Google Taught Me Everything I Know (Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop and Peri-Menopause)

Well, not entirely everything, but it certainly is my go-to place these days! Have a question? Ask Google! Need to find something? Google it! I mean, we've actually turned "Google" into a verb! Amazing.

Sadly, I missed yesterday's vlog link-up due to the constant wiping of The Boy's runny nose and having to cuddle him to sleep for a much-needed nap. Therefore, to get my Mama Kat fix today, I'm linking up with the Writer's Workshop.

Prompt #4: Tell us the last thing you Google searched and what you learned.

Fine, then. I was going to write about it eventually anyway. I searched "Irregular Periods." You see, I'm a self-diagnosis junkie. I want to know as much as I can about a particular medical issue before I talk to a doctor about it. That way, I'm armed with knowledge and myriad questions. I have a history of issues with my girly bits; swelling of the cervix, pre-cancer (displaysia), Endometriosis, yet all coupled with very regular, on-the-dot periods. Prior to having 3 children, that is.

Ever since I had The Boy I've been having irregular periods. Last year my doctor chalked it up to "getting older." Hah! I'm not that old yet (cue gloomy music as my birthday is just weeks away)! What she didn't mention was this term that Google taught me: Peri-Menopause.

peri·men·o·pause

  noun \-ˈmen-ə-ˌpȯz, -ˈmēn-\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PERIMENOPAUSE

: the period around the onset of menopause that is often marked by various physical signs (as hot flashes and menstrual irregularity)

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peri-menopause

Peri-Menopause is the period of time prior to Menopause. It can last months or years, much like it's successor. However, while Menopause is official after you've gone without a menstrual period for 12 consecutive months, Peri-Menopause is where your periods become irregular, your ovulation slows and also becomes irregular and you get to enjoy many of the well-known symptoms of Menopause itself! Grand, isn't it?

Artwork by Cindy B. via Flickr

Symptoms much like those of PMS or Pregnancy, if you ask me. Fuzzy brain, bloating, mood swings, hot flashes, skin changes (i.e. acne), decreased libido (say it ain't so!) and so much more!

Since I've been experiencing nearly all of the above with the exception of hot flashes, I'm feeling... concerned. I don't quite have the words yet for how I'm feeling. Maybe it's my impending birthday, seeing those lines on my forehead deepen, the silver that the hair dye won't seem to hide anymore, the knees that creak and groan, the carpel tunnel that makes it difficult to lift my babies sometimes...

Maybe it's finally realizing that I'm getting older. My brain still thinks I'm 25 years old, but my body is telling me differently. My forehead is telling me differently (note to self: grow hair long enough for braids! Click that link later to die laughing). I'm still healthy, in relatively good shape, but things are changing (cue Bob Dylan).

So, armed with knowledge garnered from Google, I'm off to the doc tomorrow for a full physical of the feminine nature. How lovely to be a woman.

***Want to link up to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop? Do so here!

Baby Fever and Doing Things Differently

No, I don't have baby fever, let's get that right out of the way! But Mama Kat, who I'll be linking up with for a vlog later today, has provided writing prompts recently that have me thinking about one thing I've always wished I could have done differently for my babies.

DECK OUT THEIR NURSERIES!

Yes, I have always wished to have one of those amazingly beautiful magazine-worthy baby bedrooms. The kind you see on beautiful websites like this one, Lollipop Lane. They even have an entire section devoted to "dream nurseries." Ah, it makes me wistful.

I did OK with Nature Girl's because I had such an amazing turnout at my baby shower in Singapore, where she was born. 40 monetarily comfortable ex-pats who loved me (they were volunteers and I was their manager) and therefore my bump, gave me extraordinary gifts that I never would have been able to purchase myself. It was divine! Think lavender and sage colors, Sir Leapsalot, which went out of production. Dreamy and sweet and perfect for my first baby.

