Archive for August 2010
A friend of mine asked me today, “When do the hormones stop?”
She has a daughter who is just over 1 month old.
As moms, I’m sure we’ve all hit that point when not only handling motherhood for the first time but with subsequent childbirths as well.
When I had my first child, 11.5 years ago at the age of 20, I can honestly say that I didn’t have any real hormonal issues.
Yes, I worried that I wouldn’t be a good mom at the age of 20, let alone a single mom at the age of 20.
But somehow, I managed to get through it and I know I owe a huge part of that to my parents for having been there for me when I needed them most.
17 months after my son was born, I became a single mom to 2 at 21.
It was this pregnancy when my emotions took over.
I was 21, pregnant, a single mom and facing the impending birth of another child while my friends were all out celebrating being 21 and having the time of their lives.
During this pregnancy, I became depressed.
And worried.
And scared.
I resented not only myself, but my unborn child as well, yet, I was excited.
(If that even makes sense.)
When she was born, I was elated, yet I was overcome with emotions.
How was I going to raise two kids?
Again, I have to give props to my parents for stepping up and helping out and always being there for us.
I can admit that I hit some really, really low points after my daughter was born.
And, I did quite a few things I am not proud of.
And, I said a lot of things to a lot of people that I wish I could take back.
And, I lost a lot of friends because I let my anger and depression get the best of me.
And, I miss those friends.
I wish I could make things right between us again, and who knows, I might be able to sometime in the future.
With my 3rd pregnancy, things were both better and worse.
They were better in the aspect that I wasn’t scared and I knew that I wouldn’t have to do things alone this time.
I was (and am still) lucky to have a wonderful man by my side to support me throughout my pregnancy and knowing he would be there after the baby was born helped to lighten the load.
They were worse because I struggled with the idea of starting over with another baby and going through all the steps again.
After I delivered baby #3, things were fine.
For a little bit.
I think it was when he hit 3 weeks old that I started to notice changes in myself.
Changes like crying for no reason, or while watching TV, or reading a book, even when I was just sitting by myself in the quiet, I would cry.
Then came the anger.
Everything made me angry.
Not to mention I was exhausted.
It didn’t take much for me to get angry and bite heads off.
I would get so mad.
And then, then I got depressed.
And I ate.
And ate.
And ate.
I was exhausted, overwhelmed, lonely and about a million other words.
That’s when I realized something was definitely wrong.
I did what any mom addicted to the Internet would do.
I turned to Dr. Google.
There it was, staring back at me on the screen:
- depressed mood
- tearfulness
- inability to enjoy pleasurable activities
- trouble sleeping
- fatigue
- appetite problems
- suicidal thoughts
- feelings of inadequacy as a parent
- impaired concentration
- Decreased interest in sex
- Feelings of rejection
I had most of the symptoms of PPD.
Postpartum depression.
So, I talked to my husband about it.
Then, I called my doctor.
And was prescribed an anti-depressant.
It did help curb the mood swings and I am glad to say I no longer need it.
In addition to the meds, I did some reading.
One of the books that really helped me out landed in my hands shortly after my youngest turned one.
I had stumbled across a blog about a woman who had suffered from PPD and learned she had written a book about it.
It wasn’t a book written by an actress or a doctor.
It was written by mom.
A mom like me.
So, I read it.
And it amazed me.
To hear her story and know that I wasn’t the only one who had gone through or was going through this.
This book made me laugh.
Yes, I said laugh.
There was humor in a book about PPD.
Who knew it could be done?
I learned things from this book.
Like how to open up and talk to people about what’s going on with me.
And I recommend this book for any other women who are going through the same thing.
I still look back at that book as a reference when I’m facing a new struggle such as a mood I haven’t encountered before or just as help to get me over a bad hump.
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Unless this is your first time here (and if it is WELCOME!), you can tell things have changed.
A lot.
But, I love it.
It took me a few hours of fighting with some HTML coding but I really think it was worth it.
I wanted something a little more quiet but with flair.
Oh, and my family.
Cuz’ they are pretty darn great!
Hope you like it!
Be sure to leave me your thoughts!
Thanks!
P.S. I’m pretty sure I’m FINALLY satisfied!
P.S.S. Don’t tell my hubby cuz he might not buy me anymore goodies.
Last night, the Hardworking Hubby enjoyed a much needed date night.
He’s been working a lot of overtime lately and with his 3rd shift schedule, we haven’t been able to spend as much time together as we would like.
