Happy NFP week!

Back in March I wrote a post about me, using NFP and it working for me. I know that with my new pregnancy some people may think that's not the case. But they are wrong, this baby that I am currently carrying is planned.
 Here is the link to the post:  http://shortsmallandinlove.blogspot.com/2015/03/i-use-nfp-and-it-works.html?spref=fb


 This week is national Natural Family Planning Week.  I know some people are against it, they think we will have 10+ children. That is not true. As I wrote in my post back in March, NFP is effective if done correctly.  I posted that I use NFP because of my faith. That is very true, but another reason I use NFP is it is free. Free from all hormones, free from additives, free from carcinogens, and free from putting a foreign item in my body. I really enjoy all of that. It is nice, to know I have control over that, when we don't have control over what goes in our food. No, I am not a hippie, I am someone who wants to make sure that I can keep my NF under control and if that means watching what I eat and what goes inside me, that I will do. Plus, it is really nice to what is going on with my body.


Caio,

Oops

Hi all,

I  can't believe I went 2 months without writing.  A lot has happened  since then. To catch you all up we will start with the most exciting news of all.

Peanut is going to be a big brother.  We are having anotherbaby in November,  unless this one is like his or her brother.  Then, it will be October.  Either way  we are expanding our family.

Other exciting news is we got a house. A house and moving is souch work. Plus setting it up. Oh vey. Pictures will come soon, but for now I am just trying to make it through the day.

Ciao,

What's up Wednesday

Hello Blogging world.
It has been a long time since I joined a link-up. A very long time, but I have decided to do one today. So, with out further introduction...What's Up Wednesday by Mel, Sheaffer, and Shey.

What we are eating this week...

Honestly, a variety of things. We have been having a lot of chicken, spinach, and avocados this week. We have also been having a lot of fruit; clementines, apples, pineapples... all sorts of yummy things. 

What I'm reminiscing about...

 How this time last year I thought Peanut was so big. I was so tired, but so in love with his little personality that was starting to show through. Also, about what I was going to do this summer. 

What I am loving...

This warm weather. It has been so cold lately, I am so thankful for a warm up and to see grass starting to grow. 

What we've been up to...

House hunting. It's a headache. That's all. 

What I'm dreading...

The end of the school year. It is so busy, I'm afraid I won't get everything done that needs to be completed. 

What I'm working on...

Some winter hats for next year. I'll post pictures when they are done. 

What I'm watching...

Right now Law and Order SVU. 

What I'm wearing...

Pajamas. 

What I'm doing this weekend...

It's my birthday. I have nothing planned, but I'm sure my husband has something up his sleeve. 

What I'm looking forward too next month...

I have a lot to look forward too. I am doing a walk for NF. I will be posting  about that in the next few days. I'm very excited for it. Besides that, my little sister is graduating college and just playing outside. 

That's all for now. 

Ciao, 

Stormy Weather

"Don't know why...there's no sun up in the sky. Stormy Weather,"


I am very lucky that we don't have any stormy weather here. It is beautiful and sunny. But yet, there is stormy weather in sense that things have been less than perfect. I know that it is only a phase and it will pass, but sometimes, I feel that I fall into that depression of "stormy weather."
So, what do you do when that happens to you?

It's not easy

There is a Facebook Group out right now going around spreading vicious lies. They claim to be Christian and started these lies on Palm Sunday. These lies affect me deeply, and even though they are not true, I have faced criticism because of it. You may be asking yourself, what am I talking about, and how can something not true cause you pain. I am talking about something that causes a mommy war. Something, that some people judge your womanhood on. How you give birth.

This group is saying that C-section moms took the easy way out. They don't care about their babies and CPS should take their babies away. They are saying that if you had an emergency C-section, then you went against God's plan to call you home and when you do die will be tossed into the burning fires of hell.

While they are radical with their views and extremely hateful (I didn't share and will not share their hate talk) there are those who think that a C-section means that you did not give birth. They say your baby was extracted from your body. You never went through labor and or what it is like to push a baby out of your body. Your baby had drugs in it's system since before it was a born, what kind of mother are you?

Yes, I have come across all of that and more. Each time, I  pray that God gives me strength to turn the other cheek and be charitable in my response. To help that person understand that we shouldn't judge or condemn others.

