Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday was the day of Alec's scheduled pre-op cardiac catheterization and MRI. We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning. Within a half hour of checking in, they were pre-medicating Alec with sedation to prepare him for intubation and general anesthesia. We were overwhelmed, but he was a trooper. Braver than I even thought possible. We sat impatiently in the waiting area, trying to keep distracted as best we could. This wasn't our first rodeo, so we knew what to expect, but let me tell you, it never gets easier. After about an hour, Alec's nurse came and gave us an update. He was still in MRI. Not even halfway done, but at least one hour down. Another hour passed and his nurse came out again, but this time she called us back to meet with the doctor. His physician informed us that the views of his heart obtained in MRI were thorough enough for the surgery team. He would not need any further information; therefore, the cardiac catheterization was not necessary. It was the most blissful news, music to our ears! Within a half hour, we were able to see our little bug again. He was just waking up from anesthesia and he woke up peacefully. We were further educated on the surgery to come and, soon enough, Alec was discharged. We were home by noon and we spent the rest of the early afternoon lounging and resting from our eventful morning. As the evening approached, we were all in need of a little change of scenery, so we decided to take a little trip to Longwood Gardens. We brought along our actual camera and were able to capture some twilight photos of our family.

Yesterday had potential to be a really rough day for all of us, but thankfully the best case scenario occurred. To say we feel blessed is an understatement! One less test, one less hour under anesthesia, one less battle to fight. We are feeling pretty relieved over here! Although the days to come are sure to be challenging, I know there is light at the end of this dark tunnel. I know in my heart of hearts that my little boy is going to come out on top of all this. He is going to be stronger, healthier, and happier. In the end, it will all be worth it.

Sleep Remedies

Sleep, something that has always come pretty easily to me has become something of a challenge lately. I don't really know the cause… there could be lots of reasons why, but mostly I think it's the constant shift work that messes with my rhythm. Sleeping during the day is quite possibly impossible… a vocal babe downstairs and radiant light shining in through every crevice of your window (despite black out curtains). At night, there is a small window of time, usually between eight and nine PM that I feel more than ready to doze off, but (for some ungodly reason) I usually push through the exhaustion and end up getting a second wind that leads me to a bedtime of near midnight or later. I feel tired lately. I look tired lately. So, needless to say, I am working on my sleep regimen. Below are a few things that have helped me to fall asleep more easily and to rest more soundly.

1. Step away from the coffee! I am a serious coffee lover, it's an addiction for sure. I truly love a cup (or two!) of french-pressed goodness every morning, and sometimes in the afternoon. I have been finding that if I drink any coffee after 3 pm or later, sleep is more difficult for me. So I am trying (keyword, trying) to kick this bad habit. I think more than anything, the cold weather has me craving something warm, so I sometimes replace my afternoon cup of coffee with a decaf tea (I got this adorable loose-leaf infuser for Christmas from a friend, and I really dig it.)
2. Read. I HAVE to read. Late-night screen time, whether it be my phone, computer, or TV, just doesn't work for me anymore. I sleep much more soundly when I read a bit of a good book before bed. I just recently read "The Girl on the Train" and I recommend it. I read it in under a week. It was pretty dark, sinister at times, but overall very entertaining. (Please send any recommendations my way, I am always looking for a new, good book!)
3. Brookstone Nap Mask and Blanket. My MIL got me a this set for Christmas. She knew I had been having sleep trouble, so this was such a thoughtful gift. The sleep mask alone is such a game changer, but when you top it off with a plush blanket of goodness… I mean how could you not sleep well? This little duo is worth the investment.
4. Move the iPhone out of reach! My name is Laurie, and I have a social media addiction. Scrolling through my IG account is usually one of the first things I do when I wake up. But I have found, that once the screen lights up, game over. Sleep no more. Self-sabotage. So… the only way to kick this habit was to move my phone out of reach, across the room. It makes a difference, I swear.
5. Melatonin. I didn't want to resort to supplements, but sometimes you just gotta bring in the big dogs. I only ever take melatonin to help me sleep after nightshift. I have found that it doesn't help me so much with the falling asleep, but more with the staying asleep. I wake at least once during the day, usually around noon to pee, and I always struggle to doze back off after that. Much of my sleep after the pee wake-up call is restless and light. But since taking melatonin, I have been able to doze right back off, post-pee, into a deep REM sleep that makes me feel so much more refreshed come 3pm. (Lots of pee-talk there, sorry about that.)

