Nap Weaning, Day One
February 28, 2009 | 8 Comments
photo credit: Allen Elliotte
Sadie is 3 and a half years old. She still very much needs a nap.
If we drive somewhere in the afternoons, she always falls asleep (the older children never do). If I nurse her or lay down with her, she will quickly and easily fall asleep. She yawns if she sits still for a story after lunch.
There is no doubt she still needs that nap.
But.
She relies on my body as a sleep aid. That’s fine at night, I’m happy to snuggle up next to her at night to help her transition to sleep.
But during the day? Emm… not so much.
I have things to do and other children to attend to. And I don’t need or want a nap. If I sleep for one minute longer than 20, I’ll feel poorly and tired. I’ve tried setting an alarm or having my oldest wake me up after that time, but because she is reliant on me to sleep Sadie will awaken at that time too.
20 minutes isn’t enough of a nap for her. She needs an hour to an hour and a half.
So.
I think it’s time for nap weaning.
When my oldest was around 2 1/2 or so, I could lay down in the bed with him and put him to sleep and then sneak away. I enjoyed an hour or even two hours of alone time with my newborn second son, or to myself if they were both sleeping. It was wonderful.
I need that time to work, to spend with the other kids doing school, to clean, or just chill. Or whatever.
Nap weaning has begun. This is Day One.
I sat down with her in the bed and we read 3 stories together. During this time she yawned repeatedly and her eyes closed several times, but she would wake herself up.
I rubbed her arms. I traced her face. I ran my fingers through her hair. I sang songs.
This went on for about 30 minutes.
no dice.
Then I got up. It’s been about an hour and a half and she’s still in her room (the playroom really, there is a bed in there but she and her sister don’t sleep in it at night!). She is protesting but not horribly loudly.
Asking for water. Asking for pillows. Asking for snacks. Asking for going to da bafroom. Saying, “I’ve had too much sleep!”
LOL! She hasn’t fallen asleep yet. 
For those of you who have done this before, what’s the prognosis?
Will this go on for another day or two and then she will realize mom is serious?
Do I keep trying to stay in there with her for a reasonable period (say, 20 minutes) and then leaving if she’s not asleep?
Do I stay in the whole time?
Do I not stay in at all?
Do I insist that she can’t come out unless she naps?
Or do I require a certain time limit regardless of whether she falls asleep?
Advice and BTDTs much appreciated.
p.s. I don’t do cry it out and she has only left the room two times. I calmly and gently ask her to go back in, I tuck her in and kiss her cheek. No punishing. So please don’t suggest that. Not that you would.
Keep in mind also that she naps easily for her Dad and my Mom when she stays with them. And neither of them have mee-mees.
Thanks!
Nap Update:
It’s 3:30 pm, and after publishing this post, getting a couple of comments, and trying again:
Sadie is napping.
And I’m obviously… not. I was able to roll off the bed without waking her. So now I’m making a menu and grocery list and getting the other kids ready to head out to Whole Foods.
Whee! Success! A little later than I would have hoped, but I’m sure tomorrow will go even better.
She woke up at around 4:15 and got lots of hugs and praise from mom.
Paging Doctor House
February 27, 2009 | 4 Comments
Where is Dr. House when you need him?
I don’t own a television, but I never miss this show (I watch it online a week after it airs on tv). This week I found myself wishing that there Dr. House was real. 
Wednesday morning I took my 6 year old daughter Ilana to the E.R.
Because her feet were paralyzed.
Tuesday, mid-morning, she started vomiting. I wasn’t too worried because she had no fever or other symptoms, and despite the fact that she wasn’t keeping anything down, wasn’t acting that unusual.
I managed to keep her hydrated with water and apple juice. The last time she threw up was around 8 p.m. that night. She slept pretty peacefully all night (waking for sips of water), and in the morning she and I stayed in bed while my oldest made breakfast for the other kids. I was still recuperating from an earache and sore throat thing, and Ilana said she had no appetite, so we just hung out and cuddled.
She fell asleep which would ordinarily have been strange, except she had been sick, so it didn’t concern me too much. I got up to wash the breakfast dishes and do some laundry.
Then I see her crawling across the apartment.
Yeah, that was pretty weird.
I asked her what she was doing and she said her legs were aching. Again, I didn’t worry too much because everyone has aches and pains when they’re sick. Right?
Then after she crawled back to bed I joined her.
And I noticed her feet. Something wasn’t right.
Her feet were rigid, turned in and pointed. And stuck. She couldn’t move her ankle or anything beneath it.
I grabbed a bottle of massage oil and tried to rub them. She yelped in pain. I asked her to wiggle her toes. She couldn’t. I asked her to flex her foot. She couldn’t. She could not walk. Her feet were just frozen.
