The Great Letdown

Our first fall in our first home.

2012-10-07T11:19:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!!! So yesterday as a family Dustin and I with the two kiddies Emma and jack went on a adventure to enjoy the crisp air and the season. We started with breakfast at the local cafe we love the old creamery and proceeded to ponder on what we should do. You see I don't get a lot of weekends off so this was a big opportunity for us.

We decided that we were going to the craft store to get fall and Halloween decor. Then stopped at the hardware store to get rakes and bags. We stopped at a coffee shop had some hot chocolate and ice cream, I know strange but its what they wanted :) and this was about the kids.

As we were on our way home both were so excited that jack passed out and Emma literally wouldn't stop talking. When we got home I put jack down and Emma and I started on all the lawn decor and putting leaves in the bags. Dad was sweeping the lawn to get all the leaves faster, mostly to play! We still have a lot of leaves to take care of. I can't tell u what kind of memories we made yesterday it was amazing and almost tear worth of happiness. Here are some pictures from yesterday I took to share with u :) enjoy and I hope that your fall is going as we'll as ours. We are finally home and on the verge of all our first holidays as homeowners.

Everything is for these kids and I can't tell u how lucky I am! They are mine and Dustin's world and giving them what I really never had is suck a blessing to me! They will forever call this home and never feel left behind or not welcome. They will always know they can come home, and be safe. We will give them everything thing we can and Never hold back as life is to short to wait for tomorrow :)

I confess.

2012-09-28T13:50:00.001-07:00

I am writing this as a confession to all those that I care about, that care about me, that I have lost or gained in the last year.

This last year has been a particularly adventurous one you could say. I don't know much, But I know this. I never knew who I was, I still don't but I am finally learning and its a path I wouldn't change for anything. But my whole life I have felt like a fraud.

I grew up broken, and as a matter of fact I am still very broken and its taken years for me to admit this. By this I mean that everything that has happen to me has attested to this. From absence of a woman in my life to helping my dad raise my brothers, my step mother and the turmoils that I went through. I will never ask you to feel sorry or think more of me because I went through hardship as everyone does.

But this last year: I have learned more then I have in my whole life. I have grown and learned that being broken and not always knowing my path is who I am and sometimes 1/2 the fun. Also making me realize that I am loved JUST THE WAY THAT I AM.

Over the last year I have went from being a stay at home mother to a full time working one(part time now) to folding laundry and making dinner to being away from my husband and children that it has not changed me but opened my eyes. My husband and I bought a house and have realized the responsibility and the stress on us that has brought, but also show us how to be better parents and better for one another. I have went through some health problems and are still trying to figure them out.

Most of all, I found god, real love, friendships and mostly myself. I am not that multi Megan any more the one that pleases everyone. I am ME! That has come with some hardship as people realize that they may not like me, or don't get me any more and that is fine I am ok with that now. I am ok with not pleasing everyone around, not always having to be the best, the center and proving others that I am "cool" in lame tums.

I am me: I am a bit neurotic, I am crazy, I am bi-polar, I am social anxiety, I am asthma, I am a wife, mother, hard working, home owner. I am a best friend, I am my own worst enemy, I am blunt and honest and sometimes mean. I am god's child, and most I am confused most the time. But that is just a fraction of who I am. I am also loving, ambitious, talented, scared, closet singer and I am Megan and best version I can be. I know I may be going on and on but I needed to get this all out.

I have lost some people in my life this year, some by choice, some by the graces of god and some well some just left me. For that I am a stronger me. I am looking out for what matters, my children me and my husband. MY FAMILY. I have been so distracted my whole life I forgot to live it.

~Megan~

weight loss journey update #3

2012-05-17T15:03:00.001-07:00

Hi there all! I want to tell you that I am currently down 12lbs since my last update and cant be more thrilled!!!! Its going well and I even got into my pre-jack prego jeans and get this THERE BIG! I love it and am so proud of me.

Not only have I got this to look forward to but we bought a house and I got a job doing what I love.

Here are some pictures of my latest weight loss....

just some pictures from the past couple months....

2012-04-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

2012-04-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

OK, I just now realized I didn't make this post live, no wonder no one was claiming their prize! Sorry for the waiting and confusion.

And the winner is........

fancygrlnancy

thank you to all who participated!!! We have more fun things coming up!

-Megan

Please email me within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Just Simply Baby

2012-03-12T10:47:00.001-07:00

I was asked by this amazing company to review there cloth diapers, you will be seeing more of them here on TGl and me talking more about them after this post and review. They are a amazing online company. Just Simply Baby was created by a woman named Katie a mother of four who I have grown to admire. She didn't start to cloth diaper till her last child as she was not aware of how clothe diapering is today, and thought well I should be helping other mothers on there first journey to cloth diapers and created her own at a good price for AMAZING diapers.

She offers everything on her site too! She has links as follows: Simply Cloth - Simply Baby - Simply Preemie - Simply Mama - Laundry Day - Diaper Accessories - Create a package -

please use these links to see all the amazing products that come from her site.

Now down to what I want to talk about, the Diaper!

This diaper above is the one that I received to do a review on, and let me tell you I fell in love with this diaper!!!!! Some of the things that really make me love this diaper is one the cool designs that you can get, the fact that its a snap and not Velcro. I like the pocket design that she has come up with it is so easy to get the inserts in and away we go. It is a all in one so it fit all/most with the snaps in the front adjusting the size of the diaper. It fits my son so well, this I can tell you is so far the only diaper in my stash that has not leaked on us no matter how full it got! I actually would choose this diaper over MOST all other name/popular brands out there.