My second daughter got a very simple jungle theme, but only the bedding. The rest of the room was very plain. That's what happens when you have your second baby just 15 months after the first. For The Boy, I got a little more serious and had my husband paint his room and I framed pages of the 2005 edition of The Little Engine That Could because Loren Long's artwork is just so beautiful!

So, since the middle child here seemed to get shorted, if I had to choose one do-over dream nursery, this would be hers:

She loves pink; she's my little Rose after all, and this would so suit her from babyhood to the 6-year-old she is now! I just love it. I can't get the picture to save properly, but you have to see this adorable, adorable, adorable curtain tie-back that doubles as a toy. So sweet!

It's somehow satisfying to do an imaginary nursery. Try it. What would you choose?

Adjusting Overseas - the Pros and Cons

There's a period of adjustment with any move, it's just slightly longer when you move from one culture to another. Fortunately, this isn't my first move far from home (Michigan) and I'm certain it won't be our last move. When I married a Frenchman, I knew we wouldn't stay put for long as he had already lived in 4 or 5 different countries before his 28th birthday. We met, married and moved to Singapore within a span of 9 months! But that's a story for another day...

This time around, we've left much behind to make a better life for ourselves and our children, but we're thrilled to be here and to have this experience. Still, you have to take the good and the bad together and  I have the right to rant as much as anyone. So, here goes:

The bits I don't like (in no particular order):

• The ice cream tastes weird. Nature Girl won't even eat it. 
• Clothes Dryers, or the lack there of. N'uff said.
• The roads are the width of a 2-car garage and the edges are crumbling away.

This one's more like a single-car garage.
I took that pic while hubby drove.

• Roundabouts
• People drive down the center of those roads, 50mph, around curves where they can't see me on the other side.
• I can't find my favorite pickles (Vlasic Kosher Dill, if you want to send some my way)
• Downey isn't Downey its L-something and doesn't smell the same
• Sorry, but the beef is expensive and tasteless
• Parents smoke right next to their babies!
• I like rainy days, but seriously...
• I miss my mom and dad. And my cats.
• The only outlets in the bathrooms are for electric razors... WTH?

The better bits:

• My groceries are delivered right to my doorstep!
• Wine is more affordable
• Self-expression is totally acceptable
• School uniforms ROCK
• Public transportation - even without a car you can always get where you need to go! It just might take a while. 
• The only big school break is in August
• My 3-year-old will have 15 FREE hours of preschool a week beginning in January!
• My iPhone was free with my very affordable plan
• I live just minutes from Roman ruins, less than an hour from Stonehenge, castles, Manor houses, London...

Ancient  Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum

National Gallery;Trafalgar Square, London

• I can take a train to France
• There is a true sense of personal freedom here.
• People are so polite and helpful (at least in and around my area). 
• You can turn electrical outlets off and on. I just love that!
• The countryside is stunning
• Faeries (more on that another time)

There's so much more. I miss a lot of things from the US, but overall, I simply love it here. I think I'll be happy to stay awhile. I just need a dryer. And a hairdryer. And a visit from my mom.

What do you think?

What a Lucky Mommy: The Rainbow Flower

Babies and Toddlers are fun and cute, but I have to say, my satisfaction with parenting has skyrocketed since my daughters have learned to read and write. There is nothing quite like getting a love note from your kid.

I thought I'd share this recent one from Nature Girl. She's going to be a far better writer than me one day, if she isn't already. This note  had me all blithering and teary... enjoy it (I've edited and formatted for your reading ease).

Mommy,

This is a flower
Not just any flower
A rainbow flower

A rainbow flower never ends
Because a rainbow never ends

Take a moment to think and 
You should be thinking about love
Because love never ends

I love you!

How to Handle Vomit - A Guide for First-Timers

Yesterday, I had the absolute joy of seeing my family in Michigan via Skype. I love Skype! My little brother and his wife are expecting their first child next Spring. When my mom asked how my little Rose was, after all she's been through and her tummy bug last weekend (and another round last night), the questions of an excitedly nervous expectant daddy started coming out. Questions about vomit.

