At about 2am this morning, Hannah woke up suddenly with fever, a stuffy nose that is dry, and a confusion that was scary to me. I think it was the high fever, exactly like the one Audrey had last weekend. (I'm disinfecting my entire house today. Yes.)
Today, I pulled out my trusty Family Guide to Homeopathy. I looked under colds, and here was an amazing entry:
If the nose is stuffed up and dry: sambucus nigra (all homeopathics have latin names).
Then I looked up this particular remedy.
Sambucus Nigra
Base Substance: black elder (which I was already giving her in tincture form)
Characteristic signs and symptoms: Child who wake suddenly at night with congestion, stridor, cough, and a great deal of perspiration.
Main clinical uses: Laryngeal stridor or false croup; coryza
Now, I haven't look up all those weird terms, but the part I do understand is exactly the problem. Now, if only I happened to have some sambucus nigra on hand...
Here's the homeopathic shpeal.
Homeopathics says "like cures like." It is the tiniest imaginable amount of something that would cause the same symptoms as the symptoms you're having. In fact, the smaller the amount of substance, the more powerful the dose is considered. The substance calls your body's attention to the problem, and your body fixes it. Since it's such a tiny amount, it's safe for pregnant women and tiny children. As dangerous as they have recently proven cold and flu medications to be to children, I don't even attempt using them. But with homeopathics, I have a way to help the kids feel better. They really do make a difference. Homeopathic doctors practice all over the world, and many people in Europe see them rather than medical doctors. Only in the U.S. are they labeled quacks, as far as I can tell.
The hardest/most important part is to find the right remedy. Strong flavors can also knock out the effectiveness of homeopathics (mint toothpaste, spicy foods, etc.) I highly recommend that book though. I use it all the time.
Questions? Homeopathic medicine stories?
Showing posts with label hannah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hannah. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Happy Birthday to Hannah
My day three years ago actually started two weeks before that... (Warning: birth story following)
I woke up on Easter morning, nearly nine months pregnant, the day after my sister's wedding, to a little trickle that sure felt like my water breaking. I got up, more water. Then I had some bloody show. Anytime I moved around, more water. We called the midwife. She was unsure. "Sometimes this happens and your water isn't really broken." So, she came and checked. It certainly SEEMED like my water was broken, but there was no confirmation from that little paper test.
We had two options: 1, go to the hospital and have a more complex test done. If I tested positive, I would be admitted and induced within 24 hours to be safe from infection. I was 35 weeks pregnant (of 40). I would have a preemie. Or 2, I could wait, and hope to go into labor. Midwives in Colorado can deliver babies at home at 37 weeks, but due dates are always a little iffy (although I personally was positive of both of mine) She said every day made a difference, each day I could keep Hannah safely inside is another day for her lungs to develop. I was at a low risk for infection - no internal exams, no ahem...intimacy (don't want weirdos finding my site), and no baths. I should say here, especially because of the bloody show, everyone expected me to go into labor within a couple of days.
After that everything became a blur. I would absolutely soak a pad an hour, sometimes through my pants. I was vaguely aware that my water must have broken for real, but didn't know what to do differently. My belly was smaller than it had been. We did an ultrasound every couple days to make sure there was enough fluid. We were fine. I drank more water than I've ever drank in my life, to keep those fluid levels up. I would begin having contractions in the middle of the night every other night, and they would get to 5 minutes apart and then stop as the sun came up. Finally, after nearly TWO WEEKS of this, we drove the 45 minutes to Dr P for acupuncture to start my labor.
Dr P does electro-acupuncture, meaning he hooks up a faint electric charge to the needles. It is more powerful stimulation. During that process (which I'd had before and have had since - it started my labor with Audrey, finally), I blacked out. With my history of seizures, everybody got really scared. My blood sugar was low because I hadn't eaten recently, and I was just so wiped out.
Then we went home and waited. We called the midwife who said since we had done acupuncture, maybe (intimacy) would help speed the process along? That was Saturday.
At 3am Monday morning, I woke up with a bit of a start. It took a while to figure out what had woken me. I got up and went to the bathroom and realized I was shaking and shivering uncontrollably. I was also having contractions that felt stronger than they had before - still not painful, but strong. I took my temperature and it was 103.5! We called the midwife, panicking a little. She had me take some tylenol and get in the bath to hopefully calm things down. An hour later I still had high fever and solid contractions. It was time to go to the hospital.
The day before, we had a spring blizzard. There was about a foot of snow in our apartment parking lot. We weren't at all sure we could even get out. Nick went and started the car (it was around 5:30am by this point) and worked to clear the car off. In his hurry he didn't take any gloves. By now my contractions were 3 minutes apart for the first time. I was finally in labor.
