Scott Going Down the Slide

... all by himself! He is very proud!

So Much to Say

Scott has a lot to say these days. Everyday he surprises me with the new words he learns and remembers. When we are driving he tells me about buses, trucks, cars, churches, etc. When we sit down to eat dinner a lot of times he says "mac chesse?" When anyone comes into the room he has to announce who they are. Even if Nate just goes out to take the trash and comes back up, Scott makes sure I know Dada is back. He likes to remind people that they have noses and eyes and loves to make his stuffed animals give kisses. In addition to saying a lot of "real" words now, he still talks in his own language. I think he really is convinced he is part of the conversation. I know he will outgrow speaking in his own funny language soon! So here is a video I sneakily got of him talking while I was in the car with my Mom.

Scott Talking in the Tub

Celiac Disease

If you've been reading our blog this summer you know that we've had a lot of fun the past few months. But the thing about blogs is you never get the whole story on someone's life. We have had a great summer! It has been filled with visits from family and trips to see friends -  weddings, bike rides in the canyon, frozen yogurt and we are very blessed. I try to keep the things I share on my blog light and upbeat. Because I really do believe I have a wonderful life. But nobody is free of trials in this life and unfortunately the past few months have been a lot like this time in my life 2 years ago. Sometimes I think it is important to share things we have been going through. Not only for support, but to help others in similar situations (in my case with health problems) to not feel they are alone. I have again been struggling with annoying and undiagnosed health problems. But I finally have an answer about why I've been feeling so horrible this summer.

I will spare you all the medical details but after 2 months of headaches, tingling and numbness in my hands and feet, getting sick to my stomach a lot, a bad itchy rash that wouldn't go away on my knees and elbows, MRIs, bloods tests, being told I might have MS, being told it was just allergies, being told I had psoriasis, and getting a skin biopsy, I finally have the answer of what is wrong with my body. My skin biopsy came back positive for dermatitis herpetiformis. Meaning that I have gluten-intolerance, and therefore celiac disease. Celiac disease was NOT on my radar at all, and while it is much better than having MS, it is still not a fun diagnosis. Celiac disease is not just a food allergy. It can hit any time in life and is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks itself when trigged by gluten. I just found out that's what I have last week. I am so happy to know why I have been feeling so awful. There are many things, like being deathly sick to my stomach for hours after I ran the half marathon in June (and the other long training runs) and the peripheral neuropathy (tingling in my hands and feet), that make sense now that I know I have celiac disease. I am relieved to know that if I go on a gluten-free diet, I can feel 100% better again in a few months.

At the same time I was rightfully devastated to find out I am gluten-intolerant. I was operating under the assumption that I had a skin irritation from something like a laundry detergent and just felt tingling in my left hand from carrying Scott around all the time. I also thought I just had a more sensitive than normal stomach. In a way I am extremely grateful I had the skin biopsy done so I know what I have. Celiac disease is hugely undiagnosed. The most scary thing would be being pregnant (which I'm not...) and not knowing I had celiac disease. With the disease your small intestines get really damaged and can't absorb vitamins properly. Even if you take vitamins, your body can't absorb them and therefore the baby can't get the nutrients it needs. It will take at least 6 months on a gluten-free diet for my body to heal and absorb nutrients properly again. Undiagnosed celiac disease can cause all kinds of other problems and cancers as well - so I keep reminding myself that I am extremely lucky to know I have it, so I can take care of it. Like I said, on a gluten-free diet I can be a perfectly normal person with a long, healthy life.

If you know me at all you know I LOVE food and cooking. It is going to be so hard to give up bread, pasta, and baked goods. Being told in an instant that you can't eat most of your favorite foods EVER again totally out of the blue is not an easy thing. I keep pumping myself up like "I can do this! I am going to be so healthy!" but then getting crushed by thoughts of not being able to have Costco samples, ice cream cones, In and Out burgers (the "protein style" they offer sounds so gross to me), Pizzeria 712, etc.  Luckily now is a time where being gluten-free is trendy and there are a ton of options out there. I have already ordered a bunch of gluten-free things from King Arthur Flour - I love that site! And I keep reminding myself that there are still so many things I CAN eat. I can have all dairy, meats, vegetables, fruits, corn, soy, gluten-free oats, etc. I think there are many blessings in disguise. The fact that I love to cook means I can apply that love to making delicious gluten-free food.  Also the fact that I have to closely watch what I eat now means that I will "watch" what I eat health-wise even more. I have a huge susceptibility for getting diabetes because of my genes, so maybe being even more healthy and gluten-free will prevent me from getting worse things in the future.

I know Heavenly Father loves us. We are given "mountains to climb" for a reason; to help polish us and to give us experience for our own good. I know that everyone around us has to go through hard things. No life is exempt from this! These things my not be as easily defined as celiac disease and a lot of times are far more serious. Going through hard things allows us to have more compassion for others going through rough times. I know that "behind every heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see". It is so important to remember to love rather than judge. Because you never know what someone is going through.