Information from website

I am so pleased with Simply Baby Diapers and cant wait to get myself some more, as well as more fun things that she offers on her site, it really is a one stop shop for all your cloth diapers crunch mama needs! I am pleased to also let my readers know that they have offered a $25 gift card to Just Simply Baby for one lucky reader, please follow the instructions below.

1. Must like TGL on Facebook

2. Must share this with your friends on facebook, sending them to TGL and having them write on our wall will add to more entry.

3. grab my button.

4. Must like JSB on facebook.

5. Must follow TGL and JSB on twitter, tweeting this will add to entry.

5. Must subscribe to TGL

Please post a comment below for every entry including links and your contact information please. A winner will be selected at random on APRIL 6th, cut off time is 12 midnight Central Time. This is for US residents.

Thanks so much and please check out Just Simply Baby online at www.JustSimplyBaby.com

-Megan

*Note that this product(s) was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with JSB.

Health Update

2012-03-10T09:17:00.004-08:00

Hi all my wonderful readers out there!

I wanted to make this post about my health as I have been going through a lot lately and is most the reason I have not been on here. Lets start off by letting you know a bit of my family history, my mother and father have heart issues as for my mother she has heart disease a whole in her heart and pulmonary hyoertention. All to scary at her young age in her late 40's.

I have been recently been looked at by my doctors as someone that may have some actual issues. For years I have been trying to get the doctors to notice that I am not crazy when I tell them that I feel like Im having a heart attack. When I tell them that my body hurts and that there is nothing that I seem to do to make myself better, my anxiety attacks that I feel I can no longer just breath through and control. They look at me as someone that looks healthy on the outside and never seemed to take me seriously.

Well about 4 months ago I was in the hospital for chest pains and was unexplained to what was going on, they set me up on there monitors and gave me a EKG, nothing was found till they realized that I have a really irregular mummer, witch they would just watch, them out of no were they finally caught was has been going on, Cardiac Arrhythmia. And regulated that by meds that they thought would help me calm down and keep my heart rate low.

Even with all the meds they gave me in the hospital I still almost went into cardiac arrest! At 25 years of age knowing that I could have died was nothing that I can explain. I have two babies I need to be here for them and love them, I CAN'T DIE. That was my moment that I knew I needed to fight for my health no matter what the doctors told me, I also found out that my potassium levels dangerously dropped and was given that in the hospital too. I have always known that my body does not always absorb the vitamins and minerals I needed well. But this one scared me too as its a KEY to the function to your muscles. Your heart is ONE BIG muscle.

Also was told that my thyroid was not functioning properly. They brushed that off like nothing and as soon as my heart was regulated they sent me home.

Well that brings me to last Friday, I was again in the hospital. It started when I was laying on the sofa watching a movie as my brother Rob and sister in law Katie were visiting, I had that same feeling come over me, I ended up blacking out for about two min and then went into my bedroom to tell my husband that he needed to take me to the hospital or call 911 as I didn't know what to do, I didn't have meds and we have no health care so this was all just a mess. He proceeded to take me in and from the time that I got into the care till we got to the hospital I had to have my head out the window and the cool air on me I felt I was going to pass out and most likely throw up. When we got there I told them my issues and they immediately took me to a room hooked me to monitors checked my heart for possible heart attack and started a IV for fluids and gave me a sedative as well as drew blood. I was in and out of it the whole time that I was there and had multiple episodes of my heart rate getting scary high.

From that they regulated me and proceeded to send me home with meds, that Monday I went into the clinic for more lab work. Again in the hospital my potassium was low and my thyroid was out of wack and the labs came back normal, this puzzled my doctors. I was sent to the heart clinic to have a holter placed and had to wear that to monitor for 24 hours. I am still unsure of what is going to happen and what the docs are going to do next but I am a bit scared. I just want to feel better, when my daughter asked me what was wrong I didn't know what to tell a 4 year old, so I just told her that mama's heart is acting silly and she asked me if it was broken? That there did brake my heart she is so concerned for her mommy. I love my babies to death they are my world and they are my reason.

With all this being said my support from my readers is important to me. I love to hear from you, your stories and experiences and support. So this is my reason for writing this, prayers are free and Know this may not seem as scary as some, but it is to me and my family.

Thank you so much for reading and you support!

-Megan

NouriShea Winners!

2012-02-03T09:19:00.001-08:00

Hi there!!!

I have some winnners!!!!!

The following persons were chosen at random:

Joni

Faithfullyurs

Jackie

If you have not been contacted please do so by contacting me with your address at megan@thegreatletdown.com to claim your prize if the winners do not do so within 24 hours a new winner(s) will be chosen.

Thanks for participating!!!!!

