My New Years Resolutions for 2014

Resolutions 2014

	Body	Mind	Spirit
January	Until birth: Include red raspberry leaf tea, homeopathic EZ birth & EPO. After birth: continue to include 3 meals, snacks & plenty of water daily even when busy.	Finish (or at least continue) reading I Know This Much is True. Set up a “memories” email address for the new baby, like Oliver’s.	Allow myself to transition from work and not need to fill the void with more work. Accept rest.
February	Sleep when needed. Practice stretching.	Find time to continue organizing toddler recipes online.	Be clear about how others can help when things are overwhelming. Say it plainly.
March	Make a meal plan and accompanying grocery list and try to stick to it.	Begin plans to participate in “secret TV project”, or, gracefully let the opportunity pass.	Make a realistic daily, weekly & monthly house-cleaning list.
April	Go for walks with the stroller a few times a week. Start the garden.	Check which open online courses are available. online.stanford.edu	Re-download the Bible app and begin reading suggested passages daily.
May	Drink a green smoothie for breakfast a few times a week. Share with Calvin & Ollie.	Get a book from the library on a friend’s recommendation.	Download or YouTube search short meditations to set intentions for the day.
June	Attend a yoga class. Or, rent a yoga DVD from the library. Begin making homemade baby food.	Re-evaluate the family budget.	Arrange child care for both children and take a “me” day. Bubble bath, a good book, cooking at a slow pace…
July	Faithfully purchase local produce for healthy eating & to begin making homemade baby food.	Create a plan for returning to work, while breast feeding and pumping. Connect with staff.	Write a “gratitude list” of the top things I’m thankful for this month. Re-read it often.
August	Attend a family swim.	Begin scheduling the transition back to work. Make an effort to re-learn the tasks.	Donate unneeded clothes to charity. Re-organize the closet.
September	Go dairy-free for one week. How did it affect me? The rest of the family?	Complete online quizzes from CSNM magazine for Continuing Education points.	Arrange a family photo shoot. Display a large print proudly in the home.
October	Do some canning of last season produce.	Speak at a conference. Record a Youtube. Teach someone.	Watch a feel good movie.
November	Attempt the “no shampoo method” (again).	Find a way to excel at work that I haven’t done before.	Re-evaluate sleeping patterns.
December	Find no sugar alternatives to typical holiday traditions.	Create a new “New Years Resolution” chart for 2015.	Buy a dozen fresh lemons and put the juice in my water.

A New Years Reflection (2013/2014)

Here is my 2012/2013 Reflection and my 2011/2012 Reflection.

What did you create?

•  A new baby!
• Some Ikea furniture
• More recipes for the blog
• A wonderful new career at the hospital

What challenges did you face with courage and strength?

• Driving on black ice
• Presenting a seminar at the Birth & Beyond Conference (so many people!)

What promises did you keep? 

• Don't text and drive
• Email Oliver's secret email address regularly so he can read them when he's older

What brave choices did you make?

• To wake up when I have to work at 6am

What are you proud of?

• Presenting at the Birth and Beyond Conference 

What was disappointing?

• Blowing a tire the weekend that Calvin was away with his band

What was scary?

• Driving to St. Thomas in the snow
• A television audition (secret!) 

What was hard?

• Being pregnant while breastfeeding a toddler
• Being pregnant even once your toddler is weaned

What can you forgive yourself for?

• Gaining 25 pounds? Ha ha. 

The next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2013 complete!”
How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…

Like a fraud because I didn't do it. (What? There are a bunch of people around!) 

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2014?

“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”

This babe is almost fully cooked - update

How far along: Almost 36 weeks. Which is almost full term. Which is almost... baby!

Gender: I have exactly zero prediction. I couldn't even go so far as to say 50.1% one way and 49.9% the other. 

 

Weight gain: I still have a bit to go if I want to gain the recommended 30 lbs.

Maternity clothes: A mix. I certainly can't wear non-maternity pants anymore unless they are pj's or tights. Shirts seem to be okay. Same undergarments, shoes, etc. as usual.

