Two Month Daybook
Update: It’s been almost a month since I started writing this post. Maybe this week
I am thankful…
If you follow me over on Instagram, you might have read about our scare last month. Our little baby girl had an ALTE (Apparent Life Threatening Event) on August 4th/5th and we ended up spending most of the night in the Emergency Room.
She had fallen asleep and was in her basket out in the living room. It was around 11:30pm and we had just finished watching an episode of a show on Netflix and I left to go brush my teeth. She was sleeping very quietly, which isn’t very common for her, so I went out to check on her and bring her back to our room. I picked her up (in the dark) and she felt very limp, as I was carrying her down the hallway I couldn’t tell if she was breathing so I flipped the light on and could see that she wasn’t. I yelled for Sean as I brought her to our bed trying to get her to breathe. She was turning purple. Lifting her arms, patting her back, etc, nothing was working to help her stop choking. I grabbed the syringe and Sean started using it to suction out her throat. After about 4-5 attempts we finally got her breathing. It felt like forever, but was probably right around a minute. I lost a nephew of mine to SIDS and kept thinking that was what was happening… It was terrifying.
After talking to an on-call nurse, we took her to the hospital so they could check for aspiration. The ER doctor thought that this “ALTE” (I had never heard the term before this ER visit) was most likely due to her reflux. I’m still not 100% convinced that it was only the reflux, and I think it had more to do with sleep apnea and irregular breathing when she finally falls asleep, which I’ve noticed since she was born, mixed with the reflux… We had put her on reflux meds the week before last and I think they were making her sleep even deeper when she’d finally fall asleep. I took her off them following the ER. Her pediatrician agreed that it was best to take her off of them, since we didn’t notice much of a difference – she has bad days and good days with or without them. They all said it “shouldn’t” happen again. I really hope and pray it doesn’t.
I am thinking…
When she was discharged, I told them she’d be seeing her doctor that upcoming week so they didn’t schedule a follow up… I thought she had her two month checkup on the morning of the 10th, but when we got to the pediatrician’s I found out that it was scheduled for the 15th and her doctor wasn’t even in the office. I’ve been too exhausted to even read my planner correctly! I broke down in tears. His nurse had me bring her back anyway and checked weight, lungs, etc. she promised to call the doctor and see if he wanted to wait until next week to see her, or have us come back the next day, and then let me use the room to feed the baby before heading to our next appointment. Before we had a chance to leave the pediatrician walked in! The nurse had sent him a text message and he came right down. It was so reassuring to talk to him, go over everything, and get his opinion on what most likely happened. Had we seen him that previous Saturday, he would have admitted her for a couple days of observation and monitoring, mainly to make sure she wasn’t coming down with something that caused this to happen, but we’ve been doing that at home and so far she hasn’t had any repeats.
Learning all the time…
The little ones completed two weeks of swimming lessons from August 14th to 14th. It’s Myrna’s 60-something year of teaching! She has been such a blessing to our family. #MyrnasSwimmingStars
on the feast of St. Clare: On my way home from work this evening I ran into the bakery at the local market and picked up some eclairs… We have a nameday to celebrate after our family rosary this evening! {I ran across a recipe for an AIP version that I could enjoy too, but I didn’t have the time or energy to bake them this week. Maybe for the feast of St. Therese!}
From the kitchen…
baking competitions inspired by The Great British Baking Show!
I am working…
Cinnamon & Raisin Porridge for breakfast, garnished with additional raisins and toasted coconut flakes! {I’ve been doing my best to keep up at work, despite the challenging baby, but things at home have been extra hard, especially trying to prep foods for my special Autoimmune Protocol diet… Thursday evening, before the baby and I left the office to come home, I was given a summer bonus: 8 HOURS of paid help at home on Friday! Grocery shopping, lots of food prep, and even organizing the girls’ rooms to finally make room for baby things all got done!}
I am creating…
plans for the new school year.
