Estimated arrival April 2013.
One Mama's journey through daily life.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Modern Alternative Health - October 2012
It’s Flu Season And We DON’T Hand Sanitize
Image by iEatYanYans‘.
Prior to Miss Moo’s birth, I thoroughly stocked our then town house with hand sanitizer. She was born during the H1N1 flu season and the hospital attached to our birth center had managed to terrify us about that strain of flu beyond belief. As the flu season carried on and no one we knew got sick, I began to relax about the plastic bottles stationed around the house and pondered exactly what slathering my hands with their contents was doing to us.
So, What’s In The Stuff Anyway?
Most hand sanitizers are essentially hand soap diluted in a large amount of alcohol – somewhere between 60 and 90 percent depending on the brand and size of the bottle. An alcohol content that large can lead to serious health hazards, particularly for children; levels that high can easily cause alcohol poisoning. Small children are at greater risk due to their size and propensity to place toys and their hands in their mouths.
Having the bottles accessible to children also pose threats. Many are brightly colored and scented to please the user and in turn, interested little hands grab them to use in play. Using hand sanitizers frequently with children may mean they have no fear of it as a chemical and feel they can responsibly use it in correct amounts. Amounts over the size of a pea could lead to alcohol poisoning in young children. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning can include nausea, dizziness, and headaches. Alcohol poisoning is a serious condition that must be treated to immediately to avoid long term health effects.
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Modern Alternative Mama October 2012- Fall Activities for Your Family or Little Homeschoolers
Fall is our favorite time of year. The colors are spectacular, the weather is joyfully pleasant, and the opportunities to get out and do things with the girls never end. Here are a few ideas at no cost/low cost that you can do to celebrate and enjoy the season.
Treasure Hunting
- Pine cones!
Miss Moo and Miss Roo LOVE to gather treasures outside. We always take a bag of some sort with us on our adventures so that we can carry our treasures home. Moo actually made a treasure bag with an old tote that lives in our van.
Finding treasures in the fall is simple and fun. It's also a great way to get a solid hour of walking and exercise in without you or your kids noticing! Our collection usually contains:
- Leaves of all shapes and sizes for pressing and decorating.
- Sticks to use in crafts and activities. (Sometimes we use sticks to make letters rather than write them.)
- Acorns and tops.
- Pine cones.
- Rocks and pebbles.
- Remaining wildflowers.
- Feathers.
Now that you have a wonderful collection of natural treasures, what can you do with them? We usually do a few simple things that the kids love.
Head on over to Modern Alternative Mama to read the rest of my article!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Miss Moo is THREE!
We spent yesterday celebrating the 3 amazing years that Miss Moo has walked this Earth. We had presents, goodies, a party, and cupcakes! I'll try to resume to normal posting soon, but for now I'm taking advantage of the extra hands and help from NanaPop!
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| Moo's Birthday Sign. |
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| She added a balloon. |
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| Doll made just for her. |
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| "My Dream Lite!" |
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| Covering her eyes for her BIG surprise! |
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| "my bicycyle!!!" |
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| Trying it out. |
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| Pirate party. |
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| Pirate Moo! |
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| No tears during the song this year. |
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| My sweet girl. |
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| Enjoying her GF cupcake :) |
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Sisters
Having two little girls has been the greatest blessing God has ever given me. As they grow, I can really see their relationship becoming one that will last a lifetime. It makes all the work seem worth it, even on the really tough days.
On Friday, Miss Moo, Miss Roo, NanaPop, Daddy and I ALL went to Lewis Ginter to see the Butterflies one last time before the exhibit closes. Last night I was going through the pictures of our adventures and came across this one:
What a pair! Partners in everything. And the owners of my heart.
On Friday, Miss Moo, Miss Roo, NanaPop, Daddy and I ALL went to Lewis Ginter to see the Butterflies one last time before the exhibit closes. Last night I was going through the pictures of our adventures and came across this one:
What a pair! Partners in everything. And the owners of my heart.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I Don't Do ALL The Teaching....
It's been an adjustment for everyone this year not doing Preschool and trying our hand at homeschooling. We haven't done as much organized learning as I'd planned, but we're making our way through things daily and Miss Moo seems to be learning more basics, broadening her vocabulary, and comprehending and applying many more concepts than I thought possible.