We had a normally 15 minute drive to the hospital. The streets were solid ice so it took us nearly 30. Nick's hands were so cold he was practically yelling with the pain. I continued to have contractions. On the way I vividly remember seeing a picture in my head of me having a c-section. I didn't know what that would look like, but that was it, and I had a feeling that was what was going to happen. I tried to push the thought aside, but there was also some comfort in knowing ahead of time that's what might happen.
When we got to the hospital, I walked in and told them I was in labor. I was more afraid of the hospital than the labor. I was very calm so they took their time. When they hooked me up to the machine, there were my contractions. The nurse actually had the nerve to say to me, "do you know you're having contractions every three minutes?" Duh.
I was on the monitor for about an hour when the doctor came in. Hannah's heart rate was not doing well with the contractions. I was dilated only to 3. It was time for the c-section.
They wheeled me into the OR, put in the epidural (which hurts like anything when you're not already hurting) and Hannah was out in seconds with the cord wrapped around her neck. They held her next to my head for a few seconds, and then whisked her away. Nick walked over to see her while they were bathing her and happened to look behind him at my opened-up body. I did not want her to be alone, so Nick went with her while I went to recovery. While in recovery, with the sudden sensation of my empty body, no baby, and no husband, I went into shock. I was shaking uncontrollably again, and crying. They sedated me and I went to sleep.
The midwife finally arrived while I slept. She had been snowed in, unable to get out of her driveway. My family came and I woke up a little, enough to say things that made no sense and make everybody laugh. Five hours later I finally came to and began asking about my baby, who was in the NICU. It took an hour to find a nurse who would say, "oh yeah, as soon as she can get into a wheelchair she can go see the baby." I was PAINFULLY in a wheelchair in 2 minutes.
Nursing was tough. Hannah was only 6 lbs, 2 oz, and she just didn't get it. It didn't help that I had to try to nurse for the first time in the NICU, with screens set up for privacy. The lactation consultant kept hovering saying things like, "if she doesn't get it, we can always give her a bottle of formula." I know she was trying to help, but I eventually snapped, "This is how we're doing it." After that she left me alone. My mom was there helping coach me. I couldn't sit there all day, so I had to leave my baby alone in that room. They kept telling me to sleep and let them take care of her, but I got up every 2 hours while we were there and went to the NICU to nurse her. When I couldn't, I was pumping with the awful hospital pump. (Crying for the first time here.) We had lots of wonderful visitors and flowers and the nurses were kind for the most part.
On the third day we were going to go home. They had to take the staples out of my incision. They were training a nurse who was in school and she pinched me with the pliers and I screamed. Repeatedly. Then the results of Hannah's culture and the placenta's culture came back. The placenta was totally infected, which was the reason for the fever. Hannah had no infection whatsoever. That was a miracle. They had given her antibiotics preemptively but took her off when she turned out to be okay. We went home, finally. C-sections and particularly recovering from them, stinks. We slept a lot. With all that trauma, bonding with Hannah was tough. I remember the feeling, "where did this baby come from and why do I have to take care of her?" I missed being pregnant! It was many months before I didn't cry every time I thought about it, and I don't think I fully healed until Audrey was born - a VBAC at home. I still wish it had been different. I am thankful though, that we were healthy and safe. It was quite the ordeal. And it didn't really end there. Hannah was back in the hospital with RSV at 5 weeks old. But that's another story.
This is a long story - I had lots to tell! Thanks for reading it.
So, happy birthday to our Hannah. In spite of her tough beginnings, she is an incredibly sensitive, thoughtful little girl. She watches out for other people. She loves to think about things and do projects. She is already a worshipper. She is the baby I prayed for and longed for. We knew her name was Hannah Kay before she was even conceived. Her name means Grace of God, rejoice!
Today we are opening presents and having cake. Tomorrow (when the snow melts) we're setting up her new swing set and playing outside hopefully. Happy Birthday Hannah!
I woke up on Easter morning, nearly nine months pregnant, the day after my sister's wedding, to a little trickle that sure felt like my water breaking. I got up, more water. Then I had some bloody show. Anytime I moved around, more water. We called the midwife. She was unsure. "Sometimes this happens and your water isn't really broken." So, she came and checked. It certainly SEEMED like my water was broken, but there was no confirmation from that little paper test.
