Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Changes for Eternal Maternal

Wow! It's been forever since we've posted. This last year has been full of trials and tribulations thanks to the economy. Despite some questions throughout the year, we're happy to report that we're still alive and kickin'! And, even better, we've got a whole new website and new products, too!

So, what's new you ask? Well, we've basically split our offerings into 5 categories - bath & body, home, maternity, just for men, and aromatherapy. We still offer all the great products we always have but some of them have moved to the bath & body category rather than remaining in maternity. The reason for that is because we found there were a lot of people that used our products that weren't even pregnant! So, rest assured, if you want that amazing bellybalm you used during your pregnancy, it's still available; just under the name body balm and in the bath & body category.

When it comes to our new products, you'll love our lip balm and body wash, our aromatherapy products, and our fragrance and dye free laundry soap to name just a few! Really, you have to go to the site and check them all out for yourself. We're pretty sure you'll like what you see! To find the new site, go to www.emnaturals.com . You can still find us by typing in our former url www.eternalmaternal.com (you'll automatically be redirected to the new site), too. See you there!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Pregnancy-Safe Cocktails for the Holidays

So, you're pregnant, the holidays are fast approaching, and the thought of having another glass of water or soda while those around you are enjoying delicious elixers is enough to make you just want to stay at home. Don't despair! There really are lots of alternatives that will make you feel like you're still part of the party.

First, there are several varieties of sparkling juices available these days that are wonderful and, best of all, very affordable. Of course, we're familiar with sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice. Did you know you can also find sparkling pear and sparkling blueberry juices, too, though? The pear is really dreamy and the blueberry is my particular favorite. Think of all the wonderful antioxidants you'll be getting with that blueberry juice, too! Many of these can be found right in your local supermarket and generally for less than $5/bottle. That's a super deal for something that tastes so delicious!

Second, you can make your own beverages. It's as easy as mixing your favorite juice with a clear carbonated soda (7-Up or Sprite work well) or with soda water. I suggest using a frozen juice concentrate for this and just replacing the water you would normally mix with it with your carbonated beverage of choice. If you use juice that is already made up, mixing it with soda water or soda can tend to water down the juice and you'll lose the real flavor of the juice.

Third, if you're out at a restaurant and want a cocktail but don't want to order yet another virgin daquiri, tell your server/bartender what flavors you normally like and ask to have something non-alcoholic specially made for you. I got a great drink this way while I was pregnant with my second child. It was a combination of grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and soda water. It was delightful and I don't even like grapefruit juice! The key here is finding a bartender that really is experienced and creative.

And, don't forget good old gingerale. This is an often overlooked soda that is a real treat. We think of it mainly as something to calm an upset stomach but it really is a remarkably yummy soda.

Finally, and we think most importantly, don't let your inability to imbibe keep you from getting out there and celebrating with friends and family. There are lots of options and don't be afraid to bring your own beverage. We're sure no one will give it a second thought if you show up with a bottle of your favorite sparkling cider to enjoy. Whatever you choose this holiday season, though, we hope that your celebrations are full of joy.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Pregnant? Get Plastered the Safe and Easy Way!

The holidays are upon us - festive music plays 24 hours a day on local radio stations, children are busy making wish lists, and pregnant women everywhere have the opportunity to get plastered. OK, not with hot buttered rum or mulled wine but with our belly casting kit!

And, getting plastered is really easy! First, you have to have a buddy. This may be your spouse or partner, your sister, mom, or best friend. Whoever it is, remember that getting plastered is a two person job...at least!


Seriously, though, this holiday season why not put a belly casting kit on your wish list? This pregnancy of yours is wonderful and miraculous and fleeting. Capturing that magic with a bellycast is a real treat and a fun experience to share with someone special to you. Our kits offer everything you need to create a memory that will last a lifetime, including simple, easy-to-follow instructions for your buddy! Best of all, we're always just a phone call or email away. We'll be happy to answer any questions you or your buddy may have and help you understand the process further.


