Cycle Symptoms

I'm writing a post for my youngest sister who is 22.  She has short 1-2 day or 2-3 day periods, a hard abdomen & painful cramps each month.  I know Endo may be a culprit due to her painful periods (and our family history), but I'm not sure what would cause the short periods or the hard abdomen.

My mom wants her to use homeopathy & have my sister see a homeopathic doctor to treat / prevent the Endo & growth, which may work.  But after my experience in high school with painful periods ... being asked a zillion questions ... trying a bunch of remedies that didn't work ... & getting frustrated with it all.  I ended up taking ibuprofin to give me relief from all the pain, as well as recommending my sister take it for pain relief.

Does anyone have a recommendation of a doctor in Central Nebraska that would be a NaPro doctor?  I have looked at the following website:  http://www.fertilitycare.org/nebraska-medical-consultants/ .  I know that Dr. Skoch is retired, but it also listed a Dr. James Craig in Red Cloud.  There are other doctors practicing in Lincoln & Omaha, but Central NE is where my sister is located.

My sister doesn't have the resources to go to PPVI right away, so I recommended that she start with a NaPro trained doctor first.  She would need to chart first anyway to keep a record of her cycle patterns.  My sister is seeing a general practitioner doctor right now, who is no help.  Even though they have done blood & hormone tests, they all come back "normal."  We all know what normal means.  (eyeroll)

If you have any ideas, input or suggestions, it would be great!

A Squirmy Little Worm

Luke turned 9 months old yesterday.  He is getting to be quite the active, energetic, willful little boy.  I've noticed his little personality grow at home, but in the last week or two, I've noticed it A LOT at Mass!

Luke wants to crawl around, which isn't good in a confined space, as I'm sure he would crawl up the aisle or under the pews.  During Mass, he will squirm, writhe, babble, try and stand in my arms, jump back & forth from me to the hubby ... you name it.  We've recently brought Cheerios to Mass and he will behave if we keep him chewing (or gummin', as he has b.a.r.e.l.y one tooth).  He is at the stage now where he only wants Mommy or will cry or get upset, so Mommy holds him during Mass, errands, home, playtime, etc.  It makes it a little hard to get him to have fun with Daddy, Grandparents or Aunts & Uncles if Mommy is in the room.  But in reality, I do love his "all-things-Mom" attitude.  I have waited so long for that!

When I was little, there was a Cry Room at our parish.  Lots of people used it, but our family didn't come to Mass to head to the Cry Room.  We got a "look" from dad & straightened up pretty quick.  I am sure there were times when we headed to the back of the church or the Cry Room, but it wasn't often enough that I remember them.  Most days, it seems that some families just head to the Cry Room when they come to Mass, instead of try to sit in the pews and then if their kids are being disruptive, they head to the Cry Room.  It is not a bad thing to head to the Cry Room, I just want to try and avoid doing so as a weekly routine. 

The last Mass on New Years Day, he was pretty onery.  We had one lady stop by after Mass & say that she liked seeing us in the Church instead of the Cry Room or leaving Luke at home.  And she liked to hear him babble (which is really good ... it is hard to get him to stop sometimes).  It wasn't a complaint about Luke, but I feel pretty ragged once Mass is over ... like I've just completed a marathon of Luke-wrangling.  I do offer it up for those who would give anything to have a little one ... that is NEVER lost on me.  I just want to have some better ideas or behavior modifications to start so that we can sit in the pews with everyone else & have a well-behaved baby most of the time.

What are some ways to get a 9 month old to behave in Mass?

 My angelic little Cherub is watching out the window for ... Santa Claus!  :-D  Just kidding.  I think he was watching the flags blow in the wind.  It really mesmerized him!

 Flipping a basket on his head makes him ... "Davy Crockett"  

Plus, I just like putting things on his head.  He seems to love it too!!!

Goofing off with Mom on New Years Eve.  No Daycare + Mom = a Great Way to end 2012!