It is not easy, but I do it. Just like my labor was not easy. My water broke too early. I tried my best to labor naturally. I went 56+ hours before I had a placental abruption. My son's heart rate was dropping and I was losing blood was too fast.  Had my doctors waited even an hour longer to "extract" my son, both of us would not be here today. And well, maybe one can say God was calling us home, but I believe that when God calls you home, there is nothing that can be done. No amount of medical intervention will work, because God is all powerful. I believe that God gave us the knowledge and science of doctors to help us. To help find cures for things that are horrible, to make sure that more babies get a chance to live. God gave us free choice. Jesus died for us so that we can live, not only on earth but when we die as well. I believe God gives us things to challenge us, test us and all around give us the strength for something more difficult to come along.

I know that God was watching me and my son that day, and I know that it was not an easy day. It was not an easy day for my peanut, and it was not an easy day for my husband. I am not going to lie, I did have problems overcoming the fact that I had a c-section. I was upset that my body failed me. But, I wear my scar with pride, knowing that I have a battle wound from having to fight for my son.  That being said, I am still a mom, I am still a woman, I just gave birth a different way.


Caio,

That dada?

My peanut is walking and talking and being a toddler. My baby is growing up. But he will still be my baby.  Right now, though, he is adorable. He loves my husband. Absolutely loves him. When I say that, I mean he always asked for Dada.

Not only does he ask for Dada, but he asks for Wissen. (Winston) He loves Winston. Always wants to play with him and feed him.

But, I know he loves his Mama. He cuddles and snuggles and sighs in my arms. And because he is my baby, yes we do co-sleep.  He falls asleep holding on to one of us and seems so happy.

http://www.scarymommy.com/guide-reluctant-co-sleeping/


Ciao,

The sun is shinning

The birds are singing...
I want to start deep cleaning...
that can only mean one thing!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Spring has Sprung!

Okay, I  know, I know, I have a few more days until it is officially spring, but, I can't wait. I can't wait to garden, I can't wait to wear sun dresses, and I can't wait for long walks with the stroller and Winston. Peanut loves to look over his stroller at Winston (or Wa-ta as he calls him).  In fact, Peanut loves to do anything outside. Today, he was at the window and pointed outside and said "outside?"

So therefore, with the sun shinning (or not) look for me outside this year. 

Ciao,
 

I use NFP and it works

This post may be a bit TMI for some, but I felt it was needed.

Those of you who follow the news, know that the Pope has been under fire for some things he has said about Catholics and reproduction. I feel that he will always be under fire because he is the Pope and the media is not a fan of Catholics. But that is another post, for another time. This post is about NFP( Natural Family Planning)

I am going to start off with why I am writing this, often after you have a baby, people ask when you will have the next one or what you will do for birth control. Both of those questions are very invasive. Furthermore, the reactions to the answers to those questions can be hurtful. My husband and I use Natural Family Planning, in accordance to the church's (Catholic) teaching.  That means no artificial hormones, no barriers, and nothing to get in the way of conceiving a child. In fact, the only way to not have a baby is absence.  Yet, when we inform some medical personal about our reproductive choices, we are often told that it will not work and we will be seeing them within the next six months. My son is now 14 months old. Therefore, I say "Ha" to those doctors who don't believe it works.

There are many different methods of NFP. I am not going to share the type my husband and I use, but I will list the methods. When done correctly, if you are planning to avoid a pregnancy, each of them have been proven to be 99% effective. I am not going to get into a lot of details about the methods, if you want more information please check out the links I list at the end. There are your mucus only methods; Billings and Creighton are the most common. There is your cross-categorical method; Couples to couples league Sympto-Thermal, this one check mucus, basal body temp and cervical position. There are other sympto-thermal methods, but the one I listed is the most common. Then there is the Marquette method which uses a fertility monitor and checks hormone levels. Each method has it's own rules which need to be followed for both avoiding and for conceiving.

Now, I know that many of my readers (or those who happen to find this post) will say that NFP does not work. It will be mistakenly called the Rhythm method. That is false. The rhythm method is based on the perfect 28 day cycle and that she ovulates on day 14. We all know how false this is and each NFP method is able to work with all types of women, those who have short cycles and those who have irregular cycles.