Stretch marks: Nothing new.

Belly button in or out: Peaking out.

Sleep: It's been better - but I have very high sleep standards. I actually value sleep a lot: we hosted a Christmas party at our house, starting at 7pm, and knowing I had to wake up at 5am I actually excused myself from the party, said my goodbyes and went to bed before 10pm. Good girl.

Best moment this week: Watching Ollie and his friend Abigail play in his new playroom. Eating the assortment of bacon-wrapped, bruschetta topped, cheesy, saucy and/or filled-tart things that ended up at our party. The Christmas production at my church. Getting a great performance review at work. Shopping with Calvin.

 

Worst moment this week: I have to say driving when the conditions are poor. I am only now realizing that I have a paralyzing fear of winter driving. This is after almost 10 years of being a driver, in Canada, who knew?

 

Miss anything: It was a real challenge to watch people have spiked eggnog and cold beer at our party. I also really want raw-fish sushi. I also really want to wear normal jeans. To get out of the bath tub successfully. To sleep on my stomach. The list goes on.

Movement: Oh yes. So much, yes.

 

Cravings: I keep asking Calvin to make perogies for dinner but it's kind of our "easy dinner trick" in the freezer, so if there's actually time/energy to make something wholesome, he does. I'm really hoping he's too tired to make dinner by the time I get home so it can be a perogi night, ha ha.

 

Queasy or sick: Not so much. Just fantastically uncomfortable!

 

Looking forward to: Christmas of course. My mom's Christmas Eve dinner, opening presents, other people opening what I've bought for them, stockings, Oliver enjoying everything, Christmas morning breakfast at Calvin's parents' house, more presents, seeing family, not working, seeing if Calvin is actually going to camp in front of Best Buy overnight for Boxing Day sales with my Dad (I'm starting to believe them), eating all the goodies friends from work gave me this season, watching the Food Network, going to bed at an unreasonable time because I don't work in the morning, Oliver in his Christmas pj's, Calvin in his Christmas pj's, getting that much closer to meeting Baby Harrison 2!

 

Christmas Tag (2013)

1.What’s Your Favourite Holiday Movie? 

I’m not really a Christmas movie guru. (We already have one of those in the family – ahem.) My favourite thing to watch every year during the holidays is the Jamie Oliver Christmas Special on the Food Network.

2. What’s Your Favourite Christmas Color?

I guess if my choices are red and green I will say green. If I can choose white, gold or silver, I’d probably take any of those.

3. Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?

Pjs! Plus this year I’m the size of a planet so any excuse to wear comfortable pants is a plus.

4. If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be?

Mr. Oliver Wolfe.

5. Do You Open Your Present Christmas Eve Or Christmas Morning?

I open my Goertz-family gifts Christmas Eve and my Harrison-family gifts Christmas morning.

6. Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House?

It’s been a while!

7. What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break?

Sleeeeeeeep.

8. Any Christmas Wishes?

All I can think of is ‘I wish I had a river, that I could skate away on.’ But I don’t wish that. And Calvin says it’s too dangerous for me to skate. I wish I had a chiropractor appointment.

9. Favorite Christmas Smell?

It’s a tie between balsam, cloves and buttery shortbread cookies.

10. Favorite Christmas Meal Or Treat?

One year we had the weirdest thing like Vietnamese soup… that was fun. I love my Grandpa’s steak and potato salad meal. I also really like doing interactive dinners like fondue/raclette/etc. As far as treats: cold eggnog, peppermint hot chocolate, any chocolate bark, Lindor truffles… I need to stop this list before I unwrap and devour an entire Toblerone bar.

A Peak Inside a Nutritionist's Fridge

If you've read a lot of my blog-material, you'll know that I'm all about being real and honest. You aren't going to find a holier-than-thou nutritionist here. I say yes to offers of holiday chocolate, I buy non-organic food when I'm feeling cheap, and I let my son have store-bought crackers... oh the shame!

