I got a new book today. It's one that I've been wanting to read called "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule. She has a blog that I read from time to time:
SouleMama blog
It's a great blog. She's one creative mom and truly inspirational. I haven't read much of the book yet, but the introduction left me feeling really inspired. The intro. talked about that feeling of needing to create in order to feel fulfilled, whole, complete. I guess you'll probably either know what I'm talking about or think I'm speaking complete gibberish, but if you've ever felt it you know what I mean. That longing inside to create and express yourself. I feel this way when I sew, knit, scrapbook, etc...Since going back to work I feel very much that I've lost this piece of myself. I'm trying so hard to keep this part of myself going, but I find that with all the time constraints of working full-time as a mother it's very difficult. So Boo is in bed. My goal tonight is to work on the scrapbook. So we'll see how I do with this. Scrapbooking is one of the creative endeavors that I really enjoy. I actually have a goal to have Boo's one year scrapbook pretty much done by the time his 1st birthday rolls around so that I can put the book on display. So far the book hasn't made it out of the hospital. But I have hope. Surely I can climb this mountain if I set my mind to it. At the very least I can get close to finishing. So we'll see.
Anyways, I would recommend reading this book. I haven't finished it, so I can't speak to the entire book, but I can definitely say that it looks promising so far.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Aromatherapy
Some of you may know that I've been "flirting" with aromatherapy for some time now. I got a new book that's pretty comprehensive and I've been making more things lately. My current concoction of lemon, clary-sage, and lavendar is supposed to combat stress. I've found that peppermint and lavendar in my clay pot diffuser is nice to freshen up the air in the house. I've taken a bottle of my current concoction to work and keep it on my desk. It's nice even just to open the bottle and sniff when my head hurts from staring at my computer and doing paperwork all day. Also, to combat the stress of working in the first place!
I didn't realize how connected to scent I was until after the birth of my son. I used aromatherapy during birth. I took my lavendar essential oil with me and had T put drops of it on a wet washcloth every once in awhile and put that on my forehead. Now everytime I smell pure lavendar I think of giving birth to Boo. It's actually really great to be brought back to that experience through scent. I'm thinking I'll have to use a different scent for the next birth. Perhaps each child can have their own scent. Although, I must admit, I don't know that I can find a better one than lavendar for labor. Lavendar is known for it's calming effect. Although, did you know in a higher amount it's actually a stimulant? Interesting. There's a few essential oils that are both relaxants and stimulants depending on the amount used. Lavendar is one of them.
Anyways, I highly recommend aromatherapy. It can be used for relaxation, home fragrancing, diaper wipe solution, cleaners, beauty products, and the list goes on and on. Anyways, time to get back to work!
I didn't realize how connected to scent I was until after the birth of my son. I used aromatherapy during birth. I took my lavendar essential oil with me and had T put drops of it on a wet washcloth every once in awhile and put that on my forehead. Now everytime I smell pure lavendar I think of giving birth to Boo. It's actually really great to be brought back to that experience through scent. I'm thinking I'll have to use a different scent for the next birth. Perhaps each child can have their own scent. Although, I must admit, I don't know that I can find a better one than lavendar for labor. Lavendar is known for it's calming effect. Although, did you know in a higher amount it's actually a stimulant? Interesting. There's a few essential oils that are both relaxants and stimulants depending on the amount used. Lavendar is one of them.
Anyways, I highly recommend aromatherapy. It can be used for relaxation, home fragrancing, diaper wipe solution, cleaners, beauty products, and the list goes on and on. Anyways, time to get back to work!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
May Update - daycare here I come!
Well, I just realized that I haven't posted since April. It was so much easier to keep up with this blog when I didn't work outside of the home!
Well, I'm working on opening a home daycare. I'm attending a DCFS licensing orientation next week. I'm looking forward to jumping through the hoops and getting the license. I love working with children and am excited about this next journey. Believe it or not, I'll actually have more take home pay doing this than working outside of the home. And money is what we need if T is ever going to get through school! Plus, I'm looking forward to being back in the home with Boo. I've been looking at curriculum, researching policies, figuring rates, etc...It's a lot of work and it will be a lot harder than my current job, but I think it will be extremely rewarding. The home we're renting really has a great set up for a daycare. There's some things that need to be moved/fixed and that's what we're working on right now.
Boo is all over the place. He's a little hurricane, throwing everything in his path. He's very quick. He's got such a great personality. He's soooo incredibly happy all the time. I love it! Being a mom is the most wonderful thing I've ever done. As much as there's other stress in my life right now I think that some day I'll look back on this as "the good days." I was lucky enough to reconnect with a friend yesterday that I hadn't seen in awhile and I think that our conversation reminded me of that point. As much as life can be stressful, what's the point if I don't enjoy the good things that each day brings. And Boo is good and pure joy in a cute little package. He doesn't ask for much to be happy...just fed, napped, and cuddled. Isn't that what we all require? Food, rest, and plenty of attention!
I watched the documentary, The Business of Being Born. I recommend it for everyone about to have a baby, thinking about having a baby, or just interested in maternal care in America. Some of it was stuff that I've already heard, but it was very enlightening. For some people it may not be something that sits well with them as it really goes into a lot of the advantages of a home birth, but I found it fascinating. So enough said about that.
Anyways, I'll update as life continues to change and as the daycare becomes more of a reality.
Well, I'm working on opening a home daycare. I'm attending a DCFS licensing orientation next week. I'm looking forward to jumping through the hoops and getting the license. I love working with children and am excited about this next journey. Believe it or not, I'll actually have more take home pay doing this than working outside of the home. And money is what we need if T is ever going to get through school! Plus, I'm looking forward to being back in the home with Boo. I've been looking at curriculum, researching policies, figuring rates, etc...It's a lot of work and it will be a lot harder than my current job, but I think it will be extremely rewarding. The home we're renting really has a great set up for a daycare. There's some things that need to be moved/fixed and that's what we're working on right now.
Boo is all over the place. He's a little hurricane, throwing everything in his path. He's very quick. He's got such a great personality. He's soooo incredibly happy all the time. I love it! Being a mom is the most wonderful thing I've ever done. As much as there's other stress in my life right now I think that some day I'll look back on this as "the good days." I was lucky enough to reconnect with a friend yesterday that I hadn't seen in awhile and I think that our conversation reminded me of that point. As much as life can be stressful, what's the point if I don't enjoy the good things that each day brings. And Boo is good and pure joy in a cute little package. He doesn't ask for much to be happy...just fed, napped, and cuddled. Isn't that what we all require? Food, rest, and plenty of attention!
I watched the documentary, The Business of Being Born. I recommend it for everyone about to have a baby, thinking about having a baby, or just interested in maternal care in America. Some of it was stuff that I've already heard, but it was very enlightening. For some people it may not be something that sits well with them as it really goes into a lot of the advantages of a home birth, but I found it fascinating. So enough said about that.
Anyways, I'll update as life continues to change and as the daycare becomes more of a reality.
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