Monthly Archives: June 2010

Whatever Wednesday: Snap! Crackle! Pop!

As a child, I did not eat a lot of special cereals. No, I got stuff like Corn Flakes, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, and Wheaties. I loved these cereals. In fact, they still hold a special comfort for me. Our son recently discovered the joys of talking Rice Krispies. He’s having a blast and I’m loving the fact that my kids are growing up enjoying the same cereals I did.

Our family had three kids. My parents rotated special months throughout the year. When it was YOUR “month,” you got to do cool stuff like ride in the front seat (provided you were old enough), get out of chores, and pick a special cereal. Yes, that’s right. ONCE every three months, we got to pick a special cereal just for us. I don’t think we had to share but I imagine we did most of the time because that’s just the way we were. (I know, kids who actually share! Doesn’t exist much anymore, does it?) Some of our favorites were Fruit Loops, Count Chocula, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs and Frosted Flakes. Yes, I know Frosted Flakes is essentially Corn Flakes with sugar on it but you see how dedicated we were?

So… what were your favorite childhood cereals? Any memories associated with them? Do you still indulge or eat them regularly? What about sharing them with your kids? I wanna hear!

Just Talkin’ Tuesday: How do you Mother yourself?

When I was little and something didn’t go my way, nothing cured my sadness faster than a good ol’ fashioned Mommy hug. At nearly 34 years old, I still have days when nothing short of a Mommy hug will make things better. But that Mommy hug is nearly 400 miles away now so I can’t pop on over or run to her in the kitchen to snatch up a hug. So instead I call her. Every day. Sometimes multiple times a day. I’m trying to scale back but it has been hard! Research has shown though, that talking with your mom on the phone is just as good as getting a hug from her in person. Pretty amazing, huh?

Mothers are expected to take care of everyone around them. It’s just what we do. But we forget so very often to Mother the most important person in our lives – ourselves. If we are not caring for ourselves, we are then not able to care for those around us. We are only able to care for those around us as well as we care for ourselves. It is especially important to remember to take care of ourselves when a Postpartum Mood Disorder is slinking about the house. Self-care is a very important aspect of recovery.

While hospitalized, the same nurse who so kindly told me I did not have to tell anyone where I was that weekend also emphasized to me how important taking time for myself was to my recovery. Go for a walk, go for coffee, breathe. Find your space and make it all yours at least once or twice a week to begin with. I started walking the first full day I was home. That lasted for all of a few weeks because I let life get in the way again. But while I was walking, I felt so much better. I loved being alone, listening to the birds, watching the squirrels, side stepping the bird poo, yanno, the back to nature stuff.

I also started making myself loose tea. There’s a ritual there – some cultures are pretty particular about it but really it can be whatever you want it to be. I also got out the good china and crystal even if just chowing down on microwave pizza and a coke. Dressing it up made it special. It made ME feel special.

So … let’s get to just talking. Share some tips with everyone. How do YOU Mother yourself? Are you Mothering yourself? If not, I challenge you to do at least one special thing just for you – and not feel guilty about it – this week. Go for ice cream, coffee, go people watch at the mall, go for a walk or to the bookstore or the library. Pick something that interests you, pick a day and just GO. You’re worth it and your family will thank you for the recharged Mama!

A Letter to a collegiate me

I’m writing this as part of a Blog Hop started by @RaisingMadison. Hope you enjoy!

Dear collegiate me,

Let’s start out with a list of five important things you’ll want to research. Yanno, just in case.

1. Postpartum Mood Disorders/Postpartum Depression

2. Cleft Palates and Breastfeeding

3. Substance Abuse & Marriage

4. ADHD – in Adults and Kids

5. Pubic Symphysis Diastasis or Pubic Bone Pain in Pregnancy (it’s NOT normal!)

Now, I know you’re downing someĀ  Boone’s Sangria straight out of the bottle – probably from the bottom of your dorm room dresser. I don’t blame you one bit. That’s a heavy list. It’s okay to curl up in bed to read the rest of this letter too. Hopefully you don’t have a nasty migraine right now. Cuz if you do, I apologize for the sucky timing.

And that’s the bad news.

The awesome news is even though everything on that list is heavy, you make it through. Remember when Grandma Helen told you to be the best you can be when you were 11, right before she passed away? When she let you know you were absolutely amazing? Well, you are! It took going through hell to get here but it was all worth it.

The most amazing part of this letter is that because of all this struggling, you have managed to meet some of the most amazing women EVER.

Your husband? He’s awesome too. He’s not perfect. (Really – who among us is though?) But he loves you. With.ALL.His.HEART!

Your kids? Are hilarious. And they drive you to exhaustion each and every day. But they are so worth it. All three of them.

Oh, and that Pubic Symphysis Diastasis? Yeh, um. WATER THERAPY is your best bet. Demand it. Even with the first OB who tries to tell you that it’s “normal.” HAH! It’s Oh so NOT normal. Wincing and crying while trying to put on shoes, underwear, pants, is NEVER normal.

Although it’ll seem tough at first, you’ll get through the whole cleft palate situation. Your second daughter is an amazing little girl with a brilliant sense of humor who finally starts to belly laugh at age four. She’s a total doll.

Life isn’t easy by a long stretch. But God is working in it – and working hard. He’s walking with you, carrying you sometimes, and it is amazing. Trust in Him. He’ll rock your world.