Home Remedies for Eye Infections

Edited with permission, CC.

    A few weeks ago, I noticed Toddler P.'s eyes were a little crusty and pussy. I know that sign, as I have had my share of pink eye and eye infections. But thankfully I know how to treat eye infections naturally. After applying the following remedies, Toddler P's eyes cleared up within 24 hours.

    Please note, that I am in no way a medical professional. I just share my personal experiences and antic-dotes in hope that it helps in some way. As with any sickness or infection, you should consult a doctor.

Breast Milk - Since I'm still nursing Toddler P. twice a day, I still have milk coming in. Breast milk seriously is liquid gold, especially when it comes to treating common ailments.

Colloidal Silver - Colloidal silver and silversol gel are my go to ointments. When this small eye infection hit, I looked up  whether it could be used on a toddler. Evidently it can. I put less than the indicated amount, as I always do less of any kind of medication then listed... I would rather be safe than sorry with my child's health.
Eye Bright Tea - I love this stuff! My family found out about this tea, when I was much younger and going through a severe pink eye infection. You brew the tea, put the tea bags on your eyes, and then drink the tea afterwards. This is my favorite of all the home remedies and works the fastest (in my opinion). I did not use this tea as a remedy for my daughter, but I have used it on myself.

   Have you found any home remedies that work for eye infections?

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A Glimpse of the Love of God

    

Edited with permission, CC.

    I was listening to my local Christian radio station, and about this time of the year they play Christmas music 24 hours a day. Which by the way is by dream come true. I adore Christmas. Well the Pentatonix remix of Mary Did You Know came on just a few minute ago... and I was on the verge of tears.

    Ever since I became a mom, I can just the tiniest bit relate to all of the emotions Mary must have felt. I can also now see better Christ's love for me. I know how much I adore and love my daughter. How much she means to me, and that I will love her all of her days. Becoming a mother has helped me to grasp a glimpse at the unconditional love the Father has for me. It amazes me, and takes my breath away. 
    I adore Christmas not because of the presents or the pageantry, but because of the beauty of knowing that God so desperately loved you and me that He sent His own son to die for us. I love Christmas because you can feel love in the air if you try. I love Christmas because Jesus is love and you can feel Him.

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Veteran's Day- From a Military Wife's Heart

Edited with permission, CC. 

    Today is Veterans Day. I am a veteran's wife. I am a military wife. My husband has served in the military going on 15 years now. He is kind. He is honorable. He is one of the most loving men I know. 
   My daughter's father serves this great United States. He helps to protect our freedoms. He helps to protect our rights to express our opinion. He ultimately helps to protect and serve our President (whether or not he agrees with that President's views). 
   I want to encourage you all to think about something this Veteran's Day. When you respond in anger, as I've seen these last few days, you incite more anger. My husband, police men & women, first responders (and many others) lives get to be put in danger because of your sadness, fear, anger, and insecurities. 
   I want to encourage you to think before you speak. Pray before you respond. Treat others the way you wish to be treated. Finally, to attempt to love others unconditionally.
   A great prayer to pray today for our nation and for her people is the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray: Matthew 6:9-13
"'Pray, then, in this way:
Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed [holy] be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment].
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’"

-From the heart of a military wife.

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Mom Support

    As you all probably know, I lead a small group (connected to my church) that consists of moms with toddlers. We get together weekly and discuss whatever book we are reading for the week, this month's study is Fervent by Priscilla Shirer (based off of the movie The War Room). The book focuses on teaching you how to gain the power of prayer. We also bring our children. Some weeks we could have as many as 8 toddlers and 2 babies, or some weeks as little as 2 toddlers! It's busy, it's hectic, it's loud but it's our way of supporting each other as mothers. 
    Ever since I became a mom, it became clear to me that we (moms) are the first line of defense for our families... and therefore the ones that are first attacked mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by the enemy (spiritually speaking of course). We are the ones thinking through our childrens' whole lives, what they eat, what they wear, where they go to school and the list goes on... Our minds are overwhelmed. We go to bed exhausted with the weight of our child's livelihood swimming through our heads. 
    But the truth of the matter is it's not really our responsibility, it's Gods. Scripture says before we were even formed in our mother's wombs we were chosen (Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15, Ephesians 1:4). We were chosen for this moment in time, we were chosen to be these childrens' mothers. If we ask for it, God gives us the wisdom to make the right decisions, the best decisions for our children. Scripture again tells us, if we lack wisdom to ask of God and He will give it to us (James 1:5)!    
    So not only do we have God's support and leading in raising our children, we also have hopefully our husbands support, and friends support. This is another reason why I meet weekly with other moms for small group. We meet for fellowship. We support each other through the good and the bad, and offer what small words of wisdom we can. 
    We approach each other with grace, with hope, and words of encouragement. As mothers we need grace. We surely don't give ourselves enough of it, why not at least give it to another? In today's world of blame and shame, let's offer support to each other and encourage one another. Let's pray together and love on each other. Let's be the the light in the world offering hope, not only to our children but to other parents.  
    Today I challenge you to encourage and support another mom.

