tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31173419238827011482024-03-13T05:50:32.806-07:00Sharing Is CaringI am a work-at-home mom with two young boys and hope to share my trials and tribulations of raising them while trying to get everything else done! I want to hear your stories too, so feel free to share :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-65230076117425533772016-09-09T08:58:00.001-07:002016-09-09T08:58:41.641-07:00Bite Me, Anxiety The older I get the more apparent it becomes that I have anxiety. I've never brought it up to a doctor and I have not been diagnosed. I always assumed it was just a normal result of my shyness and awkwardness, and a huge amount of effort in my late teens and 20s has gone into overcoming my fears/anxiety and just getting shit done, because I have to be an adult. As a parent I have had to <i>adult </i>more than ever, and it takes a constant emotional toll on me.<br />
<br />
Don't like to talk on the phone? Too bad! You have to call and talk to the insurance companies, teachers, assistant principals, doctors, and wait endless hours on hold.<br />
<br />
Get <a href="http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/features/beyond-white-coat-syndrome" target="_blank">white coat syndrome</a>? Too bad! Now, instead of just sucking it up for your doctor's visits (or seeing an accountant during tax time, or any unknown situation) you have to compose yourself for your kids' visits. I've gotten pretty good at the doctor's visits because thankfully my children don't have any physical problems so those tend to be predictable, but those psychologist/therapist visits, <a href="http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/student-study-team.html" target="_blank">SST meetings</a>, Parent/Teacher conferences, etc. are killer. I have knots in my stomach just thinking about it.<br />
<br />
But as uncomfortable as I get, I have to keep moving forward to help my child the best socio-emotional and educational support he can get. I say "child" and not "children" because as of late most of these meetings have been for my 7-year-old. He was diagnosed with ADHD in Kindergarten, got a 504 Plan for accommodations in 1st grade, and was tested for gifted placement this summer. I wish I had been more adamant about getting him tested for <a href="https://www.verywell.com/is-my-child-gifted-1449131" target="_blank">gifted</a> earlier, but I didn't want to be "that mom" who thinks her son poops out rainbows, so I put all my energy into getting him the services he needs for his ADHD (accommodations at school and behavioral therapy at home). I had actually filled out a gifted checklist when he was in Pre-K, but didn't bring it up to any of the professionals that saw him because no one else brought it up as a possibility, despite the fact that all the teachers told me he was really smart and would do even better if he'd just focus (he was still getting mostly As and Bs), and his behavioral therapist would tell me that he was a little "genius". I knew he was smart and creative, but "genius" certainly sounded like a prideful exaggeration. Knowing what I know now, it's pretty obvious that he has some <a href="https://www.verywell.com/dabrowskis-overexcitabilities-in-gifted-children-1449118" target="_blank">overexcitabilities</a> (mainly intellectual, emotional and imaginational - his kindergarten teacher actually said he had an "overactive imagination' and was concerned about his mental health), but I was unaware of the term and attributed most of those characteristics to his ADHD. I wish ALL teachers had more knowledge of giftedness to better identify children at a young age, and so that they have it in consideration when <a href="https://ldaamerica.org/educators/" target="_blank">identifying possible learning disorders</a>.<br />
<br />
Now that I know a little bit more about giftedness and specifically <a href="http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/twice_exceptional.htm" target="_blank">2e</a> children, I am more determined than ever to get him a comprehensive psycho-educational evaluation so we can get a clearer picture of his strengths and weaknesses and rule out any other issues so that I can get him the corresponding accommodations, fight for an IEP (because of his grades I was told he didn't qualify and received the 504 accommodations instead - so I'm building his case should the 504 not cut it), and get him any additional services at home as needed. So here I am, yet again suppressing my anxiety so that I can call and email all the clinics and psychologists that seem half-way decent and affordable (or at least offer a payment plan) in our city, because I know tomorrow I may be too emotionally drained to do it. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-53183285298652264592016-07-29T09:52:00.000-07:002016-07-29T09:55:40.283-07:00ADHD & GiftedI'm feeling all kinds of anxiousness and euphoria right now, my mind racing, so I want to write this down while my feelings are still fresh. <br />
My 6 (almost 7)-yr old has ADHD. I started getting complaints from his teacher when he was in kindergarten about his lack of concentration, hyperactivity, and "hyperimagination" (her words, not mine). It was a hard pill to swallow and I wasn't necessarily in agreement, mainly because it's such a subjective diagnosis. No tests were done other than questionnaires filled out by myself and his teacher. Yes he's active, fidgety, hyper, and he has a great imagination...but surely these aren't "bad" things. Frankly, they're what make him pretty damn awesome. AND he was only 5 at the time and I know that children develop at different rates, and despite his seeming lack of concentration he was still doing pretty well academically, so (for me personally) to medicate him for being what I consider to be a normal, active, smart child was out of the question. <br />
Despite being told by several professionals that medication was usually the best course of action for ADHD, and being told by his behavioral therapy countless anecdotal of children doing amazingly well after being medicated, I decided that, in our case, the pros simply didn't outweigh the cons. <br />
I'm only mentioning this because I assume if you are reading this, you may have a child with ADHD, or are at least being told that they should be evaluated for ADHD. Maybe you decide that medication is the best course of action, and that's fine. I just want to let you know that in my experience, the doctors may say "oh, your child has ADHD, the course of action is medication" with any second look at your individual child's situation. SO KNOW THAT THE CHOICE IS YOURS. DO NOT FEEL PRESSURED. I cried thinking maybe I was making the wrong decision is being so hard headed, but the fact is my child was having some difficulty but he wasn't STRUGGLING to the point that his social and academic progress was being stunted. So my decision was to see how he'd do with behavioral therapy and go from there.<br />
This past school year we struggled to get adjusted for a couple of months in the beginning of the school year, started to do exceptionally well, and then struggled again to get readjusted after the winter break. His impulsivity and intense emotions resulted in some behavioral problems and several school meetings. --I am such an anxious person in general; I get "white coat hypertension" going to the doctor, or any place where the outcome is unknown, so you can imagine how I feel going to meetings involving my child, where any decision I make can potentially affect him for the rest of his life. As a parent, I know you can relate. Oh the worries we deal with.-- At that time I met with his school to get 504 accommodations for him: extra time to complete assignments, tests, breaks between assignments, redirection, etc. His teacher has been great and he ended the school year loving his class, classmates, teacher, and doing exceptionally well academically.<br />
Because of the fact that he was doing so well despite his ADHD his teacher referred him for Gifted testing, and the school psychologist agreed that from what the teacher, the school counselor and myself had to say, some of his behaviors are characteristic of a Gifted child. <br />
This morning I attended the meeting to go over his scores. He scored high on the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales and is eligible for the gifted program, which his school does not currently have. While having a gifted child presents it's own challenges, I am hoping that having a teacher who is trained and has experience with gifted children will better know how to deal with, encourage, and challenge him. Unfortunately, his school doesn't currently have a gifted program, but told me they'd be implementing one for the following school year.<br />
If your child is having difficulty in school and you are being told (or it is being heavily insinuated) that your child may have ADHD, I suggest you fill out a quick gifted checklist. It is possible that you're child simply isn't being challenged enough, or they learn differently and the current classroom environment (being expected to sit still throughout the school day without sufficient breaks) isn't conducive for your child. Of course your child could be Gifted AND have ADHD. In either case, I feel that having your child evaluated couldn't hurt and, in fact, getting a diagnosis could open a lot of doors as far as getting your child the resources he/she may need to thrive. For example, if they're diagnosed they may be eligible for <a href="http://www.additudemag.com/slideshow/5/" target="_blank">accommodations</a>, if they have accommodations they're eligible for the <a href="http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/mckay/" target="_blank">John McKay Scholarship</a>. <br />
It's a lot of information to sift through, and a lot of hours staying awake worrying about what's best for your child, talking to other parents, asking questions in forums, etc. Not every child is the same, not every parent is the same; I hope this post reaches someone who is going mad researching and not finding a story that quite sounds like their child. I hope you feel somewhat relieved reading this story and feeling you can finally relate. I am here for you and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. I know how stressful it can be.<br />
<br />