I am going…
August 3rd: I wasn’t the only one who had an appointment with my chiropractor this morning! She loved her first (very gentle) adjustment! I’m hoping it helps her feel a little better and she’ll start letting us lay her down occasionally.
August 15th: Stop at office, 9:00 p/u birth certificate at county offices (nurse baby), 10:00 2-Month Checkup with Pediatrician (nurse baby), 11:00 postpartum with my OB (nurse baby), pick up case of peaches at the farm across from the church, 12:00 Mass (nurse baby), 1:00 appointment with my chiropractor, and now we are at the hospital for a redo on the X-rays of my lower back/tailbone since last week’s didn’t turn out… Trying to decide whether to wake her up and feed her again, or just pray she stays asleep until after they call me back and take the X-rays?! I should have brought along a helper, but they are all at swimming lessons with the rest of our little ones. Trying to squeeze it all in before the new school year starts!
that I continue to heal and won’t need to continue going to the chiropractor/physical therapist. My X-rays resulted in both good and bad news.
Good news was that the baby (either during the last few months of my pregnancy or at birth or both) “pushed” my tailbone back into the “perfect” position, and somehow (most likely from all the Relaxin in my body from the pregnancy) it didn’t re-break during delivery! It has been so sore the last few months, felt badly bruised, but not nearly as bad as when it broke and it’s all healed now and in perfect alignment. My husband said that someday this baby will be “patron of tailbone injuries!” 😉
Bad news is I have to wear a brace for the next two months for my SI Joints. They are (specifically a gap on the left side) what has been causing my instability. (I fell at the office last month, and have almost fallen a few other times). At least I have an answer and reason for having trouble walking and standing and we have a plan to correct the issue!
I am praying…
I am reading…
We’ve been continuing Primary Arts of Language over the summer and they were excited when they realized they could read Faith and Freedom’s Here We Come.
July 31st: She was so excited to spend some time reading aloud to the baby and I this afternoon while the inflatable kiddie pool filled with water 💙
Pondering these words…
from St. Rose of Lima:
it is impossible to reach the height of Grace.
The gift of Grace increases as the struggle increases.”
to my little ones reading aloud!
Around the house…
One of my favorite things…
seeing the older boys holding their new baby sister. They love her so much! We all do!
A little peek at my day…
Back to School Giveaway :: Ave Maria
To celebrate the upcoming school year, I’m hosting a giveaway each Friday until Labor Day featuring educational products and books. Today’s giveaway is sponsored by De Montfort Music!
Press Release:
On the heels of having several #1 Billboard Classical Traditional albums, De Montfort Music teamed up with sister label AimHigher Recordings and Sony Classical in the recording of the angelic music of Ave Maria by The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School. The album will be released on September 8, 2017. It is available for preorder now. This will be the second international release for the Choir School- who topped the Billboard classical charts, and became a media favorite with their 2014 release Christmas in Harvard Square. They have been featured on CBS This Morning, NPR, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, WGBH, Boston Globe and even had their own PBS Special. Having recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, Saint Paul’s Choir School in Cambridge, Massachusetts strives to engage young men in the development of their intellectual and musical talents. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, the school has had a large presence and impact within the Harvard community. The school seeks to develop the diverse musical talents of each boy so that he may use his musical gifts serving the community at large by the performance of master works of choral literature.
Founded in 1963 by Dr. Theodore Marier, an internationally acclaimed choral scholar, Saint Paul’s Choir School is the premiere musically intensive boy choir school, which educates choristers in grades 4 through 8 in the United States. The Choir School seeks to embrace the great cathedral school tradition as it unites a rigorous musical and academic curriculum preparing each student to grow and flourish in a dynamic and changing world.
Having performed frequently with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with many notable conductors including Itzhak Perlman, and having performed on the road from Carnegie Hall to St. Peter’s Square at a papal audience for Pope Francis to Red Sox and Celtics games, the boys of St. Paul’s Choir School have covered much diverse and musically challenging territory.
Saint Paul’s Choir School —identifies and accepts boys from the greater Boston area as well as the entire United States, who are musically talented and academically qualified. Students are offered an intensive musical training and a rigorous academic program.
