Why my son is the smelly kid in class.

Yes. I think my son may be that stinky kid in class.
But, hold up. It is not because he does not bathe!
Lincoln does not smell bad, at all. He smells like oils, and I think he smells marvelous!
Every morning before school we have a routine where I roll an essential oil blend on specific points on his body. We are doing this as a way to help him with his attention issues in class, along with a few other things that have been known to increase attention span in children.


Let me also set the record straight, I am not trying to diagnose my child. I know that he has attention span issues. It is very, very evident. But, I also know that kindergarten nowadays can be ridiculous and I do not agree with their expectations set upon my child. While we are in school there I will do my darndest to make sure Lincoln has whatever advantage I can give him so he does not feel labeled or left behind.


 I read an article that over viewed the symptoms, causes and ways aromatherapy can help with Behavioral Disorders. I am not a doctor, but I can read and be proactive now while he is young! This article was very, very informative.  ~
"Where psychopharmaceuticals can provide immediate relief to difficult symptoms, the body provides the door for healing and protecting itself, and given the right environment, it is able to thrive and heal from outside influences.  We hold the key to opening that door of healing through natural nourishment.  Awareness, education, and finally our nutritional choices, provide the body with the keys to heal and protect itself.  Psychoaromacology is a very promising method of treatment and provides immediate relief as well as long term healing.  Mental health and nutrition are not a separate entity.  They are interlinked and one in the same body (literally), therefore need to be treated as such and nature has provided so many solutions. The research is there, and it is scientifically proven.  Practical application takes education and dedication, however the results are life long and invaluable." (Danielle Daniel https://www.aromaticscience.com/source/behavioral-disorders-adhd-causes-essential-solutions/)

I have been doing these oils now for almost a month and we are absolutely noticing a difference. We are doing many other things like: probiotics, decreased grains and sugars, taking dha/fish oils, doing yoga and doing more one on one time for homework in the evenings. So, it is hard to say if one thing in particular is helping more than the other things. I just know that he really is able to relax and we enjoy our morning ritual of putting the oils on. He likes to call them his "thinking oils". :)


My friend, Hillary, that gave us the blend told me what was in it:

"Oils in your blend are- Balance, Patchouli, Serenity, Lavender and Vetiver
Balance is a grounding blend, it contains Spruce, Rosewood, Blue Tansy and Frankincense. It's to bring a feeling of calmness, peace and relaxation. Aid in Harmonizing the various physiological systems of the body and promote tranquility and a sense of balance.
Serenity- Lavender, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, and Vanilla Bean Extract. Relaxing blend to help calm and soothe feeling of stress, excitement, and anxiety to help the body maintain its natural state of health."

Here are some studies I have found on the science behind essential oils, for any skeptics out there.
This one is my favorite, about the use of Vetiver EO and how it suppresses the decline in attention https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/33/5/33_299/_pdf  

Matricaria chamomilla may also help improve symptoms
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19097772 

Just the abstract here, but it looks interesting. How our olfactory system can effect our moods and behavior
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20923005

I like this because it simply describes how essential oils work and is not a .com website, or endorsed by a company http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/aromatherapy/how-do-essential-oils-work

I love the fact that everyone is jumping on board this essential oil train. I am not loyal to a brand, nor do I love the pyramid stuff associated with some of the brands of oils. I do think it is a great tool to use if you have any ailments, especially to try before reaching for man made medicine. We have had lots of luck healing up cold sores, ear infections and tension with essential oils as well. And on that note we NEVER ingest the oils, only apply topically. :)

I will go on letting my kid be the smelly kid in class. At least it is a beneficial and pleasant aroma.

Why public school Kindergarten is not happening this fall

Disclaimer: This post is written by a very hormonal and emotional new (again) mommy. I am sleep deprived, running off caffeine, worn out from tandem nursing, and very upset about this whole school situation. 

Last Wednesday was a big day for the Pace family! 

It was Lincoln's Kindergarten screening day at our local district public school. We had an appointment set up with the school for 3 pm. According to our paper we received in the mail we would get a tour, see classrooms, see a dentist (!?) and Lincoln would be "screened" to see what he needed to work on this summer in preparation for Kindergarten.   We made it a family affair. All five of us went to Lincoln's big day. I wore Marsden in a wrap, and we had Asher in a little umbrella stroller. We walked in and I already started getting misty eyed. Going to his first school is such a big milestone for our oldest son. 