Below are some links I found helpful.<br />
I am located in Miami, so some of the resources I have here may not be valid for you, but feel free to write me if you have any questions and I'd be happy to find comparable resources in your city.<br />
<a href="http://sengifted.org/archives/articles/before-referring-a-gifted-child-for-addadhd-evaluation">http://sengifted.org/archives/articles/before-referring-a-gifted-child-for-addadhd-evaluation</a><br />
<a href="https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/my-child-gifted">https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/my-child-gifted</a><br />
<a href="https://www.verywell.com/social-and-emotional-problems-affecting-gifted-children-1449336">https://www.verywell.com/social-and-emotional-problems-affecting-gifted-children-1449336</a><br />
If you are located in Miami, <a href="http://www.ptopmiami.org/" target="_blank">Parent to Parent of Miami</a> has been a great help for me, and provided me with the information I needed to adequately advocate for my son and helped me through the process of requesting accommodations.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-34037036473607167622015-10-20T07:01:00.000-07:002015-11-04T19:33:44.056-08:00How His "ADHD" Suddenly ImprovedI've been meaning to write about my son's diagnosis of ADHD and how stressful it has been on me, but have been waiting for the passage of time to write a more in depth post. I wanted to track his progress, hoping that there would be improvements with behavioral therapy. But it didn't seem to be working. It certainly wasn't any miracle cure. And the truth is, I was an emotional wreck. Every time the teacher came to the car to tell me about something else Sebastian did at school I wanted to cry inside. I cried out loud plenty, too. And there was a lot of yelling and screaming because I'm not patient enough with him. I was conflicted by my feelings that children should have more freedom of movement in class and not be expected to sit still all day, and by constantly being told that he can't concentrate, that he can't focus, that he's too hyper, too imaginative, that if he's not medicated now so he can focus and get good grades he'll be drawn to the bad kids, and he'll get into drugs and crime, etc. These are actual things told to me by his behavioral therapist. <br />
I was conflicted mainly because I wasn't convinced that he in fact has ADHD, and even more because I was being told by his behavioral therapist and the psychologist (who he met only once) and insinuated by his teachers, that he should be medicated. In fact, I was told by the behavioral therapist ON THE FIRST DAY that behavioral therapy does not work without the aid of medication. <br />
Every visit she made (once a week) she spent more time talking to me, telling me anecdotal stories about other clients who have improved drastically with medication, than actually spending time with him. After MONTHS of this, I had finally had enough and told her I didn't want to hear more of her stories. I had already told her on our very first visit that I wasn't considering medication at this point because I wanted to see if he'd improve with the therapy, incentives, positive reinforcement, etc. She had the nerve to tell me I was being very oppositional and that she wasn't the one who brought up medication blahdiblahblahlies...luckily I had a friend over who heard the whole conversation and agreed that the woman was putting words in my mouth and that she had in fact brought up medication. Anyway, after that she stopped talking about medication and started actually doing activities with my son to work on focus and concentration. To her surprise, he can in fact sit still and do work if it's something that interests him. He'll sit and play checkers with her, he'll do his puzzles, draw, read, etc. He still wasn't doing great at school though, and I'd get constant notes home about him playing in the bathroom, not doing his work, doing handstands in line, etc. Then all of a sudden, last Tuesday, the teacher brings him to the car at pick-up and tells me that "he was EXCELLENT today, I mean PERFECT, he's another boy, bring this Sebastian back tomorrow" - Whaaaaaat?! - I was ecstatic. His dad and I thought about what we had done differently that day that he would behave so drastically different. The ONLY thing was that we gave him two hard boiled eggs in the morning. We wake up very early to take my husband to work, so instead of waking Sebas up earlier we'd make him a peanut butter sandwich to eat in the car. But, we ran out of bread last week so Ramon made him two boiled eggs instead. Since he did so great at school, we decided to try it again. Lo and behold, again the teacher tells me he was perfect at school, did all his work, behaved, remained seated in his chair! So for a week now, he has been eating two hard boiled eggs in the morning (and I've stopped giving him peanut butter sandwiches altogether) and yesterday he was chosen as Student of the Week. He is just so crazy proud of himself right now and we're trying to keep the momentum going so he feels incentivized to keep up the good work. The fact that he's doing so well all of a sudden tells me that he does not have ADHD. Maybe it was a lack of protein? Some vitamin or mineral imbalance? I don't know. I'm no doctor. But I know how to make observations and I know my kid. I truly hope he keeps it up and his behavioral therapist can close his case (her own words after telling her of his success at school). <br />
Now, I have no doubt that there are kids out there who have real ADHD, who may need medication. That is your decision to make, and if your kid is doing great on it I'm happy for you and your child. But if you have ANY doubt about the diagnosis and have qualms about medicating your child, do some research on your own. Do not blindly do it just because they say so. Once they decide the child has ADHD (which is an incredibly subjective diagnosis based on observation), the treatment plan is medication. They had me feel guilty about not wanting to medicate my child. They had me second guess my decision. But I'm glad I stuck to my guns with the support of my husband and my mother. For now the hard boiled eggs are working for us (I've also read that taking eggs OUT of your child's diet might improve ADHD-like symptoms, so you really have to find what works for your child). I have also talked to his doctor about giving him Omega-369 supplements which have been shown to improve concentration. I will update on his progress again in a few months. <br />
Please share your own ADHD stories (whatever they may be, medication or not). Let's support each other with whatever our decisions. After all, we all want what's best for our children. <3<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/intelligenceandmemory/omega_three.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/articles/intelligenceandmemory/omega_three.shtml</a><br />
<a href="http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/3594.html">http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/3594.html</a><br />
<br />
UPDATE: 11/04/2015<br />
It's been almost a month since Sebastian suddenly started behaving and concentrating at school! While he still has occasional mini-meltdowns at home if he's tired and cranky and doesn't want to finish his homework (he falls asleep in the car after picking up Papa from work), he's doing really well overall. He's working mostly independently, doing great at school (school work and behavior), and being pretty darn polite at home. So proud of my big guy. I've decided to get him an Omega 3 supplement, which is supposed to help with concentration and is said to help with ADD/ADHD sympt<span class="text_exposed_show">oms. I bought this <a href="http://www.iherb.com/Ascenta-NutraSea-HP-Zesty-Lemon-…/12496" target="_blank">one</a> because it was what I was able to find with the recommended 3:1 EPA/DHA ratio and has a lemon flavor which I'm hoping I'll be able to put into a smoothie so he'll drink it happily. I'll keep you posted on his progress and if I notice any difference in him after taking the supplement for a while.<br /> Here's a referral code if you decide to go with this one, or find something else you like on this page. $5 off for first time customers :) <a href="http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=JBH559" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=JBH55</a></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show">* We haven't been given him eggs everyday and he's still doing well. Thinking that maybe the problem was gluten I gave him sliced bananas with peanut butter one evening and IMMEDIATELY he started getting really hyper. Another day for breakfast we gave him a ham and cheese sandwich and he did really well at school that day. So in his case, I don't think it was gluten, I don't even think it was the sugar. The peanut butter has a lot less sugar than other things he eats and doesn't cause that kind of reaction in him. We've switched to a natural peanut butter, but he doesn't like it so I can't really compare the difference to tell if it was the peanuts themselves or some ingredient that was in the JIF peanut butter that is not in the natural kind. Wondering if anyone else has noticed their child getting crazy hyper after eating peanut butter. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-55445834670825389362015-06-19T06:04:00.001-07:002015-06-19T06:09:03.566-07:00Rock That BodyAs a tall and lean young woman I had the body that a lot of women strive for. But the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I actually wanted to be curvier because those were the women I thought were beautiful. While women worldwide were cutting bread out of their diets I was going to the kitchen any chance I got in between meals (and I ate plenty already) to stuff my face with bread. I guess I can be thankful for my great metabolism, because it didn't work. It probably wasn't until I stopped trying to gain weight, and my boyfriend at the time (current baby daddy and long term partner) and his mother would feed me chuletas, mofongo and all manner of fried foods non-stop that I started gaining weight. And then I got pregnant and gained more weight. I had wider hips, bigger breasts and I felt sexy! AFTER giving birth though, I had the soft jelly belly and stretch marks which I didn't love, but I didn't let that stop me from wearing my bikini to the beach.