I called a nurse’s hotline. I got dressed. I Googled directions to the nearest E.R. After speaking with the nurse, I got dressed and told the boys to get their shoes on. I told oldest to get Sadie’s socks and shoes on.
I got Ilana dressed and gingerly put socks on her feet.
We got to the E.R. at around 11 A.M.
The Doctors had no idea what was wrong.
They put an I.V. in her arm and she cried about that for 30 minutes. They put a little morphine in the I.V. I knew the moment it kicked in because her eyes got droopy and she relaxed in my arms and stopped protesting about the I.V.
Meanwhile the Doctors reported that the tests showed everything normal. She wasn’t severely dehydrated. Her elecrolytes were normal. Her calcium, potassium, etc… all normal.
3 Doctors came in and looked at her, each one saying,
“This is so weird.”
(That’s comforting.)
The Doctor in charge called the Pediatrics department of the local children’s hospital and asked the Neurology department for a consult. She did a few more tests and said Ilana’s ankle reflexes were not responding.
The Doctor said the next course of action was a lumbar puncture to rule out Guillain-Barre.
I asked what would happen if we didn’t do that (very painful and invasive procedure to “rule out” something that, while serious, didn’t really match the symptoms).
She said we could watch and wait, and that if it was GB, the paralysis would be ascending and we would probably know within hours whether it was getting worse (going up the body to the other limbs and vital organs).
After a few hours of waiting around I noticed her feet looked a little less rigid. She started wiggling her toes.
Later, Ilana was able to walk back from the bathroom (the first 3 times I had to carry her).
We left the hospital at around 6:30 p.m, AMA.
Within an hour, Ilana was walking, skipping, running, jumping, and playing.
We don’t have any idea what caused this.
Where is Dr. House when you need him?
photo credit: ostromentsky
Natural Moms Podcast #115
February 24, 2009 | 1 Comment
I apologize for this week’s “lo fi” show. I’m sick and also have a vomiting 6 year old, so we’re couching out for a few days. I didn’t want this week’s show to be any later so I decided to publish the interview as is. 
My guest this week is Lafe Larson of Lafe’s Natural Bodycare.
While some skin care companies are concerned about BPA in their products, Lafe has gone a step further.
His company recently released the first-of-its-kind organic certified baby line packaged in “baby-safe” plastic, free of estrogenic chemicals.
Listen to find out what Carrie’s favorite product was and how she put it to the ultimate test!
In addition to safe skin care for babies and mothers, Lafe’s offers deodorants and intimate products, free of questionable ingredients such as parabens, glycol, PEGs, and sodium laureth.
Lafe also helps clear up some of the confusion around plastics and their affects on the body. You can also read more information at EAFREE.com
How To Never Burn Oatmeal Again
February 24, 2009 | 4 Comments
I think I just discovered a mommy hack.
Something that is going to save me time, money, and pot scrubbing.
Something that will allow me to savor a few extra precious moments snuggling in bed with my young ‘uns, nursing a cup of hot coffee.
How To Never Burn Oatmeal Again
I burn oatmeal. Almost always. I’m not sure why because I rarely burn dinner.
Oh wait I know.
I soak my oats overnight to reduce the phytates and increase the nutrient quotient.
Because of this and my distractibility all of the time in the mornings, my oats often burn in the pan.
Creating stinky yucky oatmeal. That the kids turn up their noses at.
But no longer.
I cooked our morning oatmeal in my red Rival rice cooker.
It came out perfectly, and sat there patiently waiting and warming while I did something else.
No burning! Warm yummy oatmeal, and best of all – no scrubbing.
Rub Your Minerals, Honey
February 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Y’all know I’m not a big fan of supplements. I believe we should get our nutrients from food. Other than cod liver oil (which is more a food), I don’t do supplements unless I’m ill and are using them medicinally.
In other words, I think we should eat our vitamins, not swallow them. At the same time, I realize that modern life makes it hard to get all the good stuff we need. What’s more, we have various things working against us. Like fluoridated water, pollution, pesticides, too much stress, etc. Hard as we try, we can’t get away from this stuff 100%, but all of it makes our bodies require more nutrition.
My biggest problem with taking supplements orally is that you don’t know what you’re doing unless you’re some kind of scientist. It’s easy to take too much or accidentally cause your body to need more of some other nutrient because of an imbalance you created.
Supplements just aren’t natural.
But what if you could “take” a supplement and know that you won’t accidentally take too much, causing more problems that you solved? That would be cool, no?
Thought so.
For the last few weeks I’ve had the chance to test out 3 magnesium supplements that you rub on your skin. “Transdermal magnesium therapy” would be the technical term.
I don’t exactly know if I’m low in magnesium (which is an essential mineral). According to research I’ve done, however, a lot of the stuff moms suffer with (like insomnia, PMS, aches and pains, anxiety, cravings for salt, carbs and chocolate, breast tenderness, depression and a whole host of other problems) could be a magnesium deficiency. I also read that according to some estimates, 2/3 of adults don’t get enough magnesium in their diets.