-Megan

Meet Stephanie

2012-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

My name is Stephanie; I’m 24 years old, and mother of two beautiful little boys and expecting my third child in July. I’ve been married to the love of my life since December 30th, 2005. I come from a small rural Minnesota town; population when I lived there was roughly 600. No stop lights, “heavy” traffic was 4 pickup trucks behind a tractor going down the main stretch. The kind of town where everyone knows everyone and everyTHING about everyone (even if they really don’t). I have a twin brother and two younger siblings that mean the world to me. I come from a dysfunctional family, but I’d like to think most people come from dysfunctional families but it’s what they make out of it as to who they become in life. That was the common ground Megan and I had when we met in school. We were both the mother figures to our siblings and forced to grow up before our time and came from dysfunctional families. We had many deep conversations for 14-15year olds around the lunch table! I graduated in the spring of 2006 and moved over 1,000 miles from home to be with my husband who had joined the Army and was coming back from first deployment.
If I had to shrink a description of myself down I would say: I’m a young mom who learns as she goes, the daughter of an alcoholic, a strong independent woman, intelligent, someone who has overcome her upbringing, a pro-extended breastfeeding, cloth diapering, non-circumcising, PROUD Army Wife.
I am pretty open about myself and my life and the things I have overcome to become the person I am today. I cannot wait to share with all of you and learn from each other!

Married Fat UPDATE #2

2012-01-16T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hi there everyone! I know this update it well over due but if I am going to be honest I actually was not doing well. My health was getting bad with my anxiety and heart condition that I was not actually loosing any more weight I was gaining it, so from my first married fat my stats were this.

Name:Megan

Height: 5' 1"

Weight: 160lbs

Age: 24

Goal: 40lbs gone.

And when I weighed myself two months ago or so I was at 180lbs almost, I was mortified and devastated! I had let myself get worse then I was pregnant with my second :( But I decided that the only way I can do this is to obviously watch my diet and exercise but to get a scale to keep me motivated! So I got a scale and I just weighed myself on Fri for the first time in months and I was pleased with what it said!

159#

This for me was big, I was down to what I started at and a little more. This is after having a full meal and what not. Needless to say that got me going knowing that I am looking at a 150# and I could do this just with a little motivation and extreme discipline on my behalf!

I knew that I needed to cut the things that I love the most out and my weaknesses are: Pasta, Ice Cream and chocolate.

By doing this and only have them in extreme moderation I know that getting to my goal is going to get easier! I have been trying to recruit my husband into my efforts as being together we have gained the same since the moment I got pregnant with our first. I know he wants to but he is so tired as he works so hard. Love you Dustin!! we can do this!

I weighed myself after breakfast this morning and was supper pleased to see what I saw!

156#

Me this morning

I hope to maybe motivate you too, in some way or the next. Take this journey with me and lets see what we can accomplish. I hope to see some of your efforts if you choose to post on your blog please send your link or what not and ill be sure to send encouraging words your way, or just simply comment below and we will do it that way :) Either way if you are planing to get healthy and loose some weight and are doing well congrats to you!

Thanks for all your support in my long journey to getting healthy! I hope to have a even better update and weight next Monday!

Megan

My birthday, xmas and the new year

2012-01-12T20:57:00.000-08:00

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

2012-01-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Hi there Everyone, as you see I am talking about something that most all my readers can and will want to read and or relate to. January was made Cervical Cancer/Health awareness month! This is something that effects approximately 12,000 as diagnosed each year and 4,000 of those lives are lost.

The US Congress has made January its awareness month to gets its word out there about your health as a woman and how we protect our lives from Cervical Cancer. HPV-The Human Papilloma Virus is what causes the decease. It is transmitted sexually, and please take note that means;

-Intercourse-straight, gay or bi

-genital rubbing

-oral sex

-sex involving toys

You may not have realized all the riskes.

Cervical Cancer is actually preventable and I am going to list a few reasons that I have found that have been know to lessen your risk of contraction.

1. Getting vaccinated.

Click here for information

2. Getting your yearly PAP done as soon as you have intercourse for the first time or after you are 21years of age.

3. Getting tested when its recommended

4. SAFE SEX!!!!!! Please for not only this sake but for all others lets spread safe sex like a decease instead!

Woman we are all at risk, HPV is something that is nothing to mess with or wait for, we want to be as healthy as we can so please get tested and get your vaccine today! Please spread the word and wear your green ribbon proud, if you would like to have TGL to send you a ribbon please Email me and we will get that worked out.

Hope we can end the sadness and high numbers or woman effected every year of this scary and silent killer!

-Megan

Information for the transGen folks :)

(Borrowed from The She Bob Blog)

Discrimination against trans folks is still a big issue with health care providers and insurance plans, but on November 21, 2011, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists expressed its opposition to gender identity discrimination and formally implored Ob-Gyns to provide routine treatment and screenings to transgender patients, including Pap tests. Also, starting in late 2012, most insurance companies will be required by law to cover screenings. If you encounter problems with insurance coverage, learn about filing an appeal here.

A few more resources for you:

Check It Out Guys (creators of the excellent poster above) is a great resource on cervical health geared toward trans men.
Planned Parenthood provides low-cost reproductive care.
Resources PDX includes a medical directory for people of all genders. Tranz Guys PDX has a list of trans-friendly doctors.
Black Women’s Health Imperative has a helpful page about cervical cancer.
Our Bodies, Ourselves has a page on cervical tests and how to read a Pap test report.

Vidazorb Belly Boost Review and Giveaway!

2012-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

Vidazorn® is a amazing company founded on what our tummy's feel like.. "What are you absorbing today?"

I was sent a full bottle of there Belly Boost Zorbee bugs for your belly chewable robotics. There is 90 in a bottle. I was excited to get my kids on these as my daughter has a milk protein sensitivity and Jack has always been a bit fussy. I have tried robotic before and didn't like that they were in liquid form and needed refrigeration.

