The First Week

The First Week

No one talks about all of the many things that happen after birth

Everyone gets so caught up in the oooh's and aah's that new babies bring

No one talks about the swollen breast that hurt to the touch

or the newborn baby whose first desire is to suck

brings on feelings of insecurity when it seems as if your God given supply is not enough...

They say that babies are a blessing...

No one talks about all of the blood that seems to flow without cease

or how you lay in your bed wide awake at night in pain or too sore to get good sleep

But yet they say ...babies are a blessing

No one tells you that you can go from happy to crying in less than 3 seconds

or how those same breathing techniques that you learned for labor

come in handy for those after birth pains and contractions.

I keep telling myself that babies are a blessing

No one tells you that your 2 year old son won't come near you because he feels as if

new baby has taken his place

and all that you can do is find new ways to bring a smile to his face

But despite all of these unknowns that have entered into my life....

it's still all worth it

I will embrace every single moment

because motherhood is truly a blessing....

Roses

We spend a lot of time planting seeds and hoping to have gardens full of roses...when our seeds start to blossom, we realize that even though roses are beautiful, each rose has its thorn. Sometimes we get so caught up or overtaken by the thorns, that we forget to take the time to enjoy and bask in the beauty of the rose....

What thorns have you been stuck by in your life? Maybe its your finances, relationship issues, or those negative conversations that we like to have with ourselves. Whatever the issue(s) may be, don't get so caught up in your circumstances (thorns) that you forget to take the time to enjoy your roses( blessings). Take the time to thank God for your roses...(gratitude)...

Bed Rest Photo Studio

Before I was placed on bed rest, I would do most of my product photos from the HypnoEars studio, or hire a photographer. I don't have those options right now, but I still need a way to take pictures of my newest creations. I began researching light boxes, and other ways to get good pictures. I didn't really have the resources to purchase a lightbox or a new camera, but I knew there had to be another way. 

I used my old desk lamp and changed the light bulb to a daylight light bulb 

Sometimes it's hard for me to sit up so I had to find  a way to get shots from differetnt angles. While on a skype session with my best friend, she suggested that I invest in a tripod for my cell phone or digital camera. I found one for $4.00 on ebay.

My digital camera is in need of repair, so I had to use the camera app on my Droid 4.  I found a few articles that helped me with adjusting the exposure settings . I will post them at the end of this post. 

I added about 10 sheets of pure white copy paper to get a crisper background.Here is the outcome from the mini photo shoot....

Here are the results after editing the exposure in photoshop....

I hope that this post inspires you to get creative  and work with what you have.

Links: 

Editing Photos in photoshop

Product Editing Tips

Be Blessed

Almost there....

Today I completed most of my plastic canvas clutch purse. I still need to find a nice clasp to keep it closed. My intent was to write a quick post about the tips and tricks that learned while creating this project, but it ended up being a much deeper experience for me.

When I first chose to take on this project, I was excited and my mind was full of endless possibilities. I was inspired...full of excitement , and ready to dive in head first. I put so much energy into figuring out which colors and stitches I would use. I was passionate about this project. I finished the first section, and I was proud of the progress that I made from just 3 hours of work. I put the project away, and went to bed with the intention of waking up and finishing another section.

I woke up and started on a new section. This particular section required more detailing than the previous section. After an hour of stitching, I realized that I still had 4 more rows to complete in order to finish the section. The overwhelming thoughts of how much I had to complete made me feel as if I would never finish......so I put it away for 2 days. I didn't want to finish. I felt as if it was too much.

Something in me wouldn't let me quit. Something in me was telling me that I could do it. I have a habit of starting projects, and not finishing, but I made a choice to do something different. I had to dig deep to find a way to keep going. So I picked up the project and focused on one stitch at a time. Anytime my mind decided to travel down the "I will never finish" road, I had to shift my focus back to taking things one stitch at a time. Even when I was almost at the end, there were times that I wanted to quit. Before you knew it, all of the stitching was complete. I had done something that I didn't think I could do. I was excited at the beginning, but when the road got a little tough, I felt drained and depleted. I took a moment to rest and be still enough to quiet my brain. It was there in that moment when I knew that I had everything that I needed to get through this project. Instead of focusing on how much time it was going to take to do the entire project, I focused on living in the now....taking things one stitch at a time.

When you feel yourself wanting to give up on something you were once excited about, be still and reconnect, and find your focus. It could be your marriage, starting a business, or maybe fitness goals. Don't quit! Just focus on improving your marriage one day at a time. Focus on building your business one task at a time. You may be aiming to lose 50 pounds but somewhere along the way you got discouraged, depressed, and defeated. Don't quit! Get up and take it one day , meal , or exercise at a time.

Keep going!

Be Blessed

Newest plastic canvas adventure

Being confined to a bed will make you do things that you don't normally have time to do. Normally I spend my days making HypnoEars, but I decided to try a new project....just for fun.

I found this plastic canvas clutch purse on one of my favorite craft supply sites and decided to give it a try.

I didn't have much of a game plan, but I wanted to create something that I knew I would one day wear. My go to colors are black and red so I thought that would be a great place to start.

