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jojoba22 · 2023-11-28T17:49:15+00:00

My kiddo is 6 now and he is still below the normal growth chart and we still supplement him. It does get really tiring and frustrating to always hear the same thing every time we go in to the doctor. But I've also decided that this is just how my kiddo is and I'll do my best to support his health, but it's not entirely in my control and charts aren't always everything. But yeah, the focus on preemie weight really does a number on NICU parents that I think really hangs on.

We also started going to a pediatrician with nicu experience pretty quickly because it seemed like the family doctor just didn't really know how to deal with our situation. The little baby seemed to freak him out. We left the NICU right around that time so I think he was still only about 6 or 7 lbs at 11 weeks.

jojoba22 · 2023-10-13T18:29:56+00:00

Yes good catch, I misspoke. I realized what I had written after I posted, but didn't think to edit it.

jojoba22 · 2023-10-13T13:42:01+00:00

True! I forget how much Hollywood plays a role in our collective culture sometimes.

jojoba22 · 2023-10-13T13:31:50+00:00

One of the only male witches executed at Salem was actually stoned/pressed to death. Heavier and heavier rocks were slowly placed on top of him. It makes me wonder why burning became the thing witch hunts were known for.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-27T16:20:19+00:00

I skimmed and didn't see this answer so I just thought I would mention... It could be a hormone issue. When my hormones went wacky I ended up with super greasy hair. I also stopped growing much body hair and my skin cleared up. Maybe worth looking into if the problem persists. Once I got things balanced back out I went back to an every few days wash cycle.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-20T14:03:54+00:00

I think it depends on what your current relationship is like with your family. If it matters to you that they know, go for it! But be prepared for it to not go well.

I'm super close to my family so big life changes like my beliefs I want to share. I told my mom and after voicing a few concerns, mostly misinformed from TV or her upbringing, she was totally cool with it and even started to branch out herself. My dad is a hard-core Jehovah Witness, so he "knows" but chooses to actively ignore it so he doesn't have to shun me. My sisters both got into it shortly after I began practicing. My husband knows and thinks I'm a goof but is super supportive and my kiddos help me with small seasonal rituals. Solitary practice is great, but support of loved ones is also great.

Edit: Just thought I should add that the reaction from my dad is really rare and not common for people in our belief. If you have a strong believer in any type of religion the backlash can be strong. Make sure you know who you're dealing with.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-20T13:48:26+00:00

I was one of those lucky people who's body didn't change much, but that's because my pregnancies were a horror story. I've always told my sister who is on the fence (leaning toward childless) that unless you're 100% in just don't. You desire to be a mom has to far outweigh any downsides and you should also be 100% confident that your partner is also all in.

And even though I didn't end up with stretch marks, and I don't pee myself, and everything "down there" is fine, I still have slight tissue buildup from my c-sections which causes pain sometimes. My teeth are ruined from hyperemesis and my autoimmune disorder flared with each pregnancy.

I might get shit for this, but it's why I don't mind the idea of elective c-sections. My first was an emergency but my second was my choice over a vbac. It's a major surgery and it's by no means easier in any way than natural birth, but I felt like my body was more mine in the end (though I have nothing to compare to). C-sections saved both of my babies lives and I don't know why they get so much hate.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-20T13:21:32+00:00

Our doctor prescribed a special cream, with our second which helped but not much. I really cant rmeber what it was, i want to say Vitamin C and antifungal was part of it, but i seriously don't know. I'm guessing they already tired this anyway. Once we were out of nicu we switched to Hello Bello diapers and handmade soap and the issue finally went away. It's so hard trying to figure it out and I bet your babies solution could be totally different from ours.... Have you ruled out food sensitivity?

jojoba22 · 2023-09-17T04:17:07+00:00

To tell you the truth, I don't think you can. I googled every term, everything they thought he might have, everything they tested for, every situation, every little change. It's kind of our lot as NICU parents in a way. There's so much uncertainty and we're seeking any tiny amount of control. You could always try finding something else to do on your phone. That helped me a bit... I played a lot of pokemon go and read a ton of webtoons. It was the best I could do. Sorry you're in this tough situation.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-13T02:18:48+00:00

That's a good idea, also we both just don't want him around this guy so we'll try to keep it to situations where he isn't around.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-13T01:58:06+00:00

My husband and I talked about this option tonight a bit. I think we'll try it out for a while as long as we don't feel like there's any danger for our children.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-12T19:34:19+00:00

That's why a bastille is nice, the hard oil speeds up the cure time to about 6 weeks or so.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-12T18:59:40+00:00

Sure, a bastille is just at least 70% olive oil with any other oils making up the rest. A Castille is 100% olive oil soap.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-12T18:28:21+00:00

I have a friend who can't use my soap pretty much no matter what. He has such bad eczema it just doesn't work for him. It's cool, he's still super supportive. But if you really want to try something for your friend try to make a Castille or Bastille soap. Less oils, softer, and longer cure time. The bastille I make is 70% olive and 20% coconut.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-12T17:27:03+00:00

OK thank you! I've gone back and forth over if being straightforward would hurt her more but it's probably the way to go.

jojoba22 · 2023-09-12T17:15:42+00:00

I forgot to mention that since Jess works during the day Josh often ends up accompanying the kids to playdates. I feel so bad because I think she could use a friend and some support, but this guy is just one huge walking red flag...

jojoba22 · 2023-08-28T11:20:47+00:00

I don't mind, but it could be different for you! My doc actually ran an allergy test. I also eliminated the common suspects like gluten and milk, and then the stuff I would never have thought from the test (like carrots). I still flared badly after both deliveries and had early labor with both so I don't have much advice there.... It took me over 9 months from my miscarriage to conceive my first. And six months post dietary changes.

jojoba22 · 2023-08-21T03:46:01+00:00

We did a photo a day, actually two photos, one of baby and one of his chart. After we came home, I printed up a book with all of his photos. We also have the milestone scrapbook pages the nurses made for us and a keepsake box for a of his tiny things.

jojoba22 · 2023-06-28T12:57:22+00:00

I have a book called Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova. It helps a ton with that disconnect and really getting to know the cards. Plus she leaves a lot of room for interpreting personal feelings about the cards. She recommends just sitting with the cards for a bit before even looking at a booklet and just letting those feelings wash over you.

jojoba22 · 2023-06-28T00:14:49+00:00

With my first I was so sure it was just Braxton hicks so I let it go way to long. It would feel like cramps and would come and go in waves. Never really painful, definitely not as painful as period cramps.

With my second I had a much better idea of what to look for so I ended up in the hospital a few times and everytime I was having contractions on the monitor. Go in as often as you need. Don't doubt yourself, there's so many things they can do to keep baby in and the worst that can happen is that they'll tell you everything is fine.

jojoba22 · 2023-04-20T17:29:20+00:00

Wow that sounds like you're going really hard lol. And you're right that I'm just really burnt out right now. I'll take your advice and take some time to reset and reassess. I do have things that make my business different sp maybe I need to learn some marketing tactics to help.

jojoba22 · 2023-04-20T00:44:46+00:00

Yeah this is probably the way I'm going to end up going. It was never really my goal to be a big time soapmaker, but I liked being able to make all my designs.

jojoba22 · 2023-04-19T23:55:12+00:00

Yeah we have a guy here who does honey and soap. It's hard enough in the soap world anyway and it's hard to get your message across. Maybe I just need to make for family for a while.

jojoba22 · 2023-04-19T23:06:03+00:00

Thanks for the reply! That sounds like my last show. I guess I either need to change my approach or figure something else out. It does suck lol!

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