Once your cast is done, you can leave it 'raw' or choose to decorate it. Decorate to match the theme of the nursery or do a sports theme or pay homage to your heritage. Whatever you choose, let your imagination run wild, and you'll come up with all kinds of options.


So, whether you're looking for a unique gift to give this holiday season or are hoping to be on the receiving end, our belly cast kit is a gift that will be cherished by many for years to come!

Monday, November 23, 2009

MS or Epilepsy Doesn't Equate To Significantly Riskier Pregnancy

In a story published yesterday in The Oregonian, scientists at Stanford University have reported that pregnant women with epilepsy or MS do not have significantly riskier pregnancies than those who do not. While their studies did show that women with either disease experienced abnormal fetal growth rates, the percentage was less than 5% in each case and less than 2% more than women who did not have either disease.

This is great news for women who experience either disease and have been cautious about becoming pregnant because so. Epilepsy and MS are both neurological diseases for which there are no known cures. Both can be experienced at varying levels as well. While some may have very mild cases in which they rarely experience the effects of their disease, others experience symptoms that significantly affect their daily lives. Even in more mild cases, those with these diseases often take medicines to help control their disease, and this can be a cause for concern for a woman that is thinking about becoming pregnant. After scanning records of babies born in the US between 2003 and 2006, including thousands that were born to mothers with either epilepsy or MS, researchers concluded that, although women with either of these diseases should be monitored more closely during pregnancy, their diseases did not necessarily predispose them to experiencing a higher risk pregnancy.

On a personal note, I have a few family members with MS. Each experiences the disease in their own unique way but a common thread to anyone with the disease is that it can be exacerbated by stress. I've said it loads of times but, it bears repeating...if you're pregnant (and even if you're not!), take time for YOU! It doesn't have to be a whole day - although that would be nice - but make time for you. Whether it's reading a book or magazine for even just 15 minutes or treating yourself to some pampering time, "you" time can make a huge difference in how you feel mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Simple Tips for a Healthy Season

The season's have definitely been changing. Fall has set in with it's chillier mornings, cool winds and rain showers. But, it's not just fall and the upcoming winter season that we're all experiencing. We've also moved into cold and flu season.

Whether you're one that believes in the value of a flu shot this year or not, getting sick when you're pregnant is no fun. Not only do you feel miserable, you're limited as to what medications you can take and your baby could be at risk, too.

To help you stay healthy this season, here are some simple tips that you can put into practice right away.

1. Wash your hands! Frequent hand washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs. Pick up a travel size container of hand sanitizer to keep in your purse, diaper bag, or in the car, too. In the event that soap and water isn't available, you'll still be able to keep germ free!

2. Quit touching your face! You'd really be surprised how many times you touch your face each day. Since viruses have to enter your system through your mouth or nose, touching your face is an easy way to accidentally introduce them to your system. Unless you're eating or bathing, try to stick with a hands-off approach throughout the day.

3. Gargle with salt water. This is a simple and inexpensive yet very powerful preventive method. Viruses typically take a couple days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling twice a day can prevent this.

4. Cleanse your sinuses daily. This is the same concept as the gargling tip above but needs only to be done once a day. You can use a simple saline spray found at most drugstores or use a neti pot. If the thought of water up your nose is something you can't bear, simply blow your nose hard once a day and follow it up by swabbing both nostrils with a cotton swab dipped in warm salt water.

5. Get plenty of vitamin C. During fall and winter, it's easy to fall short of adequate vitamin C levels. Pick up some oranges or grapefruit at the store to boost your daily intake. Check with your doctor/pharmacist to determine if taking a vitamin C supplement is right for you, too. They come in a variety of forms from tablets to powders that can easily be added to tea or water.

6. Drink plenty of warm liquids. Just as gargling prevents proliferation of viruses in your throat, so does drinking warm liquids such as tea, coffee, broth, etc. The warm liquids wash proliferating viruses away and into the stomach where they cannot survive or do harm. Plus, it's a good excuse to take a few minutes for yourself while you sip away!

