Granola. Crunchy. Tree hugger. Natural Parenting. I've always been environmentally conscience, but since becoming a family and having Harrison, I feel like I'm even more-so. Some of it stems from needing to save money since I'm now a stay-at-home mom (SAHM), but it's also because I really do want to reduce my carbon footprint. (Insert Sandra Bullock's line in Miss Congeniality: I really do want world peace)! Some of the decisions we've made so far include cloth diapering and using an amber teething necklace on Harrison to help reduce inflammation with teething, using Hylands teething tablets more often than over-the-counter when things get bad, and, when when we do use OTC medications, we give him the dye-free kind. Also, using environmentally friendly laundry soap (and I will soon be making my own when I run out of Ecos), using distilled white vinegar for almost any cleaning, using bac-out for other cleaning items, and line-drying our clothes in addition to Harrison's diapers. That being said, I'm not a crazy crunchy Mommy, either. I know I have limits and I understand why and that others do, too. For instance, I'm a huge advocate for cloth diapering. It's so easy, saves a ton of money, and is better for the environment by keeping all those nasty disposables out of the landfills. However, when we went to visit my sister in-law in Albuquerque, on our trip to Chicago, and when Harrison gets a bout of diarrhea, he's in disposables. Don't get me wrong here, because it's not that often. I still have the bag of 30 size 4 diapers that I bought for him about three months ago and I think I used one diaper from it. I also have some stashed in my car for "just in case" moments, although I've considered putting some "not as often worn" cloth in there instead.
Anyway, the line drying of clothes really stemmed from the drying of Harrison's diapers. You can dry diapers in a dryer but the best way to care for them is to lay them out in the sun to dry. Occasionally, the inserts of diapers will get stained based on foods eaten and the best, easiest way to get the stain out is to lay it flat in the sun all day. It's better than bleach! In Arizona, we certainly don't have a shortage of sun. So when I became a SAHM, I figured I might as well save money on our electric bill by hanging our laundry on the line, too. I bought a retractable clothes line for $19.99 at Ace Hardware and run it between the posts of our back patio. It's mostly shaded, so putting our clothes on the line also won't bleach them out. I have a separate drying rack I use for cloth diaper inserts which need a little attention. I also bought a plastic rope, for lack of a better term, at Dollar Tree. They have it marketed as a clothes line and, honestly, it works just fine. I tend to need some extra space when I have a bigger load and I run that line about 2 1/2 feet below the retractable one. Perfection!
All of this soap boxing (no pun intended) leads me to my newest absolute disgust. Why are we, as a nation, importing apples or apple concentrate from other countries? To read about that rant, see my next post...
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Let's try this again
I'm going to give this blog thing another go. Since Harrsion is already 14 months old, it's probably easier for me to just start from now and get you all caught up.
First and foremost, I am blessed everyday to be able to spend my life with the most amazing man I've ever known, Brian. He is the Daddy I never had. His face lights up every morning when Harrison first stirs and it stays that way all day long. He also has given me the one thing I always wanted: to be a stay-at-home Mom. My last day at USAA was March 1st and I have no regrets. Money is tight, but we make it work. We've cut back on just about every expense imaginable. When I look now at how much money we've cut from our budget, I think if we had made these changes sooner we may be in an even better financial situation. But, you live, you learn.
I've never seen a happier little boy than Harrison. He is the epitome of awesome. It's even gotten better since I became a SAHM with all-day smiles, laughter, and "talking" in his own language. He is one very busy little boy and he constantly keeps Mommy and Daddy on our toes. That being said, he also plays by himself very well and loves to figure things out. But, boy oh boy, he can have a temper! From what I've figured out so far, it seems to stem from frustration. We've been working hard at making sure he has choices in things and also knowing when there is no choice, like he needs to hold hands in parking lots. Oh, did I tell you he's walking? March 28, 2013, Harrison walked on his own in Walmart (of all places). He's been going ever since! He still walks with his hands up in from of him ready to break the next fall, but he's experimenting with putting his hands down to his side.
