Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Mother Knows Best

Hannah is home sick today...is there nothing better than homemade chicken soup when you're sick? I think not. I've been making The Barefoot Contessa's for a few years..I love her cookbooks.

Our family was hit hard with sickness this winter. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why. We are never sick! I have prided myself with the fact that we are a healthy family and I don't think it's just luck. I have always believed that breastfeeding my kids has been a major factor as to why they are healthy. Stephen and Will nursed for a year..Hannah almost two...Griffy at 8 months..still going strong. I also don't medicate my kids at first sight of sickness. I think we are an overmedicated society as it is and if we all just ate better, excercised more and got some fresh air maybe we'd all be a bit  more healthier. If someone comes home from school complaining of a headache...have a glass of water and talk to me in a half an hour.

When the H1N1 vaccine came out, my pediatricain encouraged me to give it to my kids. I was very apprehensive. I'm on the fence when it comes to many of the vaccines out there right now anyway.  Stephen and Hannah both ended up getting the vaccine...leaving the doctors office that day I felt like I had caved.  Will and Griffin did not get the vaccine. Stephen and Hannah both got sick within 2 weeks of receiving the vaccine. Will got sick but not as bad as the other kids. Griffy got VERY sick. One morning this past winter we actually ended up in the ambulance because he was coughing so bad that he stopped breathing for a bit. After hours in the Pediatric ER, he was admitted with RSV, a respiratory virus. A few hours later I asked the oncall doctor to discharge us and she did, knowing that we'd get a better nights sleep at home. Sometimes a Mother just knows best and I feel that night I knew what was best for my baby.

The past few days have been heavenly...the warm sun, blue skies...oh, am I  praying this sickly winter is behind us and healthier days are ahead. After this winter I don't think I'll ever take good health for granted again.



* On another note....I've been sugar-free for 3 weeks so far and I have to say, not only do I feel great, lost about 5 pounds, but it hasn't been terribly hard. I've still been baking cookies and cakes and breads for the kids and I don't even lick the bowl!

5 comments:

  1. #1--need that recipe
    #2--I hate RSV. When Heidi was a baby, she was in the hospital for 10 days with it. It's so scary, and I'm glad Griffy was only in for a little while. Who knows why some winters are bad and some not? I actually forced my kids to get the H1N1 because Eve was due right in the middle of the crazy "You better get the shot or the world as we know it will disappear." As it turned out, H1N1 wasn't as bad as they thought, and my kids had to get extra shots. I'm with you. They give too many shots nowadays, and I wish I was patient enough to sift through them all and only do some. But I'm a tad lazy. . .
    #3--Five pounds, great job. But your biggest accomplishment in my book is the "no bowl licking." I could NEVER do that. NEVER! Impressive, my friend!

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  2. Pam, I firmly believe also that there are just too many pills for every ailment! Look at all the pharm commercials on TV! Homemade chicken soup is the best,
    and I feel even better making it with the chickens we raised since I know what went into them! I believe in
    breastfeeding too...my kids are truly never sick. Andrew had only one sick day this year and NO H1N1 vaccine. You're a great mom who definitely knows best!!

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  3. You don't lick the bowl?! Now that is some serious self control!!
    Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment:o)
    AngeX

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  4. I need to try that soup. You are right...your family has had their fair share of sick....enough already!

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  5. Hey, you are on a roll...no licking the bowl. Excellent, girly!!! And, this soup is going to have to make it to MY table. I know your fam had a rough winter...praying spring is glorious!!! xoxo

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