So giddy & happy & feeling well!! I don't now if it's the chamomile tea, the oils I've been taking, the lavender that's diffusing in my home, my recent diet changes, or the fact that I went gluten-free-- but I feel amazing (happy & energetic) and I don't have pain for the first time in years. YEARS! Thank you Jesus!!! {the gluten-free seems to have been the kicker, though all of these changes have been within the last 10 days so probably a combo.} Raising my hot tea, cheers to health! { <---nerd font="">
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
8.07.2013
12.23.2008
Cause & Effect
So remember how I mentioned that my thirteen month old is loving to climb on things lately. Namely, things with wheels. And how it's really not abnormal for his age, but that for me, it is.
Well, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when he took a tumble and actually hurt himself. (For those of you who don't know, Austin is a tough kid, and even if his fingers are closed in a door, he'll just 'suck it up'.)
But I saw this one happen in slow motion. It was my first, "does he need stitches?" moment. I'm sure it won't be my last, being I'm a mommy of boys!
He was on Jake's tricycle in the living room. Luckily he was sitting and not doing this:
And the trike tipped over, landing his face right on the unfortunately placed glass door to the entertainment center. (Oh! I wish I had put away the DVDs and closed that door when I had realized Jake got into them an hour prior!) And how I wish I would have realized that the foam corner protector on the glass had slipped a few centimeters, completely exposing the glass corner! My heart stopped for a moment as I instinctively jumped up and ran to him, it looked like his eye hit the corner of that glass!
So I can hear the voices of my more seasoned mommas telling me it's okay, it's no big deal, its nothing-- we'll have many more times like this in the years ahead. But this was my first!
I knew it wasn't a big deal even as I fumbled into our room to wake Kevin, saying, "Look, honey! He has a gash! Look, it's gaping!" I knew we didn't need to go to the ER, even as my heart was racing and I asked uncertainly, "Does he need stitches? Does he need a tetanus shot?" And I almost laughed aloud at myself when I thought, "Is this gonna scar?!?"
I'm a nurse, but only one or two days a week. All the other days, I'm mom. All that nurse stuff goes out of my brain, and I get that crazy mommy-adrenaline and uncertainty. Luckily I came to my senses and was able to render proper first aid to my poor little 'un. Even now, I'm thinking, "could it have been a little deeper than I thought? Did I look close enough? He was wiggling so much, how deep was it really? I didn't see a bottom to it... Should I go look?" CRAZINESS!
Now, don't laugh--- here's the "gash". It's not much of a gash, I'll give you that, but it was gaping a bit. Quite a slice. Now it's all cleaned up, dressed, & a bit swollen, but Austin doesn't even know it's there.
A safe distraction (as long as the lid stays on) ... yumm, Hydrocortisone.
In the background you can see the plastic bag I found under the sink with my first aid supplies... very fancy & organized! As I rummaged through the bag I was shouting into the bedroom, "What the heck, I'm a nurse and I don't even have any sterile gauze!" To which Kevin replied, "Just use soap and water!" What? Are you kidding!?!? No way!!! heehee Not when I have all this cool medical stuff I can use!!! Okay, so I guess I am still a nurse when I'm off-duty.
I ended up reinforcing the top steri-strip with a longer one that extends behind his ear- to put a little traction on the skin and pull it together. Sometimes I think steri-strips are better than stitches. If only I had some Tincture of Benzoin. Or even better, Dermabond!
9.23.2008
What's the grossest thing you've ever put in your mouth?
For me, it was when I was in college and living in my parent's home. I was sleepy after studying some pharmacology, and dragged myself into the bathroom to brush my teeth & wash my face before bed. As I put my toothbrush in my mouth, smashing all the toothpaste up against my back teeth, I was met with an unfamiliar flavor (& texture)... this isn't minty at all! I quickly glanced down and saw an open tube of Preparation-H on the counter.
Oh.my.gosh.
I washed my mouth out more thoroughly than I ever have to date.
Well, a few nights ago I had another tooth-brushing incident. And this one is far worse, friends. FAR WORSE!
I was brushing Jake's teeth. Afterwards, I saw my toothbrush lying on the counter so I decided to just brush with plain water and have him point to my teeth to show me where I needed to clean. It was just a spontaneous thought, to make a little game out of it and to show him that we need to get each & every tooth & surface. We had fun naming all the directions (up, down, front, back, etc) & he liked pointing & saying, "dirty, mama brush".
The next morning as I was brushing Jake's teeth again, I glanced down at the counter and saw the toothbrush that I had used the previous evening. It was NOT my new pink toothbrush that I just bought! It was the OLD pink toothbrush that I had thrown away after Jake swirled it around in the toilet bowl the week prior!!!
How it got back on the counter, I have no idea.
Coincidentally, I had a little stomach bug that morning, and I was completely positive it was because I had brushed my teeth with a 'toilet brush'.
The thought still makes my stomach churn.
At any rate, I need to pay more attention when I brush my teeth!
{I'm 100% sure that I've never shared either of these stories with my husband. That's the last thing I want him to be thinking about when he kisses me!}
Oh.my.gosh.
I washed my mouth out more thoroughly than I ever have to date.
Well, a few nights ago I had another tooth-brushing incident. And this one is far worse, friends. FAR WORSE!
I was brushing Jake's teeth. Afterwards, I saw my toothbrush lying on the counter so I decided to just brush with plain water and have him point to my teeth to show me where I needed to clean. It was just a spontaneous thought, to make a little game out of it and to show him that we need to get each & every tooth & surface. We had fun naming all the directions (up, down, front, back, etc) & he liked pointing & saying, "dirty, mama brush".
The next morning as I was brushing Jake's teeth again, I glanced down at the counter and saw the toothbrush that I had used the previous evening. It was NOT my new pink toothbrush that I just bought! It was the OLD pink toothbrush that I had thrown away after Jake swirled it around in the toilet bowl the week prior!!!
How it got back on the counter, I have no idea.
Coincidentally, I had a little stomach bug that morning, and I was completely positive it was because I had brushed my teeth with a 'toilet brush'.
The thought still makes my stomach churn.
At any rate, I need to pay more attention when I brush my teeth!
{I'm 100% sure that I've never shared either of these stories with my husband. That's the last thing I want him to be thinking about when he kisses me!}
8.15.2008
Hallelujah!
Jake is sleeping in his toddler bed!!!!!
I'm not getting excited. I'm not going to jump up and down! I'm not I'm not I'm not!!!
But I can't help the excited butterflies in my tummy, which I'm trying so hard to contain!
See, we weren't going to attempt the crib-to-bed transition again until we get back from our trip (since any new sleep habits will most-likely be lost by the time we get back), but alas, both boys are in the midst of "sleep training" just a week before we leave. Brilliant, huh.
This morning in my sleepy-waking-up daze, I noticed that my alarm clock (aka Jake's cry) seemed to sound like it was moving. As I laid there, eyes tightly shut and fighting the early morning as I always do, I felt my heart drop as I suddenly sat up in bed. I said aloud, "It sounds like Jake is moving!" I listened intently again & confirmed that something wasn't right. The cry wasn't coming from the diagonal left, it was indeed coming from the diagonal right! What a start, what a shock, and what an unplanned can of worms he just opened- by discovering how to climb out of his crib!
Or so I thought.
Think.
I don't know. I'll have to tell you tomorrow. And in 2 weeks when we get back from vacation.
But the butterflies I have right now... that would be because I expected a fiasco. I read all day about this transition. (Trying to find ways to avoid what happened last time, trying to find positive methods, gentle methods, tricks, treats, bits & bops, anything!)
But it wasn't a fiasco. No sirree, Bob! (hat tip to my sissy.) I got a sleepy toddler who smiled a quiet smile at me, whispered his prayer (next topic & more happy butterflies), and who stayed in bed and slept when I left the room. WHAT!!??!!?? Are you kidding me!?!?! I am shocked!!! And so pleasantly surprised.
But like I said, I'll tell you tomorrow. The night is young!
The floor is padded. And I'm ready.
Okay, so about the prayer...
3 nights ago he said his first prayer!!! He whispers it, and it's so sweet!
"JeeJuh" (Jesus)
"DehDoo JeeJuh" (Thank you Jesus)
"IIIIIIIIII JeeJuh" (I love you Jesus)
"AhMn" (Amen)
(p.s. that's how he says I love you, just a long & endearing IIIIIIII, but you can see it all over his face & hear it in his voice. He really is a sweet-heart.) The first night he said his prayer, my smile was so big that he said "AhMn" 3 times! Aww!
The last thing I wanted to add to this post is something I just read online that I didn't know. Thought I'd share. It's about organics & purely informational.
We try our best to eat organic fruits & veggies (especially those without hard skins or those known to be more pesticide-laden) and always organic milk & eggs. I've been doing this a while, for as long as I can remember buying food, & don't talk much about it just because I think people should do whatever they want & I don't want anybody to ever think I'm being hoity-toity or anything. I have my own reasons, I am just doing what I think is best for my family & situation.
