Tuesday turned out to be a little nuts...

Taken ar roughly 1 am... Go Utes! 

Sorry friends, 

Yesterday I did not do a good job with my food journaling - at all. In fact, I didn't get to it until I was in the car on my way home from Primary Children's hospital at 3 in the morning.

Yeah, rough day, rough night. My kids are apparently predisposed to croup when they get a cold. Usually we can keep it under wraps at home -- alternating between hot-humidity (shower, vaporizers, etc) and the cold (our freezing cold sun room, walking outside, or letting Z play in the freezer like we did when it happened over the summer). We did that routine from 4 pm until about midnight, when even with 45 minutes of cold air (and trying the hot humidity again) we could not get her breathing under control... she actually couldn't get a deep breath, which freaked her out. So when she started crying it made it harder to breath. At midnight Danny and I made the call together - woke Holden up and loaded everyone in the car to get to the hospital for some professional help. (Even the Majoram Essential oil was cutting it - so you know it was serious!) 

Big Kudos to Holden for just going with the flow as we puled him out of his slumber. And I don't know what we would've done without Danny's parents. They came and picked up Cito from the hospital, let him spend the night at their place; and then Stevie (my blessed mother-in-love) watched both kids while I taught yoga this morning. Saintly does not do justice to my in-laws. 

All that said, here's what I recorded from yesterday's eats (and if you're wondering about the food journal, you can check out this post):

• Maybe 9am: part of a banana, small glass of oj and Airborne, because we are ALL under the weather
• 11:00: Banana in car running errands and picking up Holden from pre-school
• 12:20 Rest of the cheesy potato soup, eaten while standing noting that in 5 minutes people were supposed to be showing up for a Yoga Playdate in my home - I think i had part of a roll too
• After the kids yoga session, probably around 1:15 we had a 'tea party' with hot chocolate (I actually just drank hot water)
• While cooking and chopping for dinner (3pm-ish) I thought about another glass of OJ for my cold, and then opted instead for some orange slices. I think I ate 1 1/2 oranges. (Not so good for the environment, but man are they tasty in the winter months)
• Dinner 5:45 I think - I tried a new recipe from Food and Wine Magazine "Chinese Noodles with Pork" and added Bok Choy, and cooked some carrots too. It was a hit with Danny -- not so much with Holden. 

Holden didn't try any. Had a few carrots and a leftover roll from earlier in the week. He said: "Mom, you didn't do a very good dinner tonight." 

Me: "Why would you say that? It was delicious." 


HDM: Something about how the food looked terrible, or gross or some kind of slam. I can't remember. But what I do remember is his finishing up with: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself." 

At which point I tried so hard to keep from laughing (I know he's got that phrase from some movie we've watched)... Danny on the other hand looked outranged, and took him back to his room to have a serious discussion about gratitude and appreciation for "mom." (Did I marry an awesome guy or what.)

Was proud to make the 7pm rule (no eating after); even though I was pretty hungry by the time we drove home. 

30 Days of Thanksgiving: (11/11/11): Modern Medicine

Wednesday night, and all day yesterday Holden was running a fever... I don't know exactly what degree it hit; but he was definitely warm and his feet were hot (which after more than 2 1/2 years with this kid I know how to tell if he's got a temp.) We took it easy yesterday (which was good for me as my body could use some down time); I addressed Holiday Card envelopes in bed while he watched shows, we both napped and then he hung out at this grandma's while I taught yoga yesterday evening.

His voice was kind of groggy by nightfall; and at about midnight the seal cough came in... me with my wishful thinking was hoping it was not croup. But by this morning it was pretty apparent that's exactly what it was.

Even though he woke up joyful at 6:45 turning to me and saying" "Mommy, I pay wiff my toys." And created this awesome Robot with his blocks:
Here he is showing it off and giving it the reverence it deserves:
But by this afternoon, this was a fairer representation of our little guy:

He's been going from breathing ok, to having that horrible stridor/ Darth Vader sounding breath...it seems to scare me more than him.

The doc gave us a steroid to start him on (which you people know I loathe even giving the kid Tylenol), and I somehow forced it down him crushed in between a layer of whipped cream. It appears to be helping...though the doctor said the second night is usually the worst.

My heart just aches for him. He's such a healthy kid...it seems like even when he's exposed to something, he'll show a sign of starting to get sick and then "BAM!" Like a superhero his immune system sweeps in a knocks it out. I think this is second time he's been sick with cold this year... and he's 2 and 1/2...a veritable WALKING PETRI DISH!

So I guess this doesn't really sound like a post about Thanksgiving... but I am Thankful we could get him into the doctor's today before the weekend. I am thankful that he can take this medicine to help him breathe. And I'm thankful that I can be here with him, and for an awesome husband who negotiates schedules to make everything work.

