an epic win

Francis Bruce's birth was an epic win. epic. EP-IC. the night he was born I felt amazing. and nope, no epidural to be found. here's the story.

Sunday night, Mother's Day night, I'd felt...different. just off, a little crabby (ok a lot crabby), tired, and heavy. just plain done. Charlie and I had gotten into it the week before, and we still weren't completely through it, and Lydia had gotten on my last nerve...it was just one of those weeks I'd just as soon try to forget. my friend Brynn was staying with us, which brought much joy to me because I was very happy to have her company and that she'd be helping us out with baby's birth. so when I went to bed Sunday night, I tried to focus on the positive and ready myself to bring baby into a little happier of a home. I spent a little time with the breast pump that night just to see if anything happened, but all that came of it was a drop of colostrum and a wasted 15 minutes...or so I thought.

when my water broke Monday morning at quarter to six I was flabbergasted, and instantly became the happiest woman in the world. gone were the annoyances with my husband and daughter, gone were the stresses of the week past. I hopped out of bed, ran into the bathroom, and giggled as I felt baby shift. to be honest I smelled the amniotic fluid and became teary--it smelled like new baby, and I knew that very soon we'd meet the little one I'd carried so well and healthfully. after a nice long shower we had a powerhouse breakfast of farm fresh eggs with cheese, toast, and fruit salad, then left Lydia with my mom and headed down to Luverne. I want to remember Charlie hurrying me along--he was remembering how fast my labor with Lydia went after they broke my water, but I reminded him that going from 0-10 is more of a process than a 9 to 10...and at this point I hadn't had more than a few contractions after my water broke earlier that morning! we reminisced and laughed on our way down to Luverne as the rain started to fall...it would turn out to be chilly, breezy, and drizzly all day.

because I tested positive for GBS, we opted to labor longer at the hospital and receive the recommended dosage of antibiotics, which was a dose every 4 hours, intravenously, for 15 minutes at a time until baby was born. knowing the statistics and risks involved with refusing them, it was a no-brainer, and at no point in my labor did I feel offended by the heplock in my wrist for easy access. there weren't any limitations on laboring, which was wonderful. when we arrived at the hospital they checked me in, hooked me up, checked me, and I think I was between a 2-3. we had the nurse bring in the birth ball, got out the essential oils and rebozo, and got to work! Brynn made fun of, I mean, motivated Charlie and I throughout some different movements with the birth ball and rebozo, and the mood remained light and happy throughout the morning.

however, the contractions became more steady and painful as we moved into the afternoon, so we switched to walking when the more passive earlier work of massage, bouncing on the ball, and squats with the rebozo just wasn't cutting it anymore. we walked. and walked. and walked, darn near putting on eight miles that afternoon (I later joked that my hammies hurt worse than my bottom!). we walked outside and inside, in the healing garden and down the halls, the contractions getting stronger and stronger. I remember just powering through them, breathing through them, and using the walking as a means to count steps and get through the surges. Brynn and Charlie walked with me, carrying my water and offering massive motivation and conversation when the time between contractions allowed. I was staying super hydrated thanks to the efforts of my husband and bestie, and every time I went to the bathroom I'd have a titanic contraction, moving baby closer and closer to us!

when we stopped walking around 5ish to get checked, have another dose of antibiotics, and have some fetal monitoring, they couldn't read my contractions as well or find his heartbeat as consistently (nothing was wrong, he'd just moved in a way that prevented our hearing him) so we decided to get into bed so I could rest and position myself well to hear how he was doing. I was nervous that the progress that I'd worked so hard for that day would stall out with getting into bed, but we were surprised and happy to find that I dilated just fine without beating laps around the hospital! hot dog! I should mention that throughout the day I felt so clear and in control, and fearless. just fearless. I had faith, my lover, my best friend, and an awesome hospital team rallying with me...it was feeling like a blessed day despite the pain. I heard everything, saw everything, and never once panicked. it was like night and day compared to Lydia's birth!