Anyway, I don't know if you struggle from sleep deprivation like I do, but if so, maybe these little tricks will help you along the way. Good luck and rest well.

Shake the Blues

Growing up in Delaware, our Winter season varies from mild to frigid. Fortunately, for us, this year hasn't been to unbearable just yet, but with a chill in the air and limited things to do outdoors, it sometimes becomes challenging to maintain a positive mindset. Below are just a few things that I try and do to avoid the cold-weather blues.

1. Keep Yourself Busy. Get out of the house at least once per day. Short trips to the local library or grocery store make for a simple morning on the move. An occasional day-long outing to a children's museum, aquarium, or botanical garden (like Longwood Gardens) are a few fun ways to mix things up. And play/lunch dates with friends close by are, one hundred percent, the easiest and most enjoyable option.

2. Scatter A Bit Of Greenery in every corner of your home. There is much proof in the fact that bringing the outside in makes a big difference in your overall health and well-being. Read up and go to your local nursery immediately!

3. Get Moving. Incorporate exercise into your routine, at least three times a week. I've been doing a mix of T25 and Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown and I'll admit it feels really good. I'm requiring less coffee to feel energized throughout the day and I feel really accomplished when I hit the hay. Plus it's a great outlet for stress, and Lord knows I have my fair share of that.

4. Get Out of Town. Get away to somewhere warm, or if that's not possible, take a road trip to a different town. A different setting does the body good. Prior to having Alec, Kiel and I were avid travelers. We averaged at least three or so trips a year. Due to Alec's cardiac condition, traveling far from our local children's hospital is not something we are interested in, nor is it recommended by Alec's physician. Although we are pretty limited in the travel department, we do often enjoy a weekend getaway to the Delaware Beach every now and again. It's amazing how a different setting can break up the monotony of a long Winter season. I highly recommend a change of scenery when you begin to feel the blues creeping in.

5. Bask In The Light. This is kind of a no-brainer. Let the light in! Roll up your shades and cozy up in the brightest little corner of your home. In the Winter months, while Alec naps, I often like to sit in my front room and read. The couch is positioned directly in front of two large windows and the natural light is so abundant. Just that little bit of vitamin D makes me feel so incredibly refreshed. It has been said that the most effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder is natural light. Give it a try, get lost in a good book while basking in the sun,  I guarantee it makes a difference in your overall mood.

How Could I Forget?

As I sit here, during Alec's nap time, and make lists and lists of presents to buy for family and friends for Christmas, I started to realize that I have totally bypassed another very special holiday all together! Maybe it's because I have to work Thanksgiving this year, or maybe it's because I want to stay ahead of the rest to avoid mall crowds at the end of December… but either way I have decided to pump the breaks just a tad and refocus my energy on next week's holiday of thanks. 

As I reflect back on this passing year, I become overwhelmed with joy just thinking of all the amazing things that I am so very thankful for. It has been one of the best, and most challenging, years of my life. As many of you readers probably know, our son, Alec, has a very serious heart condition. He was diagnosed in utero at just nineteen weeks. Last November, only two months after his arrival, Alec had major open heart surgery. It was the absolute scariest time of my life. Nothing will ever be as difficult as the moment I walked my boy to the operating room doors. We held him, and kissed him, and then as he rolled away, Kiel and I held each other as tears rolled down our faces. I swear the stress of that moment alone has taken years off my life...BUT with great faith in our medical team and God, the support of our family and friends, and Alec's amazing strength, we got through it. Our babe has thrived like we never imagined, and with that I am eternally grateful. Not only has he gotten stronger, but so has my marriage and the bond we share with our supportive family and friends.