Chapter 3 (Adventures in Raw Food-Day 3 of the Week-long Challenge))

I dreamt I ate chicken last night...and I still woke up kind of hungry. But it doesn't take much to take that 'edge' off. For breakfast, a banana and some fresh juiced pineapple did the trick.

Holden was under the weather yesterday so last night was a little rough (not just the poultry nightmares). Danny got the shakes all of the sudden and cursed: "I can't live off this food. I'm a high performance athlete!" We chuckled together as he hasn't worked out in almost a week.

Today is supposed to be the hardest day. But I can't imagine feeling worse than I did at yoga yesterday morning. Six in the morning can be painful in of itself. But the 90 minutes of 106-degree room and what felt like 90% humidity (though it was probably closer to 40) seemed to force my body into an early purge of emotion and toxins.

I kept having to stop and take breaks... which is not my norm for most-things-physical: I'm more of one to 'push through' the uneasiness. More than a few times I would stand up and the room started getting black spots all over it, my ears got that weird hollowing sound, I was swaying back and forth and couldn't hear what the instructor was saying.

Eventually we made it down to the ground and as I lay on the floor, my hands got really tingly (like when your leg falls asleep) and my fingers started curling into themselves. I looked down and my hands -- they suddenly appeared to have Bikram-onset-rheumatoid-arthritis.

It was all really strange.

And I had RSVP'd for the Advanced session that evening.

I kept thinking to myself there is no way I can do this.

Who knew fruits and veggies were so dark and powerful?

But the day continued, I drank a bunch of water, took a nap with Holden (oh the bliss of just one child!), had some lettuce & guacamole wraps and found myself getting dressed for yoga.

Then Holden puked all over me.

And by the time I got in the car at six pm I was wondering if the universe was sending me a message -- like maybe you've had enough for today?

I vowed if I got in a car accident on the way to the studio, I'd know it wasn't meant to be.

But I made it; and the class was full and the energy was amazing. (A few of the people in the class compete at the Yoga Asana National Championships... which sounds like an oxymoron to me, but it's their thing... not mine.) It is inspiring what they can do with their minds and bodies.

And as I mentioned last night, I had one of the best classes of my life. And I was the least tired I've ever been in one of those classes. And it was like I had given a new lease on life; and my body was a little more bendy, and my heart felt a little more full and my cells seemed reenergized.

**Alternate Indie Film Post Ending**

And Holden puked on Danny while I was gone.

Through the Holidaze

So this is the first time in a few years that I haven't posted for the 12 days of Christmas; but my 30 Days of Thanksgiving (ok, 25-plus?) darn-near plumb-posted me out. :) Please say that last sentence with a southern belle accent... or a british accent for kicks.

But there are a few things worth noting (at least that I can remember) that I want to jot down (forgive me if I've already posted these.)

Tis the season:

• Holden got croup this month. It was really scary for us having never experienced it first hand as parents. Fortunately it was not so bad he had to go to the ER, but we did end up going to the doctors after the worst of it had passed and he got that steroid shot, which made his attention span even smaller than normal. (Ever heard the expression, "You're like a two year old on steroids? Well, maybe we invented it, but with good reason.)
• Holden still isn't speaking 'properly' (?), but he does think every word has a sound. Not just animals. For example, when I ask him to say "Santa" occasionally, he'll say "anta"... but mostly says "Ho Ho Ho" with inflection on the second Ho. It's really quite adorable.

Our Awesome Little Family posing with "hoHOho" at the Discovery Gateway "Breakfast with Santa" on Saturday. He ate breakfast with us and then we had a whole hour with the children's museum to ourselves... oh, and Santa played too!

• Holden also likes to run around the house with a clothes basket on his head...usually when he's just in a diaper or training pants. I think he got this one from Danny (not so much the training pants or diaper part. Just thought I'd clarify... stranger things have happened at this house)
• WE ARE STILL EC-ing. (It's been almost a year and a half!!!) Good thing there are so many environmental benefits, because it's getting long...yes, I know he's not even two yet. People ask me all the time if Holden's potty trained. My response? "Potty-trained, yes. Diaper-free, no," And believe me, there is a difference.
• This year I feel the most 'ready' for Christmas in the gifts, and cards, and all that jazz arena...but I've felt like I'm lacking in the spiritual side this year. Usually it so much easier for me to feel more spiritually at Christmas time. I haven't had as many experiences this year, but I know I can always 'get that feeling' when I'm holding or snuggling with Holden and I think about Mary caring for her new little babe...and the conditions in which she brought for that child. Then yes, I definitely feel something.

Soooo Excited!