We had two options: 1, go to the hospital and have a more complex test done. If I tested positive, I would be admitted and induced within 24 hours to be safe from infection. I was 35 weeks pregnant (of 40). I would have a preemie. Or 2, I could wait, and hope to go into labor. Midwives in Colorado can deliver babies at home at 37 weeks, but due dates are always a little iffy (although I personally was positive of both of mine) She said every day made a difference, each day I could keep Hannah safely inside is another day for her lungs to develop. I was at a low risk for infection - no internal exams, no ahem...intimacy (don't want weirdos finding my site), and no baths. I should say here, especially because of the bloody show, everyone expected me to go into labor within a couple of days.
After that everything became a blur. I would absolutely soak a pad an hour, sometimes through my pants. I was vaguely aware that my water must have broken for real, but didn't know what to do differently. My belly was smaller than it had been. We did an ultrasound every couple days to make sure there was enough fluid. We were fine. I drank more water than I've ever drank in my life, to keep those fluid levels up. I would begin having contractions in the middle of the night every other night, and they would get to 5 minutes apart and then stop as the sun came up. Finally, after nearly TWO WEEKS of this, we drove the 45 minutes to Dr P for acupuncture to start my labor.
Dr P does electro-acupuncture, meaning he hooks up a faint electric charge to the needles. It is more powerful stimulation. During that process (which I'd had before and have had since - it started my labor with Audrey, finally), I blacked out. With my history of seizures, everybody got really scared. My blood sugar was low because I hadn't eaten recently, and I was just so wiped out.
Then we went home and waited. We called the midwife who said since we had done acupuncture, maybe (intimacy) would help speed the process along? That was Saturday.
At 3am Monday morning, I woke up with a bit of a start. It took a while to figure out what had woken me. I got up and went to the bathroom and realized I was shaking and shivering uncontrollably. I was also having contractions that felt stronger than they had before - still not painful, but strong. I took my temperature and it was 103.5! We called the midwife, panicking a little. She had me take some tylenol and get in the bath to hopefully calm things down. An hour later I still had high fever and solid contractions. It was time to go to the hospital.
The day before, we had a spring blizzard. There was about a foot of snow in our apartment parking lot. We weren't at all sure we could even get out. Nick went and started the car (it was around 5:30am by this point) and worked to clear the car off. In his hurry he didn't take any gloves. By now my contractions were 3 minutes apart for the first time. I was finally in labor.
We had a normally 15 minute drive to the hospital. The streets were solid ice so it took us nearly 30. Nick's hands were so cold he was practically yelling with the pain. I continued to have contractions. On the way I vividly remember seeing a picture in my head of me having a c-section. I didn't know what that would look like, but that was it, and I had a feeling that was what was going to happen. I tried to push the thought aside, but there was also some comfort in knowing ahead of time that's what might happen.
When we got to the hospital, I walked in and told them I was in labor. I was more afraid of the hospital than the labor. I was very calm so they took their time. When they hooked me up to the machine, there were my contractions. The nurse actually had the nerve to say to me, "do you know you're having contractions every three minutes?" Duh.
I was on the monitor for about an hour when the doctor came in. Hannah's heart rate was not doing well with the contractions. I was dilated only to 3. It was time for the c-section.
They wheeled me into the OR, put in the epidural (which hurts like anything when you're not already hurting) and Hannah was out in seconds with the cord wrapped around her neck. They held her next to my head for a few seconds, and then whisked her away. Nick walked over to see her while they were bathing her and happened to look behind him at my opened-up body. I did not want her to be alone, so Nick went with her while I went to recovery. While in recovery, with the sudden sensation of my empty body, no baby, and no husband, I went into shock. I was shaking uncontrollably again, and crying. They sedated me and I went to sleep.
The midwife finally arrived while I slept. She had been snowed in, unable to get out of her driveway. My family came and I woke up a little, enough to say things that made no sense and make everybody laugh. Five hours later I finally came to and began asking about my baby, who was in the NICU. It took an hour to find a nurse who would say, "oh yeah, as soon as she can get into a wheelchair she can go see the baby." I was PAINFULLY in a wheelchair in 2 minutes.
Nursing was tough. Hannah was only 6 lbs, 2 oz, and she just didn't get it. It didn't help that I had to try to nurse for the first time in the NICU, with screens set up for privacy. The lactation consultant kept hovering saying things like, "if she doesn't get it, we can always give her a bottle of formula." I know she was trying to help, but I eventually snapped, "This is how we're doing it." After that she left me alone. My mom was there helping coach me. I couldn't sit there all day, so I had to leave my baby alone in that room. They kept telling me to sleep and let them take care of her, but I got up every 2 hours while we were there and went to the NICU to nurse her. When I couldn't, I was pumping with the awful hospital pump. (Crying for the first time here.) We had lots of wonderful visitors and flowers and the nurses were kind for the most part.
