Garret's Birth Story {08.27.14}

Hey guys! I'm Stormy & I blog over at Life's A Dance. This past August we welcomed our first child, Garrett into the world! Today I'm here to share one of my very favorite stories with you...our birth story! It certainly is a long one but this isn't even all of it! If you'd like to read the full version head over & check it out! {Part One, Part Two, Part Three} 

My 40 week appointment was on Friday, August 23rd, my due date. I went to this appointment expecting nothing. After weeks and weeks of hoping for progress and having little to none I had given up and was convinced that baby Garrett was never making an appearance. Call me dramatic but it's truly the way I felt. I wasn't surprised one bit when the doctor checked and found I was still 1cm dilated, 60% effaced and little man hadn't dropped at all. We talked about inducing and she suggested I schedule an induction for the following Tuesday, if baby hadn't come by then. I agreed. I honestly didn't want to be induced. It was my goal to go into labor on my own and deliver as naturally as possible. The thought of an induction terrified me, mainly the Pitocin and epidural. I had heard numerous horrible things about Pitocin and wanted no part of that. I knew that majority of the time Pitocin makes contractions far stronger than they'd naturally be, thus increasing the pain level. Meaning increased need for pain medications. Needless to say, I agreed and hoped like mad that I'd go into labor naturally before Tuesday. I left the office determined to try and make things happen...we walked, and walked and walked that weekend. I ate spicy food. I ate pineapple. I took a warm bath. I bounced on a yoga ball. 

Monday rolled around and I had given up. I knew deep down that baby wasn't coming before Tuesday. As disappointed as I was it was a relief to know that I'd be holding my precious baby in my arms the next day. Hubs & I went to my "post due appointment" which was with my doctor, as she'd gotten back from her honeymoon. She checked my progress and found me to be 2cm dilated, 70% effaced and at -2 station. Progress! My heart jumped for joy! My membranes where stripped once again as a last ditch effort for a natural labor start. We chatted about the induction process. The original induction plan was to come in Monday night at 5pm for Cervadil and start Pitocin Tuesday morning at 7am. However, due to the fact that my cervix had gotten to 70% effaced on it's own the doctor felt that I didn't need any medication to help with that. Therefore we made a plan to arrive at the hospital at 6am for a Pitocin start time of 7am. While an induction wasn't exactly how we'd planned to meet our son we left the office knowing that would be our last day as a family of two. 

Tomorrow we would meet our son!

We spent the last night as a family of two at one of our favorite restaurants pigging out on food. Hubs enjoyed a few beers and I stole a sip as well {and learned that even pregnant I hate beer}. We headed home and cuddled on the couch, watching TV before heading to bed. Before we turned out the lights we made sure our hospital bags where packed and that the camera was charged. Our last night together as a family of two was nothing special, but it was perfect and totally us.

We awoke early the next morning, around 5am or so. We grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the hospital arriving there around 6:30am. We registered with the hospital and headed up to the Woman & Infants unit on the 4th floor. Speaking the words "I'm here for an induction" nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was real, we where really going to meet our son! The nurse directed us to our labor room, room 425 where I changed into a hospital gown and she hooked me up to the monitors. I had spoke with my doctor the day before about the "game plan" for induction day and she had told us to expect her around 7am that morning so I knew that she would be in shortly. 

My doctor stopped by at 7:05am. She checked me and found that I was 2cm dilated 70% effaced just as I was the day prior. She wrote orders for an IV, Pitocin and pain medications if I needed them. She planned to come back around noon to break my water and check how I was doing. The nurse came in around 7:30am and started my IV. 15 minutes later she brought in the Pitocin and started that through my IV...we where off and running! It didn't take long for the contractions to get very frequent, every 2 to 3 minutes. At that point they weren't painful at all though and some of them I didn't even feel. The nurse was shocked that I was tolerating the process so well and kept offering pain medications, which I kept refusing because I was beyond comfortable! Hubs and I settled in for the long haul. We spent the morning dozing, watching TV and responding to texts and emails from family and friends. Every 15 minutes or so the nurse would come in and turn up the Pitocin level, making the contractions stronger and more frequent each time. 

