Aromatherapy for colds & everything else

Growing up my mom used aromatherapy for all kinds of things. When we had colds, to purify and clean the air, for relaxtion, for migraines...looking back I'm really thankful for all she taught me without actually "teaching" me.

 Now, as I attempt to raise my own child I've really been getting back into aromatherapy. I mean REALLY INTO IT. My mother in law is also hooked. So, together we have found recipes for helping with soriosis, colds, aching joints, bug repellant, burns, sleep, and basically any other need that arises.

My latest obsession started last night when Reef could barely breath through his nose. This poor kid caught my cold...it was inevitable. He was really getting sick of sitting in the bathroom and breathing the peppermint/eucalyptus steam I had going on in there and honestly, I was sick of sweating to death. Anyways, I needed something for our bedroom that would help him breath since he really really REALLY hates aspirators; by the time I'm done sucking those booger out he cries so much they just come right back. Le sigh.

I had seen people rave about humidifiers so we ran to walgreens and got a cold mist one so I could add essential oils to it for his breathing. The result was absolutely astounding. I added 8 drops of peppermint essential oil, 8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil, and 6 drops of lavendar into the water tank. I turned it on and left the room to give Reef a quick lavendar bath. When we came back in the room was smelling amazing and the difference in air quality was epic.

After aspirating Reefs nosing and rocking him for ten minutes I noticed that he wasnt having trouble breathing. He nursed like a champ and passed out breathing nice and CLEAR! I was really stoked because I didn't need to use the aspirator in the middle of the night, which makes Reef very happy. I was also breathing better and my nose wasn't stuffy.

For both of us being sick we really got a good nights sleep.

Ive had the humidifier on all morning and as long as Reef is in there with it his nose is clear and his breathing is much better!

Happy Sunday
Xo
J

A few aromatherapy things I loooove.

- put a dab of lavendar on the bottom of babies feet and on the back of their neck right before bed, it helps baby with restlessness.

- When taking a shower in the morning put the drain stopper in and add 3 drops of peppermint oil and let the shower run very hot before you get in. Change the temperature to suit your fancy and get on in. The peppermint steam will wake you up in a clean fresh way. (do this with lavendar before bed time for added restful sleep).

- To clean up the air in the kitchen and sanitize put a small pot of water on to boil. Once boiling add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil to it and let the steam clean the air.

- Bug repellant (this recipe freaking rocks, I got it here)

• 4 oz. clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting (do not use a bottle that previously contained cleaning products or hair products such as hair spray).
• 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of high-proof alcohol (vodka is suitable, isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is not). Alternatively, you may omit the alcohol and increase the amount of distilled water to 3 ounces (I used witch hazel and vinegar). 
• 15 drops Citronella Essential Oil
• 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 5 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

Directions: Fill the spray bottle with the choice of either 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of alcohol or 3 ounces of distilled water. (Even though a 4 oz. bottle is suggested, leave about 1 oz. unfilled so you can shake the bottle well between uses.) Then, add the essential oils.

To Use: Shake the bottle before each use. Essential oils do not fully dissolve in water and alcohol and will settle. If you do not shake the bottle, you risk having concentrated droplets of essential oil irritate your skin.

Mist onto your skin and clothing and reapply as necessary. Discontinue use if you feel sensitivity from the repellent. Be careful not to mist delicate fabrics or surrounding furniture that may be harmed by the ingredients in the repellent. Be especially careful not to allow the mist fall into open beverages.

115 Days to Love Myself

I'm burned out.

In taking this saying to heart "if you resent it, change it" ( I believe Martha sears said this in The Fussy Baby Book). I'm going to focus a little more love on myself.

In 115 days Reef will be one!! We will be at a huge luau in honor of his first year of life and I want to be the mom full of love that takes care of herself...not the zombie I am right now.

So...each day I'm going to make an effort to love myself and take care of myself. I know right?! I'm wild.

But, it really is hard for me. Yadda yadda yadda. I know I'm not the only mama like this.

Here's to loving ourselves!

Xo
J

Ps Reef is soooo close to crawling.

SLEEP HELP PLEASE

You guys, I'm so desperate. Like shootmeintheface desperate.

