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Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Two cent Tuesdays: Relying on Social Networks for Medical Advice
Well it's my first two cent Tuesday!! Man am I excited. A time where I can give my honest opinion and I have an opinion on a lot of things. I mean I am what they call a "woman". I can have an opinion on just about anything but I am very understanding that every opinion is different so before I start I might as well enclose a...
DISCLAIMER!!! I AM THE OWNER OF THIS BLOG SO I AM ENTITLED TO GIVE MY OPINION WHETHER YOU APPROVE OR NOT :)
Okay so with that being said I am free to start with no worries in the world. This subject is something that I experience everyday when I log into my social networks (Facebook especially).
Moms who rely on asking medical advice about EVERYTHING on Facebook rather than picking up the phone and talking to their pediatrician! I can understand a couple of questions here and there where you ask other moms what they thought of a certain product or advice on other methods, advice if you disagree with what your pediatrician suggests, or if all of your Facebook friends are members of The American Academy of Pediatrics. If it is constant and it is something that can easily be answered by a pediatrician then I will be a slightly annoyed and blog about it :)
I am not ashamed at all to talk to my doctor or the nurses. They went to medical school for a reason, spent lots of hour studying the curriculum to help and answer any questions, and lots of money for school I am sure! So let's make it worth their while. They are here for a reason... to help! I am sure it wasn't easy for them to get that PhD, to study those long countless hours, to miss all those college "gatherings", or basically having no social life for 8 years.
Yes it is great to get other mom's opinions on things but I would always consult a physician first. And then from there, go with my instinct. YOU know your child best. YOU know what works best for your child. YOU harbor those mother instincts. What works for others may not be the best option. Go with your instinct.
So those are my two cents of the day! Remember my two cents Tuesdays are not entitled to just rantings. ;) It can be anything from reviewing products to addressing a topic. Anything YOU want me to talk about, I will do. Send me suggestions for next week readers :)
Monday, July 29, 2013
Everything is a learning process
So I obviously need a blogging for dummies handbook!! I am very picky when it comes to color schemes or patterns that I like, so it has become very.... interesting trying to figure out how I want my blog to exactly look. I realize that blogging does take some time and effort. I have a layout and header that I like so far. I'm sure I will get the hang of all the buttons and little things that really make a blog stand out. Like I said before BEAR WITH ME as I get the hang of laying out my blog the way I like it.
Now it's off to shower time, Netflix, then bed. I posted Inspirational Monday this afternoon! If you haven't had a chance go read it NOW! You will never look at coffee the same again! Goodnight readers!
Now it's off to shower time, Netflix, then bed. I posted Inspirational Monday this afternoon! If you haven't had a chance go read it NOW! You will never look at coffee the same again! Goodnight readers!
Inspirational Mondays! Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became
hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial
hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became
hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial
hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
Construction!
So I have decided to redo my blog and make it look nice and clean. Unfortunately I can only work on my laptop for short amount of times due to its problem of constantly overheating, becoming slow, and eventually being flat out useless. I did however manage to design a header. I am currently working on designing a blog button and determining the layout of my blog.
So just please bear with me. I plan on working hard on this blog and I want it to look awesome!
Hope everyone had a great weekend! Here are some pics of my weekend!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
A MUST SEE FOR ALL MOMS!!!
So I logged into my blogger and started reading other people's posts and I happened to stumble upon Rosel's Mom Diary (roselsmomdiary.blogspot.com) where I watched a very heart warming video that I HAD to share with you all! An English video blogger recorded a second every day from his son's birth all the way up to his first year. It's amazing watching the growth of human life and it made me feel so amazing to know that I get to do the same thing. I get to watch Maddie Bug grow and do new things every day. Please enjoy this wonderful video and have a beautiful Saturday!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Hello bloggers! So I have been contemplating these past couple of days just how exactly I want to go about this blog. I also wanted to make sure I have a way to post at least once a day Monday- Friday. So I decided to come up with some themes for each day to keep myself motivated to stick with this blog. There are some days I may get busy with life and will not be able to post but I will try my hardest to really be fun and interactive and let ya'll know a little about me and get a glimpse of my everyday life.