Ironically, the eve of Thanksgiving is the anniversary (not that I celebrate) of our first bout with what's commonly (if not incorrectly) known as the stomach flu. Imagine a night of an 18-month old who couldn't keep anything down, a screaming 3-month-old and a panicked Papa all in one night. Apparently, babies don't get sick in France (wink, wink). Fortunately, he learned to relax after the first few experiences.

To help you and your partner keep calm your first time (and possibly second and third), here's my unofficial guide to handling vomit.

Photo by me. 

A. Get Prepared: 

You'll need:  
- listening skills;
- a large, unbreakable bowl;
- towels (not your good ones)
- spare lovey (optional, but recommended)

1. Listen to Your Child - if they say their tummy isn't feeling good, don't push them to eat. If they are uncharacteristically grumpy or just feeling off (poorly, as they say here in England), ready yourself just in case.

2. Keep a "barf bowl" nearby - The younger the child, the bigger the bowl (more for aim than content). Have the child take it with them wherever they go. Leave it by their bedside at night and make sure they know where it is. Leave a nightlight in their room or the hall. Trust me, you don't want to deal with vomit in the dark.

3. Towel the floor - lay a large towel out alongside their bed. If they don't throw up, no problem - just one semi-dirty towel that can be used as a bathmat. If they do, you've just saved your carpet and the effort it takes to clean vomit out of it.

B. Once it's Started:

1. No Food or Drink for 1 Hour - No, not even a sip. Don't feel bad because they're thirsty; they won't dehydrate in an hour, I promise.* Once your child has thrown-up, expect it to happen again. If you cave and give them fluids too soon they will just come out again. Hold off on food for at least 3-hours.

2. Small Sips - My rule of thumb is a teaspoon of water every 5 to 10 minutes. Just enough to wet their lips. If after 1-hour they haven't thrown up again, go ahead and let them drink...water.

3. Avoid colored food or drink - skip the juice, stick with water. Watermelon might seem like a good first food choice, but it comes out red. Go for applesauce, plain toast or white grapes instead. Your child is suffering, but you have to consider the clean-up. You'll thank me.

4. Get the dirties in the wash ASAP - Vomit stains. The sooner you rinse the chunks and get it in the machine, the better. The last thing either of you want is to be reminded of the night's events every time you look at her favorite blanket. If she missed the towels, treat carpet the second you get your sweetie settled.

Points to remember: 

- A single episode of vomiting is rare. Typically, in my experience, once it starts you're looking at one round per hour for approximately 3 hours. Stick to the food/drink rule and hopefully after that the vomiting will cease.

- It isn't uncommon for your child to feel OK during the day after a rough night, manage to eat and drink, only to toss it all again once or twice the following evening; be prepared!

- Each child has their own unique vomiting style. Some are neat and tidy most of the time and some spray the room, bowl or not. Know your child; good prep will make your clean-up easier.

- Curiously, 90%** of childhood vomiting occurs after 9pm. Don't expect to sleep much that night.

- One vomiting child usually wakes another. Prepare to deal with multiple children crying, but do your very best to keep healthy ones far from sick ones! Two criers is one thing, two vomiters  (I know that isn't a word) is another!

- You usually won't need to consult your doctor for a case of gastroenteritis (the real name for it). But please do so if your child appears dehydrated or the vomiting persists for more than 8 to 12 hours. Visit Kid's Health for more on when to call the doctor.

The good thing about tummy bugs is that they are typically short-lived. Keep calm, be prepared, cuddle your kiddo and you'll both be feeling fine soon!


*I'm not a doctor, so don't sue me. Always check with your pediatrician if you're concerned.
**I made up this statistic based on personal experience.
*** My guide is meant for children ages 1+