(P.S.  The blanket just got pulled off of his head ... now how do you think it got there?  hehe)

Prayer Buddy Reveal

I had the privilege of praying for Ania who blogs at The 411 on the 418's this Advent Prayer Season.  On May 10, Ania announced her pregnancy after years of struggling with PCOS.  I was elated right along with her (although I'm sure not QUITE as much!  :-D).  I had begun following her a year or more ago & had prayed along with her during her journey to become a mom.

Ania, I prayed the Christmas Novena, the St. Andrew Novena & one more (I forget, sorry!) for your intentions that you mentioned, as well as the desires of your heart to be fulfilled.  I am glad to read that some of my prayer for you has helped in a small way.  Know that I will continue to keep you in prayer, especially as .... ummmmm ..... you have only 2 weeks left before your due date!!!  I'm beyond excited for you!  I wish you the utmost in blessing in 2013 for you and your family!

An early morning God-incidence

Christmas is next week.  I have a to-do list a mile long, it seems, but I do have half of the gifts bought that I need to, so I will count that as a win.  One of the projects on my to-do list was to find a substitute for my Holy Hour, which falls on Christmas morning, as we will be out of town visiting our families.  Last night, I got up to go to Holy Hour from midnight to 1 am just like normal.  I spent my time in prayer, then went to the back of the chapel to copy names from the substitute list.  I was worried that I wouldn't find anyone to either trade with or have substitute for me due to the holiday.  Back to my seat I went to finish the hour.

I am reading St. Faustina's Diary (a gift from my mom years ago, but I've never read it, until now) during part of Holy Hour and got lost in the words & pages I was reading.  I realized it was 1:05 am and the next person had never shown up.  He has been late before, so I gave him until 1:10 am.  Then I tried to call him, but no answer, as it went to his voicemail.  I sat back down & thought, "Ok, I was just enjoying reading this book.  I will have another hour to enjoy reading it.  God must have a reason for having me be here for another hour."  A few minutes later the phone rang.  It was the guy who was supposed to be there.  

As he apologized for over sleeping & not hearing his alarm, I had an idea.  Instead of him coming in this morning, I asked him to take my hour for next week and we would be even:  I would do two hours this morning & he would do two hours next week.  He agreed.  It couldn't have worked out more perfectly!!!  

After I hung up the phone, I was elated.  I was dreading calling people to see if they would come in to cover or trade, as some of the people on the list are either no longer available or have restrictions on when they can come (I found this out the hard way when Luke was born ... try getting someone to cover your hour the first night after your son was born!  That's when hubby went by himself the first time.  I couldn't leave Luke's side.)  I was so happy that God had arranged this so perfectly and I hadn't had to make one phone call.  He truly blessed me this morning - so to glorify Him, I wanted to share.

I would love to hear some of your stories of how God has worked in your life (aka "God-incidences"), taking care of you & providing for your needs.  Please share your stories in the comments.  I feel the need to rejoice in God's providence & blessings on me this year, which is a 180 from where I was at this time last year.  

Also, I have to add ... as this just hit me ... I am praying the St. Andrew Novena, which ends on Christmas Day.  The words of the Novena are as follows:  (emphasis mine)

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment

in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary,

at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.

In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God!

to hear my prayer and grant my desires,

through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,

and of His Blessed Mother. Amen

My Holy Hour next week would begin at midnight on Christmas Day.  Another God-incidence, I believe.  I will set my alarm & pray the Novena at midnight, for "in that hour" I will beg God to "grant my desires" that I have prayed for in my Novena.  To my Prayer Buddy (and several others), you will be especially prayed for at that time.  I pray that God will grant the desires of your hearts.

Walking App suggestions?

Hello, ladies! Thunder Thighs, here. Does anyone have a good recommendation for the name of a walking app I could download for my phone to use at night (like the Couch to 5k for running ... but for walking)? I have some pain in my knee and don't want to be too hard on it at this point in time.