Around 11:30 the nurse said that she'd turned the Pitocin as high as they could, we'd reached the "max dose". The contractions where still about every 2-3 minutes and while I could feel them, they still weren't causing me any pain. An hour later my doctor came back. She checked me and found that I was dilated to 3cm and 80% effaced. She decided that she would in fact break my water to hopefully speed the process up. Having my water broke was the strangest feeling I've ever experienced. It was a large gush of warm fluid and I was certain that I'd peed on myself even though I knew it was just the doctor breaking my water. From then on every time I'd have a contraction {or cough/laugh} I could feel more and more fluid oozing out. Seriously a nasty feeling! The doctor was certain that having my water broke would make the contractions more painful and help things along. 

The next few hours were mellow. The contractions certainly picked up pain wise but through breathing and relaxation I was able to make it through them. By the time 2pm rolled around I was in some serious pain and the contractions where nearly on top of each other. One would peak and slowly let down and without any break another would start. I began to experience some extreme pain at this point though I tried to breathe and relax through them. Just before 3pm the pain was to a point where I could no longer take it. The nurse had even commented on how close together and intense my contractions where. Though I had been determined to deliver with no medications I knew at this point it just wasn't possible. I asked her for some IV medication as I was still hoping to avoid getting an epidural. She gave me a dose of Stadol through the IV. And let me tell you something about Stadol- worst drug ever! It hit me like a ton of bricks. Funny part was that it didn't ease the pain level at all. I felt every contraction just as I had before. Stadol just made me feel like I was floating...a very painful float. I had trouble putting my thoughts into words. I was slurring my speech. I couldn't keep my eyes open. I wasn't making an ounce of sense when I talked. I tried telling my nurse that the medication didn't/wasn't working but she laughed at me and told me that there was no way I was feeling the pain because I couldn't keep my eyes open. 

My doctor came again at 3:04pm and checked me again. I was still at 3cm and effaced to 70%. I was bummed to hear that I had made little progress in the past three hours with all the pain I'd been experiencing. By the time shift change rolled around for the nurses my contractions had gotten even worse. They where to the point where I couldn't breathe through them and I was crying. I requested an epidural. And within minutes {3:45m} the anesthesiologist was there and I was being prepped. I have to say after being so nervous and afraid of getting an epidural it was way easier than I thought it would be! Honestly the hardest part was sitting still, bent over while having a contraction. The epidural worked almost instantly...sweet relief! I was still able to slightly feel the contractions but they where far more tolerable than just minutes before! I was back to chatting with my husband, resting and watching TV as I had been that morning. I remember looking at the clock...and looking at the clock. I knew first time babies like to take their time making an appearance so while I didn't expect Garrett anytime soon I was hoping that he'd hurry up and come! I was just so excited to hold him! 

Around 4:20pm the monitors started beeping. I looked over to see Garrett's heart rate dropping. It had been running in the 130's to 150's all day and it suddenly was dropping. 117...103...88...70...54. My heart started racing! My nurse ran into the room to check on me. When she saw me lying still in the bed, monitors intact she called for other nurses. "Monitor is working! Hurry! Baby's heart rate is dropping! Get doctor here!" Before I knew it I was being told to flip on my left side, oxygen was flying at my face through a plastic mask and I was surrounded by people yelling and adjusting different things all while staring at the monitor, watching his little heart beat. It was then that I began crying, fearing for my child's life.

My hospital room was quickly filled with nearly every nurse on the floor. I laid there on my side, breathing through the oxygen mask with tears running down my face. I was praying for my child, for his life and well being. My husband stood next to the bed, clutching my hand hoping for the same. Laying on my left side wasn't helping...Garrett's heart rate continued to drop. My doctor entered the room saying "Try the right side, try the right side. And please, turn the Pitocin off!". I flipped to my right side and waited. Waited for my precious baby to recover and for his heart rate to begin to raise. The room was quite, all eyes on the monitor. It felt like time was standing still. After what seemed like an eternity I heard the monitor begin beeping a little quicker, and quicker and quicker. It was working! His heart rate was on the rise! 50...64...92...104...128...134. My doctor advised that I remain on my right side with the oxygen on to keep his heart rate in normal limits. It was decided that the Pitocin would remain off for the time being to keep babe's heart rate up, hoping that the contractions would continue on their own. While I crossed my fingers for a safe, vaginal delivery my doctor called and gathered a team just in case it ended up being an emergency c-section.

With the Pitocin off, oxygen mask on, and laying on my right side Garrett's heart rate remained fine. My doctor returned around 5:55pm for another check. She found that I was 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. The bad news was that without the Pitocin my contractions had stopped...completely. I was a bit bummed that in the last nearly three hours I had only dilated a mere 2cm. The doctor reassured me that first babies liked to take their time arriving and while she hoped for my sake that he'd arrive that day there was a chance he wouldn't arrive until the next day. 