I am a very blessed woman and I know I will figure out these new lifestyle changes. I have a husband who loves and supports me no matter what. And I have a beautiful son who brings me deep joy daily. I have loving support from extended family and friends. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and is there for us every step of the way. Trials may make our physical bodies weaker and our hearts broken, but they can make our spirits stronger. I am grateful to have that knowledge.


And I am happy to know that soon, hopefully, I will have normal feeling again my left hand! So bring on the rice cakes...

A Fun, Busy August

We have had so much fun this August! The month has just flown by because we have been so busy. A few weeks ago we went to San Diego. Nate had to do some buisness down there and all of Nate's family (except Steve and Angela - missed you guys!) was there at the same time. While we were there we also went to Nate's 10 year reunion. Scott had so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa Collins' house and loved hanging out with his cousins! We sure love San Diego! 

While we were there we...

 road bikes at Coronado Island - so gorgeous!

We also went shopping, to Sea World, went swimming, hung out with cousins, and celebrated birthdays.

The weather was HOT - perfect for the beach! 

After the beach we hit up Phil's BBQ...
Scott seemed like a 23 year old to me - happily eating french fries dipped in ketchup and watching sports...

We visited some of our favorite friends while we were there too! Miss all these people!

One night my sister-in-law's and I had a girls night out and went to eat at Cucina Urbana. I had been wanting to try that place for awhile and have to say it is probably my favorite restaurant ever! We got a bunch of things and split everything so we could try a few dishes. I totally recommend Cucina Urbana to anyone in San Diego. Just make sure you get reservations!

food from top to bottom:

1. creamy mascarpone polenta board with the ragu of the day (my favorite!)

2. ricotta gnudi with sage brown butter

3. risotto with truffles and peas

4. spring lamb bolognese rigatoni
they also had an amazing caprese salad and delicious dessert!

The last night we were there we went to Nate's high school reunion. It was fun to go on a date downtown and meet all the people I've heard stories about!

Earlier in August we drove to Logan to meet up with my brother, his wife and my new nephew Ken! Sam just finished law school at UVA and they were stopping by Utah to visit Erin's family on their way moving west to Palo Alto where he got a job. I'm so happy I finally got to meet baby Ken! He is a cutie!

This past week/weekend my parents were in town. They brought my little brother back to Provo after his break in-between semesters.  They were in a Provo for a day before I went out to my cousins wedding in San Francisco with them. Nate and I decided it would be easier if I just went to the wedding with all the logisitics and long days that go along with weddings. So lucky me got to go a trip without Scott! I savored every minute of the peaceful plane ride were I actually got to read a magazine. I was only gone Thursday evening to Saturday morning, and throughout the day I had mixed feelings of loving being able to relax without Scott and really missing him and Nate! Overall it was fun to hang out with my parents and tag along like a "kid" again. The wedding was beautiful and it was so great to see a lot of my extended family. 

Some of the Whitt men. 

My Grandma and I!

Me with my parents. 

Michael and his family.

 The reception venue was beautiful and the food was delicious!

On Saturday we flew back to Utah and my parents stayed in town for a few days. Nate, Scott, and I had the best time hanging out with them. Scott has so much fun playing with my Dad. He thinks his Grandpa is so funny! My parents are so sweet with Scott. They always get down on the ground with him and build blocks, read books, make up funny games, etc. I wish they could play with him every week. I need to live by them!

It was a great August! I can't believe it's already almost fall again. I love fall and am excited to spend it in Utah this year where the leaves change and the temperatures get cooler.
We love our friends and family near and far and can't wait to see them again around the holidays!

Scott and David Playing

We just got back from a trip to San Diego. I'll post more about it soon! Scott LOVED playing with his cousins. His oldest cousin David is 5 and is so sweet with the younger kids. Here is a video of Scott and David playing. Scott loves people to tickle him and loves to be silly!

To Nursery!

This big boy went to nursery for the first time yesterday! All parties involved are very happy.
Scott thinks that playing with toys and kids is way more fun that being trapped in a chair barricade in the back of Sunday School.
And Nate and I both agree that Sunday School without Scott feels like being on a date!

Trying to make this guy stay next to me during Relief Society is the hardest thing ever. I have to admit that Nate usually bites the bullet 3rd hour... But last week I had Scott and was determined to go to Relief Society instead of wandering the halls. I thought he would do fine because they were showing the movie Legacy for the lesson and he loves movies. Despite my best efforts to contain him, Scott somehow tripped over the cord that was attached to the projector during the first 5 minutes of the movie - thus shutting the whole thing off and making 3 people have to come up to fix it. It was probably mostly funny but I was mostly embarrassed. On top of that, his overly-friendly nature is really distracting for anyone he is near. I guess there could be worse problems to have. 

2 hours later we picked up a boy with all smiles! It was so nice to actually pay attention in church. I have a new-found appreciation for all nursery leaders! I was also really happy we could use Scott's daily allotment of fruit snacks for sacrament meeting instead of rationing them out until 3rd hour. 

Scott even colored his first picture in nursery. So funny to me. You better believe it went straight on the fridge!