Inspirational Mondays: This day I will post something that will be inspirational and get your week started in the right direction. Whether it be a bible quote, a heart warming story, or just some picture I quote that I believe is inspiring. Monday's don't have to be so dreadful!
My two cents Tuesdays: I would really like to start reviewing things. Whether it be baby items, recipes, books, tv shows, music, anything that is happening in the world at the time! I would love for all of you to send me suggestions of what you want me to give my opinion on! If no one sends me anything, I will just pick something randomly, review, and give my honest opinion! :)
Wacky Wednesday: On Wednesdays I will post a funny picture and ask you to caption. Just something fun on hump days and to keep our sanity through the week!
Tips for Maddie Thursdays: On this day I will write a letter to Madison on basically everything that is going on at the time. This will be venting time and lucky for ya'll, you will be able to witness my venting! Sometimes I go stir crazy since Justin now works 16 hour shifts so my only communication companion is Madison and she can't talk!
Featured Blog Friday: On this day I will feature a blog that I have found interesting during the week. Let's all help promote and find really interesting blogs!
So yeah, that is what I have come up with so far. I may tweak and change things every now and then. And this doesn't mean that that is the only thing I will post. If I feel the need to post anything else, I will post. My posts are not limited to my day to day themes. So just let me know, yay or nay?
Happy Blogging!
Inspirational Mondays: This day I will post something that will be inspirational and get your week started in the right direction. Whether it be a bible quote, a heart warming story, or just some picture I quote that I believe is inspiring. Monday's don't have to be so dreadful!
My two cents Tuesdays: I would really like to start reviewing things. Whether it be baby items, recipes, books, tv shows, music, anything that is happening in the world at the time! I would love for all of you to send me suggestions of what you want me to give my opinion on! If no one sends me anything, I will just pick something randomly, review, and give my honest opinion! :)
Wacky Wednesday: On Wednesdays I will post a funny picture and ask you to caption. Just something fun on hump days and to keep our sanity through the week!
Tips for Maddie Thursdays: On this day I will write a letter to Madison on basically everything that is going on at the time. This will be venting time and lucky for ya'll, you will be able to witness my venting! Sometimes I go stir crazy since Justin now works 16 hour shifts so my only communication companion is Madison and she can't talk!
Featured Blog Friday: On this day I will feature a blog that I have found interesting during the week. Let's all help promote and find really interesting blogs!
So yeah, that is what I have come up with so far. I may tweak and change things every now and then. And this doesn't mean that that is the only thing I will post. If I feel the need to post anything else, I will post. My posts are not limited to my day to day themes. So just let me know, yay or nay?
Happy Blogging!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
And the mess begins!
Today I had the pleasure of introducing Maddie Bug to solid foods!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! For the past couple of weeks I would stroll up and down the baby food aisle pointing out to Maddie which foods she would soon be trying and alas the moment has arrived! She has tried rice and oatmeal cereal and since she was doing so well, I decided to start the baby food.
I got her all ready to go. Got her bib on, got the receiving blanket ready for any messes, and sat her down in seat. It was time to begin. Her first food choice (and only food choice) was APPLES!
Little did I know the mess that would soon entail! She gave me a big wide eyed stare when she tasted the delicious sweetness of apples. She ended up liking it at a cost though. I realized I needed a bigger bib and to really invest in a high chair. All in all it was a very fun experience and I can't wait to feed her again and expand her meal choices! Enclosed is a picture of the messy but enjoyable experience!
I got her all ready to go. Got her bib on, got the receiving blanket ready for any messes, and sat her down in seat. It was time to begin. Her first food choice (and only food choice) was APPLES!
Little did I know the mess that would soon entail! She gave me a big wide eyed stare when she tasted the delicious sweetness of apples. She ended up liking it at a cost though. I realized I needed a bigger bib and to really invest in a high chair. All in all it was a very fun experience and I can't wait to feed her again and expand her meal choices! Enclosed is a picture of the messy but enjoyable experience!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
How I became a mom
So by starting a blog, I feel the need to post my story on how exactly I transformed into what people call a mom!
