..:To Hmong Chicken Diet or Not:..

There are so many things to do to get ready for Julian's arrival. I've done a good amount of them already...

But we still have to do the following:

-sterilize and dry all breastfeeding pumps parts and bottles

-wash and install the infant car seat

-hook up the camera

-set up the bassinet and infant rocker

My hospital bag is packed though!

Now onto the BIG question as a Hmong woman; Am I going to do the traditional Hmong Chicken diet?

I have heard so many arguments about why to do it and why not to do it. Some Hmong women say that it's just a way to hold Hmong women down and of course there wasn't much to eat back then. Others argue that it helps with old age and good health. Whatever it is that you believe... the idea is to eat healthy, stay away from junk food and to simply just take care of your body.

Here's a good blog to read more about the Hmong Chicken Diet:

Hmong postpartum care

https://ahmongwoman.com/2012/03/10/hmong-postpartum-care/

Lemon Grass Herb

The 6 other herbs that goes into the soup. It's impossible to find the names of these herbs. I did the research and found nothing. Luckily, a close friend of mine was able to send me the actualy plant, so now I have an abundant of them!

A Meal I had PP after I had Emma

When I had Emma, I did my own version of this Hmong Chicken Diet. I incorporated fruits and vegetables to each meal and cut down on the rice. I had about 1-2 cups of cooked rice. I did  to stay away from processed junk for the first month and ate hot to warm food all the time. I did this because I knew I had to eat nutritious meals in order produce milk and stay healthy for my Emma and myself.

With this second pregnancy, I am going to do the same type of meals that I had before. I'll have a herb chicken soup along with a side of vegetable and fruit. I'll still have 1-2 cups of cooked rice daily and drink warm-hot water (which is easy because I don't like cold water anyways).

Let's do this again!

Did I wrap my stomach?

I did use a stomach wrap, not the traditional Hmong wrap. I used a breathable valcor one that the hospital gave me for the first month and then used the Cinch for the next 2 months. I know it helped and I will continue to do the same after having Julian. I know people who didn't wrap their tummy and totally regretted not doing so. Hopefully with much rest, healthy meals and nursing; I'm excited and ready to bounce back!

..:Research in order to make good decisions:..

SAHM Day #4

This Stay at Home Mom thing is new for me. I don't know very many SAHMs and there are none in my immediate circle... So I did the research on how to be the best SAHM. I want to be well informed and make the best of my time with my babies... So here is the best article so far that gave some very good tips:

10-tips-being-happy-and-productive-stay-home-mom

I particularly love #10.

"10. Show love everyday. The most important thing in my opinion, and it goes for everyone, not just stay at home moms, is to show your love for one another. I think that when you show love to your family it makes it easier for them to show love in return, which equals happiness. Hug them, kiss them, cuddle them. Make them know that they are loved everyday!"

As far as a schedule goes, here's what I am thinking for now. It'll change when Baby Julian arrives.

6-8 AM: Wake-up, Bathroom, Breakfast, Clean-up

8-9 AM: Play Time, Reading Time

9-10 AM: Outside Time, Learning and Observing Outdoors

10-11 AM: Independent Play while I make lunch

11-12 PM: Lunch, Clean-up, Daddy Lunch Time

12- 2 PM: Nap Routine, Emma's Nap Time, Mommy Time

2-3 PM: Quiet and Snack Time

3-4 PM: Puzzles / Learning Manipulatives

4-5 PM: Free Time (Play with mommy then Independent Play Time)

5-6 PM: Outside Time

6-8: Dinner, Play Time, Clean-up Time

8-8:30: Quiet Time, Bath & Bedtime Routine

- I also want to point out that there are so many learning opportunities throughout the day that perhaps for right now, there isn't a need to have sit-down lessons. Perhaps not until Julian comes along anyways. 

Today's accomplishment: She went down for her nap without a diaper and it was a success! The key is to have an earlier lunch, so she isn't drinking liquids too close to her nap time. 

These are our "Learning Puzzles." We play these once a day for about 10-15 minutes depending upon how much she can handle. Our focus on letters, counting and colors. There are four main "puzzles," but only 3 are in the picture above (2 alphabet puzzles, on peg and one not, and a Hape Counting Stacker). The 4th "Learning Puzzle" is a stacking pyramid play set. We started playing with them last summer. She didn't have much patience and had a difficult time matching up the puzzles. But now that she is older, she is much better at it and can match nearly all the pieces up! She can say many of the words and match them the pictures.

..:Day #1 of Being a Stay Home Mommy:..

I'm counting today as Day #1 of the start of my SHM (Stay Home Mommy) time. Yesterday was the last day of school. It was a great last day of school! I had a great time with the students and staff. I felt so loved and appreciated! Now it's onto this new adventure of mine.... this wonderful adventure of teaching, learning and enjoying motherhood.

Today, even though, it's a Saturday and I am not teaching... but it's the first day in a looong time that I am not writing lesson plans. I am not thinking about other kids besides just mine. :) I can just simply be with Emma and pay 110% to her without thinking of work or spending 5 hours writing lessons.

This morning, Emma woke up around 6:30 AM. We did out regular morning routine and took the time to make pancakes. She was so happy mixing and watching me make the pancakes on the stove. We took our precious time eating breakfast and washing the dishes. Then we had playtime and drawing time before my doc appointment. It felt so nice not to have to rush just so I can get to work an hour before work (if you didn't know teachers show up 1-2 hours before and after their required hours just to get ready and do prep work).

Emma is napping now. When she gets up, we'll have a snack, blow bubbles, go for a walk, play and read until dinner time. Tonight I'm going to make weekly plans of the lessons I will teach her. It won't be as detailed as my school lesson plans because we need lots of wiggle room. But I want to make sure that we're getting in our "education in." My smart little girl is such a sponge, she's going to have so much fun learning!

I know this is going to change in three weeks when Julian arrives... But I have the next 3 weeks with my beautiful baby girl.

"Dear Emma,
You're our first born and our first experience in all the milestones of a baby. It was so beautiful seeing your first smile, your first tooth down to your first steps and your first words. You're our first "I love you" and our first unconditional love. When you were born, we knew and experienced a greater love than the love that we had for each other.
With your little brother coming in the three weeks, you will not have our undivided attention. But we know that you will be a wonderful big sister. We know that you are so sweet and thoughtful that you will welcome your brother with open arms and help mommy and daddy. I'm not sorry... I am happy and thankful that I can give you another person to rely on during your lifetime.
If you ever feel sad, unappreciated or unloved because there is another little one around; just know that you were our first love. It doesn't mean we love you less, but only that our love for you have grown. We love you so much and perhaps even more than before because we're seeing what a great, smart and beautiful girl you are becoming. Already you have made us so proud! You took your first steps at 10 months and was walking around on your first birthday. You're learning so many things and words as a two year old using complete sentences and thoughts. Emma, you are beautiful. You are intelligent. You are very important. Mommy and Daddy will always love you!
Love,
Mommy"