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Parenting is Hard.

Edited with permission, CC.

    Parenting is hard. There are constant ups and downs. If that isn't hard enough, because of the way technology is incorporated into every. single. aspect of our lives we are innudated with information that makes us feel like whatever we do, we are failures. This is the reality we parents have to live in, to raise our children in. And I for one am refusing to by into it. 
    I appreciate all of the helpful tips, but I am tired of feeling guilt every time I struggle to get Toddler P. to eat her dinner or if I let her watch too many cartoons. All we can do is try to be our best selves. I want to raise my daughter to believe that she IS good enough. That she doesn't need to feel guilty because she does things differently from others. 
    I have to trust God. That's what it comes down to. I try my best to be an amazing mom, my husband tries to be an amazing dad... but when it comes down to it, it is God's grace alone that guides us through. Right now we are struggling with Toddler Picturesque going through a sleep regression. So she has been getting up early every morning for the last two weeks. And. I'm. tired. Ha. But I ask for grace daily, and God has been supplying me with enough energy and joy to get through each day. 
    So I'm going to take a step back from the "mom guilt," and continue to try to be who God wants me to be and I know He will help with the inbetween. 

What have you been feeling guilty about today?

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Don't Let Fear Cripple You

Edited with permission, CC.

    Currently I have struggled with a crippling amount of fear. My husband and I have to make a life-changing decision that requires us to take many leaps of faith. I was up several hours last night worrying about it. I woke up worrying about it. I went to our play date worrying about it. 
    So I came home, put Toddler P. down for her nap, and sat in my quiet place with my bible and my book to try to get some peace and direction. The book I'm reading right now with my small group is called Fervent by Priscilla Shirer. If you haven't read it yet, you need to! It is so empowering! Shirer shows you how to pray through all things and the importance of doing so. Every time I open this book, there is some part of the chapter that speaks to me and helps me through whatever current struggle I may be going through. 
    Today was no different. As I sat there praying, I started to open my book to read and then I read the following: 
    "If I were your enemy, I'd magnify your fears making them appear insurmountable, intimidating you with enough worries until avoiding them becomes your driving motivation. I would use anxiety to cripple you, to paralyze you leaving you indecisive, clinging to safety and sameness, always on the defensive because of what might happen. When you hear the word faith, all I'd want you to hear is unnecessary risk" (Shirer, 105).   
    This was exactly the strategy the enemy was currently using against me. I felt paralyzed with fear and so indecisive. The decision before us seemed so obvious and clear, but my fears were holding me captive. They were keeping me from moving forward because I was afraid to step out of my comfort zone. 
     But God wants to bless us, he wants to take us higher and beyond what we can think. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and NOT to harm you. Plans for hope and of a future." God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself! God is bigger than all of this. Whatever comes, He said that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). 
     Remember Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us." God is capable and willing to do more than we could even think to ask for. What a thought! So when the devil comes along whispering his lies of fear and intimidation... remember that God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself. 

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Stop Mom Guilt & Trust Your Instincts

Edited with permission, CC.

    I just finished reading this encouraging article, which is a must read (don't worry I posted it on my Facebook page too), about keeping on doing the things for our children that they can do for themselves. The author, Angela, said many things that resonated with me this week... especially this "in this super-informed, super-aware, super-self-analyzing world we live in, it’s easy to doubt every move we make as mothers."
    This article resonated with me because I just worked through doubting my mothering this week. But my mom gave me some great advice to help stop this inward guilt I was feeling. My daughter, Toddler P. has been struggling with a runny nose for three weeks now. Talk about being miserable. It could be a lingering cold, or a cold that turned into a teething runny nose... but needless to say she is over it. She is tired of having to blow her nose constantly, and I totally get why she is tired of it.
    So this past week, she would snuggle up next to me or we would lie on the floor together and watch TV. I was feeling super guilty about spending this time watching TV together. Even though I loved the snuggles, and she loved the snuggles... I kept asking myself if she was watching too much TV. Then yesterday, my mom and I went to lunch... and somehow that came up in conversation. I talked to my mom about how I strive so hard to walk a fine line of not letting Toddler P. interact too much with technology, but also not too little (so that she is up to par with the other kiddos). I shared my guilt but I also shared how we both loved the time together.
    My mom responded, "when you go and play outside with Toddler P., sure she loves it and it's great for her... but she is playing independently. BUT when you sit down and snuggle and watch something you both like together it is a special moment in time for both of you. It's quality quiet time together, and that's what matters. You love that time together and she loves it. You need to do BOTH things, play outside and relax together. Trust your instincts, and stop worrying."
    I thought I'd share my recent guilt trip with you, in hopes that if you are struggling with a mom guilt moment... my mom's sage advice will ring true with you as well!
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My Journey with Invisalign - Week 5 (Attachments)

