Pregnancy Blues

t was a gradual decline, in interest and activities that I loved to participate in. it is because I’m pregnant and keeping up with a toddler, and I am too exhausted to do this, or that-this is what I would tell myself and my husband when I didn’t want to do something.  I would wake up in the mornings, and start crying, dreading the day of what was ahead, being alone with just my kid, with no one to talk to, nothing to do, a dark cloud I couldn’t shake, even though the sun was beaming through my window, promising a bright hot day.  A perfect summer weather, but for me it was unbearable.  It wasn’t until I was on the phone with my best friend telling her through tears how hard this pregnancy was physically but emotionally.  I didn’t know that baby blues could happen during pregnancy, until she mentioned that it can and it does.

I had PPD with my first, so I expected and prepped to expect that with my second, but I didn’t expect it while I was pregnant. With a call to OB office, I was able to go in, talk and get an adjustment on my prescription.   My OB confirmed that yes, anxiety and depression does occur.  I couldn’t tell what was happening, because I just kept thinking, well I am pregnant and so emotional.



Mental health is just as important, if not more than physical.  It is a debilitating illness and we don’t need to be ashamed.  I know that PPD is more diagnosed and talked about, but I don’t read a lot about it during pregnancy. Pregnancy is looked as a happy, glowing, and emotional journey for women, and it really is, but it can also be emotionally and mentally hard, as I have come to find.  I love having my babies, and I just kept smiling to the world around me as if I was fine, but inside I was in pieces-until I was able to go in and talk about and get help. I still struggle with overcoming it as we all do with our trials, but I am relieved to get help, to know that is okay, and it doesn’t make less of a person, friend, wife, or mother.

 

Ladies, talk to your doctor, if you feel like something is wrong or notice a change. Don't be ashamed or afraid to mention your mood changes,etc especially during pregnancy. It wasn't until I talked to someone until I realized what was happening. 

For you...

Dear Little,

I have thought about how I need to protect you from the world a lot lately. How I need to show you that there is love, and help and kindness still left in people despite the constant sad, horrible, and hate that you see happening around us. How do I protect you from possible bullying and discrimination based on your gender, color, beliefs, that you may encounter in the world. I have spent many nights crying, as your dad and I have talked about how scared I am for you and your future siblings. That maybe it will be safer not to bring anymore children in such a scary world. But I can't let that stop me, where's my faith? I have to fight for what's right, find the positive that still exist in our world and constantly remind myself, we have such an Awesome, Almighty Father in Heaven, who loves all of us, His children, and will continue to protect, bless, guide and will make it all right in the end, whether in this life or the next.

I will always fight for you, and may I teach you to stand up for yourselves and others. I hope I can teach you to love, and serve despite differences, because we are all God's children. The world is such a scary place, many changes have and are happening, but may you have the voice of reason, and courage.  

Queen Books

It's colorful, vibrant pages captured our attention, from the very beginning!  Each page is filled with beautiful art work, has concepts that grabs both kids and grown ups. Bessie, Queen of the Sky is a delightful read.

Both Zahra and I enjoyed it. Zahra, who is a couple of days shy of two, was able to relate to Bessie. Z pointed out that Bessie likes to read books just like her. This book is such a great introduction to a beautiful part of our history. It puts a historic event that changed our world into a colorful, simple, love-able story of a little girl who worked hard to make her dreams come true. By all means, I am not saying it is the only book you need to teach your kids about this event, but it is an awesome way to help their developing brain and imagination make connections that we can do anything we put our mind to.

I seriously loved that it was not just another fairy tale where the girls needed saving, Bessie was her own hero and she made it happen despite trails and hardships. There is just so many opportunities for a life lesson, and it also a wonderful read. With each page I wanted to find out how she became the queen of the sky. One of my favorite thing about the book, at the end it includes a picture of Bessie Coleman who the book is based on, as well as dates, so older kids can do a little more research and find out more about who she was, especially if you want educational activities for kids to do while home schooling, or at anytime. 

Bessie, Queen of the sky is just the perfect read, helping our own princessess know that they can become anything. The world is changing, and it is so nice to see a book that tells of how far women have come, changed the world, and that not every girl is a damsel in distress nor need a prince to save her. 

I am excited to partner up with Queen Books to bring one of you lucky readers a copy of your very own. Bessie, Queen of the Sky will be available in hard copies in march. To enter: Follow me at houseofbills and queengirlspubl on Instagram to be entered.  Comment on my  under the "Queen of the Sky" post on my IG account when you have followed us both.The lucky winner will be announced on here on thursday. Trust me..you want your very own! 

Queen girls publishing donates one for one..for every book bought they donate one to help empower girls!! That's brownie points in my book ;)
Pre-order the book using the link below
PRE-ORDER: Inspiring girls through fairy tales - ‘Bessie, Queen of the Sky’  https://goo.gl/SukCii  #queengirls (110 characters)