Speaking Up For Those Who Can't

(Image from Allposters.com)

Honestly? I don't make a lot of waves. Sure, I'm a feisty and opinionated lady. No doubt about it; just ask my husband or family. But, that being said, I don't often speak up loudly and clearly about too many controversial or political issues. I'm pretty comfortable just living in my own world with my own ideas and beliefs.

There are a couple of exceptions. One, of course, is my determination to speak up about prematurity awareness. That is evident throughout this entire blog. It is a mission and a labor of love for me and I don't see myself ever tiring of it. I know how little I really knew about it and I know how little support I could find for parents of the very earliest preemies. It's critical to me to get more information out there.

The other cause I'm not afraid to voice my opinion about is abortion or, rather, my opposition to it. I've been very clear on that stance here before. I shared some of my concerns on Inauguration Day. I went on to go into more detail about the Freedom of Choice Act and what it could mean a few days later.

Trying to change the minds of all the pro-choice Americans around me doesn't work for me. That would be a daunting task and, I firmly believe, a futile effort. While I truly believe in my heart of hearts that abortion is murder, simply carrying a placard that reads those words is not how I choose to convey my message.

Instead, I just want to educate. I want people to truly KNOW what a second trimester fetus looks like so they don't have some misguided notion that we're talking about a blob of cells. I want people to realize what exactly is involved in a partial-birth abortion... because the name sounds pretty innocuous compared to the reality of the procedure. I want mothers and fathers to realize that there are millions of people who support taking away your right to know about your minor daughter's decision to abort. And I want to help dispel the idea that abortion is "good" for women-- that it is freeing, empowering, and essential to our equality. Making men be accountable for their role in creating life is how we establish equality... not by killing the one and only innocent party involved.

Speaking up for those who can't yet speak for themselves... that Works for Me.

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For more Works For Me Wednesday, visit Rocks in My Dryer.

A Word of Encouragement For Those With 2 Under 2 (or 1!)

If you have two babies close together, most often defined as two in under two years, some people will think you're nuts. You'll hear comments like, "You do know how that happens, right?" You'll likely go a long stretch without ever really getting a good night's sleep. You'll be changing LOTS of diapers. You'll be doing a whole lot of lifting and carrying. And sometimes it will be overwhelming. You may wonder, "When will it get easier?" or "Why did I think this was a good idea... my older one can't help at all!" And, while your kids are close in age, they really won't play together for awhile...

But, rest easy, one day you'll walk in and see this...

... and the mess won't matter. The piles of diapers won't matter. All of a sudden, you'll have two little ones who play together, laugh together, and never remember a time when the other wasn't there.

I had my first two less than eleven months apart. I had some really crazy days, much like any mommy, and I truly had two babies who both needed me just about every minute of every day. And I loved it...

Notice the toys and puzzles all around me? Notice my messy hair and baggy sweatshirt? Didn't matter. I had two sweet snuggle-bugs who loved each other and me.

The time goes fast... mine are 3 and 4 now. Still little, but far less dependent. They feed themselves now. Play together without me around. Get out their own games and books. The 4-year old reads to the 3-year old. They still have no jealousy. They still make each other laugh and smile.

You have that to look forward to! But cherish the days of 2 under 2... and know you're NOT crazy... or alone.

12 Days of the Valentine Queen: Day 2

12 Days of the Valentine Queen

Day 2: Red & Pink



While my wardrobe seems to be heavy on the blues and greens (a side-effect of having blue-green eyes, I believe), I actually really like to wear red and pink. They're pretty, girly, flattering colors. This time of year makes me seek out my red and pink garments and take a break from all that aqua and teal!

Over-salted Sauce?

Super quick tip today...

If, like me, you make your own pizza sauce, taco sauce, soup, etc, there may come a time when you taste it and realize you were a little heavy-handed with the salt. Not too worry; all is not lost.



Simply place a cut apple or potato into the pot, stir, and let it simmer in there for 15-20 minutes. The starchiness will absorb much of the excess salt making it more palatable! But you'll probably want to toss the apple/potato... it will be pretty gross.



