Mama Pajama

Sensitive Teeth

I have mentioned before about the fact that I have really sensitive teeth.  In fact, for a long time, I was not even chewing on the right side of my mouth.  I get dental check-ups on a regular basis, so I know that the problem is not caused from having new cavities or anything.  I just have severe sensitivity on one big molar.  That sharp, jolting pain is hard to forget! I have been using sensitive toothpaste for years, and it does help a little.  I can tell a difference when I switch to using regular toothpaste.  But, my tooth still hurts if I drink something really hot or cold. 

Recently, I started using a new kind of toothpaste, called Biotene.  Biotene actually gets to the root of my sensitive teeth problem.  It has really made a huge difference in my daily life.  Unlike the usual sensitive toothpaste, it doesn't just cover up the reason for my pain. I can actually put ice in my drinks again!  Sometimes I find myself being extra careful when I'm drinking my coffee, so that it doesn't touch my normally sensitive tooth. But with Biotene, I can finally stop worrying! If you have sensitive teeth issues, you should give this product a try!

Are You Taking Care of Yourself?

There are so many things that we should be doing to monitor our health.  Of course, we should all be doing what we can to prevent things like heart disease and diabetes.  But, most people do not make their health  a priority.  I just wanted to post a reminder to all my blogging buddies out there to keep up with your health check-ups.  Go to the dentist. Get your yearly mammogram.  Listen to Katie Couric when she suggests getting a colonoscopy at a certain age.  Life is short enough.   Be proactive in keeping yourself healthy!  I just hate when someone finds out that if they had caught something sooner, it might have saved their life.   Most of us hate going to the doctor, but do it anyway!

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Center

Having a baby really changes you.  Well, naturally it changes your life in so many ways!  While it's totally worth the toll it takes on your body, it does, nevertheless, take a toll.  I'm trying to eat as healthy as I can, and I exercise a lot.  But, there are certain things that are just never going to be the same.  But, that's OK with me.

One thing that most women who have had children could probably use is a tummy tuck.  I've seen lots of before and after shots of women who were otherwise in great shape, but just have excess skin around their middle.  A tummy tuck is also a very helpful procedure for women who have lost a tremendous amount of weight, and are left with lots of extra skin.  There are many things to consider before making the decision to have plastic surgery.  You should obviously do your research, make sure you are taking excellent care of yourself prior to the surgery, and find an excellent surgeon who understands your needs.  The way I see it is, you only live once, and if you really think that surgery will make your life better, and you can afford it, go for it!

Celebrity plastic surgery is obviously very common in Hollywood. Of course, we all know that many celebrities have had work done.  It should actually make us feel better, right?  So that's why they look so perfect.  They usually go to places that have strict confidentiality agreements, so that the entire world won't read about the details in the tabloids.

If you are looking for a fantastic, well qualified, experienced, California plastic surgeon, you should check out Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery.  During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will examine you and discuss recommendations for the specific type of abdominoplasty that will give you the best results.

Hot Stone Massage

Ok. I'll admit I've never had a hot stone massage.  But, after watching this video, I can see that it looks pretty awesome.  I watched the Hot Stone Massage Videobelow, and saw some of the techniques that are used.  Basically they use the stones (which are really warm) to do a full body massage.  This even includes the face.  You can learn a lot about how to do this just by watching the video.  It's kind of funny to see him rubbing her eyebrows with the stones.  But, I'm sure it feels nice. Check it out!

Heads or Tails #10

This week's theme is Heads: Train.   Wow, what a coincidence! I was going to write a post about my son's Animal Train at some point, just because it has literally changed his life.  I saw a commercial for it last year around this time, and I remember thinking, "Oh that looks like fun."  I mentioned it to my aunt, since she had asked me what she thought she should get him for Christmas that might help him with his mobility. 

Last Christmas, Cam was 21 months old.  Part of his condition is having extremely low muscle tone, called hypotonia.  At this age, Cameron was rolling a lot, but he wasn't scooting, or even pivoting around yet.  When he received his giant loot of Christmas gifts, he seemed to like his Fisher-Price® Amazing Animals™ Sing & Go Choo-Choo™train. But, we had no idea how much it would help him.

  After a few weeks, Cameron figured out that he could push the smoke stack to make it "go".  But, first, the animals and everything but the engine had to go. Bye bye animals. You just slow it down.  Within a month or two, Cameron started rolling out of the way after he started the train. Then, before our eyes, he pushed himself up and pivoted with his arms!  We were so proud of him.  By his second birthday in March, he started "army crawling" or creeping.  By the summer, he was a pro.  He would start the train, immediately roll out of it's way, and then "steer" it in the direction he wanted it to go.  Now, his favorite thing to do is point it towards my husband's feet.  Then, Chris flips it across the room with his feet and Cam gives his dad a mischevious grin.  Repeat. Repeat. Repeat....

Now we're on Animal Train #2.  After months of abuse, and probably 20 battery changes, the first train finally stalled out.  Cam found train number two in my closet.  He actually got inside my closet, shut the door, and then I heard, "All Aboard!!!"  That stinker must have known his first train was about to die.  

We bought Animal Train #3, which is now hidden in a secret location, so that when this one is worn out, we won't have to worry about finding another one.  Cameron is currently army crawling all over the house, and we owe a lot of it to his train.  Physical Therapy helps so much, but finding something motivational was really the key to his progress. 

