About 4 weeks into Liam's gluten-free, dairy-free diet, I noticed that he was beginning to talk a little more; telling me about something unusual at school or the progress he was making in his favorite computer game. Then at about six weeks, his teachers both at school and church said he was talking more, too, answering questions and going off on lengthy monologues. Jeremy said he was making more eye contact with him. So of course, we kept it up.
I explain the diet to Liam by telling him that it helps him talk better. He wants to follow his diet, and asks us when he's not sure if he can eat something. Last week he declared, "Gluten makes me pause my talking."
This week he's been choosing--and putting on by himself--new summer clothes. This is HUGE. He doesn't like to wear new things, so each changing of the seasons is a big struggle. Last summer we just gave up the fight and let him sweat it out in his winter clothes. This year, I put new summer clothes in his drawers out of distant hope, rather than actual belief that he'd ever wear them. But when the familiar clothes were all worn and I hadn't done laundry, he just started wearing the new ones, without a complaint. Jeremy and I were floored! Another result of the diet? I hope so!
As for my diet, which includes a lot more vegetables and fruits and a lot less animal products and processed foods, I am feeling really well. I still wish I had the energy to exercise and do away with my daily nap, but hopefully that will come in time.