So here is a stripped-down, no editing look into the refrigerator of the Harrison family. (I completely forgot to take into account our freezer, which has various meats, ice cubes, a tub of aloe vera juice, an infant teething ring, a few inches of ginger root, 1/2 a pint of beet ice cream, a whole wheat pizza crust, and who knows what else!)

The top shelf in the door: Eggs (24 extra-large), active dry yeast, 3 hot pepper jellies and a spicy artisan mustard from Europe.

The middle shelf in the door: sesame oil, Braggs soy sauce, Sriracha, almost gone vinaigrette, Frank's red hot sauce, pickled banana peppers & liquid smoke.

My supplements: Floravit liquid iron.

Fruit: navel oranges (3), clementines (1,000), kiwis (3), apples (2), bananas (5)

Dairy: (whoops, upside down and too lazy to flip!) Table cream for guests to put in their coffee - which we don't actually use ourselves, Almond milk, eggnog

Other beverages: Tropicana no pulp orange juice, filtered water

Vegetables: 1 egg plant, a few carrots, a few tomatoes, tons of garlic, tons of onions, 1 large sweet potato, and a few red bell peppers

More dairy: 14% sour cream (I'm not sure why Calvin bought this - there must be some specific meal he's wanting it for), Ricotta (for lasagna), and 2 types of yogurt.

Even MORE dairy (phew!): old cheddar x2, extra old cheddar x1, mozzarella x1, vegetable cream cheese, and apparently a pack of turkey lunch meat that slipped into the cheese party

Green veggies: bell pepper, brussels sprouts, cucumber, green beans, broccoli, fresh spinach

Parenting: What's the goal?

As we use the full extent of our heads and hearts to steer our little ones in the "right" direction, we have to remember what the direction is that we're steering.

I can get really caught up in doing the right parenting things like using explanations ("Going outside with shoes on instead of boots will make your feet cold because of the snow. I don't want your feet to be cold so I will wait until you put boots on for us to go outside." - which I'm great at) and following through on consequences ("You were told that if you keep throwing crayons in the living room that they will need to be put away. You threw them again so now they are going away.") - which Calvin is great at).

We have to remember what the goal is.

I was reminded of this as I read a little parenting e-manual provided by my employer's health-promoting department. It has a list of qualities of a successful child:

• Empathy and compassion
• Problem-solving (ability to make wise choices)
• Communication
• Accountability/responsibility
• Self-confidence

It really made me stop and think about what things I do that promote these qualities, and what I do that hinders them.

I often praise Oliver for things he's done (great drawing, thanks for bringing me my phone when it was ringing, you picked the cutest outfit today!) but if he's already well aware that he does well at these things, maybe he needs a bigger challenge to take on, to prove to himself that he is capable. Maybe putting this into action would be a little scary for me, like if it means I have to let him pour his own almond milk even though it's a near-guaranteed mess. Another thing I can do, to promote communication, is stop asking yes or no questions. I'll say: Did you have fun at Starbucks with Aunty-Lala? Yes. What if I asked: what did you do today with Aunty-Lala? That might elicit more of a response. Empathy is a tricky one also - one easy way the manual suggested to encourage it is to explain the needs of others through toys. Example: let's make a pretend sandwich for Mr. Antlers (his stuffed reindeer) because he looks hungry.

The next list that I want to focus on, is also a list of qualities I hope to encourage in Oliver: the fruits of the spirit. They are:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Self-control

I think my best bet on teaching these is to make an effort to grow them in myself. Bottom line.

And lastly, there was a long list of qualities that you could comment on whether they are important to you, to see in your child, or not. For most my answers were yes, with a few that needed clarification (I want Oliver to be "well-behaved" per-se, but maybe not in the usual sense. Also "fair" and "self-reliant" needed further discussion.) Some I decided no - they are not important to me.

