However, I have been super-tired lately. So, if it involves more than clicking my mouse on the computer or typing more than a few sentences....as you can tell, that hasn't happened lately. Don't worry, I still get the day to day done, I just haven't updated my blog in a little while. The 16 1/2 hour shift yesterday hasn't done much to improve the ol' energy levels either! Okay enough complaining. Life is good, Family is good, the Baby in my Belly is good.
Happy Easter Everyone!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Empathy for Those Who Hate the Dentist
A couple of weeks ago I went to my dental appointment. A normal, routine cleaning. Nothing too exciting. Now I have have had tooth pain on and off for a couple of years. It culminated in December of 2009 when my mom placed a piece of homemade fudge in my mouth and I almost hit the floor in tears and pain. I wound up with an emergency visit to the dentist two days later less than 24 hours before I was to fly out to Alaska. From then on I swore to myself: "I will make these dental appointments every six months like every good patient should! Never again will I inflict this amount of pain on myself!" Fast forward to the end of March 2011. I had not been to the dentist since that last event in 2009. I can make all the excuses in the world, but in truth, it wasn't a top priority of mine.
Anyways, at this dental appointment, they found not one or two...but six...count them, SIX, cavities. I have never had a cavity before in my whole life! I think it was a combination of some really good sealants and luck.
I went to the first of three appointments today to have these cavities filled. The dental office will only do two at a time because I am pregnant and it is uncomfortable to sit in that chair for an extended amount of time. The first thing they did was put a topical anesthetic on. Then came the shots of lidocaine. Now, I am not needle-phobic. I do not fear medical procedures generally speaking. But, Oh...My...Goodness! The shots in my gum hurt like hell! Then, I got sweaty from head to toe. I mean I started dripping in sweat! I felt like I needed another shower. My heart rate went up, I felt like I was going to puke and pass out at the same time. I can't say for sure, but I am willing to bet that I turned a deathly shade of white. So, they sat me up after the shots, gave me some water, and let me come back to normal. The rest of the appointment went just fine, completely without incident. The whole numbing procedure probably took less than five minutes but I think it just may have scarred me for life.
Now that I am home, three hours later, the anesthetic has completely worn off and my teeth and jaw ache! I can only take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and for this kind of pain I really need an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen). Unfortunately, ibuprofen is off-limits for this pregnant chick. Oh well, I can survive this!
I completely empathize with those who may be dentist phobic. I don't think I am going to freak or be any more anxious at my appointment next week but I could see how someone might continue to draw on a freaky incident like mine and let it affect how every future dentist visit goes.
Wish me luck for the next two appointments!
Anyways, at this dental appointment, they found not one or two...but six...count them, SIX, cavities. I have never had a cavity before in my whole life! I think it was a combination of some really good sealants and luck.
I went to the first of three appointments today to have these cavities filled. The dental office will only do two at a time because I am pregnant and it is uncomfortable to sit in that chair for an extended amount of time. The first thing they did was put a topical anesthetic on. Then came the shots of lidocaine. Now, I am not needle-phobic. I do not fear medical procedures generally speaking. But, Oh...My...Goodness! The shots in my gum hurt like hell! Then, I got sweaty from head to toe. I mean I started dripping in sweat! I felt like I needed another shower. My heart rate went up, I felt like I was going to puke and pass out at the same time. I can't say for sure, but I am willing to bet that I turned a deathly shade of white. So, they sat me up after the shots, gave me some water, and let me come back to normal. The rest of the appointment went just fine, completely without incident. The whole numbing procedure probably took less than five minutes but I think it just may have scarred me for life.
Now that I am home, three hours later, the anesthetic has completely worn off and my teeth and jaw ache! I can only take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and for this kind of pain I really need an anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen). Unfortunately, ibuprofen is off-limits for this pregnant chick. Oh well, I can survive this!
I completely empathize with those who may be dentist phobic. I don't think I am going to freak or be any more anxious at my appointment next week but I could see how someone might continue to draw on a freaky incident like mine and let it affect how every future dentist visit goes.
Wish me luck for the next two appointments!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Is the World That Dangerous??
*Another book review. I know. I've been into non-fiction lately and the library has so many options to choose from! Let's get started!
I started this book on Friday, finished it yesterday. It was a pretty quick read. For anyone that remembers, the author of this book was under a ton of public scrutiny in 2008 for letting her nine year-old son ride the subway...alone. He made it home without any problems.
