Seven Steps to Greater Health

My health has not been the best recently. To be completely honest, due to a host of issues, I had to drag myself through 2011. 

I know this is not the abundant life that Jesus died for me to have, so I am seeking him to help me change and to help me take better care of myself. In fact, this is a major part of my 2012 reinvention.

As a result, I am re-reading a book by Stormie Omartian entitled, Greater Health God's Way.  In it she writes;

The Seven Steps to Greater Health are:

1. Peaceful Living

2. Pure Food

3. Proper Exercise

4. Plenty of Water

5. Prayer and Fasting

6. Fresh Air and Sunshine

7. Perfect Rest

I am slowly trying to tackle each one of these areas. I have been able to keep up a regular strengthening and cardio routine since January. I have also made my business to get more sleep buy putting the kids to sleep earlier, so I can go to sleep earlier. In terms of prayer and fasting, I have been working to make sure I spend time in prayer and in the word before I do anything else, most days of the week. I am also getting back into partial/juice fasting!

I have a ways to go before I reach my goals, but it feels good to be making progress!

By His Wounds I am Healed

This is SO my song right now.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Is. 53:5)

The Confident Homemaker

When I was in college, I majored in Social Policy. There were students in my Social Policy classes that struggled to understand the concepts; but it seemed as though my life experiences and way of thinking made that field of study a perfect fit for me.

On the other hand, in order to graduate, I was required to take a certain number of science and math classes. In those classes, I felt lost. No matter how many office hours I attended or how many tutorial sessions I sat in on, I was always very slow to catch on. Still, with a lot of work and the help of the Lord, I was able to at least get a passing grade out of those classes.

When I think back to college, I realize that everybody was not good at everything. Although I am sure there was great ability shown in every academic department; I know that every individual was not showing stellar ability in every academic department. People had their niche. People majored in their areas of interest and in areas in which they excelled. That was the way it was. It made sense and no one seemed to have a problem with it.

When I think back to those good ole' college days, I remember feeling comfortable when it came to my academic strengths and weaknesses. I knew where I flourished and I focused my energy on those areas. In other areas, I did what was necessary to perform adequately; however, if I wasn't going to beat myself up over not getting straight A's in those areas. When it comes to homemaking, I realize that I need to approach things with a similar attitude.

In her book, "The Confident Woman" author Joyce Meyer writes, "Confident people do not concentrate on their weaknesses; they develop and maximize their strengths." She goes on to explain that while we should know what are weaknesses are, it is not conceited to think about what you are good at. As homemakers, it is easy to focus on what we don't do well. What we didn't accomplish during the day. What goals we still have not met. We also begin to look at others around us and what they do well and feel bad if we don't seem to flourish in the same areas. Focusing on these things will only leave us drained and discouraged.

On the other hand, what would happen if we focused on the opposite? What if we said "Hey, I fall behind on laundry, but I do a great job at menu planning!" or "I may not find paying the bills an exciting task, but I am great at planning and executing family traditions!"? Of course, the laundry and bill paying are important and need to be done. Still, if I tend to fall behind in those areas, I shouldn't judge my entire ability to be a good homemaker based on that! I can grow in those areas that I am weak in enough to do a good job for my family until God moves me into another season of life. Still, those areas may never be my niche. God has not called every individual to have a niche in every area.

Look at the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12 says:

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...

...For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will...

For the body is not one member, but many.

If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him."

Now, God has given us all different spiritual gifts and abilities, and he expects us to be content with not having them all. So, why should I feel bad if I do not have every natural gift, as it relates to homemaking? God has not made me a natural at every homemaking task, and that is okay. I can still be a confident and efficient homemaker without trying to be the same kind of homemaker as someone else. Our homes will look and function differently because we have different strengths and weaknesses.

Meyer writes, "Make a list of what you are good at and rehearse it daily until you gain confidence in your abilities. Thinking about what you are good at is not conceited; it is merely preparation to do your job with confidence." She explains that anything we are good at is because God has gifted us in that area.

I want to approach homemaking with more confidence as we approach this new year. Thus, I have chosen to start my own list of strengths in order to stay encouraged and to further develop these areas.

