About Anonymous comments... I don't want to disable this feature because there are plenty of lovely folks who dont want to leave their names- and that is okay. But, with the recent influx, I have decided, much to my dismay, to moderate and reject. In the past, while I've always moderated, I have published everything (unless specifically asked not to). Going forward, I am not going to publish anything nasty. For two reasons: one, I dont want to and two, I dont want to have comment "fighting" between folks. It's just not worth the animosity. Also, I've installed an analytics software to monitor where comments come from. I had refrained from doing this for a while, but several other bloggers emailed me and suggested it. Finally, I used to not respond to comments, unless folks linked an email or blog with their responses. I am going to start that back up. So, if you want a response to a question, email me or link yourself when you comment. I wont be using the comment forum as a platform for back-and-forth discussion.
Other reasons for taking a break...
- I found that I was getting "glued" to my laptop and had been thinking, for a while, that I needed to unplug and just focus on the babies. Instead of working on certain special projects, like photo albums and Respect Life stuff, I was logging in, reading blogs, emailing a lot, etc. It was almost like bedrest 2.0. I love keeping up on people's lives, but I was stalking my RSS reader and responding at the drop of the post! I would hold babies and my computer! It was getting to be a little too much. So, I needed some time off. Forgive me if I am delayed by a few hours in commenting or returning email, but the last few days gave me a nice break and I think I'll keep my computer time to a set bit a day, rather than always being logged on. (And, the time really helped me finish up laundry, not to mention read several stories a day to the kids!!!)
- Did I mention previously that my GP diagnosed my wrist pain as pregnancy induced tendinitis? It sucks. Apparently, I stressed my wrists out from holding the TOCOs in place for hours daily. My wrists bothered me the last few weeks in the hospital, but I thought it would get better after the twins were born. And it did. But recently, they've been hurting a lot. I asked my GP about it and she recommended a few weeks of ibuprofen to help with the pain and reduce the inflammation, plus a wrist guard. If that doesnt work, then I can try cortisone injections and, finally, surgery. I already will have to have knee surgery at some point in the (hopefully distant!) future (thank you, soccer and martial arts and 1999 car accident!); I'd like to avoid wrist surgery if I can. So... They still hurt, but I'm hoping the yoga and pilates will help strengthen them.
Speaking of the gym... Guess who kicked their 3-goal/week in the butt this week and has gone 5 times already! Tomorrow morning will make 6! I am so proud of myself! I havent noticed too much drop in the scale department but, as one commenter pointed out, I have noticed a difference in how my clothes fit. On top of it, though, I just love going. I have never been a gym person, but this time is different. I feel like it isnt just an investment in me, it's an investment in the kids. It has never been about being skinny or losing weight (although, that is nice!). It's been about wanting to be a healthy example for them. And I feel like I'm on my way there. (Although I did bake a delicious german chocolate cake last night...)
Today, my MIL and I took the kids to church for a special Rosary for the Unborn (today is the March for Life in Washington, DC; since we werent going down this year, we decided to host a Rosary with all 20 Mysteries in the main Church). Our parking lot was full with the cars from folks who took the bus down and we had a respectable 14 folks show up for the Rosary (we normally have 12-20 after Saturday Mass for the Rosary for the Unborn that we sponsor). The kids were great. My MIL held Maya and I held Bobby; they were quiet and looked around before we began, and then were quiet during the prayers. I'm not sure if it is because we take them to church and always have, and because we pray with them at home, but they sit through the hour Mass and the half hour Rosary with no issues at all. We'll see how the Christening goes when water is being poured over their heads!
Speaking of the Christening, I've gotten some emails from bloggers asking if it would be okay if they attended. If you're going to be in the Philly area, we'd love to have you. Shoot me an email and we can discuss. :)
Napping babies are waking... Thanks for abiding with me. :)
17 comments:
I am trying to spend less time at my computer. You have two little ones and they grow up so fast. I am thinking maybe 2-4 hrs. and then I have to turn it off. I am sending a small gift on Tuesday and I wish I was going to be there on the day of blessings for them.
Have a nice weekend. God Bless.
So very glad to see an update - and that all is going well! It sounds like you're prioritizing what is important for you right now, which is great!
Hope that wrist gets better soon!