The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School are at an apex of greatness under the musical direction of Mr. John Robinson, who hails from the UK and came up in the boys choir schools in Cambridge, UK. The community is led by Fr. William Kelly, himself once a choirboy student at St. Paul’s.
Ave Maria will be released on AimHigher Recordings through their international distribution collaboration with Sony Classical. The creative forces behind the album include multiple Grammy Award-winning Producer Christopher Alder, and Brad Michel, also a Grammy Award-winner. Choirmaster John Robinson masterfully directed the presentation of the repertoire. Bursting with the transcendent sounds of this choir of boys and men coupled with the glorious acoustic of St. Paul’s in Harvard Square, every selection on Ave Maria tells a story. Each beautiful and interesting choral work has its own history. Perhaps none more significant than that of the inspiration for Palestrina’s Missa Pappae Marcelli or of the extraordinary depiction of the Magi from the East in ‘Reges Tharsis,’ on to the vivid and dramatic use of harmony in Bruckner’s ‘Virga Jesse floruit.’ One thing is clear, this beautiful music has a stream of inspiration running clearly throughout. Dvorak and Rachmaninoff are such well-known names, however Rachmaninoff himself called ‘Bogoroditse Dyevo’ a favorite of his own works.
De Montfort Music has generously offered to send FIVE of my visitors here at Shower of Roses a copy of this brand new CD!
End of School Interviews 2016-2017
(revised with blog nicknames as usual)
She really loved Following Narnia from IEW for writing and it inspired her to ask for a Chronicles of Narnia themed birthday party. The U. S. Elections Lap Book and White House Cookie Kit were perfect for the election year and inauguration day!
Solar Eclipse
The heavens proclaim His righteousness;
and all the peoples behold His glory.
– Psalm 97:6
Back to School Giveaway :: Catholic Teen Books
To celebrate the upcoming school year, I’m hosting a giveaway each Friday for the rest of August featuring educational products and books. Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Catholic Teen Books!
Catholic Teen Books is a lay organization of authors committed to the writing and promotion of exciting novels for Catholic teens, in the hope of counteracting the anti-God culture that permeates society today and leaves young adults with very few wholesome literature choices.
Every book on their site is either written by a Catholic, has a Catholic publisher, or contains Catholic characters or a Catholic message. Every book featured reflects the beauty of the Catholic faith and in some way raises the heart and mind to God, instead of dragging souls downward. Read more here…
Bargain Priced Books :: Manners in God’s House
While I was putting together my book sale post for this year I ran across another bargain priced book over at Amazon and finally have a minute to share the link with you all! According to Amazon, once upon a time we paid $26.95 for our copy of this sweet book: Manners in God’s House: First Prayers and First Missal… That was back when it was published by Neumann Press before it was acquired by TAN Books. Right now it’s only $11.54 over at Amazon!!!
Manners in God’s House is a combined edition of three books, originally issued in 1950, includes:
- Let’s Pray: First Prayers for Little Catholics: provides phrase by phrase, in-depth explanations of the Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, and more, encouraging young readers to connect deeply with these universal prayers.
- Good Manners in God’s House: uses beautiful full-color pictures to show how to act in church, from the moment you enter and cross yourself with holy water until you pray thanksgiving after Mass. It also teaches children interior prayer and meditation, to bring their soul closer to God before Mass.
- My Little Missal in Pictures: illustrates each stage of the Mass; its captions help children appreciate the meaning of each part of the Mass, from start to finish. Its attention-grabbing comparisons between the Mass and the Scripture provide inspiration for even your smallest missal-carrier.
I usually just pull it off the shelf and read it to our little ones, but every once in awhile I will incorporate it into a lesson as pictured in our Blessed Trinity Shamrock “Glory Be” Prayer Poster Catechism Craft. It is such a sweet book and I love all the illustrations!
Our 2017 Used Book Sale
It’s time for the 7th Annual Curriculum Sale Blog Hop!
