Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Deep and Shallow Thoughts

I think September and May must be the busiest months of the year when you have school aged children.  We are barely keeping afloat over in the Martin House, but I know it's like that in all your houses too!  Here's some things that have been on my mind lately...

~ We have a guy that dresses like Jesus and walks around our town.  Here he is:


I'm not sure what his deal is, but all I know that every time I go for a run and I see him on the street, I turn and run the opposite way.  And then I think WWJD?  And I decided that Jesus would probably tell me to run away too.  It's scary being a female runner when there are people roaming the street!

~ When Phil and I started having kids, we decided we would be super strict on two issues.  The first being naps and bedtimes, and the second being limiting screen time.  When I was home with the kids the tv was never on unless it was their designated half hour show time.  We were so good about that rule!  Ugh, now we are old and lazy and have definitely let Alexander have way more screen time than the other kids.  The kid can win levels on Super Mario on the Nintendo DS.  And he just turned three!  Impressive but embarrassing.  When we pick him up from school he starts asking to play video games, when he wakes up in he morning he asks for a show, it's 24/7 nonstop begging for screens. 

 I'm not sure what to do...go cold turkey?  Can I retrain his brain into not wanting the glow of the screen all the time?  (At least the sleep rules are still in place!)

~ I need a new Miraculous Medal.  I had a beautiful little gold one that I loved but have somehow lost, and am looking around to replace it.  I don't want anything too big, it has to be gold, and I would even take a bracelet instead of a necklace if I couldn't find the perfect necklace.  Does anyone know of a good shop or website?

~ I'm getting a haircut tomorrow!  This is exciting since it happens about once a year.  But, I have been losing hair postpartum like crazy since the birth of DK.

We have the same hairline now.

Phil was vacuuming a couple weeks ago (I know, he stole my favorite chore, the nerve!) and decided to clean out the bottom of the vacuum because it wasn't sucking as well as a Dyson should.  This is what he cut out:


And texted it to me saying that at least he could make me a wig.  Guys, I might need a wig, it's falling out like it's never fallen out before!  It seems to get worse after each baby, even though I take Biotin everyday.  Here's some horrifying proof:


So what kind of haircut should I get to help hide this?  Maybe this one?  Or should I just start saving my money for a good wig?

~ And finally, one last photo of my firstborn, enjoying a treat he's been asking to try for two years now!  We finally found a restaurant that served Fried Ice Cream!!
Ask and you shall receive two years later.

OK that's enough over sharing for today, see ya in the comment box :)


28 comments:

  1. I suggest getting something shorter than you might like -- both because shorter hair tends to look fuller and also because pulling it back makes it fall out faster, so you're doing yourself a favor if you cut it into something you can't pull back. I know that sounds like horrible advice to give a mom-of-many who just needs her hair out of her face RIGHT NOW but it's the best solution to your current problem.

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    1. Yeah, I think I need to go short, but I look awful with short hair. Although, I think balding and receding hairline looks probably worse on me than short hair :)

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  2. Three thoughts: My hair falls out a lot when I wear my ball cap or ponytail too much. It may be something as simple as that. Not sure.

    I really like fried ice cream too. Rachel Ray has an easy at home preparation. Top vanilla ice cream with cinnamon sugar, honey, crushed corn flakes and nut topping. We tried it once and it was delicious :)

    Don't worry too much about the screen time. Your sanity takes top priority. If it's helpful to have him on a screen, do it! You have a newborn in the house for goodness sake, not to mention a boatload of other kids that are always needing something. Keep the peace, my friend.

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    1. Gotta look into that recipe STAT! I used the sanity excuse too much, which is why we're in this fiasco. Now it's ruining my peace because it's always a fight about how much and when. I think we just need a few weeks of strict screen time rules and he'll be back into good habits. This 5th child is a strong-willed one who thinks he deserves treats constantly :)

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  3. When I'm running I try to avoid people and dogs at all costs...especially people that are dressed like Jesus. That's just a little strange!

    My hair has been falling out as well. It's driving me crazy and Sarah keeps asking when I'm going to get a bob - which is the only way my hair looks good short. Maybe your hair dresser can help you find the right cut to hide the missing hair. Good luck! (And you know we are going to want pictures!)

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    1. Your hair does look super cute in a bob, Beth! I think I'm going to have to just get 'er done.

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  4. I would run the other way from Jesus too. That weirds me out a little too much. Good luck with your hair, I wouldn't know what to do because I look terrible with short hair. (I've never actually had short hair but I would.) I am overdue for a haircut as well and I am thinking I am going to get one pre-baby just to help with the hair loss in advance.

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    1. Don't cut your hair while pregnant!!! I've always hated those cuts :)

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  5. I am dying to know the story behind the Jesus guy!
    We are having problems with screen time here as well. No one even wants to go outside at night, just watch TV. I have to start enforcing the rules.

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    1. Ok, teamwork. If you do it, I'll do it!