With babe's heart rate stable my nurse restarted the Pitocin. The thought of going through the contractions getting progressively stronger {again} with no pain medication after such a long day made me incredibly thankful for the epidural! I finally began to relax and was able to rest again with every stable and alright. Hubs and I settled in for the night as it seemed baby wasn't coming anytime soon. We posted a little status on Facebook letting the world know that they could put their feet up and relax as baby was taking his time making an entrance and likely wouldn't come anytime soon. 

I snoozed until about 8pm when I started to feel an insane amount of pressure. I pressed my call light to let my nurse know. She said that she'd let the doctor know but that they had another delivery going on so it might be a little while. I remember saying to her "I've never had a baby before, so I'm not sure but I don't think I have a little while." She must have trusted my instinct because my doctor came right in. She came in reiterating that she had another patient in labor, about to deliver, that wasn't doing so well. She agreed to check my progress but said that they'd likely let me "labor down" until she could finish up the other delivery {about an hour}. I let her know that was fine but that I was fairly certain there would be a baby waiting for her when she returned in an hour. She laughed a bit until she went to check me and found that Garrett's head was right there...just waiting to come out into the world. All chaos broke loose then. A nurse came into the room letting my doctor know that her other patient was not doing well at all and needed to be brought to the OR immediately due to bleeding issues. My poor doctor took one look at me and said "Let's get this baby out!" She told the nurse to bring the other patient to the OR and start prepping her-she would be there shortly. 

At 8:12pm I began pushing. My nurse held my left leg. My husband held the right. Through the whole pregnancy my husband said he didn't want to be anywhere near the action on the big day. He agreed to stand by my side and hold my hand but didn't want to see any of the gory happenings...and the poor guy ended up right there...in the front row seat. With each contraction I pushed. 1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10...deep breath...and push...1...2...3...4...5...6... My nurse and doctor were SO great about coaching me along and I really focused on what they where saying. Taking their advice to make sure my pushes where accurate and effective. 

It didn't seem like more than a few minutes when I head my doctor say "That's it Stormy. One huge push-get his head out!" And with that, at 8:35pm after 23 minutes of pushing, I heard the most precious sound in the world-my baby boy's first cry. Tears welled up in my eyes and I opened them to find the most handsome little boy in the hands of my doctor. {She had intended for the push to get just his head out but his whole self came right out drenching her and my nurse in birth fluids. Oops.} She placed him on my chest. And there-warm skin to warm skin lay my son. A beautiful, precious, amazing creation. He was adorable. He was wonderful. And he was perfectly ours. Tears ran from my eyes. What an incredible experience birth is! My baby boy was here! Lying on me-safe and healthy. We could not be more blessed.

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to submit a birth story, email me at mamaandmou@gmail.com

Kenley :: 15 months!

HAPPY TUESDAY MAMAS! Time for....

Here's what you do:
1. Write a post about ANYTHING baby {or pregnancy} related.
2. Add my button to your post.
3. Link your post with the link-up tool found at the end of all of my posts.
EASY PEASY!

My daughter is now 15 months + 1 week + 3 days old. 

HOW?!

It's been a while since I've done an update on the little lady, so it's due time I share what our toddler is up to. 

Kenley Stats: 

Weight: 24lb, 3oz {50th percentile}

Height: 32 inches {90th percentile}

Teeth: 7 pearly whites {Kenley LOVES to brush her teeth!}

Words: "Wow", "Mom", "Dad". She can also hiss like a snake and moo like a cow.

Sleep: Bedtime is between 7pm - 8pm and she will usually sleep until 7:30am. We've pretty much moved to one nap a day although most days she needs two, she just seems to think the afternoon nap is optional. 

Feeding: Girlfriend loves to eat! There isn't a food this little one doesn't like. Blueberries, yogurt, tomatoes and cheese are her favorites. AND, she's just about mastered using a fork!

Diaper Size: Finishing up a box of size 3 then moving to size 4.

this picture cracks me up!

Clothes: As of this weekend the 12 month clothes are all packed up. She still fits in Gap 12-18 month outfits, but those are getting snug. Time to shop for an all new 18 month Spring wardrobe.

Hair Color:  Blondie

Eye Color: Hazel in the middles and blue/gray on the outsides. 