I wanted the top part of my clutch to have a textured appearance , so I went with a  Rhodes stitch.

My daughter thought it would be cool if we outlined everything in red. So far so good.

Stay tuned for the finished  results.......

Bed Rest Business Office

So the doctors have put you on bed rest. You can no longer go to work to provide for your family. You are starting to feel depressed, hopeless, and a burden to your family.  You wish you had a way to generate income from bed. I know exactly how you feel. I went through the same exact thought process..... then I decided to get  crafty. I had to tap into my crafty side that laid dormant for so many years . I decided to start a craft business from bed.

I didn't have much experience beading and wire wrapping, but I wanted create unique earrings that were different from everything that saw on the market.  I couldn't get out to craft shows and hair shows to take advantage of the many vending opportunites , so I had to dive into the world of ecommerce.

If you have a craft that you can make from bed and you need some assistance with how to set up shop from bed, take a look at my bed rest craft office.

The Setup

First I had to make sure that I had some kind of way to access the world wide web.  With the help of my husband we set up a mini desk for our imac and printer  using an Ikea lack side table.





I made sure I had plenty of room on my bed side desk for pen , paper, planner, and timer.

I can't sit up for long periods of time, so my tv tray doubles as a lap desk for my wireless mouse and keyboard.

On the opposite side of the room we used an Ikea shelving unit  and storage bins to create the storage station for all of my  earring supplies , shipping supplies, and business books.

You can add more necessities to your bedrest office, but I hope that this post at least helps get you started.Please feel free to comment and let us know what you think of  my bedrest business set-up. I would love to see how you set up your bed rest office if you've decided to get started on your bed rest business.

From Business to Bedrest

Peace and Blessings to you,

Thank you so much for supporting me this morning on my first blog post! Well not my first ever, but the first post since the revamp of the new site.  I'll admit, I'm feeling a bit nervous but I think that it's important to let you into my little world.  So for this post,  I'll start off with a brief.... but hopefully informative summary of what we are about over here in my bedrest world.

The Birth 

As some of you may know, HypnoEars is what I like to call my bedrest business. It all started back in 2009 when my husband I found out that we were expecting a new little bundle of joy. For most this would be exciting news, but for us it meant bed rest. Bed rest for the entire duration of  the pregnancy.......sounds exciting right? Well not for me. I was at a point where I was really comfortable in my career growth as a natural hair stylist, and I can admit to not being happy about laying in a bed for months.

I won't bore you with the details of life from then to now, but in a future post I will formally introduce the entire HypnoEars team ( aka my family). One thing I will tell you is this.... It's 2013 and I am once again back on bedrest, patiently waiting for my little son to arrive in about..... 18 weeks.

This blog  will primarily be about being on bedrest,   HypnoEars,  natural hair , poetry as well as some things to help you feel good about life.I'm going to do my very best to blog  often.  I enjoy making HypnoEars because it helps me put the energy I would normally put into worrying and stressing about being on bed rest into creating really fly, custom,  unique earrings. I put a lot of love and positive energy into every pair that I make. I hope that they truly help the wearer feel beautiful both on the inside and outside.

Thank you all again for coming! I really appreciate your support. I hope that you will enjoy this blog. Feel free to comment below

Be Blessed

Olivia Thompson

The Box

How did I get in here?
Why can't I get out?
I don't know how I got here.
That I know without a doubt.

I've found myself in this box
All sealed up with extra strength tape
I can't see anything
There is no way to escape


What you have just witnessed are the thoughts that run through my mind. I must admit that I was in denial before, but now I know that I am battling with postpartum depression. I am the mother of 3 beautiful children. I like to call them my mini-motivators. Lately they have been all that I have to keep me going. They give me a reason to get up and do more than I feel like doing.

After talking to several different people about the best solution for fighting this beast, I realize that one thing that works for me is talking about the things that I am feeling. It also helps when I take a moment to write about all of the things I am grateful for.Another thing that helps is to go to the gym and work up a sweat.

What are some of the techniques that you use to get out of your dark places?

I have visions of myself driving off to a place where I can just be
But it’s impossible to escape the person I am running from….Me
It is me telling me that this is too much to bear
It is me telling me that no one understands or cares
It is me telling me that I am not doing enough
It is me telling me that I have to stay tough
It is me …It is me…it has always been me
So what do I tell me to get through this dark place?
So what do I tell me to bring a smile back to my face?
Whatever I am telling myself now is only making things worse
So it’s time to make moves…time to change my course
Let the battle Begin…

The Tittie Terrorist

You are the only insurgent that I won’t turn in
Threat level on red
As much as I want to sleep as close to my husband as I can
You find a way every night to make your way to our bed
The Tittie Terrorist
Dropping bombs in the huggies
Snatching meals from my boobies
Kicking daddy with your booties
The Tittie Terrorist
Every morning a new list of demands
Slapping daddy with your backhand
Pulling big sis by her hair strands
The Tittie Terrorist
Toughest, sweetest baby that I know
More and more everyday she grows
The cutest terrorist around….. I suppose