Glad to see your back I enjoy checking in.. Try the B vitamins for your wrists
Welcome Back. Glad to hear from you and know that everything is ok. Whether you blog once a day or once a month, I'll be with you.
i am SO glad everybody is ok!! my imagination can really get the best of me sometimes. i should take some of your computer time for myself...i always want to spend more time than i have checking on my bloggy friends and updating my own places. hugs michele!
It's so good to hear from you Michele. I'm glad you're okay. I hope that your new comment moderation policy and installing analytics software help.
I've had to limit my computer time to Jessica's naps, although she loves picture of babies and will happily grab at the screen for ages!
I've found it helps to keep to a set time per day. I get too engrossed but limiting myself definitely does help get the laundry done! Please ditch reading my blog, I love your thoughtful comments but I don't like to think of it being a burden to you, I never say anything interesting anyway but I LOVE reading your blog. Even if you only get time to update once a year, I'll still be here!
Interesting about the babies being quiet during prayers. My mom and I were just discussing earlier today how babies seem to know that it is a 'quiet' time from the example of their parents.
Eat at least two slices of that cake Michele! You've been fantastic and you are an incredibly good example for your children. You truly are! Well done for doing all that work in the gym. You are a mama to be proud of without all that work anyhow but WITH! Geesh, supermama!
Much love C xo
Hi Michele!! welcome back!! yay! thank goodness everything was ok and you just needed a break and a breather. How are your bubs doing?
I'm glad your break was not too long, and i love reading your blog. Your love for ALL your children is heartwarming and inspirational. it's something I hope and pray that I never ever understand fully, but I am so glad there are people like you willing to share for those that really need to know someone who has been there.
You talk about any of your precious babies whenever you want to!
And yes, don't publish anything you don't want. You are not a journalist, you have no obligation to anyone. You are an amazing woman, a mother, a friend to many.
Life is short, we must choose wisely about the thoughts that our mind entertains. Think on the beauty of this world, and not the meanness.
Welcome back! I think your plan to just not publish some comments makes complete sense. This is your blog and a huge part of its purpose is to help get your thoughts down and help your own sense of well-being. If someone is hampering that, they don't deserve to be acknowledged.
John's aunt always takes a busload of her students down to DC for the March for Life (which always falls on his birthday, too). I love that your church offered an alternative of sorts for people who weren't able to make it.
As for the baby clothes, that would be wonderful! Of course I don't mind used baby clothes, are you kidding? =) Thanks so much for the offer!
Would you mind emailing me about the baptism? If I am feeling well enough, I would love to come for the ceremony.
I have been addicted to a game on facebook and recently had to just give it up and after 2 days of not doing it, I was like wow it's not that important and now i enjoy other things instead of being on th ecomputer ... Glad you are back
Glad you're back, and totally understand your time-issues!
I would never allow contentious commenting on my blog! The way I figure it, you're inviting people into your home. I wouldn't allow disrespectful, mean people to stay at my house, so I certainly won't allow them to direct a conversation on my blog! Comment moderation is a good thing - there are too many people out there who are simply looking for a fight. No need to give it to them, you've got better things to do with your time!
And I'm totally impressed by your gym dedication. You are an inspiration!
Glad you didn't stay away too long. :) I completely understand your plan to moderate comments and limit your computer time. Being on bedrest right now, it's easy to keep up. But once the twins come, I'm sure I will have less time to leave thoughtful comments. Such is life -- everything is a balance!
I'm glad you'll, still be blogging, because it's fun to see Bobby and Maya growing and hear about how you are doing. I think you're doing the right thing with comment moderation. My blog is far less personal, and I still delete comments at times when they are full of nastiness.
Take care,
Kristie
I am glad that you're back. :)
I hope that you are able to maintain the new balance with blogging.
Keep rocking the work outs!
Michele, welcome back!! I've been thinking about you, but glad you took the time for you. That is most important. :) Focusing on you and your family is always most important. *hugs*
Please post pics from the baby's christening.
Welcome Back, Michele! And if you can't respond right away, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't understand that. I am the same way as you - I easily get caught up in my online community that I let other things go, and I too am trying to work on that.
Sorry about the nasty comments. I've gotten a few as well, and I always wonder how these people find me. I also wonder why they don't have anything better to do than to be nasty. Anyway, I'm happy your back as I love hearing about your beautiful babies. :-D
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