The main argument of this book is that the world really isn't that scary of a place. Crime is down for one and some safety worries are largely hype. Does she say that we should allow our children to completely roam free without any supervision or guidance? NO! However, much of the independence that children used to have (walking to school, playing outside unsupervised, etc) is largely non-existent nowadays. This creates a fear hysteria of sorts that even our children catch onto. And if you do happen to let your child do these things independently then you are criticized by other parents out there for not thinking about your child's safety.
Now, I was raised in the era where parents everywhere feared that child abductors lurked behind every corner. There was a stranger-danger mindset that any stranger was a bad stranger. I remember when my sister was missing at our house for about 20 minutes and my parents were freaked!! Turns out, she had gone outside our fenced in front-yard to play in the truck-bed of one of our Studebaker trucks in front of the garage. We were both lectured for about the potential risks of going beyond that gate without supervision. At the time, the Nancy Shoemaker kidnapping case was the hot topic in our city. Did the bogey-man grab my sister? No. Did anyone even approach my sister? No. My sister is stubborn enough that no one could probably take her against her will without the whole world knowing about it right then.
I am not saying that is was right that she didn't inform mom and dad where she was. That's just responsibility. However, the actual reality of her being abducted? Very slim to none. Do I blame my parents for the over-zealous protection guard? No, that was/is the attitude of our society, we believe all the media hype.
Here are the points I took away from this read:
1. The media likes to hype the bad. This makes it seem that a very unrealistic event is occurring all the time and could happen to everyone. True, you could be abducted, but look at the statistics first. The media is out for what? Ratings!
2. Halloween- not that dangerous as the world would like us to believe. There has actually never been a documented case of a child being poisoned from a stranger's candy given out trick-or-treating. There have been cases, but further investigation showed that is was a family member who attempted to cover it up.
3. Children need to play outside!!! Damn the video games! Okay, I enjoy the Wii as much as Asher, but there needs to be limits. Unsupervised play helps promote independence, self-confidence, and other wonderful traits. I used to play outside when I went to a sitter, I even played outside the first year we moved up to Manhattan. After that, not so much. But still more than today's average child.
I recommend this to anyone, whether you have children or not because it provides an interesting view of our society. I'm not planning on turning my children completely loose, but maybe I can give them a little more independence.
The main argument of this book is that the world really isn't that scary of a place. Crime is down for one and some safety worries are largely hype. Does she say that we should allow our children to completely roam free without any supervision or guidance? NO! However, much of the independence that children used to have (walking to school, playing outside unsupervised, etc) is largely non-existent nowadays. This creates a fear hysteria of sorts that even our children catch onto. And if you do happen to let your child do these things independently then you are criticized by other parents out there for not thinking about your child's safety.
Now, I was raised in the era where parents everywhere feared that child abductors lurked behind every corner. There was a stranger-danger mindset that any stranger was a bad stranger. I remember when my sister was missing at our house for about 20 minutes and my parents were freaked!! Turns out, she had gone outside our fenced in front-yard to play in the truck-bed of one of our Studebaker trucks in front of the garage. We were both lectured for about the potential risks of going beyond that gate without supervision. At the time, the Nancy Shoemaker kidnapping case was the hot topic in our city. Did the bogey-man grab my sister? No. Did anyone even approach my sister? No. My sister is stubborn enough that no one could probably take her against her will without the whole world knowing about it right then.
I am not saying that is was right that she didn't inform mom and dad where she was. That's just responsibility. However, the actual reality of her being abducted? Very slim to none. Do I blame my parents for the over-zealous protection guard? No, that was/is the attitude of our society, we believe all the media hype.
Here are the points I took away from this read:
1. The media likes to hype the bad. This makes it seem that a very unrealistic event is occurring all the time and could happen to everyone. True, you could be abducted, but look at the statistics first. The media is out for what? Ratings!
2. Halloween- not that dangerous as the world would like us to believe. There has actually never been a documented case of a child being poisoned from a stranger's candy given out trick-or-treating. There have been cases, but further investigation showed that is was a family member who attempted to cover it up.
3. Children need to play outside!!! Damn the video games! Okay, I enjoy the Wii as much as Asher, but there needs to be limits. Unsupervised play helps promote independence, self-confidence, and other wonderful traits. I used to play outside when I went to a sitter, I even played outside the first year we moved up to Manhattan. After that, not so much. But still more than today's average child.
