Articles written by Julie Bywater

What is Helium

About me - Julie Bywater

I wear many hats these day. Wife of ten years. Mother of four children under six years old. Bowler in a weekly bowling league (just bowled my first 200!). Volunteer, with my church, local community, and the Air Force base. Scrapbooker with 9 albums completed.

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenthood Taking "mommy time" without feeling guilty: 10 of 73
"See you later. Have a good time." Those are the words I say every time I leave my children at Mother's Day Out or with a babysitter. Of course, I'm saying it as much to myself as I am them. I didn't wait until they were older, either. I started leaving my babies for short periods of time at about four months of age. It isn't... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Baby Accessories How to cope with airplane travel with a baby: 1 of 7
It doesn't have to be a nightmare. A little planing ahead and common sense can make traveling with an infant a breeze. I flew with infant for the first time when my oldest was four months old. I've since flown many times with my children when they were young. I've installed my carseats on many different airplanes and airlines... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy The differences between the first pregnancy and others: 3 of 18
Sometimes, I think it was amazing I ever got pregnant again after the first pregnancy. The final trimester of my first pregnancy was riddled with one minor complication after another. I had expected the firs trimester to go as it did, morning sickness, hormone adjustments, and the realization that I will not be wearing the sa... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Family life when serving in the U.S. military: 7 of 25
I really wish people would stop calling me strong and brave. I get tired of hearing how they "couldn't do it" if they were in the same situation. It's not like I enjoy the long training programs away from home, the frequent short trips or the deployments. My husband has missed more of our children's lives than he's been aroun... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Diapering How to pack a diaper bag for a long trip: 1 of 3
Diapers? Check. Wipes? Check. You know the basics for packing for short trips around town. Diapers and wipes, a changing pad, a toy or two. These things can be packed into a small bag and toted around in a little diaper bag, even your purse. But when the trip is on an airplane or even a few hours away by car, you are going to... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Childbirth & Labor C-section recovery tips: 7 of 19
The big day arrives, and whether by surprise or known beforehand, you've having a Cesarean section. Added to the excitement of bringing a new life into the world, is the anticipation of having major abdominal surgery.When I had my first c-section, it wasn't planned. I skimmed over all of the c-section information because that... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy Unusual symptoms of pregnancy: 2 of 5
Taking a home pregnancy test should be your first indication your are pregnant, but not always. With my first pregnancy, it was greatly anticipated and eagerly awaited the day I could take the test. It was positive and that was first indication of being pregnant. It was followed shortly be all the normal symptoms of being pre... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Living on a military salary: 6 of 14
Living on a military salary is often an exercise in budgeting. Many people think we have it easy. We can live on base, medical care is free, and we get access to the Exchange and Commissary. However, military pay doesn't always go far. Since pay is based on rank, and sometimes specialization, it doesn't always pay what one wo... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Pregnancy Should you find out the sex of your baby before birth?: 9 of 20
Regardless of when you find out the gender of the baby, you are going to hear these words at some point: "It's a...!" You can find out during the pregnacy or during delivery. When you get right down to it, the difference is a matter of weeks.With my first, I had an ultrasound about halfway through my pregnancy. I got the text... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Weddings (Other) Views on marrying young: 10 of 21
Marrying young can be a wonderful thing. The same summer I turned thirty, I celebrated my tenth wedding anniversary. And, as I reflected back on those ten years, I realized a lot more had changed than just my age.When my husband and I first got married, we lived in a small, two bedroom trailer, barely 650 square feet. It came... More..