I was in a serious recipe rut a couple months back. It was bad people. My poor family. Part of the problem is I don’t like having to meal plan ahead of time… I just like to have a lot of great ingredients on hand and then magically whip them up into delicious, healthy and...
I’m so excited and honored to be featured on your blog, Miggy. I loved the spotlight on Lily, the little girl with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and thought it might be fun to share a bit with readers about what it’s like to be an adult (or in our case TWO adults) with OI. My husband...
Hearing about Kara's storyis such an inspiration…n definitely she has a wonderful sense of humor..
btw, I posted earlier once asking if you think of adding a facebook link for your blog..My perspective definitely changed about special needs people and I want more people to know the same..ReplyCancel
Love it.My late husvand had severe OI.I had a stroke at 15.we adopted out son with moderate OI and CP from Kolkata India in 2001Nigel Aabesh is 15 now.We wanted to adopt a girl from China named Lilly who had OI but it dudnt work out.I have a 6 yr old typical child too I had.I love seeing other disabled parents esp. My OI family.ReplyCancel
Love it.My late husvand had severe OI.I had a stroke at 15.we adopted out son with moderate OI and CP from Kolkata India in 2001Nigel Aabesh is 15 now.We wanted to adopt a girl from China named Lilly who had OI but it dudnt work out.I have a 6 yr old typical child too I had.I love seeing other disabled parents esp. My OI family.ReplyCancel
loved your story I'm 24 years old and have moderate oi and i also have a daughter aged 5 and a son aged 2 both with oi we try to get on with things as normally as possible but i always struggle with the tuts and stares wish people would ask rather than assume. my son also was born with clubbed foot so was in leg casts for 6 weeks from 6 weeks old and my daughter broke her leg the same time so i had two children in leg casts and being a young mum i got a lot of evil looks in the supermarket i can tell you that lol. But luckily i have my mum who has become a pro with oi having me and kept me strong. all the best from my family to yours xxReplyCancel
I read a book by that title a few years ago, The Gift of An Ordinary Day. The book itself was only so-so, but the title has remained with me. I supposed that title, that idea, started coming more frequently a couple of months ago when I began listening to a podcast about people enduring...
Hi Miggy –
Have you heard of Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts"? It's all about cultivating deep gratitude for the ordinary blessings of life, in good times and in bad. I read this book several years ago and highly recommend it. She also has a blog: http://www.aholyexperience.com.
Thanks for the post; I think your perspective is very wise.
i love this. it's funny you wrote about this because i've been thinking about it a lot lately. we recently found out we're pregnant with baby #2, and i can't help but imagine (over and over again) how great the feeling of "normalcy" is going to feel when we give birth (if everything goes to plan of course). i crave that "normal" feeling. the normalcy of being wheeled down the hall with my baby to our room with a smile on my face – just like all the other proud moms, the normalcy of happy phone calls and congratulations, and the normalcy of happy tears. but i don't think i would ever really be able to appreciate this "normalcy" without experiencing the other side. which is sad in a way, but it has helped me realize how great our lives really are, even though so very ordinary.
thanks for sharing. 🙂
anna (zayn's mom)
I found your blog via Kelle Hampton, and I've spent the last few days reading through all your Lamp Links. (She is the CUTEST thing EVER, by the way!) So this is the first current post I've read yet, and I think it's funny that this is it- because you sound just like Kelle here!
I'm loving our ordinary right now, too. I just had my third child juuuust under two months ago, and my oldest just started kindergarten, so life is pretty crazy- especially with a Terrible Two's little boy thrown in the mix!- but it's all so normal and good right now. Sometimes I get bored of "ordinary" and get ready for a vacation or a party or a new car or just CHANGE… But really, ordinary is pretty good. I'm happy right where I am.
(Although, I wouldn't turn down a momentous milestone like sleeping through the night right now… That'd be okay with me!:)
Thanks for sharing all you do. I've loved learning about Lamp and how a mom handles a surprise like her. ReplyCancel
To this day the post that I still receive the most hits on is my feather stamped gauze swaddle blanket tutorial. Go figure. A project I tackled on the fly but that turned out pretty well. While Lamp never took to the blanket, it’s still a favorite of mine and will definitely be in rotation...
Thanks for featuring families on your Special Needs Spotlight every week. It has been such an encouragement to me, and I’m excited to share our family’s story now. My husband and I are the lucky mama and daddy to Jude (5), Josette (2), andAlma (2 months). Josette was born at 35 1/2 weeks after a...