• accepting
• accomodating
• affectionate
• autonomous
• caring
• charitable
• conservative
• cooperative
• courageous
• devoted
• easy-going
• energetic
• fair
• fun
• gracious
• healthy
• helpful
• honest
• kind
• liberal
• likeable
• loving
• natural
• patient
• playful
• polite
• productive
• reasonable
• respectful
• responsible
• self-reliant
• self-sufficient
• significant
• spiritual
• strong
• successful
• supportive
• talkative
• thrifty
• trustworthy 
• warm
• well-behaved

I'm curious to hear what you think of these lists. It's great to "keep our eyes on the prize" and know why we do the things we do as parents.

What to Pack for a Natural Hospital Birth

Packing a hospital bag for birth can actually be super fun because it makes you realized that THIS IS HAPPENING. Even if you're planning a home birth it's good to have one of these on the ready. My bag is super no-frills because I know if there's anything extra I need or if something goes awry, someone will be able to pop over to my house and pick it up. The joys of living five minutes from my city's birthing hospital.

If you already know that you'll be in hospital for an extended stay, throw in more clothes, any hair and makeup stuff you might need, and a few sanitary pads.

1. Stuff for mama

I already know I'll have my phone on me no matter where we are. Just a given. Heck, I bring my phone in the bathroom with me when I shower. (You know, just in case there's a break in and I need to call 9-1-1 from the locked room!) This means I have insta-access to anyone I want to text, and some music. I suppose headphones would be a good idea, but hey - if you don't want to listen to my house, get out of my birthing room. I pack a tank top because I want to be comfortable but covered up enough that I can share my photos with my male friends. I choose one that can get a little wet if I don't pull it up high enough in the tub. I also pack shorts for if I decide to go for a little walk, or for if my dad decides to come say hi in the birthing room and I don't want to be butt-naked. The new undies, tights and sweater are for after, once I've showered and am ready to go home.

2. Stuff for babe

I'll have to go through the things I've saved of Oliver's and pick a suitable newborn outfit to bring along. Sorry babe - you'll be wearing a lot of hand-me-downs. I will also pack a hat. We'll need a thin blanket for swaddling and a thick warm one for placing over baby in the car seat between the hospital and the warm car. And of course a little pouch of newborn diapers and wipes.

3. Practical items

First and foremost, the only item that you will require if you want to take your baby home: a newborn car seat. I arrived at the hospital, for Oliver's birth, without it installed, so my dad and Cal's dad had the daunting task of doing that and they still laugh about it. Of course the most important item of all: your health insurance card! I have my number memorized in case I ever forget at appointments but likely in the moment my memory will be playing second fiddle to my birth-focus. I'll also bring a copy of my birth wish list - it's not too extensive this time but worth having around. Iphone photos are great but I'm definitely going to pack my digital camera for higher quality images and some video. Now I just need to make sure I charge it! Lastly, a stash of easy snacks and drinks.
I recommend:

• a tetra pack of coconut water (or a glass jar of homemade Labourade, see recipe)
• whole grain granola/ trail mix bars
• a pouch of all-natural fruit snacks (like the ones at Starbucks)
• brown rice crackers
• fruit leather
• kale chips
• unsweetened applesauce
• homemade all-natural sports "gel" (blend a few dates with agave nectar, sea salt and lemon zest!)
  
   

And that's that! Throw it all in a bag and let your partner or doula know where to find it when the time comes.

4 dates (I used dried dates, soaked for a few hours)
1/2 cup raw agave nectar
1 Tbsp lime zest
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dulse (I skipped this, since I didn’t have it)
Sea salt to taste
- See more at: http://www.nomeatathlete.com/thrive-energy-gel-recipe/#sthash.HRafLo6b.dpuf

Lemon-Ginger Labourade

Here is my recipe for a large jar of Lemon-Ginger Labourade, the quintessential chilled beverage for any mom who knows that a) birth is a marathon that needs fuel and b) lemon and ginger taste great!