7. Get some sleep! Sleep is so critical to our health but an area that we often overlook. Be sure you're getting plenty so that your body is well rested and healthy.

8. Eat a healthy diet. We're all busy but steer clear of processed foods that provide little to no nutritional value. Keep healthy snacks such as dried fruits and whole grain crackers nearby and be sure to eat plenty of veggies, too.

9. Hydrate! Just because it's not 90 degrees outside doesn't mean that you don't have to keep properly hydrated. Continue to keep that water bottle close at hand.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

If You Just Need a Giggle...

The good folks over at Evian put together this video. It's only a minute long so take a second (ok, take 60 of them!) and watch. Babies on rollerskates will surely make you smile!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Are Group Prenatal Visits Right for You?

Read this great blog this afternoon. It seems that women going to prenatal visits in groups tend to have more positive pregnancies and even fewer premature births. They were even more likely to initiate breastfeeding!

This doesn't really surprise me given that women, in general, tend to be social creatures who find security in the friendships and relationships that a group can bring about. Having a shared bond sure doesn't hurt, either. Brings a whole new dimension to the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child!"

Read the whole article by clicking on the link below!

Pregnant mothers see benefits from group prenatal visits

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Planning Your Birth Day

Recently, I celebrated another birthday and, on my special day, I thought about how others may not think I actually did much "celebrating". For me, it was a bit of a lazy day. I did my "jobs" early in the day and then spent most of the rest of the morning and afternoon camped out in my bedroom. I had just put up new curtains the day before and had a renewed sense of relaxation in there, so that's where I parked myself. I watched a bit of TV, read a bit and even took an accidental nap (OK, I accidentally took TWO). It was a great day, and it turned out just as I wanted it to.

Like I said, though, others may not think so. There are others, I know, who would find my day wasteful and boring. No, I didn't have all my friends and family around. There were no cameras to memorialize the day. I didn't have a special outfit that I had to wear or have the place all decorated with balloons and manner of party gear. I didn't even have a strict plan for the day. My only "plan" was to just "be" and see where it took me.

Having a baby is rather similar. There are those women that plan on having their best friends, their mom, their sisters, aunts, mother-in-law, etc. all hanging out with them at the birth. There are others that approach their birth by picking out specific clothing, music, focal objects, etc. Some have extremely detailed birth plans and others have extremely flexible ones.

When it comes down to it, though, there really is no wrong way. We're all different, and what works for one may not work for another. What's important to remember is that it is perfectly OK if your approach to this momentous day is different than that of the people around you. No matter what your friends, family or a book may tell you that your birth day should be like, what you need, and how to prepare, the person who you really need to listen to is you!

Looking back at my three birth days, I see a definite trend. Sure, I had a grand plan for how my first birth would be. That all went out the window with the first real contraction, though. The common threads that I found were these...(1) I wanted only the one or two people that were closest to me to be with me (other than medical staff of course); (2) I wanted the room to be rather relaxed and quiet; and (3) I really went into each day with a "let's see what happens and go from there" attitude. Seems funny yet almost predictable then that, when recently celebrating my own birth, the same common themes were present.

So, how will you celebrate your birth day? However you do, remember that it's about you - not your friends, family, or the latest pregnancy book - and what your choices are. Whatever they may be, everyone at Eternal Maternal wishes you a very happy day!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Where Have We Been?

It's been awhile since the last blog post here, and I just wanted to assure everyone that we haven't disappeared or forgotten. There have been lots of exciting things happening at Eternal Maternal, and we've just been rather busy. OK, that's an understatement. We've been VERY busy! So, what can you expect from all this busy-ness? Well...

Our baby name blogs will continue (a new one will follow shortly); however, due to some scheduling conflicts, it will no longer be a Tuesday-only blog. In the future, just look for a baby name blog to appear on a weekly basis but not on any one specific day.

In the next week or so, be sure to check out our Coming Soon page on our website. We've been working on some new items that we think you'll really like!