I need sleep.

&

I need advice.

For three weeks now Reef has been waking up every hour and a half to two hours to nurse at night...let me repeat...EVERY HOUR AND A HALF TO TWO HOURS... I'm going insane. And it is full on nursing not just nibble, resettle, and pass back out. If he doesnt get the boob fast enough he totally flips out and nurses with such a vigorous hunger you'd think I never feed him.

He used to sleep for about four to six hours before nursing. I dont know what happened.

I've been reading everything I can get my hands on. Apparently many high needs babies just have a need to nurse more at night (thanks, universe).

And, when he nurses his eyes dont even open. Yep, he's half asleep just gettin some grub.

Soooo...if you have advice please please please leave it in a comment below or email me at joyceufollis@gmail.com.

Oh and just so we're all on the same page, there's nothing medically wrong, he's healthy as can be according to his doctor. He plays hard all day long and eats and nurses constantly.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, I sincerely appreciate it.

Xo,

J

This is seriously what he looks like at 6am, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Hands.

Reef has big chunky hands.

They've been this way since he popped out at birth. These are not my hands, they're definitely Zach's.

On my first ultra sound he shoved his little fist up and I thought I had a giant growing in me because there was no way that was a normal sized hand!

He's now seven months old and his coordination is just getting insane.
He loves to get in a crawling position (alas, he doesn't actually crawl yet) and examine his hands. It's absolutely precious.

Anyone else's cute lil one obsessed with their adorable babeh hands?!

Xo
J

GET INSPIRED: Derek, a blind surfer surfing Pipeline!

I've been really out of it lately. Between Reef being sick and attempting to move into our new digs I haven't posted much. I've also been a bitch lately.

Then, I saw this...and my entire attitude changed.

Xo
J

Sleep or something like it

So, Reef has had a sleep pattern (kind of) of three short naps during the day. One at 10am one at 2pm and his last one around 6pm which would leave him WIRED until 11pm or midnight...my loving "mommy voice" is really taxed by 10pm. I wish I could say I'm lovely and super fun until Reef passes into dreamland but I'M SO NOT and I don't want to lie.

As soon as Reef usually gets into a sleep pattern he changes so I figured I could do the late nights until his sleep developed into something different...hahaha I know, right?!

Okay, after three weeks of this ridiculousness I decided something must be done. On Saturday, since Reef seemed to be feeling WAY better, I skipped his 6pm cat nap. I almost chickened out. He was grouchy...okay he was quite the handful...alright, he was a monsterrrrr from 7pm to 8:40pm...Zach and I kept taking turns on entertaining him (which was more like keeping him from having a mental breakdown) but then magic happened. He took a bath, nursed, and paaaased out. It's a whole new world for me. I didn't have to bounce, rock, dance, or sing...he just concked out.

Even though he still woke up every 3 hours to nurse he didn't wake up until 9am!!

I thought it was a fluke...no way...

But, same thing happened last night AND tonight.

I kind of feel mean though. He's so cranky and tired and just wants his nap but I'm sticking with it and hoping it continues to work and create better napping habits.

I would like to, one day, be able to actually hang out with Zach when he gets home from work at 8pm. Even though Reef is passing out at 9ish I still have to be a 5 second dash away unless he's UP. And our (mine and reef and zachs) living area with our electronics etc are too far from the main house (our wonderful in laws' house) for me to enjoy with my hubby.

If you have any sleep advice for the high needs, cosleeping, reefy I would greatly appreciate it!!

Xo
J

Ps I couldn't help but take this photo of reef passed out the first night.

Reef has le flu

It's finally happened. Reef got the flu.

I feel terrible in a million different ways. I mean, honestly, I should be able to punch a germ in the face so it can't touch Reef. Now that is a super power worth having.

It just reminds me that I can't be too careful...ever.

My doctor has utterly scared the beegeezuz out of me on how bad it could get so I'm sure I won't be sleeping until he's better.

As you can see from the photo below, this kid is miserable. I expected him to be much more fussy and demanding due to him being high needs but he's just gotten more needy in the area of being held...and who doesn't want to be held when they're sick?!

Xo
J