Hi Johanna, my son Jackson who was featured here last Oct was born with a similar ailment. Expect he ended up having most of his small bowel removed and still requires tpn to survive. I can totally understand the constant worry and stress of making sure enough calories are consumed in a day! Best of luck to your little girl and family!ReplyCancel
I’m not a big sandwich person, but a couple weeks ago I had the best sandwich at a small town joint up north. I decided that I’d recreate the deliciousness at home. The result was a success and frankly I can’t believe I didn’t think of it before! It’s basically a cross between a BLT...
Pronounced: Uh-Shlaw-toe. Rhymes with gelato. That is the name Lamp has come up with for the baby. Baby Ashlato. She’s sort of a crazy baby name genius. Meanwhile the Mr. and I remain at a standstill when it comes to a real name. While finding out that we’re having another girl has definitely helped me...
Oh my goodness, PPD. I got hit hard the second time. I really didn't think I could do it either and to me it felt like trying to climb Mt. Everest in sneakers. I kept slipping and falling. Thank goodness for my mother and husband who had their crampons and hauled me up! I don't really have any solutions but just wanted to chime in with a "I hear you". I'm not sure what made it all better except for time, patience, and some diversions (thinking about simple sewing projects I had going on) to remind me that I was more than just a milk machine. Good luck. You WILL get through and it seems to be you're doing all the right things now -planning and thinking about how to handle it should it come again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it all. Even 4 years after the fact, I still feel better knowing I wasn't alone in my experience.ReplyCancel
Yes! I think another thing was doing things that made me happy–listening to good music, working on little projects, etc. Fortunately my husband is a great baby dad if that makes sense (some guys just don't love the babies) and he's a tremendous help and strength. And yes, it really does help to know you're not alone. ReplyCancel
First one, I had horrible PPD. The 2nd two I had none and I attribute it to the large doses of Vitamin D that I took during both pregnancies. Check out your vitamin D level now and if it is around 30, I'd start supplementing 1000+ IUs of Vit D daily. Your levels should be close to 100 (some doctors freak out when it is that high, but try to get as close to 80 as possible). (I'm not a doctor, but do have my ID (internet doctor) from Google :)) Good luck and I'm excited to meet your new little one (you make beautiful babies!) (Sorry for the excessive use of parenthesis).ReplyCancel
Hi Miggy –
I have low vitamin D and take 4000 IUs per day (I live in the Pacific NW and a majority of people out here have low vitamin D because of the weather). Vitamin D levels can be checked with a simple blood test; just tell your doctor you would like your levels checked. Low vitamin D is associated with a whole host of health problems, including depression. Ideally you should get enough vitamin D from diet and exposure to sunlight, but often that is not the case, so I encourage everyone to get their levels checked 🙂 ReplyCancel
Oh Miggy, I am sorry you have struggled with PPD. I participated in a special needs spotlight just days after my son was born and was trying to figure out what was happening to me at that time. I had PPD similar to your experience (intense, came on quick, but was gone with medication in about a month.) I remember feeling completely paralyzed and I cried more in that month I think than in my whole life combined. The night he was born, I was laying in the hospital bed and it just came on. I couldn't shake this dark feeling and I asked my husband for a priesthood blessing. The worst part I think was that I was so tired but I just could not sleep. I couldn't nap while he napped and every night I would go to bed between 11-12 but I would wake up between 3-4 and couldn't go back to sleep. I really felt like I was going crazy. Gosh, what a horrible thing. About 2 weeks into it,and after being encouraged by several people who had dealt with PPD, I went to my doctor and got on an antidepressant. It took 2 weeks but it was night and day different when it kicked in. I could function again!
I am scared for it to happen with subsequent babies. When I think about it now, I feel like positive thinking and calming measures could get me through if it were to happen again, but it is so irrational and so all-encompassing that i don't think thats true. Like you said, so hard to out into words.
Good luck with Baby #3! You have a beautiful, wonderful family 🙂ReplyCancel
Well, first off I can relate to the whole not really preparing for baby. While this is only my 2nd, between our 3 year old and working full time at work and at home, I feel a lot less stressed this time about pregnancy in general… no in depth dr. googling session or stacks of baby books on my nightstand. I really do feel at peace, like this is exactly where I am supposed to be. But every now and then I remember those first few months after my son was born. I was never officially diagnosed with PPD, but looking back on it now, I definitely had the baby blues. I can remember sitting and crying, apologizing to my husband for turning our lives upside down, etc. And then the screaming/colic/reflux issues began… and that only added to my tears as well. After being married 8 years with no children, bringing home our son was definitely a life altering experience that I never really prepared for, which is ironic since we went through IF treatments. My whole focus while I was pregnant was on staying pregnant, I never thought beyond labor and delivery b/c I was afraid it wouldn't happen. And that was not a good plan! So as of right now I feel good about my positive thinking in regards to Baby No. 2. I am hoping I am more prepared this time around, but I also know that going with the flow is going to be the best option, I know it will be unpredictable and I should keep an open mind. But as we all know, "knowing" something is completely different than "feeling" something. Sending prayers your way as you prepare more for your little one to arrive.ReplyCancel
Emily–yes I don't think there is any transition quite like parenthood… like you I was just really unprepared. Then again, I'm not sure there is anything that really can prepare you. And yes, knowing and feeling is a huge difference. But yes being more aware and in tune with my body, emotions, triggers, is a big part of dealing with any fallout. Good luck to you!ReplyCancel
I had a daughter that passed away shortly after birth, with Turners Syndrome. Some people feel relieved after the first trimester is over. I feel relieved when the baby is here and coming home with me. I think it is natural to have those feelings. Not because you are afraid of having a child with differences but because of the unknown of what those differences are and a feeling of unpreparedness and inadequacy.ReplyCancel
I had an excruciating PPD after my daughter was born. It is something I still struggle to reconcile three years later. This summer I did a series on PPD on my blog and it was helpful to compile the stories of other women and to talk openly about it.
