I am looking for a recommendation on a book for good prenatal information that discusses what to expect in pregnancy (changes and such) and postpartum. I appreciate any suggestions you have to offer.

I had a few books that particularly helped me throughout my pregnancies and nursing times. If you ladies have any more suggestions, please do tell!

Just a bit of a disclaimer….I am recommending these books because of the good I got from them. I don’t necessarily agree with all in the book…

Commonsense Childbirth by Desi Lest Hazell (I remember this one assisting a lot in the decision of homebirth …we had our first 9 at home.)

What to Expect When You are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff (I have not read this one but notice a lot of the women like it.) And this is probably the one that best answers your question above….

Made for This: The Catholic Mom’s Guide to Birth (as suggested here.)

The Fourth Trimester: A postpartum guide to healing your body, balancing your emotions, and restoring your vitality. (as suggested here.)

Breast Feeding and Natural Childspacing by Sheila Kippley (Our good priest gave me this one before we got married…when I knew nothing!)

Nursing Your Baby by Karen Pryor (I picked this one up often when there were questions or bumps along the way.)

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by Diane Wiessinger (This one is good, too, and the official LaLeche league book.)

Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood: God’s Plan for You and Your Baby by Sheila Kippley (I haven’t read this one but am getting it for one of my daughters.)

I want to ask if you would be willing to share with me how you taught your daughters to be modest in their dress and how you kept them from giving in to wearing immodest clothing?

Well, I wish I could give you some links like the above question and then the problem would be solved!

I would say…

We began early. We set our standards at a young age, my husband and I working together and on board.

We talk to our girls. We have talked about modesty, they have listened to some of Colleen Hammond’s talks and we have read her book, Dressing With Dignity, together. It all makes sense as Catholics trying to live our faith.

We present modesty in a positive light…reminding them of their dignity and beauty when dressed like a woman. That doesn’t mean we don’t let them know how immodesty leads to sin….but that is not our total focus.

We have been careful of the influences of others. Children are vulnerable.

I have been an example of modesty myself. It is important that Mom practices what she preaches.

We have fun with clothes. We appreciate pretty materials and outfits. We dress for the seasons. We will go shopping for clothes for ourselves and each other. Thrift stores abound if money is an issue.

What kind of board games do you play with your family?

Games are where it is at over here! So here is my list:

Card Games  – Pitch is the latest rage. Cards can be so much fun. And they are inexpensive!

Pictionary (An old-time favorite that gets very loud!)

Apples to Apples (This is an easy game to play and fun with a crowd)

Carcasonne (Two or more people can play this…we like it a lot!)

Ticket to Ride (This is a very fun game. There is also a Europe edition)

Code Names (We play this often with our priests. What a great game to exercise your thinking power! There is a Code Names Pictures, too!)

Scattergories (Always a lot of fun!)

5 Second Rule (A game of speed and quick thinking skills)

Spot it! (A visual perception speed game)

Hello, I recently found your page. The article you shared today about loving your husband and marriage was very nice. One of the things was along the lines of caring for your appearance. Do you happen to have a recommendation for facial skin care cleanser and moisturizer? Thank you.

As far as a cleanser, we use just a natural soap bar. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a good astringent.

The following recipe is for a fantastic moisturizer, skin smoothing, healing oil!  My girls love it and use it for their faces, stretch marks and any other skin flaw.

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. almond oil

10,000 I.U. Vitamin E

200,000 USP units Vitamin A

A drop of your favorite natural scent (optional)

Pour the oils into an empty bottle or small jar. Take 10 gelatin capsules of Vitamin E (1,000 I.U. each) and 8 capsules of Vitamin A (25,000 units each). Puncture the capsules with a needle , or cut the ends off with scissors, and squeeze the contents into the bottle. Add a drop or two of your favorite natural scent, close the cap tightly, and shake well. Store in refrigerator.

(This recipe is from the book Swedish Beauty Secrets by Paavo Airola)

How can I keep the heart of my children?

By spending time with them. If you regularly push them aside as if they are bothersome to you, you will lose their hearts. You must sacrifice to be with them.

This does not mean that you have to be habitually at their beck and call. But you do need to take the time to play with them, work with them, pray with them. Listen to them.

You don’t have to be there physically for them at all times, but as long as they know you are there for them, your chances of losing their hearts will go way down!

A few photos…. (Click on the first photo to view gallery.)