Nicknames: Kenny, Mou, KenKen, Kenny Pops, Kenners, Kennels, Boogie

Milestones: Oh man, where to start? Since the last update we have a walker...Kenley had taken a few steps the week of her first birthday but still preferred crawling as her transportation of choice. She wobbled here and there but the day after Christmas she was officially off and walking. Now we're pretty much to a run and girlfriend does not stop moving.

Kenley also loves to "wear" everything. Anything she gets a hold of  {towels, laundry, blankets} instantly gets wrapped around her neck like a scarf, thrown on her head like a headband or put on her wrist like a bracelet. 

She also loves to brush her hair. She gets so excited after bath time to brush her own hair!

She will also pretend to brush her hair with things like my deodorant, my giant brush, her toys...pretty much anything.

Kenley also LOVES to read books. She will pick one out of the basket, bring it over to me and either ask to be lifted up on the couch or if I'm on the floor she backs her little booty up so she's sitting in my lap. I love it!

My absolute favorite thing that she does, is hold my hand. If I am walking somewhere and tell her to hold my hand she will reach up and grab it and walk with me. It does quite the number on my heart. Kenley has also started to help me feed Bailey and she gets so excited to do it. She will open the food container and scoop the food, with my help carry it over to Bailey's bowl and dump it in there, her favorite part though is putting the scoop back in the container and closing it. AND, no matter what she is doing if we say "Kenley it's time for nans" {we call sleep nans, not really sure why} she will drop what she is doing and go upstairs to her room.



Kenley is also a complete and total goof ball and we love her for it.

Yes that is my underwear. Yes it is clean {thank God}.

Funday Monday

So this weekend kind of blew. 

First of all, we had this super brutal winter weather equation:

warm weather {40 degrees aka snow melting} + snow {we're talking 8-9 inches} + freezing weather {10 degrees} = ice / ice / ice / horrifying driving conditions. 

Also known as, coming home from Kenley's doctor we got stuck behind a semi who couldn't get up the off ramp because it was sheer ice. Not to mention we had to cancel a play date with one of Kenley's boyfriends because of weather. BOO! 

Secondly, Kenley had her 15 month appointment {and shots} on Friday morning and for the first time she didn't handle them the best. Our poor little friend was so tired and out of it. And while it broke my heart, I did love the extra snuggles. 

And finally, I was sick...all.weekend.long. I have this crud I just cannot shake. I had Mrs. Grass Extra Noodle Soup for FOUR nights in a row and finally last night {after my sweet husband did the grocery shopping}, I grew a pair and made dinner, which was soup. Chicken Tortilla Soup. I had every intention of posting the recipe because it was really good but after making it, photographing it and then eating it; watching The Walking Dead and drinking a hot chocolate sounded like a way better idea. 

And now, here we are again, Monday-frickin-morning. I have nothing for you except that we watched Dallas Buyers Club over the weekend and I LOVED it. As much as I adore my Leo, Matty McC and Jared L deserve every award and nomination they have won.

Also, it's Oscar week! I LOVE THE OSCARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

And also, I am linking up with my Beeb and Molly for Funday Monday! Just because the weekend wasn't the best doesn't mean Monday can't be fun! 

Plus, now you can get excited about a soup recipe coming up later this week!

YAY! 

The Great Pudding Explosion of 2014

Yesterday, Kenley woke up at 5am. Something she hasn't done.....ever. Our whole morning turned in to a cluster as a result, which really has nothing to do with this post other than the fact that I forgot to pull the chicken breasts from the freezer to thaw for dinner. Because I had no dinner prepared, Jason and I each ate some random stuff, and Kenley had a Kid Cuisine {of which I usually have one or two on hand for situations just like this}. The thing about Kid Cuisine is they come with a dessert - Kenley has definitely had her fair share of sweets but dessert is not an every night occurrence {if only her mom could follow that same rule}. So I put the pudding in a bowl, with a spoon and let Kenley go to town. 

 

 

I had been meaning to clean her chair for quite some time and this was kind of the last straw - after the great pudding explosion of 2014, something needed to be done. 

We have a feeding chair that hooks on to one of the chairs at our kitchen table. We absolutely love it and love that Kenley can sit at the table with us. I imagine no matter what kind of chair you have {high or otherwise} you could follow these same disinfecting steps. 

1. Dis-assemble the chair. 

Easy enough, I just removed the cover, the straps and took apart the pieces. 