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f5-r7L78cPu9SO2-YRBNLgSf_wQzYD_nxgAUN2NT_HjXf5x-ZPgx-SygNBaYr8AT1HHeHEnLMT_MASxj_z5j_JKu1uWbaIaXDunwpVfomMuFI_C9SrLPpwXhkMgLLXHabDZxVeHJ6VU/s1600/8monthspostpartumsebas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f5-r7L78cPu9SO2-YRBNLgSf_wQzYD_nxgAUN2NT_HjXf5x-ZPgx-SygNBaYr8AT1HHeHEnLMT_MASxj_z5j_JKu1uWbaIaXDunwpVfomMuFI_C9SrLPpwXhkMgLLXHabDZxVeHJ6VU/s320/8monthspostpartumsebas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 months postpartum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It wasn't until after my second pregnancy that I was more self-conscious of my belly (and belly button). I had diastasis recti (<a href="http://rivermermaid08.blogspot.com/2015/06/diastasis-recti-other-fun-postpartum.html" target="_blank">see previous post</a>) and my belly was more protuberant with looser wrinkly skin. I was mostly self conscious of my belly button and bought myself a high waist bikini to cover up all that jazz. It's been almost 3 years since the birth of my second son and it's been a year of consistent yoga practice. I've seen progress in my flexibility and strength and I look forward to the time I have carved out for it, whether it be 15 minutes one day or an hour another day. I have now started taking morning walks with intermittent running to prepare myself for a hypothetical future marathon. And while my belly isn't flat and I still have a bit of that gap, loose skin, stretch marks, and I struggle some days more than others to love it, I am proud of my body for going beyond what I thought it capable of. For that I am so incredibly grateful and I am excited to see what else it can do. It's been a process, but I'm still learning to stop comparing my body to its pre-pregnancy state.<br />
I am participating in the <b style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">#MySwimsuitStyle</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;"> </span>challenge to promote self LOVE, not self loathing, with Mar<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">í</span>a Jos<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">é</span> Ovalle of <a href="http://verybusymamablog.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;" target="_blank">Very Busy Mamá</a> and sponsor <a href="http://www.miraclesuit.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;" target="_blank">Miraclesuit</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">.</span> Yesterday I pulled out the kiddie pool for my boys and decided to try my old low-rise bikini bottom. I might have to buy a size bigger because my butt crack was showing, but I'm done hiding my belly! Join us by posting your own swimsuit selfie and let's make a SPLASH this summer! You can post to your Instagram, Twitter, FB and make sure to use hashtag #MySwimsuitStyle. Let's enjoy our summer no matter what shape or size, and in whatever swimwear you feel comfortable!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGDfWfIRSed_zu2CItPuyBbpglgQ4ybURx5bVF5pj_cppnotti0IjKSxpOl0v7t8OGiCadh8iETQ_u4ew1NVs9lM5freGTjLxKEBFGapI-Qy1PaKBPzrYMGo0vg3AXdjLeOBnvcpRCe8/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGDfWfIRSed_zu2CItPuyBbpglgQ4ybURx5bVF5pj_cppnotti0IjKSxpOl0v7t8OGiCadh8iETQ_u4ew1NVs9lM5freGTjLxKEBFGapI-Qy1PaKBPzrYMGo0vg3AXdjLeOBnvcpRCe8/s320/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBajInjplONGmGu2MY3un3yE6NtIjRqBM7LHOgzQ0krvM0ZrauOy1Fryci8SpudxgOTHvGHjPkq__0PgC7fJ_iaClTICv1dam3356Cm2_i7IRKPfv4VUWj8rOlsMIfluuWaPiCkUDaIsQ/s1600/MySwimsuitStyle-self-love-not-self-loathing-VBM-FINAL+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBajInjplONGmGu2MY3un3yE6NtIjRqBM7LHOgzQ0krvM0ZrauOy1Fryci8SpudxgOTHvGHjPkq__0PgC7fJ_iaClTICv1dam3356Cm2_i7IRKPfv4VUWj8rOlsMIfluuWaPiCkUDaIsQ/s400/MySwimsuitStyle-self-love-not-self-loathing-VBM-FINAL+%25282%2529.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-21178964263330763542015-06-16T09:07:00.001-07:002015-06-16T09:07:50.213-07:00Diastasis Recti & Other Fun Postpartum GoodiesJune 2014 (why I didn't post this last year I do not know. I suppose I was waiting on something to finish it, but enough waiting):<br />
After the birth of my second child I had a diastasis recti. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I distinctly remember trying to get up out of bed and seeing a fleshy bulge protruding from my abdomen between my belly button and sternum. I thought it was gross and weird, but figured it was normal for a postpartum body and that it would go away on its own as my body healed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://sexualwellnesstv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/di-re.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I lost the pregnancy weight pretty quickly (more quickly than with my first pregnancy) but didn't feel ready enough for any real exercise (other than dancing around my living room with my babies and doing kegels while washing dishes) until about a year postpartum. My mother gifted me a Mother's Day Groupon for one month of unlimited exercise classes. I went as often as I could before it expired and was feeling much tighter, more toned, and more energetic. I felt good.<br />
But due to happenings and stress of life, buying a home (and all that entails), taking care of two young boys, work, etc. 6 months passed and I hadn't worked out at all in that time. I had been extremely stressed with house hunting and some financial troubles that I had palpitations, shortness of breath, felt my heart was going to stop while I slept, traveling pains, pinching and sharp pain sensations on my legs, arms, chest, etc. I honestly thought I was going to die. I was convinced I might have thrombosis and that a blood clot was going to travel to my heart and I'd die. The stress of not only finding a house and saving what little money we had, but now also worrying about my health, only made the symptoms more intense and more frequent. My fears were somewhat alleviated when I went to the doctor and all my blood work came back normal and I was told it was most likely stress related.<br />
Once we FINALLY moved into our new home I was happy and relieved to be in our own home and most of the stress subsided and symptoms decreased. I went to the doctor again and they did more blood work to make sure I didn't have some autoimmune disease or lupus and was told I was "the picture of health". But I was still pretty sedentary and wanted to get back in shape. I was eager to lose my jelly belly and started doing my friend <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bP6I-KTb2E&list=UULD_nfn5nhIyxUJhlhLsDSA">Kate Victoria's Yoga for Abs & Core Strength</a> as well as sun salutations every morning. I was feeling really good and eager to add more to my routine, but when I enthusiastically posted a plank challenge to my Facebook page, a friend commented to make sure I didn't have diastasis recti, because if I did, plank was a no-no! "Damn-it!" I thought, "I DO have that!"<br />
Finally I knew what that fleshy bulge was. I did the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7mb_PPuqA">diastasis recti test</a> and saw that it had closed some on its own but was still just over 2 fingers wide. Determined to lose the gap and get back to my ab workout I did the exercises in the above video (you can find plenty of diastasis recti exercise videos on YouTube). It has been 2 months of doing the exercises on a daily basis and I am now at 1 finger width at the belly button, the rest of the gap is even less. It is no longer technically considered a diastasis recti, but is still an abdominal split so I am careful to avoid certain yoga poses (mainly the deep back bends like camel pose) and am still weary of traditional ab exercises. I don't want to inadvertently undo the progress I have made, and have the muscles bulge out or, even worse, a hernia. I will continue to strengthen my core with the diastasis recti exercises and doing kegels to strengthen the pelvic floor.<br />
When I asked Wendy Powell when would I be in the clear and could get back to my regular ab workout this was her reply: "It's not so much about getting an 'all clear' as having a core that is stable + can withstand the intra abdominal pressure when you exert yourself for any activity. Remember too that the stability / firmness of the mid line connective tissues is actually more important than the width of the gap" and sent me this helpful link:<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> <a href="http://mutusystem.com/how-long-postpartum-till-i-can-crossfit-plank-run.html">Mutusystem</a></span><br />
I feel that my core is pretty strong and stable thanks to daily yoga, and Bikram hot yoga which I've been doing this past month (avoiding the back bends and not pushing myself too much on the twists) so I feel okay with slowly starting to do some of the traditional ab workouts. I look forward to seeing progress and will update here in the future. I hope this post will be helpful for anyone dealing with diastasis recti or who had it and wants to know "what now?" Please feel free to share your story or post your questions here.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-51331069143851851882015-06-12T10:27:00.001-07:002015-06-12T10:47:00.349-07:00Letter of Encouragement #1My 5 year old son is seeing a behavioral therapist as per the indirect recommendation of his teacher (she recommended I speak with his pediatrician, who referred me to a child psychologist, who recommended the therapist). I will get into that in depth in another post at some point.<br />
Anyway, the behavioral therapist lent me a book which was part of a course she took many years ago during her training: Active Parenting Handbook by Michael H. Popkin, Ph.D.. Today I came to a chapter discussing the power of encouragement and building on the child's strengths, and one of the "family enrichment activities" is to write a letter of encouragement to your child. I absolutely agree that putting something in writing carries extra weight and may be something he can keep with him and look at in the future if he needs a reminder of how wonderful he is.<br />
<br />
