I'm getting my IUD removed tomorrow afternoon. I tried to get it removed last month, but the doctor couldn't locate it so I had to reschedule and am getting it removed with a retrieval device. I made the terrible decision to watch the procedure on youtube to prepare myself. The video did the opposite of calm my nerves.
All I can think about is the agony I experienced with having my IUD placed 2 1/2 years ago. I've been told that having it removed isn't even close to as painful as having it put in. I really hope that is true.
I will give you an update tomorrow to let you know how it went!
Monday, October 8, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Married Life Update
It's been over a month since the wedding and things are just now finally starting to calm down. It's unbelievable how excited I am just for things to be "normal" again. I can wake up in the morning and not have to think about centerpieces or floral arrangements (Or the endless thank you's to be sent.)! Thank you Jesus.
To sum it up in one word, married life is AWESOME. There has been some unexpected and not so wonderful moments (mostly involving the bringing together of other important people in our lives), but overall Nick and my relationship with each other is awesome. We are happier and more comfortable than we have ever been before. We have a whole new level of love and trust for one another since saying "I DO". Also, we have discovered that the trying moments only make us stronger. Any insecurities that Nick and I had before we said I do have been heavily evaluated in this past month.
People keep asking me if I feel any different since saying I do. The answer to that is a big YES! Suddenly I feel all grown up. Keep in mind I'm only 24, graduated from college 2 years ago and got my first real job, and was living at home with my parents 4 years before that. It really makes me realize that life happens so fast and I just want to soak up as much of it that I can. I want to be with the people I love and doing what makes me happy. That being said, my internal ticking time clock that tells me that I have to have babies right now has somewhat slowed down. I realize that this may be the only time that Nick and I have (these next couple years) that will be just the two of us. We want to enjoy this time that we have to the fullest. And here is our goal... we want to celebrate our first wedding anniversary without a baby, or even a bun in the oven. I think it is a good goal, it reminds us to slow down and smell the roses. After our first anniversary we will re-evaluate.
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| Picture from our wedding photo re-shoot day. |
People keep asking me if I feel any different since saying I do. The answer to that is a big YES! Suddenly I feel all grown up. Keep in mind I'm only 24, graduated from college 2 years ago and got my first real job, and was living at home with my parents 4 years before that. It really makes me realize that life happens so fast and I just want to soak up as much of it that I can. I want to be with the people I love and doing what makes me happy. That being said, my internal ticking time clock that tells me that I have to have babies right now has somewhat slowed down. I realize that this may be the only time that Nick and I have (these next couple years) that will be just the two of us. We want to enjoy this time that we have to the fullest. And here is our goal... we want to celebrate our first wedding anniversary without a baby, or even a bun in the oven. I think it is a good goal, it reminds us to slow down and smell the roses. After our first anniversary we will re-evaluate.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Spanking your child
To spank or not to spank, that is the question!
I recently had someone tell me that they were going to start spanking their child when they reach 15 months. For a little background information, this child I am referring to is currently 13 months, and still not speaking. This child doesn't even have the benefit of being able to ask what it is that she has done wrong.
Dr. James Dobson recommends using an object to spank your child with (as opposed to your hands). Do we really think our children are so dumb that they cannot recognize that the object is simply and extension of our hand? And even an extension of our own anger? A person spanks. A spoon does not. It's very easy to try and rationalize an ugly act, or to place the blame somewhere else. I don't think that 15 years down the road the kid is going to blame the spoon.
Here is my list of reasons why we should NOT spank our children:
1. We don't teach our children to hit others when they've done something wrong
2. As adults, we do not hit others
3. If you hit your child, they are more likely to hit
4. Think of when you were spanked as a child & how it made you feel. Chances are you remember those moments, and not fondly.
5. Our hands are supposed to be loving, a safe place for our children. We are supposed to protect our children, not harm our children. Using a spoon or belt does not make spanking any better. Kids realize that you (mom or dad) are the one that is operating the weapon.
6. There are other and (what I believe to be) more effective & less emotionally scarring forms of discipline. Ever heard of a good ole' timeout? Stare at the wall? Take away something privileged?
7. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Do people really still believe this?! I don't think that not hitting your child is going to be what ended up spoiling them. Buying them every video game on the market and letting them drink soda at 8 p.m. on a school night might though.
8. Do we really want our childen to fear us?
9. Is spanking really a means or discipline OR is it just a fed up parent releasing their anger & frustration on their child. Our children are not our own personal punching bags. Maybe some parents could use a good time out.