2. Soak the straps in bleach. 

The straps definitely take the brunt of the damage, so I started by throwing them in the washing machine with 3/4 cup of bleach and running it on the soak cycle. 

3. Wipe down the chair

As the straps were soaking I whipped out my Lysol wipes and scrubbed the $h*t out of the various chair pieces. 

So shiny! 

4. Wash everything. 

Once the straps' cycle was done, I threw in the cover and washed everything with regular detergent on a gentle cycle. Gentle because I didn't want the straps to get stuck and ruin the washer - which happened about 5 years ago when I tried to wash Bailey's collar. Yeah. It happened. Then once they were done I threw them in the dryer!

5. Reassemble your sparkly, brand-new-looking high chair. 

And then text your friends so they know how cool you are. 

Happy Weekend Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Colin's Birth Story {10.12.13}

Today's birth story is an extra special one because Ryan, Kari {and Colin} are my real life friends! 

Ryan is one of my best friends from college and through the years I have gotten to know Kari really well and we've become great friends - I actually talk to her more than Ryan now {sorry Ryan!}. These two are one of the most loving couples I've ever witnessed in real life and are an incredible support system to each other, their friends and their family - so when I found out a little Hannay was joining the world, I was over-the-moon! I'm so glad Kari is here to share Colin's birth story! Enjoy! 

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October 12th was an incredible day.  It was so full of emotions, exhaustion, and bliss that I can't really describe how amazing it was.  But the 12 hours leading up to Colin's birth are quite a story!  

On Friday night, we went to dinner for our sister-in-law, Becca's birthday.  I was having contractions before we left the house but I figured they were early labor and I could either be uncomfortable at home or at dinner so I might as well go to dinner.

During dinner, my contractions started to get a little more intense and so Ryan started timing the duration and how far apart they were.  They were lasting for about 50-55 seconds and coming every 3 minutes or so.  In birth class, you learn about the 5-1-1 rule.  Let me say, you can throw that rule out the window because it really doesn't mean much (ugh!).  Around 8pm, I decided I was most uncomfortable (as was the guy at the table next to us) and wanted to leave.  I said I wanted to go home and labor as I didn't think this was the real deal but Ryan thought we should go to the hospital.  So he called and we headed to Waconia.

We got sent to triage and they monitored the baby's heart rate and my contractions.  They checked me and I was still only dilated to 2cm-- same as I was on Tuesday at my weekly appointment.  The nurse said I could either go home and labor or I could stay and walk the halls for an hour and see if I progressed.  I was frustrated and thought nothing was going to put me past 2cm but Ryan thought walking the halls was worth a try.  So we walked... and I contracted.  My contractions did increase in intensity and I was becoming hopeful that something was happening.  So after an hour of walking I went back to my triage room where the nurse checked me and again I was only at 2cm.  Begin the tears.  I was disappointed and at this point I was really starting to hurt!  The contractions were intense enough that I could no longer find a comfortable position to sit or stand in.  I asked the nurse when I could come back and she said she wasn't really sure.  I obviously can't check myself so I will just have to come back if I think I am making progress.  You can imagine I thought the hour of walking was making progress so at this point was I upset, sad, and in pain!  Going home was miserable.

I cried the whole way to the car, I cried in the car and I cried when we got home.  I thought when we got home that I would labor in the shower for a wile but to my luck, our hot water heater was broken.  No hot shower for me.  So I got out of the luke warm shower and continued to have contractions at home.  I became inconsolable.  In birth class, they showed videos of women moaning and breathing heavy thru contractions.  The teacher said that only in movies did women scream and freak out.  I was the star of that movie!  My contractions were so painful I was screaming and crying.  Poor Ryan couldn't say or do anything to make it better.  I kept saying "I can't do this!"  I began to shake and I seriously knew this was the worst pain I had ever had.  I also thought that this was likely not helping me progress and I would be in labor until Tuesday when I was scheduled to be induced.  My lack of progression at the hospital had led me to believe, that I could not progress on my own and I would simply be in this intense pain for the next 3 days.  

After about 2 hours of this- around midnight- I told Ryan he had to call the hospital, tell them we were coming back and they were not allowed to send me home.  Ryan went downstairs to make the call- I'm sure he didn't want me to hear him describe how over the top I was being, how negative my comments were and that there was no way I could do this any longer without pain meds.  Ryan told me the hospital said we could come back and if I had not progressed they could try some relaxation techniques- yea right!- but I was just glad they said I could come back.