In a word the entire experience turned out to be AWFUL. A teacher came to take Lincoln to his screening while Zack and I went into the parents information session. During our session Zack and I were astonished to hear that kindergarten is now a rigorous, hard core grade that focuses on preparing the kids for passing the the state tests and getting everyone to the exact same level. Not once were the words CREATIVITY or IMAGINATION used. They explained that in the past there has been too much play time and craft time and that they had to focus and set rigid goals. The whole time I am sitting here thinking IS THIS MILITARY SCHOOL!? I could not believe that they start this right off the bat in kindergarten with little kids who many have never been to any school in their lives before. 

So, after our information session which was about 10-15 minutes long we were taken by a teacher and the school principal into a small room. There they proceeded to tell us about her screening with Lincoln. She explained that he just would not work right with the school this year and they recommended holding him back a year. Basically this was all they said in a nutshell. They told us "he couldn't even hold the pencil or write out his name" and asked if he had any school before this. I was so upset that I was not able to ask more questions at that time, I got up, grabbed Lincoln my awesome special boy and left, crying as I walked out the door. 

Why was I crying? What made me so crazy upset? Well first, I think it is insanely unfair to judge a child's development based off a 10-15 minute meeting in which he is sitting in front of a teacher asked to perform tasks, when I am sure he was incredibly intimidated by the situation in the first place. I first felt embarrassed and ashamed that I had not prepared him well enough for kindergarten. Then I got angry. I was furious that this was our option. I was beyond mad that they take away play time and hands- on, fun learning and make school such a strict rigorous program right from the get go. Not all kids learn that way, and not all kids do well at taking tests or performing for teachers. 

I want a place for my son that is SPECIAL like he is. I want some place that can nurture his strengths and help me to find the very best way in which he learns things so that I can foster that. I want him to feel empowered about every thing he learns, not feel like he has to catch up to be on par with the test level the school desires so they can get more funding!!! My son is NOT A ROBOT. My son will not fit into this box. He is amazing, smart and talented in so many other ways, who gives a damn about how well he writes his name (which btw he does very well with me at home while I direct him, and can point out the letters and their names, and is very amazing at coloring and staying in the lines) 

I am searching for the very best option for Lincoln this fall. I will be starting school as well and Lincoln is such a social child that he was really REALLY looking forward to starting school in a couple months. Back to the drawing board we go. Ive already sending out emails and frantically trying to make sure that my son has a place that he will LOVE and that will love him as well. 

18 weeks already!!!

So I havent had a computer to be able to upload pictures or update this blog. But I have been very good about writing in my journal to keep tabs on everything this pregnancy. I have been feeling wonderful!!! I honestly feel so good and I am LOVING being pregnant. I have been feeling wonderful movement and occasional kicks.
I have gained about 1 and a half pounds. SOOO not to bad for the time being. I have really been trying to go for walks at night or use my exercise ball or just dance around with Lincoln alot. He keeps me mad busy anyways!He loves having his mommy home, but I think he is getting quite spoiled by it, I know once school starts next month he will do well in the schools daycare (if we decide that is what we are doing for sure) Oh and by the way.... I got into nursing school!! SO I have been pretty busy trying to get everything ready for orientation in two weeks. I have a CPR class next week. I need to get all my records of shots and everything from my old high school. I get fingerprinted at the UAPD tmrw. I also am trying to figure out what to do for books, trying to save up as much as possible from my babysitting.
Here a crazy thing to see how much my tummy is just growing growing growing......
Here is me at 10 weeks......and here is me at 16 and a half weeks...... (WOW what a difference in 6 weeks)
and.... here is a super cute picture of Lincoln just for the fun of it... He is so big. He is totally in his terrible twos but can also be the most sweet loving boy (thats why we are keeping him around:)) But seriously, dude, he is way sooo adorable and handsome. I am excited for him to gain a new brother or sister.... but probably brother (thats my guess right now)


Next blog update.... I am writing all about my plan to birth at home (yes you read that right)... whether you want to hear it or not :)