You can visit it here: http://www.livwrites.com/search/label/postpartum%20depressionReplyCancel
Oh gosh, where to start. When I was about two months pregnant with my second child we found out that there was possibly a birth defect with our then two and a half year old son. We were sent to Primary Children's and saw the entire team of genetics specialists. They had a pretty hard time telling us definitively what was going on. They were pretty sure he had Arskogs Syndrome, very rare and not lots of information. With out going to great detail, it was a syndrome that had different degrees of severity. Kind of a wait and see game. It was very scary being pregnant and not really having the answers I so desperately wanted and needed. My second son was born and did not have special needs. My older son had mild symptoms of Arskogs. He is married and living a full happy life. There were definitely ups and downs. He had some physical characteristics that some would comment about. Junior high was not always kind to him, high school was so much better. He found his comfort zone and some good friends as well. As a result of having Arskogs he and his wife will not be able to have biological children. Not because they are afraid; but because it is one of the symptoms that happen to some men. It makes them sad but they are excited about being able to adopt one day. We also had a scare with my fourth pregnancy, I had some questionable results from a blood test. The doctor suggested a amniocentesis. I just could not face another pregnancy without knowing. Knowledge is power and I needed to feel like I had some power. If my child was going to have special needs I wanted to do my research and not be blind sighted. The results came back and there was nothing genetically amiss. We were very relieved. So, do I have any advice? Prayer, deep breaths, long walks, girlfriends, gratitude, loving on my family and ONE DAY AT A TIME!
PPD, had it, hated it, never want to have it again. Yuck,yuck and more yuck! Advice….address it sooner than later. Don't procrastinate getting help. There is no reason to struggle with depression when there is so much that can bring you relief. Therapy, medication, diet, whatever is right for you, have faith in your ability to cope with the ups and downs that are sure to come. I love your blog! You rock!ReplyCancel
Good advice! In the long run I know I can't control things, so I'm really trying to just let go. Not easy, but better than the alternative.
And as far as PPD I have to say, if there is one thing that I'm good at it's asking for/seeking help when I need it. I don't try to power through–so I know that if I need help I'll do what it takes to get it. ReplyCancel
My daughter had PPD a few months after her first child was born. She is a psychologist and knew the symptoms….thank goodness. When she first told me I went to the library and read the book by Brooke Shields. I was able to tell her about what I read. My daughter's depression was severe. She had visions of terrible things happening to the baby. Not by her but while with her. Awful things. It was so scary. I know that I flew out to be by her side. I remember walking over a bridge with a rather rapid river flowing underneath. Before we crossed she made me promise that if the bridge collapsed that I would save the baby first. It was so sad to have these feelings…..and this was a minor feeling. She was able to get on medication and that did the trick. She lost her next baby early in the pregnancy. Then she went on to have another baby and suffered no depression. She was prepared to do what it took if need be. I think what triggered this depression was when she returned to work and her daughter went into day care. Even though she totally trusted the woman caring for her baby but she just started to spin out of control.
When my daughter in law had her second baby she was so worried about being able to take care of both children. I was a little shocked but now I see that as another form of this depression like you said. at that time her mother took care of her while in the hospital. I tended to the new baby……
I am guessing and hoping that you will be just fine this time around. The important thing is to know what to know the symptoms and do what you need to do.
Happy New Baby.ReplyCancel
Our only child was born with club feet, which his father also had. We don't know, and won't know for many years, if he also got my genetic kidney disease (50% chance). I've certainly lived a full life with my failing kidneys, as has my husband with his club feet, and our son is already 2 years into correcting his club feet….but it is safe to say I worry immensely about having another child and possibly giving it both club foot and kidney disease. It's an awful feeling. ReplyCancel
I had PPD really, really bad for a long time and looking back it is so easy to say "hey! I needed help!" but when I was in the middle of it I had no idea what was going on and I just tried to power through. This was so foolish. I have a lot of regret and guilt about it because our son was recently diagnosed with Autism and I always wonder "what if? If I hadn't had such bad PPD would that have helped my son?" etc. (I know that this is silly but, gosh, mommy guilt. You know.)