Fun facts about Belly Boost:

* Most thoroughly tested chewable pro biotic in the world.

* Its a amazing convenient chewable non refrigerated tablet.

* Billions of CFU's in each tablet.

* would have to take 10x the amount of others to reach what Belly boost can do!

* 7 years to produce and a 3 year shelf life!

If that does not tell you how great this product is I can help, I have been giving them to my kids for over a month now on and off not always remembering. I can tell you that it truly has mad a difference, actually it even has made them seem a bit happy. Happy tummy= a happy kid and a happy mom! I truly think all persons should be on a pro biotic supplement for themselves as well as getting there family too as well! If you would like to learn more about Vidazorb® Belly Boost please visit them online at http://zorbee.com

Another thing that is totally not relevant that I thought was neat is if you have small ones that are old enough to use a computer and color, they have games with the little zorbee and colors pages too on their site.

I really enjoyed using this product and was pleased with the results and the fact that my children got excited to take a probiotic.

Please sign up for the contest to win your very own, Three winners will have the chance to win Belly Boost and a bottle of Plus.

Contest Requirements:

1. Follow this Blog publicly

2. FollowVidazorb® on facebook HERE

3. Share this with others, Via twitter, facebook, blog....

4. MUST like us on Facebook

Optional:

Like the Great Letdown on facebook.

Tell me what you like about probiotocs and if you take them yourself.

I wish luck to you all, be sure to make all entries a separate comment and the more that you do the more chances you have to win. For sharing on social sites you may make a entry 3 times a day on all media. This contest ends 31st of January 12 mindnight central time. ALSO PLEASE BE SURE to check out the other contest that I have going and extended for more chances to win some fun things!! Click here to enter second contest.

Thanks for entering!!

Megan

*Note that this product(s) was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with Vidazorb.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jonies Story.... The adoption....

2012-01-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

A Desire for The Great Letdown…Adoption

It has been awhile since my last post and Megan has asked me to catch you up on the last two months. We decided to apply to join an adoption agency at the beginning of November when I felt the pull to look at that particular agencies site and saw there were two openings. This was a Monday night. By Wednesday afternoon the agency had contacted me to set up an interview for the following Tuesday and the nervous wait began.

Angel Adoptions is based out Illinois so our interview was over the phone, during Steve’s lunch break(my husband), so we sat in his lunch area, on speaker phone and had an hour long conversation with one of the starters of this wonderful agency. It was a great conversation and we hung up the phone feeling, still nervous, but a little more excited than we had when we began the call. Thursday of that week, just before 4pm, I received the email we had been waiting for…and it was a YES! They accepted us and want to help us bring home a baby of our very own!! I read the email over and over, called my mom (laughing and crying!) and called Steve to give him the news. Elated we began applying for a loan immediately to cover the agency fee, home study and lawyer fees we expect to need to cover.

When, after two weeks of trying, we conceited that no one will give us a loan right now I was crushed. It felt in that moment as though I had lost another baby and I cried on and off for two days. They don’t like all the things we are paying on right now, and I respect that but we have four big things nearly paid off…so now we pay things off and we reapply. It is frustrating to know that because of money we are being put on hold to hold a baby in our arms.

My sister opened up a PayPal account to try and raise money toward our adopting but nothing has come into that account yet. I have become a Tupperware consultant to earn more money on a flexible schedule, but that has been very slow going and I have made very little. Steve has had two job interviews in the last two months in an effort to get a better paying job, nothing yet.

Our friends and family have gathered around us and have began giving us or telling us they are saving for us their baby’s items as they finish with them. The family I nanny for gave us their bassinet over the weekend and so it sits in our bedroom with the diaper bag I purchased after our acceptance and the onsies, cloth diapers, blankets, etc that my parents gave us for Christmas – “so you have something to get started.” It is exciting and heart wrenching somehow. Another friend is planning to hold a garage sale this spring and give us all the proceeds, we have a couple of other friends, and us, providing product for that sale.

During all of this I have decided that I desperately want to breastfeed our baby so I have began the process to re lactate. Of course I became ill the week after I started the nipple and aerola massage and then the holidays happened, with travel involved, so I got away from a great though painful week of massage. I purchased and have continued taking Fenugreek and Goat’s Rue, both highly recommended for re lactating women. I am reading Mother Food by Hilary Jacobson right now and she has some great pointers. This week I begin again. The thought being able to breastfeed our baby is just so wonderful. I hope and pray that it works!

Emotionally, I am all over the place right now with this – nothing happening, other than bills that were going to get paid getting paid off…the longing and desire has not cooled, even with the Minnesota weather. In recent weeks we have had two potential “offers” brought to us by friends of friends about babied they aren’t certain they want to keep, but I have refused to get excited about these situations, especially when there has been no follow up in either situation. A situation like this would eliminate the adoption agency fee, which would be a blessing in and of itself.

We just want to be parents. We just want to be Mommy and Daddy. We are so close and yet so far from our goal…I pray daily, cry often, wonder constantly. How? When?

