My Thorn Bushes Have Roses. Do Yours?

 

   I know I'm blessed. I am beyond thankful for my beautiful family, and there isn't a single thing i would change.

 Something that really bothers me though, is people who complain about their kids or spouse.

 I understand that we all have moments where we can be forgetful of how truly blessed we are, but there are some who seem oblivious to the fact that they are blessed.

 Life is a challenge. There is no doubt about that. But its also incredibly rewarding. Throw a family in the mix, and the rewards are unbelievable!

 There is never (and i say never honestly.) a time where i don't remember how blessed I am to have my family. Even during frustrating times, where i haven't slept, the house is a mess, and the dogs are barking, what keeps me calm and thankful is the fact that i have my family with me.

 I know there are families out there who would give ANYTHING to go through sleepless nights, cleaning up puke, being hit, picking up work clothes, etc, if it just meant that their child or spouse was with them.

 I have been fortunate enough to be deeply touched by one of these families. More so then i could ever explain. I will never forget what they have taught me. (even from so far away.) And in being touched with such an unexplainable force, i have learned (and continue to learn.) some great lessons about life. Great values. Great realizations. And I feel its the least i can do, to share the things i have learned with everyone I can.

 When you are having a moment when you are at your wits end, or you feel like pulling your hair out, really take that time to think about what you appreciate about that moment. Find the positives, in what seems to be a negative situation.

 I know people say things like this all the time, and sometimes it can be hard to relate to something so general. But imagine how lost you would be, if the person on the other end of your frustrations wasn't there anymore. I can guarantee you would give the world and more, to have the exact moment that was frustrating you back.

 Instead of taking these situations as negative experiences you think you could live with out, think of them as opportunity. Opportunity to reflect on why you couldn't live without times like these. Opportunity to turn the negative situation into a positive. Opportunity to grow as a person, become humble, and know that frustrating situations work both ways.


'We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Teething and Bum Rash Tips and Tricks

 I figured since we are going through some crazy teething, and a vicious bum rash, its a good time to share some of the advice i have received and the things I have done to help my sweet girl. Hopefully it will help others going through the same thing! Because really, why learn something new if your not willing to share it?

 Teething:

• Ice cube in a mesh bag. I don't have a mesh bag, so i use a baby cloth, and tie it with a hair elastic.
• Small cubes of frozen breast milk.
• Frozen Carrot.
• Chamomile tea. (soothes gums)
• Baltic amber teething necklace.

 Bum Rashes:

• Breast milk (works on everything. Cuts, scrapes, bum rash, acne, eye infections, ear infects, hives (really any rash)*Except yeast. Never put Breast milk on a yeast infection*)
• Air time/Naked time. There is nothing that beats off a rash better than airing it out. (you will probably have to clean a pee or two off the floor, but its just pee. Besides, pee is sterile ;) )
• Coconut Oil. (most moms swear by coconut oil-aside from breast milk.)
• Olive oil
• Baking soda bath. (followed by coconut/olive oil/breast milk/etc applied to bottom)
• lavender(apply to bottom)
• Wheat Germ.
• Chamomile tea rinse.
• Cool water rinse.
• Sleeping Naked on towels/pee pad. (we did a pee pad between two towels last night. Worked great)

 * Disposable diapers and wipes can definitely make a bum rash worse due to the chemicals in them. So if your not a cloth mama, naked time is key.*


 Please feel free to add what has worked for you, or other things you have used that are not already listed. The more the merrier! (I will add it to these lists!)

Note, that all these things are natural and 100% safe for babies. You can literally eat these things if you want. (actually, a cup of chamomile tea to relax through a stressful teething day is a fabulous idea!)
 * Cheeky balm is also great, though not 100% natural.*

  Thank you to all my dear Mama friends who gave me some of these wonderful tips and tricks! Your awesome <3

 I hope this helps make your rough days a little smoother- And rash free!-