Our little girl - the drama has begun! Farts, gas and RSV.

I texted my husband earlier today since he is at work letting him know the status of our daughter's 6-month well-check that was earlier today. Turns out, the little cold that I thought was causing her nose to water and chest to be slightly congested is actually Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages and a major cause of respiratory illness in young children which can lead to more serious illness, especially in children under 2 years old.  

I sent him the above pictures. The first, taken during her well-check up and the second one, as I was giving her the treatment through a nebulizer (which might I add, was a whole other story trying to figure out and use- inspiring me to write this post since the way I learned to use the nebulizer was through a mom's you-tube instruction blog video. Kudos to all of the moms who create such helpful things!

Now, my two sons who were in day-care from 12 and 6 weeks old respectively, have never had RSV (at least, they were never diagnosed), but our daughter who has never been in regular daycare - does.  I'm sure she contracted it from one or both of her brothers whom had coughs and colds last week (which was probably RSV- ooops!).  In any case,, I found myself feeling a bit overwhelmed by what I needed to do to help treat this virus and in awe, yet again of how much I, as a caregiver, need to be aware of with young children.

Onto the drama part. (mind you-by drama, I don't mean it in a negative way, merely, that drama is more "active" and engaging - requiring, more reaction from those around her --- if that makes it sound any better)
 So, other "issues" we've experienced with her that we never did (with our two boys, thank God), include:
- Eczema
- Colic
- Acid Reflux
- Gas/farts that smell like poop explosions!!!

Now these may not be BIG things at all, and we are so blessed that her health is for the most part, excellent, but we really took for granted just how blessed we were with our boys as neither of them experienced any of the above health issues. Also, having worked with families with special needs children, I am even more aware and inspired by the strength of parents and caregivers whom nurture and accomodate health issues which are much more severe than anything I have experienced.  I feel embarrased for even writing a post about all of this knowing how this "drama is only but a fraction- if that" of that experienced in the daily lives of many others.  Parenting is hard enough as it is, having to throw in health issues adds a whole other dimension of what it means to be self-less. (at least that's how I see it). 

Nevertheless, I will carry on with the post.

Now, The first month with our daughter was somewhat of a blur due to the way she cried --- constantly -- and all of the spit up that we had to be aware of, clean up and nurture.  I had heard of "colicky babies" and others with feeding issues and mothers whom had to really restrict their diets due to the effect on her milk --- and to be honest, I had always thought "it couldn't be as bad as people say it to be"... and maybe it isn't all that bad but after enduring weeks of lots of crying due to collic, reflux and who knows what else,  I can say that I am glad that she is much better.  At around four months old, she stopped spitting up as much and became somewhat of a little angel baby.  She has always been "joyful" even despite any discomfort, and she has been an excellent sleeper since around 5 weeks old but the "gas" and reflux in her tummy I believe is now "under control" and for that, we are so ever grateful.  I definitely don't miss the first several nights in which both David and I took turns, I was nearly in tears, handing her over to him in pure exhaustion and frustration as to what the problem could be.  In our minds, we were doing everything right, baby was nursing and latching-on perfectly, drinking and growing great -- but in between the feedings was just--gas, spit-up, uneasiness, discomfort-inconsolable crying.  Our beautiful baby girl was a drama-baby and David and I were heart-broken at the fact that we felt helpless - all we could do was hold her, kiss her and show her love, rub her tummy, give her massages and give her the treatment basically, while also making time for our other boys who needed us. 
Thank you Jesus that those days are over.

The Eczema on the other hand, took us for a loop.  I had no idea what was happening. Why was our baby's skin so rough? What are all these red patches? In my life, I have never seen anybody with eczema, I didn't know what a patch looked like and believed for the first few days that they were mosquito bites, or heat rash or allergies.  It didn't seem to bother her much and she was/is quite the trooper. It wasn't until her 2-month well-check appointment when her pediatrician remarked "oooh, I see she has eczema!", upon walking in the door and seeing her that we realized what the "skin-drama" was all about.  Once we knew exactly and realized how severe eczema can get, we researched lots of articles and educational websites listing all of the many treatments and ways to prevent spreading and outbreaks.
 Having to wash her clothes all over again, wash her skin with special no-dye, eczema special formulas, not being able to put my favorite Johnson & Johnson baby lotion on her (oooh, how I love that smell) and the constant rubbing of coconut oil and Aquafor on her skin and scalp
 --- it is definitely a good amount of "drama".  Again, I had no idea just how sucky eczema is and feel grateful that we didn't have to experience it with our boys.

