Swelling, Pain, and a Solution

I will start this by stating that I know how blessed I am to have had a healthy pregnancy so far.  However, the swelling (especially in my hands) has gotten out of control.  It's so painful in the morning that holding a toothbrush and washing my hair are things I contemplate skipping or begging someone else to do for me.  While at work, any amount of time holding a pen or typing leaves my fingertips numb and my hands stiff.

The good news is I got the a-okay from my obgyn tonight to use Arnica to treat the pain and swelling in my joints, and I couldn't be more excited.  I've never experienced swelling like this during my previous pregnancies, and when I did have any pain, I took regular Tylenol.  Since reading about a study linking Tylenol to ADHD, and an overall nervousness with medications during pregnancy, I was really hoping to get the Arnica approved.

The nice people at Boiron had sent me a couple of their Blue Tubes of Arnica 30C Pellets, and since I've known the Arnica Gel to work for me for post-workout pains pre-pregnancy, I'm optimistic that tomorrow morning will be much better.

I also received a tube of Calendula Cream from Boiron, which I had planned to use to treat some stubborn dry skin on JD's scalp.  But the plans changed when Keith and I got some wicked sunburn last weekend.  (I excitedly dug a hole in the sand for my belly so I could lie face down, fell asleep, and burnt the heck out of the back of my legs.)  It feels so good to slather on the cooling cream, and it will speed up the recovery, as the last thing I need right now is to be uncomfortable sitting due to sunburn.  

Boiron, the world leader in homeopathic medicines, has offered to ship these products to a lucky reader, so please enter below.  There is a wealth of information on Boiron's website (a long with a $2 off coupon), and they even have a free medicine finder app.  They also have a giveaway running for an awesome Grand Canyon adventure.

*Boiron sent me these products for free and is providing additional products for a winner.  The opinions, swelling, and sunburn are all my own.

Open to US residents only! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wordless Wednesday: Not Your Average Family Photo Shoot

Minivan Problems (and KidzCanDesign giveaway)

We picked up the new minivan last week, and we are LOVING it.  The only issue that I am having a hard time with is the key.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but my old car had a keyless entry system with push button start, and leaving my keys in the bottom of my diaperbag/schoolbag/purse for 5 years has made me a very lazy girl.  

At least once a day I walk up to my car and wonder why it won't just open- which is especially embarrassing when driving coworkers out to lunch (I've got two car seats and everyone can still fit in! Woohoo!)  Baby brain + new, kinda important thing to remember = I HAVE to make my keys easy to find/something I don't mind having in my hand all the time.

Enter KidzCanDeisgn.  They specialize in converting your child's work of art (or photos, handprints, etc.) into a high quality, sterling silver, custom piece of jewelry.  When I was approached to review a product by KidzCanDesign, I knew right away I would chose a keychain.  And I knew right away the piece of art I wanted to use.  

JD painted this picture a while ago and described it to me and "Mommy and Keith holding hands and happy."  For anyone who's read or spoken with me about my divorce, you know that JD was very sensitive to my feelings- and especially concerned about my happiness level. It brought me to tears to know that he saw me as happy in my and Keith's relationship.  I framed it, and it has hung in our bedroom since.

The KidzCanDesign process was extremely user friendly.  I simply chose my item and uploaded a picture of the artwork.  Their site is full of beautiful examples to give you ideas of what you can have done.

I can imagine the kids would love getting a pendant made of some of their own artwork someday, too!

The final piece arrived beautifully packaged (think great gift idea for grandma or a special friend), and I am so happy with how it came out!  The quality really is great, and it still captures the feeling of JD's art.

Now for the fun part: We are giving a KidzCanDesign item away to a lucky reader, and they will get to design their own special piece!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given the keychain for free for the purpose of this review.