I progressed nicely through the evening. the contractions became stronger and closer together, my hands gripped Charlie's a little tighter, and the pain became all-consuming but manageable at the same time. I still felt in control, and mindful of everything going on in my body and around me. I remember Charlie encouraging me to take deep breaths--he was watching the fetal monitor and saw how my holding my breath in some contractions was affecting baby. I remember the nurses having me turn on my side to remove one lip on my cervix, then the other. I remember those being the most painful moments of labor, becoming fully dilated and ready to push.  I remember accidentally shrieking during a couple of contractions (I truly was doing well at just moaning or exhaling loudly through them) and a reassuring rub on my thigh from a sweet nurse. and I laughed when Dr. Crabtree, at 10:45pm, said, "Let's see where we're at around 11:30" when the nurses asked him about my next dose of antibiotics. I thought to myself, there was no way in hell I was still going to be pregnant at 11:30! A few minutes later I was pronounced fully dilated and ready to push!

Dr. Crabtree readied the room with the nurses and coached me on pushing--the first couple didn't do much, so we repositioned surprisingly so I was laid back a little bit further. I remember the room suddenly filling with people: other nurses and staff, my mom, Brynn, Charlie...it was a little blurry at that point but when we started pushing again, I became so clear. I heard Dr. Crabtree say after my second set, "Let's have a baby, Katie! Come on!", and I gritted my teeth, and pushed through another set. The room just buzzed and I heard a few people say, "Katie, reach down! Reach down!" I took my hand off the squat bar long enough to reach down and feel a slippery, warm, fuzzy head exiting my body--I began to cry, bore down, and gave birth to our son at 11:00 on the nose after just a few minutes of pushing. Dr. Crabtree said, "You have a good looking boy here, guys!" and immediately placed Francis on my chest. I had to laugh and cringe watching our birth video later--I was making all sorts of high pitched cooing noises with Francis' cries. I asked Dr. Crabtree if I tore and after a quick examination said, "Nothing more than a paper cut," which I attribute greatly to his doing perineum massage and just plain dumb luck. after they checked Francis over and cleaned up our room, the hospital staff bid us adieu, my mom and Brynn left for the night after snuggling the new babe, and Charlie and I were left to revel in being new parents all over again.

I'll write another post on Francis' night and first few days, mainly because I want to remember how much more confident and relaxed I felt enjoying our new son. when Lydia entered the world it was into a world of Mom worrying like all get out about breastfeeding and having a ton of pain from a significant tear, and both Mom and Dad being exhausted from being so scared throughout the labor process. I was up and showering a half hour after Francis was born, with no pain and a giddiness that was so so sweet. his birth was transformative, empowering, and just plain amazing. we accomplished our goals. we had an epic birth and a healthy baby--everything worked out perfectly. we felt so blessed drifting off to sleep that night, baby tucked in safe and sound with me. more later on the adventure of feeding a lazy little boy and coming home to one excited little girl :)

Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays

this Thanksgiving flew by, despite its later arrival in November.  we enjoyed a not-long-enough whirlwind trip to visit my dad and stepmom, and rounded out the weekend with the Live Nativity out at camp, the delicious Chapman Thanksgiving dinner, church, and house chores.

it was so nice to visit with my step-siblings and family up north. we had an amazing dinner prepared by Dad and Peggy...turkey, stuffing, roasted sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, salads...the list goes on, and then there were pies and homemade ice cream! the kids played well together and we did a fun winter craft project that I found on Pinterest and had to try:

it was so easy and fun! you will need:
painter's tape
watercolor paper
watercolor paints (do yourself a favor and cut out the blues and purples to give to the kids, otherwise it will come out a brown mess ;) )
salt
[hindnote: I wish I would have wet the watercolor paper first so the colors blended better, but as long as the kids got their brushes nice and wet it seemed to transfer over fine]
--rip the painter's tape into varied lengths and sizes to make the silhouette of a tree
--have the kids paint over the tree and all over the paper
--as they paint, sprinkle salt (sea salt or Morton's works fine) liberally over where they've painted.  the salt will suck up the color and create beautiful textures and white patches that look like snow crystals!
--when finished, lay paper on a smooth surface to dry, preferably overnight but a hair dryer works too ;)
--peel off the painter's tape when paintings are completely dry and voila! winter artwork!

