with a cherry on top.

Thanks to Tobi at Busy running mama for giving me the Cherry On Top award! Thank you Tobi!!

THE RULES:
#1 Answer this question: If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

#2 The second thing you have to do is, pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have gotten this award.

#3 The third and final thing is, thank the person who gave you the award. 

MY ANSWERS:
#1:  This is hard.  I am happy and things look positive for our future so not sure I would change anything but because this is about my son Jupiter with autism I can't say for sure that I wouldn't risk going back and changing things.   Jupiter having autism has made me a better person.  I have learned so much and grown into a woman that I can be proud of most days.  Having heartache and struggles and limitations makes us grow and I appreciate that although.....


When Jupiter was still growing inside me I decided to have a VBAC or a vaginal birth after a c-section.  I studied and took classes and read like crazy.  I learned so much about childbirth and yet did not do the additional learning about nutrition and vaccinations. I was on that path since we chose against circumcision and to have  an all natural birth.  We believed that ours and our son's bodies are strong and made to take care of themselves.


If I could go back,
I would not have vaxed him and I would have learned more about food intolerances.  I would have been more thoughtful and less trusting of the established ideas of society in regards to children's health.  Who knows, it may or may not have prevented his autism but it certainly would give me some clarity and wouldn't it be wonderful if he could talk.....
I am not sure that vaccinations caused his autism but I am sure that the vaccines timing was too coincidental and after doing much research into the ingredients of vaccines.  yes I looked into each and every ingredient for each and every vaccine and there is some nasty stuff in there.   Through research I have learned that Jupiter has a very hard time detoxifying himself so things like heavy metals stay in his body and continue to do damage.  
The vaccines overfilled his little cup and sent him over the edge into severe autism instead of some quirks.


I have learned from my mistakes and have had all natural births since, extended breastfed, no circumcision, and was aware and educated about food.  My younger two sons do not have autism and only scared us a little with Milo's speech delay. 


Am I wracked with guilt about it?  Sometimes.  Most days I am thankful that he is healthy and growing and can do many things well.  We are a tight and accepting family.  He will be safe and loved with us.  We are lucky as parents that it wasn't much worse and he was lucky to be born to us.  Having been a part of the Special Needs community I am reminded often that it could be much much worse.
I am a mom though and it does tickle that guilt bone, so enough of that  for now!


Ok so now on to #2
 6 people


1. Erika at MCM mama  Beer loving all around great lady! She is a marathoner and mama who seems to make it all work!
2. Adam at I am Boring  So not boring at all and he is also a fellow Iowan at heart and soon to be daddy!
3. Neil at  Because All the cool kids are doing it  Canadian barefoot runner who loves pugs and his family
4. Cynthia at Balls in the air  She just won her age group at a half marathon!  ( I just said balls. hehe)
5.  Patrick at Bourbon Feet  Rock star barefoot runner. He is winning races left and right in VFF and Huaraches!
6. AnneMarie at Goals for the Week  She is a thoughtful and kind woman and a kick ass triathlete. She shares her goals she has for the week on her blog.


#3 Thanks Tobi for making me think and giving me a cool award :)