1/2 tsp magnesium powder - I used a sweet, flavoured powder called Natural Calm, you could also open up a magnesium supplement capsule 
1 pinch sea salt
1 pinch baking soda
2 T honey
1 ginger tea bag, or 1 inch fresh ginger root
1 litre coconut water
1/4 cup lemon juice

Dissolve magnesium powder in 1 T water that has just boiled. Add sea salt, baking soda, honey, 1 additional cup of boiled water and ginger and stir to combine.
After 5 minutes remove the tea bag or fresh ginger. For added ginger flavour you can add a pinch of powdered ginger.
Pour in coconut water and lemon juice and chill until ready to use.
 

How much of a Crunchy Mama Are You?

I laughed at this visual respresentation of how 'crunchy' (read: hippie-esque) a mom can be.

I had trouble actually figuring out which number I should place myself at because I had a handful of yes's and no's for each.

Level 1:
Plans to breastfeed, owns a BabyBjorn and one stainless steel or glass food receptacle.
-- Determined to breastfeed, owns 3 moby wraps, a structured carrier & a traditional Guatemalan ring sling, and most of my food receptacles are glass.

Level 2:
Likes DIY and handmade shit, shops at thrift stores and garage sales, carries Kleen Kanteen or SIGG bottles, has made kale chips and purchased almond butter. May drive a minivan or an SUV and simultaneously loves it and feels guilty.
-- Yes to all. No minivan. (And I don't really "like" to shop.)

Level 3:
Buys organic foods for baby, makes own baby food, attempts to avoid flashing or noisemaking toys, limits screen time, enjoys natural bath and beauty products, wears mineral makeup, owns either a ring sling, an Ergo or a Beco carrier.Likely consumes coconut oil.
-- Yes, but my ability to limit screen time is weak.

Level 4:
Cloth diapers, does not own plastic food containers unless they are BPA/pthlalate free, births naturally, feels strongly about breastfeeding, owns an Arm’s Reach co-sleeper or uses a bassinet to have baby in room.
Has baked with zucchini and made quinoa.
-- Part-time cloth, I own some horrendous tupperware, yes, yes, I don't own a co-sleeper I just put baby in the bed, zucchini and quinoa but of course!

Level 5:
Only buys wooden or natural toys, kids don’t watch TV, no characters or text on kid’s clothing, practices non-violent communication and non-punitive punishment, likes mason jars and has too many of them, covets ethically manufactured clothing, drives a fuel efficient car on purpose, likes Method, Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyers brand cleaning products. Has read everything by Dr. Sears.
-- I mostly only buy Melissa & Doug toys for friends' kids, I don't really buy Oliver toys - he has enough. He watches TV. He owns Mickey Mouse clothes. We are non-violent. I LIVE FOR mason jars. I don't like clothes or cars enough to care which I have. I love 7th Gen and Dr. Sears. (Using their dish soap, and his Parenting book right now.)

Level 6:
Obsession with something like baby carriers or cloth diapers, co-sleeps, extended breastfeeds, uses mama cloth, owns a juicer and drinks green juice, has an herb garden, drives a hybrid car or wishes she did. Likely owns at least one article of clothing made from bamboo or hemp.
-- Sure, yes, yes, no (Diva Cup?), I do hand-blender/cheese cloth juicing is that worse, garden yes, wish I didn't drive any car, some bamboo and hemp clothes yes.

Level 7:
Sleeps in a family bed, either homeschools or uses a co-op, Waldorf or other assorted hippie schooling choices, homebirths with midwives, baby led weaning, tandem nurses if applicable, makes jam, has a large vegetable garden, buys used and repurposes whenever possible, uses cloth table napkins and cloth “paper towels”, cleans with vinegar and baking soda, is anti-TV and will mention this at every chance, child wears an amber teething necklace. Has either owned or rented a birthing tub.
-- Yes, no school-aged kids, midwife yes, BLW yes, tandem if I have to, jam yep, veggie garden for sure, used/repurposed or just don't buy something at all, yes to cloth and vinegar/baking soda (sorry Cal), I am not anti-TV (wish I was) and Oliver does have an amber teething necklace. I don't know anyone who owns a birthing tub, they must be planning for a ton of kids to not rent.

