Monthly Archives: October 2007

Putting on the Brakes Part II

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I found a sample of a prenatal vitamin yesterday that has Omega 3’s  built in so I took it last night. I have felt much calmer today and Alli’s behaviour has much improved as well. Not sure if that’s a huge coincidence or not.

I did call my OB’s office but they never returned (to be fair, I wasn’t able to call until late this afternoon). I will try to call them again tomorrow. As far as I know it’s ok to take Omega 3.6.9 during pregnancy but I still like to check with my physician’s office.

I plan on taking the rest of the prenatal samples in the meantime – until I get a response from my doctor’s office. I have therapy in the morning as well so I will certainly be discussing all of this with my therapist.

And yes, I am also using my online support network right now too. I think having a rest plan in place for this weekend is reassuring for me too. I am SO looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday. I talked to Alli about that today – she hates surprises where someone is going to be gone so we talk to her about them ahead of time. I told her that if she was good, daddy would give her a surprise from me on Saturday night at bedtime. She liked that idea until she decided she wanted two surprises and I told her there was only going to be one – enter thrown fit number one. I think she’s sleepy – her behaviour tends to be worse in the evening if it’s going to be bad.

The In-laws may be coming to pick her up tomorrow afternoon so we’ll see if that has any effect on her or if it was merely a coincidence that she suddenly started misbehaving after the last time they got her. I’m hoping for the coincidence.

Putting on the Brakes…

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Ok, so here goes. I feel myself slipping back into my old PPD habits – not enjoying things as much, getting irritably quickly, I can feel the tension RIGHT beneath the surface, I am snapping at everyone – it’s frustrating as heck!

I think last week got to me more than I care to mention or admit (well, wait a minute, I’m admitting it now, right?). I will be calling my OB in the morning to ask about taking Omega 3.6.9 as I really don’t want to up my medicine but I am trying to deal with the fact that I may have to. Omegas are supposed to help with mood plus they’re great for baby development so it’d be a win win situation.

Also, I am going to dinner with Chris’ grandmother on Saturday – and his parents will be out of town. I think I am going to go to his parent’s house after dinner with his grandmother and just crash. Sleep in on Sunday and not have to worry about anything. Cabin fever is getting to me too – one car and being stuck at home is really driving me bonkers.

 i’ll update tomorrow about the OB call.

Melanie Blocker Stokes PPD Research & Care Act PASSED in the HOUSE!

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Yesterday, October 15th at 4:15 PM, perinatal mental health history was made as H.R. 20, The Melanie Blocker Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act, was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 382 – 3!! What a thrill it was to watch from the Congressional Gallery as Congressman Bobby L. Rush made his final, victorious push for American women, children and families.

Please join me in congratulating Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Carol Blocker and his hardworking staff on this pivotal victory which has been the result of SEVEN YEARS of steadfast advocacy.  Postpartum Support International was recorded as the number one sponsor of the bill. A very proud moment for all of us and the beginning of hope for more consistent attention to this issue. The bill will now proceed to the Senate where it will join forces with The MOTHERS Act.

Thanks to all of you who have been unfailing supporters of this legislation and the issue!

Exit TiVo KidZone

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Those three words are becoming almost as precious to me as “I love you.”

I’ll tell you why. It’s because when I click on those three words, I am reclaiming the TiVo for myself. It means the girls are down to quiet time and it’s now MOMMY time. Of course, the TV is still on Noggin when I go to live TV but that changes pretty quickly. Usually I put a movie on in the background and work on PPD stuff. Today I’m taking it slow. Have a few emails to send but as far as that’s concerned, I’m not doing a lot today. I’m going to continue to enjoy the slower pace.

This morning the girls and I went outside after breakfast and played. Charlotte swung and Alli wandered about playing with dead limbs from trees, pretending they were a little family. She also had a lot of fun throwing pine straw about. The funny story with Alli happened yesterday afternoon when Chris and I took the girls outside to play after quiet time.

Alli was swinging and all of the sudden she let out this really loud MMMMOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Yeah, typical three year old stuff, right? It gets funnier – the goats at the farm across the street ANSWERED her! So she changed her moo to a baaaaaa and for a good four or five minutes, she and the goats were “talking” to each other. Chris and I just lost it and Alli thought it was great. I LOVE that we live somewhere that she can experience stuff like that. Just love it.

Today Charlotte was the funny one – she would put both arms up in the air while swinging and squeal – like she was trying to say “wheeeee!” What I really get a kick out of is when she gives the sign for “more” while swinging. That’s just TOO precious.

As for my weekend, it was a huge success and I feel mentally rested. I kicked off the weekend with my therapy session and by 11a, I was OFF. At first it was weird to not be doing PPD stuff but eventually I just sat back and enjoyed things. I watched Nothing to Lose and took a nap Friday afternoon. Alli got out of her room while I was napping and ravaged the kitchen. Destroyed a $10 bottle of pure vanilla extract, poured out all the flower, brown sugar, soy sauce, large pearl tapioca, etc. It was a MESS. The only good thing that came out of it was her having to stay in her room for the rest of the afternoon which meant I got more time to myself. I was disappointed though – I had planned on taking the girls outside after quiet time. Saturday wasn’t much more of a success with Alli or Charlotte – both were fussy and whiny. And Alli ended up having to spend Sat afternoon in her room as well. She was much better on Sunday and so far so good today as well. We didn’t make it to Kid Nation last Thursday night due to misbehaviour as well. So as long as her behaviour stays on the up and up today, we’ll be watching it tonight.

I’m gonna run now and take a nap while I can. Hopefully no one gets out and does anything messy while I’m resting!

Soothing the Soul

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It has been a busy week. I’ve had three pretty intense “cases” this week and am looking forward to resting this weekend. I took a bubble bath and ate some chocolate ice cream this afternoon. Also watched most of The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. Then the phone rang and it was regarding one of my “cases” so I had to take the call. Early intervention will be here shortly so I will just have to finish up with Happyness later. Probably not until tomorrow. I had been enjoying it so far. I love movies where the main character struggles and finally overcomes their obstacles. I always have. One of my favourites is Erin Brockovich. I knew after watching that movie that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives by caring for them and advocating for them and whaddya know – I do that now. I just don’t get the commission check she got. LOL.

I am mentally exhausted and as I already said, really looking forward to the weekend. I can’t say that enough! Can I say it again? Please????

Tonight is Kid Nation night – Alli gets to stay up late and we watch it on the TiVo while eating dinner. It’s her reward for good behaviour throughout the week. She’s not been terrific today but I think it’s because she’s tired – she’s napping IN HER BED as I type. Highly unusual for her to do so during quiet time. We’ll be making homemade pizza later. For some reason, pizza seems to be Kid Nation food. LOL. go figure.

Gonna run and enjoy some sweet silence before Early Intervention gets here to work with Charlotte. I look forward to these visits as her therapist and I get along quite well. Ok, really gotta run. Alli is awake and crying.