PDX Mamas Are JOYOUS in December - Page 4

[Hedy B.]

Originally Posted by lisasaurus

so i just wanted to write about my doctors appointment today, since we were all talking about vitamin D in the last thread.

i got blood work done because i've been feeling so incredibly exhausted... like from the moment i wake up around 7:30 until sometime after lunch. and then i start getting my energy back, particularly after ds has gone to bed.

anywhooo... blood results were all normal, although i am borderline deficient in vitamin D.. even though i take a tablespoon of cod liver oil/day AND a vitamin D3 supplent.

my doctor suggested i increase the D and add calcium. when i asked what kind of calcium, she said to eat 2 tums a day. is this sound advice? to eat tums even though i don't have heartburn or whatever?

also does anyone know the best time of day to take vitamins and supplements? i've been taking them before bed for a long time now, and i'm thinking this may not be the best strategy.

i also think i need to find myself a naturopath. i'm just so frustrated to hear that i'm basically fine and just need to sleep more. i don't feel fine.

Really, when taking cal/D, you might want to find something that also incorporates magnesium. Those three things together are really wonderful. It's also important to take those three things together to the exclusion of other vitamins, especially C and B, since the calcium has a tendency to block absorption of those things. 2 hours in between is key.

Tums is Calcium Carbonate, which is a passable form of Calcium, although not my favourite, since it doesn't incorporate the other two. Really, to absorb it well, Cal and D work like magic.

Also to avoid gall stones, you really should limit intake in that form.

Originally Posted by aniT

Do they only have one option? Nautilus, and most other jobs DH was applying to had at least a high and low option. The low option covers much less, but out of DH's $6,000 dr bill we had to pay $1900. Not great.. but better than $6,000. The high option covers a higher percentage with lower deductibles ect.

When Nautilus instated the low option that is what we got. When they only had the high option (at $450 a month four years ago) we had nothing.

Now with the government we have like 6 option. I chose the least expensive. DH wanted to know if I picked it cause it was the cheapest.. but that wasn't the reason.. it had the best coverage of the low option insurances (which is 1000% better than Nautlius'). And since we use an ND so much and never use the insurance there is no reason to pay for the high option.

Well, he is actually employed in Canada and works remotely, so we aren't offered domestic insurance for obvious reasons. It sucks, but we were both denied private coverage for pre-existing conditions. I would be much happier if we were able to do that, because the natural solutions I have found for treating the pre-existing condition that keeps me out of private insurance are far superiour to the steroids I'm prescribed when I see someone on their stupid list. It's just dumb.

In Canada, natural medicine is regulated, and it's therefore much easier to receive treatment. It seems to be working there, although the proposal of regulation here is scary.

But... there's the weather you have to deal with there, and the fact that he would basically be working in Northern Detroit. I don't really want to live in Toronto very badly. Hm...

[zeldabee]

Originally Posted by papayapetunia

If your kid wants to learn, the book Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is really good. I realize Sprogly wants to learn, I just said it like that in case anyone else is a little too eager. I know how we parents can get.

Oh, believe me. Pointing at every word while I read to Sprogly is tedious in the extreme. Do you have any idea how long it takes us to get through Green Eggs and Ham these days? It was never my favorite book in the first place, but now I want to scream when I see it.

Oh, Grade B Canadian maple syrup is cheapest at Trader Joe's.

Originally Posted by Hedy B.

Yeah, smoothie is another good option for that. I have heard that they actually make fruit flavoured tofu now.

You know, just the word "smoothie" sort of nauseates me...but one made with fruit flavored tofu? Uh.

Originally Posted by papayapetunia

Jenn, My "toys" are lost in boxes downstairs (that sounds...interesting) and I haven't been able to find them since we moved.

Oh, for some reason that reminds me.... You know, I really have no private space now. None whatsoever. Isn't that sad? Uh, not sure why I thought of that.

Sprogly passed out cold on the way home tonight. I don't think I could wake him now if I tried. Sproglette is exhausted and screaming every other minute, and he's utterly oblivious.

[Hedy B.]

I'm at Townshend's right now, editing photos. I have a photoshop question... I did something bad, I fear. Anyone know why a dodge tool would suddenly disappear? I can't find it where it used to be after switching to a different tool, and it's not in any of the drop-downs at all, not even when I switch to ImageReady.

[Hedy B.]

Originally Posted by zeldabee

You know, just the word "smoothie" sort of nauseates me...but one made with fruit flavored tofu? Uh.

: Yeah, I'm not really a fan of smoothies either. Too much sugar.

[cellarstella]

haven't used photoshop in a super long time but... is there a dodge/burn tool, that is currently set to burn? that's how the gimp works, anyway.

[Hedy B.]

Well, it's currently set to sponge tool, but in the drop down, dodge tool no longer seems to exist. I've looked in the drop down for all of the different tools. I'm wondering if there is some sort of alternate setting that I don't know about.

I even tried resetting all of the tools to default. No luck.

I have new pix up on the blog now. Pix that didn't need the dodge tool.

[kaPOW!]

Originally Posted by zeldabee

Oh, for some reason that reminds me.... You know, I really have no private space now. None whatsoever. Isn't that sad? Uh, not sure why I thought of that.

Erm... Car?

[zeldabee]

OMGz, housemate was just getting ready for bed, while Sproglette waited in their bedroom, but when housemate finished in the bathroom, she couldn't find Sproglette! She was going all over the house, calling her. Finally found her, passed out in the back of her closet.

[PGNPORTLAND]

Originally Posted by mamanurse

I'd use it as a pillow for the vegetables in my fridge. I'm a tofumoronicus.