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  6. Oh Colleen, that vacuum picture is terrible!! I'm pre-hairloss over here and so anxious about it happening again. I still have baby hairs growing back in from last time. I tell ya, it's enough to make this vain momma have postpartum depression.

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    1. I know, I have to honestly try not to think about it or I want to cry :(

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  7. I have the same problem with thin hair. I am almost ready to get a wig too! Does that Biotin really work? I would love to see what a bob looks like on you and I might do the same...but I am such a chicken. I am not ready for short hair!!

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    1. I think Biotin works when I'm not in the my-hormones-are-stronger-than-any-supplement phase. So maybe after I stop losing, it will grow back faster???

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  8. Yeah that Jesus guy would help me increase my pace for sure! It is hard cutting back on screen time for the little guys. I let my Noah watch too much, but it is just so easy. That stinks about the hair coming out. I can't wait to see your new do!

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    1. He makes me rethink the phrase Jesus Freak ;)

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  9. I want to know how our soccer practice days shook out… I totally would have called the league and said "Look I have 4 kids that all need to be on teams that practice around the same time on the same day"

    Also… I lose my hair like crazy when I get pregnant - first telltale sign

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  10. I get scared of other people while I'm out running alone too.

    Have you had your thyroid checked? That can cause more hair loss than the normal post partum stuff.

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    1. Such a good suggestion. I have had it checked before I got pregnant with baby #6, but I may have to do it again because this is terrible!

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  11. Oh my, the vacuum!!! That was my hair ALL last year and it does get worse with each kid, right?? I've been clogging drains the past few years and I have no one around here to blame it on but me. Ugh. It is so thin now. At least I've gotten past the stage I was at when the new growth was all pokey outey all over my head. Cutting it did help a lot! I think you would look fab with a chin length bob!

    As for screen time...cold turkey. Just do it. And if you have a way to keep the screens out of sight, it's helpful. In a few days he'll hardly remember and you won't regret it.

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    1. Mary, I knew you'd understand. I wrote that post and then felt so guilty thinking about Nella and anyone else going through chemo and losing their hair from something serious. Enough whining! I'm gonna chop it off and be thankful I'm healthy :)

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  12. So, I really have got nothing on the screen time. Jonah is totally an electronic junkie (in his defense, some times it is actually educational). I blame both his temperament and personality. We allow it for him in the AM because he's not a morning person (trust me, growly bear!!) and wakes up early. He just can't sleep in. He can't get up and get going quickly though and needs some 'veg' time before I light the fire under his behind and kick him into gear. As I think I've talked about before, we limit handheld electronic time. The TV is hit or miss. Handheld tablet, Wii or laptop computer time is 6 tickets(15 mins a ticket) a day, although we're really thinking about making changes again. For the girls, including Lily, the electronic time doesn't seem to be as big of a deal. Of course, little girls get some tv (and honestly, right now when I need to be doing school, I do let them watch a show or two to have quiet) and just a bit of tablet time. Lily does her own thing, but generally isn't as addicted to tablet as the boy. Phew. When written that sounds worse than I thought. Maybe I need to be asking for help??!!

    Ok, the hair. Sorry, but, whoa. My mouth dropped when I saw under that vacuum. On the brighter side, perhaps a new do is just what you need before a weirdo from MN comes to visit?? I clicked the link and had forgotten about your shorter hair. I do like it. Be bold! Go for a bob, I really think you'd be cute in it. I have off and on hormone issues, combined with semi wavy hair, so doing mine long doesn't look as awesome as other people. It also falls out. A lot. This cut I have now and even just a tad bit longer seems to be the best for me. Heck, I almost feel younger too. And for those of us (ME!!) who are graying early, this shorter do works well because even when the color is wearing off it doesn't show as bad. I'm not putting my hair back noticing how horribly awfully gray it is. Not that you need to be worrying about that at all though.

    Good luck with your haircut choice. I'll be at the edge of my computer waiting.....or perhaps someone will text me a photo??

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    1. Whoa is right! I'd rather worry about gray than going bald :)

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  13. For Miraculous Medals, I suggest my parent's online shop.
    cfpholyangels.com They have some nice ones.

    Sorry about the hair loss. Mine falls out a lot too, but it doesn't seem to be thinning. I would suggest getting thyroid checked as ell. And, also maybe consider a seaweed supplement. It helps me and has enough iodine to sorta "boost" your thyroid if it is a bit sluggish (but not bad enough to be hypothyroid) but not soo much that it could be harmful. I take fucoidan which is a certain type of seaweed.

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    1. I will definitely check out their shop! Yeah, it's the thinning that's scary!

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  14. To replace your miraculous medal, try www.miraculousmedalcompany.com. I ordered one from there for a gift and it was super high quality...the etching was beautiful and they have many, many options and sizes!! I know you will find something you love!

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    1. Great thanks for the recommendation, I feel naked without one!

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  15. I am back..I think? I am over here.....http://wwwendlessways.blogspot.com/

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