Getting back to ME

   A lot of people that know me, know that I struggle really bad with depression especially during the colder months. So I am looking into some more natural forms to help me combat this until the warmer more brighter months like summer. Oh lovely summer how I miss you!

I have done a bit of research and talked to my health care provider about taking a natural supplement called 5HTP, which has been found to really help with anxiety and depression. There are some side effects, but what medication or supplement doesn't come with the possibility of side effects. I personally had to weigh the pros and cons to each side and make a choice with what I wanted to do. So I am now taking 100mg of 5HTP. So far it has been 5 days and I have noticed a big different so far. One thing I have noticed other than my mood being a lot more positive with some motivation on my side is that my need to eat food to help me feel better isn't there anymore. Yes, I was one to eat to fill a void and try to help me feel better, which has not helped and I have gained 10lbs in the last 5 months. I almost have to make myself consume a meal or a snack. The last few days I have had to force myself to eat actually. Well I lie, by 2pm in the afternoon is when I had bad hunger pains, but all morning I had zero hunger pains or want to eat. But don't you worry I wont be starving myself, I plan to get on a good healthy eating habits roll so my body is being given the best to help with depression. 

Another good thing I am making sure I take is vitamin D, fish oils, multi vitamin and a complex B vitamin which are all suppose to aid in mental health. And last but not least is exercise! I am one of those crazy nut cases that actually enjoys going to a gym and working out for 1-2 hours daily. If I could fit in being a gym addict now that I am a busy Mother I would. Some Mom's have a glass of wine and GASP some Mothers will do some *cough* illegal activity *cough* to get through their day. Neither of those are for me personally, but give me a gym membership and I will use it to my full advantage. Now give me a treadmill and stationary bike at home and I wont touch it, go figure. Something about getting out of the home, being by myself and working hard on weight machines gives me a natural high. Maybe it's adrenaline and serotonin combined, but whatever it may be it helps my mood. 

So lets mark 2014 the year to really kick depression in the butt and out the door! Anyone with me? Do you suffer from depression? How do you help it. Did you find anti-depressants to help a lot or do you find a combination of anti depressants and natural forms to really help. Please share with me your secrets to kick your depression in the butt.

Photo is not mine personally, but it's beautiful so I thought I would share. Nature is another natural antidepressant.

What's going on?

  I always want to update my blog more and think about it, but I never actually do it. Maybe I am lazy or maybe I just don't have enough time? Either way I really should update it more.
  I've been on Zoloft for approx. 3 weeks now and so far so good. The first week and a half was rough and I will admit I was scared a lot about being back on anti-depressants. I don't really have anymore side effects other then feeling like a zombie walking through life ever so often. I purposely make myself think about EVERYTHING in life so I can still enjoy the small things like nature while I am out for a walk with Dagney or my issues I am having and trying to deal with. I don't feel so miserable, sad, depressed, anxious, loss of interest in things and a bunch of other stuff. All in all they're working out good so far, but I will admit I am looking forward to when I can wean off of them and be back to being natural. One step at a time, right?
  I start counseling just over a week ago, finally. It was about time. The place I go has a few interns there trying to get experience so my counselor is an intern. I am not 100% satisfied with this only reason because she doesn't have much experience with people and situations to really help, but I am keeping my mind open for the possibility that she can help me. I do want her to have experience and if I can teach her a few things, especially around postpartum depression and birth trauma so she can put that to use if anyone else comes to her with something similar then I will be glad.
  Both sessions I have gone to we have just talked about my family history, what led me to come there for help, etc. It was a lot to talk about for two hours, but everything is out in the open. I can't hide things, because I feel if I were to hide anything then it may hold me back from really healing from what is going on. She gave me some home work to work on over the next week until I see her again next Friday. Feels weird to have home work. But I think it will help. I have to write down on a piece of paper if I have a thought or feeling pertaining to my birth or any other triggering past experience. Write down the emotion, what I was doing just before that feeling/thought came about and how I handled it. So far I have had two things happen. Haven't written them down, but I will.
  I am glad to be getting things on the roll and hopefully get towards a happier or at least a more excepting and content life.


 I started the photography class I signed up for last month. It's alright, but really boring. I thought I would enjoy it more, but I don't know if my mind is just on other things right now or I just can't find the attention span to listen and pay attention, which has been something I have struggled with since I was in school. I could never just sit there and listen. I need to actually be doing things. I can teach myself or work hands on learning, but sitting there listening to a teacher talk for 2.5 hours just does not work for me. I must have a different learning style. So need less to say I am bored in the class and I probably could have taught myself better. Owell!