I think I will end this post here by saying that NFP works for me and my husband. It helps bring us closer to God. It also help me know my body. For more information on NFP  and to find where I got my information please check out these websites.

http://www.iusenfp.com/
http://ccli.org/nfp/
http://www.natural-family-planning.info/
http://www.nfpandmore.org/

Ciao,

NF and Motherhood

I have been thinking a lot lately about how my Neurofibromatosis will affect me being a mother. I was very blessed that my NF did not affect my pregnancy with Peanut. Very blessed. I may not be as blessed  with my next pregnancy.

But, I know I cannot think about that. If I do, I start thinking about how I may not be so blessed within the next couple of years. For all I know, I could develop tumors. I could get sick and I could die.

I could spend my time being a mother who is stuck in a hospital bed. I  do not want that. Therefore, I have decided to fight as much as I can. I am going to be attending a Great Steps 4 NF walk. I am going to work on raising awareness and make NF known.

I am asking you, my readers to do the same. Make NF known. Help find a cause. Share my ribbon. (You can grab it on my Neurofibromatosis page). I know together we can find a cure.

Ciao,

Avocado recipies

In our house there is one food that can make everyone (but Winston) happy. That food is avocado. Peanut lights up when he sees me grab one. My husband and I have decided that Peanut's favorite food is avocado. Since he loves it so much, my husband and I have been coming up with different ways to incorporate it into our meals.

There is the ever classic guacamole:

• Grab how ever many avocados you want
• garlic cloves (I use 1 clove for 2 avocados- so grab the amount that you need) 
• Onion (I cut up a quarter of a small onion for 2 avocados)
• Lemon juice
• Lime juice
• dash of salt and pepper

I mix everything together, squeeze half a lemon and lime over the guacamole, mix that and serve.

I also have added avocado to :

• grilled cheese
• chicken salad
• tuna fish
• baked chicken
• turkey burgers
• and so much more. 

I love experimenting with it, and really love seeing Peanut's face when he has some.

Ciao,

Polar Vortex Fun

Brace yourself! Polar air is swooping down from the North pole. Having lived in this cold state for a long time, I have come up with a list of fun things to do when a Polar Vortex (Or cold temperatures that you are not used too) comes around.

1. Pinterest!
Why not spend your day Pinteresting or cleaning up your Pinterest? It could be very productive.

2. Cook or bake!

Since you just cleaned up your Pinterest, why not make one of those thousands of recipes you have pinned. You know you want too. 

3. Do a craft!

Be crafty! Make Polar Vortex snowmen, or socks, or shoes.

4. Drink Wine!

5. Play sensory games with your baby if you have one. It is way to cold to take kids out, so make the indoors fun!

6. Move to a warm state! 

This is only if you cannot handle all the Polar Vortex(es) that may come around. They are not for the weak. 

What I plan to do this week end is bake, make freezer meals, play and snuggle with Winston, and  my peanut. He is 13 months and loves to run and play. 

Ciao,

Silly Stories

As I sit here, finishing up some lesson planning and making a site words book for some some my students, I can't help but laugh.

This week has been crazy, but crazy good. School was school, my students are wonderful and I feel that I am doing a pretty good job. Can I improve, you bet ya, and I hope that I do improve. I really do.

Home has been fun. My son is walking all over the place. But he doesn't just walk, he runs. He runs fast. He chases after Winston and plays ball and fetch. He loves to run up to Dada when he gets home. It is the sweetest thing in the world to see.

Peanut has not only started walking, but he has a big personality. He says no, stop, isses (for kisses), up, naa( More) as well as the classic Nana, Papa, Mama, and Dada. He loves to eat solid food and does a wonderful job at it.

Now to a silly story. The other day my peanut walked on over to my wonderful husband said isses and stuck his cheek right into my husbands face.

I am a lactavist

I am a lactavist.
A proud nursing mother.

I feel so blessed to be able to nurse my son. There are a lot of women out in this world who struggle to breastfeed and deal with many different emotions over their struggle. There are those women who push breastfeeding, "Breast is best!"  and then there are those women who make the moms who use formula feel bad.

I can't stand those women.

I am a lactavist. I will help a mom who struggles, I will offer support, but I will not shame her is she decides on formula. Why? Because as long as the mom is feeding baby something healthy, it really shouldn't matter.

It is time to stop these mommy wars on breastfeeding or formula feeding, and time to stand together as moms and support each other.

 Ciao,

It is hard

I wrote the following last year

"My little one was born early. 

My little one was in the NICU. 

My little one had to be transferred to a different hospital. 