On the third day we were going to go home. They had to take the staples out of my incision. They were training a nurse who was in school and she pinched me with the pliers and I screamed. Repeatedly. Then the results of Hannah's culture and the placenta's culture came back. The placenta was totally infected, which was the reason for the fever. Hannah had no infection whatsoever. That was a miracle. They had given her antibiotics preemptively but took her off when she turned out to be okay. We went home, finally. C-sections and particularly recovering from them, stinks. We slept a lot. With all that trauma, bonding with Hannah was tough. I remember the feeling, "where did this baby come from and why do I have to take care of her?" I missed being pregnant! It was many months before I didn't cry every time I thought about it, and I don't think I fully healed until Audrey was born - a VBAC at home. I still wish it had been different. I am thankful though, that we were healthy and safe. It was quite the ordeal. And it didn't really end there. Hannah was back in the hospital with RSV at 5 weeks old. But that's another story.
This is a long story - I had lots to tell! Thanks for reading it.
So, happy birthday to our Hannah. In spite of her tough beginnings, she is an incredibly sensitive, thoughtful little girl. She watches out for other people. She loves to think about things and do projects. She is already a worshipper. She is the baby I prayed for and longed for. We knew her name was Hannah Kay before she was even conceived. Her name means Grace of God, rejoice!
Today we are opening presents and having cake. Tomorrow (when the snow melts) we're setting up her new swing set and playing outside hopefully. Happy Birthday Hannah!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Weird
Do your kids ever do this?
I have been regularly catching Hannah saying to Audrey, "You have Daddy, and I'll have Mommy. Okay, Audrey?"
As if she's just going to say, "Oh, sure."
I keep telling her they both need both of us and we need them.
I have been regularly catching Hannah saying to Audrey, "You have Daddy, and I'll have Mommy. Okay, Audrey?"
As if she's just going to say, "Oh, sure."
I keep telling her they both need both of us and we need them.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sick
We are sick around here again. I can't help but directly blame the fact that we all had Easter candy this weekend. We had been fighting it off until this week. Audrey has had a nasty runny nose, and Hannah woke up at 1am with a high fever and stomach ache. Her stomach seems better after DGL, probiotics and silver, but the fever remains with no other symptoms. And my thermometer is broken so I'm not exactly sure how high her fever is. She is in good spirits other than wanting to lay around so I'm sure she's okay, just feverish.
Here is where I feel torn... On the one hand, I do not want to be that mommy who never allows her kids to eat anything. I have to border on that anyway. So, when they have some candy offered to them on a special occasion, it's hard for me to say no. On the other hand, I know they get sick when they have it, pretty much every time. So my inability to say no to the candy means they have to suffer being sick. Is it more unfair to them for me to say no, or to say yes?
Here is where I feel torn... On the one hand, I do not want to be that mommy who never allows her kids to eat anything. I have to border on that anyway. So, when they have some candy offered to them on a special occasion, it's hard for me to say no. On the other hand, I know they get sick when they have it, pretty much every time. So my inability to say no to the candy means they have to suffer being sick. Is it more unfair to them for me to say no, or to say yes?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Saturday, December 29, 2007
More Cute Pictures
Our little Audrey is getting so big.
Audrey and my youngest sister Amy. (Amy has mono and wasn't feeling too hot)
Hannah Kay
Hannah and Moses are buddies.Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Twinkle Twinkle LIttle Star
This is a favorite song of both of my girls. Lately, Hannah has started singing it to Audrey whenever Audrey gets upset while riding in the car. Since Audrey is not yet 20 pounds, her carseat is still rear-facing, so she gets upset rather often. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy a phonetic spelling of what Hannah actually sings. Note also that the intensity of the singing usually equals the intensity of the fit-throwing. :)
"Kinkle kinkle wittle staaw
Howeye wonda wha do awa
Upa dovda wowd so high
Lika diamond inda sky
Kinkle, kinkle wittle staaw
Howeye wonda wha do awa."
Or
"KINKLE KINKLE WITTLE STAAW..." If Audrey's REALLY upset. ;)
"Kinkle kinkle wittle staaw
Howeye wonda wha do awa
Upa dovda wowd so high
Lika diamond inda sky
Kinkle, kinkle wittle staaw
Howeye wonda wha do awa."
Or
"KINKLE KINKLE WITTLE STAAW..." If Audrey's REALLY upset. ;)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Survival
I know I'm not alone in this: you know those days when you feel like if your children SURVIVE into adulthood, it'll be a miracle? I do so much to try to help them thrive, but sometimes just getting through the day with everyone's bodies intact is a feat. Tonight we went out to the car to run errands, and the neighbors' huge dogs went running out of the darkness, right at Hannah. I panicked, yelled, and picked Hannah up, which caused her for the next two hours to ask about the dogs and why mommy was scared and if they would bite her. Nice move, Sara.