Which is why I don't bring it up! Even that sentence could sound bad if it's said to someone who doesn't buy organic! A few months ago, a close friend of mine randomly bombarded me & started spewing all these facts about hormone-free milk and organics and feeding cows, etc, trying to prove that organic wasn't 'that' important and (I think) to justify her decision to not buy organic. I didn't bring the topic up. I definitely would never want her (or anyone) to feel a need to justify anything or compare. I love talking about stuff, learning from others, sharing information, whatever. But this was a bombardment! I have reasons, and I had answers to all of her points! But I sorta bit my tongue because I was afraid if I "defended" my reasons, that she would think I was saying that her way was wrong or bad for her child or something. I didn't want to play into the competition she seems to have started between the two of us. Whose way is right? This is just one of the many 'competitions' she's created: whose child does what first, who loses baby weight first, whose house is cleaner, ahh! Why would this cross her mind- why is there a need to compare anything!? It absolutely makes me crazy! Let's just BE. Be friends, hang out, live it together (no matter who weighs what or whose kid is happiest, what does that matter?) Wooh, venting! Sorry!
So back to the organics, I've always felt that mine is an informed decision, an educated decision even. I've read in accredited medical journals and educational material (CEUs: continuing education units), and have weighed the pros & cons (hello, cost!), and I still feel that it's worth it to me. Anyways, I'm absolutely not strict about it. I just get what is available & if we're eating somewhere else (which is not often) I honestly don't even think about it. Never crosses my mind unless we're eating strawberries, eek! (Someone said you might as well drink pesticides if you eat non-0rganic strawberries, and I can't get that image out of my head now! LOL)
But here's my point: my way of sparing costs is that I don't buy organic meat (because that's ridiculously expensive & some thing's gotta give!) I want to! I've thought about it a lot. If I can't be vegetarian, then I want to buy free-range, organic-fed. But meat is so expensive (to me) as it is. Every time I buy meat (without fail), I always hesitate. It's too expensive. Regular stuff, the cheapest stuff. It's hard for me to swallow. So I haven't taken the step to add the "organic" cost on top of the already high cost of meat. But tonight I read this:
"Non-organic meats have far higher concentrations of pesticides than all of the fruits and vegetables. And the highest concentration of pesticides is actually in non-organic butter.
So if you can only buy one organic food item, it should be butter. Next priority would be meats and once those are addressed, you will want to focus on the fruit and vegetable list above."
This was from Dr Mercola's website, and HERE's a link to the article. It's really good because it says which veggies/fruit are highest & lowest in pesticide concentration so you can prioritize which are more worth the 'splurge'.
Kinda puts perspective on my thinking, though. I guess I had it backwards, even though I think I've got such an informed decision! Next trip, butter & meat it is. Maybe I'll sacrifice some ice cream or some other non-essential grocery item to make up for the cost.
Something that freaked me out big-time when I was pregnant with Jake was when a study was done on human milk & there were substantial levels of pesticides in it.
It's the same kind of freak-out I had when I learned about the cancerous tumors that had the African monkey virus in them (on autopsy) in people who had never been anywhere near an African brown monkey. It was from a vaccine (given decades prior), as vaccines are grown in serum & organs of other animals!!! And this particular vaccine was grown in African brown monkey plasma... and now found in tumors... Wrap your mind around that!
(Inoculated with an unknown virus, {how do we know if there are any other unknown viruses, we'll never know, because they're unknown!}, protected from {fill in the blank}, culminated in cancer.) Oh vaccines... I could go on forever. It's the toughest decision I've encountered TO DATE in my whole TWO YEARS of motherhood. I've been reading statistics, case studies, ingredients & processing procedures... let me tell you, no amount of information makes this issue any clearer.
I have rambled SO much in this post that I'm cutting myself off!!! Sorry!!! Just wanted to share that organic info because I had no idea about the butter & meat!
Next post will be shorter & sweeter! :)
I'm not getting excited. I'm not going to jump up and down! I'm not I'm not I'm not!!!
But I can't help the excited butterflies in my tummy, which I'm trying so hard to contain!
See, we weren't going to attempt the crib-to-bed transition again until we get back from our trip (since any new sleep habits will most-likely be lost by the time we get back), but alas, both boys are in the midst of "sleep training" just a week before we leave. Brilliant, huh.
This morning in my sleepy-waking-up daze, I noticed that my alarm clock (aka Jake's cry) seemed to sound like it was moving. As I laid there, eyes tightly shut and fighting the early morning as I always do, I felt my heart drop as I suddenly sat up in bed. I said aloud, "It sounds like Jake is moving!" I listened intently again & confirmed that something wasn't right. The cry wasn't coming from the diagonal left, it was indeed coming from the diagonal right! What a start, what a shock, and what an unplanned can of worms he just opened- by discovering how to climb out of his crib!
Or so I thought.
Think.
I don't know. I'll have to tell you tomorrow. And in 2 weeks when we get back from vacation.
But the butterflies I have right now... that would be because I expected a fiasco. I read all day about this transition. (Trying to find ways to avoid what happened last time, trying to find positive methods, gentle methods, tricks, treats, bits & bops, anything!)
But it wasn't a fiasco. No sirree, Bob! (hat tip to my sissy.) I got a sleepy toddler who smiled a quiet smile at me, whispered his prayer (next topic & more happy butterflies), and who stayed in bed and slept when I left the room. WHAT!!??!!?? Are you kidding me!?!?! I am shocked!!! And so pleasantly surprised.
But like I said, I'll tell you tomorrow. The night is young!
The floor is padded. And I'm ready.
Okay, so about the prayer...
3 nights ago he said his first prayer!!! He whispers it, and it's so sweet!
"JeeJuh" (Jesus)
"DehDoo JeeJuh" (Thank you Jesus)
"IIIIIIIIII JeeJuh" (I love you Jesus)
"AhMn" (Amen)
(p.s. that's how he says I love you, just a long & endearing IIIIIIII, but you can see it all over his face & hear it in his voice. He really is a sweet-heart.) The first night he said his prayer, my smile was so big that he said "AhMn" 3 times! Aww!
The last thing I wanted to add to this post is something I just read online that I didn't know. Thought I'd share. It's about organics & purely informational.
We try our best to eat organic fruits & veggies (especially those without hard skins or those known to be more pesticide-laden) and always organic milk & eggs. I've been doing this a while, for as long as I can remember buying food, & don't talk much about it just because I think people should do whatever they want & I don't want anybody to ever think I'm being hoity-toity or anything. I have my own reasons, I am just doing what I think is best for my family & situation.
Which is why I don't bring it up! Even that sentence could sound bad if it's said to someone who doesn't buy organic! A few months ago, a close friend of mine randomly bombarded me & started spewing all these facts about hormone-free milk and organics and feeding cows, etc, trying to prove that organic wasn't 'that' important and (I think) to justify her decision to not buy organic. I didn't bring the topic up. I definitely would never want her (or anyone) to feel a need to justify anything or compare. I love talking about stuff, learning from others, sharing information, whatever. But this was a bombardment! I have reasons, and I had answers to all of her points! But I sorta bit my tongue because I was afraid if I "defended" my reasons, that she would think I was saying that her way was wrong or bad for her child or something. I didn't want to play into the competition she seems to have started between the two of us. Whose way is right? This is just one of the many 'competitions' she's created: whose child does what first, who loses baby weight first, whose house is cleaner, ahh! Why would this cross her mind- why is there a need to compare anything!? It absolutely makes me crazy! Let's just BE. Be friends, hang out, live it together (no matter who weighs what or whose kid is happiest, what does that matter?) Wooh, venting! Sorry!
So back to the organics, I've always felt that mine is an informed decision, an educated decision even. I've read in accredited medical journals and educational material (CEUs: continuing education units), and have weighed the pros & cons (hello, cost!), and I still feel that it's worth it to me. Anyways, I'm absolutely not strict about it. I just get what is available & if we're eating somewhere else (which is not often) I honestly don't even think about it. Never crosses my mind unless we're eating strawberries, eek! (Someone said you might as well drink pesticides if you eat non-0rganic strawberries, and I can't get that image out of my head now! LOL)
But here's my point: my way of sparing costs is that I don't buy organic meat (because that's ridiculously expensive & some thing's gotta give!) I want to! I've thought about it a lot. If I can't be vegetarian, then I want to buy free-range, organic-fed. But meat is so expensive (to me) as it is. Every time I buy meat (without fail), I always hesitate. It's too expensive. Regular stuff, the cheapest stuff. It's hard for me to swallow. So I haven't taken the step to add the "organic" cost on top of the already high cost of meat. But tonight I read this:
"Non-organic meats have far higher concentrations of pesticides than all of the fruits and vegetables. And the highest concentration of pesticides is actually in non-organic butter.