This is my first letter of encouragement to him:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">June 6, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Dear Sebastian,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Yesterday when I took you to the playground I was so proud of
you for standing up for that spider. You showed so much empathy and
determination to do what you know is right. I just love how caring you are. I
know it is frustrating when others don’t seem to listen or understand, and not
everyone will, but when you speak what is right some people <i>will</i> listen and take your words to
heart. When you walked away, that same boy who had kicked the spider decided to
protect the spiders! I saw him play with another boy, placing sticks into the
sand saying “okay, now we’re going to save the spiders”. Your actions made a
difference, Sebas! Great job </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Mommy and Daddy love you so much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
Mind you, at the park his behavior wasn't stellar. The reason behind his actions were just, but he screamed and cried bloody murder when the boy kicked the spider. He had a fit and yelled at the kid, wagging his finger at him "you have no right to kill spiders!" (which I'm quite proud of). At one point when another kid said he was going to kill spiders (to intentionally push my son's buttons), my son punched the kid in the stomach. I didn't see that happen, but as we were leaving the kids were yelling that Sebas had hit one of them, so I stopped and asked Sebas what happened. I asked if he had hit the boy and he said "YES! He said he was a spider killer". I told him that it's good he's trying to protect the spiders but it's not okay to hit, and I sent him to apologize to the kid who just kept running away with his group of friends, ignoring my son. So I called him back to me so we could leave. Hey, at least he tried to apologize. <span style="line-height: 150%;">Since I had lectured him a bit about not hitting I didn't want that "bad behavior" to be the thing he remembered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
When he finished reading the letter his eyes lit up, "Thank you!" and he hugged me tightly around the neck. When I asked him what he wanted to do with the letter he said "let's hang it on my wall". </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
I highly recommend you notice the good aspects of your child(ren)'s behavior and put it in writing. It will make their day, and their pride will make yours. I plan on writing many more of these and would love to read any letters of encouragement you have written or will write to your child(ren).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5ZaJSRE4Eosow5r7pvrSCOzZAIDaunteG4tlt-vHqy8sPtYFXbuB9yKo4lAUFnR0M8cVDGPoVHDshwTb9kYUo8HKqiQGNH13oMbe8zSQB_pwtTu3mWm3y1ufsZnh_sASlBAs17UBkoo/s1600/Sebastheanimallover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5ZaJSRE4Eosow5r7pvrSCOzZAIDaunteG4tlt-vHqy8sPtYFXbuB9yKo4lAUFnR0M8cVDGPoVHDshwTb9kYUo8HKqiQGNH13oMbe8zSQB_pwtTu3mWm3y1ufsZnh_sASlBAs17UBkoo/s320/Sebastheanimallover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sebastian, the Animal Activist</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-56969012021359190742015-03-27T21:00:00.000-07:002015-03-27T21:23:30.287-07:00Little steps, taken consistently, will take you farWorking out when you have small kids at home can be hard. If you're like me, you never have much time for yourself. Of course you <i>could</i> lock yourself in a room for some quiet meditation, but then you'd be leaving the kids free range of the house, and, as all parents know, that can be a disaster (or tragedy) waiting to happen.<br />
So I usually pull out my yoga mat in the middle of the living room while the kids are playing or watching T.V. and try to get in at least a few sun salutations, some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7mb_PPuqA" target="_blank">diastasis recti exercises</a>, and some poses from the <a href="https://instagram.com/beachyogagirl" target="_blank">Instagram challenges</a>...key word: TRY. As soon as that yoga mat comes down my two year old comes racing over, making circles around me <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqQjpTbHR0A" target="_blank">Bobby's World</a> style. *Sorry kid, I need this mat.*<br />
Sometimes I can use his help, though. Little kids come in handy when you're trying to stretch; a little extra weight can be the difference between being perpetually stuck at a 30 degree angle and actually touching your toes. So be sure to request their assistance as needed.<br />
My kiddos like to make a game out of me exercising and run past my legs as I do some scissors or leg lifts, or wriggle their way under me as I do downward dog.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX8X5kEGx4nZUruwUTgOksvMUzXOMJmpV2O3kV5NFy5OZ-JJfTVSjC072HsY3_Ry_d1Izn08MT2JLq3ZkGlYy9SLjye1JvgIBFS_45WygtdtF1kjY5qAU5LJrCaWph-0JCcdRlexUaQQ/s1600/downwarddog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX8X5kEGx4nZUruwUTgOksvMUzXOMJmpV2O3kV5NFy5OZ-JJfTVSjC072HsY3_Ry_d1Izn08MT2JLq3ZkGlYy9SLjye1JvgIBFS_45WygtdtF1kjY5qAU5LJrCaWph-0JCcdRlexUaQQ/s1600/downwarddog.jpg" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
But there are some positions/routines/flows which I just can't do with them on top of me.<br />
So as much as I'd like to spend a good hour stretching and working out, working on poses and breathing and really getting deep into some stretches, and seeing daily progress, I just don't have that kind of time or patience to dedicate to it with two Mamma's Boys lingering.<br />
But I've been doing yoga for about a year now and looking back at pictures and videos I can see the difference. Hell, I can <i>FEEL</i> the difference, and I haven't even dedicated that much time to it (though I have been <u>consistent</u>). I am so pleasantly surprised by some of the progress and when both my boys are in school I look forward to dedicating some more time to yoga and seeing/feeling bigger changes.<br />
If you've ever seen someone doing a handstand and thought "Damn, I'd love to do that" followed by "I'll never be able to do that", start now! Little by little, but consistently, work on your stretches, work on your upper body strength, work on whatever it is you want to achieve, and a few months ... a year ... five years down the road, instead of having done nothing to work towards that goal and still not being able to do a handstand (or whatever it is you want to do), you can look back at your progress and be amazed (even if you still can't fully do that handstand).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK5T1AUmadqHPkJwI4yNfptkK36HOEdowAdwcWrCBRTLVNkd-cVUqSOXX8AG95zA8nDwXGPSZE1_lhe-D7ZszQp1yL6_H0wJOF4DF-9Tguu_V-YCItjLEQ9kPvYZo3iQwtIRhOjleIOA/s1600/forwardfoldprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK5T1AUmadqHPkJwI4yNfptkK36HOEdowAdwcWrCBRTLVNkd-cVUqSOXX8AG95zA8nDwXGPSZE1_lhe-D7ZszQp1yL6_H0wJOF4DF-9Tguu_V-YCItjLEQ9kPvYZo3iQwtIRhOjleIOA/s1600/forwardfoldprogress.jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImXMUdKNFPYUlYYltvs-Y-QWUQB5sSzv8y3_dFBudfLr9u8-f-7a-31iym9CWvFGuAcTHmCad7nPL_yaMCFyVNoXy8DTsUxl2xx632CdTMafyTMh3IQAdxdCl_NBhpTS8-Q3GzvPLxks/s1600/wheelbarrelprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImXMUdKNFPYUlYYltvs-Y-QWUQB5sSzv8y3_dFBudfLr9u8-f-7a-31iym9CWvFGuAcTHmCad7nPL_yaMCFyVNoXy8DTsUxl2xx632CdTMafyTMh3IQAdxdCl_NBhpTS8-Q3GzvPLxks/s1600/wheelbarrelprogress.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBftLKeXPUup8PNYvepOvVa3ELqPxbndY-Mkt0mzLiaG4QGmscFt7EvDh2rCtZ-FUH0-lRqaOazOFvEH4lIYZMxAZB9aywSiXazufqQBK9Li9MOa67LmiZwGEOZt1Cd4Oqo5roRWebIY/s1600/Photobombforearmstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBftLKeXPUup8PNYvepOvVa3ELqPxbndY-Mkt0mzLiaG4QGmscFt7EvDh2rCtZ-FUH0-lRqaOazOFvEH4lIYZMxAZB9aywSiXazufqQBK9Li9MOa67LmiZwGEOZt1Cd4Oqo5roRWebIY/s1600/Photobombforearmstand.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A year ago I did not think it was even possible for me to support my weight on my forearms. <br />
This was a definite breakthrough.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctBJlLpAxSVTQqEYi1gGpdYzhIxn9qXWCg0cmDMVtZcTMZ2GGjfnhP8mi__wis_IYf7G9aU1rD7tY34d3sdDYwKUCS9NgS6e541W7B7QK11L_iplHuO0UDTf8rpbA0_46YKuo6Y3exsQ/s1600/sidecrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctBJlLpAxSVTQqEYi1gGpdYzhIxn9qXWCg0cmDMVtZcTMZ2GGjfnhP8mi__wis_IYf7G9aU1rD7tY34d3sdDYwKUCS9NgS6e541W7B7QK11L_iplHuO0UDTf8rpbA0_46YKuo6Y3exsQ/s1600/sidecrow.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I never had much upper body strength, so this right here is something I never thought I could do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pNYkHIzCZqnTC2yNbqA1uvL7xe-q2EzRVR6cq66NihSvcp7cKUUyH2sQnk5Y4Eozt5d6BfYwZ0XE5SvN9Iv2ORFoq35JwNC6EK82_RnChEGFcynoo_73IBQxhg1Qlu5pIXamYqRs-A/s1600/handstandprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pNYkHIzCZqnTC2yNbqA1uvL7xe-q2EzRVR6cq66NihSvcp7cKUUyH2sQnk5Y4Eozt5d6BfYwZ0XE5SvN9Iv2ORFoq35JwNC6EK82_RnChEGFcynoo_73IBQxhg1Qlu5pIXamYqRs-A/s1600/handstandprogress.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let alone this! I still can't hold it very long, but #babysteps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-73428424412528090222014-09-17T09:56:00.001-07:002014-09-17T10:06:32.334-07:00What Yoga Has Done For Me<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just watched an interesting video about the benefits of exercise, and it reminded me of the symptoms I had experienced before starting yoga on a regular basis. I was experiencing random sharp pain, starting on my right ankle, then my arms, then all over really. Sometimes it was dull or felt like pressure. I'd get pins and needle sensations in the fingers or toes. I'd feel pain on what seemed like the bones and joints of my hands. It sometimes felt like the vein in my arm would get stiff and would hurt to bend my arm slightly. The anxiety caused by worrying about my health caused palpitations and shortness of breath; I'd sometimes lay awake in bed afraid to fall asleep. I didn't have health insurance and fought myself on whether or not I should see a doctor. I knew the symptoms could easily be explained away by stress and anxiety, but the fear that it could be something more (MS, Lupus, thrombosis, Lyme, etc.) lead me to pay for a doctor's visit and blood work out of pocket. All tests came back negative *phew*. I wasn't totally convinced it was just stress, but knowing my blood work was fine eased my mind some, and the symptoms subsided right away.