Cost with Angel Adoption:

Agency Fee: $14,200

Home Study: $1,500-2,500

Lawyer: $2,000-7,000

Joni

A note from Megan

As my best friend Joni is someone I know wants to be a mommy more then anything, she has a way with children that I cant even explain. No matter the problem with a child she can solve it. This is something she is destine to be...A Mother.... She is the most kind hearted, whole hearted, caring, compassionate, truthful person I know and a friend to be so proud to call mine. Please keep your prayers open for a financial miracle as they need it. I am hoping to set up a fund for her so we get closer to bringing a baby home of their very own!

Megan

Realizing a Miracle

2011-10-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Growing up I took care of most all around me, it was just my nature and by that I got called "ma" by most. I have always been this way since my parents divorced and I was with my dad and three brothers. I loved to take care of them all, never was a burden on me. I love my father and brothers just that much as all should. Family is everything to me and whether or not we are blood if I loved you I took care of you from being a friend or a friends family. So that being said I have always been close with my great friends that are life lasting and will do just about anything for them as I would do just that for my blood family. So a great friend of mine got pregnant and had issues, as her pregnancy as not planned nor was she certain that she was going to keep it due to the relationship with the father that told her to "just get rid of it". So we started to talk more and more during her pregnancy and I told her I will be there for her as a doula and her support. So as her pregnancy progressed she was getting more and more miserable and toward the end we were so sure that she was going to go into labor any day.. but no!! She became over due and her mid wife was doing nothing about it, I know what you are thinking many woman are overdue. But if you would have seen, went through and realized her pregnancy and seen how big she was you would know there was something wrong with her being that pregnant.

She is a very small woman and short as well, so after her last appointment her doc told her that if she is still pregnant by the end of the week that she would induce her. Well Megan was not going to have that and asked me if I would help her see another doc. A bit unorthodox but I talked to a few experts of mine and was told that we need to do what we feel is right for Megan and her baby, So I brought her to my house and my town and called to doc the next day, they immediately got her in. I told Megan while waiting that I can bet that she is measuring 3 weeks over. The measured her and sure as shit she was! So the doc wanted to do a ultrasound to get a measurement of baby. Take in mind her original talk told her nothing about her measuring that way nor did she think there is wrong. Her original doc also told her she only has about a 6 pound baby in there.

After getting the ultrasound done we went back into see the doc and was told that she has about 6x times the normal amniotic fluid and baby is about 8lbs 2oz. and said we need to get you admitted to the hospital and have a baby!!!!!! We were so excited that someone was finally realizing that Megan's condition was not a healthy one for her or baby. So after getting to the hospital the broke her bad of waters and went from there Megan was contracting beautifully and progressing on her own. We didn't get much sleep and 42 hours later she was almost a 10, but was holding on to that last part of cervix so a small amount of piton was used. after about a hour she was at a 10, and it was time to push, so we started pushing and pushing. but NOTHING was happening and baby was getting in distress and her heart rate was dipping bad. So after 2 hours the nurse was getting concerned as well as I was by seeing there was no progress and baby was not happy with what was going on. After getting the doctor in the room and getting checked to see were baby was at, the news that I new was going to happen came out of the docs mouth........C-section. Megan was not happy but knew that it was the only was as baby has not moved into her pelvic yet and after two hours something should have happened. Megan asked me to be in the OR with her and I was so honored and excited to be on the other end of a section as I was always the one on the table. Let me tell you watching a section like that gave me a new light on my own births, knowing that its still a miracle! Another reason to realize that children are just that amazing to watch come into this world. After having baby out I got to watch all the sewing up and be supporting Megan as she is miserable on the table and tired from going through all that she did! 46hours of no sleep was worth it in the end!!!!!!! Megan is a strong girl and a wonderful new mom and I was so honored to be a part of the miracle that is birth!!!!!

After the birth of her baby girl the doc came to tell her that her pelvic was not going to allow baby to go vaginally as she was to big and the a section was smart, because if she were to continue pushing she would of ended on the OR table in emergency reasons. So we are happy that mom and baby are ok and healthy!

McKinley 7lbs 13oz 20inches long

Me and Baby McKinley

My daughter Emma with McKinley

-Megan R

Breast Cancer Awareness and Payton Fisher

2011-10-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hi there TGL Fans we are always willing to partner up or allow others to post when posting a cause, well Payton Fisher Bracelets is supporting Breast Cancer this month with some amazing deals and donations! Please check this post out and lets get supportive!

Hello, my name is Payton Fisher and I am the proud creator of Payton Fisher Bracelets! My bracelets are designed after the United States military version of the “Survival Bracelet”, a strong and durable section of 550 parachute cord contained in a small space to be available for life saving and emergent needs. (550 parachute cord can hold up to 550 POUNDS)!! When unraveled, each bracelet contains 10-14 feet of the strong and reliable cord.

Payton Fisher Bracelets though are made for fun, recreation and to show some team spirit.

Payton Fisher Bracelets are recreated in the same way, BUT WITH COLOR!! Now you can support your favorite local high school, college or professional sports team, a local fundraiser, charity or organization. Honor fallen military, police and firefighter men and women, or just make a new fashion statement. Payton Fisher Bracelets are very customizable with over 26 colors to choose from, offering over 17,000 color combinations!

My products are built to last!! Don’t worry about getting my product wet because it won’t Shrink, Mold, Mildew or Fade!!

What we are doing this month is we are collecting 10% of each purchase off our website and donating it to find a cure for Breast Cancer! If you purchase any Pink and White products then 15% will be collected and donated! Our website is www.pfparacord.com Come check it out!