So if you can only buy one organic food item, it should be butter. Next priority would be meats and once those are addressed, you will want to focus on the fruit and vegetable list above."
This was from Dr Mercola's website, and HERE's a link to the article. It's really good because it says which veggies/fruit are highest & lowest in pesticide concentration so you can prioritize which are more worth the 'splurge'.
Kinda puts perspective on my thinking, though. I guess I had it backwards, even though I think I've got such an informed decision! Next trip, butter & meat it is. Maybe I'll sacrifice some ice cream or some other non-essential grocery item to make up for the cost.
Something that freaked me out big-time when I was pregnant with Jake was when a study was done on human milk & there were substantial levels of pesticides in it.
It's the same kind of freak-out I had when I learned about the cancerous tumors that had the African monkey virus in them (on autopsy) in people who had never been anywhere near an African brown monkey. It was from a vaccine (given decades prior), as vaccines are grown in serum & organs of other animals!!! And this particular vaccine was grown in African brown monkey plasma... and now found in tumors... Wrap your mind around that!
(Inoculated with an unknown virus, {how do we know if there are any other unknown viruses, we'll never know, because they're unknown!}, protected from {fill in the blank}, culminated in cancer.) Oh vaccines... I could go on forever. It's the toughest decision I've encountered TO DATE in my whole TWO YEARS of motherhood. I've been reading statistics, case studies, ingredients & processing procedures... let me tell you, no amount of information makes this issue any clearer.
I have rambled SO much in this post that I'm cutting myself off!!! Sorry!!! Just wanted to share that organic info because I had no idea about the butter & meat!
Next post will be shorter & sweeter! :)
7.26.2008
7.18.2008
Playing Catch Up
I'm recovering!
I've spent the last week being as BUSY as anything! Working way too much, though feeling guilty that even my busy, long workdays actually rejuvenate me a bit. I love my home. I love my boys and my wonderful husband. We are so incredibly blessed, beyond measure. Though a day away (even if it is at work) is sometimes in order.
Today I worked out at the park with my sister-in-law. One of my favorite parts of working out is the stretching afterwards. Sometimes I spend more time doing that than the actual workout. (Ha! "Sometimes." I say that as if I work out often! That should be past tense. Because it's been a long time since I had a good, real workout.) I also love, love, love doing mat work. Pilates, abs, yoga. I love it. It makes me feel like a dancer again. But today was a reality check for my ego. I'm used to being the girl who sits in front during yoga, pilates & dance classes. It's been that long since I took class.
Today, I was the girl who sits in the back. Whose form is bad. Who has to eventually modify towards the end because I just can't do the full extension without my lower back arching. Ugh! I told my sister-in-law that the quitter in me wanted to say I won't come back because I used to be so good, but now I'm not. But that's ridiculous! I want my strong core back! (I was pleasantly surprised with some aspects of my performance, but overall, I get a huge "needs improvement")
All I was trying to say, though, is that the time spent stretching & just breathing and being in-tune with your body is the most wonderful thing ever. Then I got on a tangent. I wonder why I don't do this more. I never thought I would be so 'out-of-tune' with my body. I never thought that there would be a time when I wasn't dancing! It's a little funny that most people want to make extra money so they can be home with their kids, but I want to make extra money so I can hire a babysitter for a few hours a week so I can dance & go to the gym. That is my goal. Just a few hours! Not that I don't want to be here! I'm just feeling the need to take care of myself! And I'm vowing to be better at it!
So in the meantime, (because the extra money thing, well, I'm not quite there yet), I may go back to my old ritual. First thing in the morning, going outside for a quick stretch and some before-bedtime mat work. Will my kids allow this? Will I be disciplined to rise before them & make time for this? Will I continue the workouts? I'll keep you posted. I hope the answer is yes. Though sometimes I'm not a do-er. Yah, bad. Workin' on it.
About dancing... if you watch (my favorite show) So You Think You Can Dance, just tell me one thing. Weren't you shocked that Kherrington & Gev got cut!?!? I love Comfort, but Kherrington is so talented! And Gev, well he's just a cutie and wasn't his solo amazing tonight? (Lastnight for you, Tonight for me, Thankyou TiVo.) Did anybody else cry through the entire Ava Maria performance? I LOVE Mia Michaels' choreography!!! Almost all of her pieces bring me to tears!
So I'm going to narrate the up & coming zillion pictures.
1- Austin is done with his DOC Band! He's also getting on all fours and rocking back and forth a lot (pictured below)- the typical pre-crawl exercise. Jake never did this, and he crawled late (& not for very long.) Austin does scoot everywhere, and I'm SO done with this, because the fronts of his shirts are getting so dirty! (I don't remember this with Jake. Does this mean that I'm slacking off on my cleaning? Or I'm allowing more tummy-floor contact because I'm not as neurotic?)
Austin getting his final measurements at Cranial Tech. The before/after is amazing.
2- Here are a few photos from our recent Sea World trip. This was a little spur-of-the-moment trip, just me & the boys. It was fun, but we did have a few moments that are worthy of an entire post of their own! I think next time I will be sure to have an equal number of adults to children.
As we were walking by the Shamu 'holding tank' behind the stage-- the "Shamu's" suddenly jumped in the air! Jake ran over there and started exclaiming, "DUMP! DUMP!" (AKA: "jump", in jake-speak). His excitement was so cute, and I think I was just as excited- I've never been that close to a jumping Shamu!
3- We spent an afternoon on the boat with my in-laws recently. Kevin and I have usually one day off together per week. It's a treasured day, but is often filled with busy stuff-- errands, taking turns trying to catch up on rest, chores, etc. It was so nice to just relax. I've said this before, but there's no place I'd rather be than on the water. It is so peaceful. That is where I went when I was in labor. haha (In my mind.) Anyways, this was the boys' first time in a boat. They were so sleepy that they just relaxed & didn't get too excited, but we all really enjoyed it.
Jake looking at the seals. He also got to watch Grandma reel in a Barracuda. And he touched the little fishies (Anchovies) in the holding tank. He also loved watching the pelicans rush our boat as Grandpa emptied the holding tank before going in.
How precious is this!?! Austin smiling at Grandma
And (below) Jake just barely waking up from a nap on Momma's lap. Sweet!
4- Austin meets Macchiato at my sister's house.
5- My mom & I (and Jake asleep on her lap) at the beach lastnight. (We barbecued at La Jolla Shores... my old stomping ground!!! I forgot how absolutely stunning it is there.)
And my sis & I
Sorry for the long "me" post! I do think these little kiddies are cuter than buttons (hee!) (Thus the zillion pics) Have a beautiful weekend! Hug those people you love. If my hubby were here, I would be doing just that. We miss him in our home. My heart goes to those with even more separation from their spouses (& families), Those amazing men & women serving in our military & their families holding down the fort at home. From my little life here, I know that it's not easy doing it on your own much of the time and even our (small in comparison) separations are hard. When I complain or start to think it's hard, I think of those who have it even harder than I. You are amazing. You are amazing. ;)
6.11.2008
Works for Me: Teeth-brushing and hand-washing
Well, this is totally random- but it works for us! So I thought I'd share it (click to see other WFMW topics), in case someone else has problems getting their kids to brush their teeth for longer than FIVE SECONDS!
I tried making up funny little songs during teeth brushing, about brushing out the sugar bugs, about upper teeth, lower teeth, front teeth... I tried making funny faces... oh we tried everything! And my son loved it--- but he still got bored of it after a while, and after a few seconds his mouth would close & he's biting the toothbrush again. Setting a timer may work for older kids, but for me it kinda makes it seem even longer than it really is.
So I'm not exactly sure why this has worked for us, but it has. The recommended length of time to brush teeth is 2-3 minutes. And the entire "ABC" song is about 30 seconds long. The same goes for the "Happy Birthday" song.
We sing 4 songs, usually ABC's but sometimes I throw in a little Happy Birthday. He loves it and is sooo cooperative, even with his dreaded front teeth. He knows we rinse with fresh water after 2 songs (which he loves) and that we save the front for the last song, during which he tilts his head back and simply tolerates, knowing that soon he will get to SPIT {{insert gleeful 2-year-old giggle}} AAANNDD, get this: turn... off... the bathroom... light... (oh, joy of all joys!) He loves that, he does! :)
Just thought I'd share our little trick. It also helps with getting kids to wash hands adequately, since the recommended hand-washing time is 30 seconds, but most people spend less than 5.
Let me know if it works for you! :) (Or if you have any flossing tricks... I guess I should start flossing his teeth, right? And mine! Shh, don't tell... I skip that step all too often!)
P.S. Just a little reminder that my giveaway at MyLeap ends tomorrow! There's one change. I said I'd draw the winner at 12, but I'll be out of town until about 4pm, so I'll plan to draw names at 5pm PST. Good luck!
