Thursday, May 26, 2011

The great baptism debate

So I'm Catholic and in theory so is Audrey.  DH is not Catholic.  He was raised Baptist but is currently without church.  I like most cradle Catholics was baptized as a baby.  Audrey is 17 months old and is still not baptized.  This is a point of debate for DH and I.

DH is actually okay with us baptizing Audrey.  I've been the issue to this point.  See a few months back DH and I were debating circumcision for any future sons; DH is pro-circ and I am anti-circ.  We reached a compromise!  DH said that if our sons were going to choose to be circ-ed later in life then they should also be able to choose to be baptized.  I can live with that.  If I want my future sons to make the decision to be circumcised then I can understand that they should also choose to be baptized.

But this leaves the issue of the girls and right now Miss Audrey.  If the boys get to choose then shouldn't Audrey?  I grew up with visions of choosing baptismal gowns that would be passed down to grandchild.  But should I really impose that on Audrey?  I love being Catholic.  I have my issues but I like going to Mass.  I love the prayers and the rituals.  Audrey goes to church with me.  Audrey has missed Mass maybe twice since we started going out at week 3 postpartum.  If I go, Audrey is with me.  The kid is Catholic.  One of her words is "Amen" and she knows to say it at the end of a prayer.  She is learning to cross herself and hold her hands together to pray.  Does she need to be baptized at this point in her life? 

At first I didn't get Audrey baptized because we lived so far from family.  They missed my whole pregnancy.  They missed newborn Audrey.  I wanted them there for her baptism.  We have also been at an impass over Godparents.  Who do we chose?  We knew very few practicing Catholics and even less that we would trust with Audrey's religious life.  So I have no clue what to do.  I am praying and staying open to God's plan and hoping for guidance.  I feel like the window for baptizing her is closing.  If we wait til she's 3 then why not just wait til she wants to be baptized.  I just don't know!

It is amazing what you can do when you don't have a choice

So I've heard it so many times, "I couldn't do it.  I have no idea how you . . . "

The . . . can be just about anything in my life.  The wheat-freeness, breastfeeding a toddler, babywearing, co-sleeping, or the homebirthing.  I think in this country we have been TV fed the idea that we can't do things.  We can't wear a baby it's not safe you must have a stroller.  Breastfeeding, why would you do that when you can just give the baby formula.  Home birth, are you stupid?  Only a doctor is qualified to deliver a baby.  You'll die without an epidural; you can't handle the pain.  Why do we buy into all of those things?  It is amazing how powerful we are as humans, as women, as moms. 

Now I'll admit that I have chosen my crunchy wheatfree life.  Yes, I could have gone to the hospital and had an epidural.  Yes, I can stop breastfeeding and kill a hamburger.  Yes, she would cry but I could move Miss Audrey to her own bed.  Why not buy a stroller?  These are choices that I have made and therefore I am choosing to live my life this way.  But what about things that you don't have a choice about?

I have a friend who had PUP, which if you don't know what it is Google it.  She actually told me that she didn't know how I live wheat-free.  I am in awe of her.  She had PUP and let her baby be born on his own time.  Most women with PUP have an induction at 38 weeks, the stress on the body and the mental strain are incredible.  She ended up going for almost 42 weeks, a full month more than the norm.  She is incredible!  If she can do that she can do anything.  Makes going wheat-free seem so small.

So what can we do if we 'have' to?  People have super human strength when they need to save their child.  We are amazing creatures.  You could go wheat-free.  It's not that hard.  People are doing it for fun.  If your health depended on it, you could do it.  Don't even get me started on the crunchy life.  Trust me you can do it.  Life is all about choices.  My choices are my own and yes they are not for everyone but just because you didn't doesn't mean you couldn't

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Time flies

 I have been thinking about the passage of time.  This year is my 10 year college reunion.  So hard to believe it's been ten years!  I loved my Hollins days but I won't be able to make it to reunion this year.  Between the new job (no vacation) and lack of fundage there will be no traveling to Roanoke this year.  Maybe next time.

This time of year has so much meaning for me.  My birthday is Thursday.  I'll be 32.  This is time of year also marks the 14th anniversary of my grandmother's death.  Hard to forget that one since it was right before I graduated from high school, right before my birthday.  So there are lots of things on my mind and yet nothing to write about.  Funny how that happens.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Wheatless no more?

So on Tuesday, Audrey saw an allergist.  I was not impressed with the doctor and I was most certainly not impressed with hour long wait.  You could tell the doctor doesn't work with many little children.  But anyways, as part of the visit Audrey was subjected to allergy testing, the one where they rub the allergens on you.  She did not react to a single one.  Not one! 

Good news?  I've been processing the news for a bit.  The doctor has ordered blood allegry tests.  She said that food allergens can hide in the blood and not show up in the other kind of testing.  We are still avoiding wheat until we know for sure.  The doctor also said that Audrey has very senstive skin and dry skin so we need to lotion her twice a day everyday.  My parents took the news as a good sign.  They have a normal grandchild.  I think they are making plans for a "real" cake.  I still worry about her.  The eczema is still real.  The gas pain in the middle of the night is still real.  What is the cause? 

Monday, May 2, 2011

Sponsored Blog: Walgreens Flexible Fabric Bandages

This is a compensated post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

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I recently had the chance to try Walgreens' Flexible Fabric Adhesive Bandages.  As a mom, bandages are a must in your mom tool kit.  Kids use and need bandages.  You have need to buy them, but if you are like me you are on a budget.  How can you keep your tool kit stocked without emptying your wallet?  Personally I go with Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products.  Buying store brands keeps you ready with stock on hand without busting your budget. Basically you save a dollar with Walgreens vs the name brand without ever clipping a coupon!

But I know you know that ,so why the Walgreens?  How did they do?  Can I trust a store brand?  Aren't name brands better?  Honestly, I found the Walgreens worked just as well as the name brand.  I actually like the Flexible Fabric Bandages better.  I tried the old move the bandage after I already placed it and they moved without a problem.  They stayed flexible and stuck very well to my skin.  I wore it on my knee and it stayed close to the skin no matter what position I placed my knee!  I know I've used bandages that lift when you move your knee but this kept my cut protected.  Unlike some bandages there is a small edge around the pad so it will stick and keep your wound clean and protected. 

Part of the reason I like Walgreens so much is the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™, every purchase of every Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Product supports bringing preventive wellness services to local communities!   The Walgreens Way to Well Fund™ will provide FREE preventive health tests as well as other health and wellness services and education to local communities. Some of those services will include preventive health tests through the National Urban League Health & Wellness Tour and vouchers redeemable in select stores.  Walgreens will contribute up to $3 million annually to the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™. So just by buying a Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Product, you are helping local communities receive preventive care.  As we all know, a preventive approach to health care keeps people healthy and out of the hospital. 

So the long and the short:  I like the bandages.  They work, they are affordable and they help the community.  So between the saving money and Walgreens Way to Well Fund™, it is a no brainer, go to Walgreens. 

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