Then, we got home and Hannah managed to pull the ENTIRE CHRISTMAS TREE on top of herself. She wasn't even phased. We've been after her all week about taking the ornaments off. She couldn't get one off, so she pulled harder. Really hard.
My goodness...
Then, we got home and Hannah managed to pull the ENTIRE CHRISTMAS TREE on top of herself. She wasn't even phased. We've been after her all week about taking the ornaments off. She couldn't get one off, so she pulled harder. Really hard.
My goodness...
Friday, November 2, 2007
Pooh and Tigger
Here's the girls in their costumes.
I gave Audrey some whiskers, and Hannah insisted she needed some too. :) They had so much fun.
Friday, October 26, 2007
At bedtime tonight...
Nick: Hannah, tomorrow your friends are coming over to play. Won't that be fun?
Hannah: OK...hair...pretty...rubber bands.
Hannah: OK...hair...pretty...rubber bands.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I'm here
...Just flying from one thing to the next. Quick headlines:
-Audrey took her first steps this week. She was with my mom while I was getting my teeth cleaned so I missed the first ones, but she's very excited to demonstrate ever since.
-Nick got moved down to 50 hours a week at work. To most people this sounds like a lot. To us, it's a vacation. No more working weekends, no more getting home at 6:30 every night... What a relief!
-10 more days until moving day. If you're around and you're volunteering, yes, please come help. Let me know when you can be here. :)
-We're really excited about Pastor Brady. He's a shoe-in.
-Today I left the girls at "Mom's Day Out" at church, and went to Starbucks and read and then window shopped for a while. It was wonderful.
-I do not feel like cooking dinner. Ever again. Maybe it's because it's 90 degrees in my house right now.
-I packed 5 boxes today. I better go get more boxes.
-Currently reading: Elizabeth Elliot's "Keep a Quiet Heart." This book has been on my bookshelf for seriously 10 years. There is no way it could be more relevant to me today. Also picked up some Kierkegaard for the first time. Don't know why I have never read this guy before. Where has he been all my life?
-Carpet cleaning: tomorrow. Maybe our new house will then quit reeking of pet.
-Hannah is learning to use her words. A couple days ago, I got an "Up, please?" instead of Uhhh..uhh...UHHHH!!!" This signals success in my book. It's the little things.
That's all I got for now. Be back soon.
-Audrey took her first steps this week. She was with my mom while I was getting my teeth cleaned so I missed the first ones, but she's very excited to demonstrate ever since.
-Nick got moved down to 50 hours a week at work. To most people this sounds like a lot. To us, it's a vacation. No more working weekends, no more getting home at 6:30 every night... What a relief!
-10 more days until moving day. If you're around and you're volunteering, yes, please come help. Let me know when you can be here. :)
-We're really excited about Pastor Brady. He's a shoe-in.
-Today I left the girls at "Mom's Day Out" at church, and went to Starbucks and read and then window shopped for a while. It was wonderful.
-I do not feel like cooking dinner. Ever again. Maybe it's because it's 90 degrees in my house right now.
-I packed 5 boxes today. I better go get more boxes.
-Currently reading: Elizabeth Elliot's "Keep a Quiet Heart." This book has been on my bookshelf for seriously 10 years. There is no way it could be more relevant to me today. Also picked up some Kierkegaard for the first time. Don't know why I have never read this guy before. Where has he been all my life?
-Carpet cleaning: tomorrow. Maybe our new house will then quit reeking of pet.
-Hannah is learning to use her words. A couple days ago, I got an "Up, please?" instead of Uhhh..uhh...UHHHH!!!" This signals success in my book. It's the little things.
That's all I got for now. Be back soon.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Well.
We are refinancing the Jetta! Not a great interest rate, but the payment will stay the same, and I get to keep my car. :) We may still try to sell it, but are planning on saving up money to fix the door, etc. So, a good end to the story. We go to sign the paperwork tonight. That's a relief!
The garage sale was a success. We have sold some of the bigger things on Craig's List so we didn't make a ton at the actual sale, but overall we were pleased with the result.
I went and found Hannah some new clothes at Old Navy Saturday night. Their stuff is SO cheap when it's on sale. Nice. Suddenly none of her 2T stuff fit. Funny how they grow overnight like that.