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I still had stress factors in my life, as I think many (or most) of us do: KIDS, financial problems, a job I didn't really enjoy, sedentary lifestyle, etc. but at that time I was also house hunting with the added stress of having to find something before the lease of our then apartment expired, or risk going month-to-month and paying an amount we couldn't afford. The symptoms came back twofold.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we FINALLY moved into our new home (after going 2 months over our lease and paying ridiculous amount of rent, having to dip into savings that was meant for our new home, moving all of our stuff just three days after closing into a foreclosure that wasn't fixed up to my standards because we had no time, having to buy all new appliances, get new A/C, fence, i.e. spending more money we didn't have) I felt some relief. I decided to go to another doctor (this time I had insurance) because while my symptoms had subsided again, they were still there and I wanted a second opinion. This doctor did a full blood work, even doing a protein test and checking for indicators of Lupus. He said I was "the picture of health. I'd even say you're healthier than me". Okay great, but I am still experiencing pain, so what now?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">I decided not to go back to the doctor but start working out instead. I figured, if the symptoms continue even when I'm not stressed out and sedentary, then I'll go back and demand answers. I got on the Instagram bandwagon and was inspired by my dear friend Susy who was posting pics of herself doing arm stands. I thought "that's fricking amazing! I want to do that!" I had also joined a mommy group and met a mom yogi who told me about her YouTube channel (link below) so I started doing some of her videos as my morning routine. At that time I was doing yoga maybe 3 times a week for maybe 1/2 an hour or less in the morning. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">After just ONE week of doing yoga my symptoms greatly subsided.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I felt the difference in how I felt I REALLY got into yoga. I started following some amazing yogis on Instagram and doing their monthly challenges. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I bought a Groupon voucher for Bikram hot yoga and went with my new yogi mom friend</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cookiepartyy" target="_blank">Kate Victoria</a></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">for a month. I do yoga every...single...day, even if it's </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">only to do some sun salutations in the morning when I have too much work to get done. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll still get the occasional headache or little pin prick pain when I'm particularly stressed out and the kids are driving me up a wall...but NOTHING like what I was experiencing before. I am so thankful for yoga and for pushing myself to stick with it.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">*Other benefits I have experienced thanks to yoga: I'm stronger (never had much upper body/arm strength, but am much stronger now, and I WILL CONTINUE until I can do a hand stand), I'm more flexible, I have more stamina, I feel sexier, I'm pushing myself out of my comfort zone (ever tried Yogance? that stuff is crazy fun, but you risk looking the fool), and last but not least, I've made new friends. I feel all around better.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I'm not saying you have to start doing yoga. BUT if your health is lacking, you have mystery pains, you're stressed out, or you're just not happy with your life, DO any form of exercise! You may have a more serious medical issue and need real medical attention, in which case by all means get the help you need, BUT doing some form of exercise as well will do your body and soul some good</span></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">:)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdLP3UqbKjwNje6pESM6LfQ7S8lEVq-C4HBWAsaD2e0wdg-6LapegGxCG__eHaoXIK0lL6pZpxkbcNcM8Gj8UdFVe__kNj0EVPENoln9WGjSW9kcxab1vtVfW7K6MbMMKTV2utgbso2Q/s1600/Yogapic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdLP3UqbKjwNje6pESM6LfQ7S8lEVq-C4HBWAsaD2e0wdg-6LapegGxCG__eHaoXIK0lL6pZpxkbcNcM8Gj8UdFVe__kNj0EVPENoln9WGjSW9kcxab1vtVfW7K6MbMMKTV2utgbso2Q/s1600/Yogapic1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">September 2014</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKdYVsyVGPCkOKhooqka2t4j3xMRu7gah3igCv5Q4qaXeo1Y2KteZNXR5YQTUbCwsD8kFIVH1I_YwYQs7XnFYM0b9ZUTMNqcJoubMJHytKsmA4YihmQ7KsZoBIiDIGiBSC8KUCVmJ7N8/s1600/yogapic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKdYVsyVGPCkOKhooqka2t4j3xMRu7gah3igCv5Q4qaXeo1Y2KteZNXR5YQTUbCwsD8kFIVH1I_YwYQs7XnFYM0b9ZUTMNqcJoubMJHytKsmA4YihmQ7KsZoBIiDIGiBSC8KUCVmJ7N8/s1600/yogapic2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">June 2014/September 2014</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-XkTOsDydW8yJAmEmRiRM621Ue3f6alVb6U5AcxvoscAhp4yLWm0FMG17hByDVLrNI6vnlNE_AuiRxgat5EEJOzNuX4khI9OQPav3Cf51zuP-n7387nwqCWZ-AuMd5Fu-aFOQ93On-I/s1600/yogapic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-XkTOsDydW8yJAmEmRiRM621Ue3f6alVb6U5AcxvoscAhp4yLWm0FMG17hByDVLrNI6vnlNE_AuiRxgat5EEJOzNuX4khI9OQPav3Cf51zuP-n7387nwqCWZ-AuMd5Fu-aFOQ93On-I/s1600/yogapic3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px;">June 2014/September 2014</span></span></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some Yogis worth following:</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kino MacGregor @kinoyoga:</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/KinoYoga" target="_blank">YouTube</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+KinoYoga/posts" target="_blank">Google+</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/kinoyoga/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span><br />
Kerri Verna @beachyogagirl: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/beachyogagirl" target="_blank">YouTube</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/beachyogagirl" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cuchira @cuchira:</span> <a href="http://instagram.com/cuchira" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
Kate Victoria @katevictoriayt: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cookiepartyy" target="_blank">YouTube</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/+KateVictoria/posts" target="_blank">Google</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/katevictoriayt" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
My lovely friend Susy who inspired me to start yoga: <a href="http://instagram.com/susyloveskaila" target="_blank">@susyloveskaila</a><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">*</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; display: inline; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The video that inspired this post:</span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> <a href="http://www.upworthy.com/people-are-dying-early-because-theyre-not-doing-something-most-1-year-olds-can-do?c=ufb1" target="_blank">www.upworthy.com</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-42885304986452221142014-06-15T07:12:00.000-07:002014-06-15T07:12:07.338-07:00To The Fathers In My Life:<div style="text-align: left;">
Ramon: You are the father of my children. You were present from the very beginning, talking to them and kissing them via my belly. You were present at their birth. You cried tears of joy upon seeing them for the first time. You are hands on. You change their diapers and bathe them (sometimes).You wipe their butts and clean their boogers on your shirt when they are sick without batting an eye. If Sebas pretends to knock you down with his invisible powers you play along and throw yourself to the ground. You are a wonderful father and a great husband and I couldn't imagine raising our boys without you. Thank you for being a great "Papa". Your children thank you, too :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ07yVx7i2f72-tCzJRLduTINJrExfllWAvmY_UtuVYO7ENrS2GBiDczqAIvaFBWBRYhEaZdlL-s70EKQqgWlTxBKuPJyKFrg1K78W3YL74dV3VhxLHt1S6E8Q1GZtE5p-3BhEjZPNtYc/s1600/papa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ07yVx7i2f72-tCzJRLduTINJrExfllWAvmY_UtuVYO7ENrS2GBiDczqAIvaFBWBRYhEaZdlL-s70EKQqgWlTxBKuPJyKFrg1K78W3YL74dV3VhxLHt1S6E8Q1GZtE5p-3BhEjZPNtYc/s1600/papa.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daddy: Though you weren't always around physically I know you were with us in spirit and that we were present in your mind. I have so many fond memories of visiting you during summer vacation. You let us run free and learn from our scrapes and bruises. You treated us with respect and as equals, instead of as children. In some ways, you were more of a friend than father. I love you unconditionally.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUQ1EKUIbLpd6LLOabEvflV3iHv6dFpjAm2WmWyRVzeVa_8oCm0BgHYAVTJJk0oJkgK0fZYYiS0pkTcqojxtOujF1fz5XjMxAKCkvd4jHbGQYOlVr_fSBR8gAxdMrNI1jbEhuSuRw8Z0/s1600/Daddy&me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUQ1EKUIbLpd6LLOabEvflV3iHv6dFpjAm2WmWyRVzeVa_8oCm0BgHYAVTJJk0oJkgK0fZYYiS0pkTcqojxtOujF1fz5XjMxAKCkvd4jHbGQYOlVr_fSBR8gAxdMrNI1jbEhuSuRw8Z0/s1600/Daddy&me.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mario: While I was perhaps too old when you came into our lives to consider you my father, you treat us all like your children, and are definitely a father to my younger brothers. You have always been there for us and give selflessly. You are my children's grandfather "Abu Mario". Thank you for being in our lives.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPZeez0UTTwebu9A_IGGGRVrR_psbYX4pwWc-YlnamFcW6ibUhzct9eqEIcFN1toUcUZAAqioTT8VZxNxVFuyfRnBbLyR907tUmpafNqogm8OrR-kPazX79qFaLPJB_xQYAAcsaFOfjg/s1600/MariowithSebas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPZeez0UTTwebu9A_IGGGRVrR_psbYX4pwWc-YlnamFcW6ibUhzct9eqEIcFN1toUcUZAAqioTT8VZxNxVFuyfRnBbLyR907tUmpafNqogm8OrR-kPazX79qFaLPJB_xQYAAcsaFOfjg/s1600/MariowithSebas.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in our lives!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