One objection that many people have to homeschooling is the lack of socialization that my child, or any child, will suffer by staying at home all day. There are many myths here that evolve from this belief, one of them being that we stay home ALL day EVERY day. We go to the park, we go to the library, we go to the grocery store, to play areas, and other general errands. My girls see other people AND children at all those places and Miss Moo has NO problems having a conversation with any of them.
But we also do other things for our girls, like gymnastic. Moo goes to gymnastics for an hour every Tuesday morning. It's wonderful because she is such an active, physical child and she can channel that energy and learn along the way.
She also learns other things in her fabulous gymnastics class.
One objection that many people have to homeschooling is the lack of socialization that my child, or any child, will suffer by staying at home all day. There are many myths here that evolve from this belief, one of them being that we stay home ALL day EVERY day. We go to the park, we go to the library, we go to the grocery store, to play areas, and other general errands. My girls see other people AND children at all those places and Miss Moo has NO problems having a conversation with any of them.
But we also do other things for our girls, like gymnastic. Moo goes to gymnastics for an hour every Tuesday morning. It's wonderful because she is such an active, physical child and she can channel that energy and learn along the way.
She also learns other things in her fabulous gymnastics class.
- She has to form a line and stay in it.
- She has to follow the leader.
- She has to listen to instructions.
- She has to be able to repeat instructions given to her.
- She has to FOLLOW said instructions.
- She has to wait her turn.
- She has to try things on her own after being shown once.
- She has to do things as a group that require working as a team.
- She has to interact with other children her age.
- She has to listen to other adults as authority figures.
I could go on with this list, but I think the benefits of her experiences are clear. I don't do ALL the teaching- I've never professed that I could. I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise children and I'm blessed to have found such a wonderful, nurturing place like River City that is teaching my daughter all I had hoped and so much more.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Moo's Birth Story from 10/13/09
As we enter the last week of having a 2 year old, I've been going through a lot of things to take a trip down memory lane.
I came across this email form of Moo's birth story and thought I'd share it with you, even though it isn't very well written or well thought out, I think it carries the excitement and awe of a first time Mommy one week after giving birth.
I was starting to get a little discouraged because I went overdue and I (along with all my family) thought that our due date of Oct. 5th was wrong and I'd have her late September or very early October. When my due day came and passed with nothing eventful changing, I began to get a little down. I had a good check on the 6th with some pretty intensive membrane stripping and the midwives went on and scheduled an induction for the 16th if needed but assured me that day and in a follow up call that they didn't think I'd need it.
Around midnight on the 8th I started feeling weird. I told Andrew that I was going to go to bed because I thought I might be in labor- something I had said before. I left the dishes from dinner in the kitchen because even though I felt different I didn't think that really meant anything and my Thursday would go as normal. I woke up around 2 am uncomfortable but not really in pain- I was having stronger cramping but there wasn't a lot regularity to it. I eventually go up and went to the living room to watch tv - I was thinking too much and not sleeping. Around 5:30 I finally felt tired and went to bed b/c the cramps were spacing out.
At 8 am, I woke up with a start and thought that it was the garbage trucks clanking around outside our bedroom that got my attention. Then five minutes later I had what I knew HAD to be a contraction. I laid in bed until around 8:45 and was having then at 5 minutes consistently. I woke Andrew up and told him what was going on and that I was going to get in the bath to see if that stopped it. After 25 minutes in the bath, there was no change. We paged the midwife on call, Paula, and talked to her. She suggested that I come to the office that morning for a labor check so we could all see what was going on. We got everything completely packed and in the car just in case and ate a little breakfast just in case this was it.
We arrived at the midwives' office around 11:15- at this point I had 3 contractions from getting out of the car to getting in the office and Margie walking in my room at 11:25. She started to check me and my water broke ON the table. It was very comical b/c Margie is talking as she checks, " Okay, well, the head is now at a +1, you're 4 cm, 90% effaced, so I think AND THERE'S YOUR WATER!! Okay, I didn't do that! We're having a baby today!"
They sent us on over The Birthing Inn and took me right to my L&D room. They got me monitored, etc, and Paula arrived. I got in the tub around 12:30-12:45. I got down to 2.5 to 3 mins apart and got out. It was 2:15 and Paula did a check- 7cm 100%! I got a little sick at that point b/c she was starting to move down the birth canal and my cervix couldn't keep up. Transition kicked in and I felt no break in pain b/c there was so much pressure from her pushing down against my cervix. At 2:50 she checked me again and I was 9 cm. Paula thought she could help my cervix complete to 10 since the baby was coming whether my cervix agreed or not. I started pushing at 3 p.m. Andrew was a TROOPER!! He was guy on left leg, fanning me the whole time, and had to hold her head as she came out at one point b/c Paula had to get gown and gloves on!