Some of the strengths I listed are directly related to my family life and others are more general strengths that I believe God has given me. Here is my list:

I am good at encouraging others.
I am a supportive wife.
I enjoy daily devotion with my children.
I am a loyal friend.
I can admit when I am wrong.
I am good at keeping my children well-groomed and healthy.
I enjoy reading aloud to my children.
I am a good public speaker.
I am good with directions.
I have strong communication skills.
I enjoy listening about my husband's day.
I am good at planning and executing fun and memorable family events/traditions.
I am a good writer.
I am good at long-term planning.
I acknowledge when I need help.
I laugh with my husband and children everyday.
I am determined.
I get along well with most people.


This list is a start for me as I continue to seek God about what his will is for my family and home and how he desires to use my gifts and strengths to be a blessing to my husband and children.

If you had to make a list of strengths, what would you write?

Give Your Soul a Good Talking-To

If you read Psalm 42 and 43, you will see that 3 times that David asked his soul this question:

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me?"

After each time, he told his soul to do this:

"...hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 42:5,11 & 43:5).

The soul is comprised of one's mind, will, and emotions. David found it nessary and helpful to talk to his own soul and to encourage himself.

Today I found myself with a soul that was "cast down" and I had to tell it:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble"(psalm 46:1).

"...God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."(Hebrews 13:5)

"...and with his stripes we are healed..."(Isaiah 53:4).

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..."(Ephesians 3:20).

When was the last time you gave your soul a good talking-to? What have you been saying to it?

Home Remedies

Before motherhood, I scoffed at the idea of home remedies (What did I know?).

Nevertheless, after experiencing three pregnancies, post-partum problems, and having become a in-home nurse to my own family, I welcome any legitimate home remedy.

Not only will a good home remedy save you money and a trip to the doctor, but it provides you and your family with a safe-alternative to many drugs and chemicals that have negative side effects.

Here is a list of home remedies that I have yet to try, but sound really interesting!

• Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?

• Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

• Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

• Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.

• Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

• Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never advertised for this use.

• Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

• Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

• Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
  

• Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

• Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

• Hunt's Tomato Paste boil cure... Cover the boil with Hunt's Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

• Balm for broken blisters... To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.

• Vinegar to heal bruises... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

• Quaker Oats for fast pain relief... it's not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

Do you know of any other effective home remedies?

Bob's Way vs Charlene's Way

In his book, The Best Life Diet, Bob Greene writes,

"...I'm a stickler for this rule: Stop Eating At Least Two Hours Before You Go to Bed.

This is part of a strategy to get you to shift your calorie consumption toward the earlier part of the day, as well as one of the most effective and easy eating habits you can establish"(pg. 58).

I've decided to do things Bob's way. But, let the record show: I'm not happy about it.

You see, I don't think Bob understands that it isn't until after I have bathed and put my girls to sleep, did an evening clean-up, and finally wrestled (and I do mean that literally) my 11-month old to sleep, can I finally sit down, relax, and actually enjoy something tasty to eat!

I mean, has Bob been a Stay-At-Home-Mom? No.

Does Bob have 3 children under the age of 5? I seriously doubt it.

So why am I going listen Bob? Well, because...

I figure: A desperate overweight mama has gotta do, what a desperate overweight mama has gotta do.

Besides, I also figure Bob's way will work much better than Charlene's...

Declare Your Own Victory: 30-day Challenge

As we approach a new year, I am sure that all of us have many prayer requests before the Lord and many things we are hoping for in 2010. The truth is: if we are going to see these things come to pass, we are going to need one essential virtue: faith!

The word of God is filled with precious promises of peace, joy, healing, deliverance, provision, direction, help, salvation, hope etc. Nevertheless, we can only access these promises by faith.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

If you're like me, your faith could stand to be built some more! There are certainly areas in everyone's life that look dark and grim. There are circumstances that seem permanent and impossible.

We all have areas in everyone's life where we could stand to renew our mind, so we can think like God thinks. Hence, we need to read and speak the word of God over these situations if we are going to build our faith and/or renew our minds in these areas!

Hence, I'm inviting you to join me in the Declare Your Own Victory: 30-day Challenge!

How it will work:

1. Buy some index cards (and/or make some using card stock or paper).

2. Get 1 area that you want to build your faith in/renew your mind in and write the scriptures/biblical promises about that area on your index cards.

