What to do when your baby has a cold.....

When you have an infant under a year old and usually even with a child under two years old it can be just torture when you just cannot offer them any relief. Over the counter medications are not safe or recommended for little ones and a lot of families try not to use medications at all for the common cold and other winter time viruses. A friend of mine has a baby who is 8 and a half months old and he is just plain suffering from congestion. As a Family Herbalist I offered her some of my simple remedies. As I was researching a new homemade vapo-rub I came across a post from one of my favorite bloggers. Here it is with full credit.....

I think I will make up a batch......

Homemade "Vapo-rub" Recipe

  Best of all, this is completely natural and safe for people of all ages. Here's what you need:







■5 tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil (a natural anti-viral)


■1 tbsp. evening primrose oil (could use sweet almond, olive, etc. if you want)


■2 tbsp. beeswax


■8 - 10 drops tea tree essential oil (also a natural anti-viral)


■15 - 20 drops rosemary essential oil (aids breathing)


In a small pan over low heat, melt the coconut oil and evening primrose oil. Add the beeswax, chopped up or in granules (mine was in a large chunk, so I chopped) and stir until melted. Add the essential oils and stir to combine. Pour into a 4-oz. glass jar and allow to cool. This mix is not completely solid even when cool, so be careful of that when you open the jar.






Before bed, put this mixture on the feet and then put socks over it. When it's put on the feet, it's absorbed quickly into the body and it goes through the whole system. That's why it works. You could follow this up with a spoonful of raw honey, and the same essential oils in a humidifier (which I did). Worked great, and we all got sleep!


Blogger who posted this information
Modern Alternative Mama
http://www.modernalternativemama.com/blog/2011/1/31/monday-health-wellness-homemade-vapo-rub-recipe.html


Another one of my herbal remedies for this viral season is my homemade elderberry and fennel syrup. I make it to help soothe sore throats and help boost the immune system. I have it for sell on my Etsy site. Feel free to go check it out......

A dream for 2012

I will be 38 years old in 2012. Yet I still dream about what I want to be when I grow up. Haven't I already made it that far? Hmmm, what doooo I want to be when I grow up? I started my formal education once upon a time when I was 19 years old. At that time I wanted to work with very young children, under age three to be exact. I went to college for a while while I was married to my first husband. I had a baby became separated, had another baby, became divorced. I dropped out of college when my first child was born. In 1999 I went back to school determined to support my young family. I started nursing school and after a year of that while I was pregnant with my 3rd child I decided nursing was not for me. One of the main reasons I chose nursing was for the job security. Deep down though I wanted to be a Midwife. In Alabama the only legal Midwives are Certified Nurse Midwives that work in the medical setting. I did not know at the time the attitude towards Midwives in Alabama. It is not positive. After I had my 3rd child I started a Doula program. I did not stick with it but I learned a lot about natural birth and the birthing process.I did not drop out of college though. I just switched gears. I graduated on time in 2001 with an AA degree and landed a job believe it or not as a toddler teacher. I taught 2 year olds as well as younger and occasionally a little older children for about 7 years. During that time I had my 4th child. Also during that time I went back to school as I worked full time (most of the time). I graduated with my BS in Socio-behavioral Science in 2004. I stayed in school for a year after that working on a second bachelors in Linguistics. That same year  I received a scholarship for a year long program to become a Certified Special Instructor with Early Intervention. I completed that program at the end of 2005. I never completed my Linguistics degree. I then decided to go for my master's degree. In 2006 I started my graduate degree in Education. I also fell in love and started a relationship with my current husband. We had our first child (my 5th) in 2006. I didn't skip a beat and continued with school. I could not have done it without my husband's support. I was still working full time. I was expecting my 6th child when I graduated with my MAE in Early Childhood Education (concentration Infant / Toddler Development) in 2007. I landed a really good job working in early Intervention and gave birth a month later. I worked full time for nearly the next four years. Along the way I had my 7th child. While I was pregnant with him I got the itch to go back to school. I was offered a scholarship to become a Special Education teacher at the  graduate level. I tried that but I just was not into it. I never really wanted to work with school aged children anyway. I stopped halfway into my first semester. I would love to get my Ph.D one day but I just can't find a program I like. It would be so cool to be called Dr. Susan one day. Earlier this year I completed my training as a CLC (certified lactation counselor). I have always been a big advocate for breastfeeding. Now I am a trained breastfeeding professional. This past summer I wanted to work part time instead of full time. That wonderful job in Early Intervention was a full time gig and they did not have any part time positions for my job so I walked away from it. I still work in Early Intervention as a contract provider. I get to spend a lot more time with my family this way. We had to downsize a bit but we are making it. But, the question is still what do I want to be when I grow up? A circle in my life has come around again. I have been looking at nursing school again. I am only 9 classes away from becoming an RN. But, I am so not a mainstream individual. I am not sure I could follow all of those rules. I am constantly being drawn back into the birth community. I started doula training again. This time I felt with my background and training and my own special talents that I would be best suited as a Post Partum Doula. I have 2 years to complete the program. I am well on my way. Another route I am drawn to is the one that would take me further into the birth community as a Midwife. This time I am looking at becoming a CPM (certified professional Midwife). They cannot practice legally in Alabama but they are recognized and respected in other states. Alabama Birth Coalition is trying to help change the law so they can practice legally here. Maybe after my training I will be able to help the mothers in Alabama who wish a safer more family centered method of care for the childbearing years. I have the opportunity to start Midwifery training next year. But is that what I really want to be when I grow up????????