At 3:25 pm- she was born! She weighed in at 7lbs 7.4 oz - 20.5 inches long - and RED hair!!! Who would have thought! We were overjoyed that we were finally able to meet Maisie :)
So, as far as I consider it, labor was 8 am to 3:25 pm, with the worst part that hurt being the 4 HOURS from 11:25 until birth. 4 HOURS! For a first baby - they called me their rock star. :) I was able to do it naturally and I had 1 "skid mark" up close to my urethra but no internal or external tearing and no stitches at all. Looking back, I can't believe how blessed I was for a labor and delivery like that!
I came across this email form of Moo's birth story and thought I'd share it with you, even though it isn't very well written or well thought out, I think it carries the excitement and awe of a first time Mommy one week after giving birth.
I was starting to get a little discouraged because I went overdue and I (along with all my family) thought that our due date of Oct. 5th was wrong and I'd have her late September or very early October. When my due day came and passed with nothing eventful changing, I began to get a little down. I had a good check on the 6th with some pretty intensive membrane stripping and the midwives went on and scheduled an induction for the 16th if needed but assured me that day and in a follow up call that they didn't think I'd need it.
Around midnight on the 8th I started feeling weird. I told Andrew that I was going to go to bed because I thought I might be in labor- something I had said before. I left the dishes from dinner in the kitchen because even though I felt different I didn't think that really meant anything and my Thursday would go as normal. I woke up around 2 am uncomfortable but not really in pain- I was having stronger cramping but there wasn't a lot regularity to it. I eventually go up and went to the living room to watch tv - I was thinking too much and not sleeping. Around 5:30 I finally felt tired and went to bed b/c the cramps were spacing out.
At 8 am, I woke up with a start and thought that it was the garbage trucks clanking around outside our bedroom that got my attention. Then five minutes later I had what I knew HAD to be a contraction. I laid in bed until around 8:45 and was having then at 5 minutes consistently. I woke Andrew up and told him what was going on and that I was going to get in the bath to see if that stopped it. After 25 minutes in the bath, there was no change. We paged the midwife on call, Paula, and talked to her. She suggested that I come to the office that morning for a labor check so we could all see what was going on. We got everything completely packed and in the car just in case and ate a little breakfast just in case this was it.
We arrived at the midwives' office around 11:15- at this point I had 3 contractions from getting out of the car to getting in the office and Margie walking in my room at 11:25. She started to check me and my water broke ON the table. It was very comical b/c Margie is talking as she checks, " Okay, well, the head is now at a +1, you're 4 cm, 90% effaced, so I think AND THERE'S YOUR WATER!! Okay, I didn't do that! We're having a baby today!"
They sent us on over The Birthing Inn and took me right to my L&D room. They got me monitored, etc, and Paula arrived. I got in the tub around 12:30-12:45. I got down to 2.5 to 3 mins apart and got out. It was 2:15 and Paula did a check- 7cm 100%! I got a little sick at that point b/c she was starting to move down the birth canal and my cervix couldn't keep up. Transition kicked in and I felt no break in pain b/c there was so much pressure from her pushing down against my cervix. At 2:50 she checked me again and I was 9 cm. Paula thought she could help my cervix complete to 10 since the baby was coming whether my cervix agreed or not. I started pushing at 3 p.m. Andrew was a TROOPER!! He was guy on left leg, fanning me the whole time, and had to hold her head as she came out at one point b/c Paula had to get gown and gloves on!
At 3:25 pm- she was born! She weighed in at 7lbs 7.4 oz - 20.5 inches long - and RED hair!!! Who would have thought! We were overjoyed that we were finally able to meet Maisie :)
So, as far as I consider it, labor was 8 am to 3:25 pm, with the worst part that hurt being the 4 HOURS from 11:25 until birth. 4 HOURS! For a first baby - they called me their rock star. :) I was able to do it naturally and I had 1 "skid mark" up close to my urethra but no internal or external tearing and no stitches at all. Looking back, I can't believe how blessed I was for a labor and delivery like that!
I can't believe she's almost 3!!
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