Level 8:
Placenta eaters and other food weirdness comes into play here, this has a polarizing effect with vegans on one and and paleo/primal on the other, or perhaps is gluten free, local only or organic only. Can recognize a woven wrap colorway from 40 yards away, uses family cloth instead of toilet paper, keeps regular acupuncture visits, stashes arnica and other homeopathic remedies in bag, uses elderberry syrup during cold and flu season, non-vac and non-circ status is displayed proudly on twitter or Mothering.com bio, drives an electric or bio-fuel car or has no car, avoids fluoride. Likely has tried the “no-poo” method of hair care.
-- Would eat my placenta if I wasn't too cheap/lazy to process it, somewhat paleo in my beliefs, never family cloth never, arnica and homeopathics and totally in a bag, elderberry syrup yup, non-vac/non-circ/non-fluoride, and have tried no-poo. Wow.

Level 9:
Grows all their own food, canning expert, homesteads, raises organic sheep, spins the wool from organic sheep, knits clothes from the wool that was spun from organic sheep, unschools, has chickens, wants to live off the grid, keeps bees, has solar panels, possibly uses elimination communication, builds own house or other barn/shed structures, has unassisted births.Can sew an entire quilt in one night by the light of handmade beeswax candles while sipping tea made from homegrown chamomile in a mug that was hand formed from clay mined from her backyard. While nursing.
-- Can't say "all", I live in Canada. Canning yes, homestead if I was rich, sheep wouldn't that be nice, knit yes, unschool no, chickens PLEASE, off the grid pretty please, I want bees and solar panels, nope on the EC, If Calvin builds me a house I will have an unassisted birth in it sure, I've never had an interest in making a quilt but would definitely do it by candlelight (that's not true, I do have a few patches of Oliver's old clothes that I'm saving for a rainy day), I sip homegrown cham tea like the rest of em but have not mined clay for a mug. Nursing, yes.

Level 10:
Actually, a diamond does most or all or some assortment of the above levels but they don’t give a crap about what anyone thinks. They aren’t keeping track and they’ve outgrown the labels. They certainly don’t preach to others or judge people about their choices. They’re just doing their own thing. Doing what works for them. Diamonds? Diamonds are rare.
-- Sounds nice.



    

Response to Top 10 Things to Never Say to a Pregnant Woman

Maybe you've seen my video called "What Not to Say to a Pregnant Woman" (above). I guess I wasn't the first person to think of this. A quick search on Google or Youtube shows tons of similarly titled blog-posts and videos.

Who knew there were so many things you can't say!

Well recently on WholeMom they posted a list of "Top 10 Things to Never Say to a Pregnant Woman". You know what the truth is? Non-pregnant people don't read these lists, so you must prepare for the fact that you will get asked these things. Seriously.

Here are my responses.

1. “Really? I had no problems at all!” That makes me feel a lot better. I was going to seek a chiropractor over these lower back issues, but knowing that you felt great the whole 40 weeks has been the ticket to my happiness.
2. “Wow! You’re huge!” I hadn't even thought to analyze your size, but if we're playing that game, I'd say you are ...
 3. “You shouldn’t be drinking/eating that.” Has someone poisoned it? Or are you under the impression that you get to choose what I intake?
 4. “I woman I know had a stillborn baby.” That must have been hard. I try not to think too much about that, so are you okay to move this conversation on down the road?
 5. “Why are you having a c-section?” ... Well, actually no one has asked me this. But I have been asked why I left the hospital so quickly after birth with my first. I said, my midwife gets free parking in my driveway.
6. “Get all the sleep you can now!” I appreciate your concern. I've actually been banking my hours coming up to this due date. I have like 30 hours stored, so I should be okay for a few nights at least. You can do that right?
7. “You might never get your body back.” I never gave it away?
8. “Pregnant?! How is that possible? You must be at least 45!” ... Again, not something anyone would likely say to me. I have been told I'm too young to be pregnant. I tell them I have a husband, a house, a respectable job, and a 2 year old!
9. “You’re only having one? You have to have two! It’s cruel to have just one.” Darn, these are going down the tube. I guess if someone said: why don't you want a ton of kids? I'd say I don't wanna buy a new car!
10. “Really? That’s the name you’re going with?” This question is the reason I don't tell people any name ideas before our baby is named.