I recommend this to anyone, whether you have children or not because it provides an interesting view of our society. I'm not planning on turning my children completely loose, but maybe I can give them a little more independence.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
There's an Alien in My Tummy
I love feeling our baby move in my stomach. He is getting so big that the movement is really pronounced right now. And he is getting so big that sometimes that break-dancing hurts, especially if it is aimed towards a rib.
Sometimes though, this really morbid though crosses my mind. You know those terrible sci-fi movies with the "excellent" graphics? The one's where you see all this movement under someone's skin and then...SUDDENLY...either a pretty blue, green, or purple substance just bursts out. Either that or some alien creature bursts forth into the world.
When the baby is really moving and rolling that is what I picture occasionally. Not the sweet little baby that lives inside me right now but the crazy alien that is fighting for a way out.
I know, I am sick and twisted. I blame my mother and my aunt for corrupting my mind as a small child.
Sometimes though, this really morbid though crosses my mind. You know those terrible sci-fi movies with the "excellent" graphics? The one's where you see all this movement under someone's skin and then...SUDDENLY...either a pretty blue, green, or purple substance just bursts out. Either that or some alien creature bursts forth into the world.
When the baby is really moving and rolling that is what I picture occasionally. Not the sweet little baby that lives inside me right now but the crazy alien that is fighting for a way out.
I know, I am sick and twisted. I blame my mother and my aunt for corrupting my mind as a small child.
Monday, April 4, 2011
I Am an Email Zen Master!
That's right...I have mastered the art of having absolutely nothing in my inbox! I can't describe the feeling, having after checked your daily email, the look of a page that says...no email.
How did I do it, you ask? Well, first I was inspired by this article on a blog I follow:
http://zenhabits.net/email-zen-clear-out-your-inbox/
The rest...simple as macaroni and cheese out of a box! I unsubscribed to all of the crap that I automatically delete without reading, I archived emails that I need to refer to later on, and that was all she wrote!
I offered to turn Bryon into an email Zen Master, didn't work so much. He kinda raised his eyebrows and was like, "Really?" However, I did see him unsubscribe from one junk email yesterday, so maybe I inspired him just a little??
So to the rest of you, this is just a simple way that I uncluttered one area out of my cluttered lifestyle! Maybe it could work for you!
How did I do it, you ask? Well, first I was inspired by this article on a blog I follow:
http://zenhabits.net/email-zen-clear-out-your-inbox/
The rest...simple as macaroni and cheese out of a box! I unsubscribed to all of the crap that I automatically delete without reading, I archived emails that I need to refer to later on, and that was all she wrote!
I offered to turn Bryon into an email Zen Master, didn't work so much. He kinda raised his eyebrows and was like, "Really?" However, I did see him unsubscribe from one junk email yesterday, so maybe I inspired him just a little??
So to the rest of you, this is just a simple way that I uncluttered one area out of my cluttered lifestyle! Maybe it could work for you!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Put a Smile on Your Face!
Important points that I took away from this read:
1. It isn't always easy to focus on the positive; in fact, it takes a lot of work to change your mentality.
2. Everybody's definition of "happiness" is individual. What makes someone else happy won't necessarily make me happy, nor should it.
3. Stay true to yourself.
4. Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things. If you don't like it, at least you will have a greater appreciation for what you already do and have.
5. It is important to be in the present moment. A lot of negativity can result if you constantly dwell in the past or worry about the future.
6. Remember...if you don't feel happy at the moment, you can always fake it. After awhile, you will be amazed at how good you can feel if you put effort into it.
So...Put a Smile on Your Face!! It's a Great Day!!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Pregnancy Is...
Pregnancy is...the mix of feelings that comes when the test is positive...the excitement of sharing the news with loved ones...the days where you cry at the drop of the hat...the days where you feel completely like crap...the days where you feel fantastic...the awe that you have created someone magical with your husband...the first movement in your tummy...the first time you hear the heartbeat...the first time it dawns on you that this is really real...the look of happiness on your husband's face whenever he feels the baby kick...those moments alone where it's just you and the baby...the laughter of your son when he feels the baby kick...the ups and downs that go along with bringing new life into the world...seeing your baby on ultrasound...watching your baby flip you off and give you the thumbs up sign at the same time...knowing that your baby is healthy...taking joy in making things for your impending arrival...the time you get to spend with family and friends far away in celebration of your upcoming birth...questioning whether or not you are going to be a good mother even though you know the answer...looking at yourself in the mirror and sometimes not recognizing yourself...looking at pictures from pre-pregnancy and not recognizing yourself...trying not to fear the pain of labor...daydreaming about what life will be like after birth...knowing it won't be as glamorous as it might appear...loving every moment whether good or bad...