According to their website, transdermal magnesium therapy can do the following good stuff (I put a star next to the things I’ve experienced):
- Help your body safely detoxify
- Relieve aches, pains, and spasms *
- Elevate the mood and relieves stress *
- Encourages healthy skin tissue
- Helps maintain proper muscle function
- Boosts energy
- Supports the immune system
- Balances hormones
- Calms the nerves
- Improves sleep quality *
Umm, that’s a lot of stuff.
I’ll tell you what I’ve noticed, in particular.
I use the magnesium oil and gel after a really hard workout. Remember kickboxing class the other day, with the failure reps and super sets?
Typically I would have been very sore the next day and even MORE so the second day after doing an unusually strenous workout, especially with weights.
Guess what?
I had NO pain. There have been times that I’ve been so sore after doing something new or hard at the gym that I took a pain reliever so I could move without hurting.
Nada. Nothing.
I specifically applied the gel to my arms, shoulders and had my kids rub it on my back. I was very surprised to have no pain the next two days and was back at the gym that second day, with no residual soreness.
That was pretty impressive. I’ve also noticed the improved sleep and calming of nerves effect. Since I typically apply the magnesium after a workout and a shower, it’s usually around 8 or so. And I sleep like a baby.
The first time I used it, I thought it must have been a placebo effect, but I felt a really pleasant kind of calm come over me. It wasn’t until I read more about the effects of magnesium that I realized the connection.
A bit of warning. Applying the product to sensitive skin areas can cause some burning. It won’t hurt you, but silly me didn’t read the instructions and sprayed the oil on freshly shaved legs after a bath one time. Yowch! I also didn’t realize that the oil is very strong and should probably be rinsed off. Duh. Other times, I felt a little “tingle” when applying the oil, but I didn’t mind that, it was kind of pleasant. Also, I put the gel on my face one night and woke up looking like E.T. when he was dying. Or like I took a swim in the Dead Sea and didn’t rinse myself off. Or Lot’s wife. Or whatever, I was covered with salty residue. So – read instructions. If your skin is sensitive to the “tingle”, you can use the foot soak or dilute the spray with water. 
The company says that fibromyalgia patients have given testimonials, saying they’ve experienced a reduction in pain using the magnesium regularly. So I’ve given the bath salts to my mother to try. I look forward to seeing how they work for her.
If you want to know more of the science behind magnesium therapy, go here to read up on it.That article also explains why oral magnesium therapy isn’t ideal – among other things, because it has a laxative effect. Applying it to the skin doesn’t cause that problem.
Oh and one last thing. On Monday (today is Wednesday), I did a different routine at the gym and yesterday was totally sore. Today I woke up and could hardly MOVE and spent most of the morning on the couch. It hurt every time I had to get up or down (my quads were so sore).
But guess what?
I didn’t apply the magnesium Monday. So that’s my own little scientific test that proves to me the stuff must be working for me 
She’s Just Not That Into Me
February 18, 2009 | 8 Comments
Did you ever have a mommy friend, and you weren’t real sure where you stood?
She doesn’t call.
She doesn’t write.
When you get together, you have a great time and she seems into you.
When you call, she sounds happy to hear from you.
At the end of the playDATE, she hugs you.
Still, she never calls. It’s always you making the effort to get together.
No lie, I just got off the phone with a mom friend. The conversation went something like this:
Her: “We should really get together. The kids have no school this week and we were thinking about you guys.”
Me: “That sounds great, what day works for you guys?”
Her:
“Well we actually have plans today. And tomorrow. And Friday. And Saturday. Can you call me next week for us to do something next weekend?“
I. Kid. You. Not.
She’s just not that into me.
With men, I’m Janine.
You know, the “intelligent, lovely, far more than your cheating loser behind ever deserved” kind of gal.
But when it comes to mommy dating, I seem to be Gigi.
Waiting by the phone for your calls.
photo credit http://bigscreenlittlescreen.net/?p=1033
Wahm Wednesday: Profitable Mom Blogging
February 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Close on the heels of my post “The Trouble With Mom Bloggers”, Kelly invited me to be on Profitable Mommy Blogging to talk more about this topic.
I dished about Blissdom, meeting bloggers I admire, and how moms can value themselves and their writing more.
My point in bringing this up is that even if you don’t “need” to make money with your mom blog, doing so can help you spread your message farther and wider.
Doesn’t everyone want their thing to be bigger?
Here is a free report I put together with my favorite 100 tips on blogging. You can either click on the image or click here to download it (right click to download and save to your computer, or just click to open).
Enjoy!
More:
- Does your mom blog need boosting?
- Free natural moms guide to blogging
WW: Play Dough Doesn’t Harden In The Oven
February 18, 2009 | 1 Comment
Oh No Mr. Bill!