You can find all the details, browse books for sale on other blogs, or add a link to your own post here.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the items in this post, please leave a comment listing the books you would like, along with your email address. (The email address box is part of the comment form here at Shower of Roses and it won’t be displayed publicly.) I will send you a private email with your total, including shipping, along with my Paypal address to send payment. I will also accept payment in the form of Amazon e-gift cards for those who do not use Paypal.
To keep it as simple as possible, I have decided to once again charge a flat rate to help cover the cost of packaging, media mail postage, and any Paypal fees. This year it will be $5 for 1-3 items and $7.00 for 4+ items.
Please only request items that you intend to purchase and are able to submit payment for promptly. Comments are moderated, but I will do my best to approve/publish them as quickly as possible and update the post with “sales pending.” If multiple visitors request the same book it will be sold to the first request. Thank you!
Note: Most links are affiliate links.
Prentice Hall Chemistry, wear to cover, some creases to pages, Asking $15.00Saxon Algebra 2, 2nd Edition, Hardcover, wear to cover, Asking $15.00 (sold)
First Form Latin – Workbook and First Form Latin – Quizzes & Tests, Asking $10.00 (sold)
Latina Christiana I Set (Teacher Manual, Student Book and DVDs), missing flashcards, first seven lessons completed in student book, Asking $35.00
The Book of Roots, first few pages completed in pencil, otherwise new, Asking $8.00 (sold)
The Winston Grammar Program: Basic Level Teacher’s Manual, Student Workbook, Supplemental Workbook, Supplemental Workbook Answer Key, Word Works Teacher’s Manual, Word Works Student Workbook, Basic Level Card Set – all in very good condition, Asking $30.00 (sold)
How Do Apples Grow, Asking $0.50 (sold)
Sunlights, Skyscrapers, and Soda Pop: The Wherever-You-Look-Science-Book, Asking $6.00
My First Look at Touch, Asking $0.50
OLVS Grade 4 Lesson Plans, Asking $25.00
Hope and a Whole Lotta Prayer, Asking $3.00
A Brief Catechism for Adults, Asking $4.00
The Catechism Explained, Hardcover, Asking $15.00 (sold)
Shorter Christian Prayer, Large Type Edition, Asking $5.00David of Jerusalem by Louis de Wohl, Asking $10.00 (sold)Works of love are Works of Peace, Asking $5.00 (sold)
I Believe in Love, Asking $7.00
Adoration: Favorite Eucharistic Hymns Sung by the Daughters of St. Paul, new, Asking $10.00
A Gift from St. Nicholas, Asking $3.00 (sale pending)
Mortimer’s Christmas (The top corner of many of the inside pages is torn off…), Asking $1.00Nicholas (DVD), New/duplicate, Asking $8.00 (sale pending)
7th Annual Curriculum Sale Blog Hop
Create a blog post with your gently used curriculum (and any other books/items) that you’d like to sell or pass on to another family, with pictures if possible.
Please add a link to your post, referring back to this post, so that others can find the link up. Using the linky below, enter the direct link to your post.
If you don’t have a blog, CathSwap and Catholic Garage are great options for selling your used curriculum as well!
Out of consideration for everyone participating in the Curriculum Sale Blog Hop, please only request items that you intend to purchase and are able to submit payment for promptly, preferably within 24 hours, unless prior arrangements have been made with the person selling the books.
Sellers please update your posts with “sale pending” or “sold” when possible, and be sure to include your payment and shipping terms.
Purchasers, if you request books from a seller, please respond to their confirmation email within a reasonable amount of time. If the seller doesn’t hear back from you within 24 hours they may decide to remove the “sale pending” and make the books you requested available to others. Shower of Roses is simply hosting this link-up and not responsible for any transactions that are agreed upon between sellers and purchasers outside of this blog.
The link-up will remain open from August 4-14, 2017, so be sure to check back for new links! I’ve added a button to the side of the blog which will be there for the duration of the link-up so this post can be found easily.
