did find so I gave up).  I just added my own decorations and it turned out super cute.  It is now available in my Etsy shop. I would have kept it myself, but I don't think I baby BOY would appreciate GIRLIE things on him.  They are going to be a great hit at baby showers and if it ends up selling quick, I will probably be making more.  Meanwhile, I am going to be stocking up on ribbons, buttons, and bows, etc. to keep on hand so my next set won't take quite so long.  Check it out and let me know what you think. 

I miss the beach.  Last time I went to the beach was about 15 years ago.  Got to spend a week at Capistrano beach.  I see all these beautiful pictures all over the net and makes me think I should start saving up.  Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Seaworld all in one week, man, I could definately do that again.  

Just about finished up with my baby gift set.  It consists of 2 darling crocheted baby hats, 1 darling headband with a flower, and 1 baby washcloth.  It will fit a 3+ month old baby.  I am looking forward to putting it in my shop.  It turned out so cute.

I finished up this custom order about a week ago.  It turned out so cute.  I bet the little girl that got those was really happy.

New Etsy item

Slowly getting my Etsy shop built up.  I got a fair amount of socks and am now introducing some cute hair accessories.  Not a whole lot right now, but will be adding more and lots of different colors.  My little girl begged me into making some for her and a friend, which of course I had to say yes!  Check them out and tell me what you think.

A Good Laugh

I came across this while reading my email and it just made my day!
Super Good Laugh

Looks like my children enjoy this tree as well, only for different reasons, unfortunately.  I found these poor blossoms on my kitchen floor.

So Sad!