I'm trying to not be super depressed about splitting out another pair of jeans in the thighs this afternoon. Although I do believe jeans are made of thinner material now than they used to be.

P.S. Lucky as Sunshine, a big thanks to you on the DVD you sent. I need to put that to good use. Splitting out your jeans is great motivation ... so is seeing a photo of myself. :-D

Baby Sickness -- Q & A

Luke has been a sick little boy these last few weeks.  We are at it again with another ear infection, which we discovered at the doctors after we took him in to check out the serious eye goobers/pus he had in his left eye for about 3-4 days (over the Thanksgiving holiday, no less).  More antibiotics in his system for his right ear, this time.  I'm sure it has spread to his left ear, as he has been grabbing at that for the last several days.  His pediatrician has said that because he's had 2 infections within the last 2 months, with a third infection, she will refer us to the Ear, Nose & Throat doctor to discuss the possibility of ear tubes, to help with the pressure & drainage in his ears.  My poor baby is only 8 months old.  Is this common in someone so young?  I am up for anything to ease Luke's discomfort.  We have been keeping him dosed up with Motrin to keep the pain at bay.  I had a ton of earaches as a kid, so I remember the pain.  Ugh.  I was hoping to get some input from those who are familiar with ear tubes ... pros & cons, how have they worked for you/kids, etc.

With Luke's ear infection, comes a sore throat & cough (which we may find out at our re-check tomorrow is bronchitis).  It isn't helped by the temps in the house at night, either.  We keep our house about 72 typically, but have been running it higher at 74 to help with Luke's sicknesses.  At night, the temps seem to drop regardless (and when you breathe dry air through your mouth because your nose is plugged, I don't think that helps either).  We've run the humidifier at night in his room, but sometimes it will quit working in the middle of the night.  I think it may be due to our hard water creating a calcium buildup or something inside.  Luke also likes to squirm out of the covers I put in his crib.  Usually he will start at one end of the crib with a few blankets from his waist down.  Then by morning, he will be huddled at the other end with no blankets.  When I change his diaper in the morning, he always feels a little cold, so we get a bottle & snuggle under a few layers.  I dress him in the one piece footie pajamas (not a super-thin fabric), but even with that, I'd still like to keep him warmer at night.  Aside from a space heater (which I'm nervous about due to a fear of a fire starting (yes, I'm paranoid)), do you have any suggestions on how to keep Luke warm?

Since I'm questioning everything under the sun, here's another one.  Crib bumpers.  We'd purchased a crib set with the thick bumpers that I know you're not supposed to use due to suffocation risk.  So I put those bumpers away & haven't used them.  When Luke started to get wiggly and make 360's in his crib, we wanted to get something so his arms & legs wouldn't get stuck in the slats, so we purchased some bumpers that have large air holes at Targ.et.  Those worked ok, but kept sliding down all.the.time, which drove me crazy (you tie them onto the slats).  I wondered if there was an age when you could use the "thick" bumpers if you know that your child can move away from it.  I'm not willing to risk Luke suffocating with these bumpers, though, so I'm posing the question to get some input before making any changes.

Lastly, but definitely my biggest headache in the question department ... thermometers!  I want to throttle all thermometer manufacturers.  Seriously!  I realize with a squirmy baby that the temps won't always be the same, but with a whole degree difference, I think that is for the birds!  We initially purchased a forehead thermometer, but after comparing that with my digital thermometer I used when taking my BBT (I took it under Luke's arm), I realized that the forehead thermometer was crazy!  So I bought the Brau.n Ear Thermometer, which you can stick in the ear after putting a plastic sleeve over the tip to prevent ear wax getting on the sensor.  That reads a little better, but still varies a little.  I'm about fit to be tied!  Any good recommendations on thermometers?  I'm not thrilled about going "old school" and trying to stick a thermometer up Luke's (very cute) behind.