Now, onto the farts! Boy oh Boy! I'm sure this has something to do with the reflux in her tummy, but boy!!!! The nastiest smells I have ever experienced from any of our 3-children and I could argue--from anywhere,  have come from our beautiful infant baby girl's bottom.  When she farts, we swear that it is a huge poop explosion because of the scent and explosive
sound... but nope! It is just a fart. I've tried to clear my diet of excess processed foods and keep a balanced diet so that my milk could be the best for her and on days when all i've eaten were veggies and whole foods, the farts remain the same so I'm still not sure what it could be.  Still though, even though her farts are wicked --- she is the most beautiful girl I've ever laid my eyes on.

So despite the issues that we have experienced with our princess, we have come to the conclusion that truly, girls are just "more drama" than boys. Either that, or the 3rd baby really is a charm.  Let me not forget that at 6-months, she sleeps 9-10 hours STRAIGHT each night for us and is very content now with playing in her jumper and on the floor various toys, she is also quite a "rough one" and can carry her own when it comes to her big brothers.  Girl Power! She truly is our little gem, our Alegria Jubilee "Joyous Celebration" with her firecracker farts and all!

New Ventures of mine in 2014

I've come to realize that when I don't spend time doing things I enjoy, I am not the happiest mom and it shows.  So this year, I've started a few things in this aspect which although have to do with me, have more to do with others: 

1) Part-time work in a field I LOVE!

I started back at work (just 10 hours a week-while David is home and while the kids nap) I'll be doing home-based therapy for families. This will not only help me keep my juices flowing from the 8 years of higher education I endured but is also my passion. It also gets me out of the house a bit while bringing in extra income which benefits our family as a whole.  David has already commented how much happier I seem. I've also noticed that when I return from work, I feel more motivated to be more "present" as a mom.  I've always enjoyed the work I do and feel meant and called for roles such as these so I guess when I'm walking in that calling, the effects of it are felt in other aspects of my life as well. Win-Win!

2) Leading a young adult community group

Starting this Tuesday, I'll be starting as a leader of an Emerge young-adult community group-ladies only.  This has been on my heart for some time now but with 3 kids ages 4 and under, 1 of whom exclusively nurses, I didn't think it was possible for me to commit or serve in a ministry setting---this opportunity however came along and after much prayer and discussion with David, seems to just fit. So 3 times a month, i'll be meeting with college-aged girls down the street from my home (after I have dinner with David and the kids). We will meet at Dunkin Donuts to discuss life, maybe go through a curriculum (if that happens), pray and grow together. While I"m out, David will take his turn getting the kids bathed and ready for bed those nights (since he works evenings and isn't home for that part most of the week).  I'll return home in time to wish them good-nite and hang out with David until our bedtime. 

3) Making time for fitness

 I've started a January Ab challenge. It takes just a few minutes a day--but these days, that seems to be all that I can commit to. It's day 25 and already, people have commented on how thin I look. My arms and abs have been sore since day 2 and it feels great! I hope to stick with a similar challenge each month for the rest of the year! Hopefully once the weather get's better, i'll turn to running again as I long for those days when I would run like the wind along the serene and beautiful nature trails listening to the birds chirp in the crisp air.


What are things you will be starting in 2014? 

New Years Resolutions for 2014

At 28, I have numerous years of New Year’s resolutions behind me - usually, they were never written down and only included a couple each year, most of the time involving: eating healthier, exercising and challenges to myself to being a better overall person.  Throughout each year, as I learn new things, I also challenge myself when the need arises - because I truly do want to be a better person, better mom, better wife and better Me.  Now some of those goals were just doomed from the start, others made it through a few days, weeks or months but I can't recall any lasting resolution that I can look back and say "Hey! That's the year I stopped doing____ or _____.   A smarter person would just stop making resolutions but I’ve never been one to give up. They say practice makes perfect, so this time I am nailing it. I am sticking to the basics and here are the seven points I’ll accomplish in 2014.