I just can't believe how different life is now that we're a family of three. I thought I knew what it would be like, but I had no idea. Watching your child discover something brand new is amazing, but when he does something that reminds you of YOU, that's another level all together. When you teach him and work with him every day on, "Where's your toes," and one day, he finally points to his toes, there's just nothing else more joyful. When Harrison gets hurt (which he really doesn't that often), and he gets that look on his face followed by the silent scream, all I want to do is just take the pain away.
I am a better person because of my son. I still forget sometimes and get stuck in my ways, but I love being a kid all over again. I wouldn't change it for the world.
First and foremost, I am blessed everyday to be able to spend my life with the most amazing man I've ever known, Brian. He is the Daddy I never had. His face lights up every morning when Harrison first stirs and it stays that way all day long. He also has given me the one thing I always wanted: to be a stay-at-home Mom. My last day at USAA was March 1st and I have no regrets. Money is tight, but we make it work. We've cut back on just about every expense imaginable. When I look now at how much money we've cut from our budget, I think if we had made these changes sooner we may be in an even better financial situation. But, you live, you learn.
I've never seen a happier little boy than Harrison. He is the epitome of awesome. It's even gotten better since I became a SAHM with all-day smiles, laughter, and "talking" in his own language. He is one very busy little boy and he constantly keeps Mommy and Daddy on our toes. That being said, he also plays by himself very well and loves to figure things out. But, boy oh boy, he can have a temper! From what I've figured out so far, it seems to stem from frustration. We've been working hard at making sure he has choices in things and also knowing when there is no choice, like he needs to hold hands in parking lots. Oh, did I tell you he's walking? March 28, 2013, Harrison walked on his own in Walmart (of all places). He's been going ever since! He still walks with his hands up in from of him ready to break the next fall, but he's experimenting with putting his hands down to his side.
I just can't believe how different life is now that we're a family of three. I thought I knew what it would be like, but I had no idea. Watching your child discover something brand new is amazing, but when he does something that reminds you of YOU, that's another level all together. When you teach him and work with him every day on, "Where's your toes," and one day, he finally points to his toes, there's just nothing else more joyful. When Harrison gets hurt (which he really doesn't that often), and he gets that look on his face followed by the silent scream, all I want to do is just take the pain away.
I am a better person because of my son. I still forget sometimes and get stuck in my ways, but I love being a kid all over again. I wouldn't change it for the world.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Halloween Backache
Holy cow! Can it really have been almost 2 months since my last post? I guess so!
I have to say, I love being pregnant. Sure, the achy muscles at night, the amount of time-strength-energy it takes to turn over to your other side, the back aches at the end of the day are not fun, but the end result is awesome.
Brian and I had a minor scare on Halloween ... ironic. I guess technically, it was the Saturday before Halloween. I was in a lot of pain that morning, more than I've ever been in. My muscles were sore, it was hard for me to walk, and it was the first day of my third trimester. I started thinking that if this is what the third trimester was like, then I didn't like this preganancy thing AT ALL. I had Brian drive me off to the mall so we could purchase a maternity band. I had some relief as I figured it was because Mr. Harrison was sitting so low. I took it easy after that and then had to go to work. My back was aching for most of the work day, so I just took some extra breaks and generally tried to take it easy.
Sunday came and I felt much better. I still felt a little sore, but nothing like I did on Saturday. Brian and I hung out all day, went downtown to a used record store (yes, I said record), and later met up with my family at Cold Stone Creamery to have ice cream with my nephew, Logan. We went home, relaxed, and went to bed.