Fifth Tray (Week 5) and Putting on Attachments:
   I started my fifth tray last week. Unfortunately because of the holidays my Orthodontist miscalculated and I had to keep my fourth week tray in for 2 and a half weeks. That would be my main annoyance. I'm not incredibly happy that they keep forgetting to tell me stuff.
    With my fifth tray came the attachments to my teeth (sometimes known as buttons). Basically attachments are little tooth colored beads the Ortho puts on your teeth that make the braces a bit tighter in order to help your teeth move more. The process of putting on the attachments was relatively easy and painless!
     
    If you look below, here is Week 2:

    Compared to Week 5:

You can kind of notice the attachments on my teeth now. They are the little bulges from the braces.

Some things I learned this week: 

• The attachments definitely make the fit tighter which has meant some pretty bad when they were first put on. I just would take ibuprofen though and it would pretty much kick the majority of the pain. 
• I learned that if I took off my braces slower, and one side at a time it would cause less pain.
• Just as in the beginning of braces I just had to get readjusted, with getting the attachments on I had to readjust again. 

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    Please know I am no way sponsoring Invisalign or any products on my blog *unless specified.* I just like to share my personal experiences in hopes of helping others.

Treating Baby's Cold

Picture edited as part of CC. 

    When your baby gets his/her first cold you find out that there is pretty much nothing you can give them to stop it. Any medicine is pretty much a danger if given earlier than 3 years old (unless you use homeopathic, which I do). 
    When Toddler Picturesque was a baby, she pretty much had a continuous runny nose. So Mr. P. and I found out early on how to make Toddler P. as comfy as possible without medicine. 
    So what can possibly help your baby when they wake in the night and can't breathe from a stuffy nose?

• Hold and Nurse. If you breastfeed, this is the absolute best medicine for a baby/toddler who has a cold! First off, it holds their head up some so that they can breathe easier and also it is comforting.

                        

• Use a snot sucker. Initially we tried the bulb they give to you in the hospital, and then various other snot suckers... but the one that worked best for Toddler P. (and still does) is the Graco NasalClear Nasal Aspirator.

• Boogie Wipes. Talking about snot, these are a God send! Boogie wipes or the generic version are amazing! When your child's nose is running like a faucet, these wipes are perfect to use. They are gentle on your little one's nose because they have saline in it. With this latest cold Toddler P. has had, I have gone through two 30 packs of these wipes and her nose is still not red! I do typically buy the generic brand at any store that sells the generic version, this saves me a few bucks.

• Use a Humidifier. A humidifier can be helpful to loosen up a stuffed nose. Because the humidifier aids with breathing, it helps your little one to sleep better. 

• All Natural Chest Rub. I found this natural chest rub way past Toddler P. being a newborn, but was super excited to find something that could potentially clear her nasal passages up naturally! The product I use is called Maty's Natural Baby Chest Rub. It has eucalyptus, lavender and chamomile in it. Although I do not use this as a chest rub, but put it on the bottom of Toddler P's feet (just to be extra cautious), I think this does help some.
• Go Outside. Fresh air always seems to help to clean out nasal passages. Because of that, I try to make sure to play outside with Toddler P. and to get out of the house a little more when she is sick. I have noticed such a difference not only in her attitude but also her breathing when we go outside for at least 30 minutes. 

    What have you found that helps when your little one has a cold?

Please note that am not a medical professional, and I am just a mom offering advice of what has worked for my child. If you are concerned or worried, please consult your pediatrician!

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Parenting with Joy

Photo edited from CC. 

    Faith is contagious, as is being positive or negative. Often negativity is far more contagious... which is sad but true. When I first started a small group at church for moms who had little ones, I was close to my wits end. I needed other mothers to relate to, I needed other mothers who had similar views/morals as I do to talk with. I was struggling. Not as bad as I was when I had a newborn, but I definitely felt alone in my struggles. See one of my other articles on "Loneliness and the New Mother."