5.16.2008
Immersion
We've been majorly busy lately. Thank you for the sweet comments, emails, phonecalls, and prayers. It has really meant a lot to me/us. We're doing great-- back into the swing of things. I have been so busy, in fact, that my house looks like a tornado hit. Which is why I'm just going to post a few pictures (again) so that I can do a little cleaning before bed. These are too much fun to not share! :)
The boys in the pool with Grandma & Grandpa today. (That's cousin R on the left.) It was Austin's first time holding his breath *while* going under water. (We started teaching the kids to hold their breath at ~3-4 months, and practice during bathtime while pouring water... but the first immersion is always a bit sketchy. Something about a mom dunking her baby under water just goes against the mama instinct!) Anyways, Austin did great. So did Jake, but he was a bit out of practice since last summer's swim lessons so he didn't love the immersion part. He'll get used to it again hopefully this summer.
Jake & I snuggling next to a pig
Austin with a cow-- and a nasty piece of hay in his hand (promptly removed and hands sanitized...) Yes, I was the freak with the hand sanitzer and baby wipes... the one who mentioned facts about e.coli and petting zoos more than once in justification... I promise you I do love animals. I did raise 2 pigs, 2 sheep, along with numerous rabbits, chickens, doves & pigeons. And, of course, the regular pets- the cats, dogs, fish, parakeets & turtles. BUT-- now that it's my babies little hands (and mouths), I wasn't so "hands-on" and close with the animals.
To be honest, all I could think about was poop and microscopic organisms! And more poop! Poop on the hay, poop in the dirt, poop on the cages, poop on the animals... seriously! And today I took the kids out in the stroller, and guess what was in the tire tread... poop! I can't escape it!
But I was peer-pressured to let Jake sit on a pig (which, as you can tell, he loved about as much as I did) and Austin to sit in the nasty cow hay. Don't worry. I anihilated those microscopic organisms immediately after the photo op, and before any hands went anywhere near any mouths too! Maybe I'll lighten up a bit with #3. Or when they're a little older. I can't deprive them of all that fun forever, but for now I'm going to indulge my neurotic little microorganism-fixated mind by providing my children with limited germ exposure and over-protection in the form of frequent hand washing &/or sanitizing events (all-natural, alcohol-free, of course). LOL
I promise I'm not a priss! I'm just a momma now, and I was even shocked by my own reaction to the animals & their germs! (I didn't touch one animal, not one!) Don't hate me!!! I LOVE animals!!! And farms!
We were talking today about how we might be too inundated with theories.
The sentiment was that maybe it was better when plastics couldn't kill you, vaccines were a no-brainer, wine had nothing to do with heart health and animals were for hugging (not transmitting deadly diseases!) That maybe what we don't know really can't hurt us. We did all turn out fine (I think.)
But I don't completely buy that theory either. I'm still drinking it all in, all this information. (Though I do think animals are for hugging. Well, maybe by an older child *and* after all the poop has been hosed off of them.)
The boys in the pool with Grandma & Grandpa today. (That's cousin R on the left.) It was Austin's first time holding his breath *while* going under water. (We started teaching the kids to hold their breath at ~3-4 months, and practice during bathtime while pouring water... but the first immersion is always a bit sketchy. Something about a mom dunking her baby under water just goes against the mama instinct!) Anyways, Austin did great. So did Jake, but he was a bit out of practice since last summer's swim lessons so he didn't love the immersion part. He'll get used to it again hopefully this summer.
And just a few pictures from yesterday's trip to the fair.
Jake & I snuggling next to a pig
Austin with a cow-- and a nasty piece of hay in his hand (promptly removed and hands sanitized...) Yes, I was the freak with the hand sanitzer and baby wipes... the one who mentioned facts about e.coli and petting zoos more than once in justification... I promise you I do love animals. I did raise 2 pigs, 2 sheep, along with numerous rabbits, chickens, doves & pigeons. And, of course, the regular pets- the cats, dogs, fish, parakeets & turtles. BUT-- now that it's my babies little hands (and mouths), I wasn't so "hands-on" and close with the animals.
To be honest, all I could think about was poop and microscopic organisms! And more poop! Poop on the hay, poop in the dirt, poop on the cages, poop on the animals... seriously! And today I took the kids out in the stroller, and guess what was in the tire tread... poop! I can't escape it!
But I was peer-pressured to let Jake sit on a pig (which, as you can tell, he loved about as much as I did) and Austin to sit in the nasty cow hay. Don't worry. I anihilated those microscopic organisms immediately after the photo op, and before any hands went anywhere near any mouths too! Maybe I'll lighten up a bit with #3. Or when they're a little older. I can't deprive them of all that fun forever, but for now I'm going to indulge my neurotic little microorganism-fixated mind by providing my children with limited germ exposure and over-protection in the form of frequent hand washing &/or sanitizing events (all-natural, alcohol-free, of course). LOL
I promise I'm not a priss! I'm just a momma now, and I was even shocked by my own reaction to the animals & their germs! (I didn't touch one animal, not one!) Don't hate me!!! I LOVE animals!!! And farms!
We were talking today about how we might be too inundated with theories.
The sentiment was that maybe it was better when plastics couldn't kill you, vaccines were a no-brainer, wine had nothing to do with heart health and animals were for hugging (not transmitting deadly diseases!) That maybe what we don't know really can't hurt us. We did all turn out fine (I think.)
But I don't completely buy that theory either. I'm still drinking it all in, all this information. (Though I do think animals are for hugging. Well, maybe by an older child *and* after all the poop has been hosed off of them.)
4.20.2008
The answer is...
Oh my goodness! I will not post when I'm PMSey, I will not post when I'm PMSey! heehee
Re-reading the post about Austin's eyes, and seeing the photos, especially the second one- especially in the light of a few things that have been going on at work (some genetic disorders we have recently seen, some freaky training we just received, oh yeah, and PMS) ... it puts a little (big) knot in this momma's tummy. Which, I'm sure, is derived partly from just plain mommyhood and partly from, yes, PMS. (Oh yah, and from the field that I work in.) But I do get extremely emotional during this fun time, yes I do!
So a little reminder popped into my head this morning, and definitely not by coincidence. It is the answer to the worries. It loosens the knot and brings peace to my ever-inquiring mind.
My children are in His loving hands
{sigh}
Re-reading the post about Austin's eyes, and seeing the photos, especially the second one- especially in the light of a few things that have been going on at work (some genetic disorders we have recently seen, some freaky training we just received, oh yeah, and PMS) ... it puts a little (big) knot in this momma's tummy. Which, I'm sure, is derived partly from just plain mommyhood and partly from, yes, PMS. (Oh yah, and from the field that I work in.) But I do get extremely emotional during this fun time, yes I do!
So a little reminder popped into my head this morning, and definitely not by coincidence. It is the answer to the worries. It loosens the knot and brings peace to my ever-inquiring mind.
My children are in His loving hands
{sigh}
1.27.2008
A Birth Tragedy, and Malpracticing Doctor
THIS is absolutely shocking. Very sad. (P.S. underlined words are the links to the articles...) This (above-mentioned) blog describes the original story found in LA Times, and has some quoted excerpts. The link at the bottom of her post doesn't work, so I was unable to read the actual news article.
It's so shocking, though, that I did a google search on it to see if it's really true. Here are a few things that I came across.
Article from Daily Herald
A Doctor's Recollection about Dr Safari, and his criticisms of Kaiser Permanente
Article from LA Times (almost the same as Daily Herald one)
I believe that vacuum extraction may have it's place (in a very emergent situation, and I mean emergent as in life or death emergency!) It should be used gently and with limits (we have a 2-3 pull maximum at our hospital I think.) The things that went on in this case are wrong on so many levels. The two biggest and most obvious are that, number one, it was TOTALLY unnecessary to even consider vacuum! (No distress, healthy mom & baby.) And second, he used great force, and pulled numerous times. This is all "alleged", but Kaiser's response (permanently restricting his practice) tells me that there's something to it. It's just so horrible and tragic.
I want to encourage people to research interventions and demand true "informed" consent before agreeing to their use. (And, being that I work in a hospital setting, I want to also warn that from my observation, most doctors will brush over *some* of the cons and accentuate the pros. They will hardly ever tell you all of the potential complications. I really appreciate those doctors who do, and they are the ones who are prepared with true statistics instead of just saying "oh, it's extremely rare...") Medicine is very much a business these days, and we, the 'consumers', need to take control and be informed.
I am NOT placing even an OUNCE of blame on the parents... not at all, never! We should be able to trust judgement of our doctors! But I am saying we need to take this as a que to educate ourselves and make informed decisions about our health, regardless of what others (doctors, nurses, hospitals, protocols) say we need to do. Sometimes they are right, but sometimes, as in this case, they are very, very wrong. So, so heartbreaking.