Church was exciting yesterday. We went to the morning and evening services, which has become unusual for us since having little kids. Pastor Brady seems like a really good guy. His sermon Sunday morning showed some of his strengths, which match up incredibly with New Life's weaknesses. It seems that he will bring a new perspective that is sorely needed around here - both at New Life and in the city as a whole. Wednesday night we get to go to a small group leader meeting with Pastor Brady. Thursday night is a big women's meeting I will attend with my small group. Sunday is church all day again. Choir starts with a huge family picnic next week. Things have seemed so quiet all summer, but they are definitely picking up.
I have to go to the dentist this week. Ew. I inherited my Dad's terrible teeth. It makes for "fun" cleanings pretty much every time.
Somewhere in here, I HAVE to start packing. Even one box would be good!
The garage sale was a success. We have sold some of the bigger things on Craig's List so we didn't make a ton at the actual sale, but overall we were pleased with the result.
I went and found Hannah some new clothes at Old Navy Saturday night. Their stuff is SO cheap when it's on sale. Nice. Suddenly none of her 2T stuff fit. Funny how they grow overnight like that.
Church was exciting yesterday. We went to the morning and evening services, which has become unusual for us since having little kids. Pastor Brady seems like a really good guy. His sermon Sunday morning showed some of his strengths, which match up incredibly with New Life's weaknesses. It seems that he will bring a new perspective that is sorely needed around here - both at New Life and in the city as a whole. Wednesday night we get to go to a small group leader meeting with Pastor Brady. Thursday night is a big women's meeting I will attend with my small group. Sunday is church all day again. Choir starts with a huge family picnic next week. Things have seemed so quiet all summer, but they are definitely picking up.
I have to go to the dentist this week. Ew. I inherited my Dad's terrible teeth. It makes for "fun" cleanings pretty much every time.
Somewhere in here, I HAVE to start packing. Even one box would be good!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Overheard
A conversation at our house this week, as we were grabbing lunch on the go...
Me: Hannah, would you like chicken and carrots for lunch?
Hannah: Uh...how 'bout...rice and broccoli?
Me: No, we don't have rice or broccoli, how about chicken and carrots?
Hannah: How 'bout rice?
Me: Nope, no rice today.
Hannah: How 'bout broccoli?
Me: (laughing hysterically) Nope. How about chicken and carrots?
When you can't have what you want...negotiate!
Me: Hannah, would you like chicken and carrots for lunch?
Hannah: Uh...how 'bout...rice and broccoli?
Me: No, we don't have rice or broccoli, how about chicken and carrots?
Hannah: How 'bout rice?
Me: Nope, no rice today.
Hannah: How 'bout broccoli?
Me: (laughing hysterically) Nope. How about chicken and carrots?
When you can't have what you want...negotiate!
Friday, July 20, 2007
It's cloudy outside
And Hannah's watching Elmo. Again.
I have to teach a piano lesson today. Just the one. The only one I've taught in three weeks. Nobody wants to take lessons during the summer.
We all have runny noses. It's clear, so hopefully it won't be a big deal. (I'm sorry, was that more than you wanted to know?)
Somehow I need to grocery shop today. The co-op we go to closes at 6. Nick gets home at 6:30ish. Therefore, I have to pull off this trip every week. It is a challenge. Audrey goes in the Bjorn and Hannah in the cart, or Audrey in the cart and Hannah runs around the store. Either way, I'm wiped out after a 20 minute trip. Either choice has its ups and downs. I love bringing the girls with me when I run errands. I feel like it helps them learn. But it sure requires patience and energy from me!
I have felt terrible for the past several days. For some reason any time I'm under stress, my digestion shuts down on me and my stomach is...not happy. I nurse myself with a combination of digestive enzymes, DGL, and probiotics. The silliest thing about it, is the only "stress" I'm currently under is my own thoughts. Everything is good. Somebody tell my stomach that, please.
Tomorrow we're going to the lake again. Should be fun!
OK, I guess I'll quit procrastinating now. Have a lovely day.
I have to teach a piano lesson today. Just the one. The only one I've taught in three weeks. Nobody wants to take lessons during the summer.
We all have runny noses. It's clear, so hopefully it won't be a big deal. (I'm sorry, was that more than you wanted to know?)
Somehow I need to grocery shop today. The co-op we go to closes at 6. Nick gets home at 6:30ish. Therefore, I have to pull off this trip every week. It is a challenge. Audrey goes in the Bjorn and Hannah in the cart, or Audrey in the cart and Hannah runs around the store. Either way, I'm wiped out after a 20 minute trip. Either choice has its ups and downs. I love bringing the girls with me when I run errands. I feel like it helps them learn. But it sure requires patience and energy from me!