Anyway, I am pregnant again and I have vowed to not suffer through the PPD thing again. I am a firm believer that knowledge + action = power and so I am trying to learn more about it and be sure to get help this time if I feel myself slipping into it.
Thanks for your blog and especially for the special needs spotlights. 🙂 Good luck with the wee one once she arrives. ReplyCancel
I had PPD with all 3 of my girls, but the third was by far the mildest and I think it was because I was able to surrender to it. I thought why God gave women PPD, perhaps to make them want to stay at home and not have a lot of company and by doing so not expose brand new baby to unnecessary germs or danger? Once I accepted PPD as natural, stopped seeing it as 'bad' it lessened its grip on me. Sunset was the hardest time of day for me, I don't know why. I would hold baby in my arms and ask hubby to snuggle me on the couch. 🙂 also for the first week I forbid him to leave the house. "Stay with me honey, we don't need groceries or diapers." 😉
Thanks for your blog, such a beautiful place.ReplyCancel
Oh Miggy, I had severe PPD with all five of my children, one child almost verging on psychosis. It was awful. I think sleep was huge for me, having a husband who was rarely home and so many small children while living in NYC with a limited support network almost pushed me over the edge. I'm worried for you with a move coming so soon after your baby is born since I truly feel having a support network is so crucial. Read lots of books about PPD before the baby is born. Have a plan in place since once you're in the depression the last thing you want to do is research doctors who can help you (that being said there is a HUGE lack of people who specialize in PPD). I begged my mom to come for an extended period after my last was born, knowing it was going to be a traumatic experience. Sunlight. Lie still and soak in the light.
About the Vitamin D, four of us in our family have been told we have extremely low levels and the doctor told me to just assume that you are deficient and start taking supplements. She said billions of dollars are wasted every year on testing for it and pretty much everyone needs more. Vitamin D helps with many things including the strength of your immune system, I don't know about PPD but it couldn't hurt to make sure you have good levels.
i had PPD with my first two boys.. it was so awful, and hard on our marriage.. with boy/baby #3, we were expecting it, dreading it. and? it never came. i basked in it's unexpected absence, still not trusting that it wouldn't show, and therefore appreciating fully what good times i had, and i actually enjoyed a newborn for the first time! so, you never know. maybe third time (and with the same gender!) is the charm!ReplyCancel
It's so interesting to me that when you open that can of worms — PPD — you find out that there are a lot of people out there that have experienced it. With my first child, I felt utterly alone with it. It was worsened by so many things: colic and reflux, a wintertime newborn at the beginning of the highest recorded snowfall year so I was stuck inside, and just the sudden isolation of being a full-time work-out-of-the-home person to staying at home. I felt helpless and hopeless. The first six weeks though, I felt NOTHING, and I would say the nothingness feeling is the worst of all. I could not bring myself to give a flying crap about anything. It scared me. I slowly got better over the months, and I remember the tears of joy and relief when I realized at about four months that I did truly love my child, but I did not feel completely normal until she was weaned.
The second time was completely different. Early on I could feel a wave of baby blues coming and I would hand the baby to somebody and just walk outside. And breathe. But that passed after two weeks. Then it was anger. So much anger. It was so weird. I felt attached and I felt in control and I felt like an okay mom that had some decent coping skills, UNTIL something would annoy me and I would spiral so quickly to this angry place. I think a lot of people don't realize PPD can manifest as anger so I try to talk about it now. Because the anger threatened my children I was much quicker to act and got on antidepressants, which placebo or not made a big difference. So next time I plan to just start taking them as soon as the theoretical child is born. I think there are a lot of things you can do to lessen the effects of PPD, but sometimes the simplest answer (the one I avoided for a while– yes medication) can pack the biggest punch. Other things that make a big difference to me are asking for help and getting outside as much as humanly possible. I will definitely check into the vitamin D thing, though.ReplyCancel
Hey, I'm Amy!
I'm an author, artist, and disability advocate. I live with my handsome husband and three beautiful daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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I made this soup last week and it was delicious!For the chicken, I just used the meat from a Costco rotisserie chicken http://ldsliving.com/story/64953-white-chili-from-byutvs-food-nanny
Anything from Jamiecooksiyup.net the ones I have made the most are bourbon chicken, ham and cheese pinwheels, and sugar cookie bars
I would love to know about your whole chicken in the slow cooker, please tell me!