Note: I haven’t had much time to go through our books yet. I’m hoping to put together my post later this afternoon. Also, the cost for the link up that allows pictures costs ten times more this year for a one month subscription so I’ve opted to just use the free text links instead.
Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials
Wow! The last few months have been such a rollercoaster of emotions for our family, with the death of my dear father-in-law and the birth of our beautiful little “Grace”… I can’t believe it is already August!
The 7th annual blog hop I host here at Shower of Roses is a great place to sell your used books and it’s coming up this Friday. Get your blog posts ready to link up!
It’s time for another quarterly update on all my amazing sponsors here at Shower of Roses. I have a couple new advertisers to introduce you to this quarter, a couple new affiliates, as well as some also great coupon codes to share – including one for a free Erie Canal project!
Please welcome my new sponsors:
Catholic Teen Books is a lay organization of authors committed to the writing and promotion of exciting novels for Catholic teens, in the hope of counteracting the anti-God culture that permeates society today and leaves young adults with very few wholesome literature choices.
Every book on this site is either written by a Catholic, has a Catholic publisher, or contains Catholic characters or a Catholic message. Every book featured reflects the beauty of the Catholic faith and in some way raises the heart and mind to God, instead of dragging souls downward.
Some of the books we have read and enjoyed include A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman and the saint novels by author Susan Peek. We look forward to checking out more of the titles!
Visit Catholic Teen Books often for new authors, books, and more. Be sure to check back here later this month or next for a Back-to-School giveaway!
Hair Bows 4 Life was founded May 2009 in Honor of Our Blessed Mother. Maria Cecilia Escobedo, a Cuban American home-school mother of 9 children, 4 as little saints, started to make hair-bows for her girls. She was inspired to make and sell these bows to families that will enjoy seeing them on God ” Precious” daughters.
Being a Christ center company, we are aiming to use our bows to raise awareness and support for the unborn and sanctity of human life by giving back at least 10% of each sale into the Pro-life community! Giving mothers of all stages of life, background, and faith a chance to support their child in this world.
Browse through the great selection of Saint Bows, Feast Days & Holidays, Group Bows, Flowers, Baptismal Bow, Pro-Life Bows, Bows & Book Sets, First Holy Communion Bow, Blessed Mother Bows, Boy Bow Ties, and more!
Introducing my new affiliates:
I have been a fan of IEW for years! We have happily used Phonetic Zoo, Student Writing Intensive, the continuation courses (A, B, and C), The Elegant Essay, Speech Boot Camp, Teaching the Classics, Windows to the World, Fix It! Grammar, Primary Arts of Language: Reading and Writing and more.
I’m excited that they finally have an affiliate program and hope to go back through the blog and update links. In the meantime, you can find our affiliate link here in this post and over in the sidebar listed with the rest of our affiliate accounts.
Prayer Pillowcases
… more than just a pretty place to lay your head! They’re a unique way to bring Catholic art and prayer into your home. And a practical way to share the Faith with your family and friends. Our distinctive line combines original art and favorite Catholic prayers that appeal to all ages and transform pillows from the ordinary to the divine! Honor a special occasion or make any occasion special with the gift of a joyful, lasting (and personalizable) Prayer Pillowcase. We’re always working on new designs and hope you’ll visit again soon to see even more ways to help your loved ones begin and each day with a prayerful heart.
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| St. Philomena Feast Day: August 11th |
“Our goal is to help you find the finest resources to help you nurture the faith of your Catholic child and strengthen him or her for the challenges of the journey ahead. Each one of the hundreds of items you find here has been chosen by us with care, reviewed for faith and quality, and has been child and parent approved. When you buy from Catholic Child Catalog you are supporting an independently owned, personally run business that remains committed to searching out products to guide, inspire and delight the young Catholics in your life.”
American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program (CLSP)
As you plan your school year, let American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program help you bring a new twist to celebrating the saints’ feast days. We offer a growing library of lessons on the lives of heroic saints who lived out the gospel of life in a profound way. Pro-life themes are woven throughout each lesson. Even better, most lessons take less than an hour to complete and come with fun bonuses like crossword puzzles, craft ideas, and coloring pages!