(On a related note, putting a whole, peeled carrot into a tomato based sauce while it simmers will absorb excess acid resulting in a sweeter sauce.)

For more kitchen tips, be sure to visit Tammy's site every Tuesday!

12 Days of the Valentine Queen: Day 1

Remember way back in October when I wrote my "12 Days of the Halloween Scrooge" series? I gave you all twelve reasons I really, truly dislike the holiday of Halloween. I also mentioned that, by contrast, I simply adore Valentine's Day. Absolutely love it. And so, as promised, I present to you:

12 Days of the Valentine Queen

Day 1: Conversation Hearts



I eat bag upon bag of these candies every single year. Brach's are my favorite, but Necco will do in a pinch. Every year, I look forward to my first trip inside a store after Christmas because, voila, there are the conversation hearts. It may be too soon for some people, but for me? I'm in heaven!

"My Story..." Monday: Am I Qualified to Care For My Preemie?

Once C. had gone through all her tests and we knew the results and what we'd be dealing with, it was time for Mommy and Daddy to step up to the plate. I always thought it was almost scary how, when you have a full-term baby, the hospital staff basically makes sure you have a car seat and then sends you on your merry way. It is just assumed that you know what to do to care for this tiny life. And, for the most part, people figure it out and babies do just fine. It's a whole different scenario when you're about to bring your tiny, ultra-early baby home...

Before we'd be allowed to leave the hospital with our little girl, we'd have to prove that we were capable of managing the special care she would require. This included:

• Knowing how to tube-feed: measuring the tube, inserting it correctly, checking its placement with a stethoscope, attaching the vial, accurately measuring, "pushing" the milk to start the feed, etc.
• Knowing how to manage her oxygen needs: attaching and fitting the cannula, filling the tank, adjusting the pressure, etc.
• Knowing how to use to use the apnea monitor: learning how to attach the leads and wires, how to log any events, how to interpret real issues vs. false alarms, etc.
• Learning how to perform all her everyday needs with all this equipment present-- bath, bed, feedings, riding in the car, etc.
• Learning who to call to order all the ongoing supplies we would require to meet her needs-- tubing, adhesives, tape, leads, oxygen fills, etc...

There were basically three things that needed to happen to make sure we had all these things down pat. First of all, we needed to insert her feeding tube independently, but under the guidance of a nurse so they could see we were capable. Second, we needed to attend a special two-hour class covering oxygen tanks, apnea monitors, and CPR on infants. Finally, we were to perform a "room-in" at the hospital where we would stay through the night and take care of all of our daughter's needs ourselves; a nurse would always be on-hand, but we were expected to take care of things on our own.

I had actually already done the "tube thing" awhile back. Fortunately, it went very smoothly for me and, once I had accomplished it, I felt comfortable with the process. That just left my husband to prove he was capable. He did, but it didn't go without a hitch. It was long, drawn-out, and miserable. We knew most of that job would be falling to me anyhow (as a stay-at-home mom), so that was okay.

My husband was at a brand-new job and had trouble getting time off, so we got approval for just me to attend the O2 class. The instructor was fabulous and I felt very-well informed when I left there. We had to demonstrate in front of him and the other parents that we could handle all manner of emergencies. I know that part was stressful for some of the attendees, but I think it was vital information. That evening, my husband and I pored over that material for hours together so he felt "up to speed".

All that remained was the "room-in". Well, truth be told, we never did it. Because I had another baby too (who would not be allowed to stay in the hospital with us), it was a huge juggling act. The nurses and neonatologists had seen me often enough and knew that I had taken on every single aspect of C's care during my visits. They were confident that there was no aspect of her care that we would be unable to meet...

Our daughter was born December 24th. It was now early April.

We prepared to head home as a family of four.

Next week, I'll tell you about the preparations we had to make in anticipation of our baby girl's homecoming.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Well, this is the first place I've lived where we've had our own personal on-site groundhog...

Incidentally, with all the snow on the ground, I find it hard to believe an early Spring is even an option!

(Want evidence that I did not grow up around all these critters? When I first saw that guy, I thought he was a beaver... *blush*)