Good Question

{Team D}

I had a handful of emails last week asking me how I dealt with my ( gasp) postpartum. My apologies I should have addressed that in the previous post. My OB put me on a low dose anti-anxiety medication that I used for about 6 months. I also started to get more rest and reached out to a few support groups. 

After Coopers diagnosis I had some of the same struggles with anxiety and depression ( at some points a million times worse than the postpartum, since I felt so out of control with the situation and outcome)  so I made the decision to start taking the medication again and see a therapist. Talking to someone who is not involved in the situation helped me find peace and clarity with the diagnosis and the hard road ahead. I have also joined a great support group for Williams Syndrome parents on facebook which has been very helpful. 

Dusty and I felt so alone when we started this journey. Most people (truthfully…. Almost everyone we know) had never even heard of Williams Syndrome, connecting with people who were on our same path as made all the difference.

All of this sounds so melancholy! Over the last few months we have been in a very good place. The journey has strengthened our marriage and our friendship more then we could have ever imagined.  Life comes into full view and the importance of family is more evident to us than ever before. So, I guess you can say that the beginning of this journey has been a blessing.

Postpartum

( Cooper 1 month old... seriously cute right)

I think a lot of people would be interested to know that I suffered from postpartum depression after I had Cooper. Not the baby blues and NO I never thought about hurting my babies. But it was like a heavy weight that I could never lift and honestly it lasted for months, truthfully close to a year. I had a hard time getting out of bed, I didn’t want to do anything and the thought of doing simple things like making dinner while watching the kids caused so much anxiety that I felt like I was going to have a nervous breakdown. After the kids went to bed I would take a shower and cry until I could hardly stand. Dusty and Taylor felt the brunt of this and I am so thankful that the two of them were strong enough to carry me through the first year of Cooper life. 

I hate (and I don’t use that word mildly) that this is a topic that is so taboo. So many moms go through this and feel like that can’t speak openly about it. You are supposed to be blissful after your baby is born right?!?  I didn’t even want to talk to my own mother about it… the biggest blessing was that my mom was staying with us after Cooper was born and she has the guts to just put it on the table. She called me out, told me to ask for help, and honestly I wouldn’t have done that without her.

What helped me the most was knowing that I was not alone. Why didn't anyone tell me that this could happen? I felt so alone and only after I reached out to others did I realize that some of the women that I am closest to suffered as well. Why didn't they reach out to me when they needed me. I'll tell you why!!! Because people think if you have postpartum it means you are going to (or want to) hurt your baby. THAT IS NOT TRUE! Postpartum depression can be as simple as anxiety that last over a month it isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes postpartum depression is simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptoms.

How about we talk about this? Support each other as new moms and not pretend to be perfect?

I added some contacts and linked in my resources page.  

Thanksgiving menu

Thanksgiving is my ALL time favorite holiday. Family lots of food and wine, football and NO gifts. {Perfection}

This year we are going to have a small group of family and then we are delvering dinner to some friends who are going through a hard time.

I linked the recipes that I will be using for dinner for you to enjoy. Rassmussen salad is a salad that my mom makes that is AMAZING. I will get to all the recipe and post it to the blog soon.

Roast Turkey with truffle butter
Mashed Potatoes and turkey gravy
Wild mushroom stuffing : I add sweet Italian sausage and omit the nuts.
Roasted Brussel Spouts: I add with crispy bacon and shallots
Classic green bean casserole
Sweet Potato Souffle
Rassmussen Salad
Homemade Roles
Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Cream Pie