December will be a busy, busy month. between work, marriage, starting school again (yep, announced that I was going back to grad school and found out a week later we were pregnant), Lydia's shenanigans, pets, house stuff, and family/friends, I find myself torn in so many directions! hoping to find light where it shines most--in our hearts, remembering why we're celebrating, and trying to put into perspective the purpose of our time and energy spent in the holiday season.

stay classy, sweet lydia!! :)

pheasant and farming

I made my first successful pheasant dish of the 2013 hunting season! last year my attempts at cooking that lean, bone-ridden bird were laughable. picture the Christmas turkey in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and you'll be able to understand my plight with this fowl. I had tried roasting it in the oven, which dried it to the point of no return. cue the polite chewing and copious amounts of water.

well, that bird got conquered. by a CrockPot.

I rubbed the plucked and cleaned bird (after removing all little feathers, bird shot, etc.) down with coconut oil (almost 3 Tbsp, I greased him up well), then made my normal chicken rub of thyme, smoked paprika, garlic, sea salt, white pepper and onion powder and rubbed that [dry] over the bird before putting it on a bed of carrots, potatoes, onion and turnips (cut into 1" chunks) in the CrockPot. high for two hours, low for 4, and that bird came out just perfect.  Lydia ate some of the breast and a leg, plus veggies, bread with butter, and most of an acorn squash that I baked with butter, a sprinkle of salt, and brown sugar.

in other news, harvest has been kicking our butts this year. I really feel for my husband--when he comes home sore and exhausted from being on the farm all day (5am-12am some days!) all I want is to keep him home and in bed, waited on hand and foot for working so hard for our family. the amount of work he does in a day is incredible--from chopping silage to loading hogs, feeding cattle, making bales, running semi loads of corn to the elevator, etc...he doesn't quit moving for hours on end. makes me feel so...I don't know, like I could never match the amount of energy he puts into a day with what I do on my end. from one camp I suppose balancing two jobs and taking care of the house, Lydia and pets would seem like it requires so much energy (which it does)....but it's not the same. and I certainly wouldn't expect Charlie to get home from work and do anything but take a hot shower and cuddle in with Lydia if she's still awake. but this too shall pass, the corn and beans will come in, the fields will get plowed, the animals sent away, and another season shall start at the farm once this time is over. it's just a lot of hard work and emotional sacrifice right now--hard not seeing my husband in any other mode other than exhausted and sore.

however, it has been so nice to grab up Lydia from daycare, make a quick supper, and bring it out for a ride-along in the truck or tractor with him! I am learning so much from other farm wives as to the best ways to keep in touch with husbands who seemingly marry their tractors for a month.  those ride-alongs give us a chance to talk, and it gives Lydia time with her daddy, something I have noticed to be very affective in her little life. she misses her dad, and it becomes readily apparent at times via meltdowns or her simply vocalizing, "I need Daddy." this winter we'll have to make up for lost time and spend more time together doing fun things as a family...looking forward to the Christmas season to do so! I've been Pinteresting some ideas already, but the mature adult in me is petulantly waiting until after Thanksgiving to do any serious Christmas planning. :)

one of those days

today it's chilly and breezy.  Lydia and Charlie are napping, and I've just finished charting on two new clients. supper is in the crock-pot (Greek-seasoned zucchini, onion and celery tops with chicken, which I'll serve over orzo tonight with tzatziki). maybe after everyone wakes up we'll head out to the state park to go for a walk (Lydia loves her birthday bike, and our dog could stand to be out of his kennel!).

it's been a busy September, busier than any I remember. amazing how the days literally fly by.  a couple of cool things that happened:
first, our darling daughter turned 3. THREE. we had a little party for her at our house with family and friends, her godmother Brynn came to spend the night and they had a slumber party, and her daycare buddies shared in her birthday as well.  so many fun presents that reflect what she loves most these days...a Lorax puzzle/activity book, a new bike, a salamander (from Mama!), a beautiful owl purse, dollies, a Super Soaker, play outfits, and more. I woke her up the morning of her birthday with a raspberry butterbraid pastry, and we enjoyed it together as an early-morning treat. I cannot for the life of me think back to when she was tiny. she's so capable and wise, brave, funny and sweet; in short, becoming the person I saw inside her the day she was born (aaaaauuggghhh there go the tears!).