So, we shipped the kiddies of to Grandma & Bumpa’s and off we went.
Our first stop was to Artstreet, a local celebration of the arts.
We wanted to check out some art from some local artists in addition to some amazing food.
Really, we just wanted Greek food.
Like, Gyros and Greek Pasta and olives….I wanted the Greek Olives.
So we went.
And the Hardworking Hubby paid $12.00 for a XXL Gyro while I enjoyed some Greek Pasta Salad covered in Feta cheese and olives.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
When the Greek food was gone, we shared some funnel cake.
After that, we walked around the streets checking out all of the different art work from all the vendors.
I saw quite a few awesome paintings.
Once in particular that I could have purchased the original oil painting on canvas for a mere $6400.00.
I wish.
I couldn’t even afford one of the reprints.
Oh well, maybe next time.
As we were walking, I found a sculpture that I LOVED.
Okay,more than loved.
But the hubs squashed my dreams.
Isn’t it beautiful?
And for $7,000 it can be yours.
Again, I. WISH.
Someday.
Soon.
I hope!
Once we were done gallivanting through the streets of Downtown Green Bay, we decided to go pop in by a friend and say hi.
From there, we were off to find some dinner.
That’s when we ended up with burritos as big as our heads from Taqueria El Local, a Mexican joint close to the hubby’s work that we had heard nothing but great things about.
You see that HUGE burrito?
$4.99.
Yes.
Only $4.99.
I had a beef one and I couldn’t even finish half of it.
It was amazing!
We took our bag o’ burritos to our favorite watering hole and sat in the beer garden downing out burritos with a pitcher of beer.
It was awesome.
The last stop of our night before we scooped up the kids was for dessert at The Dairy Inn, a local hole in the wall ice cream shop that sadly, will be closing it’s doors after 65 years at the end of this season.
It was one of the best dates ever!!!
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All 3 of my kids recently got the chance to review some awesome K’Nex building sets thanks to the nice people at K’Nex.
K’Nex was kind enough to send us 3 different sets. We received the Sesame Street Kid K’Nex Neighborhood Collection School Bus Building Set, the Sesame Street Kid K’Nex Neighborhood Collection Fire Truck Building Set and the K’Nex Light Up Ferris Wheel.
We have always been big fans of K’NEX products. My oldest son got interested in them when he hit Kindergarten and has been addicted ever since. Needless to say, he was very pleased when the box of products arrived. The minute Zman and Drama Queen laid their eyes on the box for the K’Nex Light Up Ferris Wheel, smiles popped on their faces.
So today, while the toddler slept, Zman and Drama Queen sat down together, for 2 hours (without fighting once) and assembled the ferris wheel.
Here is their masterpiece:
They had so much fun putting it together It was pretty easy for them to follow the instructions and assemble on their own. They even managed to put the batteries in it all by themselves too!
I thought it was a pretty cool toy and not only enjoyed watching them put it together but I enjoyed the 2 solid hours of them getting along with absolutely ZERO bickering, throwing things or beating on each other! It was GREAT! Thank you for my sanity K’Nex!!!
The cool thing about the ferris wheel is it lights up and moves! I took a quick video so you could see it in action. (Please pay no attention to any yelling or screaming that may be coming from the background…..there’s 3 kids in my house yo.
Isn’t that cool?
As I mentioned above, the little Tatertot was also in on a K’Nex review as well. He was the recipient of Sesame Street building sets. He of course, was beyond excited when I opened the box and he saw Elmo. He immediately started running around saying,”For me mommy? It’s mine?!”
We got started on assembling them both right away.
He had soooooo much fun helping Daddy put both of them together.
Helping daddy put the wheels on Elmo's fire truck.
Showing off his completed fire truck.
Showing Daddy the right way to assemble the school bus.
Handing Daddy a wheel and waiting to play.
The finished product. Time. To. Play.
I can tell you, Tatertot more than likes his new toys. He gave them hugs and kisses when they were all put together and proceeded to take them to bed and play for the next week. I’m sure he’d still be sleeping with them every night if we hadn’t broken the cycle by going on vacation for 4 days.
I would like to send a HUGE shout out to K’Nex for the amazing generosity in allowing us to review these great products.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: This product review was based on using a complimentary product provided by K’Nex. K’Nex does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed withing this blogsite. The opinoins stated from me are 100% mine and they are my true thoughts on the product.
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