I like the name

Surely someone knows something about Vivante

Postpartum is now going well after overcoming a hemorrhage, D&C, and resulting infection. I feel like my energy is back and I only have 1 more day of antibiotics left. My pp checkup is next Thursday and then I feel like I'll finally be able to say I'm living in Wellville.

Hazel is such a treat. I LOVE breastfeeding. Since I didn't get to with Livi, it's especially cherished with Hazel. I can't believe I actually pumped for 15 months and lived to tell about it. Now I can see where everything went wrong with Olivia and I hope to prevent others from experiencing the same thing.

I've been milksharing with the mom Karen knows and it feels good to give it to someone instead of dumping it down my drain. I'm pumping during the "first feed of the morning" (read first feed out of bed) on the right while I football it with Hazel on the left. Since my milk doesn't freeze well, I need to have a slight over supply so I can pump a supply for the refrigerator.

Hazel is also not taking a bottle well yet. She pretty much refuses and we're not introducing it again for at least another week. I'm proud, in a way, that she likes it so much from the tap. However, it's also a source of stress for me since I REALLY need her to take one for when I go back to work part-time in January.

Dh is driving me f-ing crazy these days. He's been acting extremely selfish, immature, and moderately irresponsible. I can't bring myself to DTD with him yet and don't think I'll want to until he can at least change some of his behavior. So it's all solo for now. Too bad most of my toys are broken from overuse while pregnant

That's enough self-absorbing chat for now.

I admit I have no clue what agave is. I thought it was some sort of clay found in desert regions of the North and South America, but think I'm probably way off base. :

It's real nice to have you back on here, Jenn Sorry your H is being an A. I'm so glad your health is better and things are going so smoothly with breastfeeding. It makes me feel so happy inside whenever I think about it.

We want to throw our toys away and get new ones but we are scared too because we don't know what the proper way to dispose of the old ones is.
Too Much Information -

[karen1968]

Originally Posted by Hedy B.

I'm at Townshend's right now, editing photos. I have a photoshop question... I did something bad, I fear. Anyone know why a dodge tool would suddenly disappear? I can't find it where it used to be after switching to a different tool, and it's not in any of the drop-downs at all, not even when I switch to ImageReady.

Isn't "dodge" paired with another tool like smudge or something? CHeck your little arrows...it might be hidden under another tool there in your toolbox. My compuer is still down (and this one is damned slow) or I'd go check for you.

Oh, wait - is that what you meant by pull-downs?

[spottiew]

Originally Posted by kaPOW!

If you go to the toysection they've got these activity books that consist of little word games... match the letter to the word, put these words in order, general word merriment along with coloring, mazes, connect the dots, etc. Starfall is pretty awesome - it's an interactive, free site that has lots and lots of music filled, animation based word activities designed for preschool through gradeschool kids. Sprog would love it and learn from it for sure.

kieran loves to read signs, and label objects- they do that at school, they have a box of little things, and they have to match the simple words, then they move on to writing those words...

btw sara, i think when he was 2 he really only did sleep 8 hours at a stretch, but also had a 3 hr nap. now, he sleeps more like 10 hours... and in that 8, the last 2 were REALLY light sleep, now, he's like a rock, and hard to get up! i also haven't been able to rock him in forever and usually only will read 3 books in a stretch...

he had a B.A.D. day so sad. so mad. poor thing. i feel unable to help...

and hedy, i have the same allergy/asthma crap, meds aren't really helping that...

[zeldabee]

Originally Posted by kaPOW!

Erm... Car?

Don't think I haven't thought of it. Could be a bit awkward, though.

[RainbowEarthFaerie]

Lol...my toys are stored safely in the bottom of the laundry hamper in the master bathroom. They used to be under the bed, but we have kids who like to hide under there...

[kaPOW!]

Sigh. I need toys. I've been planning on making the introductions for about 2 years now. Blah.

Pauline, I think it's ok to just toss them. Maybe craig's list them, if you're up for recycling. Remove any batteries, of course...

Originally Posted by zeldabee

Don't think I haven't thought of it. Could be a bit awkward, though.

Nah. You're welcome to borrow my alley anytime.

[kaPOW!]

Originally Posted by kaPOW!

Nah. You're welcome to borrow my alley anytime.

Although, I guess it would be less wacky for me to simply offer to babysit. Though I'd make you sign an agreement that you wouldn't do laundry instead.

[PGNPORTLAND]

Originally Posted by kaPOW!

Sigh. I need toys. I've been planning on making the introductions for about 2 years now. Blah.

Pauline, I think it's ok to just toss them. Maybe craig's list them, if you're up for recycling. Remove any batteries, of course...



Nah. You're welcome to borrow my alley anytime.

"Making the introductions"?


Recycling toys? On Craigslist? ::Puke No. That is recycling gone too far. Too far.

[zeldabee]

Originally Posted by kaPOW!

Although, I guess it would be less wacky for me to simply offer to babysit. Though I'd make you sign an agreement that you wouldn't do laundry instead.

Bwahahaha! Actually, I sort of like to do laundry by myself.

[zeldabee]

Originally Posted by PGNPORTLAND

Recycling toys? On Craigslist? ::Puke No. That is recycling gone too far. Too far.

Bwahahaha! Stop! :

[RainbowEarthFaerie]

actually...there is a website that you could make a lot of money "recycling toys". E-banned has all kinds of nasty stuff. mostly used undies though

[Lovely]

Funny story about toys. I got mine in Toronto, because they have AWESOME shops and because I wasn't going to run into anyone I knew (this was when I was living in Rochester, NY).

Years later I ended up somehow talking with my younger sister. We started talking about toys and discovered that she got hers in Toronto, as well, probably at the same shop. She was living in Vermont at the time. Funny world!