1) Draw closer to God

I admit that I'm terrible with reading the Word. I'm terrible at sticking to devotionals and other books. I start reading plans with great intentions but for some reason or another, don't finish most all of them.  My first goal is to draw closer to God first in prayer, then in my reading of His word and other books inspired by it and also by communion with others (now that part I've got pretty down) and also as I strive to be more like Jesus in His selfless love for others such as: how can I reflect Christ more as a wife to David, as a mother to Josiah, Daniel and Jubilee? As a sister, daughter, friend and at my workplace?   I've started an awesome devotional on the Hillsong church app by Brian Houston - each read is short and sweet and I have easy access by having it on my phone. So far, I'm sticking to it and i'm encouraged by them by most of all, I know that drawing closer to God is the only sure way to be happier, more content, more satisfied, more joyful and MORE of Him in 2014 then I was in 2013 :)

2) Develop Me

Like many moms, I spend most of my time thinking about and doing things for your kids, and family. After all of the daily tasks are completed, there isn't a whole lot of time for me- and if there is, it must be done in the comfort of my home so I can do them once they are asleep or taking naps.  In 2014, most of the "developing me"--which sounds very selfish---is done at home but all with the motto "when mom is happy, the family is happy" so really "developing me" is equally "developing others".  Some of these include: going back to working outside of the home, starting a home group, sticking to things that I enjoy and work for my family and continuing to take care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually.  

3) Pay A Little More Attention to my Husband.

Since having three kids, time spent with just David and I is rare and although each year we make it a goal to have regular date-nights (meaning "out of the home"), the task of finding a good babysitter (since our family all lives out of state), the weather or kid's schedules (one of them is sick, or one is having "one of those days which we don't want to expose to others) or something else always seems to get in the way.  We enjoy good times together on our couch - cuddling up with a movie when the kids are asleep, but this year, I want to really make it a goal to try new activities with him, engage in new dialogue, explore new places together (if this can be possible at all).  I would love to have a getaway with him for a weekend-Oh how I would love that! (though nursing the princess makes this goal pretty impossible for awhile)---maybe one day...Oh and I also desire to look less at my phone and just be very present during the time we do have together.   

4) Put Down my iPhone

Multitasking is a mom’s middle name, so it makes sense that we sometimes need to answer an email or respond to a text while the kids are around. But if you’re like me, you find yourself nearly addicted to checking what’s new on the phone. Sure that text is hilarious and that email is top priority, but I really don't need to check my facebook newsfeed or instagram at every stoplight (not really every stoplight - maybe every other) or be on the computer while my children are playing next to me (sad truth). My children want to feel like they have my compete attention and although I give them lots, I don't want my four-year old to ever have to ask me "hey mom, pay attention to me!" (because I know he has probably had that thought a time or two or hundred).

5) No more Yelling

As much as I hate to admit it, I sometimes yell.  It is something somewhat new to me since I never used to be a yeller. Around the time my first-born turned 3, I found myself on those occasions when "he just wouldn't listen", -- yelling in pure frustration for him to do something or stop doing something that I asked him 10 times before not to-or to do.  I recently read a great article about how Yelling really makes no sense at all and I agreed with it completely. It does more harm to all parties involved than any good we think it does and plainly, it is not necessary as it does not work. Sometimes it feels like raising my voice is the only way to get my child's attention but really- it's terrifying for them and makes me feel so guilty afterwards.  So in 2014, my goal is to yell no more! 

6) Don’t Be So Hard on Myself

Growing up, I've always been somewhat of an over-achiever.  I wanted to excel and do all things with excellence - as "unto the Lord".  This habit has served me very well in most endeavors of mine but I am still far from perfect.  Being a mom has been the hardest things I've ever taken on and in alot of ways, I am challenged more and more each day.  Motherhood doesn't come a manual, it doesn't require education or training but yet it is the most important job in the world---and you know what--I've been given the task to mother 3 children!!! What a responsibility!!!  So on those days when I lose it with my kids or let them watch four hours in a row of television (I confess) because I needed "a break", I want to be less hard on myself and lead by example by giving myself a break. I won't be perfect, will always strive to do my best but for the times I'm not, I will give myself a break and try better the next day.