It's so shocking, though, that I did a google search on it to see if it's really true. Here are a few things that I came across.
Article from Daily Herald
A Doctor's Recollection about Dr Safari, and his criticisms of Kaiser Permanente
Article from LA Times (almost the same as Daily Herald one)
I believe that vacuum extraction may have it's place (in a very emergent situation, and I mean emergent as in life or death emergency!) It should be used gently and with limits (we have a 2-3 pull maximum at our hospital I think.) The things that went on in this case are wrong on so many levels. The two biggest and most obvious are that, number one, it was TOTALLY unnecessary to even consider vacuum! (No distress, healthy mom & baby.) And second, he used great force, and pulled numerous times. This is all "alleged", but Kaiser's response (permanently restricting his practice) tells me that there's something to it. It's just so horrible and tragic.
I want to encourage people to research interventions and demand true "informed" consent before agreeing to their use. (And, being that I work in a hospital setting, I want to also warn that from my observation, most doctors will brush over *some* of the cons and accentuate the pros. They will hardly ever tell you all of the potential complications. I really appreciate those doctors who do, and they are the ones who are prepared with true statistics instead of just saying "oh, it's extremely rare...") Medicine is very much a business these days, and we, the 'consumers', need to take control and be informed.
I am NOT placing even an OUNCE of blame on the parents... not at all, never! We should be able to trust judgement of our doctors! But I am saying we need to take this as a que to educate ourselves and make informed decisions about our health, regardless of what others (doctors, nurses, hospitals, protocols) say we need to do. Sometimes they are right, but sometimes, as in this case, they are very, very wrong. So, so heartbreaking.
1.23.2008
Chiropracter Scans
So I lied! I didn't quite do the "wordless wednesday" ... Because when we got back from the chiropracter with our re-evaluation results, I was too excited not to share them!!!
My printer/scanner is unplugged (we got a new computer, so haven't set it all up yet), so this is a photo of the results printout.
Basically, the bottom scan was the first one. This shows the location and severity of nerve blockage. Red is the worst (severe), Blue is moderate, and Green is mild. Although the improvement we've seen speaks louder than these scans, it was still nice to see it in the scan! So now we scale down from three times per week to once per week. Yay!!!
P.S. My last bit of good news for the day: Daisy has gained 10 pounds in the last 2 months!!! She is on my mind soooooo much, and it makes me feel a bit more at peace knowing that she's gaining weight, therefore doing much better. That's all I'm going to say about that right now. I love my girl.
My printer/scanner is unplugged (we got a new computer, so haven't set it all up yet), so this is a photo of the results printout.
Basically, the bottom scan was the first one. This shows the location and severity of nerve blockage. Red is the worst (severe), Blue is moderate, and Green is mild. Although the improvement we've seen speaks louder than these scans, it was still nice to see it in the scan! So now we scale down from three times per week to once per week. Yay!!!
P.S. My last bit of good news for the day: Daisy has gained 10 pounds in the last 2 months!!! She is on my mind soooooo much, and it makes me feel a bit more at peace knowing that she's gaining weight, therefore doing much better. That's all I'm going to say about that right now. I love my girl.
1.18.2008
Anew
This verse jumped out at me from this wonderful blog that I ran across tonight, but I didn't get the chance to double-check the context. (I left my Bible in my car yesterday, and am too cold to go outside and get it!) I really like it, though. She said it's in the first part of Revelation 21:5
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
How beautiful is that!?!
It makes me think of Austin and our life since he's been here. First of all, I wanted to just thank all of you for your kind thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement as we've been dealing with Austin's GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and colic. I'm not sure I've actually given a real update on him, but I'm sure you have surmised that he's doing better by my frequent blogging! We can't even express how thankful we are that he's finally turned the corner for good! The chiropracter has been incredible for his "colic", I'm so glad that we've been able to take him. We've tried taking him off the Zantac three times and he was uncomfortable again within 1-2 days every time, so he's still on that medication. But no more pain and wailing, ahh, yes! I won't say he's "easy", but a million times better than he was before! {It certainly hasn't affected his weight gain... he's in the 100th percentile at 14 pounds 14 ounces! ~At 10 1/2 wk~}
Another update and answered prayer... my nephew's 3-year-old brother, Isaac, is in full remission (leukemia) and is now doing maintenance chemotherapy. He's a strong little boy!
Excerpt from above-mentioned blog:
"God’s word says in Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Micah 7:7 says, "...God will certainly hear me." Did you read that? It does not say that “He might hear you or that He will hear you only between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Not at all, it says He will certainly hear you...period.
Isn’t it amazing to stop and think for a moment…the one true and living God, the same God who formed the earth, the very God who hung the stars in the sky and who told the ocean’s waves they could only come so far…He hears his children when we call.
Call out to Him with confidence. He will most certainly hear you."
I like that.
“Behold, I am making all things new.”
How beautiful is that!?!
It makes me think of Austin and our life since he's been here. First of all, I wanted to just thank all of you for your kind thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement as we've been dealing with Austin's GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) and colic. I'm not sure I've actually given a real update on him, but I'm sure you have surmised that he's doing better by my frequent blogging! We can't even express how thankful we are that he's finally turned the corner for good! The chiropracter has been incredible for his "colic", I'm so glad that we've been able to take him. We've tried taking him off the Zantac three times and he was uncomfortable again within 1-2 days every time, so he's still on that medication. But no more pain and wailing, ahh, yes! I won't say he's "easy", but a million times better than he was before! {It certainly hasn't affected his weight gain... he's in the 100th percentile at 14 pounds 14 ounces! ~At 10 1/2 wk~}
Another update and answered prayer... my nephew's 3-year-old brother, Isaac, is in full remission (leukemia) and is now doing maintenance chemotherapy. He's a strong little boy!
Excerpt from above-mentioned blog:
"God’s word says in Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Psalm 145:18 says, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Micah 7:7 says, "...God will certainly hear me." Did you read that? It does not say that “He might hear you or that He will hear you only between the hours of 8am and 5pm. Not at all, it says He will certainly hear you...period.
Isn’t it amazing to stop and think for a moment…the one true and living God, the same God who formed the earth, the very God who hung the stars in the sky and who told the ocean’s waves they could only come so far…He hears his children when we call.
Call out to Him with confidence. He will most certainly hear you."
I like that.
1.10.2008
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate?
{{{Warning: this is a LONG post about vaccines...}}}
Tonight I stayed up late again, but doing something productive. I spent 120 minutes watching (& taking notes on) a DVD about vaccines. (It's called Vaccines - What CDC Documents and Science Reveal - Dr. Sherri J Tenpenny)
I borrowed it from Austin's chiropracter (along with a book called The Sanctity of Human Blood: Vaccination not Immunization by Tim O'Shea) .
I feel that it's clear what I need to do now, and I actually feel a huge knot in the pit of my stomach for all the vaccines that Jake has already had in his whole 18 months. It's unnerving. (?)
I watched this DVD with hesitance because I knew that it would shake my paradigms. I researched vaccines when I was in nursing school, but of course, that's nursing school. The medical community is sold on vaccines. I was too (sorta). Part of me always felt hesitant and even wrong about it, and that is the part of me that I was always convincing. Our vaccine schedules are out of control. Come on! Why do we need to vaccinate against all these things? Chickenpox!?! That is absolutely doing more harm than good! Now we're going to see more adults getting chickenpox (which is more dangerous) *and* shingles outbreaks! But the biggest argument I told myself in support of vaccination (besides the echo of my professor's voice in my head, praising vaccines and demeaning those parents who 'put their children at risk' by refusing them) was that "SO many people do it, and they're all fine." But the truth is, we don't know if they are. Why are autism, asthma, excema, cancer, etc increasing at alarming rates? This question has led me to seek natural products and organic foods, but my weak supportive stance on vaccination didn't budge. Until now, and it's simply wavering, a lot. I'm at the point where that small voice is now shouting- and I will definitely postpone any vaccines until I further research. I have to thoroughly research and read from "both sides."
They say there is no PROOF that vaccines can cause autism or any of the other forementioned disorders/diseases. But these epidemic increases in 'diseases' have coincided with the increase in vaccines given (see schedule stat below) and that says something to me. If nothing but a red flag, it's still not to be ignored. So we're supposedly preventing a bunch of relatively benign and/or extinct diseases, but is it possible that we're causing all these other devastating epidemics (ex: autism)? Maybe we're putting our children more at risk by vaccinating than we would be by refraining. I know for a fact that this is the case with the Pertussis vaccine (according to the CDC).