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Try ordering from our NEW website! All purchases go through PayPal, always a safe and secure transaction!
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"Like" us on facebook!
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-Megan

Mean People Suck!

2011-10-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have realized something, I really don't care for mean people. I know what you must be thinking "well no one does". I am talking about those that feel that they need to make everyone else around them miserable as per them hating or disliking there own lives, just to make themselves feel better. I have been over the last year a victim, if you will, of such persons. I have done all that I can to ignore this person and not allow her to get under my skin but as we all know, I'm human and have emotions and feelings and those feelings are getting hurt. No matter my efforts I cant seem to get away from her. She finds me everywhere and no matter what she is telling me its a attack on me, my family, who I am, my children, what I do, who my friends are and so on. I try to get away from her personally and she fights me on Facebook, I delete and block her and she gets my number, and now I need to change that. I am so sick of hearing how much this woman hates me. Here is the thing, she has NEVER taken the time to get to know me and knows just as much about me as a person on the street, or hear say. But never the less people in this world will always treat people this way, bring them down in the tries to make themselves feel better.

One of my idols is Elinor Roosevelt and she ounce said " No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" I tell people that I love all the time those words, but just like anyone its hard to listen to your own advice. I am learning lessons everyday as everyone does. This lesson is a hard one and I find myself wanting to just lash out and not do the right thing. I know that I have said somethings to her that may be mean, but all were in defense to my own person. I have apologized and now thinking that was a mistake as nothing that you can say or do to these types of persons is good enough or make a difference no matter who is wrong. There was a time that I tried to talk things over and ended up getting attacked all over again. Well I am not going to take the time any more. Sad part is we have a mutual friend and this is hurting her too.

I try all the time to be the best friend that I can be, and there are times that I may not seem like the nicest person too, but here is how I see this. I am only responsible for my words and what I say, not how you understand them. I am a very loving person and love all those who cross my path, and lately feel I have done an even better job of that due to my blooming faith and relationship with God as well as counseling. i like to think that I am quick to admit when I am wrong and most who really know me would agree, but I also know that my honesty sometimes comes off mean or disheartening. I want to clear that too, I don't wish to lie to you so if you don't wish for my feelings or thoughts then please lets not ask me. What I am trying to get at here is that I am done, and its time to start weeding those who don't truly care for me. I don't need this, I am a mother, wife and a adult and this behavior and relationships are not worth my time or healthy for that matter. So my wish is this, I wish that people will just stop attacking the ones you don't like or the ones you do. Hurt feelings, demeaning words and threats WILL NOT get you anywhere in life, and Carma will come back to you.

How do you feel about this, have you every been so violently emotionally abused? I know I am a good mom, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Right now what matters to me is my family and my friends I love. So I am now to the point were I am not going to worry about this persons words and let her think she is getting to me if that is what is going to make her feel big, because its not any more. She will not control my emotions or thoughts of myself. I have the most AMAZING husband, family and children and that right there is all I ever need in this world!

Thanks for letting me rant!!

-Megan

NouriShea Review and Giveaway!

2011-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Moms and Dads! Its giveaway time and a time to tell you about another holistic and natural product that has been brought to my life by chance! NouriShea is a amazing all natural USDA organic Raw west African Shea Butter products created by a mother on the hunt for something to moisturize and take care of her baby's delicate skin, after realizing that what she has found was magnificent. She thought I must share this, and NouriShea was born.

She has made her products that include skin, body and hair care lines with her recovered Shea Butter and natural oils to provide the best nourishment for your and your body.

I was not able to try actual size products but samples were given to me so forgive me as I didn't get to try it very long. The samples I received were the shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.

REVIEW:

Shampoo: I love this, its a great moisturizing shampoo seeing as I have try scalp issues this was really nice. My head didn't feel dry and itchy like normal, also it didn't make my hair greasy as I will admit I thought that was going to happen.

Conditioner: I'm a honest woman and wont lie I didn't really like this to much and that could be that it was sample size and I have a ton of hair but this didn't work for me as I felt my hair didn't get soft, and I couldn't comb through it.

Lotion: Love love love this, I have used Shea Butter before but nothing like this. Wish I had this when I was pregnant. Maybe I would have avoided my many stretch marks (hehe)

Lip Balm: I like it, I cant say I love it I mean it defiantly does its job but I am a texture person and not crazy about the texture. For sure though its a great lip moisturizer, I use it mostly on my children and with the colder months hitting Minnesota here that is nice to have, something I would like to get more of.

Overall the products are something that I am willing to tell you about and share with you the benefits of using them. Now here is your chance to try them yourself. But even so please feel free to visit NouriShea Online and order for you or someone you know!!

How to win:

You must follow TGL via google friend connect

You must got to NouriShea Facebook and comment "thanks for the giveaway chance over at @the great letdown<please tag us as you must like us on facebook as well to do so>

You must let me know what you try on your skin to help it stay healthy and beautiful!

Optional:

Grab my button

Drive traffic to TGL and have your friend comment below on who sent them IE: your name that shows when you comment.

Follow NouriShea on twitter

The COOL part, I get to have THREE winners!!!! You will be getting the little travil kit as you see above.

Thats it!! Good luck, who doesn't like surprise giveaways? Please make sure that all your entries are in separate comments.

This giveaway will End saturday the 31nd of January at 12midnight central standard time.

Thanks for stopping!

