We've had alot of family stuff going on lately. Nothing horrible and everyone is safe but my head is spinning. Physically, I am typing this. Mentally, I am laying on the floor, staring at the cieling fan, drooling.
I am so, so happy I could be with my family during some major life changes. I love them all very much... but my brains have been sucked out of my head. I'm going to take a blog break until May 1. I am going to limit my Facebook time although, honestly, I need to kick up my time on Slaying Dragons.
I PROMISE I will be back in May and be even more awesome than normal!
Showing posts with label blog annoucements. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog annoucements. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Vacation
I am on a small blog vacation while my husband heals from foot surgery and the holidays are going on. Expect me back after Christmas with IEP information, an update on what Cole will be doing in the spring, the graces from Reconciliation and the Eucharist and more!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The Yellow- what now?
I first became aware of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's famous short story, The Yellow Wallpaper when I was in high school. I was very well versed in childbearing, labor, delivery, and infant care. My mother had been a childbirth educator and she was very open and honest about everything to do with human reproduction. I was deemed responsible enough to baby sit for weekends on end, often staying overnight.
(I know, right? Back then, I thought I was awesome. And while I was very responsible, nothing ever happened and I have very fond memories of the children I was baby-sitting, now I wonder, What the heck were those parents thinking?!)
I knew about post-partum depression and since my mother was an adoption worker, I knew about post-adoptive depression. I knew enough to know that the "rest cure" described in Gilman's work was a load of crock. I ached for the mother who wanted her baby. I knew enough to know that she needed help, yes, maybe some medicine but, mostly, she didn't need to be taken away from her baby.
I knew but I didn't truly know.
After the birth of my first child, I experienced mild depression that, in hindsight, was the result of my thyroid being out of whack. I had a large, cystic mass growing on my thyroid that caused me to experience a short luteal phase, hot flashes, weight loss (not a bad problem! ;p) and depression. The mass was taken out and I conceived my second child shortly after.
Although I had some mild problems after my second was born, it wasn't until the birth and NICU stay of my third that I had hard core- PPD and PTSD. I had depression, flashbacks and the inability to cope with daily life. Oh, and the anxiety!
On my biggest fears during this dark time was being taken away from my children. Logically, I knew it wasn't going to happen. My husband was able to help me and I was actively seeking treatment. I did well on medication and my children were never, ever in any danger.
While I was going through all this, though, "The Yellow Wallpaper" kept running through my head. I understood how someone could go mad and feel like they were trapped in the wallpaper with no way out. For a brief amount of time,I feared I was teetering on the edge, about to topple into the wallpaper with no way out.
It's my weird, twisted and literary sense of humor that led me to label posts that deal with PPD and PTSD "The Yellow Wallpaper." I might be healing, I might be managing, but the wallpaper is always there, surrounding me, sometimes fading from view, sometimes slapping me in the face. I know there are other women being drawn into the wallpaper, feeling alone, wondering if there is hope, a treatment.
There is. By speaking about the wallpaper, I want to reach in, draw them out and let them know they are not alone. The wallpaper might be there, but it doesn't have to grab them. There is help.
I know. I have lived it, survived it and they can too.
(I know, right? Back then, I thought I was awesome. And while I was very responsible, nothing ever happened and I have very fond memories of the children I was baby-sitting, now I wonder, What the heck were those parents thinking?!)
I knew about post-partum depression and since my mother was an adoption worker, I knew about post-adoptive depression. I knew enough to know that the "rest cure" described in Gilman's work was a load of crock. I ached for the mother who wanted her baby. I knew enough to know that she needed help, yes, maybe some medicine but, mostly, she didn't need to be taken away from her baby.
I knew but I didn't truly know.
After the birth of my first child, I experienced mild depression that, in hindsight, was the result of my thyroid being out of whack. I had a large, cystic mass growing on my thyroid that caused me to experience a short luteal phase, hot flashes, weight loss (not a bad problem! ;p) and depression. The mass was taken out and I conceived my second child shortly after.
Although I had some mild problems after my second was born, it wasn't until the birth and NICU stay of my third that I had hard core- PPD and PTSD. I had depression, flashbacks and the inability to cope with daily life. Oh, and the anxiety!
On my biggest fears during this dark time was being taken away from my children. Logically, I knew it wasn't going to happen. My husband was able to help me and I was actively seeking treatment. I did well on medication and my children were never, ever in any danger.
While I was going through all this, though, "The Yellow Wallpaper" kept running through my head. I understood how someone could go mad and feel like they were trapped in the wallpaper with no way out. For a brief amount of time,I feared I was teetering on the edge, about to topple into the wallpaper with no way out.
It's my weird, twisted and literary sense of humor that led me to label posts that deal with PPD and PTSD "The Yellow Wallpaper." I might be healing, I might be managing, but the wallpaper is always there, surrounding me, sometimes fading from view, sometimes slapping me in the face. I know there are other women being drawn into the wallpaper, feeling alone, wondering if there is hope, a treatment.
There is. By speaking about the wallpaper, I want to reach in, draw them out and let them know they are not alone. The wallpaper might be there, but it doesn't have to grab them. There is help.
I know. I have lived it, survived it and they can too.
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Big News
I meant to post this earlier this week, but the week got away from me. Our big, bloggy news?
I am now open for reviews and giveaways!
Okay, maybe you were hoping for something else! Well, giveaways are cool! I mean, who doesn't love free stuff? I know I do! I've won items from blog giveaways before and it's always fun to get something neat and free.
Fresh Produce kicked off my review/giveaway. They were unable to offer a giveaway at this time, so my review is just... a review. But I had fun doing it and really do love their clothing.
I am looking for companies who make or sell items a natural-minded family would enjoy. I am open to Esty and Ebay sellers. I am especially interested in items that teach our faith to children and are fun, fresh and modern. A better overview of my review and giveaway policy will be up on my blog this weekend, so please check back for more information!
And if you are "just" a blog reader, please check back frequently for reviews and giveaways. I already have a couple in the works for the summer!
I am now open for reviews and giveaways!
Okay, maybe you were hoping for something else! Well, giveaways are cool! I mean, who doesn't love free stuff? I know I do! I've won items from blog giveaways before and it's always fun to get something neat and free.
Fresh Produce kicked off my review/giveaway. They were unable to offer a giveaway at this time, so my review is just... a review. But I had fun doing it and really do love their clothing.
I am looking for companies who make or sell items a natural-minded family would enjoy. I am open to Esty and Ebay sellers. I am especially interested in items that teach our faith to children and are fun, fresh and modern. A better overview of my review and giveaway policy will be up on my blog this weekend, so please check back for more information!
And if you are "just" a blog reader, please check back frequently for reviews and giveaways. I already have a couple in the works for the summer!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Under contrsuction and prayers
I'm currently doing some updates and rearranging to the blog. You might notice that things are in different places... please poke around if you need something! I also added a contact e-mail address just for this blog. This is a "business" e-mail, so if you need me for anything blog related, please use that one!
These next few days are going to be super busy in the Herd Household. Friends and family are about to descend for Joseph's First Communion. If you would say a little prayer for all of us, we would be so thankful! Joseph is nervous about having all the attention on him and nervous about receiving for the first time.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Laura
These next few days are going to be super busy in the Herd Household. Friends and family are about to descend for Joseph's First Communion. If you would say a little prayer for all of us, we would be so thankful! Joseph is nervous about having all the attention on him and nervous about receiving for the first time.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Laura
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