Then came Monday ... Halloween. I don't have a clock next to my bed as I generally don't really want to know what time I wake up during the night. That's one benefit of working in the later hours. What I can tell you is that, aside from the normal 2-3 nightly pees, I must have woken up sometime close to 4:30 - 5:00am. I just couldn't go back to sleep. My back was KILLING me. I tried my other side - no relief. I tried wedging up one hip so I could try sleeping on my semi-back. No relief. I moved the the "other" other side. No relief. When Brian finally woke up and said that he needed to get up and get his day started, I lost it. I just started crying uncontrollably and asked him to snuggle with me. Poor guy. I don't think he knew initially that I had been awake for a good hour and in pain in bed. He cuddled right up and, through the sobs, I told him how much pain I was in. He immediately said he would stay home and take care of me (it was my normal day off). I told him no, that I needed him to go to work and that I would feel better once I got up and started moving around. I really should have listened to him. I got up and walked awkwardly to the living room and put my feet up in the lazy boy reclining sofa. My back was still aching, and now I started to notice a slight tightening in my belly. I got a large glass of water and started guzzling that down. Since I hadn't yet had anything to eat, I went through my semi-sick dry yack and burp routine. (It's really quite an amazing thing). Brian gave me a hug and I told him that if I started to feel any worse, I would call the doctor. Fifteen minutes after Brian left, I made the phone call. I described everything going on and they wanted to see me as soon as possible. I called my mom to see if she could take me to the doctor and off we went. I sent Brian an text to let him know and told him not to worry, that I would fill him in as soon as I knew what was going on.
At the doctor's office, the nurse practitioner checked me out and, I'm happy to say, I was still all closed up, keeping Harrison locked in tight. She checked Harrison's heartbeat and it was a steady 155 bpm or so. She hooked me up to a monitor next to check the contractions. The whole time, you see, I was thinking I was having Braxton Hicks. NOPE. They were actual contractions. I was given a shot and was told that if I had more than 6-8 contractions in an hour, to call the doctor or to go to the hospital. She said that if I had one or two, it was okay for me to take 3 200mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Although everything calmed down after the shot, I had to take some ibuprofen the next day and the day after, but then I was fine. I was under strict orders to take it easy, rest, and drink a lot of water.
Ever since then, I realized what I probably put Brian through. I feel horrible about it. If the tables were reversed and I was the one who went to work while he was in so much pain, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on anything. Brian is my rock. He is there to care for me and our growing son. I think part of the reason I encouraged him to go to work is because I know how much he worries about us. Outside of his normal morning prayers, I know he prays for my health and the health of Harrison. I know he prays that I stay as stress free as possible so Harrison stays in what I call his "bubble of positivity." I learned several good lessons that day. Relax. Continue to learn how to give yourself to someone else. If you don't take care of YOU, you can't take care of your son or your husband.
I have to say, I love being pregnant. Sure, the achy muscles at night, the amount of time-strength-energy it takes to turn over to your other side, the back aches at the end of the day are not fun, but the end result is awesome.
Brian and I had a minor scare on Halloween ... ironic. I guess technically, it was the Saturday before Halloween. I was in a lot of pain that morning, more than I've ever been in. My muscles were sore, it was hard for me to walk, and it was the first day of my third trimester. I started thinking that if this is what the third trimester was like, then I didn't like this preganancy thing AT ALL. I had Brian drive me off to the mall so we could purchase a maternity band. I had some relief as I figured it was because Mr. Harrison was sitting so low. I took it easy after that and then had to go to work. My back was aching for most of the work day, so I just took some extra breaks and generally tried to take it easy.
Sunday came and I felt much better. I still felt a little sore, but nothing like I did on Saturday. Brian and I hung out all day, went downtown to a used record store (yes, I said record), and later met up with my family at Cold Stone Creamery to have ice cream with my nephew, Logan. We went home, relaxed, and went to bed.
Then came Monday ... Halloween. I don't have a clock next to my bed as I generally don't really want to know what time I wake up during the night. That's one benefit of working in the later hours. What I can tell you is that, aside from the normal 2-3 nightly pees, I must have woken up sometime close to 4:30 - 5:00am. I just couldn't go back to sleep. My back was KILLING me. I tried my other side - no relief. I tried wedging up one hip so I could try sleeping on my semi-back. No relief. I moved the the "other" other side. No relief. When Brian finally woke up and said that he needed to get up and get his day started, I lost it. I just started crying uncontrollably and asked him to snuggle with me. Poor guy. I don't think he knew initially that I had been awake for a good hour and in pain in bed. He cuddled right up and, through the sobs, I told him how much pain I was in. He immediately said he would stay home and take care of me (it was my normal day off). I told him no, that I needed him to go to work and that I would feel better once I got up and started moving around. I really should have listened to him. I got up and walked awkwardly to the living room and put my feet up in the lazy boy reclining sofa. My back was still aching, and now I started to notice a slight tightening in my belly. I got a large glass of water and started guzzling that down. Since I hadn't yet had anything to eat, I went through my semi-sick dry yack and burp routine. (It's really quite an amazing thing). Brian gave me a hug and I told him that if I started to feel any worse, I would call the doctor. Fifteen minutes after Brian left, I made the phone call. I described everything going on and they wanted to see me as soon as possible. I called my mom to see if she could take me to the doctor and off we went. I sent Brian an text to let him know and told him not to worry, that I would fill him in as soon as I knew what was going on.