REVISED: with the addition of #7 (I also did some spell check as I re-read what I wrote after publishing and boy, was it difficult to read! I published it just as Daniel woke from nap so that I can "be present with him" :)

7) Eat Cleaner

Yesterday, I was invited to an amish farm's food-tasting party. It was freezing cold out but I stopped by on my way home to where it was held (in a garage in our community which serves as a bi-monthly drop off location from the farmer to local residents.  I shook the amish farmer's hand and got to try all kinds of awesome raw-cow milk and sheep products such as cheese and ice cream, fermented vegetables organic teas---I was inspired and felt so healthy and just CLEAN inside (haha). I think it is incredibly awesome that I met the farmer who grew and raised the product which I was ingesting.  I can say that I've never been an "unhealthy" eater for the most part. I've never really been a soda-drinker and growing up, I would say that I ate a somewhat balanced diet (for the most part). After moving to West Virginia however, my diet became a lot more healthy since there my food options diminished by a huge fraction (not to mention they don't have taco or burrito stands nor good mexican food options!). Then after marrying David, my diet became even more healthier as I learned to incorporate black beans-instead of re-fried beans, little to no fried foods, butter instead of margarine, whole wheat bread (vs. white), natural juices (vs. Tang of Koolaid) and other substitutes which were easier on his stomach (since he has a sensitive one).  So, over the past 6 years or so, our family diet has been getting better, more natural and more organic.   In 2013, we also started eating more fresh vegetables as I started our first home garden and became a frequent shopper at our local farmers market. We also purchased a Nutri-bullet and joined the green-smoothie craze (which lasted a few solid months before dwindling down).  Long story short, in 2014, I want to continue this trend and take it to another level: More local and organic meat-maybe buy a piece of a cow, finally join one of the many crop-sharing programs offered by organic farmers in our area. So, let the cleaner eating begin! 

Happy New Year and feel free to comment with any of your Resolutions for 2014?!

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Getting back to blogging - 2014

I think I am one of the worst bloggers as no matter how many times I think about sitting down and writing a new post, I almost never do. It seems my three children really keep me on my toes and when I get some "me-time", I find myself taking a nice hot shower, cleaning, doing laundry, watching the latest episodes of my shows (since I almost never get to watch them when they air) or working on bills, household management details, etc.  So, here it goes, another little update on what life is like these days so that someday, I can read back and remember just how things were:

So it is January 2014---and Jubilee is 6 months old already (not even sure if I even posted about my pregnancy-let alone her birth ..LOL). Daniel just turned 30 months old (officially a 2 1/2 year old!) and Josiah is 4 1/2 and such a big boy and great big brother! It is Saturday afternoon as I type and all 3 kiddos are taking a nap -- Oh how I LOVE naptime! When Jubilee was still a newborn, I worked hard for a week or two to get her schedule n'sync on the boys napping schedule so that I can count on having a couple of hours (while they all nap) mid-day-- to myself ---- that, let me tell you has been my sanity-saver! I really believe that God created kids to need naps, more for their parents then the kids themselves - truly!  

I sat down awhile ago, checked by facebook newsfeed and read a few articles shared about various things from SIDS and how new research is finding that it could be a chemical imbalance babies are born with (interesting read) and another article titled "22 things I learned in my first ten years of parenthood" found here: http://www.conversiondiary.com/2014/01/22-things-i-learned-in-my-first-ten-years-of-parenthood.html .......... Which is what inspired me to write this new post :) 

The main reason for my post is to be able to look back at it one day and remember how my life was...how my children's daily life was, remember struggles we encountered and also the joys -- and have it documented.  This new year, my goal is to write 1-post each week (most likely during naptime or after the kids go to bed)...let's see how it goes.

So without further ado, my first post of 2014 (in next post):