3. Between Jan 1, 2010 and Jan 30, 2010, take your index cards with your versus everywhere you go.

4. Speak the scriptures you have written on your cards several times everyday and praise God everyday for whatever you are believing Him for , no matter what is actually going on in the natural!

5. On Jan 30, 2010 write a post on your blog about something God has done in you or in your life as a result of the challenge!

If you are interested in participating in this challenge please leave a comment letting me know what area you are focusing on. You can be as general or specific as you want.

p.s. I will be meeting with some other friends and family who are participating in the challenge at the end of the 30-days to testify and hear about what God did as well. I'll be sure to share with you what happens!

Breastfeeding Beyond the First Year

Most of the breastfeeding moms that I know usually try to breastfeed for at least a year. That is usually my goal as well. Nevertheless, after reading "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing: How Ecological Breastfeeding Spaces Babies" by Sheila Kippley, I became more open to the idea of going longer.

As a result, I breastfed Bella for 15 months. I am considering going longer with Noah. I don't think many people realize how many benefits exist for both mother and babies when mom extends her breastfeeding past a year. Thus, many people seem to be generally uncomfortable with the idea of it.

Below you will find some articles that outline the benefits of extended nursing for both mom and baby!

Breastfeeding:

Benefits Beyond the First Year

Post-Pregnancy News Flash
-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

For both mother and child to receive the variety of proven health benefits, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mothers breastfeed their children up to 2 years of age and beyond. Due to social stigmas, breastfeeding older children (past one year of age) is often considered taboo and therefore done behind closed doors. A recent survey conducted in Australia collected information from breastfeeding moms (ages 21-45) who were currently breastfeeding children between 24 and 78 months old. The mothers answered survey questions, but were also given a list of questions to ask their breastfed child.

Typical responses from the moms:

• I enjoy breastfeeding my child.
• I feel it strengthens our relationship.
• My child still enjoys breastfeeding and doesn't want to wean.
• Breastfeeding is easier.
• Breastfeeding helps to comfort my child.
• I breastfeed for intimacy and closeness with my child.
• My child likes the taste of breast milk.
• 75% of the mothers did not intend to breastfeed past 12 months. However they delayed weaning because of increased confidence and knowledge about breastfeeding, along with their child's enjoyment as well as their own.

Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet

By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY

• Although there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.

• "Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."
  -- Mandel 2005

• "Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins."
  -- Dewey 2001

• In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
  • 29% of energy requirements
  • 43% of protein requirements
  • 36% of calcium requirements
  • 75% of vitamin A requirements
  • 76% of folate requirements
  • 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
  • 60% of vitamin C requirements
  -- Dewey 2001

• Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.
  -- Persson 1998

• It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

  Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

References

Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN

• The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).

• Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).

• "Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

• Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]

References

Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES

• Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point.
  
  Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:
  1. reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),
  2. speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,
  3. coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
  4. providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).

References

Nursing toddlers are SMART

• Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.

References

Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY

• According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):
  
  "Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"

• According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":
  "Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."

• Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.

References

Nursing a toddler is NORMAL

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)

• A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)

• The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).

• Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).

References [see also position statements supporting breastfeeding]

MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancy

• Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).

• Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).

• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).

• Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).

Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References

Red Raspberry Leaf in Pregnancy

Have you heard about the positive effects of drinking raspberry tea during pregnancy?

A friend of mine says she drank it during her pregnancy and noticed some positive physical effects. In fact, I read an article that explains that Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) actually tones the uterus, improves contractions and decreases constipation!

The article explains that it is especially helpful in the 3rd trimester. However, some believe that it may be linked to miscarriage if it is consumed during the first trimester. As a result, the article states that in order to "play it safe" its best to wait until you're 36 weeks along before you begin to drink it.

You can read the entire article here.

Did you drink raspberry tea when you were pregnant? What's your take on it?

Tend and Befriend

With the many responsibilities of a typical mom, it behooves us to understand what strategies best help women deal with stress. 

In her article, Women's Friendships Vital To Health, health care consultant, Teri Louden explains that women respond to stress differently than men do. A UCLA study suggests that women's response to stress involves a cascade of brain chemicals that cause us to make and maintain friendships with other women. 

In fact, one doctor notes that when the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the stress response in a woman, it gives her the urge to tend children and gather with other women. Once she actually engages in this " tending or befriending," studies suggest that more oxytocin is released. As a result, the woman's stress is further calmed. 