Obviously we have to begin on when I met maddie bug's dad. I came from a small town where everybody knew everybody. I actually lived one street over from Maddie's dad, whose name is Justin btw. We rode the same bus. I didn't really pay him a lot of attention but it was when I was in 5th grade was the first time we talked to each other. I was sitting by myself on the bus, he decided to sit next to me and we just chatted away. At that young of an age, I could already feel an odd connection. Mainly because he was so easy to talk to and we were interested in the same things. Then he pulled some tricks. He asked what time I got off the bus and asked for my number and told me he would call me at that time to make sure I got home okay. What a little player huh? And sure enough I gave him my number and he called me. We talked for a good hour then I had to get off the phone.
Next time I talked to him was my junior year of high school. He was dating one of my best friends so we all decided to go on a double date with my boyfriend at the time. We all went to the drive inn. I remember chatting with him every so often but nothing major really. After that though, I would chat with him about his relationship since they were having some issues. That next week, my boyfriend had broken up with me and him and my friend were done too. So we started talking about our frustrations with one another. He was easy to talk to just like on the bus many years ago. During our talks, sparks were starting to fly for me so we started going out on dates. Here is a picture from our first date!
We lasted together for a year before we called things off. We needed our time apart as he started to get mixed in with the wrong crowd and I was heading off for college.
So we went our separate ways without each other. We experienced two different worlds. We dated other people. In December of 2009 I got a collect call from a jail and low and behold it was Justin. We hadn't communicated since we broke up so it was quite shocking to hear from him. He called and asked how I was doing and we chatted. I ended up writing him a letter since he seemed to be down. He got out at the end of the month. I saw him a couple of days after he released and old feelings came back. So we started our relationship again on New Years of 2010.
Things were going good but I had to go back to college so next came our trust issues. Long distance relationships take work. We were constantly on and off from then on and naturally he went back to mixing with the wrong group of people. He lands in jail again and this time he was in for a year. At the time he went back we were not together but working on things. Because he was the love of my life I waited... And waited... And waited.... for a whole year.
It was a tough year but we eventually made it through but it wasn't all sunshine and happiness. We fought CONSTANTLY. And we were still struggling with trust. I was still in college and he was still back in our hometown. We were still on and off and we finally said we were both done for good in June 2012... or so it seemed...
Yet again we lasted 2 weeks apart until we started talking again and it was just in time because that week I found out that I was....
And so this is where our story is now. Never would I have imagined that the boy that sat by me on the bus would be the future father of my child or that I would go through so much. Our relationship is not perfect, never have and never will. But our bond has strengthened even when we thought it weakened. We have had our arguments and fights since Madison has been born but we are completely happy with where we are and how far we have come. I have a family and I am happy.
Obviously we have to begin on when I met maddie bug's dad. I came from a small town where everybody knew everybody. I actually lived one street over from Maddie's dad, whose name is Justin btw. We rode the same bus. I didn't really pay him a lot of attention but it was when I was in 5th grade was the first time we talked to each other. I was sitting by myself on the bus, he decided to sit next to me and we just chatted away. At that young of an age, I could already feel an odd connection. Mainly because he was so easy to talk to and we were interested in the same things. Then he pulled some tricks. He asked what time I got off the bus and asked for my number and told me he would call me at that time to make sure I got home okay. What a little player huh? And sure enough I gave him my number and he called me. We talked for a good hour then I had to get off the phone.
Next time I talked to him was my junior year of high school. He was dating one of my best friends so we all decided to go on a double date with my boyfriend at the time. We all went to the drive inn. I remember chatting with him every so often but nothing major really. After that though, I would chat with him about his relationship since they were having some issues. That next week, my boyfriend had broken up with me and him and my friend were done too. So we started talking about our frustrations with one another. He was easy to talk to just like on the bus many years ago. During our talks, sparks were starting to fly for me so we started going out on dates. Here is a picture from our first date!