So at about 12:15am we got back in the car and headed for the hospital.  Again I was sent to triage- crying and screaming between contractions.  The same nurse checked me and I was now dilated to 3.5cm!  YAY!  I was thrilled!  I could stay and they would admit me into a birthing room!  Thank God!  The nurse asked if I was going to try and do this birth naturally- as Ryan and I had planned- or if I was wanting an epidural.  EPIDURAL PLEASE!  The whole natural birth plan went out the window.

So I got in my room, got in a hospital gown and within minutes the anesthesiologist came in and I was prepped for the epidural.  The epidural went in and almost instantly I could feel relief.  Unfortunately, within seconds of the epidural being placed, my blood pressure dropped significantly low and the baby's heart rate dropped dangerously low to about 55 bpm.  The nurse had me turn on my side and then get on my hands and knees to see if a change in my position would help the baby.  Thankfully I was blissfully unaware of the seriousness of the situation but poor Ryan got very nervous.  A flood of nurses came in the room.  They started pumping me with fluids and gave me a drug to help the baby's heart rate rise.  When the first round of drugs didn't work, they tried again.  The nurse put oxygen on me and kept reassuring me that everything was okay.  The looks on their faces said otherwise and Ryan could see all of this playing out in front of him.  His worst nightmare was happening.  He said it was so scary to know both me and the baby were in trouble.  After about an hour, my blood pressure came back.  Eventually the heart rate came back up too but all the nurses were watching the monitor closely.  Over the next few hours, Colin's heart rate would randomly drop, not coinciding with a contraction or anything and the staff could not determine a reason for the drop.  They had us sign C-section papers in case we had to go that route to get the baby out quickly.  

I changed positions several times and it seemed that deep breaths with the oxygen were the only thing that helped bring Colin's heart rate back up.  Luckily, every time they checked me I continued to progress, dilating more and more.  The on call doctor came in to break my water around 5am.  I continued to progress and at 7am I was dilated to 10cm and I could begin pushing.  After pushing for an hour and 15 minutes, Colin was born at 8:15am.  We found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around Colin's neck, causing his heart rate to drop.  But he cried right away and the nurses cleaned him up.  Ryan joined Colin to watch him get weighed in and measured.  

8 lbs and 20 inches long.  Simply perfect.

Follow Kari at You, Me, and Dupree.

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To submit a birth story, email me at mamaandmou@gmail.com

I Get By With a Little Help from My Wine

*disclaimer: I am not an alcoholic, but I really like wine.*

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before or not, but my husband sells liquor for a living. A day in his life involves driving to liquor stores, talking to people, and then convincing them to buy an insane amount of beer, wine and liquor. On Fridays he has "team meetings" where he gets to learn about, sample, and bring home the latest in alcoholic beverages. It's a rough life I tell ya. 

As the wife of a liquor rep, I have become quite the wine {my drink of choice} snob which is so funny considering I used to buy a box of Franzia White Zinfandel to get me through the weekend. But my tastes have changed significantly and now my favorite is Decoy Chardonnay.

The best kind of husband is the husband that gets you a CASE of your favorite wine for Valentine's Day. 

Yesterday, our best man {who works as a wine rep for the same company}, sent us a text alerting us that it was National Drink Wine Day. It was a day I wasn't planning on have a glass of wine because I am trying to cut back on calories and limit my wine intake to weekends. But then I read the purpose behind Wine Day which is "to spread the love and health benefits of wine.  Wine has played an important role in history, religion and relationships.  We embrace the positive benefits of wine such as new friends, reduced risk of heart disease and the enhancement of food and life."

All I can say is AMEN.

This mom stuff is a tough business. As rewarding and special and incredible as it is there are always those moments when you just want to lock yourself in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. While I don't suggest doing that I do suggest treating yourself every once in a while {or every day}....

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I will have days where I am feeling great, the house is clean, Kenley is clean, I am clean and I think "heck yeah, I'm awesome, I should celebrate with a glass of wine." And there are those days where the house is a mess, work sucked, Kenley is throwing a fit about absolutely nothing and I think "omigosh, someone just get me a glass of wine."

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Whether you need to take some time to go to the gym, you need to treat yourself to a massage or a weekly manicure OR if you just need to unwind with a hearty glass of Decoy Chardonnay, it's OK. You deserve it. You're a mom and as my Beeb says you are "the glue that holds the family together"

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And, at the VERY least, put a reoccurring event into your calendar for every February 18th because it's National Drink Wine Day and that is exactly what you should do.