I received some not-so-great news about my cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL and the like. These are terms you hear your grandparents or aging parents discuss. These are not numbers you think you'll even care about, until they change. Yes, my numbers aren't great... in fact, they're terrible. And the medical advice I have received is to take niacin (which is of course going to affect my nursing infant). The doctor kind of brushed by the exercise and diet route and said they supposedly won't make much of a difference with my numbers because they are mainly genetically driven.
Well, I've been doing some "alternative" research, and from what I've read diet and herbs and exercise can make the difference. They might make ALL the difference. More imporantly, one year ago, when I decided to take control of my health, the impression I had as I was praying about what to do for MY body was simply "eat more vegetables." That was it. And then today, as I was researching all the foods for naturally lowering these all-important numbers, I read all the things I was eating anyway (whole grains, fruits and veggies, fish oil, vitamins, etc) and eating vegetables stood out to me. Amazing.
As I think back about the things I have felt I should eat more of: oatmeal, brown rice, yams, cabbage, blueberries, strawberries... lo and behold, these things help lower cholesterol.
I have an appointment in three months. I'm not going to take the niacin. I'm going to continue to nurse my baby and listen to what my body tells me I should eat.
Lady is sporting the pink "hair," while Bell sport the periwinkle "hair." Mommy used to wear her orange pj bottoms on her head as Rapunzel hair.
Lady: We're playing Safari!
Baby E just loves her animal friends on her little jungle gym
Big Sister G loves Baby E (I'm giving her kisses, Mommy!)
"She's such a cutie, Mommy. Baby is soooo sweeeeet"
Mommy: You're both so cute!
Precious to me, sweet as can be... babies of mine
Our busy little two year old, never stops moving and never stops suprising us. Yesterday she said to me "Mommy, I gotta present for you." "A present for me?" I said. "Yes! Here you go..." after which she proceeded to pick her nose and give me the booger. Then she said "Eat it!" Not quite the gift I was expecting!
Already 3 months... where did the time go?
Baby E, you are giggling and smiling. You love your little gym, but best of all, you loved to be held, and held, and held. Lucky for you, there is no shortage of willing hands.
Daddy captured this picture of me hugging you in the sun, dear Baby E, and I wanted to remember what I felt at that moment... pure joy in being your mother. I love holding you to my heart and feeling our spirits connect. I love looking into your eyes and getting lost. I love squeezing your rolls and making you giggle and smile. It may be years before I put together a baby book because life is a little crazy for us right now. But for now, I want to remember this moment and the sweet joy I feel in being a mother to you and your sisters. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother.
Bell and Lady are fantastic helpers. Sometimes it feels like they are 4 going on 8, because they are so helpful with Baby E. Many times I don't even have to ask them to bring me a diaper and wipes, they just notice me start to take the baby's pants off, and up they jump to get me the supplies. They especially love to entertain their littliest sister, making up songs about princesses to serenade her. It is not uncommon to hear bickering about who held her the longest. Baby E is so lucky to have such great sisters who love and care for her.