    Toddler P. was about 7 or 8 months old when I started the small group. We started off with only three of us total, but soon grew to 7 moms in attendance (each bringing their babies as well). Immediately we noticed a change within ourselves after the first meeting. We read books on motherhood and our faith, we talked about our struggles, and most importantly we prayed. I began to feel a weight lifting from my shoulders. There were other moms out there struggling with the same feelings as I was, the same situations as I was... the battle over eating EVERY meal, the battle over naps and sleep, the battle over "no you can't touch that... yes you can touch that."

    Recently I've noticed an internal struggle start again within myself. Toddler Picturesque is now almost 2 years old. We started dealing with temper tantrums early on... at a few months past her first birthday. We still struggle with sleep and eating at times. We are dealing with similar things as when Toddler P. was 7 months old, but it's also so different. It's exciting watching her piece together words, seeing her eyes light up as she understands what mommy and daddy are telling her. 
    But there is also frustration for her of dealing with new emotions, the devastation of feeling she can't do something she truly really wants to, and the longing to be independent but also making sure mommy and daddy are within reach. 
    This is an exciting age, but a tough age, and so I've struggled with my own new emotions. Pure exhaustion from chasing her around, excitement at her learning new things, even more love as each day goes by, anxiety for the future, anxiety for the present... the list goes on. 
    So today I've realized I have to go back to where I was when Toddler P. was 7 months old. I have to realize I am not alone in my struggles, I am not alone in my feelings... I can do this. Not only can I do this, but I can do it with joy and not overreact when Toddler P. throws a temper tantrum. I can do this, and you can too! With God's help and grace we can get through today calmly and with joy!

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My Journey with Invisalign - Week 3 & 4

Third & Fourth Trays (Week 3&4):
   I started my fourth tray last night. I already notice a difference! I have less of an overbite, and my teeth are definitely getting straighter!
    If you look below, here is Week 2:

    Compared to Week 4:

Some things I learned this week: 

• White spots seem to form on the braces, even though I clean them after every meal/snack with a little Dawn dish soap and a tooth brush. I noticed cleaning them and then letting them air dry while I eat helps prevent these white spots from forming on my braces.
• The lisp is practically gone, unless I really think about it... then it comes back.
• My teeth unfortunately are staining, but with the trays in you really can't tell. I'm looking forward to my 6 month cleaning coming up in February to get those stains off. I don't know why my teeth are staining more with the braces, considering I take them out to eat/drink and I brush my teeth every time before putting them back in. But I do drink 2 cups of coffee a day and I have 1 glass of wine at night. I'll ask my Orthodontist at my attachment appointment in a few weeks!

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    Please know I am no way sponsoring Invisalign or any products on my blog *unless specified.* I just like to share my personal experiences in hopes of helping others.

My Journey with Invisalign - Week 2

Second Tray (Week 2):
   I started my second tray last night. It definitely was tighter, but that's because it's moving my teeth in another direction. I think my teeth had quickly gotten used to the other tray. The first tray stopped hurting probably the second night. This tray really stopped hurting this morning.
   Friends had told me to change out my trays before bed, so that most of the adjustment happens while I'm sleeping. I am so glad I did this... even though it really doesn't hurt that bad. I did wake up with a headache this morning though. But Ibuprofen and coffee pretty much kicked that this morning. 
    Weirdly, I was excited to change trays... and I don't mind the light pain of my teeth hurting. Do you know why? Because I'm so happy that my teeth are getting straightened. I already notice I have less of an overbite and I'm only on week two!!

This is a picture of my teeth, second week, with the tray in.

Some things I learned last week: 

• My Orthodontist is rated at the Super Elite Level by Invisalign. What does this mean? It means he has treated over 1,000 patients with Invisalign and he knows what he's doing. I have to say this is a real plus, because that means that his patients don't suffer from someone's lack of knowledge and experience, but actually benefit.  
• I love changing out trays weekly, as opposed to every other week. This makes the adjustment slight every tray, so less pain for me!
• I did start out having a pretty bad lisp, but thankfully it's practically gone now and it's only been a week! I did practice my talking a lot though to try to work out my S's and Z's.
• The initial trays last week did cut my tongue and my bottom lip in the very beginning. But it was a super easy fix. I just put wax on the sharper sections of the braces every time I put them back in. No more problems! Honestly I haven't had to use the wax since the first 3 days... my mouth got used to it.
•  Leaving the trays in 22 hours or more really isn't that difficult. I timed out breakfast, lunch and dinner for 30 minutes each and two 15 minute snacks. Most of the time I am under the time for breakfast and I miss my afternoon snack. So it all works out in case I go over time for dinner. I also still get my caffeine, because I have a cup of coffee during breakfast and then one during my first snack. 