*Feel free to share stories, photographs or tell me why you are thankful for the fathers in your life!</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-14509736821246720312014-06-08T11:06:00.001-07:002014-06-18T17:21:53.107-07:00Sex & YogaI had the best sex of my life today and I credit doing yoga with my hubby this morning. We had slept in a tent last night, so his back was hurting more than usual and I convinced him to do several sun salutations with me to give that back a good stretch.<br />
After doing some chores, cleaning dishes and stove top (which I did happily because I was energized thanks to my morning yoga) he playfully "ordered" me to the bedroom. I begrudgingly followed him to the bedroom (my libido has been greatly lacking since the birth of out second child). But once he got on top of me and started kissing me, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed his smell (which was surprising because he was sweaty from packing up the tent outside) and his kisses didn't disgust me (I'm a make-out fiend - or was anyway - but at some point his kisses started to gross me out, so no more kissing = me not getting<i> into it</i>). It was the best sex I've had and for the first time EVER we both came <i>during</i> intercourse, nothing extra needed.<br />
I'm not one to air our dirty laundry, and I certainly wouldn't do so without his consent. He agreed to this blog post because I know there are a lot of women out there who due to MANY factors are lacking libido. There's the dreaded pregnancy hormones, the lack of self-confidence due to a new mommy body, sheer exhaustion, not being able to switch from mommy mode to sex vixen at the drop of a hat, resentment towards your partner, etc. BUT I think that doing yoga with your partner addresses and works on several of these factors.<br />
First off, you are doing something TOGETHER. Here is something that can bring you closer, especially if you feel somewhat disconnected from each other. You are working out, tightening muscles, stretching, becoming more limber, releasing endorphins and will therefore feel more relaxed, patient (needed for dealing with those kiddos), energized, awake, and more self-confident! Hell, even try doing some of those yoga moves <i>during</i> sex! Not too flexible yet? Work on it TOGETHER.<br />
I'm telling you, I don't know exactly what it was, but doing yoga together this morning just had us on the same page biochemically. Those pheromones were finally working on me again after so long.<br />
I'll have to get him to do yoga with me every day :)<br />
<br />
Here's some extra reference reading:<br />
<a href="https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/yoga">What UMMC has to say about yoga</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/pheromones-sex-lives/">Scientific American article on pheromones & sex lives</a><br />
<br />
*Update: Okay so I have been doing yoga for over a month now almost every day. It's been over a week since hubby and I did yoga together but he has been doing sun salutations on his own in the morning before work. While I'm certainly not in the mood all the time and my libido isn't at pre-mommyhood levels, it has increased, and I foresee it improving! I'm interested in reading if any other moms out there with low libido have seen improvement after starting any kind of exercise/fitness regimen. Share your stories!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-67667481086366483662014-05-25T10:55:00.000-07:002014-05-25T10:55:08.948-07:00PrioritiesI'm not the most social person in the world, so it took me a while to make some mom friends after the birth of my first son. We had just moved back from Puerto Rico and all of my high school & college friends had moved away, so I pretty much had no social life whatsoever.<br />
Luckily, I lived in an apartment complex with many parents and one reached out and before I knew it I had a little solid group of mom friends. We'd call or text each other when we were going to the playground or pool, or hang out at each other's homes, etc. But little by little some of the moms moved away ... and then I moved (we bought a house YAY!), so it became a little harder to keep seeing the couple mom friends I had left. I felt a hole in my life and I needed it filled, but being a person with shitty social skills I didn't reach out to my new neighbors.<br />
Due to an unfortunate circumstance with my son's preschool I decided the best course of action was to remove him from that school. Because it was so close to the end of the school year I decided to keep him home with me, and since I wasn't sure if he'd get into the charter school I applied him to for Kindergarten (he has seen been accepted!) I started looking for homeschooling resources and came across <a href="http://www.meetup.com/">Meetup.com</a>.<br />
During my search I discovered several Mommy groups, which I also joined. So far I have met some great people, the kids have made some great friends, we've been to places we've never been to before, and it's been an all around great experience and I look forward to consolidating these friendships I've made. And because these play dates (and much needed Moms-Night-Out) have been so great I've reached out to my old mom friends and new neighbors and am making the time to see them more often. I think it's so easy to get caught up in your routine, and make excuses like "I have to clean the house" that unless you carve out the time, you'll never have a social life. Mind you, I work from home so I have to manage my time more carefully to make sure I'm not falling behind on my work. Some days I find that between play dates and work I sometimes fall behind on cleaning the house, but it is so worth it. I'm not the most social person, so putting myself out there, making the effort to have conversations with people and form friendships is good for my well-being, and that is more important than having clean dishes. I can always clean up later (like when the kids are asleep), but if I don't make the time and effort to have a social life, days, months, years will fly by, the kids will grow up, move out, and I'll look back and wonder what I did with my time (other than raise some great young men). Do I want to look back and realize I spent all my time working and cleaning? Hell no! I want to look back and remember all the great outings I had with my kids and great people I've met.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-83695482023058911122014-05-10T17:50:00.001-07:002014-05-10T17:51:50.021-07:00Absence Makes The Heart Grow FonderMy husband and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary last night. Our anniversary just so happens to line up nicely with Mother's Day, so our planned night out without the kids was a pleasant Mother's Day gift as well. We booked a hotel room and made a reservation at a nice fresh seafood restaurant. I had plans to check in early, use the gym, go swimming in the pool, and just relax with the hubster before getting ready for our fancy dinner. However, I had some last minute work to do and we ended up getting to the hotel about half an hour before our reservation.<br />
<div>
When we arrived at the check-in counter the lady said she was moving us up free of charge. "Oooooo," I thought. She said she'd put us in a room with a view of the river. "Ahhhhhh," I thought. "Thank you SO much," I said. When we opened the door to our room I was sorely disappointed. The room smelled old and musty. It looked outdated, not modern at all like I was lead to believe from the photos on their website (the reason I chose that hotel over others). However, we had a bed to ourselves...and no kids. </div>
<div>
So we quickly got ready for our fancy dinner, which luckily was right across the street so we managed to make just in the nick of time. We sat at our table and the server brought us our customized anniversary menus, "How are you doing this evening?" "Fine, thank you" we replied somewhat out of breath. "Fine? That's it? Aren't you excited to be celebrating your anniversary?" HAHAHAHA "Yes, yes of course; we've just been running around all day." Once we managed to catch our breaths and the server brought me my champagne and Ramon his beer, we were able to unwind, forget about the kids and enjoy our night out like when we used to date, having normal non-kid-related conversation. I had a truly amazing time...And not having the kids around made the sex better too.<br />
<div>
This morning we had plans to walk around, maybe catch a movie, but on the way to a local marketplace I decided I'd rather make it to my son Sebas' karate class, which had e-mailed me earlier this week about being there for the last 15 minutes of class for a Mother's Day surprise. Unfortunately, I didn't make it in time, but when I did get there Sebas came running to me with a smile from ear to ear to give me a plastic rose and teddy bear, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy." And Lucas also came running to me to give me a kiss and a hug. So, while our mini-vacation was much needed, it made me appreciate my real Mother's Day presents: my two boys who missed me like crazy on my night off and couldn't wait for me to get home.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf2oSzGjcnXlyG5iF_QBS7iqGsfOt3WqARswEtzlfFxmNKZ7-h6juZSF1IjIT4USA5G2YthOTFcy_weX3v6M5xTbe0rtyFkA0IA-C9OA1lHXofWxbVk4Y920TVZEQPwv0zx141gogoq0/s1600/gettinready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf2oSzGjcnXlyG5iF_QBS7iqGsfOt3WqARswEtzlfFxmNKZ7-h6juZSF1IjIT4USA5G2YthOTFcy_weX3v6M5xTbe0rtyFkA0IA-C9OA1lHXofWxbVk4Y920TVZEQPwv0zx141gogoq0/s1600/gettinready.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Getting ready for dinner</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-16224284566982068292014-05-10T14:22:00.001-07:002014-05-10T14:22:19.479-07:00The Invisible Horse GenieToday when I picked Sebas up from karate class he was outside riding an invisible horse (Monty Python style) proclaiming "Look! I'm riding an invisible horse!" When he was done he took out an invisible bottle, made a woosh sound and motioned with his other hand to show that the horse was going into the bottle. "That's where I keep my invisible horse".<br />
His imagination always amazes me, sometimes it scares me (like when he talks about shadow people...because in my mind I'm thinking 'holy shit he sees ghosts'), but this one in particular really blew my mind. I just thought it was so funny and imaginative.<br />