-Megan

*Note that this product(s) was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way withNouriShea.

New beginnings

2011-09-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone!
Thought that I would finally get on here and get a post done, I have missed you all and I am so sorry that I have not been on here. I see that we has lost some followers I am assuming from the last giveaway coming to a end. I am sad for that. But all is well anyway I still have all of you.

The Rockenbach house has been VERY busy the last few months. We moved and that was the hardest thing that I have done in a while, this move really proved to be difficult not only because we had one more child in the mix but.... You see we has till July 31st at 12 noon be out of our apartment as well as the people that we in the apartment that we were moving into. So that being said we were homeless for 24hours as we could not get into our new apartment till the 1st at 12 noon. They claim that they has to get the apartment ready and turn it over but if you saw it you would know they didn't. Sad I know, but it was so stressful. We had to get all moved and packed and clean the apartment and get it all to my mother in laws and sister in laws house and garages, only to wake up and do it all over again. It was eventful and filled with family help thank goodness! But we are all settled in now and have everything were we need it.

On a different not my grandmother in law is still going through Chemo and has been informed that this is it and she will not reach remission this time around, this is her second time going through this. Her cancer is ovarian stage 4. She is in great spirit though and I am so proud of her for that. Keeping her head High and enjoying the life she has with her grand babies is what makes her the happiest and so that is what she chooses to do. She is getting the chance to live out one of her biggest deem, going to see NASCAR! So I know she is excited for that, never the less I am so proud of this woman and what she has been though that I look to her for strength as she is now the strongest woman I know.

Now, I have gotten some news too regarding my health. I was diagnoses with Cardiac Arrhythmia due to my other diagnosis of Chronic Panic Anxiety Disorder. That one was a surprise to me as I was not aware that I was ever that way. But looking back I see what the mean. Needless to say I am keeping my heart are down to the best of my abilities and attempting to keep meds under control.

Jack and Emma are to amazing Emma started her first of two year of pre-school last week. She is madly in love with school and never wants to leave. I am so proud of her, she comes home telling me all the things that she has learned and what teacher told her. She made me a picture and brought it home for me!! That was my favorite part. Other then that there is nothing much to really tell you about Emma and her school. Jack is getting so big and I can't believe that he is over a year now! He is still a big mama's boy and really could care less about any one else.

Well you guys I am going to sign off here for now but I will be back soon!! Thanks or reading!!

-Megan

great artical from Cafe Moms!

2011-09-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

I love reading Cafe Moms and saw this article posted by another blog I love called The Good Letdown I know how funny two blogs in MN with similar names... Check it out.

http://thestir.cafemom.com/pregnancy/125163/how_doctors_dupe_moms_into

How Doctors Dupe Moms Into Supplementing With Formula

Posted by Christie Haskell

on August 29, 2011 at 1:53 PM

One of the biggest reasons that I know of why women start supplementing with formula in the first couple weeks is because"baby's not gaining enough weight." While a 5 to 7 percent weight loss in the first couple of days after birth is considered totally normal, 10 percent can sometimes result in pediatricians telling the mother she must supplement.

However, recent studies show what many of us have suspected or deemed obvious for years: Babies whose mothers received IV fluids -- either to stabilize blood pressure, before an epidural or c-section, or sometimes just because -- have babies who lose more weight initially.

Why? Well, it's actually pretty simple.

When we're given lots of fluids in labor, those fluids also go into our baby and sometimes even "over-hydrate" them. Therefore, their birth weight is artificially high, meaning baby not only will lose the weight that is normal for newborns, but will lose more weight (water weight) as well. In other words, Junior's 7-pound, 8-ounce "birth weight" might be a few ounces or so higher simply due to that IV drip bag!

So how do you gauge weight gain accurately? Here's a suggestion: Ask your doctor if you can start measuring gain after the baby stops losing weight -- usually at about 3 to 5 days after birth -- and then judge from there. Way different than gauging from the immediate birth weight, huh?

In fact, many researchers are suggesting that no one use birth weight to gauge anything related to weight gain -- especially in breastfed newborns. Sometimes the numbers for babies are just going to be a little different, even when nothing's wrong. Claiming all babies gain weight at the same rate is like saying that because I'm going to pack five pounds on my thighs if I eat a gallon of ice cream, then everyone is.

Here are some other suggestions for how to measure weight gain more accurately: In addition to checking for wet diapers (use cloth if you're trying to gauge, since disposables can totally hide a tiny newborn's pee and make you think they haven't gone) and watching the poo (which is more complicated than it sounds!), doctors also advise to have you bring in baby on an empty tummy, weigh them on a very sensitive scale, then have you breastfeed for a full session, then weigh again. Then you can actually measure how much they've eaten.

Of course, if you have any concerns about whether your baby is gaining enough weight, the best person to talk to is a trained lactation consultant or your local La Leche League Leader (oi, the aliteration!), since according to the Surgeon General, many medical professionals otherwise have don't have lactation training.

Did you receive fluids? Did your baby lose more than 5 to 7 percent of their birth weight initially?

50's weekend at the Lake with the Family!

2011-09-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

wanted to share some photos from 50's weekend at the campground with the family

Thanks to my mother in law and gma in law for making all the beautiful poodle skirts you two rock, it was also my nieces 6th birthday that we celebrated! It was a great day with family!!!

DIVA CUP GIVEAWAY WINNER

2011-09-02T11:34:00.000-07:00

Diva Cup winner is......