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    Please know I am no way sponsoring Invisalign or any products on my blog *unless specified.* I just like to share my personal experiences in hopes of helping others.

My Journey with Invisalign - Week 1

    I am the only one in my family whose teeth all of a sudden got slightly crooked when I was a teenager. At the time, my family couldn't afford braces. The funny thing is I am almost 30 years old and I just got Invisalign braces yesterday. My husband and I decided that there were more benefits to getting them now then not. For example, because my jaw had been misaligned it has caused jaw discomfort and headaches. The braces will fix that. Another major plus is having straight teeth for the first time in 20+ years! 
    So I decided since all I've found are very negative posts about Invisalign that I was going to start blogging about my journey as a 30 something mother.

First Tray (Week 1):
   So far, so good. I had some pain the first night because I didn't know how to use the wax. But I decided to put wax on at night on any sharp area on the braces. My mouth was great the next day. I continue to put wax on every time I finish cleaning the braces though and that way my tongue and cheeks do not get cut.
    The 2nd day, I did wake up with my teeth feeling sensitive (because they are starting to shift). But I took ibuprofen and the pain/ache went away! 

Benefits of Invisalign versus other.
   There are so many cool things about these braces versus other braces:

• With my orthodontist, I change out trays every week so there is less of an adjustment/change for my teeth from week to week. Which results in less pain.
• I have to wear the trays for 22 hours a day. Which means I get to take them out 2 hours every day (for meals and snacks). I love it because I get a break here and there. 
• I can still eat popcorn and peanut butter (when the trays are out), with regular braces that wouldn't be possible.
• I still get to drink caffeine (when the trays are out).
• They are not as obvious as braces. You can still see them, but they are clear! 

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    Please know I am no way sponsoring Invisalign or any products on my blog *unless specified.* I just like to share my personal experiences in hopes of helping others.

Why Organic ISN'T Always Best.

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    First, I have to preface this post with a few facts; like how I am a big health nut. I love my local health food store and Whole Foods. I am a firm believer that if something is wrong in your body, it typically can be fixed with supplements and eating right. Of course I also believe in modern medicine and going to the doctor.
   Even if I wasn't big into eating healthy, I have a dairy allergy and have to eat everything dairy free which helps make things much healthier in our household. I am allergic to a protein in milk called Casein... it causes all kinds of varying unpleasantness if I eat something at a restaurant by accident. Usually a case of hives and horrible stomach issues that could last anywhere from 24 hours to days long.
   So on to the whole point of this post, obviously I frequent health food stores regularly. But, do you know how many times I have gone into our local health market or Whole Foods, and come out with something I thought would be nutritious and healthy with no bad ingredients, and ended up finding the opposite to be true? It might have been naive of me, but I figured since it was a health food store that they would be selling things that had at least all good ingredients. Naturally I think when I enter those doors that everything they sell there would be good for me. But it isn't. 
    I'm not bashing these stores by any means... I still love them and frequent them. But someone has to talk about with the general public that you really STILL have to read the labels carefully whenever you buy any product from a health food store. 
   Let me give you a few examples, as I mentioned earlier I'm allergic to casein (dairy). So I buy Organicville's Dairy Free Ranch. Super delicious, and the only ranch I can find that is dairy free and actually tastes good. Well my husband and I regularly reconsider our eating habits and always make sure we are trying to eat healthy. So I was thinking about switching him over to my Organicville Ranch, I obviously had looked at the ingredients but I have never looked at the nutrition facts. 

    This is an organic product... it is dairy free, the ingredients look great, it has to be good for me right? Wrong. 

    On to another product I just bought from Whole Foods, Shikai's Color Reflect Deep Shampoo. I just dyed my hair red and so I needed a sulfate free, color safe shampoo. I also just happen to be super sensitive to sulfates and shampoos, so I always buy them from the health food store so I have a chance of less of a reaction. Well this shampoo was supposed to be perfect for colored red hair. I read the ingredients quickly looking for sulfates, put it in my cart and checked out. When I got home, I read them again more thoroughly and much to my disappointment there was this ingredient in it: olefin sulfonate. This is actually a type of sulfate! 
    There are countless other examples I could give you of items sold at health food stores that you have to watch out for, but the main thing I want to get across through this article is to make sure you read the ingredients AND the nutrition facts thoroughly before your purchase anything. 

    What are your thoughts on this topic?