Two weeks later, he asked me to be his girlfriend in my year book on May 30, 2008. And that's where our romance started.
It would be nice to say that we just never broke up and we were the perfect highschool sweetheart couple but it wasn't. We were very young and dumb at times. We had our issues but we did have some very good memories. Memories I could never experience with any other person in the world.
So we went our separate ways without each other. We experienced two different worlds. We dated other people. In December of 2009 I got a collect call from a jail and low and behold it was Justin. We hadn't communicated since we broke up so it was quite shocking to hear from him. He called and asked how I was doing and we chatted. I ended up writing him a letter since he seemed to be down. He got out at the end of the month. I saw him a couple of days after he released and old feelings came back. So we started our relationship again on New Years of 2010.
Things were going good but I had to go back to college so next came our trust issues. Long distance relationships take work. We were constantly on and off from then on and naturally he went back to mixing with the wrong group of people. He lands in jail again and this time he was in for a year. At the time he went back we were not together but working on things. Because he was the love of my life I waited... And waited... And waited.... for a whole year.
It was a tough year but we eventually made it through but it wasn't all sunshine and happiness. We fought CONSTANTLY. And we were still struggling with trust. I was still in college and he was still back in our hometown. We were still on and off and we finally said we were both done for good in June 2012... or so it seemed...
Yet again we lasted 2 weeks apart until we started talking again and it was just in time because that week I found out that I was....
After that test we sat down and really discussed all of our issues. It was time to be serious about our relationship and get the love back that had been lost over the years. I know some people will argue that a baby will not fix a relationship but honestly, it fixed ours for the absolute better... We knew we needed to suck it up and stop being so stubborn towards each other. It was a new start for us as a family. And so my pregnancy began...
My pregnancy was decent. I had all day sickness all day my entire pregnancy but I never had any problems. Our sweet Madison grew right on track and we welcomed Madison Grace Knudsen on March 18th, 2013 at 4:19 pm. She was 7 pounds 2 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. She was perfection and the greatest gift to ever come into our lives..
Photo Session
So last Sunday we had a session done with Madison. I noticed that morning that Maddie bug wasn't feeling her usual self. She would not let me put her down, she was vomiting, acting grumpy. I was thinking, hoping, and praying it would pass by the time of our session. Well when we got to the photographers house, she was absolutely upset. Crying and screaming for a good hour. I was very frustrated. I should have know that she would act like this the day we go to get pictures done. She's usually a very well behaved baby for a 4 month old. Once we got her calmed down though, we got some great pics! Enjoy the wonderful pics! The photographer is Lisa Lynn Blevins. If you can check her out on facebook. Amazing work!
Short but sweet introduction!
Hey everyone! My name is Zoe! I am 22 years old and currently a stay at home mom to a 4 month old baby girl named Madison (also known as Maddie Bug) I am still trying to finish school. I am studying Business Administration and hope to graduate in December 2014. FINGERS CROSSED!!!! I don't know a lot of moms in the area that I live so I wondered... How can I possible connect to other moms easier?! I have had luck with finding other moms on Twitter and Instagram. I decided to start blogging as well. It's me and maddie bug all day long so it can get pretty lonely. So not only am I using blogging as a tool to connect to other moms, but I am also using it as a tool to release the many joys and frustrations of parenthood and just anything else in my life that I feel is relevant for everyone to know!
Feel free to follow but keep in mind that I am fairly new to this! You can follow me on other social networks as well!
Twitter: @zoekolleen
Instagram: zoekolleen
Facebook: Zoe Kolleen Ziegenhagen
Kik: zoekolleen
Tumblr: zoekolleen13
Happy blogging!
Feel free to follow but keep in mind that I am fairly new to this! You can follow me on other social networks as well!
Twitter: @zoekolleen
Instagram: zoekolleen
Facebook: Zoe Kolleen Ziegenhagen
Kik: zoekolleen
Tumblr: zoekolleen13
Happy blogging!
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