and secondly, in the middle of the month I stayed in the Twin Cities for a week, taking the Certified Lactation Specialist course.  it was an intense range of information being presented, from counseling skills to proper identification of nursing barriers/issues.  my coworker and I worked hard throughout the week learning as much as we could, spending time networking with other state/medical staff, and enjoying some time to ourselves (I did water aerobics and swam in the early mornings, which felt amazing). we both ended up passing the course and I can now place Katie Chapman, CLS on my business cards. proud to be able to better help the moms in our area with breastfeeding!

with Lydia being so busy, and work with both camp and WIC picking up, Charlie and I have really tried to put some focus on decluttering our home and lifestyle.  it feels so good to let go of things that we felt had been holding us back...clothes that no longer, and never will again, fit, baby items that found better homes, office supplies better used in friends' classrooms, furniture we weren't using and won't need, doubles of household items, you name it. out the door it went. because somehow, we have to have enough room in our home for the master bedroom, our office, Lydia's room, and a new nursery.

that's right.

Mama's having a baby in the spring.
and we couldn't be happier!

this pregnancy is different from the one I experienced with Lydia in a few ways:

I am tired. with Lydia I had energy all day, slept well, and felt like I could run marathons.  with this pregnancy I am not sleeping as well (restless legs and some insomnia issues), and I feel as though I have already run a marathon before my feet hit the floor in the morning.

I am experiencing some food aversions. two of my staples, hummus and coffee, are making me slightly queasy. eaten or drank at the right time is fine, but my stomach turns just thinking about them now. happiness is found these days in a cup of Meyer Lemon tea (Stash brand), coconut quinoa or millet, cinnamon, squash, eggs, yogurt, and other foods/beverages that seem easier on my tummy.

I am emotional. I experienced this with Lydia a little, and perhaps I was too busy to truly feel feelings and process them.  I find myself lamenting the loss of my baby daughter quite a bit, even though she's grown into such a beautiful little girl. I find myself tearing up at the silliest things--insurance commercials, diaper ads in magazines, pictures of nursing moms, you name it.

I am confident. THIS feels so good! I am not reading about all the things that can go wrong in pregnancy like I was with Lydia. I am trusting my body to grow a healthy baby and know what things I can do for myself to facilitate that...taking good prenatals, exercising, staying busy and active, resting when I need to, and trying to limit the amount of stress in our lives. I am confident in my choice of health care providers, and am comfortable bringing up my concerns in a way that communicates our beliefs on birth and breastfeeding while being respectful. 

in short, life is about to become much, much busier...but we can't wait. :)

a photo journal of some summer love

Lydia and her little buddy Evelia

Making Mommy a beautiful painting

All done! Mother's Day surprise a success!

going fishing

Lydia and her 'best fwend' Uncle Tom

the proud gang

though we're still unsure...

this one was delicious!

Wood Duck Days

Lydia and her very special friend

cousin love! yay Baby August!

too cool for school

pretty as posies

pontoon ride!

my breastfeeding booth at the Murray County Fair!

everyone loves a parade!

excited to ride the roller coaster!

shucking corn with Grandma and Great Uncle Derald

big hugs for Rocky

an heirloom tomato for our farm girl!

this kid loves tomatoes beyond belief...

and blackberries!

she's our peanut pie! almost three!!

awesome summer day

today was a day that reminded me just how fine summer days can be.

we woke up late (ok, 7:30am might not seem late, but 5:30 every other day of the week is the norm here).
Lydia woke up shortly after, yelling, "I all done sleeping, mama! All done seepin!"
we had cornbread with homemade blueberry/rhubarb jam, and scrambled eggs with locally made goat cheese for breakfast, with a few cups of my mom's freshly roasted coffee. mmmmmmmm.

we dropped Lydia off at Charlie's folks in Lake Wilson, and went on to the farm where Charlie is employed. today I was going to help him with the cow and pig chores for a farmer friend, and man, we had a good time together.
first was getting the tractors out and running--two tractors to get the job of feeding the cattle done.
next we mixed feed in a wagon, making sure the ratios of protein, silage, and gluten were correct.
while the feed mixed we walked through the lots, checking the cows and calves...lots of warm bodies mooing and moving around.
then came filling the troughs with the feed--I was able to drive the tractor a bit, which was fun!