'Thankful' doesn't really begin to describe how I feel about this passing year. It's hard to believe that so much has changed in just a little over 12 months. We are now parents to a beautiful, strong boy. We settled into a new home, which we could never have done without the help of my parents and grandfather. We celebrated our boy's first birthday, which was an amazing milestone after all he's been through. My sister-in-law set us up with a 'Go Fund Me' account and with the generous donations from family and friends we were able to pay off all of Alec's medical bills and create a savings account for future procedure/surgery costs. A close girlfriend of mine organized a heart walk team in honor of Alec and an amazing group of family, friends, and co-workers walked to support the cause in 2014 and 2015. 

They say it takes a village to raise a child and I swear I don't know where I'd be without my incredible village of supporters out there. So so so many truly awesome things happened over this past year or so and I am grateful beyond words. I feel so incredibly loved which is really all you need in this world. I only hope that this upcoming year is just as fabulous as the last. Thank you for reading. xo -L

image courtesy of nestofposies.com

Fit Pregnancy

Now that I am finally feeling good, I have decided that I really need to dedicate more of my time to diet and fitness. I spent the latter part of my first trimester napping, and the only foods that were actually appetizing were waffles, pancakes, and french toast. Needless to say, by around week 12, I quickly realized that if I continue down this path.. I may be in a little bit of trouble. Since I came to this realization, I have been hitting the gym about three times a week. I've also been paying much more attention to all the other food groups... ya know like fruits and veggies... maybe some protein every once in a while. When it comes to the gym, I definitely don't do anything crazy, but I do spend some time doing light cardio on the elliptical or treadmill, and then I add in a bit of core strength training when I have the time or energy. Since I have made these simple changes over the last few weeks, I have been feeling great. My lower back pain is gone, and my overall energy level is much improved. I found a great website on pinterest, called fittamomma.com, that offers a large variety of great exercises for pregnancy. I also started reading the magazine, FitPregnancy. I highly recommend giving both a peek.

Keep Calm.

Life has got the best of me lately and I am in serious need of an outlet for all this stress. I have decided what I want for Christmas... a month of empowered yoga, the brand new beginners course. Starting January 7th,  I will be doing yoga in a 100 degree plus room for an hour and a half twice a week. This should be rather interesting considering that I can hardly touch my toes... but for some odd reason I am so up for the challenge! Hey, if holding awkward pretzel-like positions in a heated room for minutes on end helps me to decompress... then that's exactly what I am gonna do. 

RUN

I've been on a run kick lately... I am even considering signing up for a half marathon in September. It's been on my to-do list for years and it's about time I actually crossed something off. Kiel and I have been running together each weekend and it's actually been great. I never thought we'd be one of those couples that works out together but hey, why not! 

Running is such a fabulous stress reliever. For all the days that work is just too much(yesterday) or the days when absolutely nothing goes your way... For me, running is my way to relieve those daily tensions and boost my mood. 

Also, I've recently downloaded the Nike + app on my iPhone. Life-changing. I'm not very good at pacing myself, but this app allows me to literally pace myself with every step so I don't burn out on mile two.

Power Foods

I've been trying to recently cut back on my carb intake and pay more attention to my diet. In doing so, I have came across some healthy, low-carb snacks that are not only tasty, but very filling. Here are my three favorites.

1. 1 Ripe Avocado + 2 Egg Whites, diced and seasoned with salt, pepper, and a splash of olive oil

2. Kale Chips, Kale (washed and stems removed) sprinkled with olive oil & sea salt, Bake in the oven @ 350 for 15 mins or until crisp

3. Plain, Non-fat Greek Yogurt mixed with 1 tbsp of peanut butter

The Skinny on Skinny Girl Cocktails

I will openly admit that I jumped right on the SkinnyGirl Margarita band wagon last year. I absolutely 'assumed' the cocktail was a healthier option for me. Now that Skinnygirl Cocktails are expanding.... I am becoming a bit more interested in whether or not investing in these products is really the right choice. No longer do they just offer margaritas and sangria, but they are now releasing three wines, four flavored vodkas, and a pina colada mix. 

My question is... Are these drinks really better for you?

Apparently, Whole Foods Market quickly yanked these products off the shelves due to the lack of the label listing the ingredients. "Natural Flavors" isn't quite enough info for Whole Foods to determine that the ingredients being used meet their standards. 

Given this info.. I may just stick to what I know. Vodka Club Soda with fresh lemon and lime.