We like to pull ourselves up on anything now!

Luke is very mobile!  He has been crawling for a month and will go from the crawling position to sitting just like that.  He likes to crawl around his piles of toys for the most interesting things ... this time, he was going after the yellow ball.  

Having fun with Cookie Monster (a gift from his birthmom).   Yes, I stuffed CM in the back of his pants to "ride along" because I thought it was too cute.  I am "that mother."  :-D

Showing off our "I can pull myself up and stand in my crib now" skills.  We've learned to hang on, as when Luke doesn't, he takes a tumble!

Update on my Grandma

About 1/2 hour ago, dad called to say that Grandma passed away this morning. Thank you for your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine on her.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

My Grandma ... Prayers Please

If you have a minute, could you please say a prayer for my Grandma (my dad's mom)?  She is in intensive care at the hospital tonight after being taken there this afternoon.  I was updated today about how she's been ... she hasn't been eating, drinking, walking or having a will to live.  The latest update is liver failure, possibly some sort of heart arrhythmia & her blood pressure being too high.  My immediate family is at the hospital there with her now and her other son is traveling in from about 2 hours away.  They are not sure if she will make it through the night.
I appreciate your prayers for my Grandma most of all and then for my dad, if you could.  He has been there most of all for her and it is so very tough to hear about your dad crying and there's nothing you can do.   I will update as things change.

Grandpa & Grandma at my Wedding in 2006.

Grandpa passed away 5 years ago this October.  Grandpa passed away just days shy of their 60th Anniversary.  

Grandpa & Grandma were our babysitters when my parents worked.  We enjoyed sleepovers, early morning cartoons, late night tv (Golden Girls, anyone?  too risque for my parents), lots and lots of good food, a candy dish!, many stories read on Grandpa's lap & so many handcrafted items (my Grandpa could fix/build anything).  I have wonderful memories of growing up with them.

One of the last family get-togethers with all their Kids and Grandkids able to come together.  

My sisters (blue shirt & black/white shirt), little brother (green plaid) & brother-in-law (striped), as well as my dad, have taken care of Grandma in the last five years with cleaning, meals, hygiene, church rides & overnight stays.  They have been excellent caregivers.  Grandma just moved into an assisted care facility earlier this month at 94 years old.  With their help, she was able to be in her own home as long as she could.

Painting ... and Poop

Wouldn't you know it ... but the weekend I get motivated to paint our living room, dining room & kitchen & hallway, but DH and Luke are sick.  And it isn't the sniffle kind ... it is the kind that comes out the "Other End".
So far, Luke has had it easier than DH (who has to be very.close to the bathroom), but I'm not sure whether he's on the tail end of things.  He had had at least three big "blow out" diapers where poop was E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.!  It was gross, but for me, I can handle poop better than snot.
Last night, Luke (and DH) was super irritable & fussy when going to bed and even this morning, he is almost inconsolable.  We've been napping on schedule and keeping our bedtimes, but when he is not asleep, Mama has to be close at all times.  I wish it was me who was sick so he could be healthy & not feel so bad.
I didn't give up on the painting totally.  I've been painting about 2-3 walls at a time each day when Luke has been napping.  I have about 5 walls to go, plus the basement stairs (it is an open floor plan, so when you paint ... you PAINT!).
Well, I'm off to console Mr. Luke who is up.  I stayed home today from work ... so we will see what the rest of today will bring.

Messed up Bedtime ... Thanks Daylight Savings Time!

The Daylight Savings Time change really messed up Luke's routine.  Instead of him going to bed at 8 pm, with the "fall back", we're going to bed at 7 pm (which is just fine).  But the really great part is ... instead of getting up at 6 am, we're getting up at 5 am!  It was super-fun this morning (and yesterday morning) to pry my eyelids open.  I realize that in a few more months, we'll switch back.  I really wish we could just do without the whole time switch.  Now that we have electricity, it doesn't make a big difference as to when it gets dark.