At the doctor's office, the nurse practitioner checked me out and, I'm happy to say, I was still all closed up, keeping Harrison locked in tight. She checked Harrison's heartbeat and it was a steady 155 bpm or so. She hooked me up to a monitor next to check the contractions. The whole time, you see, I was thinking I was having Braxton Hicks. NOPE. They were actual contractions. I was given a shot and was told that if I had more than 6-8 contractions in an hour, to call the doctor or to go to the hospital. She said that if I had one or two, it was okay for me to take 3 200mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. Although everything calmed down after the shot, I had to take some ibuprofen the next day and the day after, but then I was fine. I was under strict orders to take it easy, rest, and drink a lot of water.
Ever since then, I realized what I probably put Brian through. I feel horrible about it. If the tables were reversed and I was the one who went to work while he was in so much pain, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on anything. Brian is my rock. He is there to care for me and our growing son. I think part of the reason I encouraged him to go to work is because I know how much he worries about us. Outside of his normal morning prayers, I know he prays for my health and the health of Harrison. I know he prays that I stay as stress free as possible so Harrison stays in what I call his "bubble of positivity." I learned several good lessons that day. Relax. Continue to learn how to give yourself to someone else. If you don't take care of YOU, you can't take care of your son or your husband.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
He's a kicker!
Living with Harrison is one of the biggest joys of my life. Being able to share in that joy with Brian IS the biggest joy of my life. Even with all the "stuff" that has come along with this pregnancy, I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. I know Brian and I were meant to be together...were meant to start our family with the joy of Harrison. All of the emotional ups and downs, getting sick on a regular basis even in the second trimester, on-and-off carpal tunnel syndrome, getting to the point where sneakers are almost a no ... all of that goes away when I feel my son moving around in my belly. He's getting stronger everyday, some days to the point where I let out a little "Oh," when the stronger kicks come. On Thursday morning, Harrison was the most active he's ever been in his almost 6 months of growing. I called Brian into the room and had him put his hand on my belly. Harrison continued his assault on my uterus and Brian felt his son for the first time. Nothing could describe the look on Brian's face. I now take that with me where ever I go.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
I thought I'd introduce myself...
Hi there! I thought I'd take a moment of your time to introduce myself. Since Mommy and Daddy asked so nice, I decided to show them if I was a boy or a girl on Wednesday, September 7th. Well, I'M A BOY!!! Mommy and Daddy finally decided on my first name, too! I'm pretty partial to it because I think it fits with my active personality and sensitive nature. My full name is Harrison Elliot Deacon Husar! I know, it's a long one but Mommy says it's kind of a tradition thing to have four names. Mommy and Daddy will still call me Butterbean sometimes, but they still follow it by Harrison. Oh, I heard my Daddy at a gig the other day! He was on stage and dedicated a song to ME, Harrison! Daddy and Mommy sing the same song to me every night, too, so I know it by heart. It's Blackbird by The Beatles. Mommy and Daddy really seem to like their music as I hear it all the time. Anyway, that's about it from me for today. This is Harrison Elliot Deacon Husar, signing out!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tap tap tapping on my uterus
Hello there! I just thought I'd send you a message that I'm here. You know, the Bean? I thought I'd kick you a bit right there, on your left side. Did you feel it? Did you know it was me? Well, let me try it again. Okay. How about that? I used both feet this time and it was smack dab in the middle. You did? You felt it! That's so cool! You go back to sleep then, Mom, and I'll continue practicing my skills! I love you...and don't forget to let Daddy know!
What are you?