an interjection--nothing, and I mean nothing, makes me love Charlie more than watching him work. I don't know what it is, but seeing him effortlessly move through his routine, watching his muscles ripple as he works, manipulating heavy machinery, listening to his knowledge of the farm when I ask questions...all these things and more make me so proud to be his wife.  observing how he works is testament to how firmly he believes in putting his family first. how hot is that? ;)

after the cattle were fed, we checked on the lambs, then made our way to another farm to do pig chores. while Charlie was attending to the hogs I played with a couple of shy baby kitties (some help I am); there were a couple of dead hogs that needed to be brought out of the barn, then we were finished with the work for the morning.

we drove through some beautiful terrain on our way back to Lake Wilson. though I've lived in places that made the tears come daily for all the beauty that surrounded me, the prairie will forever be my home of choice and understanding. I know the land-- through my eyes, my husbands', our daughter's, our friends' and families'. I know the way the storms roll across the hills and plains, how people interact, how farms are spaced across sections, how pretty a grove of cottonwoods can look in the morning dew. I know the rhythms of the seasons, and every day learn something new that makes me appreciate living here that much more. I love riding in my husband's truck, listening to Eric Church (don't judge) and smiling with him as the grasses and fields fly by.

sipping on coffee and talking about our dreams of an acreage of our very own was the perfect way to end our morning together. so many dreams, so many roadblocks. those who are close to us know the struggles we're facing right now...just trying to put everything in the right perspective and prioritize accordingly in the face of the unknown.

when we got back to Charlie's folks' home, we came in to find our daughter happier than a pig in mud, elbow deep in a sink full of cool water, rinsing the first crop of sweet strawberries. her perfect little mouth was stained red with berry juice, smile beautiful with the happiness of helping her grandma in the garden.

we quickly decided that hunting asparagus was in order, so into the truck we went in search of the elusive delicacy. having found a great patch, we picked enough for supper and then some, then came home to lounge, grill, and hang out together in the sunshine. Gaylene baked a foccacia bread, which was delicious, and we enjoyed a wonderful family meal together later in the day.

days like this remind me so much of what I have wanted Lydia to grow up with--a sense of rhythm and purpose to her days, the pretty prairie stretching for miles around us, knowing where our food comes from...hopefully we'll soon live our dream too.

its GO time

mothering

mothering.
putting everything before yourself.
staying humble, because nothing is ever the same.
wearing your heart outside your body, every day.
being brought to tears by a flower, a hug, or the sight of a peacefully sleeping baby.
wondering if anything you do will make a difference.
wondering if everything you do will make a difference.
being gracious and grateful.
bringing to light your darkest fears.
bringing to light your greatest joys.
staying generous and remembering that the gift is in the giving.
recognizing yourself in the warm little person who loves you.
handling conflict with humor and class. but also remembering a little classlessness can be funny.
remembering that this too shall pass.
answering questions that may not have an answer.
asking questions to which you may not want the answer.
moving through days with a full mind and full heart.
being more patient than you ever thought possible.
nourishing body, mind and soul with good food and good love.

mothering.
one, or maybe even two, more books before bedtime.
sure, have another glass of chocolate milk.
no, you may not paint the cat.
oh, who am I kidding. here kitty kitty kitty!
clean up your room.
can you help me with the laundry?
go outside and play.
come in and take a bath, you're a mess!
get out of the bath, you're a prune!
one more hug, mama loves you so much.
mama, I gotta go potty!

Happy Mother's Day to the women in my life who have shown me grace and patience as I learn to mother Lydia. to the women who have taught me all of these things and more, I am beyond grateful for your love. 

tonight

tonight is one of those nights.  you know what I'm talking about.  my husband's away for the night, the baby's asleep, the wind is howling...a winter night, late and full of thought.

and by thought, I mean chest-pressing, heart-filling emotion.

I haven't been able to think lately, for all the thick emotion inside my heart.

my heart has swelled to bursting these last few days. what with my new career, incredible marriage, a strong relationship with my daughter, my brother and sister-in-law bringing my nephew into the world, more time with the friends I love, planning on a new addition to our family very soon...I have to wonder, how much love can this heart of mine hold?

my love is so strong these days. I get weepy with how strongly I feel warmth and good energy from those around me, from my home, from my environment.

of course, it's not all roses. there's student loans, bills, dog hair everywhere, other issues that threaten to stifle how capable and grateful I feel. I'm learning to deal with, or block, inhibitors to bliss.

what stops you from feeling complete joy?
who motivates you to find it?