An international community of young priests known as The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, or “The Fraternity” as they have lovingly been referred to, includes some of today’s most skilled and committed singers of Gregorian chant. The community has been preparing to present ancient melodies anew, on the album Requiem, to be released on May 12, 2017 through their new international collaboration with De Montfort Music/Sony Classical…
Gail’s Designs has been creating unique, elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries since 2009. Gail has been an artist for most of her life and is grateful for her faith and being able to make elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries for people of the Catholic faith.
“Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls’ Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys’ Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up.”
The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is to help Catholic parents raise children who know and love Christ and his Church. We do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. All of our products are made for Catholic parents—either to use themselves, or to hand to their kids.
“We recently released I Can Be Happy, Too, a children’s picture book that ties self-control and emotions awareness into Scripture…as well as Blessed Is the Fruit of Thy Womb: Rosary Meditations for Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss–a title that has been very well received, and clearly fills a real need.” … More new products coming soon!
a 45-day return policy, and secure payment via Amazon,
credit card, Paypal, or check.
Kolbe Academy
“Kolbe Academy was founded in 1980 by three families who experienced first-hand the rapid decline of the public school system and who were looking for a wholesome, academically challenging educational environment. The founders anticipated the need to form young Catholic citizens who could effectively defend their Faith through a thorough understanding of doctrine and regular reception of the Sacraments. They also foresaw the growing need for better, more individualized and intensive instruction in basic education. Kolbe Academy Home School became an outgrowth of the day school in 1993 when parents who lived too far away to commute asked for our help with home schooling their children. Recently Kolbe Academy merged with Trinity Grammar and Prep to become Kolbe Academy/Trinity Prep, which educates students from Pre K through high school. With a focus on providing an education that is Ignatian in Method, Classical in Content and Loyal to the Magisterium in a small-class size environment or at home, Kolbe Academy continues to thrive.”
“Give Him 5 Ministries is about falling in love with Jesus! Just as Jesus Christ is the center of our Catholic faith, He is also meant to be the center of our daily lives. Give Him 5 provides people with the encouragement and tools they need to ignite their prayer life and to fall deeply in love with the Lord. Give Him 5 Prayer bags make wonderful gifts.”
Specializing in high quality veils and mantillas for ladies and girls. Robin is a Catholic mother of 15 ( 7 with Our Lord ) who spends her days serving, loving, praying, and sewing. Robin started making veils for her daughters and wanted to share with others. She truly loves creating veils to serve Our Lord!
Almond Rod Toys
Almond Rod Toys makes Saint Blocks that are just the right size for little hands and can be used for imaginative play, building, stacking or collecting. The front has a print of original watercolor artwork. The back has a quote or a prayer chosen to inspire little ones and the one that cleans up behind them. The saint’s name, feast day and patronage are also listed; just enough to be a reminder and an inspiration for further learning.
Visit Almond Roy Toys at Etsy and follow the Facebook page!
“Et Corde means “open heart”. I create rosaries, bracelets and necklaces using the hand wire wrap technique with beautiful antique reproduction medals. I hope that my pieces can be an heirloom that can be passed down in your family.”
Catholic Cuisine Aprons
All of our aprons are embroidered, not screen printed, giving them a rich, elegant, look! Our durable 100% cotton-twill aprons, with soil-release finish for added stain protection, provide ultimate full length cover and comfort.
Catholic T-Shirt Club
I mentioned last April that our boys have been preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation and that one of their confirmation gifts is a subscription to the Catholic T-Shirt Club. Due to their grandfather’s aggressive cancer at the end of May, just before he passed away at the beginning of June, they ended up missing their Confirmation Mass on May 26th. Instead we will be traveling north this September and they will will finally get confirmed! At least that’s the plan… In the meantime they are still enjoying their monthly box from Catholic T-Shirt Club! The box for July arrived yesterday and featured St. Teresa of Calcutta.
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