It's kind of refreshing to know that everything is going so well with this pregnancy. Sure, I've had morning sickness and nausea, my hips and hip muscles ache at night and it's getting more difficult to turn from my left to my right side, and I had to get a better, more ergonomic chair at work. It's all worth it.
I went for my regular OB appointment last week. I was really excited because THIS was the appointment where I would be handed the golden piece of paper. That golden paper gave me the power to make the next ultrasound appointment ... THE ultrasound appointment! I'm surprised I have to wait as long as I do, but September 7th is the day we will find out if our Butterbean is a boy or a girl ... barring any crossing of legs, bad positioning, or just plain old uncooperativeness. "What," you may say, "Why would the Bean be uncooperative?" Well, let me explain.
Let's go back to the first amazing ultrasound where the Bean has it's legs crossed and was in "just that weird position" where we couldn't tell anything. Now skip to last weeks' OB appointment. There I am, lying on the medical table with Dr. Schwartz manuvering the doppler so we can hear the Beans' heartbeat. After a minute or so of searching, Dr. Schwartz says, "Well, this is the third baby today who decided to hide on me. Let's head off to the ultrasound room." Most first time moms would probably be in a panic. Me, nah! Instead, I laid there on the table thinking, "Maybe it's not a boy. All this modesty and hiding must mean this is a girl. I know this is exactly what I would do to my mom ... tease her." And then, the thought of all thoughts. The Bean will be just like me. A teaser. A sense of humor. Sarcastic. Loving. Amazing. Mom, thank you for putting up with me while I was growing up. I'm sorry for not napping when I was younger and having all that energy that wore you down. Yes. This has GOT to be a girl.
But, maybe the baby is like it's Daddy's personality. Quiet when it wants to be, sometimes a bit shy in new situations. And then, when the stage is in front, it will hop on that stage and perform it's little heart out! It will go from being quiet to being the center of attention in 2.3 seconds. It will be sensitive and loving and need reassurance. Yes. This has GOT to be a boy.
Let's hope that on September 7th, Jupiter will align with Mars (the Bean is an Aquarius) and we get the privilege of finding out what the Bean has been keeping secret for almost four and a half months. And if the Bean decides to not cooperate? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!
I went for my regular OB appointment last week. I was really excited because THIS was the appointment where I would be handed the golden piece of paper. That golden paper gave me the power to make the next ultrasound appointment ... THE ultrasound appointment! I'm surprised I have to wait as long as I do, but September 7th is the day we will find out if our Butterbean is a boy or a girl ... barring any crossing of legs, bad positioning, or just plain old uncooperativeness. "What," you may say, "Why would the Bean be uncooperative?" Well, let me explain.
Let's go back to the first amazing ultrasound where the Bean has it's legs crossed and was in "just that weird position" where we couldn't tell anything. Now skip to last weeks' OB appointment. There I am, lying on the medical table with Dr. Schwartz manuvering the doppler so we can hear the Beans' heartbeat. After a minute or so of searching, Dr. Schwartz says, "Well, this is the third baby today who decided to hide on me. Let's head off to the ultrasound room." Most first time moms would probably be in a panic. Me, nah! Instead, I laid there on the table thinking, "Maybe it's not a boy. All this modesty and hiding must mean this is a girl. I know this is exactly what I would do to my mom ... tease her." And then, the thought of all thoughts. The Bean will be just like me. A teaser. A sense of humor. Sarcastic. Loving. Amazing. Mom, thank you for putting up with me while I was growing up. I'm sorry for not napping when I was younger and having all that energy that wore you down. Yes. This has GOT to be a girl.
But, maybe the baby is like it's Daddy's personality. Quiet when it wants to be, sometimes a bit shy in new situations. And then, when the stage is in front, it will hop on that stage and perform it's little heart out! It will go from being quiet to being the center of attention in 2.3 seconds. It will be sensitive and loving and need reassurance. Yes. This has GOT to be a boy.
Let's hope that on September 7th, Jupiter will align with Mars (the Bean is an Aquarius) and we get the privilege of finding out what the Bean has been keeping secret for almost four and a half months. And if the Bean decides to not cooperate? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)