10. Last, but not least, I have spanked before. No, it was not a human, but I did spank my dog Arlo when I was at my wits end with him and he simply wasn't listening to anything. I got fed up and I spanked him right on the rump. I will never forget the look on his face right after I did it either. I immediately felt complete remorse. Arlo remembered for a while too. Any time I would raise my voice he would tuck his tail and look sad for a solid month after. What's more, Arlo didn't change his bad behavior because I decided to give him a good whack. Yes, Arlo is a dog. BUT, I think science has taught us that animals are not so different than us. They have feelings and emotions and are capable of love.
No, I am not a parent and I am sure that anyone who reads this blog will let that fact alone disqualify my opinion. What I can say is that I was a child once and I got spanked, not often, but enough to remember. Being that I am not a parent, I do not know what it feels like when your child has been fussy and misbehaving all day and you cannot seem to catch a break. What I do know is that I am a good person plan on raising a kind-hearted and loving human being. Children learn their behaviors at an early age. Are we not role models for our children? My parenting style will be to lead by example. To each their own, but I deeply hope that the human population can show a little bit more compassion, especially if you are going to call yourself the "superior species"... we need to start acting like it.
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| image from corruptct.com |
I recently had someone tell me that they were going to start spanking their child when they reach 15 months. For a little background information, this child I am referring to is currently 13 months, and still not speaking. This child doesn't even have the benefit of being able to ask what it is that she has done wrong.
Dr. James Dobson recommends using an object to spank your child with (as opposed to your hands). Do we really think our children are so dumb that they cannot recognize that the object is simply and extension of our hand? And even an extension of our own anger? A person spanks. A spoon does not. It's very easy to try and rationalize an ugly act, or to place the blame somewhere else. I don't think that 15 years down the road the kid is going to blame the spoon.
Here is my list of reasons why we should NOT spank our children:
1. We don't teach our children to hit others when they've done something wrong
2. As adults, we do not hit others
3. If you hit your child, they are more likely to hit
4. Think of when you were spanked as a child & how it made you feel. Chances are you remember those moments, and not fondly.
5. Our hands are supposed to be loving, a safe place for our children. We are supposed to protect our children, not harm our children. Using a spoon or belt does not make spanking any better. Kids realize that you (mom or dad) are the one that is operating the weapon.
6. There are other and (what I believe to be) more effective & less emotionally scarring forms of discipline. Ever heard of a good ole' timeout? Stare at the wall? Take away something privileged?
7. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Do people really still believe this?! I don't think that not hitting your child is going to be what ended up spoiling them. Buying them every video game on the market and letting them drink soda at 8 p.m. on a school night might though.
8. Do we really want our childen to fear us?
9. Is spanking really a means or discipline OR is it just a fed up parent releasing their anger & frustration on their child. Our children are not our own personal punching bags. Maybe some parents could use a good time out.
10. Last, but not least, I have spanked before. No, it was not a human, but I did spank my dog Arlo when I was at my wits end with him and he simply wasn't listening to anything. I got fed up and I spanked him right on the rump. I will never forget the look on his face right after I did it either. I immediately felt complete remorse. Arlo remembered for a while too. Any time I would raise my voice he would tuck his tail and look sad for a solid month after. What's more, Arlo didn't change his bad behavior because I decided to give him a good whack. Yes, Arlo is a dog. BUT, I think science has taught us that animals are not so different than us. They have feelings and emotions and are capable of love.
No, I am not a parent and I am sure that anyone who reads this blog will let that fact alone disqualify my opinion. What I can say is that I was a child once and I got spanked, not often, but enough to remember. Being that I am not a parent, I do not know what it feels like when your child has been fussy and misbehaving all day and you cannot seem to catch a break. What I do know is that I am a good person plan on raising a kind-hearted and loving human being. Children learn their behaviors at an early age. Are we not role models for our children? My parenting style will be to lead by example. To each their own, but I deeply hope that the human population can show a little bit more compassion, especially if you are going to call yourself the "superior species"... we need to start acting like it.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Pre prenatal care :)
My order of prenatals came in the mail today! SO excited! I took my first New Chapter Perfect Prenatal about an hour ago on an empty stomach. So far I can report that I have no nauseousness and the pills were easy to swallow :) Which is a major plus, because most pills are too big for me to swallow.
In addition to prenatals, I have also been using Burt's Bees Mamma Bee Belly Butter. I am using that simply because I already have some faint stretch marks on my sides. I figured if I start using belly butter now then it will get me in the practice, maybe fade my stretch marks I already have, and I will have smooth skin :) I love the way this stuff smells and that it's 99% natural. I love that Burt's Bees posts the percentage. When I am actually pregnant I would like to using something that is 100% natural, if anyone knows of anything or has any suggestions, I would love to hear!