In 1985, kids got 17 vaccine antigens by age 6-months and 33 by the time they start school. NOW kids get 51 vaccine antigens by age 6-months and 77 by school age! (P.S. Not 77 shots, but 77 antigens... they combine them)
Anyways, I thought the main issue with vaccines that I was going to grapple with tonight (besides the idea of injecting foreign contaminants into a baby) was the thimerasol. My doctor already told me that his MMR is thimerasol-free. But, HOLY COW! Have you ever heard of Vaccine Viral Contaminants? It's totally shocking! Enough to convince me!
The reason I had to stay up late doing this *tonight* is because tomorrow is the 18-month appointment where I "promised" my doctor I would finally let him give Jake the MMR. (Was supposed to be at 12-months, but I refused at the last 2 appts, out of sheer fear!) And it's also Austin's 10-week appointment, where he's supposed to get his first vaccines (a total of 4 shots: DTap, Ipol, HIB-HepB, and Prevnar... that's a LOT more antigens because at least 3 of those 4 are combination shots!)
At this point, I truely don't want to deal with the doctor tomorrow and the pressure (see previous post, about how he's my colleague, etc), so I think I'll just cancel their appt and make one with Dr Sears in the meantime. I need to be ready if I'm going to face him with another refusal because last time it didn't go as planned. I managed to refuse the MMR because I was adamant, and not without a guilt trip, but after that fiasco I ended up not speaking up when they fanagled the chickenpox vaccine into the schedule without warning! And what I learned, as I went out to the car and cried in the parking lot because I allowed my voice to be silenced (because I felt that I had already caused too much of an issue about the MMR and didn't want to be a "problem" patient), was to be strong and BE the advocate for my babies! I felt very strongly about the chickenpox vaccine and I allowed myself to be bullied into it! And it's not my own health affected, it's my sons! (Which makes it even worse!)
Anyways, I'm asking questions. I'm remaining open. Being a parent is such a huge responsibility-- some of my decisions are driven by fear and 'what if'. I've rationalized doing (or not doing) things by the thought: "If something happened, I would never forgive myself." I didn't allow myself the glass of wine during pregnancy that we are "allowed", I vaccinated Jake, I didn't work-out to prevent another irritable uterus/preterm situation, I'm putting Austin on his back-to-sleep to prevent SIDS despite the "flat" spot on his head... We do everything we can to protect our kids. The "what ifs" in life are sometimes scarey, but definitely not something to dwell on. I have to keep myself in check, and remind myself that God is in control and we don't need to live in fear. My children are in His loving hands. (sigh) It's like a breath of fresh air, such a relief!
Though I can't deny that the issue of vaccination is a hard one. Because the 'what-if' fear can apply to either side.
Anyways, I totally welcome any thoughts or references (for either side). I plan on reading more on the subject. I *knew* I would feel this way if I watched that video! But I'm so glad I did. There are more issues to consider than I originally thought. I'll leave you with a quote (off the top of my memory... I may get it wrong but you'll get the point-)
If BinLaden dropped a whole slew of Hepatitis, Polio, Smallpox, Rubella, and Pertussis over our country, we'd be screaming "biological warfare!" Yet we have no problem injecting our babies with them every day.
Ugh!
Tonight I stayed up late again, but doing something productive. I spent 120 minutes watching (& taking notes on) a DVD about vaccines. (It's called Vaccines - What CDC Documents and Science Reveal - Dr. Sherri J Tenpenny)
I borrowed it from Austin's chiropracter (along with a book called The Sanctity of Human Blood: Vaccination not Immunization by Tim O'Shea) .
I feel that it's clear what I need to do now, and I actually feel a huge knot in the pit of my stomach for all the vaccines that Jake has already had in his whole 18 months. It's unnerving. (?)
I watched this DVD with hesitance because I knew that it would shake my paradigms. I researched vaccines when I was in nursing school, but of course, that's nursing school. The medical community is sold on vaccines. I was too (sorta). Part of me always felt hesitant and even wrong about it, and that is the part of me that I was always convincing. Our vaccine schedules are out of control. Come on! Why do we need to vaccinate against all these things? Chickenpox!?! That is absolutely doing more harm than good! Now we're going to see more adults getting chickenpox (which is more dangerous) *and* shingles outbreaks! But the biggest argument I told myself in support of vaccination (besides the echo of my professor's voice in my head, praising vaccines and demeaning those parents who 'put their children at risk' by refusing them) was that "SO many people do it, and they're all fine." But the truth is, we don't know if they are. Why are autism, asthma, excema, cancer, etc increasing at alarming rates? This question has led me to seek natural products and organic foods, but my weak supportive stance on vaccination didn't budge. Until now, and it's simply wavering, a lot. I'm at the point where that small voice is now shouting- and I will definitely postpone any vaccines until I further research. I have to thoroughly research and read from "both sides."
They say there is no PROOF that vaccines can cause autism or any of the other forementioned disorders/diseases. But these epidemic increases in 'diseases' have coincided with the increase in vaccines given (see schedule stat below) and that says something to me. If nothing but a red flag, it's still not to be ignored. So we're supposedly preventing a bunch of relatively benign and/or extinct diseases, but is it possible that we're causing all these other devastating epidemics (ex: autism)? Maybe we're putting our children more at risk by vaccinating than we would be by refraining. I know for a fact that this is the case with the Pertussis vaccine (according to the CDC).
In 1985, kids got 17 vaccine antigens by age 6-months and 33 by the time they start school. NOW kids get 51 vaccine antigens by age 6-months and 77 by school age! (P.S. Not 77 shots, but 77 antigens... they combine them)
Anyways, I thought the main issue with vaccines that I was going to grapple with tonight (besides the idea of injecting foreign contaminants into a baby) was the thimerasol. My doctor already told me that his MMR is thimerasol-free. But, HOLY COW! Have you ever heard of Vaccine Viral Contaminants? It's totally shocking! Enough to convince me!
The reason I had to stay up late doing this *tonight* is because tomorrow is the 18-month appointment where I "promised" my doctor I would finally let him give Jake the MMR. (Was supposed to be at 12-months, but I refused at the last 2 appts, out of sheer fear!) And it's also Austin's 10-week appointment, where he's supposed to get his first vaccines (a total of 4 shots: DTap, Ipol, HIB-HepB, and Prevnar... that's a LOT more antigens because at least 3 of those 4 are combination shots!)
At this point, I truely don't want to deal with the doctor tomorrow and the pressure (see previous post, about how he's my colleague, etc), so I think I'll just cancel their appt and make one with Dr Sears in the meantime. I need to be ready if I'm going to face him with another refusal because last time it didn't go as planned. I managed to refuse the MMR because I was adamant, and not without a guilt trip, but after that fiasco I ended up not speaking up when they fanagled the chickenpox vaccine into the schedule without warning! And what I learned, as I went out to the car and cried in the parking lot because I allowed my voice to be silenced (because I felt that I had already caused too much of an issue about the MMR and didn't want to be a "problem" patient), was to be strong and BE the advocate for my babies! I felt very strongly about the chickenpox vaccine and I allowed myself to be bullied into it! And it's not my own health affected, it's my sons! (Which makes it even worse!)
Anyways, I'm asking questions. I'm remaining open. Being a parent is such a huge responsibility-- some of my decisions are driven by fear and 'what if'. I've rationalized doing (or not doing) things by the thought: "If something happened, I would never forgive myself." I didn't allow myself the glass of wine during pregnancy that we are "allowed", I vaccinated Jake, I didn't work-out to prevent another irritable uterus/preterm situation, I'm putting Austin on his back-to-sleep to prevent SIDS despite the "flat" spot on his head... We do everything we can to protect our kids. The "what ifs" in life are sometimes scarey, but definitely not something to dwell on. I have to keep myself in check, and remind myself that God is in control and we don't need to live in fear. My children are in His loving hands. (sigh) It's like a breath of fresh air, such a relief!
Though I can't deny that the issue of vaccination is a hard one. Because the 'what-if' fear can apply to either side.
Anyways, I totally welcome any thoughts or references (for either side). I plan on reading more on the subject. I *knew* I would feel this way if I watched that video! But I'm so glad I did. There are more issues to consider than I originally thought. I'll leave you with a quote (off the top of my memory... I may get it wrong but you'll get the point-)
If BinLaden dropped a whole slew of Hepatitis, Polio, Smallpox, Rubella, and Pertussis over our country, we'd be screaming "biological warfare!" Yet we have no problem injecting our babies with them every day.
Ugh!
12.27.2007
Christmas Morning!
Just a few pictures of Jake on Christmas morning-- it was fun since he's old enough to be excited about opening gifts and stuff. (Last year he was just 5 months old). Like our little Austin, who slept through it all. OH! Speaking of Austin. We've had 3 really good days and nights. I'm praying that he's turning the corner! With all these things we're doing to help him, maybe some of them are working!
Jake's favorite gift, his wooden toolbox. He walked around with the screwdriver trying to unscrew everything in the house!
So cute on his little tricycle! He also got a big huge horse at my parent's house but he was afraid of it-- he cried when we put him on it! (It makes noises, sways it's head, wags it's tail, neighs, etc) Wish I had a pic!