Homemade Lactofermented Salsa
February 17, 2009 | 9 Comments
First, before sharing my recipe and how to’s for making homemade lacto-fermented salsa, I am going to share the WHY of such.
What IS Lacto-Fermented Salsa and Why Should I Care?
To quote Nourishing Traditions,
“Lacto-fermentation is a process whereby special bacteria transform sugars and starches into beneficial acids. These … are valued for medicinal qualities including the ability to relieve intestinal problems and constipation. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances their digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organisms product numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anticarcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid… promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine.”
To put it simply, lacto-fermented foods are whey good for you. Especially if you have any kind of issues with yeast, you need to be eating lots of lacto-fermented foods daily. They’re highly nutritive. Also great for anyone with any kind of tummy troubles. You can skip the expensive enzyme or probiotic supplements if you eat lacto-fermented veggies regularly.
Throughout the world, traditional peoples haven eaten lacto-fermented foods.
They’re your kefir, your buttermilk, your yogurt. Your sauerkraut, your kim chi, your salsa, your chow chow, your relish, your pickles. They’re your umeboshi and your chutney, folks. Every culture has ‘em and they are eaten with most every meal in small portions as a condiment.
Making them at home the old fashioned way means they’re more nutritive and much cheaper.
Lacto-fermented foods are the ultimate in “food as medicine and medicine as food”.
If you’re unconvinced, get your hands on a copy of Wild Fermentation.
Now for my recipe:
Homemade Lacto-Fermented Salsa
- 6 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 or 4 diced jalapenos (optional)
- 1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- juice of 2 lemons
- 1 T sea salt
- 4 T whey
- 1/4 cup water
Note: This is an adaptation of the recipe, again, from Nourishing Traditions. After some experimentation, I like my version better.
Now, if you’re new to the whole Weston A Price/Traditional diets way of thinking, I’ll have to explain how to make whey. It’s easy and cheap.
How To Make Your Whey
Buy a tub of organic, plain (unsweetened, unflavored) whole milk yogurt (like Stonyfield). Place it into a colander or sieve that is lined with a thin tea towel and place that on top of a large bowl. If you don’t have a thin tea towel, coffee filters or cheesecloth will work too.
Let that sit overnight in the fridge. The stuff in the bottom of the bowl? There’s your whey. You can use the “yogurt cheese” several ways. Sweeten it with some honey and add nuts and you have a yummy topping for toast. Google yogurt cheese for lots more ideas.
Wasn’t that easy?
Back to Lacto Fermented Salsa – It’s Whey Cool!
Salsa making is easy. Just mix all the ingredients listed above and place them into clean glass jars. Wide mouth Mason jars are great, but if you don’t have any, use any clean glass jars. I like old Bubbies sauerkraut jars or any other that I have hanging around (I like to save my glass jars for food storage, they’re great for storing and freezing everything from nuts to broth and are safer and more hygienic than plastic).
If you don’t know this already, you can quickly and easily peel tomatoes by bringing a pan of water to boil on the stove in a saucepan. Dip one tomato at a time in the rapidly boiling water with a slotted spoon. Remove after a few seconds, and the peel slips right off. To seed tomatoes, cut them in half widthwise, hold over a bowl and squeeze gently. The seeds come right out.
Once you have your veggies in the glass jars, press them down a bit with a spoon so they are under the water/whey/lemon juice liquid.
Now, all you have to do is leave them out at room temp for a couple of days on your counter.
After that, stick them in the fridge. Lactofermented salsa is best after it’s a week or two old. It gets fizzy and has a nice kick to it. Guaranteed to knock the socks off of anyone who eats your next taco, burrito, nacho or whatever dinner.
… And your colon will thank you!
My Oldest Son Thinks He’s My Husband
February 17, 2009 | 7 Comments
My oldest son thinks he is my husband.
I started noticing this phenomenon in the last year. Probably since we’ve been living on our own, and he is the eldest male in the house.
Exhibit A:
Yes, he brings me flowers.
Purchased with his own money.
Seriously folks, I sometimes have to remind him that he is my child, not my husband.
He tries to discipline his siblings. He refers to them as “the kids”.
Meaning, he’s not one of them.
He thinks it’s hilarious to fart on me in bed.
(And I thought I was divorced and no longer had to endure such treatment?!)
I have to remind him to take care of personal hygiene.
Of course, it’s not all bad.
He tells me I look prettier without makeup.
He cooks for me.
He has surprised me by making breakfast before I get up.
He also loves to brew coffee and bring me a cup in bed.
But, he thinks that he can disregard what I say and argue with me.
He pushes my buttons and sometimes, makes me cry (but he won’t know it).
He tugs at my heart strings and makes it burst with pride and love too.
And unlike a husband, I can make him sit in the corner when he gets too sassy.