Friday, April 1, 2011
Thinker...Not a Doer
Does anyone else have this issue? I lay in bed at night imagining things. For example...I exercise daily (meaning I am in superstar shape), I cook fantastic, healthy meals for dinner, I am super-organized (minus the anal-retentive part), I am fabulously artistic...you get the idea.
In these fantasies, everything happens flawlessly. There is no mention of the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into establishing worth-while life lasting habits. I can do it all wearing a huge smile on my face!
Then comes the actual implementation of said habit, or as I like to call it, THE REALITY CHECK.
If I can even get past the "idea stage" my new habit lasts...a day...maybe. Why? I actually have to work and plan for this good-for-you stuff! How come no one ever told me about this? Oh wait, they probably did. I was just day dreaming when they told me.
If I get past the "idea stage" I then move to the "planning stage". I like this phase. My ideas move to paper and I make lists, usually with lots of COLOR! Ideas look fantastic on paper, actually carrying them out...again, much more difficult. This blog post is probably an extension of a planning phase for some great idea.
As wonder about why it is hard to establish healthy habits and research it, I have found that most people have a problem establishing good habits. Most people have a problem breaking bad habits. And most people have no problem with the initial establishment of the bad habit. For example, I had no problem picking up smoking. Quitting on the other hand...sucked! I still struggle with it and I haven't smoked since September 2010.
Most people have heard the adage "It takes 21 days to change a habit." I am hear to say "Baloney!" A lot of research is now showing that is can take months to make a habit stick (the good ones anyway). It also says that we will fall off the wagon more than a few times before the habit takes effect for good.
So what is holding me back from establishing my good-for-me habits?
*For the only time in my life I will use the excuse of pregnancy, but this will be over soon, so I need a new excuse.
*It's hard to leave my comfort zone of candy and the couch!
*I get discouraged quickly when I fail.
*I try to change too many habits at once. This is overwhelming.
*I don't realistically consider the barriers to achieving my goals.
*It is sooo much easier to daydream about it than to get up and do it.
Someday I hope to be that fit, healthy person without all the effort. Maybe I am getting closer to achieving my goals because I think about it more often. All in all, I am very happy with my life, I just want to continue to improve my happiness.
In these fantasies, everything happens flawlessly. There is no mention of the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into establishing worth-while life lasting habits. I can do it all wearing a huge smile on my face!
Then comes the actual implementation of said habit, or as I like to call it, THE REALITY CHECK.
If I can even get past the "idea stage" my new habit lasts...a day...maybe. Why? I actually have to work and plan for this good-for-you stuff! How come no one ever told me about this? Oh wait, they probably did. I was just day dreaming when they told me.
If I get past the "idea stage" I then move to the "planning stage". I like this phase. My ideas move to paper and I make lists, usually with lots of COLOR! Ideas look fantastic on paper, actually carrying them out...again, much more difficult. This blog post is probably an extension of a planning phase for some great idea.
As wonder about why it is hard to establish healthy habits and research it, I have found that most people have a problem establishing good habits. Most people have a problem breaking bad habits. And most people have no problem with the initial establishment of the bad habit. For example, I had no problem picking up smoking. Quitting on the other hand...sucked! I still struggle with it and I haven't smoked since September 2010.
Most people have heard the adage "It takes 21 days to change a habit." I am hear to say "Baloney!" A lot of research is now showing that is can take months to make a habit stick (the good ones anyway). It also says that we will fall off the wagon more than a few times before the habit takes effect for good.
So what is holding me back from establishing my good-for-me habits?
*For the only time in my life I will use the excuse of pregnancy, but this will be over soon, so I need a new excuse.
*It's hard to leave my comfort zone of candy and the couch!
*I get discouraged quickly when I fail.
*I try to change too many habits at once. This is overwhelming.
*I don't realistically consider the barriers to achieving my goals.
*It is sooo much easier to daydream about it than to get up and do it.
Someday I hope to be that fit, healthy person without all the effort. Maybe I am getting closer to achieving my goals because I think about it more often. All in all, I am very happy with my life, I just want to continue to improve my happiness.
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