This week has been very difficult for me emotionally and physically, though I’m seeing the light. I took Ivy to the doctor today and she has a sinus infection. She has had congestion since before Thanksgiving, so I took the prescription for antibiotics though most doctors in this area don’t do a finger prick to confirm bacteria. It hurts my heart to give her the antibiotic, but I think it is in order. I took her for a chiropractic adjustment as well. She is going to be better soon. She’s playing with Deladis right now.
A week of ups and downs this has been. I think I’m going to have some exciting news to share here soon. I hope so, in one form or another. 🙂 We have had our family portrait made (even with a sick Ivy), and our house is decorated for Christmas. The girls can’t wait.
With all of the girls’ excitement, this holiday is historically hard for both John and I. We strive to make it as simple as possible at home, and there is always that feeling of guilt that we can’t buy things for people like they may buy for us. But, this holiday isn’t about buying things. It’s about unconditional love from one to another.
I made some of the ornaments for the tree with Deladis this week. She had fun, but it was stressful for me as Ivy wasn’t happy. They turned out lovely though, and she is proud of them. When I can, I will get pictures.
I’ve been thinking about gifts for the whole week in one form or another. This week I received two blog awards, which I will share when I have more time for a post. I received a Joel Goldsmith book from another blogger, whom I have never met in person, which was purchased for me. It blessed my heart. I have thought of gifts passed.
Today, I was brought back to my time in the city right before we moved home. Childbirth has been on my mind a lot this week. In April2008, my homebirth attempt at a vaginal birth after a cesarean section turned into a hospital transfer with a repeat surgery. As filled with joy as I was at having a healthy new baby, the surgery broke my heart. Being without many, in real life, mama friends close by has been growing hard for me. Remembering what happened after that surgery makes me long for that even more. A group of women that I had become acquainted with online through our similar parenting beliefs, came together and brought me food for two weeks straight while I healed. It was food made from the heart – homecooked. Cookies, soups, meatballs, chicken, yummy stuff. It was left on my doorstep, delivered in person with a second to chat, and placed in my hands with a hug. That food nourished my in body and soul. It fed my family when I could not. I was left feeling cared for. Now, that was an amazing gift. Christmas gifts should be like this.
Our winter interactive nature table.
Please visit tomorrow’s post at Waiting for the Click, or today’s for that matter. It is a great blog. However, tomorrow I am the featured “click” story. 🙂 I even sent her a nice picture of myself. hehe
A Mountain Mama - East Kentucky Gal 
11 comments
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December 9, 2009 at 2:25 pm
foresightyourctpsychic
If your girls(or you yourself) have chronic problems with sinus issues, you might also want to think about accupressure (that’s the technique that uses pressing with your fingertips on the skin, as oppposed to accupunture which uses needles.Folks often get the two techniques mixed up).
Accupressure is something you can learn to do yourself. It’s easy, quick and has few side effects.
As a person with chronic sinus issues, I found accupressure not only relieved sinus congestion and pain short term, but also, if I kept doing it, I had fewer sinus infections long term.
Hope you’re all feeling better soon
Catherine
December 9, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Deb
I love what you wrote about this being a time of unconditional love, not gifts. It feels like we are caught up in the “gifts” aspect of the holidays, though every year I attempt to scale down. We’ve definitely improved over the years.
I hope Ivy feels much better soon. An ill child is worse than being ill yourself, isn’t it?
December 9, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Desiree
I truly understand how you feel about not being able to give as many gifts as you may want to. That’s the hardest part of the season for me, too. It really should be about the love and hope at this time of the year, but it’s difficult all the same. We are trying to do a mostly handmade Christmas this year, which has helped financially a lot.
I hope Ivy is better soon. The Chiropractor is amazing. My 1 year old had a terrible ear infection with a possible rupture and he cured it with two adjustments. I hope Ivy feels better soon.
I can’t wait to see the ornaments! I love handmade ones!
December 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm
kay
i think these darling photos of your girls would be the best gift you could give to relatives. i so love getting pictures of my grandchildren. it is all i want, but my daughter wants to give more. i wish she understood i don’t need or want anything else. don’t let the Christmas season make you feel bad. your heart is gift enough(with the photos!)
December 9, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Fun Mama - Deanna
I understand about not wanting to give your child antibiotics. They don’t do a finger prick at any of our doctors, either. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a doctor where they do. We just had to start antibiotics for the first time last week. I can only hope it helps. I can say, though, that I started my round of antibiotics last night and I feel slightly better this morning. Maybe coincidence, maybe not.
We don’t have the means to give to everyone I would like to this year, either. I really miss exchanging with my siblings and their families. I’m hoping to send them some letters at least, and maybe next year we can have a handmade Christmas. I know of families who exchange scrapbook pages about their families and I love that idea too. I just have three little brothers, so I’m waiting for them all to be married so their wives can do that.
December 9, 2009 at 7:34 pm
meorthethoughtofme
i hope ivy has a speedy recovery. i love what you said about this time of year (really, all times of the year) should be about conditional love. i’m looking forward to hearing your good news!
December 10, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Simple Mama
I haven’t had much time as of late to read my favorite blogs. 😦 I’m so sorry your Ivy has been sick. Have faith that she will heal. Your girls are so blessed you are their mama.
December 11, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Cre
I’m sorry Ivy is sick but know that sometimes, antibiotics ARE necessary. JP is on them now for strep throat and it’s been an ordeal, his being sick. He’s been terribly puny and then there’s the trying to keep JL and the rest of us from getting it!
We had to make decisions this year. Do we buy for extended family or our children? Obviously, we bought for our children. I have been deal seeking since summer and just finished up last night for our boys by scoring a wagon I’ve been watching prices on for 6 months (I rolled our coins for that wagon ,emptied my tiny camera fund and deposited them this morning! lol), minus a few miscellaneous stocking stuffers like matchbox cars, socks and gloves. Sometimes, these decisions have to be made. Did I want to ask my brother to not exchange this year? No. But, they have FIVE kids and we have two. As it is, I am sewing aprons for the 4 girls, and have made 2 aprons for my boys. I still have scarves to knit for my boys and a table runner and placemats to make for my mom. My dad’s gift will be “bought” with rewards from purchases at Hunter’s favorite outdoors store. Thank goodness we saved them all year! Hunter and I are not exchanging. No big baskets of food being made for friends, just small simple things. No Christmas cards. It’s decisions we had to make. I’m not ashamed of them; they just STINK. Our big surprise will be for Christmas morning from mama and daddy. You’ll have to tune in. :o)
Are ya pregnant??? lol! I had to ask the question. 🙂
December 12, 2009 at 4:18 am
eastkentuckygal
Thanks so much for the great comments. I love when I can come to my comments and get uplifted.
Nope, I’m not pregnant… though that wouldn’t have hurt my feelings any. 🙂
December 13, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Cre
Well I had to ask! lol.
I also was going to ask if yall had tried a Neti pot? I’ve heard a lot of people swear by them.
January 25, 2010 at 12:14 am
foresightyourctpsychic
Or, if you want something less extreme than a Neti pot, there’s an over-the-counter spray called Simply Saline, which is saline solution in a spray bottle. Clears out dry or moist congestion so cuts down on the back-up that leads to infections. It’s just saline so it doesn’t have the “bouce-back” that limits use of most nasal sprays, so you can use as needed.
It’s based on the same premise as a Neti pot, but since it administers the saline as a spray mist, as opposed to pouring liquids thru the nasal/sinus cavities, it’s a lot easier to accept
And they have a children’s version
I like it much, as someone who’s done the sinus tango on more than one occasion
Catherine
Foresight