Cute picture with Daddy at Kevin's parent's house.
I didn't take any pics at my parent's house! So I have to get some from my sis & dad. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
...back to my little family!
Jake's favorite gift, his wooden toolbox. He walked around with the screwdriver trying to unscrew everything in the house!
So cute on his little tricycle! He also got a big huge horse at my parent's house but he was afraid of it-- he cried when we put him on it! (It makes noises, sways it's head, wags it's tail, neighs, etc) Wish I had a pic!
Cute picture with Daddy at Kevin's parent's house.
I didn't take any pics at my parent's house! So I have to get some from my sis & dad. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
...back to my little family!
12.16.2007
Random- Baby Updates and Squash Recipes
Quick little baby update!
Austin's 6-week check-up was Friday... He weighs a whopping 12 pounds, 11 ounces!! (95th percentile). That's one healthy boy! (Length was 22 1/4 inches, 74th percentile.) I didn't get any real good information about reflux & colic from the pediatrician, except that his medication dosage needed to be tripled to be appropriate for his new weight. And that if the Zantac doesn't work, he could start on Reglan (NO WAY!)- and that colic usually improves at 3 months as the system matures, so their plan of action is to (passively) WAIT IT OUT. (another "no way!")
The exciting thing is that I had a really good meeting with the chiropracter! Austin has started his treatments and we've started probiotics. I'm so excited to see how this works!
I'll probably be meeting with Dr. Sears. I'm so unsure! Our pediatrician, Dr. "A", is one of my colleagues at Hoag, and we *love* him! I have watched him practice over my last 4 years working there and have been extremely impressed by his knowledge, bedside manner, and the thorough-ness of his assessment and care. I really liked how conservative he is in his practice, because he does 'catch' things that others may have missed. Being that I tend to gravitate towards the more natural, I felt that I could educate myself and choose my course of action accordingly, regardless of their usual 'plan of care'. We've been very happy there thus far.
Anyways, now that we have an issue with our little guy, I'm realizing that my own researching isn't enough. Number one, I don't have time anymore to read-up on every little thing. And number two, when I do find something (i.e.: probiotics, chiropracter), I want the doctor to actually know about it and the research supporting/negating it and the academy of pediatrics' stance on it. That's all I was asking, and all the pediatrician could tell me was to 'go with my gut'... which I thought was very impressive for a traditional ped to say, but I wanted some more info. We saw a different member of the practice b/c our ped was on vacation- I do think our guy would have had a bit more to say! But Dr. Sears is very knowledgable about (and endorses) natural health, and for him, "colic" is not the end but just the beginning of a quest to find ways to make the "hurting baby" not hurt anymore. I like that. I can't sit around another 6 weeks and watch my baby struggle without trying everything in my power to help him!
So on to happier things... Here is a cute picture of my better halves (!)
Three of my favorite guys on the planet!!! (A pic we took on a quick little beach-run we made... we just ran around on the grass and let Jake see the "choo choo" go by a few times.)
And my silly boy- his new thing (which is killing me, since I'm a picture and scrapbooking fanatic) is that he anticipates the flash (because of the few little 'warning' red-eye flashes that proceed the real one) and so ALL my photos have either closed eyes, or a face that looks sleepy. He does have bright eyes, but it's been impossible to capture them!
And my other little guy looks even chubbier than he actually is! Look at that double chin and those cheeks!!! He's a cutie. This was my attempt at one last picture of them in their brother shirts, as Austin is growing out of his quickly. Oh well!
And, last, for my recipe peeps--
I have two good ones! If you don't like squash, try these anyways! (I didn't, and have been converted!)
Spaghetti Squash -- I think oven was at 350. Cut in half, scoop out seeds, and place face-down in a baking dish with 1/4-inch of water. Bake 30 minutes, turn over and add lotsa butter and brown sugar, and bake another 30 minutes. Then scoop out the squash and eat it- SOO YUMMY!!! (P.S. it 'scoops' out like strands of spaghetti, in case you've never had it. very fun! Also good topped with butter & cheese instead, or plain butter & served with spaghetti sauce.)
Butternut Squash --{{MY FAVORITE!}} I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe, but I didn't puree it after mashing it. (To save time and and dishes... one taste and I realized it was perfect how it was). I have been eating this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And dessert! For dessert I warmed it up, drizzled it with a bit of maple syrup, and served it alongside a slice of Grandma's Pumpkin Bread with butter, mmmm!!!!
Well, I'll keep you all posted on Austin's progress with the new treatments. We're majorly splurging, but feeling very hopeful- I think this is a really good route for us and have heard so many success stories. {fingers crossed!}
Austin's 6-week check-up was Friday... He weighs a whopping 12 pounds, 11 ounces!! (95th percentile). That's one healthy boy! (Length was 22 1/4 inches, 74th percentile.) I didn't get any real good information about reflux & colic from the pediatrician, except that his medication dosage needed to be tripled to be appropriate for his new weight. And that if the Zantac doesn't work, he could start on Reglan (NO WAY!)- and that colic usually improves at 3 months as the system matures, so their plan of action is to (passively) WAIT IT OUT. (another "no way!")
The exciting thing is that I had a really good meeting with the chiropracter! Austin has started his treatments and we've started probiotics. I'm so excited to see how this works!
I'll probably be meeting with Dr. Sears. I'm so unsure! Our pediatrician, Dr. "A", is one of my colleagues at Hoag, and we *love* him! I have watched him practice over my last 4 years working there and have been extremely impressed by his knowledge, bedside manner, and the thorough-ness of his assessment and care. I really liked how conservative he is in his practice, because he does 'catch' things that others may have missed. Being that I tend to gravitate towards the more natural, I felt that I could educate myself and choose my course of action accordingly, regardless of their usual 'plan of care'. We've been very happy there thus far.
Anyways, now that we have an issue with our little guy, I'm realizing that my own researching isn't enough. Number one, I don't have time anymore to read-up on every little thing. And number two, when I do find something (i.e.: probiotics, chiropracter), I want the doctor to actually know about it and the research supporting/negating it and the academy of pediatrics' stance on it. That's all I was asking, and all the pediatrician could tell me was to 'go with my gut'... which I thought was very impressive for a traditional ped to say, but I wanted some more info. We saw a different member of the practice b/c our ped was on vacation- I do think our guy would have had a bit more to say! But Dr. Sears is very knowledgable about (and endorses) natural health, and for him, "colic" is not the end but just the beginning of a quest to find ways to make the "hurting baby" not hurt anymore. I like that. I can't sit around another 6 weeks and watch my baby struggle without trying everything in my power to help him!
So on to happier things... Here is a cute picture of my better halves (!)
Three of my favorite guys on the planet!!! (A pic we took on a quick little beach-run we made... we just ran around on the grass and let Jake see the "choo choo" go by a few times.)
And my silly boy- his new thing (which is killing me, since I'm a picture and scrapbooking fanatic) is that he anticipates the flash (because of the few little 'warning' red-eye flashes that proceed the real one) and so ALL my photos have either closed eyes, or a face that looks sleepy. He does have bright eyes, but it's been impossible to capture them!
And my other little guy looks even chubbier than he actually is! Look at that double chin and those cheeks!!! He's a cutie. This was my attempt at one last picture of them in their brother shirts, as Austin is growing out of his quickly. Oh well!
And, last, for my recipe peeps--
I have two good ones! If you don't like squash, try these anyways! (I didn't, and have been converted!)
Spaghetti Squash -- I think oven was at 350. Cut in half, scoop out seeds, and place face-down in a baking dish with 1/4-inch of water. Bake 30 minutes, turn over and add lotsa butter and brown sugar, and bake another 30 minutes. Then scoop out the squash and eat it- SOO YUMMY!!! (P.S. it 'scoops' out like strands of spaghetti, in case you've never had it. very fun! Also good topped with butter & cheese instead, or plain butter & served with spaghetti sauce.)
Butternut Squash --{{MY FAVORITE!}} I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe, but I didn't puree it after mashing it. (To save time and and dishes... one taste and I realized it was perfect how it was). I have been eating this for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And dessert! For dessert I warmed it up, drizzled it with a bit of maple syrup, and served it alongside a slice of Grandma's Pumpkin Bread with butter, mmmm!!!!