And, finally, we very excited to begin working with two extraordinary women. It's a little too soon for introductions, but these ladies will soon begin helping me bring Eternal Maternal products into more and more homes. They're both awesome, and I'm lucky to have the opportunity to work with them.

So, keep your eyes open for the next baby name blog. As we move through the alphabet, our next letter is L, and we've got some great names to share with you!

L is for...

labor and Lamaze and lactation consultant and for Liberty and Linton.



Recently I was able to reconnect with some old friends via Facebook. They have two wonderful children, their daughter being named Liberty. Although Liberty and I have never met, it's my understanding that she generally goes by Libby with her friends, and that's an L name that I've always been fond of, too.



What comes as no surprise is that Liberty is derived from the Latin word libertas, which is a derivative of liber meaning "free". What is surprising, though, is that, since 1880, the name Liberty has charted on American popularity lists three times - the first in 1918 (after World War I), the second in 1976 (the American bicentennial), and the third after 2001 (after the war on terrorism started). Regardless of time period, though, Liberty is a name that is feminine, patriotic, and virtuous all rolled up together. We think it's a fabulous name for our friends' daughter (who happens to be turning 13 - Happy Birthday Liberty!) and for your daughter, too!



Our boy's name today is Linton. Linton is an English name that means "from the flax settlement". While you may not live on a flax settlement (we didn't even know there was such a thing!), Linton is a name that is traditional and grounded. Many people have said that the name reminds them of someone who is a scholar or book lover. So, if your nursery already has bookshelves bursting at the seams and baby hasn't even arrived yet, this just might be the name for your budding bookworm!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

K is for...

kringing (yes, I know that it's actually spelled with a "c") when you wake up in the middle of the night and realize that, even though you wrote the Baby Name Tuesday blog, you forgot to upload it on Tuesday! Grr... Sorry for the delay, folks; here's your K names!

K is for kegel exercises and vitamin K (baby will get an injection of it at birth to enhance the clotting ability of baby's blood) and, today, it's also for Koren and Kenneth.

Koren is a name that can actually be used as a girl's or boy's name but I chose it today because it feels like a nice mix of the traditional and modern. As a girl's name, the first connection I make with Koren is traditional as it reminds me of the name Karen, which means "pure" in Hebrew. However, it also reminds me of the name Corrie, which is Irish and means "hollow". While it may seem likely that Koren is just a name that was made up by combining the two more traditional names, it's actually a Hebrew name meaning "shining" or "gleaming". What a great name for a child that will no doubt cause your eyes to shine when you look upon her! You can also play around with the spelling of the name, too, if you like, changing the "e" to an "i" or "y".

Our boy's name today stuck with tradition. Kenneth has long been a favorite boy's name of mine and not just because he was my Barbie's main squeeze. I like the simplicity of it and that it's a name that can be transformed to sound formal (Kenneth), playful (Kenny), or like the guy that everyone is friends with (Ken). The name is Scottish and means "handsome" or "good-looking". Your little man will surely be the best looking boy on the block, so why not give him a name that means it, too? With all the variations, too, he'll have a name that suits him no matter the occasion!

Monday, June 29, 2009

J is for...

joints (they're relaxing), job sharing (have you considered it?), and journaling (believe me, you'll be glad you did this!). It's a special edition of Baby Name Tuesday on Belly Notes today. Yes, we know it's Thursday but, on Tuesday, our computer wouldn't power up for some unexplainable reason and we just got it fixed. So, without further ado, today our names are Jane and Jackson.

While Jane may seem like a, well, plain name, there is much beauty in its classic simplicity. It is of Hebrew origin and means "the Lord is gracious". Jane, like Jean and Joan, originated as a feminine form of the name John; however Jane has been the most popular of the three forms.

History has given us many Jane's, from Lady Jane Grey (Queen of England 1537-1554) to novelist Jane Austin to scientist Jane Goodall to actress and activist Jane Fonda. Although it is one of the most common first names in British usage, in the US it is more often used as a middle name. It's popularity as a first name has grown steadily over the years, though, and we think it's a gem of a name.