I hope this lump in my throat never goes away. it means I feel something truly tremendous--this huge love that has found its way into every wrinkle of my being. we used to laugh with one of my former supervisors for becoming emotional during the more personal parts of our staff training--never did I think I'd wear my heart on my sleeve as she does.

and I wear it proudly. what a blessing to have found joy.

breastfeeding with the flu or a cold

I first posted this on an old blog when Lydia was but a wee nurseling.  now that cold and flu season have hit, I thought I'd resurrect the post and hopefully answer some questions that my nursing mamas have for breastfeeding when sick.

It's a cold, beautiful Sunday morning. Not a breath of wind, no cars driving by, quiet and peaceful. The baby isn't awake yet, and the sun is just peeking up in the east. It's a morning that I should be snuggled in with my lover deep under our down comforter...but instead I'm up and about nursing a cold that appeared overnight.

Breastfeeding with a cold is tough. You have baby tucked under one arm, your other hand cupping your breast for her, and a runny nose and cough to boot. The last thing you want is to cough or sneeze on the little one, but every other minute it seems you disrupt nursing to blow your nose or hack your lungs out. Pumping is worse; I find myself in embarrassing situations where I'm in the middle of a good let-down (and for as little milk outside what Lydia needs that I produce, I need every drop!!) and I have to tuck a Kleenex into both nostrils just to keep the flow going, coughing to the side as needed. And finally, you really can't take any medications that'll make it better. I was so incredibly disappointed to find out I couldn't take Mucinex, Alka-Seltzer or any of my other go-to meds for when I'm stuffy. I guess what dries up your snot dries up your milk!

If you're breastfeeding with the sniffles and need some ideas on how to make it more bearable, here are a few ideas that I've had work for me. Feel free to leave a comment with your ideas as well, and I'll update my posts with the new ideas (and a shout-out to you for commenting!).

First off, resources that have really made my life easier:

Kelly Mom: Cold and Allergy Remedies Compatible with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding.com Cold Remedies Forum

Cold Medicine Safety Table

Those links are forever bookmarked in my go-tos for questions on medications and alternative practices for dealing with a cold. Always ask your doctor about medications that are safe, but be prepared to have a "Um, I have no idea" come back at you. Surprisingly, although most, if not all, cold medications have the provision of "If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact your physician," many doctors are unfamiliar with whether or not the medication is actually safe for you to take. Dr. Thomas Hale, a clinical pharmacologist and professor at Texas Tech University School of Medicine, is a resource your doctor should know about. Dr. Hale wrote a comprehensive book entitled Medications and Mother's Milk; it's available for purchase on Amazon, and I would highly recommend having it in your home. I bought mine for $35.00.

Heck, buy a copy for your doctor.

My cold and flu helpers are more common-sense and simplicity based. I take an aggressive path in dealing with colds; I get them a lot, and I hate them. Here are a few things that have made my (and Lydia's) breastfeeding experience a little easier.

• Keep breastfeeding! By the time you display symptoms your baby has already been exposed, and she's been making antibodies from your milk. You're protecting her by nursing through your colds! If she's got the cold too, though, the extra fluids from nursing often will help her heal faster.
• Wash your hands every time before you breastfeed, and every time before you pump!
• Take a hot, hot shower; keep the bathroom door closed for all the extra steam and breathe deeply.
• Brush your teeth and tongue 3 times a day, and gargle with Listerine or warm salt water
• Stay hydrated with water, juice, teas and other clear fluids.
• Avoid dairy like the plague; it'll just make you stuffier.
• Make ginger tea: Cut a 2" piece of ginger into slices after peeling it, and boil with water for 5-10 minutes, letting it steep for another 15. Serve with heaps of honey, and drink it often.
• Do a saline nose spray to keep your nasal passages moist. Never blow your nose hard, especially if nothing's coming out. Best to be stuffy than to keep irritating your nasal passages.
• If they don't hurt, massage your cheeks and sinus areas.
• Other teas are good for you too. In general, herbal teas can be used to help your sore throat and keep you hydrated. There are, however, a few herbs that you should avoid if possible. Peppermint, mate`, kava kava, and senna leaf can all decrease your milk supply. Plants that are believed to have no effect include chamomile, ginger and echinacea.
• Don't go too overboard on the citrus (it can affect the taste of your milk), but stock up on Vitamin C.
• Take your daily vitamin, and get some sunshine.
• Exercise! Have dad watch the little one while you go for a walk or whatever you like to do.