Lyn and the Beatles

Lyn is so into the Beatles right now. She has informed me that she wants to learn all of the lyrics to their songs and learn to play Yesterday on the guitar.

Moon Dough... who thought it would be so much fun.

Who would have thought that some simple Moon Dough would hold the kids' attention for so long. They literally played with it for hours for a couple of days. I am sure it will come out again today. Some of the best things in life are the simplest.

Happy Winter

The longest night is upon us

May the return to light be swift and bring the warmth of the sun

Happy Winter Solstice

Happy Birthday Connor and thanks Granny!

All the kids , Granny, and I went to lunch for Connor's birthday and then headed to Granny's so the kids could open their Christmas gifts from Granny. Connor has grown so much. He is such a mature polite young man. He is a bit concerned about his weight. He informed me he is on a diet now. I reminded him that a lot of boy, including his older brother, usually go through a chunky phase at his age. I am just glad he is aware that he needs to be healthier.

Granny did a great job listening to the kids when they told her what they wanted for Christmas. They got exactly what they wanted!!!

11 years ago....

11 years ago my second son, Connor, was born. I went to bed knowing I was going into labor. I knew I would get more rest at home so I did not tell my partner at the time so as not to worry anyone. Around 2am I was in enough pain that I could not stay in bed. I paced for a while and decided to go ahead and head to the hospital. I lived about 30 miles away and that seemed like one of the longest drives of my life. The rest is a bit of a blur. My mom arrived as soon as we got to the hospital. She only lived about 2 miles away. She stayed with me the whole time. Connor's birth went pretty quickly. The doctor was a bit impatient and used the vaccum extractor after I only pushed about 3 times. I am pretty sure if she would have let me just shift position and push one more time he would have come right on out. He was born at 7:47 am weighing 8 pounds and 3 ounces. He took to nursing right away. My mom was so surprised at how alert and vigorous he was. He was a pro at breastfeeding from the get go.

Happy Birthday Connor!

My little helper

Eliot helped me drain the dried herbs from my latest batch of herb infused oil. It is now all ready to made into a healing salve that I sell mainly as a diaper rash treatment. It works great for just about any rash, scrap, or "boo boo". I sell the oil by itself also. Others have used it to make their own salves and balms. Let me know if you want some. 

Soothing Herbal Oil

click on the picture to go buy from my Etsy site....

Oh, I have missed the library....

I have been without a library card for about a year now. I just could not take it anymore. I really like the library system in a different county than I live so we have to pay to have a card. It is so worth it though. Between getting Ben out of the house and Lyn's homeschooling not to mention the fun all the other kids have there it is so worth it. Who could resist a library where you get to check the puppets, larger than a 2 year old, out and take them home!

Family History

My mom ran into a 4th cousin by accident that she never knew existed. That long lost cousin let her borrow a copy of a book that includes our family's genealogy. It was a bit unnerving yet cool to find my own name in all of the dry census information. The book was written in the 80's so my children were not listed. Lyn has the genealogy bug though. I told her she should flesh out her own immediate family when she gets a chance. This book goes all the way back to the 1500's. It even comes with maps  of Ireland and Scotland.  I need to get my own copy......

First fire of the season....

The weather has started to get cooler so we started our first fire of the season. Evan is holding the jar of ashes left from last Winter's fires. We sprinkled some ashes from it onto the fresh fire....

Herbal Diaper Rash (or any kind of rash for that matter) Salve anyone?