When it comes to our boy's name for today, I've never been a fan of giving a child a name that seven other children in their 1st grade class are also going to have. Admittedly, Jackson (or Jack) has gotten some pretty wide useage in the last several years, but I don't think that this name quite falls into the "overused" category yet (at least not in the area of the country where I live). For me it has always been a strong, down-to-earth, traditional name.

Since Jackson is an Old English name meaning "son of Jack", we'll look to the name Jack for our meaning. Like Jane, Jack is a variant of the name John so, therefore, is also of Hebrew origin and also means "the Lord is gracious". Again, like Jane, history has given us many famous Jack's from painter Jackson Pollack to singer/songwriter Jackson Browne to heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey And, who can forget the famous Captain Jack Sparrow? Whether your son turns out to be a lover, a fighter, or a pirate, though, we're sure he'll carry on the strong tradition of the name.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

I is for...

induced labor, in vitro fertilization and iron (are you getting enough?). It's Baby Name Tuesday, and today I is for Iris and Isaac.

Of course, we all know that Iris is a flower name, but its actual origin comes from Greece and means "rainbow". Iris was a messenger goddess in Greek mythology who traveled by rainbows between heaven and earth to deliver messages from Olympus, thus the correlation between the name and the meaning. Rainbows are often seen as symbol of hope, too, making this a delightful name for the little girl that you may have been hoping for. If you connect the name more with the flower, though, think of planting some iris in honor of your little girl. They are easy to maintain, spread quickly, and will be a beautiful addition to your garden just as your daughter is a beautiful addition to your family.

Isaac is our boy's name for today and is a name of Hebrew descent. It means "laughter" and is a great name for the baby boy that will bring such joy to your life. Historically, Isaac is a well known figure in the Bible and is also considered a prophet in Islam, not to mention the famous Isaac's that have helped mold our modern times, such as Isaac Asimov and Isaac Newton. No doubt, your son will leave a mark in the history books, too, even if it's just as a son that brought laughter and joy to the lives of his parents.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

H is for...

...heartburn, hiccups (baby and I both got them daily with pregnancy #1), and heightened sense of smell! It's Baby Name Tuesday and our names for today are Halima and Henry

Halima is a name of Arabic descent and means "patient". My youngest son has a friend in his class named Halima and, although I had rarely heard the name before, I find it beautiful and, of course, befitting our young friend. Often when those of us living in the western world think of something as being Arabic in nature, we tend to connect that thing to Islam as well. Whether this is always true or not is a topic for an entirely different place, however, in the case of Halima, she figures prominently in the Islamic world. Halimah bint Abdullah was the wet nurse to Mohammed, nursing him as a baby since his mother had died. In pre-Islamic times, the name is most famously connected with a 6th century warrior princess. Now, your lovely girl may or may not turn out to be a warrior, but we're sure that, either way, she'll be a princess.

If, on the other hand, you're expecting a prince, Henry is a wonderfully classic, traditional name that has recently grown in popularity. Henry is ultimately of Germanic descent. It is the anglicised version of the German name Heimrich and means "home ruler". I'm not so sure about being a home ruler, but, as a mom with boys, I'll tell you that mine at least all rule my heart. The name has been popular throughout history with many kings of Britain, France and Germany carrying the name. St. Henry, a Holy Roman Emperor, was the only German king ever to be canonized by the Roman Catholic church and is best known for his encouragement of missionary work. Your son may not ever stray far from home, but we think Henry is an excellent choice for anyone's little king.

Friday, June 5, 2009

High Praise For Our Plaster Gauze!

My middle son broke his arm a little over a week ago. It's the first broken bone we've had in our family that has required casting (we've done the broken nose and broken tailbone, but it's rather hard to cast those!). Of course, it had to happen at home and, thankfully, my husband had just gotten home when it happened. I have the patience of Job and can remain eerily calm in the face of illness and high fevers lasting for days, but I don't do injuries well. Fortunately, it wasn't a bad break (are there any good ones, though?) and the little soldier only cried for about a half a minute and then said it just felt like a bad bruise.

