Yes, yes, I know...we've been strangely absent on the blog as of late. To be quite honest, it's not that we've been too busy, it's just that we haven't been busy. Ben would disagree, since he tells me that I am busy...making lungs, and toes and eyes, etc.... but I usually feel as though we haven't "done" anything since I've been on couch rest for about a month.
Because of the couch rest and the need to lay low to keep our little guy cooking for a bit longer, we haven't been out of the house much and each day passes with pretty much the same routine...shower before Ben leaves for work, play with Lilyana, read the same books to her (we really need to get some more board books!), Ben comes home for lunch (*love*), nap time for Lilyana...sometimes me, more couch rest and quiet time, Ben comes home to make dinner, we spend time talking and reading out loud...just the three of us (very soon to be FOUR!!!!!), Lilyana goes to bed, Ben and I play a game, or read some more, or talk until we're tired enough to actually sleep, we sleep and then start all over again.
I'm hoping to get the green light to get up and get some work done on Thursday when we have our next appointment. My "to-do" list gets longer everyday and I'm eager to get started on some last minute projects/housework before our little guy arrives. However, this last month of laying low has been good for us, I think. Since I'm not allowed to "do" anything (by my definition), I can sit with my baby girl and read and play for hours without feeling like I have to get work done. It's been a good reminder that my family...my wonderful, selfless husband and my sweet strawberry-blonde curly topped baby girl matter more than the dust under the desk. Being there for them, letting them be there for me (wow...that's a hard one!), and just enjoying each day (which I usually don't get an A+ for) is my current calling. It will be over soon...very soon... And I am so thankful for two dear friends of mine who have come to visit and keep me company, and the delightful D. family for doing our grocery shopping...such a treat!
Laying low hasn't kept our house from colds and such, though. Poor Lilyana came down with Roseola recently...congested, running a fever and then the rash, which wasn't as bad as I expected. I was so thankful that it didn't itch! She wasn't her normal cheerful, happy-go-lucky self for many days and just wanted to be held, mostly by her daddy. We rubbed her down with oils and diffused them in her bedroom at nap-time and during the night while she slept. This seemed to help a lot, but she was still waking up at least once during the night coughing. At about the same time, Ben developed strep throat and I was doing all I could to stay healthy! I wasn't going to be sick and in labor at the same time! I hated to see both of them suffering and knew I could do more. So I got up one morning and whipped together some home remedies to soothe their aching bodies.
What could be better than some Cough Syrup and a Vapor Rub? These are so easy to make and use household ingredients and essential oils! Quick and easy, healthy and tasty, the Cough Syrup and Vapor Rub are good to keep on hand in your home, and if packaged nicely, would make great gifts to your friends and family this Christmas!
So, I hope you enjoy these two recipes as much as my family has, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!

Homemade Cough Syrup
(Lilyana LOVES this stuff!)
1 C Honey (preferably raw, local honey)
1/4 C Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Combine honey and vinegar in a small pot and heat over low heat until the honey is runny and the two ingredients are combined. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pour into desired storage bottle and add essential oils. Shake before serving a healing 1-2 teaspoons to your family!
**WARNING!! DO NOT give to children under the age of ONE as this recipe contains honey**
Vapor Rub
(A Lilyana favorite...she carried the jar around and would ask for more as she needed it!)
2 T Beeswax
1/2 C Olive or Coconut Oil
30 Drops Young Living's Peppermint Essential Oil
Heat beeswax and oil in a small pot over low heat until the beeswax is completely melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Pour into desired storage jar, add the essential oils, stirring to combine and allow to set before use! Rub on chest and back every 2 hours or as needed.
CAUTION:
NEVER take lower quality essential oils internally. From my research, the only essential oils that I trust enough in quality to be taken internally, are Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils, and only if it is labeled as a “supplement.” If your essential oil is from an edible plant such as lavender, lemon, orange, grapefruit, oregano, thyme, frankincense, ylang ylang, etc., and it states that the essential oil is “Not for Internal Use” then you can be certain that the essential oil is NOT superior quality. Only 2% of all essential oils in the world are considered therapeutic grade. CLICK HERE to find out what that means.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you don't use essential oils and would like more information, I'd love to answer your questions! Leave a comment with your contact information and I'll get back with you as soon as I can! If you would like to sign up for Young Living and share in these wonderful healing oils, click here!
So, if you have any jokes you'd like to leave in the comment section, please feel free to do so! And if you try these recipes, please leave a comment and tell me how you liked them! I love getting feedback!
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor. The information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.