How do you do it with your child(ren)'s schedules & the whole daylight savings time switch?  Do you gradually switch them over?  Do you adjust your schedule of bedtime so it is consistent?

6 Month Photos

Hi everyone!  Time has slipped by before I got Luke's 6 month photos up, but I do want to share them with you.  I know I haven't shared any pics of Luke in awhile, so here we go!

As I sat rocking Luke to sleep last night, I marveled at him.  I was holding my son.  Something I had longed for for years and years.  I tried to soak it all in as a memory for some day when he was older and not so little (and maybe not so quiet?!?  ha!).  How lucky I am to be chosen to be his mom!  And I am SO eternally grateful he is mine forever more!  

Happy 6 Months to my sweet little boy who filled the ache in my heart!  I love you, Luke!

Ahhh ... Husbands

I'm just about mental here. It probably doesn't help that it's CD1 either. But I've been thinking of writing this and then deciding not to ... then I should ... then no. Anyway. Here goes.
I'm about fit to be tied with how much help (lack of, actually) I get from my hubby in the day to day. Lets demonstrate. Take today, for instance. Pretty typical. Get up at 6, feed Luke bottle til 6:30, put him back to sleep or play in crib so I can shower and get ready. Shower. Get ready. Husband wakes up about 7:15. Bonus points given as he went to Holy Hour for me last night. Give him a pass. Finish doing hair. Go into Luke's room, get him dressed, in carseat and out the door. I take him to daycare. Husband has left 10-15 mins before me.
Go to work. Work 8-5. Deal with crappy situations. Try and manage two men at work who are our installers, as well as quote some jobs. It's like herding cats.
Its 5:15-5:20. Leave for home. Hubby gets Luke. Meet him home about 5:30-5:40. Get Luke out of carseat and hug, kiss, hold him. Hubby changes clothes, comes out to couch. Has a seat. I play with Luke a little bit more. Have to go to bathroom, get changed, so have hubby watch him. Instead of getting on floor, hubby's version of playing with Luke is to bring him up to sit on his lap. I start cooking supper, Luke wants to nap (he naps between 6-7 for 1/2 hour). Hubby can't put him to sleep. Majorly fussy. I stand up and rock him, walk with him. He dozes. Supper needs to be finished. Ask hubby to help. Huge imposition. Gets up off couch and adds ingredients. Surs back down. Food simmers. Timer goes off. I get up to finish the meal, turn food off and add one more ingredient. Can't do it holding Luke. Put Luke down. Luke wakes up early. Grumpy. Have hubby hold him. Hubby asks if food is ready yet. We eat. Luke plays on bouncer for awhile. Hubby warches tv. Luke gets grumpy. I finish my food on floor with him. He lasts awhile longer.
Fix a bottle one handed then put a fussy Luke to sleep. Doze as Luke is eating. Luke goes to sleep. Come back into kitchen. Put food away. Wash all bottles. Wash a load of dishes by hand. Start dishwasher. Clean counters. Pick up living room. Feed cats. Hubby still sitting on couch.
SO FRUSTRATED I CAN SCREAM!!!

What can I do to get him to help? I've tried asking ... he says I nag. I've tried being silent and doing it anyway, I get really burned out. I feel like I'm his butler or something, not his wife.
I could deal with the house stuff and picking up, but I'm more irritated than anything about the way he interacts with Luke. He never plays on the floor with him. It's always me (which I don't mind all all, trust me), but I want him to *want* to play with Luke and enjoy him being a little boy. Not playing video games or being on the computer all the time. I am mostly sad for Luke and don't want this pattern to continue as Luke gets older.

Ladies, how do your husbands help around the house and how do you get them to help? Am I crazy for wanting my husband to help? Did your husbands play with your 6 month babies voluntarily? I'd like to get some input on whether I'm overreacting or whether this is severe PMS.