My little one came home with medical equipment. 

My little one needed help breathing and eating. 

My little one needed medical equipment until he was 17 days old.

My little one was hoovering too close to being too small for my comfort.

My little one is too small for Newborn clothing and diapers

yet...

My little man is a miracle!

He has survived so much, in his short time outside of me. 

He began breathing with out any help,

his liver began to function like it should,

he opened his eyes. 

He is now being alert,

able to eat with minimal help, 

and...

the best thing of all...

able to hold my finger with his little hands. 

He is strong. 

Really strong. 

He is sweet, 

small,

and 

perfect"

Today, I write about our challenges. My little one has come so far in year it is amazing. So, peanut this is for you. 

I spent the first year of your life watching.

w\Watching you breathe,

watching your chest move up and down

watching your weight gain,

watching...

I spent the first year of you life waiting.

Waiting to see if your little body needed a surgery, 

waiting to hear that your weight gain was good

waiting...

I spent the first year of your life praying. 

Praying for your health,

 praying for me,

 praying for you dad,

praying for strength. 

We had so many ups and downs.

 You rolling over,

your problem with an internal organ, 

your first smile, 

colic,

 you giggling,

 your weak immune system, 

crawling, cruising and trying to walk,

 falling, hitting your head and having your first nose bleed.

and now....

I sit, I watch, I listen, I wait, and I pray. 

I pray you better. 

I pray that you are not sick with what I fear it is. 

I am filled with worry watching you struggle, 

and I I hope that you find comfort in my arms. 

Each month was a new adventure. I feel so blessed to have had this crazy whirl wind of a year. 

Thing that make me smile

There are some things that make me smile no matter what, and there are days where I need that. The items in my list just make me smile and giggle even if I am having the worst of days.

1. Baby giggles- it is like magic twinkling bells. Seriously, if you need a laugh or to smile find a baby. 
2. Baby smiles- they are the same thing as baby giggles only silent
3. Watching my family play together- this one is especially true when my son and dog play together.
4. Doggy kisses- come on, if a dog is kissing you how can you not smile?
5. Being outside- In winter (especially when it is -40 outside) being out in the warm sun after months of staying in is amazing.

and of course seeing this picture of his fear of Santa.

Why morning sickness isn't just morning sickness

I am a survivor, not only of NF, but of HG.

What is HG you may ask, HG is known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and it is a pregnancy complication. When I got pregnant, I know I went away from my blog. I had too, because looking at a computer screen made me sick. Every thing made me sick, which was a symptom of the HG.

HG occurs in 2% of pregnancies and is sadly miss labeled as "Just some Morning sickness" but it isn't. It is more than bad morning sickness. It is characterized by a few different symptoms

1. Extreme and persist nausea and vomiting
2. Dehydration
3. Electrolyte imbalances
4. Extreme fatigue
5. Depression
6. Head aches and confusion
7. Fainting
8. Low blood pressure

There are many different ways to treat HG. Many people know of using Zofran for treatment. I tried it and it didn't help me. I ended up in the ER with an IV. I like to think that the Duchess Kate and I have something in common. We both had HG.

My HG story is a simple one. I have Moderate HG. While I did need an IV a few times, I never needed a Zofran Pump or PICC line. But, I did spend days on the bathroom floor and plenty of days laying in bed. I couldn't move with out getting sick. It was a good day for me when I could count the number of times I puked on one hand. But, it was a bad day, if I was up to two or more hands. It was a bad day when I couldn't leave the bathroom floor. It was a bad day when nothing I ate stayed in me.

If, you or any one you know are suffering from HG, you are not alone. I found this website (http://www.helpher.org/) recently and wish that I had found it while pregnant. It provides wonderful information and plenty of resources.  If you have a family member with HG, please be supportive.

Do Not say it is just Morning Sickness.
Do Not make fun of her for puking.
Do Not comment on her looks.
Do Not say she is exaggerating.

Do hold her hair back.
Do support her when she does find something that she can eat.
Do pray with her to have a safe and healthy delivery.

Caio,

A year in review

Looking back on this year, I can see how things have changed in my life.
2014 was a very exciting, stressful, loving and difficult year. Yet, I wouldn't change it for a thing.

Looking at this blog, I am thinking of changing things around.
I have been very neglectful and that I not what I want. So look for some big, exciting changes in 2015.

Ciao,