#47!

Melissa E!!!

Please email me at Megan@thegreatletdown to redeem with in 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. Thanks to all that participated!

Look for more giveaways and reviews from:

EcoZuri

pureology

Charlies Soap

The Diva Cup review and giveaway

2011-08-08T22:36:00.000-07:00

The DivaCup Review

Hi everyone! I have a little TMI today for you, but I feel its all worth it to introduce the Diva Cup to you!

Being a woman has its up's but we all know that it has plenty of downs or "bummers" if you will. One of those not so fun things is our PERIOD! I know that I don't like mine at all. Lets face it ladies there is nothing fun about it. Its annoying, painful, embarrassing and MESSY. That being said I was introduced to the Diva Cup but the amazing woman that invented it.

I cant tell you just how this little thing has changed the way that I look at having my period, when I received it I was actually excited to get my period so that I could use it. What it is, is a small cup with a stem and is inserted as you would a tampon. I have a video below that explains more and demonstrates too. (its actually really embarrassing and I know I ramble but I did it just for you!!!)

I know that you will love the Diva cup as much as I do, so please check out Diva Cup online-facebook and twitter.

GUESS WHAT!!!!!

You are getting the chance to win the DIVA CUP!

Here is how to enter:

Mandatory!

1. Follow TGL publicly

2. Follow TDC on Facebook and tell them @The Great Letdown sent you.

3. Like TGL on facebook.

--optional below--

1. Follow TGL on Twitter

2.Follow TDC on twitter-link above

3. comment how this would change you experience with your period.

4. subscribe to TGL

5. grab my button

6. Tweet this-up to 3 tweets a day

7. facebook this-up to 3 a day

Be sure that all entries are done on a individual comment. Good luck to you all and tell your friends, this giveaway will end August 31st, 2011 @ 12 midnight central.

-Megan

*Note that this product(s) was given to TGL free of charge in the reply that we give a honest review. All thoughts and opinions are that of TGL and not associated in any way with Dive Cup.

Facebook is a breeding ground for DRAMA!

2011-08-08T22:19:00.000-07:00

OK people I know I have not been on for a long while due to our move and not having the Internet, I am currently streaming from my neighbor so bare with me. Here is what I have to bring to your attention an to ask if anyone else has this issue. First lets get something out in the open if you are not already aware. I am a stay at home mother of two of the most amazing children! But even the best and busiest moms get bored right? My facebook tends to be the breeding ground for drama in all corners of the universe. Sad part is that people will call me after a couple hours pass from my last "statues update" and ask what is going on, and I am completely unaware of what they are talking about, so I ask what they mean by this and they will tell me to check my facebook. I always go and see a number of people talking and fighting on my status, for all my friends and family to see. I know that we have opinions people and that you may thing that your funny but your not. Honestly.

So recently I posted that I was bored as per any ones right to have that emotion, and I get comments like: I don't know how you can be with two beautiful children. Yes I know that I have amazing children and I am blessed to stay home with them, but that does not mean that I cant be bored. I rarely get a adult conversation and when they are sleeping and my house is clean, the last thing that I want to do is watch TV too as that is not my idea of FUN. I do activities with my children all the time from crafts to just reading books to playing pretend, but sometimes mommy is not allowed in the club and I need to just let them do as they wish, so when that happens my boredom kicks in. ALL people get bored and when the phone calls are made and the doctors are called and I exhausted my friends list then yes I want to Facebook, and may a update. I am sorry if my facebook "offends" others but if that be the case then why are we Friends. This is a total B**** fest right now but I am just annoyed. Come on people some comments may be funny to you but they are not necessary to me or the others that view my page, its actually annoying. Again I love all my friends, I am venting here and just wish for my facebook to not be the page that is for people to hide behind technology, if you want to say something to someone else on my FB that made a comment privet message them.

Do you have Cyber drama? whats your story?

-Megan

My Famous Easy Enchilada's

2011-07-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hi there ladies and gents, I thought that I would share mine and my family's favorite foods, and this is one of them! Its easy cheap and feeds a lot of people.

Easy Enchiladas:

3-4 med. boneless/skinless chicken breast

2 blocks cream cheese

1 jar of MED. salsa

tortillas-you may choose those to your taste.

1 large bag of Mexican cheese.

How to make:

Boil your chicken until completely cooked, at this point you should get your cream cheese out of fridge and bring to room temp. Start your prep table and large bowl to mix in.

After this is done you should mix your cream cheese and salsa in bowl, and leave sit. (it may not mix right away but the warm chicken will help) When chicken is done lay on clean surface and let cool till you can handle with your hands to shred the chicken. When cooled wash hands , and use a sharp knife and start cutting and shredding the chicken and put straight into bowl with other ingredients.

-warm tortillas at this point as you are ready to role-

Use a healthy couple spoonfuls of mixture into the middle of tortilla and roll then place into a large baking pan.

Then with the remaining mixture poor evenly over the top.

Cover the rest of that with the bag of Mexican cheese and bake at 350º Fahrenheit for around 20-25 min or until cheese is completely melted and crispy.

And of course ENJOY!!!!!

I hope you love this as much as my family does, tweak it, play with it and let me know what you do or what your family loves and we can have a contest to get your recipe posted on The Great Letdown and Ill send you my cookie recipe-or cookies!

-Megan