Lastly, I have given up caffeine. Ouch. This has not been easy. My first couple days off of caffeine I developed a nasty headache. I think I may be in the clear now though, fingers crossed! Also, in the last 6 months I have lost about 10 pounds. Before I get pregnant, I would like to lose another 10. Wish me luck! I want to be the best, healthiest, most informed and ready mom I can be :)
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| They've arrived! Is it weird how excited I am about prenatal vitamins?! |
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| Been using this for about a months now, it sure does leave my skins smooth! |
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Baby schedule
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| Flowers from our wedding - doesn't really have anything to do with this post, but still pretty! |
The good news? We have a plan! Nick and I are going to take an aggressive re-payment approach. If all goes as planned (and we are crossing our finger and praying it will) then we could have a baby by (drum roll please) 2015! WOO hoo. It sounds far away... yes. But, I am choosing to look at the bright side. Yes, I want a baby, and I mean REALLY want a baby, but at the same time, this is Nick and I's only time with just the two of us. We need to really enjoy it. We are young and we still have things that we want to do before we have a baby. We could just go ahead and jump right in to having babies, but I think we would breath much easier knowing that we had a couple extra dollars at the end of the month, especially once we have a baby to think about! Well, that's the plan. I hope we follow it and can stick to it. It would be so awesome if we could.
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| My niece Harlo and I on wedding day! Being around this kid sure makes me want one of my own. |
All that said, I am getting my IUD removed next week. Risky decision? Maybe. So what. I'm sick of this thing. This way I can start charting my natural cycle without all those crazy hormones. My cycle is so unpredictable with the IUD. My IUD has served it's purpose well, and now it is time to say sayonara! I'm sure I sound like a royal contradiction right now with wanting to wait to have babies, but also getting my birth control method removed ASAP. Unfortunately I have had some not so great side effects with this darn IUD and will be looking to more natural forms of birth control, if anyone has suggestions, I would be love to hear them.
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| Might as well enjoy my young and childless years while I can! I only have a couple left! - Rehearsal dinner photo |
Prenatal Vitamins
I recently read that it is smart to start taking prenatal vitamins well before you plan on getting pregnant. I started taking Nature Made prenatal vitamins a couple months ago because they were on sale at the grocery store.... bad choice. Do not go for the cheapest prenatal you can find, and you should probably read your labels and do your research before you buy prenatals. Looking back now, I can tell you, Nature Made prenatals are awful! If you want to experience what morning sickness feels like, without being pregnant, then I encourage you to try Nature Made Prenatal Vitamins. I had terrible stomach aches and actually felt like I was going to throw up. Most prenatals are meant to be taken with food. I did not know this going into using these vitamins, however even after eating a small breakfast with them, the improvements was not much better.
Now, I'm not an expert. But from what I have read, apparently most prenatals use folic acid, which is synthetic. If you get a prenatal with "folate" in it though, it has not been altered and is in it's more natural state. Folic acid is often what leads to that feeling of nauseousness.
So, what to do? I just purchased New Chapter Perfect Prenatal, it is made with whole foods (rather than synthetic chemicals) and can be taken on an empty stomach! If you go to their site, this product gets rave reviews! Women love it. The only down side is you have to take it 3 times a day. So what! I eat at least 3 times a day, so I will just keep my prenatals in my purse. I will do a full review on them once I have been using them for a few weeks and let you know what I think!
Now, I'm not an expert. But from what I have read, apparently most prenatals use folic acid, which is synthetic. If you get a prenatal with "folate" in it though, it has not been altered and is in it's more natural state. Folic acid is often what leads to that feeling of nauseousness.
So, what to do? I just purchased New Chapter Perfect Prenatal, it is made with whole foods (rather than synthetic chemicals) and can be taken on an empty stomach! If you go to their site, this product gets rave reviews! Women love it. The only down side is you have to take it 3 times a day. So what! I eat at least 3 times a day, so I will just keep my prenatals in my purse. I will do a full review on them once I have been using them for a few weeks and let you know what I think!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Organic Baby Gear
Where's the organic stroller's and car seats? I have been hunting online all night. I have come to the conclusion that there is none... if you live in the U.S. Anyone know something that I don't.?
I did find this great website http://www.naturkind.at/content/cms,id,38,nodeid,37,_language,en,em_url,internal.html
but they don't ship to the U.S.!
Granted, I do not plan on getting preggers for a while, but I like to do my research well in advance.
Suggestions anyone?
I did find this great website http://www.naturkind.at/content/cms,id,38,nodeid,37,_language,en,em_url,internal.html
but they don't ship to the U.S.!
Granted, I do not plan on getting preggers for a while, but I like to do my research well in advance.
Suggestions anyone?
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