The article on WholeMom closes by saying:

So, the next time you meet a pregnant woman, choose from the following:
1.”Congratulations!”
2. “You look beautiful!”
3.”Would you like a cookie?”

Non Toxic Bubble Bath

Oliver's cashing in on the Christmas love early.

Check out this awesome non toxic bubble bath he was just gifted.

He is a bubble bath addict, so he was pretty ecstatic to pull this from its wrapping. Like, even more so than his daily Lindor advent chocolate.
I'm happy because it's 100% natural, vegan, gluten-free, and totally kid-friendly so he can splash it in his eyes without a meltdown. 
It is a bubble bath but it actually cleanses so if the soap doesn't quite make it all over his precious (and highly active) skin, at least I feel like he's clean.
And. It. Smells. Like. Ice cream.
Not that Ollie cares this young but the ink is soy, the packaging is recycled (and recyclable) and the bubble bath itself is biodegradable and never tested on animals. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the ingredients list - no SLS (for a bubble bath? wow!) and most things were organic.
100% Pure is awesome - they use no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances or colours, harsh detergents, or other unhealthy toxins. They even offer make-up that's dyed using fruit. I love that. And their baby line is coming out soon. (Pretty please by January?!)

Until December 8th you can use the coupon code 100PURE1204 for 10% off your order. 

I am not affiliated with this company. This is my honest review.

"I'm doing great, you?"

Every single person who sees me these days asks:
"How are you doing?"

And not like usual 'how are you doing?' that doesn't even really merit a true response, but one that is really concerned and caring, and unsatisfied when I say: "I'm doing great, you?" In fact, if I give this response I'm almost always met with:
"Yes but, how are you?"

But hey, I'm not complaining. To have the entire population of folks you come in contact with in a day be genuinely interested in how you feel is pretty cool. There's almost a mourning period after baby is born when you realize no one will be asking this question anymore (with such concern anyway) nor will they be opening doors for you, lifting heavy things for you, or giving you free food.

So I truly enjoy giving people the answer they weren't expecting which is -- great! I've had no terrible morning sickness, my baby is growing right on track, my shoes still fit (heck, at 5-foot-8 I'm wearing my best friend's hand-me-down size six's)... I can't complain.

Here's the truth.

This pregnancy is bringing up all these horrific symptoms that I can't remember from being pregnant with Oliver. This may be due to the fact that
a) I didn't experience these symptoms when I was pregnant with Oliver, or,
b) The female body is amazing at forgetting how uncomfortable pregnancy and birth are in hopes that you will reproduce again*

* I actually remember saying to my sister (at 7cm dilated - a.k.a. transition a.k.a. the most painful part of labour): "This sucks so much. This baby is going to be an only child FOR SURE."

Yes, I am actually not "great" I'm kind of "yucky" but I'm putting on a smiling face! There's something about positivity, seeing the bright side, and being grateful for what you've got that makes the day so much better.

But since you're my blog followers and everything, will you indulge me for a moment to let me bust out an extensive list of my wah-wah-baby woes of this pregnancy? Yes? Thank you!  (Oh and, don't let this list stop you from trying to conceive. Pregnancy is wonderful and leads to babies - I highly recommend it.)