You know you need some! This herbal salve is great for diaper rash but it works for any scrape, rash, or small injury. I make it from herbal infused oil I make myself. Check out my Etsy site Motherly Creations for ordering information. It works wonders on chapped winter skin too. I take custom orders. Don't be afraid to just ask.....

Look what I got!!!

It is hard to tell but check out what I got in the mail yesterday. I have a friend who lives and England and is awesome!!! She sent me a package filled with all kinds of goodies. There were homemade candles from a shop in Glastonbury, tea, chocolate (of course), a postcard, info about the really old churches in her county, fairy soap, a cider packet, a beautiful Yule card with the Yule badger on it, and a lucky Hagstone found on the beach.....

I am so lucky to have friends such as Michelle. During this season of well wishing I definitely wish her and her family the most.

A fieldtrip to Alabama Power

I am lucky enough to have a friend that works in the archive at Alabama Power. Lyn and I were treated to a personalized tour of the history of Alabama Power. Pretty cool!!

A new playground in the neighborhood...

For two days in a row now I have taken the kids to a local playground. It is so toddler friendly. Since Ben is weaning I need to keep him busy and distracted so this worked out great. They were worn out by the time we left......

Something to be proud of....

Lyn collected all of her recent volleyball stuff to take a picture for her Dad. I can't believe she has been playing for 4 years now. I am so proud of her. She is so mature beyond her years but she still acts like a regular 13 year old at other times. That girl will go far!

Look what I was offered today.....

I was treated to some wonderful hospitality today. Just look what I ate. Yum yum! The olives were the best I have ever had. Next to the olives are two pickled baby eggplants. And the pickle was just wonderful too. Thank you so much to the mom who treated me to these tasty morsels after I was finished working with her son!!!! 

Halloween

I made it out with3 kids last night. We started at trunk-or-treat at the church down the road and then hit some neighbourhood houses. Lyn went with her friends and Ben stayed home with Daddy. I am sure Danny and Connor had fun with their Dad. Hopefully next year I will feel better and have more spirit.

Where have I been?

That is a good question. I have not been feeling well at all lately. Just making it to work has been a challenge. I have struggled with migraines for years and lately they have been kicking my butt! I am one of those people that experience more of the neurological systems like numbness, aura, and compromised speech, instead of just pain. All that being said I just have not been out and about this Fall much with the kids. I promise when I feel better we will play catch up. Fall is probably my most favorite season and I feel that I am missing it.......

The Southeastern Women's Herbal Conference

Lyn and I had so much fun at the Southeastern Women's Herbal Conference in North Carolina last weekend. Well, Lyn had a lot of fun. I was a bit under the weather. Migraines and not breastfeeding put me out of commission for some of the activities. Ben is 21 months old and I took this weekend to continue my efforts to wean him at least from some feedings. The little man will nurse all day if I let him. I am OK feeding him but he nurses like a 3 month old if I let him.

Lyn made a lot of friends and learned a lot. I connected with some great women. It was an experience sleeping in a cabin and enjoying Black Mountain.

Paw Paws

On our way to NC we found a Paw Paw tree!!! I so want to plant one in my yard....

Yes, I am 2 days late...

My oldest daughter turned 13 two days ago. We spent the day together and she got presents from her granny and her friends. (I slipped her a little something too.) She got everything she asked for.....

A pineapple
Duct tape 9various colors)
A denim shirt


Well, that is what being a teenager is all about!

My favorite time of the year?

Why yes... I believe it is. fall is in the air. Yes. I am in Alabama and my children rarely wear shoes and are still wearing shorts but it is definitely cooler. It is October and the church at the end of road  had their pumpkins delivered today. We walked down to see them. Ben enjoyed playing with the wood farm cutouts and he got used to seeing pumpkins bigger than himself. I know we will begin our family field trips to the pumpkin patch every evening now. Lighting the candles outside a little earlier every night and being able to actually sit outside with COOL air blowing is awesome.....

Last day of September

Ahh about time...

That is what happens when you wake up at 2am and then biggest sister walks you around the neighborhood.

My big 4 year old....

Eliot turned 4 yesterday...  Wow, where does the time go?

If you can't appreciate a cotton field why live in Alabama?

As I work in rural counties I come across a lot of things. This time of year the cotton fields are white and ready to be harvested. Cotton can mean a lot to different people in Alabama. For some it is a respected crop to grow and to others it is a symbol of slavery. I am going to keep it simle. As I gaze at a cotton field and hold a fresh picked piece in my hand I will be greatful for a plant that keeps me in jeans, warms me at night, and wraps my baby's bottom when needed.....