So, we took a trip to the emergency room where, after much debate, the orthopedic surgeon on call decided to cast it right away. For those with no "broken bones requiring a cast" experience, apparently they like to splint these for a few days first to allow any swelling to go down. We got a cast, though, and a plaster one at that rather than the slick fiberglass ones you see so often now. I have to admit that I was a little excited to see the plaster be brought out because they use the same brand that we use in our belly casting kits! I said something about it out loud and one of the nurses asked what I did with it. I explained our belly casting kits, and she remarked that this particular plaster is the only plaster gauze they use because it's such a high quality product.

Fast forward a week when we went to our first follow up visit with the doctor. Everything looks good so far although he's looking at being in a cast for pretty much the whole summer which is a complete bummer. The doctor sent us to the casting room where my son was going to have a little extra done on the cast. Once again, the plaster gauze brought out was the same brand we use in our belly casting kits. Again, I remarked about this to our son, and the tech that was helping us asked what I did. When I told him, he told me about how it's the best plaster he's ever worked with and, as far as plaster gauze goes, he wouldn't want to use anything else on patients.

Since you probably aren't out there shopping for plaster gauze on a regular basis, I'll tell you that there are several different kinds on the market. For our kits, we tried everything out there and, just like the casting room tech said, we wouldn't want to use anything else for our customers, either. You might think that plaster gauze is plaster gauze, right? It's just cotton gauze with plaster in it, right? Well, yes; but no.

Some gauzes are very thin and flimsy, which results in a less than sturdy cast. Some have hardly any plaster in them, which, once again, results in a less that perfect cast. The plaster we use, though, is tightly woven and FULL of plaster that results in a creamy, smooth finish. Also, more plaster within the gauze means that the multiple layers in a belly cast will stick together nicely, leaving you with a sturdy cast that will last for years.

For sure, if my son had to break his arm, I wish it didn't have to be right at the beginning of summer. However, hearing such fantastic endorsements from hospital staff and someone who spends everyday working with casting materials really started my summer on a great note. At Eternal Maternal, we strive to provide our customers with the very best products. We've always said that we only sell items that we'd use on our own family (and we really DO use them on our own family!), I just never thought that part of our belly casting kit would be used on one of my sons!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

G is for...

gestation and glucose testing and, on Baby Name Tuesday, it's for Gabriella and Gustavo. These names come directly from my own extended family and belong to my sweet niece and nephew.

Although I was always under the impression that Gabriella was from some kind of Italian descent, it is actually the feminine form of the Hebrew name Gabriel that means "God gives strength". In the case of our little Gabby, she certainly has shown that she is at least strong willed! The name has consistently grown in popularity over the last 10-15 years and continues to give a strong showing. And, although initially one would think that Gabby may be the only nickname to be given to a Gabriella, shortened versions such as Ella, Brie, Brielle, and Gella are always unique alternatives.

Gustavo is both an Italian and Spanish variant of the name Gustave, a Scandinavian name meaning "royal staff" or "staff of the gods". In Scandinavia it is a royal name with many kings of Sweden bearing the name. The name also has a Germanic variant, Gustav. Although my research didn't produce much else regarding the name and it's meanings, I did find several comments regarding the name. It may not be a wildly popular name in this country, but everyone seems to love it. One of my favorite comments was "It has the same cool, old fashioned ring like Sam and Max, but not totally overused."

Sunday, May 24, 2009

F is for...

...feedings and formula and fussiness, but we hope that picking a name for your new baby is not much of a fuss. We're a day late with Baby Name Tuesday this week as the holiday weekend has me all screwed up on which day is which this week. In any case, today's letter is F, and our names for today are Faith and Finn.