Smart Habit Saturday

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 5: I'm not going to eat candy after dinner! My husband must eat something sweet after every meal, and I've gotten into the same habit.  All these little bits of chocolate over the weeks add up a lot of extra calories.   I'm not really that much of a sweet tooth anyway.

Week 4: Wow, a cavity made me actually floss my teeth!  (7 out of 7 days).  I haven't been using the elliptical much, but I have been jogging a little every night when I walk the dog.  My allergies are starting to kick in though.  This week I am going to drink less coffee.  I'm only going to make this amount so that I can't cheat.

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 20 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

What's Up With My Skin?

I was one of those teenagers who had really good skin.  I didn't need to wear makeup.  I just wore mascara and lipstick sometimes.  I thought I was just one of the lucky ones.  But then bam! Once I started college, the problems began.  Apparently I was just a really late bloomer. Now at thirty years old I'm still getting adult acne! I've tried everything, but I haven't found much luck.  If you have skin problems you can probably relate. I hate that I need to wear foundation all the time to feel good about myself.  At www.Skincare-MD.com you can find lots of products for all sorts of skin issues.  They offer an advanced skin care program that combines different physician strength products that you can't get over-the-counter, or even in spas and salons. If you have problem skin, you should check out their site!

Garage Cabinets

We have a problem. It's called our garage.  Somehow, my husband has figured out a way to store all of our stuff in there, and still have enough room to park our van and car. It would be so nice to have a way to organize everything in nice cabinets.  Right now we have an old baby dresser out there working as a tool chest, and lots of things just piled on top of each other.  My husband wants to get some garage storage cabinets to get organized!  We like the seven piece garage storage cabinets. They are PVC thermofused laminate, with polyurethane coated cabinet fronts.  They are reasonably priced (compared to the metal cabinets) and they look very sleek!

Germ Freaks

When Cameron was born, we became really obsessive about germs.  I had been an elementary school teacher right up until he was born, so this was a big change from that environment.  We had to be extremely cautious about touching his head after his shunt surgery (done when he was only about three pounds). He was also highly succeptible to meningitis, colds, and the flu. We spent 70 days in the NICU making sure that every single person with whom he came into contact knew how important it was to wash his or her hands! 

Well, we managed to keep him free of illness for almost two years. We just never brought him into stores, the malls, etc. We were really lucky that all of his initial therapy was given at our home.  My husband did (and still does) most of the shopping and running errands, so that I don't have to bring him around many crowds.  And then when we are at people's houses, we just make sure everyone has washed their hands.  He's had two or three colds now, and he's handled them like a champ.  But, since he is underweight for his age, and does not eat much anyway, even something like a cold makes it harder for him to grow and get stronger. 

So, around here, we all get flu shots.  I just got mine Friday at Krogers.  My husband will get his free at  work in October, and we'll  get Cameron one as soon as the pediatrician has them in stock.  I've been getting the flu shot for over 10 years now.  Now that the immunization is available, I can't find a reason not to take advantage of it.  The flu would be really bad for Cameron, so we even ask all the grandparents to make sure that they also get immunized.  Here's to a happy and healthy flu season to everyone!

Smart Habit Saturday

                  

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 4: Wow, a cavity made me actually floss my teeth!  (7 out of 7 days).  I haven't been using the elliptical much, but I have been jogging a little every night when I walk the dog.  My allergies are starting to kick in though.  This week I am going to drink less coffee.  I'm only going to make this amount so that I can't cheat.

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 35 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

Smart Habits Saturday

                            

  .....the meme that forces me to recognize my laziness and do something about it!

Week 3: OK, I took a month off from SHS.  I just went to the dentist and I have a cavity.....ugggg.  So I will really floss now every night.  Also, I will make sure I go to the dentist for a cleaning every 6 months.  We've been letting it slide to more like once a year.

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it?  (6 out of 35 days)

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

SMART Habits Saturday

Week 2:  I pledge to start timing myself on the computer.  For every hour I spend on the computer, I must use the Elliptical Machine 10 minutes.....will the computer time be worth it? 

Week 1:  Daily Flossing (4 out of 7 days)

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

SMART Habits Saturday

Week 1: OK.  This will be my first habit.  I'm only committing to one a week...because I know me...and I work well with baby steps. 

My first habit is daily flossing....yes, daily...I'm going to the dentist in one month so that should add to my motivation.

To join in SHS go to The Lazy Organizer.

Work it Out

Nothing can relieve stress as well as a good workout.  I think people forget just how exercise can make them feel better.  It actually gives you more energy...if you can just muster up the strength to get up off the couch.  Whether it's a brisk walk, or a good run, the endorphins you release will make you feel empowered and strong.  In our time crunched society, it is easy to put exercise at the bottom of our "to do lists."   But, if more people would make exercise a priority, the day might not feel so hectic after all.  And, they might have a lot more energy in general.

Recently, we bought a New Balance Elliptical Machine.  I love it!  It's great because it is harder than a tread mill, but easier than a stair climber.  I used stair climbers for a while, but I would always stop after a few months because it was actually hard on my knees.  The elliptical machine is smooth and fun. And it really makes you sweat!  You use your upper and lower body.  The New Balance Elliptical Machine was a very reasonable price for it's high quality and durability.  It has a twelve different programs, and eight resistance levels. It keeps track of the calories you've burned, as well as your distance. It also has a great display on it's computer, which will also monitor your heart rate.  I love a good jog, but it's difficult to fight the weather year round.  You really need something fun that you can use at any time.  I would recommend this product to anyone who wants to work out with a machine that's easy on the joints, but is also a very efficient calorie burner.