I have felt terrible for the past several days. For some reason any time I'm under stress, my digestion shuts down on me and my stomach is...not happy. I nurse myself with a combination of digestive enzymes, DGL, and probiotics. The silliest thing about it, is the only "stress" I'm currently under is my own thoughts. Everything is good. Somebody tell my stomach that, please.
Tomorrow we're going to the lake again. Should be fun!
OK, I guess I'll quit procrastinating now. Have a lovely day.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Hannah plays twinkle, twinkle
I finally captured this on video. Wait for Audrey's cheer at the very end. :)
Monday, July 9, 2007
What to say?
I haven't known what to write again lately. I've started multiple blogs and then decided I didn't want to post them. So, today you get my random thoughts.
Our lease is up at the end of next month. We've been looking for a house with a backyard for cheap. Another move...this will be the fifth place we'll have lived in three years. Wow. We have to start packing in the next few weeks. Weird.
Our three year anniversary is the 24th. It feels like forever and a moment at the same time. Boy, have we grown and changed a lot in those three years.
Hannah is currently watching the Care Bears dvd Nick's sister got her, for the five thousandth time. I would very much like to break that little piece of plastic, but then where would I be when Hannah says, "Bebears?"
I made bread last night. I would be proud of myself, except for the fact that I accidentely used tablespoons of salt instead of teaspoons. It's still edible, sort of. That and the fact that the dishes are still all over the kitchen kind of cuts back on the sense of accomplishment.
Now Hannah is banging on the piano, singing "tinkle, tinkle wittle guy, tinkle, tinkle witta gar." Then she picks up the piece of paper and pencil I keep on the piano, scribbles a little, puts them back on the piano, and continues singing. It's just about the cutest thing she has done. I've tried to get it on video, but my little camera doesn't seem to pick up the audio well enough.
I got to play the piano yesterday. Through a friend of a friend, I heard about a little church that needed a pianist this weekend. It was a traditional, liturgical service - hymns and responsive readings, etc. I had to play the last phrase of the hymn for an intro, and then two verses. There was no songleader, so I had to play solidly enough that the congregation could follow just me. It was really fun, and because of my background, really easy. And they paid me $75 for a 45 minute service. That was Really cool. :)
I suppose I'll go tackle my mountain of laundry. I've been trying to do the laundry all in one day so it doesn't end up laying clean all over the house all week, as opposed to one load a day like flylady recommends. One day of folding laundry is enough for me!
This concludes this boring blog.
Our lease is up at the end of next month. We've been looking for a house with a backyard for cheap. Another move...this will be the fifth place we'll have lived in three years. Wow. We have to start packing in the next few weeks. Weird.
Our three year anniversary is the 24th. It feels like forever and a moment at the same time. Boy, have we grown and changed a lot in those three years.
Hannah is currently watching the Care Bears dvd Nick's sister got her, for the five thousandth time. I would very much like to break that little piece of plastic, but then where would I be when Hannah says, "Bebears?"
I made bread last night. I would be proud of myself, except for the fact that I accidentely used tablespoons of salt instead of teaspoons. It's still edible, sort of. That and the fact that the dishes are still all over the kitchen kind of cuts back on the sense of accomplishment.
Now Hannah is banging on the piano, singing "tinkle, tinkle wittle guy, tinkle, tinkle witta gar." Then she picks up the piece of paper and pencil I keep on the piano, scribbles a little, puts them back on the piano, and continues singing. It's just about the cutest thing she has done. I've tried to get it on video, but my little camera doesn't seem to pick up the audio well enough.
I got to play the piano yesterday. Through a friend of a friend, I heard about a little church that needed a pianist this weekend. It was a traditional, liturgical service - hymns and responsive readings, etc. I had to play the last phrase of the hymn for an intro, and then two verses. There was no songleader, so I had to play solidly enough that the congregation could follow just me. It was really fun, and because of my background, really easy. And they paid me $75 for a 45 minute service. That was Really cool. :)
I suppose I'll go tackle my mountain of laundry. I've been trying to do the laundry all in one day so it doesn't end up laying clean all over the house all week, as opposed to one load a day like flylady recommends. One day of folding laundry is enough for me!
This concludes this boring blog.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Gluten
Hannah had another gluten episode this weekend. It's been a very long time, yet it was still discouraging to me. Every time she goes for a while, I start to hope it's going away, or that God healed her, or that she's growing out of it, or something along those lines. We had lots of temper tantrums over the weekend. I have to remind myself those happen because she's not feeling that great. It's hard. She seems to be better today, which means we managed to avoid another exposure while eating out with my family this weekend. Always a good thing.