If you can squeal like a valley-girl in the 80s, you should. Because that is how happy I am inside (and you should be too).

Why is Sabrena so happy? (And more importantly, why is she typing in 3rd person?)

Here, try the quiz:

a) She got tested for little piggy flu (H1N1) and "NO PIGGY FLU!"
b) It's a weekend and she's listening to Christmas music
c) She found natural cake/cookie decorations?!?!
d) All of the above

It's true (all of it). But especially 'C.' I was reading in Yoga Journal this morning, and they were talking about Gingerbread Cookies and recommended India Tree "for natural colored sugar sprinkles and food coloring derived from vegetable sources."

The Natural Candy Store has all sorts of delights too: vegan, organic, free-trade AND corn syrup free - just the tip of the ice berg. Thank you Yoga Journal, it's like I died and went to natural candy heaven. They (Natural Candy Store) even have organic marshmallow creme (wonder if you can make marshmallow squares with this?...even more importantly, I wonder if my husband would know the difference if we left out the animal tendons?!?!)

TMI? Yeah, smores have not been the same since I read about gelatin.

So the real reason I'm stoked about the candy/cookie decor is because Holden's 1st birthday is fast approaching, and I was trying to figure out how I was going to be ok with shifting from primarily organic eats for Little Bits to Red Dye No.4 on his birthday cake.

Problem solved! Thank you India Tree. I think I will start experimenting with your Winter Line straightaway.

I should be in Bed, but instead. . .

This is so ridiculous! I came home from work today, honestly feeling like death warmed over . . . I mean, my throat was closing off, I felt wheezy and nauseous AND on top of that achy and tired all over. So I barely make it into the apartment and don’t even have the strength to take my fabulous lavender washable suede coat from Nordstrom off before I practically pass out on the bed.

Danny came home, tucked me in . . . gave me some Advil and a few hits of Echinacea and vitamin C and I slept for a couple of hours . . . and now, I am wide awake.

Wide awake and fluish. . . which really sux because I have a plane to catch tomorrow and I am in fact going to Chicago on Sunday and Monday. That’s a decent amount of travel in a few days . . . I need my strength. I’m going to have to invest in some serious airborne if I don’t get this fixed ASAP!

So send me all your positive thoughts. . . I need “The Secret” now more than ever (Becca nee’ Whipple), your positive energy too! ;)

Well, since I can’t seem to rest and I fear talking Nyquil is certain to make me vomit, I might as well relax and blog. . .

It never ceases to amaze me how many typos I can find in any single post of mine. . . you’d never believe I was a professional writer by trade, eh? (Well, ok . . . not by trade, but it is part of my resume/).

Speaking of, I was kind of thinking that “Suite Spots” the actual column from SkyWest Magazine in the Delta Connection edition was going the way of the bison . . . but it turns out that even if Delta doesn’t want to keep our publication on their planes, my editor said they’ll move it to the United edition. So I’ve got a new audience . . . pretty cool.


PS. I know it seems like I get sick a lot. . . but this is a FREAK fall season for moi. I swear, I'm a realitively healthy person.
PSS. I finshed Twilight again. . . amd I decided that my Edward Cullen looks like Billy Elliott when he grows up and dances at the end of the show . . . yeah, kind of like a cross between him and Danny.

Weekend Round-Up!

Random factiods and thoughts for Friday afternoon . . .

Head Cold for the Better
a) Low Point: I'm home sick and I look as crappy as I feel.
b) High Point: I got to watch the Colbert Report I missed last night. ;)

Presidential Race
a) High Point: I've been waiting to vote for Hillary for ages
b) Low Point (not as low as I thought, though): I would never vote for a candidate just because they're Mormon, but if Mitt can move back to the middle of the road, it would be the first time in a long time I'd be happy with the Red and the Blue candidates.
*But I'm still voting the Clintons back in office unless otherwise moved by the spirit (although, Stephen Colbert did annouce his candidacy this week, so I'll have to do some soul searching.

A New Way to Help Teachers, since Referrendum 1 won't (VOTE NO!!!)
a) High Point: Go to http://www.donorschoose.com/ to donate to programs that teachers can't fund because our education system is so screwed up (especially in Utah. Find out more at www.utahnsforpublicschools.org/)
b) Low Point: There isn't one... The Suite-Mangum Foundation (aka Danny) made a donation to an art project for an inner-city school today.

Twlight Lovers
Are you thinking about Edward too?

Because I can't let it go, and I'll have to be funny another time. . . ;)

Did you know?

• The average private school tuition is nearly $8,000 a year.
• The average statewide voucher is estimated to be only about $2,000.
• That means that for a family with four children, the additional $24,000 in tuition puts private school completely out of reach.

http://www.utahnsforpublicschools.com/