We have a tooth!

Sweet Vivian got her first tooth last Friday.  We knew she was working on it.  Actually we have been blaming her behavior on teething for at least two months!  LOL  It's finally paid off. She's just getting so big so fast, it's bittersweet.

Now that I'm on my second child I feel like I am able to watch for symptoms better than I was with Lila.  I was kinda clueless whether she was getting sick or not and I had NO idea what to do even if she was getting sick.  I don't know if it's experience or confidence, but whatever it is, I feel like I can get the situation under control better this time around.

As many of you know, ear infections and teething go right together.  This is when the trouble started for Lila and the poor girl has had 2 sets.  I feel just awful for her.  I've been using doTERRA essential oils for several months now.  My friend who introduced them to me once wrote a blog post on how she cured her son's ear infection with essential oils.  Read about it here.  When I read this, I just thought, no freakin' way!  There's no way that that could happen.  I had the intention to start using them, but never thought I'd be using them for something like this, I would so just take my kid to the doctor.

Then, three months later we get thrown into teething hell.  Two weeks ago I could tell how fussy Vivian was and, again being a little more seasoned and maybe even more attentive to my children's needs, I noticed her grabbing her ears a little.  Not really pulling or anything, just had her hands up by them way more than usual.  My first thought was yep...we've got an ear infection coming.  She's teething and that's when Lila always got her's.  Then it occurred to me...I've got melaleuca.  I'm going to try and rub that behind her ears and just see where this goes.  I did it a couple times a day for a couple days.  Watched her behavior, constantly checked her for a fever, nothing....she was no longer grabbing her ears, she was still kinda fussy, but hey, she had a sharp object popping through her poor gums.  BUT SHE WASN'T GRABBING HER EARS ANYMORE.  I wowed myself.  I knew that there was fluid in there.  I had been through that before.  I knew that if the fluid didn't drain or dry up, it would more than likely turn to an ear infection.  I solved the problem before it even became the problem.

For the essential oils, for me, seeing is believing.  It wasn't that I didn't believe my friends blog, but I had to have that situation happen to me and solve it for myself.  I think a lot of people are like that.  If I was to freak out and take her to the doctor when I did, it would have been a $30 co-pay only for them to tell me that there was just fluid, it wasn't infected (YET) and there was nothing they could do.  Then in 5-7 days (I know the routine so well), the fluid would not only still be there, but would have turned into an infection and I'd find myself at the doctor again with another $30 copay and around $15 worth of antibiotics.  

Melaleuca is about 8 cents a drop.  So treating the fluid this time cost me around 64 cents, when it could've cost around $75 if it would have turned into the EI.  I like that a lot better and my husband the nurse likes it too.  He also likes the fact that an ear infection didn't cause us to appear in the ER.  LOL

If Vivian would've gotten sicker and the oils wouldn't have worked, I would not have hesitated to go to the doctor.  I don't know about you, but I don't like going to the doctor, especially during cold and flu season.

If you would like more information about essential oils and wellness, email me at ljatkins84@gmail.com.

Getting Crafty

Since Vivian has gotten a little older, I'm finding it easier to find a little more time for myself to work on some crafts and sewing projects.  I'm so happy that I've reconnected with my sewing machine again.  I've missed it so much.  For some time I've been wanting to sew something, anything with an elastic waist for my kids.  I didn't know if I could do it.  I asked several different people advice on how to do it, but after finding this blog, I knew not even I could mess this up.

I made a skirt for Lila and I took a stab at making some "Matilda Jane" style pants for Vivi, of course with an elastic waist. :)

Ok so the skirt was one of the easiest projects I've ever done.  Lila is going to have more skirts than she knows what to do with.  The pants were a little more work, but really only because of the ruffle cuff at the bottom.  I honestly think that ruffle cuffs are one of those things that once you do a few, it's get way easier.  I hope so at least.

I've got a couple other things that I'm going to try as time allows, but I'd like to perfect these two items before moving on to something else.  I'd love to hear what y'all think I should try next!

The Holidays

Here we are again.  The holidays are right around the corner!  I just love this time of the year.  I love to break out the Christmas music.  I love to look at Black Friday ads.  I love to get with family and eat until we want to puke on Thanksgiving.  :)  I just love everything about it.

This year is going to be even better than the last.  We now have two babies to spoil.  Lila is at the perfect age where she understands Christmas and all that goes with it.  I'm super excited to teach her about Christmas and how Jesus is the reason for all this crazy hoopla.  Of course, we'll still see Santa and I'm really wanting to do Elf on the Shelf this year with her.  Vivi is at this age where she "oooohs" and "ahhhs" everything, so the tree and the lights will be fantastic.  They have brought so much joy to our lives.  I never thought two little crazy girls could make us so happy.

Vivian is just over 6 months right now.  She's so much crazier than Lila was at this age.  You all know how cray Lila is now!  I think Vivi knows she's already behind and she's trying to catch up quickly.  She yells at Lila.  She laughs at her.  If you want her to smile, just get Lila in the room, it gets her every time.  She "dances" with Lila in her jumper.  Oh she's a hoot.  I know we'll have our hands full here in just a few short months!

The Holidays also mean shopping!  I'm proud to say that I've already gotten several presents this year.  Of course it will be the week before Christmas and I'll have to still get several items, but for now, I'm impressing myself.  LOL Lila is obsessed with Doc McStuffins, so she wants everything to do with her.  I'm sure in 3 weeks it will be different, so I'm waiting to buy her stuff last!  Sweet Viv is probably gonna get some clothing items from Mom and Dad.  I know everyone else will spoil her with toys that she doesn't need.

For those people that you aren't really sure what to get them, can I recommend something?  This is an affordable gift that is natural and handy to anyone who receives it.

As I've mentioned before, peppermint oil is great for so many things!  Hot flashes, stomach problems, respiratory issues, the list goes on!  Wild Orange is a great disinfectant and purifying agent.  It can be used to clean counter tops and other objects, such as those that perhaps your kids are constantly putting in their mouths and you don't want them to be eating bleach or other cleaners.  Love this oil.  On Guard is a daily use oil at our house.  Put on the bottom of your feet to help ward off nasty germs that can get you sick with all the crap going around these days.  You can also diffuse it to purify the air around you.  Who doesn't want that?

If you're interested at all in ordering, please let me know or go to www.mydoterra.com/lindseyatkins . 

Several people have asked me about the oils since my last post.  If anyone is interested in getting more information on them, please let me know.  If you want to have an informational class, I'd be happy to do that for you as well.  Get all your friends together and have a great time learning a new way to solve the health issues that you have!

Email me for more information!  ljatkins84@gmail.com

Favorite EO Recipes

I have had several people ask me about EOs since my last post.  I just wanted to share some of my favorites with you.  If you have any questions, let me know!