Lonely Times

In my lonely times I have to remind myself to stay focused
but it gets tough
I try so hard to remind myself that there is nothing outside of this house that could bring me more joy than my husband and kids
But sometimes my thoughts drift off to places that God forbids
So that's when I drop everything and take some time to myself
and commune with the one person that I need to talk to the most

Thank you GOD for my family
and thank you for my health
Thank you for my hands
and thank you for growth

Far from who I used to be
but the journey is not at an end
I am asking you God to forever be my friend

Keep me from drifting off this course that you've designed
Keep me in my right state of mind
Keep me grounded
Keep me humble
Give me wisdom
Give me peace
Give me knowledge

I am in your hands GOD

Amen

Mommy's day

Its Midnight
Hubby is sleep
Big Sis is at peace
And you have just finished your last feeding

Its 3 am
Hubby is still sleep
Big Sis is at peace
again you are Eating

Its 7 am
Hubby awakes and preparing for work
Big Sis is crying for more sleep
You are cozy in our bed

Its 10 am
Hubby is at work
Big Sis is at school
You are awake waiting to be fed

Its 12 noon
Hubby is home for lunch
Big sis should be napping at school
You are playing with toys and trying to sit up

Its 2:00
Hubby is back at work
Big sis is preparing to come home
You are getting another meal before we pick your sister up

Its 5:00
Hubby is home
Big Sis is helping in the kitchen
You are playing in your swing watching mommy cook

Its 8:00
Hubby is on stage
Big sis in the tub
You are in your swing giving me dirty looks

Its 10:00
Hubby is texting
Big Sis is fighting sleep
You are laying in my lap looking at me

If someone were to ask me what I do all day
I would have to say
Thanking God for a beautiful family
and Sanity

Been a long time....but I am back :)

It's been a while, but having a baby will keep you more occupied than you would expect.
Anyway....Happy New Year! So to start off the new year, I want to fill you in on what I have in store for this year. I officially started my sister locs journey about a month ago, so I will be posting pictures, progress, and thoughts throughout my journey. I will also be posting more hair stories, more earring updates, as well as hair tips.....so stay tuned

Goodnight Love

I love you more than you will ever know
And through my womb our love continues to grow
I never imagined I could feel this way
So full of love and joy each and every day
I know I tell you daily of how much you mean to me
But I wanted to take the time to put it in words that you could see

I love you my husband, my king, my boo
I appreciate the words you say and all the things that you do

Good Night

Quick poem for Sade

It was only three months ago when you arrived
I am in utter amazement of how fast you’ve grown before my eyes
You used to eat sleep and poop all day
But now you wake up at four a.m. just to play
Your daddy thinks that you love him more
But you and I both know that I am the one you adore
My favorite part of the day is anytime you eat
And how if I don’t feed you fast enough, you throw tantrums with your feet
I love how quickly you are learning how to use your hands
Pretty soon you will be rolling, crawling, and soon learning how to stand
Take your time little mama, don’t you grow too fast
Mommy wants to enjoy every moment while it last

Mommy's Laziness

Never should've signed up for these vaccinations
Should've given it more contemplation

Now I have to hold you down while you endure the pain
I wish I could tell you that this won't happen again

But according to the schools, it must be done
or else I will have to home school you until your 21

Maybe that would have been an option had I prepared myself in advanced
But I can be honest and admit that sometimes I am too lazy to even give it a chance

Maybe I will be ready by the time that you are 3
But If you are anything like mommy, you yearn to be active socially

Just know that mommy had to go through this too
and if I could take it all back, then I would just for you

Distractions

So many Distractions
Not enough time
So many paths to take
gotta make sure the one I'm on is mine

So many things being thrown my way
Gotta stay focused
gotta stay on track
Gotta shake off what the haters say

So many distractions
which will I ignore
Too many to choose
Can't take any of them anymore

Away with the books of faces
Away with the meaningless conversations
Away with the tweets and chatter
Getting back to the things that really matter

Away with the tv's
Away with the wack mc's
Away with the dvd's
Getting back to time with my family

The hubby,the Kids, the fam, my Spirit
My health, happiness, inner joy....
I refuse to let anyone steal it


So I bid farewell to all things that don't uplift
and if you don't feel me or can't get with it
Then the best thing for you to do is keep walking...catch my drift?

fly free

I want to let you fly free little bird
To soar and become the Eagle you were destined to be
I want to let you fly free little bird
But every time I try to let you go, you insist that you need me
I want to let you fly free little bird
To fly high into the clouds until you reach the stars
I want to let you fly free little bird
But you insist that without me you won’t go far
I want to let you fly free little bird
To do all the things that little birds do
I want to let you fly free little bird
But you quickly remind me that I am a little bird too
And even though we can both fly free and succeed apart
We are more powerful as a unit and together we can create works of art

can't win them all

I learned a valuable lesson today. I learned that you can't please everyone. It is very difficult being a natural hair stylist. I spend a lot of time making sure that people are happy and comfortable with their journeys, but one thing that I do know is that I realize now that being natural is a journey for all of us. I have been natural for 9 years, and I have my moments when I am uncertain about how I feel about my hair. So to all my clients, and natural women who are have uncertainties about their journey.....embrace the journey and enjoy the good and the bad of it.