Kid Kare: There are Two things that I am grateful for in raising Alexandra. I will cover the first thing this month. From Day 1, Alexandra has had REGULAR Nap times & Bed times. Watch your child, but here is what has worked for Alexandra. Starting at birth, she slept most of the day as most infants do. Then at 8 weeks, this became the routine until about 1 year. Breakfast around 7:30 am, playtime, followed by a 1-2 hour nap at 10 am. Lunch was about Noon, playtime, then naptime again at 1:30pm. She usually slept 2-3 hours. Supper time came at 5 pm. By 7 pm, she was ready for a bath, had some rice cereal fruit and her bottle, then Bedtime by 8 pm. By the time she was 7 months old, she slept through the night. I believe it was from feeding her real food before bedtime, so her tummy was full! We did this, even if we were at friends for the evening. We also turned on KOMA everytime she went to sleep. This even worked in the stroller, when we went to the fair and went by KOMA booth! This helps your child sleep through most regular noises, even if out in public. Alexandra started in a bassinet, moved to a crib at 6 months, into a Toddler bed at 18 months and finally into a twin bed at 38 months. This is a guideline as NOT every child will be ready for transitions at the same age. Be consistent with bed times & put them in their bed (saves trouble later). It is great to spend time rocking and / or reading to them before bedtime, but just before they fall asleep, lay them in their own bed. This teaches them to soothe themselves to sleep, when they awaken in the night. The length of her naps shortened to 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon, from 13 months - 21 months, but the night bedtime stayed at 8 pm. At about 22 months until now, the morning nap left, but 2- 3 hour naps returned for the afternoon. When she was about 34 months, she stopped taking afternoon naps regularly, but rests and reads a book. Some days she sleeps 2-3 hours, some days it is just rest. Bedtime is now 9 pm if she has napped or else it is 8:30 pm. Alexandra has put herself to bed since she was 19 months, even if she is at her Nana's house. I believe it was because of regular bedtimes and the "cuddle time". Please make bedtime into a relaxing time for both you and your child. By reading, singing, storytelling or "cuddles". Next month - Eating habits.
Alternative Health : As we struggle with the flu that is upon some of us now and the cold season that will be here soon, here are some thoughts......
Both have the habit of striking us when we are stressed or run down. Herbal home treatments are especially helpful to make us more comfortable, control the fever and improve the body's recovery rate. Combine ginger, cinnamon, cloves and a pinch of cayenne in a tea to stimulate sweating to lower the body's temperature during a fever.
Elder flower or Elderberry added to a tea helps build the immune system & reduce production of mucus. Drink one cup of tea every 2 hours for colds and fevers; 3 cups a day to build the immune system for chronic colds and sinusitis.The old country remedy of warm whiskey, honey & lemon will soothe the throat & ease the cough. Drink straight or add to hot tea.
If you are sweating, drink plenty of fluids, water, orange juice & cranberry juice. A cool wash cloth will help also. You want to eat lightly. Fruits & vegetables are the best. Soups are great as they give you important nutrients and the steam will help open your nasal passages. Avoid greasy, fatty, sugar-rich foods along with dairy products which coat your throat with additional phlegm.
If you have nausea, ground ginger in tea or water will help. Ginger drops, crystallized ginger, old fashion gingersnaps and real ginger ale will work also.
Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in our diet. Zinc is an antioxidant and a protector of our immune system. It helps us to heal, prevents hair loss, treats acne and other skin problems. It is useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and helps treat and prevent colds. You can add it to your diet through wholegrain products, mushrooms, eggs, brewer's yeast and shellfish, such as oysters. There are zinc tablets available.
Eat plenty of garlic, onion and green vegetables to keep your immune system in top shape. Get plenty of rest, add vitamin C to your diet and Echinacea when you have been exposed to someone's germs will help. Echinacea does work, it has been used since the time of the Plains Indians and the Settlers. It is called "Nature's antibiotic". It is one of the best ways to rid your body of microbial infections, while stimulating the immune system. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer that has 60% alcohol.
Gardening : I get my seeds from http://rareseeds.com , which is a great source for heirloom seeds. A great source for tomatoes and pepper seeds is http://tomatogrowers.com . We will start preparing the ground for next spring in the coming weeks as the garden winds down. We are expanding to a 90' X 45' area for 2010. I still have a lot to learn for growing in Oklahoma, especially squash bugs! Heirloom tomatoes taste great, but I guess I'll have to add hybrids if I want 6' lush plants next year. I am still planning on a greenhouse this fall, even if it's small. New baby goat stalls have caused a delay! I have found out that chicken poop works the best to grow a lawn in this Oklahoma red dirt! I love the fall, it is my favorite time of the year. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks & Christmas is a few short weeks away. Alexandra is already saying "It's time to put the Christmas tree up!"