What kind of things do your kids pretend?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-81846208228476396112014-04-21T05:07:00.002-07:002014-04-21T05:07:56.911-07:00Love Grows<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXw8NvnIIlpGgPpP8Py0lQ8xD4jS6ofZnggsqVy7kOcrMQM5r7zUEa2zjaZvfGADX06rmfRv8WMPjc6qDK4lXmCf0Z5nwj-3OWdUWqCbuUngk1BrHRE6EfnIEnRRpg_FR5NE0yZP-Cs/s1600/preggomommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCXw8NvnIIlpGgPpP8Py0lQ8xD4jS6ofZnggsqVy7kOcrMQM5r7zUEa2zjaZvfGADX06rmfRv8WMPjc6qDK4lXmCf0Z5nwj-3OWdUWqCbuUngk1BrHRE6EfnIEnRRpg_FR5NE0yZP-Cs/s1600/preggomommy.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had always wanted two children: a boy and a girl. But when we had Sebastian I really thought I was done. Parenting isn't easy and, as vain as it sounds, I also didn't want to have to deal with losing the pregnancy weight all over again. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
My family was complete.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But...then I missed my period. And while there was an initial "Oh shit!" we quickly wrapped our heads around the idea of having a second child. I wanted to wait until I saw my doctor to confirm the pregnancy but Ramon couldn't wait and told my mom when I stepped out for a minute to get something I had left in the car. I opened the front door only to find Ramon with tears in his eyes hugging my mom. It wasn't when or how I planned on telling my family, but oh well, we were excited and everyone was on board. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then the worries kicked in.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sebastian was only two years and several months old and still very attached to me. He had had us all to himself: mom, dad, grandparents, uncles and aunts, and we all showered him with love and attention. We used to say that he was "el niño más besado del mundo" [the world's most kissed child]. How would he feel to suddenly share that attention? What if he feels neglected or replaced? I worried about jealously and sibling rivalry.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I suppose there's always going to be some jealousy or some sibling rivalry, but we did our best to prepare Sebas for the arrival of his baby brother so it wouldn't come as a complete surprise. I read him "I'm a Big Brother" by Joanna Cole most nights (so much so that he got sick of it!) and explained to him that there was a baby in my belly. I even showed him an animated video showing a baby inside the womb because I thought it might register more clearly if he had a visual of a baby inside a mommy instead of some abstract concept. It seemed to work because he'd kiss my belly and talk to Baby Lucas and hug my belly.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Then I also worried about my own capacity to love.<br />
When Sebastian was born I was awestruck. I thought he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen, and every day he just got cuter and cuter. How could I possibly love another human being more than I loved Sebastian? What if I didn't think my second child was as beautiful? How could I divide my love?<br />
<br />
While I was in the hospital Ramon stayed with Sebastian at home because we didn't want him to feel alone and like suddenly both his parents were gone. But I was exhausted and in pain at the hospital and begged Ramon to stay the last night with me so that I could finally get some rest! I was in pain every time I had to sit up and get out of bed to pick up my baby. That last night my mom and stepdad stayed with Sebastian and the following day they brought him to visit me and his new baby brother at the hospital. Sebastian brought me flowers and a huge smile, "Mommy, I missed you!" Aww, be still my heart, I missed him incredibly too. My mom bought him a truck which we gave him when he came to visit and told him that it was a gift from his baby brother. He was so happy, "Thank you, Lucas" and gave him a soft kiss on thee forehead.<br />
My worries melted away. Sebastian was so obviously in love with his baby brother, and I was so obviously in love with them both.</div>
I didn't have to divide my love, because my love grew.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoMhZicvjiMrxpYm9v68kK7ifn5IFyTAxXA7XZel4kfQhf8NieZzp1WyrAIDxVpGpKvt99SUBR6hU2HzKMhhg4gIVih_pLLtUwRgQdPAtaIIs8JcQ9YNyaLoTbxJPDPCwqJHeqkwvXdg/s1600/SebastruckfromLucas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoMhZicvjiMrxpYm9v68kK7ifn5IFyTAxXA7XZel4kfQhf8NieZzp1WyrAIDxVpGpKvt99SUBR6hU2HzKMhhg4gIVih_pLLtUwRgQdPAtaIIs8JcQ9YNyaLoTbxJPDPCwqJHeqkwvXdg/s1600/SebastruckfromLucas.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUW_tDJ2XiqLsyB0o68uxjVWWFCjJNh3LcpNKHlu8shT5LzC1499ddYGpGOyAkLx7kMFh0COC0cbBQ2Ns0C17PdN1LheBnOaQ3gXQFm_UgkQNb7k-HNQV4uJN8fnIFeeR-4RbzkHhDwg/s1600/SebasmeetingLucas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUW_tDJ2XiqLsyB0o68uxjVWWFCjJNh3LcpNKHlu8shT5LzC1499ddYGpGOyAkLx7kMFh0COC0cbBQ2Ns0C17PdN1LheBnOaQ3gXQFm_UgkQNb7k-HNQV4uJN8fnIFeeR-4RbzkHhDwg/s1600/SebasmeetingLucas.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkio-ZfsFmp6bhXann5ejqFf_3SzNLg4S_fwLOaxrFQFAOOrGtr-ITMNpGjR46M9dxwhetrwLNfexBP8y1YoMPybc4nQ8cR2craAL69WeAzk5zyMMlT4zAt88Ot6-_lG31HGV6TlS84XA/s1600/Brotherlylove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkio-ZfsFmp6bhXann5ejqFf_3SzNLg4S_fwLOaxrFQFAOOrGtr-ITMNpGjR46M9dxwhetrwLNfexBP8y1YoMPybc4nQ8cR2craAL69WeAzk5zyMMlT4zAt88Ot6-_lG31HGV6TlS84XA/s1600/Brotherlylove.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-8489716774546400802014-04-16T05:39:00.000-07:002014-04-16T05:39:09.035-07:00Unconditional TrustOur children trust us more than anything in the world. In their eyes we are all powerful, all loving and all knowing. They look up to us and trust us to do what is best for them. They absolutely unconditionally trust us. But it is heartbreaking to see their face of joy quickly turn to one of horror and distrust, as if saying "Mommy, why are you letting them do this to me?"<br />
Yes, I'm talking about shots.<br />
I'm not talking about the regular vaccinations. Yes he cried when he received those and it was heart wrenching to watch, but he was always pretty brave about it. He'd cry a little and then quickly get over it. And when he was old enough to understand I'd explain to him that he needed the shots to stay healthy.<br />
But when Sebastian turned 4 he had a high fever that wouldn't go down. I forget what it was he had but the doctor decided to order some antibiotic shot in the butt with a huge needle, that apparently had to be applied very s...l...o...w....l...y. Screams of terror were heard throughout the clinic. It was torture and I sure did cry for that one as I held him down trying to calm him down by whispering into his ears "just breath deep like papa showed you". And then once it had been administered they had to rub his poor already sore butt. And THEN, since he was due for his 4-year immunizations, they gave him like 4 other shots (or maybe it was just two injections with the 4 vaccines, I don't recall). It was a bit much for one day. Poor thing was walking around the clinic declaring to everyone that his butt hurt.<br />
I don't think I cried because he was in pain (although of course it hurt to see him in pain). I think I cried because I felt like I was betraying him, or that he would think I was betraying him, and because I knew at that moment that he'd never view going to the doctor's the same again. It was no longer a fun place where he got to see the nice doctor and get cool stickers. Now every time we go to the doctor's for a check-up or sick visit he always asks all the nurses and doctors "no shots, right? no shots"...I don't know that he'll ever trust a doctor again. Luckily, the trust a child has for his parents takes a lot more to break. He seems to have forgotten all about my "betrayal" :)<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-91588278443436348162014-04-07T12:48:00.000-07:002014-04-07T12:48:03.804-07:00The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...and the Awesomely BeautifulIt was July 31st 2009 and I had an appointment to have my amniotic fluid levels checked (since I was a week overdue). My mom had missed out on previous sonograms so she asked to come with me. The plan was to go early, 10-11 o'clock, so I had a light breakfast expecting to eat lunch after the appointment...but Mom didn't pick me up until noon.<br />
Mom, Ramon (that's my hubby) and my little-not-so-little brother headed to the hospital. When we got there it turned out they had to check my vital signs first so I was sent to the Triage where I had to lay in a hospital bed with electrodes strapped to my big belly. I was then taken to Radiology for the ultrasound. Amniotic fluid was fine, Sebastian was moving and kicking as usual...but lo and behold, when they checked my cervix I was 2 cm dilated! I was then taken to Triage for more vital signs monitoring.<br />
The monitors were reading contractions that I did not feel. The nurse would ask in disbelief, "You're not feeling this? You're having a contraction right now!" Nope. I thought what I felt was just Sebastian moving around or maybe gas, but according to the monitors Sebastian wasn't moving at all. I informed the nurse that he was moving around just fine during the ultrasound and that I WAS STARVING! so perhaps he wasn't moving because I needed some food in me. She brought me some orange juice (which tasted nasty). I asked her if I could eat (Ramon had brought me some food from the cafeteria). Nope. "Not until your doctor sees you." Which took another two to three hours! and he was IN the building. Argh the torture. I truly regretted not having eaten lunch before heading to the hospital.<br />
There was another pregnant lady in the Triage with me. Apparently her vitals weren't great. When the doctor finally came in he saw her first and decided she had to be induced. When he checked me he said, "Well, you're 2 centimeters dilated and you're having contractions and I'm already here, so let's get this over with." At which time I asked the nurse if I could finally eat...to this humble request she replied, " No honey, you're not going to be eating anything today." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!<br />