Faith finds its origins in Middle English and means "loyalty" and "belief". It is what is commonly referred to as a "virtue name". Virtue names originated with the Puritans and included popular names like Grace and Hope, but also included less popular names such as Fear or Disobedience. Imagine having to grow up with a name like that! We think that Faith is a beautiful name, though. Perhaps you had difficulty conceiving but strongly believed that you were destined to be blessed with a child? In that case, Faith may just be the right name for your sweet miracle.

Finn is of Irish, Gaelic and Old German origins and means "fair" or "from Finland"; just the perfect name if you're looking to honor your Finnish ancestory! In Irish history, Finn MacCumhail was a legendary third century hero that could be compared to the English Robin Hood. His warrior followers were called Finnians. Whether your little guy turns out to be a legendary hero or not, we're sure that the name Finn will serve him well.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

E is for...

E is for expecting and, of course, epidural, something I was pleased as punch to get on more than one occasion despite my complete fear of needles! It's Baby Name Tuesday, though, so today E is for Evangeline and Erik.

I have to be honest, I had never even come across the name Evangeline until LOST started a few years ago. Evangeline Lilly who plays Kate is a beautiful woman and she's got an equally beautiful name. Evangeline is a Greek name that means "bearer of good news". What better name for your angel baby?! And, if Evangeline turns out to be too much of mouthful later on, shortened versions like Eva, Angel, and Angeline are always at your fingertips.

Our boy's name for today is Erik. The name can, of course, be spelled with a "c" instead of a "k", but I like the "k". Maybe that's just the nonconformist in me, though. Erik is a Norse name which means "peaceful ruler". It's a strong, classic, and even playful name for a little boy that carries well into adulthood. I like Erik for it's traditionalness (I just made up that word) but also because it doesn't seem to be a name that gets overused much.

So, there are your names for today! If you haven't noticed by now, we're heading through the alphabet with our next step at F. Do you have a name that you'd like to see featured on an upcoming installment of Baby Name Tuesday? If so, let us know!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The One Flaw in Women

Once again, I'm passing along an email that I recently received. This one comes from my dear friend Debbie. Debbie is an amazing (and I do mean A-MA-ZING) mom of two beautiful boys, one of whom is my youngest son's best friend. Nearly a year ago, though, Debbie and her family moved back to California from Washington. I miss her terribly (good girlfriends are hard to find) and my son, of course, misses his buddy.

Anyway, Debbie sent me this email today and I find it to be 100% true. Read it to the end. It's a great reminder.


Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.


I can't tell you how true this is. We, as women and mothers, are generally first to point out the extreme worth in others but often find ourselves questioning our own. If you're one of those women today, chin up, sister! We all have days when the fatigue gets us down; when the heaviness of a burden (or that growing belly!) just wipes us out. When that happens, I encourage you to breathe. Sounds silly, but do it. Close your eyes and just breathe. Quiet yourself, look inward, and know that you are more precious than any commodity on this earth.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

D is for...

D is for diapers and doulas and, on Baby Name Tuesday, it's also for Dinah and Daniel!

Dinah is actually a Hebrew name that can be found in the Bible. Dinah was the only daughter of Jacob and Leah, and the name means "God has judged". Dinah was most popular in the 1950's, although I've always loved the name. It is simple without being plain; classic without feeling terribly out of date.

Now, before I get to Daniel, let me just say that, when I choose names for Baby Name Tuesday, it is completely random. I just choose a couple names that I like and then set out to do the research on them. What I found today when I really began researching startled me little. I swear I just picked these names out of the air! Someone in the "air" must be telling me something, though!

Daniel is also a Hebrew name that is found in the Bible. It's meaning is "God is my judge." It has been a popular name for boys for centuries, with many famous Daniel's floating around in history, yet it still doesn't seem to be overused. Like Dinah, it was very popular in the 1950's but hasn't been used as often since. From baby Daniel to boyhood Danny to grownup Dan, the name Daniel is just full of potential!

So, finally, with all this judging going on, let me just add that, if you choose either of these names for your new addition, you'll have a little one with one terrific name to last a lifetime. And, I'll be the judge of that! ;)