Monthly Archive for October, 2007
Now here is a nifty idea! While perusing our local Lens Mill Store the other day, I came across Gingerbread House Kits on sale for $5.99, so I bought one to make a Halloween House with the kids! What a fun project to do with children. Of course, normally one waits until the Christmas season to do this type of craft, but I figured it would be something fun to work on now, so we made it in a Halloween theme!
It was very easy to do, just by following the step-by-step instructions provided with the kit, and then by buying some additional candies in a Halloween theme, we made our own little “Hansel and Grettel” house, complete with a Jack-o’-Lantern waiting by the door!
Liam enjoyed decorating the cookie shapes that came with the house, and also eating as he worked!
What a great seasonal, fun craft! All in all it took about 2 hours to complete. I plan to go back and buy another kit to make one for Christmas as well! $5.99 for a couple of hours entertainment? You just can’t go wrong with that!
Cute, isn’t she!?! There’s just something about babies. I mean, they sure have their share of super cute giggles, smiles and heart-melting hugs and kisses, but man, are they little tyrants sometimes!!! I swear, God makes them this cute just so we don’t walk out on them on the *hard* days and also so that we are silly enough to convince ourselves to have more than one, or two…or…you get the point!
Our one-year-old continues to steal our hearts daily with her fun-loving nature and sweet personality, which I must say has come as a welcome relief after a hard summer of grumpiness (both hers and mine) She has proven to be a real challenge as a baby, and is certainly nothing like her older brother who I have always said was an extremely easy baby by comparison…
Recently, I was diagnosed with Post Partum Depression, after a good friend, who is a public health nurse by occupation, confessed that she was very concerned about me. Indeed, I must say that I had an incredibly difficult time this spring and summer. There were many changes in my life both in terms of loss, and a move which frankly, I wasn’t as prepared for as I thought! Needless to say, change has never been my strong suit, and so it all added up and took its toll on me physically and mentally.
During the summer, I wasn’t getting much sleep, as Gwyneth nursed 3 or 4 times a night until she was 10 months old, and my quality of sleep was in fact, no *quality* what-so-ever. I can remember feeling absolutely miserable a lot of the time, and believing that somehow, all of these feelings of guilt, exhaustion, sadness and loneliness (despite having wonderful and supportive family and friends) were just part of “normal” motherhood. I believed that I was supposed to feel this way, that my old self was gone, replaced by a new tired, cranky and sad version of myself, and would never return, and that this was somehow okay. I thought that this was the normal way of being, and I had reluctantly accepted it. It wasn’t until my friend said “Catherine, motherhood is supposed to be hard, but it isn’t supposed to be sad” that I realized that I needed to get some help.
I was very skeptical when my doctor prescribed anti-depressant medication. I didn’t think it would work, and I thought that it was just another “patch.” I had serious reservations about taking medication just to be able to “deal” with my life, but I took the prescription, got it filled and hoped that it would indeed help.
Several weeks after beginning my prescription, I am pleased to report that I am feeling so much better. My outlook on life and on being a Mom is no longer a feeling of entrapment. I feel more energy than I have felt in months, and I am doing much more with the kids again. My husband has been telling me that “I seem like Catherine again.” I feel like being creative, I feel like going out, I feel like doing things and I am looking forward to fun events planned for this fall. We even decorated a Halloween Gingerbread house with the kids yesterday, despite all being sick with a nasty cold!
Motherhood makes sense to me again. For a long time, it seemed like something lonely and exhausting. I’ll readily admit that it is hard and it still feels tiring, but it is completely do-able. I know I can cope, and in fact, I can enjoy coping!
The social stigma attached to Post Partum Depression (PPD) continues to frighten many women into feeling like they mustn’t talk about their feelings or ask for help. The reality is, that PPD is just like any other illness, but because it is a mental condition, and obviously involves women who (most of the time) care for their children, it carries with it an implication of failure. If we cannot function as “Super Mom” 100% of the time, there must be something the matter with us, right? Wrong! Seeking help should never be perceived as failure. It is so important to talk to someone who can help.
A few sources of help are: Public Health, Family, Friends, Family Physician, Nurse, Minister, Counsellor…etc. All of these people want to help, and can help you to get the care you (and your children) need. If you think you may be suffering from PPD, ask for help. You’ll be glad you did! It is probably not as uncommon as you might think. It is estimated that as many 15% of Mothers get PPD.
The symptoms of Post Partum Depression are many, but can include any of the following:
Depressed Mood
Low, sad and empty feelings
Tearfulness and crying
Fatigue
Feelings of being an inadequate Mother
Excessive worrying and anxiety (especially about the baby)
Loss of interest/pleasure in normally enjoyable activities
Changes in appetite/weight
Decreased ability to think clearly or make even simple decisions
Disturbances in sleep (ie. insomnia, over-sleeping, sleeping too little)
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
I am on a long journey to recovery, and I know that I will eventually recover! Through a combination of medication, counseling and a support-group, I will be okay. There is light at the end of my tunnel. I want to enjoy my children, and for them to enjoy me. I want to be the best Mom I can…and I know I can with the right resources and help. Just like so many other things in life, depression is a journey…and no one needs to go it alone.
What a wonderful time we all had on October 17th, celebrating Gwyneth’s first Birthday! She certainly seemed to enjoy herself, and we all loved watching her parade around trying on hats, playing with her new toys and just generally having a fun time with her brother. There is something special about watching siblings play together, and as our children get older, it just gets better!
Birthday parties are what life is all about! Cake, presents, family and friends…what more could a kid want!?!
It’s hard to believe that this was me at this time last year! On this trip to Strom’s Pumpkin Patch, we had not yet met our beautiful daughter, Gwyneth, nor did we know of the joy which she would soon be bringing to our family. This has been a year of change, growth, and even loss, but the absolute highlight of it was the birth of our little beauty.
On Wednesday, she will celebrate her first Birthday, surrounded by those who love her. My husband said that he was speaking with a co-worker today about how parenthood is simultaneously so full of proud moments, yet also a little melancholy. True, it does sadden me that as she grows up, my cuddly little baby is becoming more and more like a toddler every day, and in time, will surely amaze me with wisdom beyond her years.
On October 17th, we will celebrate her independence and stubborn nature. Two traits that I am sure she comes by honestly. We will celebrate the wonderful little girl who now that we are getting to know her, we simply cannot imagine our lives without.
This Wednesday, we will light one tiny candle on a decorated cake, and sing the familiar words to “Happy Birthday” with an immense feeling of joy and pride…and perhaps a tear or two.
I wish I could take credit for the photo above, but wouldn’t you know it, I forgot my camera on the only trip I have been on in months!! Anyhow…
I had an excellent Saturday as friends and I went into Toronto to visit Kensington Market, China Town, take in some awesome food at the Red Room and do some thrift shopping. What a fun way to spend a day!
Believe it or not, this was the first time I was away from my daughter for more than just a couple of hours since the day she was born (which by the way, will be one year ago this week!) Hard to believe!
I am going to try to make the trip again very soon, perhaps visit the excellent tea/candy shop in the market that I was introduced to as well as stop at my all time favorite bead shop, Arton Bead on Queen Street West.
What a wonderful city Toronto is. I had forgotten just how much I love it, having moved away from there in 2000. So rich in culture, so much to do, and such interesting people going about their lives. It really is fascinating!
I can’t wait to return again soon, take in all the city sights once again, and explore a little more!