I was induced at 5:30 pm at which time I texted my sister that I was in labor and to let everyone else know. My sister and friend Susy came to see me before contractions got too bad. My stepdad also came, but I asked him to stay outside during labor (no way we're THAT close).<br />
Contractions weren't too bad at all for a while. I rated them at 1 at first, then 2, then 4, then 5...at 5 it was bearable but uncomfortable. I had gone in thinking I'd go the all natural route, and I told the nurse several times I didn't want the epidural. But in the end she told me "A lot of people wait until the last minute, but the anesthesiologist makes his rounds in the hospital. This ward is his next stop. If you don't order it now, you lose your chance for an epidural." So I ordered it.<br />
I was already getting quite irritable at that point. My mom and hubby were rubbing and caressing me, trying to "be there" for me, but I just wanted them GONE. I didn't want anyone to touch me. I kept thinking, "get the [expletive] off of me", "don't [expletive] touch me", "leave me the [expletive] alone". I didn't say any of it out loud because I knew it was just the hormones, but man oh man, if I had waited until the pain reached a 10 that would've been a different story. Once I got the epidural I felt immediately better and was more appreciative that my family was there with me.<br />
However, the epidural wasn't all rainbows and unicorn farts either. My legs went numb right away. My right leg was dead weight, so much so that I was extremely uncomfortable. AND the epidural (although I've read that it could've been the contractions) made me nauseous. All I wanted was to get some shut-eye, but because my leg was so heavy and uncomfortable and I kept puking, I couldn't get a wink of sleep.<br />
When it was finally time to push, they put my feet in the stirrups and my right leg came crashing down. I couldn't keep my leg up! My hubby had to hold my leg in place and my mom held the other. Because I was SO NUMB, I couldn't even tell when I was having contractions, so the nurse had to look at the monitor and tell me when to push. But I really couldn't even tell if or how hard I was pushing and it was getting quite frustrating. They kept yelling "Harder, harder, more, bear down," but I'd run out of breath and have to wait for the next contraction. Sebastian's head was crowning but I couldn't push long or hard enough to push the whole head out. The doctor looked frankly worried, and I was afraid that if I couldn't give one long hard push that they'd have to resort to forceps.<br />
I got nauseous and held my plastic baggie up to my face. As I heaved Sebastian popped out with a squirt of amniotic fluid, the doctor jumped back "Whoa!" (and caught the baby thankfully) as he was splashed with amniotic fluid and my mom shrieked, as I continued to puke while trying to catch a peripheral glimpse of my new born baby.<br />
When they placed him on my chest I was still vomiting. I finished up and looked at his beautiful little face and touched his tiny shoulder. I was surprised by how beautiful and soft and clean he was. Not wrinkly and covered in white gunk like those babies I'd seen in those birthing videos I obsessively watched during my pregnancy. And I expected the amniotic fluid to smell bad, but it didn't at all. My hubby said he smelled like ice cream.<br />
They took Sebastian to the side to finish cleaning him up. Ramon had tears in his eyes, he was so dumbstruck. He couldn't wipe that goofy look of awe from his face as he brought Sebastian to me with teary eyes. Sebastian was most definitely the most beautiful baby we'd ever seen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAm1dzqi2kIc2LsJlbqzxqKYa0tmACQu8AAGssNhMF3iEInmPicgIkh7CJitPLAjgin_GHYLieO1f9dV2UU-pDnxYxScdM1s3czKTgpMHnurOEjpHHkM_igtAmn4C9oaetIwoJJi8R9s/s1600/Daddycrying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAm1dzqi2kIc2LsJlbqzxqKYa0tmACQu8AAGssNhMF3iEInmPicgIkh7CJitPLAjgin_GHYLieO1f9dV2UU-pDnxYxScdM1s3czKTgpMHnurOEjpHHkM_igtAmn4C9oaetIwoJJi8R9s/s1600/Daddycrying.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT57i3cjprMjJtJXGXMlpQSqrag4jrZHYzMLpxRI0WZojyH0cKdjRXv5Ssrv5CRgAxvdxMStfNaA49CfSN6EZsQ1RE-pRR9Dw3VQW7ScPnl5R0hv3Z1e64pV3VA2otyPkitxTgXSkJWWQ/s1600/sebasbirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT57i3cjprMjJtJXGXMlpQSqrag4jrZHYzMLpxRI0WZojyH0cKdjRXv5Ssrv5CRgAxvdxMStfNaA49CfSN6EZsQ1RE-pRR9Dw3VQW7ScPnl5R0hv3Z1e64pV3VA2otyPkitxTgXSkJWWQ/s1600/sebasbirth.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcvZprZ4chvMgIBmeAS3lvQdqRk6sCgqJi5X_4M1jPsgzYmC3-O7K0vvkjHbkZAmGi8L6yovzs0gcy_maTfSEFdch9bUqegzqXJzaKbO0TKYwxPdmrtx8nWvIGtmw6GHvIrZVzOJmfIg/s1600/sebaswithgrandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcvZprZ4chvMgIBmeAS3lvQdqRk6sCgqJi5X_4M1jPsgzYmC3-O7K0vvkjHbkZAmGi8L6yovzs0gcy_maTfSEFdch9bUqegzqXJzaKbO0TKYwxPdmrtx8nWvIGtmw6GHvIrZVzOJmfIg/s1600/sebaswithgrandma.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Care to share your birthing story? I want to know all about it: the good, the bad, and the ugly!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-66199731202193637562014-04-03T07:59:00.001-07:002014-04-03T07:59:29.323-07:00What Do You Love?After the other day's venting post it's time for some positives to balance out the negative:<br />
<br />
My kids are incredibly sweet and nice (which is an often underrated trait). They are friendly and loving. They kiss and tell me they love me all day, every day, for no other reason than they truly do. And I love them. They are funny and silly. Sebastian has a great imagination and tells me stories all the time. Some are so profound they shock me. They love each other, they play together, they smile and hug and look at each other lovingly. It is beyond adorable. They are wonderful siblings and I can only hope they will remain so close.<br />
I love seeing them grow, becoming more able, more independent, smarter everyday. I love seeing their personalities develop and change. Those moments in the day, when I'm not stressed and I can see them through un-irked-filtered eyes, when they flash me a smile and googly eyes of love, are perfect.<br />
When they are asleep and peaceful I just want to (and do) kiss their beautiful little faces a million times.<br />
I am so happy to have them in my life and I could not imagine it without them.<br />
<br />
What do you love about your little (or not so little) ones?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-15751409439116739992014-03-31T10:45:00.000-07:002014-03-31T10:45:15.157-07:00These kids drive me bats!With two kids with me all day long it's hard to have any thoughts of my own. My head is filled with their little voices, and while I love them to pieces, I sometimes feel I've lost the ability to think. Bottom line: they drive me bats...sometimes...a lot of the time.<br />
<br />
Before I get judgments about how I chose to be a mother, blah di blah, let me just add that making a decision doesn't take away from the fact that life isn't always as you expected, and it doesn't somehow discredit your feelings. Also, keep in mind that I am a work-from-home mom. I work on the computer and I have deadlines. I somehow have to work and pay attention to my boys. I have to feed them and myself. I have to play with them, I have to do homework with the elder of the two. For those of you who don't know, I recently tool my 4-year old out of his preschool because I felt the school looked the other way when he made a complaint about a fellow student harassing him. So now I have a 4-year old and a 20-month old at home with me all day long. And they are both momma's boys. They want and demand constant attention. Until just two weeks ago I was still breastfeeding the younger one and when I tried to ween he demanded to suck the living life out of me ALL DAY LONG. Imagine me on the computer trying to type and him crying, pushing my chair (he's a strong one he is), whining "teta, mommy teta!"; now it's "hug, mommy hug!" (breaks your heart I know, but very frustrating when trying to work). The four year old is very hyper, doesn't sit still and talks non-stop. That amazing imagination of his are a wonderful trait and I encourage it, but it can be quite numbing for my brain. I'll take this moment to confess that while I'm working I often plop them in front of the TV. When I'm feeling guilty for being a bad mom I'll take a break and play with them for a bit, take out some puzzles or LEGOs so they can play calmly while I get back to work, but they do spend way more time than recommended in front of the ol' electronic babysitter.<br />
<br />
I realize this all sounds like complaining, but I needed to vent. I need to hear my own thoughts every once in a blue moon. And I thought I'd share because I'm sure I'm not the only parent who feels the same way...sometimes. So please feel free to vent and share your frustrations.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3117341923882701148.post-26751689073061589032014-03-31T09:49:00.001-07:002014-03-31T10:10:03.103-07:00My GoalsI've avoided starting a blog in the past because I do care what people think, and was perhaps (okay, definitely) scared of inviting the unsolicited judgments of many. But I've decided that I have things to share and hopefully it will be worthwhile to someone, anyone, and this blog is for you. :)<br />
<br />
I am a young mom (of two beautiful, fun, loving, sweet, silly, crazy, annoying momma's boys) and I work from home. Needless to say, it's not easy to make time for myself. I am on a mission to complete (and honestly start) some pending projects, including writing this blog. I hope to share the joys and tribulations of parenting while making time to work on a deadline, keep the house nice and clean (or at least as tidy as it can be before my two little monsters start throwing things all over the floor again, sometimes WHILE I'm picking up), paint/draw, read, write, start a business, have a social life, and have alone time with my hubby (the previous six are much easier said than done). I'm sure many moms (and you too dads) can relate.<br />
<br />
So those are my goals and I'd love to share my progress and would love to hear your experiences as parents as well. Let's do what we teach our children and SHARE!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942477124566684272noreply@blogger.com0