  Dagney is doing good. He is flourishing every day. He has such a great personality and he makes Dustin and I laugh at him all the time. He went through a week of chicken pox last week which wasn't so fun for him or us. He had them bad to the point of having them in the back of his throat, which restricted him from eating or drinking. I felt so horrible for him, because there wasn't really anything we could do for him. Thank goodness Dustin had that week off, but I was bummed, because we had a lot planned for family things. We spent the week together and I guess that's all that matters, right? He is fully over them now so he should have life time immunity to them.
  I've taught him how to say "done" which is super cute. I wanted him to say "done" after he ate so he wouldn't whine and throw his food on the floor, which has helped, but now he says it all the time. So all the way through him either his meal he will sound like this. "mmmm mmmm, done!" "mmm" "done!" as he puts more food in his mouth. Or he will run around our home saying "done, done, done" all the time. He can say "bum" when he wants to, "dad", "mom", "kitty" and that's about it. He does try to say "tickle, tickle" when he goes to tickle something or "cookie, cookie" when he is eating a cookie, which is super cute. He signs "food", "more" and "milk". I am not sure if we are going to teach him more signs or just try to get his speech going more.
  He gives kisses and hugs, which the other day the cutest thing ever happened. I was sitting on our living room floor reading a piece of paper and Dagney came, stood in front of me, took both his hands, put them on my cheeks and leaned in to give me one of those open mouthed kid kisses. It was the most amazing, sweetest, cutest thing EVER! My heart seriously melted to a puddle. I love that he is so affectionate.

Ahhh I just love him!

Anyways, I think that's all I am going to write for now. Have any questions? Feel free to ask and I will post them in another blog soon.

Top 5 Way to Improve Your Physical and Mental self

I am sure it's not rocket science that all 5 of these things listed below will help us mentally and physically, but I think some times we do forget that these things are truly important for keeping us sane.

1) Turn off your TV or computer and read

2) Meditate, reflect or pray(if you are religious) each day.

3) Drink lots of pure water and eat a balance meal with a lot of vegatables and fruits.

4) Visit friends and family often

5) Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

Spring has sprung!

  Spring weather is finally here! Thank goodness too. I wasn't too sure how much longer I could deal with the snow and cold. It's different when you have a child in the winter vs. when I didn't have one. I was able to cope much better with it then I am now. We both get cabin fever a lot. Thats why I think if we were to move to Calgary and were close to Francesca and girls I wouldn't mind the winter so much. We would be too busy hanging out and doing things with the kids. We may even get sick of each other, actually I highly doubt that. When we were pregnant last year we use to talk every single day for hours on end. Now not so much, but that is a given since we have kids and don't have that time anymore.
  So the weather is nicer and does my mood ever feel better. I don't feel so confined and restricted. We can now go out for long walks, go to the park or the store. Anything really and not have to worry about being cold. Even just having the windows open in our place is so refreshing. It is amazing how some warmer weather and a little more sleep can help with my PPD.
 Which brings me to that topic. My ppd, not so good. I mean its I feel better in a sense compared to when he was first born, but now I feel different. Its a different feeling. I still debate so much about going on medication. I just don't want it to be passed to Dagney, thats all. I already don't like taking them myself and then if he were to get traces of in him, that would make me feel too uncomfortable. So I guess for now I am just going to go with the natural way. Make sure I get some sleep which is still hard, eat right, get out and be social. It should help for the most part. And I am sure summer will make it even more better with all that lovely sunshine I love.
  So since we have been having such nice weather I took Dagney swimming on Tuesday. We walked all the way there which is about a 30-40 minute walk which was so nice. I got my exercise and we both enjoyed the nice warm weather finally. I will admit I was afraid of a freak out with the pool. Dagney can be sensitive to some things and I thought this might be one of them. BUT he loved it. Wasn't too sure at first, but warmed up the idea of all the water or a big bath tub and really enjoyed it! I think it helped others were there around him so he could be social. He is a social butterfly as long as they aren't holding him and I am in arms reach. It was funny because every time a girl or a woman would walk by he would totally look at them and do the whole head and body follow when they walked by, not just his eyes so he is a typical boy. haha I think I might take him again next week, I will just have to see what we have planned.
  Dagney also had his first park trip yesterday too! I wanted to put him in the swings and see what he would do. He didn't seem too thrilled or excited at all. Just sat there while I pushed the swing. I was able to get him to giggle a few times and smile a bit. I think he might of been just tired, because as soon as we left he fell asleep in his stroller. Silly guy.
  I haven't really thought of anything else I could do with him that is free other then the park or going for walks. Once it gets even more nicer, the grass turns green and its not soo wet from everything melthing I can let him play in the grass and have a picnic maybe. Should be fun! I am really looking forward to this summer. So many things to do with him. I now have an excuse to do all the kids things and not look awkward.