What's interesting is doctors claim that the same calming response does not occur in men because testosterone-which men produce in high levels when they're under stress-seems to reduce the effects of oxytocin. Estrogen, however, seems to enhance it.

When I read this, I thought "No wonder God's prescription for our success as wives and mothers is partly centered around women teaching other women!" Titus 2:3-5 says, "The aged women..may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." This is part of God's will for our lives, to engage with other women in such a way that a transfer of knowledge can take place that will strengthen us in our roles as wives and mothers. Ultimately, that kind of interaction can have a huge impact on stress reduction. We really do need each other to survive!

Furthermore, I would also say that this "tend and befriend" notion is partly why so many of us moms follow and/or contribute to blogs. It is a way for us to connect and support each other. Just look around at the post and comments of various blogs. For the most part, you will find women engaging in meaningful and supportive discussion with an intergenerational and multicultural group of other women. Perhaps this is simply a "survival strategy" in this high-tech, information age.

When we look at scripture, and understand the basic biology of women in terms of how we handle stress, it helps us see that there has to be time for relationship with other women. God did not create us to go at life in isolation. Personally, I can attest to the fact that a good chat with a friend in the middle of a stressful day and/or a outing with other moms really does enhance my mood and my outlook on life. It helps to just talk to someone who can relate.

Now, who's up for a girls night out?!

Great Online Resources

Here are just a few online resources that I have found out about recently that may help you save money and lose weight!

Deal Seeking Mom is a site dedicated to helping moms learn how to save money in order to stretch their budgets.

Curr Click is a site that provides convenient and affordable to homeschooling resources.

Fat Secret is a online resource for people interested in joining a community of others who are trying to lose weight. There are a variety of diets to learn about as well at tools for weight loss, such as, journals, food and exercise diaries, tips, recipes and plenty of advice from the community.

Note To Pregnant Self

Dear Pregnant LaSandra,

Postpartum LaSandra here. Now listen up, just because you are pregnant does not, I repeat DOES NOT give you the right to eat whatever you want! I know you are nauseous, and tired, and hungry and feeling a little sorry for yourself right now, but STOP THE MADNESS! Put down the full-fat muffins. Put down the mocha frappuccinos with whip cream! You only need about 300 extra calories a day! That looks like 1 cup of non-fat yogurt and a medium apple. NOT a extra value meal from McDonald's! I'm being firm with you now, because I know "how you do." 

Oh, and don't stop exercising either. A daily low-medium impact workout is NOT going to kill you just because you are with child! This is only a test and you have to pass it this time. Stop telling yourself, "I'll just work it off after I have the baby." You don't have to put it all on! 

I KNOW its hard and you are not in your right mind right now, but don't let yourself go. You don't want to have to be mortified in the dressing room when you go to try on clothes after you finally have this baby. You don't want to have to regret not eating right and exercising during pregnancy again. You can do this! PUSH yourself! This is for your own benefit! You will thank me later. 

With all the passion, fervor, and zeal I have within me,

~Postpartum LaSandra

If you could write a note to your pregnant self, what would you say?

When there are no sick days

I knew this was coming. At the first sign of my youngest daughters runny nose, I tried to brace myself for the inevitable. When my oldest daughter came down with a fever a couple days later I thought to myself, "Uh oh. Its only a matter of time." Needless to say, yesterday marked the first day of my runny nose, head congestion, watery eyes, headache, and sneezing. What's strange is that for some reason I had this small feeling of hope that I might get a "sick day" today.

When I was growing up my mom let me stay home from school when I got a cold and just sent me the following day with a "sick note." In college, I simply stayed in my dorm room instead of going to class and I followed up by sending my professors an email letting them know I was feeling "under the weather." After college, I was given a certain amount of "sick days" from the agency I worked for. I kept track of those days and made sure I took advantage of them when needed. It all seemed to always work out. What a great invention: "sick days."

I think this tid bit of personal history would explain the hopeful feeling that maybe when I woke up I would stay in bed and somehow be temporarily freed from my usual responsibilities. However, when hubby stopped by the store this morning to buy me some tylenol and then proceeded to get ready for work, while my youngest daughter stood in the kitchen eagerly moaning and pointing to a box of Cheerios, it occured to me that "sick days" may just be a thing of the past:(