It has been a long week. I haven’t been present in this space because I’ve honestly felt so overwhelmed and emotional that I couldn’t write. I went back to work at the office (I had been working remotely before that) and getting back into that routine, while much-needed, is very difficult when there are so many people in our city who can’t go back to their “normal lives.” It’s truly heartbreaking.
Among the heartbreak though, our city is united in a way that every Houstonian knows all too well. Houston is a place where we help and support one another, and though it doesn’t take a natural disaster to show how loving and generous our people are, it has been absolutely incredible to witness the outpouring of support here. From donations, to volunteering at shelters to helping those who lost their homes clean out their belongings and remove flooring and drywall, our city is united in a way that is truly breathtaking.
Yesterday, our family donated some requested items to a family sheltering at a church in our community. I’ve been using Facebook groups I’m a member of to identify people who are in need of things we can provide and I’m thankful we’re able to use social media in this way.
Then, we headed to the store to pick up a cart full of requested items for the Cajun/Texas Navy. They’re sheltering these heroes in the old SEARCH building downtown and we dropped off our donations there. Things like phone chargers, power strips, new t-shirts, gatorade, pillows, toilet paper, laundry detergent, allergy medication, bug spray, etc.
Though we never feel like we’re doing enough, I’m always looking for ways we can help. It’s important to keep the momentum going because our community will need to continue to help people as they’re leaving shelters and figuring out their next steps. That is truly the time where people will need us more than ever.
harper’s leotard is by Leotudes | Lincoln’s tee is zara kids
O N E
Thank you so much to all of you who donated to the Texas Diaper Bank. I was seriously completely overwhelmed by the response to my Instagram stories. For those of you who missed it, the Texas Diaper Bank has an amazon wish list page set up, so you can add items they need to your cart, check out, and have the items sent directly to their headquarters in San Antonio to benefit victims of Hurricane Harvey. Thank you again for your incredible support and kindness during a time where our city is experiencing such devastation. Currently, there are still some parts of our city that are underwater. So though many of us are back at work, nothing feels the same. Most days, it’s hard to remember what day it is. For more ways to help, visit this post. By the way, JJ Watt’s fundraiser for Houston is up to $18 million.
T W O
A group of my blogging friends and I are hosting a Labor Day giveaway on Instagram, here. We are giving away two $500 gift cards (2 winners) or you can choose PayPal cash. In addition to the giveaway, our group is matching the giveaway amount and donating that to hurricane relief efforts. It’s just another small way we are all coming together to continue the momentum of giving and awareness for Houston and its surrounding communities.
T H R E E
I think I’ve blogged about this before, but in case I haven’t, I discovered during my pregnancy with Harper that I have an MTHFR mutation. I am heterozygous c677t, which means I have one copy of one defective gene. There isn’t a ton of research on MTHFR yet, but the small amount of research that does exist suggests that this genetic mutation can be a contributing factor in many health issues. For my pregnancies, it meant that I was taking a special vitamin called Neevo DHA, which is specially formulated for women with the MTHFR mutation.
Basically, this mutation means that your body cannot process and absorb folic acid as it should. So people with this mutation should take the more bioavaialble form of folate, called L-methylfolate. There are various forms of this genetic mutation, and I do not have the most severe form — it’s somewhere in the middle. However, because your body cannot absorb folic acid appropriately (the synthetic version of folate), my OB told me that this supplementation was necessary.
I had fallen off the wagon with taking my vitamins after I was done nursing and now I regret it. I came upon a Facebook post recently where women with MTHFR were discussing their supplements and how many of them were benefitting in many ways from taking these vitamins and this magenisium supplement. I just ordered both and I’m really committed this time to giving my body/mind the things it needs to work its best. Many women have actually experienced a total reduction in their anxiety just from using the right supplements when they have MTHFR. If you have this, I’d love to hear from you in the comments here.
F O U R
I got these sweet hair bows from this week from Modern Piggy. I love schoolgirl style bows + sharing some of my favorite small businesses with you all.
F I V E
This past week was all about family. We were home with our children right before, during and after the storm and they’ll go back to daycare/school again this week. I know they thrive on the routine of it, just like we do, and that they miss their teachers and friends.