My friend Ginger also had this to say [on my facebook page, where I listed the link to my blog]:

Homeopathic medicines are all safe. Drink lots of water and rest. Just snuggle and nurse and nap and don't be embarrassed to ask for help!

A recipe that I love from the cookbook Nourishing Traditions also makes me feel a lot better. I call it my Sickie Sipping Soup. It's best enjoyed out of a mug while you're wrapped in a blanket on the couch watching a good movie or reading.

Coconut Chicken Soup (or Sickie Sipping Soup, whichever you prefer)

1 qt. chicken stock

1 1/2 c. coconut milk (NOT the light version, get the real stuff)

1/4 tsp. dried chile flakes (I usually omit these, but thought I'd include the whole recipe)

1 tsp. grated ginger (I put in about two, though)

juice of 1 lemon

sea salt

2 tsp. green curry paste

a sprinkle of curry powder

Bring the stock to a boil, skim the foam and add the coconut milk, lemon juice, chili flakes, ginger, curry paste and spices. Simmer for about 15 minutes, ladle into a mug and enjoy! I added the curry powder and paste because they taste delicious in the soup and they help to open your capillaries and get your nose running. If you're not used to curry, don't feel like you have to add it.

Here's to your feeling better soon! :) I hope this post helped to shed some light on the things you can do to mitigate the effects of a nasty cold while breastfeeding.

january roses and thorns

as explained earlier in my blog, when I was growing up we went to Shetek Lutheran Ministries for summer camp.  one of my favorite sharing activities took place at Candlepower, a time for reflection at the end of the day.  sometimes your very cool counselor hosted the special time out under the stars, other times in the coziness of our log cabins.  one candle was lit, and suddenly everyone became the same, focusing inward and staying still.  the counselor would begin with prayer, bringing our day to a peaceful close, and we were then invited to share, one by one, our roses and thorns for the day.  a rose was a good thing, a thorn a challenge.  I have since learned that you can have buds as well, things you are working on that could possibly go either way.  please, I invite you to join me for Candlepower this evening and lend me your roses, buds and thorns.

roses:
--today I made a woman, a struggling and tired woman, laugh.  it wasn't much, but this poor overworked mom needed a giggle, and I was happy to oblige with a sassy joke about angry and nipples being two words you never hear in the same sentence...unless you're a breastfeeding counselor [this woman does indeed have angry nipples, and is finally at the point where it's honestly just funny--too tired to do anything but laugh].
--today was a very positive work day for the "boob lady". so much to accomplish in my day, but I went home today feeling capable, happy, and affirmed that I am doing a good job for an agency near and dear to my heart.

buds:
--today I found out that there are more possibilities in my career opening up than I ever thought possible; God provides and we are prepared to take some small risks to discover more about these opportunities.  I am so lucky to have places of employment that I love and that help to support our little family...time to work on a more family-friendly schedule, now.
--today I made the fatal mistake of texting my husband a picture of a dog that is up for adoption, and now I have to follow up and surprise him with a visit to see the little guy.

thorns:
--today I found out that we have so much work to do.  hospitals handing out FALSE information and misleading verbage to pregnant mothers about breastfeeding.  it's not even a challenge, it is a life commitment to fighting the awful, awful people who dare to lead women down that dark road of losing their goals of breastfeeding their babies.  telling mothers blatant lies to make a buck, sending formula samples to grandparents, publishing breastfeeding books with every intention to sell mothers formula in the long run.  building a breastfeeding coalition will not make the offending American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology give way in their pursuits of refusal to help moms breastfeed, but it's a start. a start that is small, and woefully insignificant in a national scope now, but a start nonetheless.
--today I forgot/didn't know/lost somehow that my husband and I had plans tonight after work, so now we're 45 miles apart and we don't get as much family time tonight.  I hate losing out on time with him and Lydia, I love them so.

thanks for sharing today!