Preeclampsia

What is preeclampsia? That's a strange and long word? Ever heard of it? If you know me personally, then you have. I had preeclampsia when I was pregnant with Ava which is why she was delivered at 32 weeks. With Emma, I was on my way to having preeclampsia, and they delivered her on Ava's birthday (a day shy of 38 weeks).

I write today about what affected my life in a strong way. Most people just heard the word and don't really, really know what it means. They may know the definition, but don't know what it really means to have it or have lost someone because of it.

According to the Preeclampsia Foundation, preeclampsia is "most often characterized by a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby." 

For me, the tell-tell signs were the headaches I would get which would tell me that my blood pressure was high and if it didn't rest for a certain amount of time, I would have to go to the hospital in case I would be diagnosed with clampsia and my life would be in jeopardy.

Anyways, this post isn't about my story. It's about the story of the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia. The San Jose, California, team is hosting a walk in a week and while I cannot attend (but would like to in the future, I think they deserve all of the advertising they can get.

Click on their link. See the great things they are doing and what donations to the organization will do to help current/future mothers that are pregnant that might be at risk.

Promise Walk for Preeclampsia

Cheap and easy craft to do with the kids

I follow this blog, Craft Snob, which posts daily on her blog with crafty projects that I wish I had time to do! BUT! Today, after not visiting for a week or so, was the day to check out her blog. She posted a simple tutorial on how to make foam bath toys.

You know, you wander the baby isles and see the package of the foam alphabet for $10+? Well, you can make your own for about $1!!! Score!

Check out her site, it's a must have for your list of blogs you stalk weekly, or, if you're like me, daily. :)

Start your engines.....

Start your engines... because Blog-a-Day in May is coming, in three short days! Blog-a-Day is when you commite to blogging everyday in a month, and I will be joining momma Ami, author of the The Best Things in Life are Three blog in May. She is a mom of triplets and documents their lives with the future end result of printed babybooks for each of her kids.

I know I love to follow blogs and love it when they update daily/every other day/etc. and am disappointed when they can't stop their lives to blog for my reading enjoyment. ;)

May will be a busy month and especially special with Mother's Day, birthdays and the big move (will elaborate later on this.)

So join along or read along- and comment. What do you want to hear about?

Where's the Love? Wednesday

It's 'Where's the Love? Wednesday!' Happy Wednesday!


The love comes from this video I saw this morning via Project Sweet Pea's Facebook page. It's a song about what happens in the NICU, which Ava lived in for the first five weeks of her life. This song as I listened made me cry and relive the beeping! All while Ava was busting a move to the beat of the song! What a blessing!


Here's a link to the video: NICU at Nite (The Preemie Song) by Hugh Blumenfeld.


So the love in my girl. My 32 weeker. She is amazing and perfect!

So straight from Akers of Love:

Where is your love this week?  

It can be fun, lighthearted, deep and meaningful or a little of both.  It can be one thing or many things  It may even be one simple photograph to capture where you're feeling the love.

Photo essay of Emma

Carpet picnic with a rare Happy Meal

'Where's the Love?' Wednesday

I messed up last week and didn't publish a "Where's the Love?" last Wednesday. (I'm sorry, Abby!)

This week's "Where's the Love?" addition wasn't on a Wednesday and it wasn't on a Monday. It was last

Pillow Pets unite the world!

After posting my mini-tutorial on 'how to' wash a Pillow Pet, I sent an e-mail to the company alerting them that I had done so and if they were so kind, so send some freebies or discounts my way. And wa-la! they did! So my gain is also your gain too!

According to their very nice PR person, she sent me a coupon code for $5 off of the following Pillow Pets (after the sale price of $19.99; regular price I think is $24.99 online).

Here are your discount instructions:

If you use the promo code BLOGGER online at www.mypillowpets.com,  it should allow an extra $5 off the following large Pillow Pets (in addition to the sale price of $19.99):

1. Ms. Lady Bug: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/ms-ladybug/
2. Magical Unicorn: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/magical-unicorn/
3. Comfy Panda: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/comfy-panda/
4. Playful Penguin: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/playful-penguin/
5. Buzzing Bumble Bee: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/buzzy-bumble-bee/
6. Squeaky Dolphin: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/squeaky-dolphin/
7. Silly Monkey: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/silly-monkey/
8. Snuggly Puppy: http://mypillowpets.com/shop/snuggly-puppy/

 This will be active till 4/15/11 only. Enjoy!!! Will help out the Easter Bunny in his shopping ways. :)

'Best friend for me'

Mommy: Who's your best friend? Ayla? Abi? Leah?
Ava: Mommys my best friend for me.
Mommy: Awww.. I'm your best friend??!!
Ava: Yes! And my Emma is best friend for me.

This my friends is my most favorite sentence ever in the history of time (so far)!

'How to' wash a Pillow Pet

So after a long day with flu-girl Emma.... Ava exploded last night all over her bed after eating dinner. This included her beloved panda Pillow Pet. How the heck do you wash a Pillow Pet with a stackable washer/dryer unit?!??!

Well I did it! YAY!

I read somewhere, and I'm very thankful for those instructions that were ingrained into my head, on how to wash one.

Step 1: Fold Pillow Pet in half and stick into a white pillow case. Tie a knot so the Pet doesn't escape.
Step 2: Smash the Pet into the tiny, tiny, tiny washing machine.
Step 3: Make sure you have another Pet or something heavy to balance the other side of the washer so it doesn't bang over and over again when the spin cycle is in effect.
Step 4: Close the lid.
Step 5: Once the washer is done, put the Pet into the tiny, tiny, tiny dryer with the pillow case still in tact and dry it for two cycles.

And WA LA!!! There you have it. Simple and easy instructions on how to clean and dry a Pillow Pet after it faced a very sick and sad girl.

***Pillow Pets did not pay me to write this post. I thought it would be useful for all parents since they are very much loved products. Although, a coupon in the mail from them wouldn't be a bad thing either. ;)

Mommy sweat

I swear, since I gave birth twice- I sweat. Constantly. And not just when it's hot. All of the time!! Anyone else? I follow a great blogger, It's ALL Good in Mommyhood, Jodie who describes it perfectly:

"Mommy Sweat n. Perspiration that hasno correlation to temperature or physical activity, but rather is a direct result of your children causing you anxiety in public places. Mothers are especially prone to this condition at grocery stores, shopping malls, school events and any location requiring a person to conduct themselves in a civilized manner."

'TOO much'

Ava is talking up a storm and I love it. Well she has been and I've been loving it.

Lately, she'll respond with this:

Mommy: I love you, Ava!

Ava: I love you, Mommy! I love you TOO much!!!