The events of this past week, though absolutely devastating, have served as another opportunity to talk to our children about compassion and giving. We’ve talked to Harper about the heroes and first responders rescuing others, we’ve taken both children on our shopping trips, talking about the items we’re buying and why people need them. We pray every night together for the victims of Harvey. Please continue praying for our city.
If you’re doing some labor day shopping, my favorite sales are:
LOFT:
This top is a favorite.
NORDSTROM:
Shop sale items here. There are a ton of great tops on sale.
ABERCROMBIE:
I’m going to order this sweater that’s 40% off.
AE:
Lots of cute tops on sale here.
J.CREW:
I saw these flats in the catalog, and they have my name on them.
GAP:
Everything is 40% off, no exclusions. Shop here.
My son was born with 4 midline defects (hypospadias, tongue tie, lip tie, and sacral dimple). I started doing research because I figured that there had to be some reason why. I found lots of articles claiming that an MTHFR gene mutation is linked to midline defects. It made sense to me – we already know that a lack of folic acid can cause spina bifida – which is a midline defect. So if women are taking a standard PNV with folic acid but they have the mutation, it’s as if they are not getting any extra folate at all (which was what happened to me with my first son’s pregnancy).
I asked my midwife to test me, and sure enough, I am homogenous c677t, so both of my copies are mutated. I have been taking a vitamin with methylated folate ever since, and I am hopeful that my son in utero will not be born with midline defects.
What really upsets me is that this is not talked about more by doctors. They should be telling every woman to take a vitamin with methylated folate instead of folic acid. If a woman does not have the mutation, the methylated folate will still work perfectly for her. So why aren’t we all taking methylated folate regardless of if we’ve been tested for the mutation or not? I tell friends about this all the time and they’ve never heard of it or been told. Several researchers also believe that MTHFR gene mutation can be linked to miscarriages.
Thanks for posting about it and helping to spread the word!!
I 100% agree. I was so upset that I did not know until 8 or 9 weeks into my pregnancy about this. I think all women of childbearing age should take L-methylfolate instead of folic acid since a lot of women have this mutation and do not know it. I have also heard about the mutation being linked to miscarriages and infertility. More research needs to be done on this genetic mutation. I am all about the science and data— but it makes sense, what’s out there about it now. What vitamins and supplements do you take now?
Is there any way I can be put into contact with Nora? My son was also born with hypospadias, tongue tie, sacral dimple, lip tie, and a stork’s bite. His hypospadias is thought to be hereditary as two of his paternal uncles have it.
I too am heterozygous c677t and I lost two pregnancies at 6.5 weeks. My doctor ended up oredering a full label of blood work to diagnose the problem and prescribed Neevo and I went on to have two healthy children (in 17 months ahh). I tell everyone to ask their doctor for Neevo though, I don’t get why it’s not prescribed more! It would have saved me a lot of heartbreak. Would love more info on the FB group and other supplements. My OB just tells me to stay on the Neevo but I think there is just a lot they don’t know about MTHFR. Thanks for sharing your story!
Praying for Houston!
Hi Sarah– the vitamin I linked in this post contains methylfolate and is cheaper than Neevo (by about $8). My Neevo was $50 a bottle, and that’s with insurance. There are two other vitamins I’ve found with L-methylfolate – they include smarty pants prenantal gummies and Best Nest Wellnees premium blend women’s multi. They both ahve good amazon reviews from those with MTHFR. I am sorry for your previous losses. It’s confusing to me why MTHFR is not more of a research priority, given that it seems to affect so many health issues.
I’m so intrigued by the vitamins and supplements for MTHFR. My first daughter, Eliza, was unexpectedly stillborn when I was 34 weeks pregnant. My doctor says we can’t be sure MTHFR was a factor in that, as I had the most “minor” and common version of the defect, but it was the only anomaly in my pregnancy. I went on to have two more children and healthy, normal pregnancies, but I can’t help but wonder if I had known more during my first pregnancy if Eliza’s death could have been prevented. And now that I’m in my mid-30s and chasing two active little girls, I’m thinking more and more about taking care of my health for their benefit, too. My question is are the pills big? Do they have a gross aftertaste? This is not a deal breaker, but I like to be prepared!
Brooke- I am ao sorry about the loss of your daughter. The Neevo DHA pills are larger, but they are not hard to swallow and have no taste. They are more like gel capsules than hard pills.
I think when more research is done on MTHFR, we will find a lot of ways to help people with this genetic trait.