Lots-o-Visitors

This past week, we have had quite a few visitors and now that everyone is gone Logan is missing all of the extra attention. Last week, I so rudely forgot to mention that my dad flew into to town for a quick over-nighter the same night Ben's parents arrived. Sorry, Dad, for not recognizing you in my last post, but I am truly thankful that you visit us so often that it seems like a normal thing. Of course, that doesn't mean that it is any less special:) We love you so much and can't wait for your next visit!
As for the rest of the week with the Bryners, it consisted of cooking (Annette taught me how the make gluten free bread...yes, I made bread...thanks Annette!), eating, watching the conference talks that we missed, and serious gluten free (GF) grocery shopping!
For those of you who are not familiar, a GF diet consists of not eating any foods that contain wheat flour, barley, or oats (only for cross contamination purposes). You're probably wondering why someone would subject themselves to such a limited diet. Well, not long ago Ben's mom, Annette, was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, which is almost 100% treated by following a GF diet. Since the disease is highly hereditary she decided to have all of her children tested. After all of the results came in...4 of the 7 kids were diagnosed with the disease! Not only that, but Ben's dad, Brent, was diagnosed about a month ago!!! So, with that being said, in our house and when the Bryner's come to town, we all eat GF.

I also, through advisment of a Pediatrics Gastroentrologist, am not going to introduce gluten to Logan until he is 2 or maybe not at all. There are studies out there that link gluten intollerance to Autism (though, majority of the studies are not very reliable) and with Logan's chances of inheriting the disease (>50%) it is not worth the risk (I know I am a paranoid mommy, but it is better to be safe than sorry especially when it is just a matter of avoiding things in his diet...easy now, but ask me in 10 years:). Finding GF finger foods have been a challenge, but other than that, following the diet for both Ben and Logan has not been that big of a deal...thankfully:)

Unfortunately, Logan (UT, where Ben' family is from) does not have many stores that sell GF foods, so we spent a lot of their stay hitting up all of the health food stores like: Sprouts, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and a local Farmer's Market. We found a lot of great stuff and Annette was happy to find new and different GF foods that she can share with her Celiac Disease support group that she founded and conducts.
After all of the shopping we spent time with the Ropers, Clark and Lindsay, and had an unexpected visit from Brent's sister Janice and her husband Kevin who were in town for business. We all went to Tia Rosa's for some Celiac friendly Mexican food...a Mesa favorite!
We had so much fun with the Bryners and we wish that we could see them more often:( Annette and Brent, thanks so much for visiting! We love you and miss you already! See you in a few months:)

After the Bryners left on Thursday, Ben's best friend Miles came to town for some "business." He only stayed over night, but it was good to see him and ladies...he's single!!!
Last, but not least, we got together with the Ropers and our friends the Shakespears to meet their newest little visitor...more like, permanent visitor to their family...Reagan Scott Shakespear! He is only 2 weeks old and he is so alert and has the sweetest little face:) Logan enjoyed getting to know his new friend and can't wait for his next friend/cousin Trent Roper to arrive this May!
I also, worked Monday and Friday this week (13 hour shifts)...I need a nap!!!
However, it was a very fun, but busy week:)