• Total inability to bear sugar-overload or onions -- This comes and goes. Last night I had onions roasting in the oven for a casserole and almost started crying because even the smell was making me feel gross. I thought this unexplained intolerance was over!
• Need to pee x 1,000 -- I am totally willing to get up once a night to use the washroom, but what I can't understand is why my body feels the need to put me on MAX URINATION ALERT every 20 minutes only to yield like a millisecond of actual peeing. No thanks. 
• Lower back pain -- I should potentially (absolutely) be seeing a professional over this. But I feel like discussing it with my sister (an occupational therapy masters student) is enough. It's to do with my sacroiliac joint: a combination of added weight (from less than 130 to over 150 lbs in 32 weeks) and the loosening of joints care of pregnancy hormones. I physically cannot balance on my left leg to put underwear or pants on after a shower. (I find other ways to do so, in case you were wondering.)
• Spells of intense dizziness -- My texts to Calvin this week have been like: "Gunna faint." "Hurry come home from work, dying." "I can't take dinner out of the oven, I'm passing out." "I wanted to water the Christmas tree but now I can't stand up." "Fainting again..." and more. Poor husband. I haven't fainted yet.
• Fatigue -- Seems normal. Except that my iron levels when last checked were outstanding, and I sleep like 10 hours a night, plus a day-time nap when I'm not working.
• Contraction-like cramping that lasts hours on end -- You've heard of Braxton Hicks, the practice tightening that your body does before labour? Well, we can stop practicing now. It feels like my uterus is attempting to birth this baby, like 30 times a day. We know how to do this! We can wait til end of January. Ow, stop.

And a handful of other things including bleeding gums, lack of appetite, impatience with my loved ones, and BLOGGING ABOUT HOW I'M FEELING. (I apologize for crossing the line with my "I can't put on underwear" and "this is how much I pee" statements.)

But, hey...

I'm doing great, you?

My Travelling Medicine Cabinet

A few things about me:

1. I love to travel.

2. I do not love to carry heavy luggage around the airport.

3. I do not love to pay for extra checked bags at the airport.

4. I pack light.

Now when I say pack light, I don't mean I only bring one pair of heels and I limit myself to a medium sized makeup bag. I mean my entire family of 3 can fit our things for a 10-day vacation into one suitcase and the carry-on only has snacks and books in it. This includes diapers for the vacation. So, bottom line: I bring almost nothing.

The fact is a bottle of Dr. Bronner's pure castile soap (for makeup removal, laundry/dishes if you're staying in a condo, bathing, etc.) and a good pair of jeans go a long way. I typically call up any other females travelling with me and ask if they have plans to bring: a blow dryer, an aluminum-free deodorant... you know, those share-able things. (Ha ha.) And if Calvin has toothpaste along, well then we're good to go!

There's one place I won't skimp though. I mean, I'd rather wear the same pair of socks all week than forget this little detail. And that is: my travelling medicine cabinet.

Ollie has a monster immune system, so we don't use these medications on him very often but for the few times we have, the majority have been while we're out of the country. A bad flu in California. Trouble sleeping in Chicago. I think he was teething Brazil. Oh the joy!

And if I crossed my fingers that whatever international pharmacy we're near would carry my homeopathic brand of choice, well, I might end up with empty hands & a crying toddler. So we just bring three things along where ever we are staying.

1. Homeocan Kids 0-9 CALM - This is the child equivalent of a nice glass of wine and a bubble bath. Oliver will literally go from turbo-wrecking ball to cuddly bed-ready-babe moments after drinking what he calls his "purple juice". It's great for those hysterical moments, for too-late nights when your child gets overtired and they can't sleep, or for long flights.

2. Homeocan Kids COUGH & COLD - I pack our tiny sampler bottle because it's never been opened and is that less likely to spill it's magical juices all over my clean clothes. It soothes a cough, and even a cold - aptly named.

3. Homeocan Kids FLU BUSTER - I owe this product my life. It brings down a fever and a grumpy pumpkin in no time. I use it before I even think about Tylenol for Kids. If Oliver is sick and I need to work, therefore sending him to Grandma's house I send him along with a bottle of Flu Buster to continue giving him doses to make both their lives easier.

To this day Oliver has come down with a handful of things, but for the most part he has spent his "under the weather" days more, what I would call "fighting the bug", than actually being down & out. He's never sick for long. And I thank these glorious products for that. They make my life as a mama easy and have NO CHEMICALS.