Today we're going to pick up the things we need to make gluten-free playdough. You wouldn't think of it, but playdough is made mostly of flour. As easy as it is to eat, and as quickly as fingers get stuck in the mouth while covered with just about anything, gluten-containing playdough is not a good idea. Thankfully, you can find recipes for just about anything on the internet. I'll have to post pics. I'm sure Hannah will have a blast.
Today we're going to pick up the things we need to make gluten-free playdough. You wouldn't think of it, but playdough is made mostly of flour. As easy as it is to eat, and as quickly as fingers get stuck in the mouth while covered with just about anything, gluten-containing playdough is not a good idea. Thankfully, you can find recipes for just about anything on the internet. I'll have to post pics. I'm sure Hannah will have a blast.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Secrets
I have recently found some answers to the questions I've been asking for the past several months. My questions about God, about staying home with my kids, about contentedness... The wrestling has paid off. I don't want to sound trite, so I've been hesitant to write about these things. Also the thought that I could share my heart and you, my reader, might find it boring, makes me keep some things to myself. Thus, the title of this entry. However, I love to pass on things I have learned, in the hope it might help somebody else. If I get to the root of the matter, that's probably what motivates this blog the most. So, here are some thoughts.
-I am getting up early to read my Bible and talk with God.If you know me at all, you know this getting up early is completely new for me. And yet it has changed my entire attitude during the day. If you don't already do this, please try it. I have found nothing else that changes the direction of our days and the tone in our home like this. There is no schedule, no organization, no book to read that can substitute for a living relationship with God. The difference between stumbling to the girls' room half asleep when they wake up, and meeting them fully awake, fresh from the Word is like night and day.
-If you find what makes your kids tick and work with it, it changes everything. For example, Hannah, as I've mentioned before, is an organizer. It is imperative to keep her living areas organized. My house is far from spotless, but her room and toy closet are organized, and that is the first thing I pick up when I straighten up. Before, she would get overwhelmed at anything. When her environment is not stressful to her, her whole temperament is different. Funny, I'm a whole lot like that. :)
-I got the book, "The Power of a Praying Parent" at the library. I will be adding that one to my bookshelves permanently. Prayer is the only thing I have found that silences my fears, helps me to stop carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, and helps me to process life. And it's not just me rambling to God, it's asking questions and waiting for a response. When it becomes a habit to listen for God's voice, it gets easier and easier to hear.I knew this at one point in my life, but this stage in life requires a whole new level!
-As soon as I think I've arrived, I get a firm reminder that it's about relying on God. Its not about the strength I can muster, it's about how much I can surrender and allow God to be my strength. Someone I know likes to tell me, "You can do it, you're strong." As much as I love that person, they have it all wrong. I'm only strong in my weakness, because that's when God takes over and makes everything turn out right. I can just see Him, watching me strive and strain, going, "Are you done yet? Can I do it now?"Far better that I start out letting Him do it than wear myself out first!
I will stop there, mostly due to the thunderstorm that keeps getting closer!
-I am getting up early to read my Bible and talk with God.If you know me at all, you know this getting up early is completely new for me. And yet it has changed my entire attitude during the day. If you don't already do this, please try it. I have found nothing else that changes the direction of our days and the tone in our home like this. There is no schedule, no organization, no book to read that can substitute for a living relationship with God. The difference between stumbling to the girls' room half asleep when they wake up, and meeting them fully awake, fresh from the Word is like night and day.
-If you find what makes your kids tick and work with it, it changes everything. For example, Hannah, as I've mentioned before, is an organizer. It is imperative to keep her living areas organized. My house is far from spotless, but her room and toy closet are organized, and that is the first thing I pick up when I straighten up. Before, she would get overwhelmed at anything. When her environment is not stressful to her, her whole temperament is different. Funny, I'm a whole lot like that. :)
-I got the book, "The Power of a Praying Parent" at the library. I will be adding that one to my bookshelves permanently. Prayer is the only thing I have found that silences my fears, helps me to stop carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, and helps me to process life. And it's not just me rambling to God, it's asking questions and waiting for a response. When it becomes a habit to listen for God's voice, it gets easier and easier to hear.I knew this at one point in my life, but this stage in life requires a whole new level!
-As soon as I think I've arrived, I get a firm reminder that it's about relying on God. Its not about the strength I can muster, it's about how much I can surrender and allow God to be my strength. Someone I know likes to tell me, "You can do it, you're strong." As much as I love that person, they have it all wrong. I'm only strong in my weakness, because that's when God takes over and makes everything turn out right. I can just see Him, watching me strive and strain, going, "Are you done yet? Can I do it now?"Far better that I start out letting Him do it than wear myself out first!
I will stop there, mostly due to the thunderstorm that keeps getting closer!
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