Animals : Our chickens seem to eat most fruits and vegetable along with the goats. It certainly isn't true with our goats, that "Goats eat anything". Each one has its own likes & dislikes, but all of them, including the chickens love leftover popcorn! When you first get your animals, (dogs, horses, cows, goats, chickens or even guineas) train them with their own special call or whistle. As they get older and wander off, it is easy to find them. We whistle for the horses or dogs, and call out to the others and even if they are on the neighbors adjoining pasture or it's during a night storm, they come running and calling back to us. The best thing you can do for and with your animals, is to treat them with kindness, love and respect and they will return it to you 10 fold!
Food Tips : I love to cook, bake and collect cook books. My favorites are OLD ones, but I have a new favorite right now. It is called "1 Mix, 100 Muffins" by Susanna Tee. I have made 6 of them and all are good. I suggest that if you need to make muffins for bake sales or church functions, get this book. They are easy to make and not allot of strange ingredients to have on hand. A helpful tip...... if you don't keep buttermilk on hand and you only need 1 cup. Try this: measure 1 cup of milk and add 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar (I prefer lemon juice) to the cup of milk and stir a couple of times and in 5 minutes you have "buttermilk".
Activities :
Bear Hugs : One Day, I had a thought about sick children; I mean the ones that have been told they have cancer, a heart or kidney condition; the seriously ill children. There are organizations or churches that take Teddy Bears or Dolls to these children to hold and help them get through the days, the pain or treatments. My thought was what about the Tweens or Teens that feel they are too old for Teddy Bears or Dolls. How do they get through it, if a family member can't be with them at all times? Who holds them when they are scared? I had a Simplicity pattern for a quilt that I had bought a year ago to make for my daughter, Alexandra, but never got around to it. That's when God put " Bear Hugs" into motion. I would make quilts for these older children! I called Oklahoma University Children's Hospital here in Oklahoma City to see what they thought of this idea. I was told that they can have as many as 20-25 children as out -patients for treatments in a day. That's when I realized that I alone couldn't make enough quilts, I needed help. I then went to my Bible study at my church (WELCA) and ask them for help, and then I appealed to the church as a whole; Men, women and older children to help. I have since realized that we are even going to need more help to keep up with the unfortunate high need. This is where you come in................... . I need help with people sewing quilts and then sending them to us to take to Oklahoma University Children’s Hospital. The quilts measure 48" x 60" (4 foot wide X 5 foot). We use over 6 yards of 3 different coordinating flannel fabrics. Each quilt costs $25 using $2.99 a yard fabric; including batting which cost $3.00, a pattern (reusable to a point) $1.00 if we catch the sale, and thread. If you would like to be a part of this by sewing email me for more details, harmony-spirit@sbcglobal.net or to make a donation, you can make a check out to Ascension Lutheran Church; write Bear Hugs or Quilts in the memo, and send it to: Ascension Lutheran Church 3617 SE 29th St. Del City, Ok 73115 Atten: Debra BigEagle. What ever your budget will allow will be greatly appreciated by me, my group, and I am sure by OU Medical and the children. Thank You!
Inspirational Corner : Stop and take time for yourself, no matter how busy your day will be or has been. Remember to thank your God for the good that has come into your life. If you are experiencing difficult times, then this also can be brought to your God. If you are not sure you have a God, then email me at harmony-spirit@sbcglobal.net. If I can't help, I know several people who may be able to. I close with this thought: "In destiny's grand design, there are no random meetings, for all is meant to be."
Continue to pray for our Country and Service men & women. Remember to count your blessings and be Thankful for your family and friends. In times like these we MUST pull together and help one another. As the days grow darker earlier, be more aware of the possibility of children in the street.
If you are looking for a good Church that is both traditional & contempory in its thinking and activities, please come to Ascension Lutheran Church (ELCA), located at 3617 SE 29th Street in Del City, OK. Sunday School meets at 9:00 am, with children's music and starting in the new year, colored Hand bell choir. Service is at 10:30 am. The First & Third Sunday is our Communion Service & we have an open table to all who believe in Jesus Christ.The Second Sunday is our Contemporary Praise Service with the thoughts of expanding to 2 services as we re-grow. If you are a musician that would like to be part of a new Praise group or an organist for traditional service, please call Warron at 405-878-8822. We really would like to see the need for a Contemporary Service every week.
Please plan on attending Ascension Lutheran's Holiday Bazaar on Saturday Nov. 21 from 9 am - 3pm. Proceeds to be divided between the Oaks Indian Mission, Holiday Gift Baskets and Bear Hugs. Lunch will be available & a chili supper at 4pm. Cost is by donation for either Lunch or Supper.
The third event is Saturday December 19 & Sunday December 20. We are holding for the first time a Winter Vacation Bible School called " A Starry Night in Bethlehem". It will be from 9 am - 3pm on Saturday as we take the children back to Bethlehem as the town became the place of the birth of Christ. There will be crafts, singing and food. Sunday morning we will wrap up the session with Ascension's Christmas program with our worship service at 10:30 am (Parents/ Grandparents don't forget the camera's). So, parents if you need a safe place for your children (3 -12), while you finish up your Christmas shopping, this is the place! Call Sophia Carr at 386-2622 or Debra Big Eagle at 878-8822 to reserve a place for your children Now!
I am in NO means giving medical or veterinarian advice, only advice as to what works here at Harmony Farm.
