Open and Honest

A few years ago I started my first blog with the intention of using it to explore and discuss my infertility issues. At the time, my son was at home and I found that I just never had it in me to open up about it. I'm finding that it is still difficult, but I have hope that if I open up, somebody suffering through infertility will find this blog and maybe I will be able to help that person. If only knowing that somebody else has been there.

It seems that I am nearing the end of my infertility struggle, so from time to time I will possibly post about things that happened years ago. I may jump around a bit- putting it all into a timeline is something I don't feel up to right now.

I will start by saying this: After years of struggling to find the cause, I finally took myself to an Endocrinologist of my choosing. She looked back through my history, and really truly listened to what I was telling her. About a year ago, she decided that the problem lay in something I had been told when I was 15. Then, I was told that I had cysts on my ovaries that I would outgrow once I finished puberty. I didn't outgrow them, and in fact I have Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD, also called PCOS). Not only is this causing my infertility, but a host of other health symptoms and problems that have to be untangled and dealt with.

There. It's out. For those who aren't so interested in my health issues, I will still be posting regularly about my son, my art, my life. But I need to also talk about my illness because it really is the backdrop against which the rest of my life is lived.

Save Handmade

I am very much in favor of legislation that protects our children from shoddy products. That said, I am against legislation that will make it more difficult for the thousands? millions? of women in this country who are able to stay home with their children because they make and sell useful art. The best baby sling I ever had for Ezra (and we tried several) was handmade by a woman via the internet. I had to email her to order one. I had to measure myself and talk to her about what functionality I needed. I paid a lot of money for that sling, and it was probably the most useful piece of baby equipment we own. I never felt that it was unsafe-- on the contrary, it was easier and safer to use, with less risk of my baby falling out than any of the store bought slings we tried. T-shirt clips never held T-shirts well, why should I trust my baby's safety to one? My handmade sling was so safe and easy to use.

I now see her slings, with her company name, for sale in Target. If that woman hadn't been able to sell her hand sewn creations via the internet, without a bunch of government hassle and added expense, Ezra's collic days would have been a lot more difficult to live through. So, check out the button (Chris just spent time teaching me a little html), educate yourself on the cause.

Several pictures for our far away loved ones. We love you and are missing you today.

No particular order. Jennie doing her best to ignore Spike.

Ezra and Kenley love Spike

Lootz!

Santa came through with a big boy ball popper!

We let him open the monster on Christmas Eve. Oogely was big hit!

Taken the day after Thanksgiving

You've Met Your Match, Mr. Monster Under the Bed

Beware the Oogely Oogely Monster! He throws his arms and legs at people!
A few weeks ago I asked Ezra to draw me a monster. I was awarded with this:


And decided to make it for him as a Christmas gift.


I also framed his drawing (we'll hang it over his bed, I have the perfect place in mind), and made a simple pillowcase with monster-themed flannel. You can see it a little just over Oogely's head. The great thing about Oogely is that those long, long arms are attached with large snaps. They can be removed and thrown -- get this-- at people!

I made this monster out of flannel instead of felt so that he can thrown into the washer. Big. Fat. Mistake. I should have followed the instructions (see prior post for link) and used felt. Because I used flannel, the whole thing had to be sewn inside out, then turned right side out. Ack! Hopefully it will pay off and Ezra will love Mr. Oogely so much that he needs a good cleaning occasionally. Next time, I'm using felt and sewing it from the outside. Dirt be damned.

Mr. Oogely is about to get wrapped up for Christmas, so for those who talk to my kiddo, please don't mention it until after Christmas morning!

Have a great Holiday! I will probably be away from the blog for a bit as we not only have Christmas, but also a dear friend's birthday and my own birthday this weekend. *Shout out to all the Christmas babies!* Happy Holidays and Happy Birthdays!

It Takes A Sick Kid . . .

. . . To get a sick Mommy to rest. As today is the last day before Winter Break, I got out early to run errands. That came to a screeching halt when I got a call from the school that Ezra is sick. I had to pick him up early. Now he's crabby and will only rest if I lie down with him. Ah, the wisdom of the young.

Of course, today is the day that every delivery company imaginable is ringing my doorbell.