Well, I'll keep you all posted on Austin's progress with the new treatments. We're majorly splurging, but feeling very hopeful- I think this is a really good route for us and have heard so many success stories. {fingers crossed!}
12.03.2007
Clarification on Reflux
Hi guys! Thank you so much for your notes and words of advice and encouragement!!! I just wanted to add one quick clarification about Austin's situation. I'm not giving him the medication just because he spits up- because I know that's just a normal baby thing. Spit up does not bother me in the least, it's just part of the territory. But he was literally screaming high-pitched, painful, piercing screams and squirming, arching, grunting and whining all the time. It would start during and right after a feeding, and would last an hour or two each time. And if you exclusively breastfed, you know that newborns eat every 2-3 hours (sometimes more), so he would basically be uncomfortable all day, with maybe 30 minutes to an hour of peace before the cycle started again. That, coupled with the projectile spitting-up that he was doing, is what prompted us starting the medication. I just couldn't bear to see him in so much pain! (Even when reflux babies don't 'spit-up', the stomach contents may still reflux up into the esophagus and burn and cause inflammation, which is why some have the pain & colic symptoms.) I've worked with newborns for the last 5 years, so I have a good grasp on normal newborn behavior-- and this behavior was not normal! It was pain! So after two weeks of nothing working, we gave-in and did the meds. And he is sooooooo much better!!!!! (Hallelujah!) Just the last 2 days the improvement has been so evident. He still gets a bit uncomfortable after feedings & spits up all the time, but the Zantac neutralizes the acids so it doesn't cause the burns/pain. Now he just grunts, arches, fusses a bit- but not that screaming. I am still going try to get him off the Zantac (trying to find some other natural solutions) because I hate medicating, but in the meantime he's not hurting and that makes me feel better about it.
I can't wait to try all the things you guys recommended! I'm going to look into the probiotics for sure! And my sister found a chiropracter that specializes in this. I just had to write a little clarification because I didn't want anybody to think that I was all worked up about a little spitting up- there's definitely more to it than that!
(P.S. Jake had reflux to some degree, but it was easily corrected with just positioning. His wasn't as severe and didn't scream like Austin does... he just had some projectile and arching/fussing. Maybe it is familial? Maybe it's because Austin was early? Who knows!)
I can't wait to try all the things you guys recommended! I'm going to look into the probiotics for sure! And my sister found a chiropracter that specializes in this. I just had to write a little clarification because I didn't want anybody to think that I was all worked up about a little spitting up- there's definitely more to it than that!
(P.S. Jake had reflux to some degree, but it was easily corrected with just positioning. His wasn't as severe and didn't scream like Austin does... he just had some projectile and arching/fussing. Maybe it is familial? Maybe it's because Austin was early? Who knows!)
11.24.2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
This is about all I have time to post these days... pictures of our little family! We had a nice Thanksgiving with our families, as I hope you did too! I'm scared to post pictures of everybody now, without first getting permission! I didn't realize how many people don't like sharing photos via internet! We thought up this blog or website idea with the primary intent to share family photos but it never really took off in that direction, so it morphed into my little thing.
Whatever! Anyways, I'm going to throw this out there JUST IN CASE... Do any of you have experience with an infant with reflux? I'm struggling here! As much as I don't want to give my 3-week-old a medication (!), he is on Zantac because he's absolutely miserable (as are we!). I've given my new baby Mylicon already and Gripe Water. I feel horrible about it, medicating my newborn! I feel horrible about a lot of things. I miss Jake, I miss being able to spend quality time with him. He spends most of the day with daddy while mommy tries to catch up on the sleep that she didn't get during the night because of Austin. (Yah right! Sleep doesn't come around here!) But today Kevin's back to work, and Jake is sleeping at Grandma's house tonight, and I miss him soooo much! I feel bad for Austin, he's so miserable and I can't help him! Like I said, I feel horrible about a lot of things. Mostly Jake. I just crave his attention and time, probably more than he craves mine! It wasn't easy for him to get used to me having my hands (more) full, and that was hard for me-- (he was a bit clingy & needy, wanting mama)-- but it's even harder seeing him become more independent and not need me as much. I guess it's a good thing, but it breaks a mommy's heart over & over! {Sorry, can you tell I'm not having a great night!} Augh! It'll be sooo much easier when Austin's little tummy issues (or whatever it is) resolves. The newborn phase is supposed to be the easiest! It was with Jake! feed, snuggle, sleep, that's it! Cloud nine, babymoon! Babies are supposed to be happy!
So about reflux, I heard a success story with the use of Chiropracter and Accupressure (magnet therapy) on an infant with reflux (& colic, though I REFUSE to label my son with colic! Not yet anyway! I feel like that would be surrendering! But this is NOT going to be our life for the next 3-5 months!!!) If you have any recommendations (for alternative treatments), please let me know! Also, if you know of a chiropracter, accupressure/puncturist, etc in my area (or yours), I'm looking for a referral.
(P.S. We're doing positioning, & have tried smaller more frequent feedings w/ freq burping, etc... all the easy stuff. Oh yes, we've even (in desperation) tried putting him to sleep in the swing & the bouncer. We need to bring out the big guns, but prefer to not medicate if we don't have to)
I just read that Slippery Elm is good and basically does the same thing that Zantac does, but I need to read more about it and make sure it's safe for newborn & check dosage. Just looking for thoughts, ideas, stories, referrals.
Well, it appears that Austin (on my lap) has finally gotten comfortable and is falling into a beautiful peaceful sleep, so I'm going to follow suit. (immediately!) Good Night to you! And I hope for us too~*
10.30.2007
*~*~PUMPKIN PATCH~*~*
We had so much fun at the pumpkin patch! We took a wagon ride and visited the petting zoo.
The farm had a corn maze and you get to pick-your-own veggies (huge, fresh, beautiful produce!) & pumpkins off the vine. Very cool! 
We still haven't had the chance to carve the pumpkin or bake the seeds because we headed straight to Carlsbad afterwards to spend some time with family. Nothing like the last minute! I think we'll be doing some carving in the morning! And then it's down to San Diego for some more family Halloween fun.
Here's a pic from dinner tonight. Jim, Judy, Jake, me, Kevin, Danielle, Aunt Carleen (visiting from Portland), Brian (*finally* home from the fires!), and Robby.
Peek-a-boo!
P.S. (Totally different note.) I just thought I'd throw this out there, as I have a bit of a request. If you wouldn't mind saying a little prayer for my nephew's 3-year-old half-brother, Isaac (and family). He went in to the doctor yesterday for a "limp" (sore leg), today he was diagnosed with Leukemia and will be starting chemo tomorrow. Such a terrible turn of events within a matter of days, all stemming from a seemingly benign little ailment (a limp). Thank God that they took him in so quickly, and that we can find peace and hope in knowing that he is in God's hands.
10.19.2007
What have I been doing lately? Nesting & Cooking!
More about food... just skip this post if you aren't into cooking! Don't you love trying new recipes, though? I love baking and cooking-- when I actually make time to do it! After baby is born, there probably won't be much creativity happening in the kitchen, so I'm having so much fun doing it right now! This morning I tried a new recipe for Banana Sour Cream Waffles. Yummy! They were *by-far* the most moist waffles I've ever had. (I made them with a Belgian Waffle maker, so the recipe that was supposed to make 4-6 waffles, only made 3 belgian waffles. That's all we needed, though.)
BANANA SOUR CREAM WAFFLES
1 C flour
1 C sour cream
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 C milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 C butter, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 egg, separated
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In small bowl, beat the egg white with whisk until light peaks form; set aside. Add eff yolk, sour cream, milk, butter, and banana to the flour mixture & mix well. Fold in the whipped egg white. Follow instructions on your waffle maker. For the Hamilton Beach Waffle Baker (Belgian): pour 3/4 C of batter into waffle waker & cook "6-7 min" until golden brown... but mine only needed 3 minutes on the golden setting. Enjoy!
Jake got yogurt and strawberries on his,
and Mommy & Daddy got BUTTER, strawberries, and POWDERED SUGAR!
{{I'd be so much healthier if I avoided the things I don't feed my babies!}} P.S. This waffle is very moist, but not sugary at all... Jake wasn't totally crazy about it- he ate the toppings off.
Add a little powdered sugar and it's perfect, if you have a sweet tooth like me.
On a quick note, regarding children & eating/health... My sister bought me a book for my bday called "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron. Have you heard of it? I actually just started reading it, and it looks REALLY GOOD! I wish I had it when Jake was younger! Check it out.
I also recently saw an Oprah about Jessica Seinfelds, "Deceptively Delicious" and Dr. Oz came on and did a whole show on children and eating. It was really wonderful! If your children (or HUSBANDS, ahem!) don't eat enough veggies, I would strongly recommend the book! Instead of "giving up", you 'hide' pureed veggies in their food... while at the same time serving fresh veggies so they learn that they still have to eat them, but that way you have peace that they're getting enough in the mean time. This book is definitely on my Christmas list. Even though Jake loves eating certain veggies, he's developed a distaste for others. I also want to sneak other yummy foods (fiber- wheat germ, & flax seed) into some of our recipes. Anyways, sorry for the RANDOM spiel!
Here is a sweet picture of my dad and Jake looking at the sunset at one of my favorite restaurants on the pier (The Fisherman's Wharf). My grandma (from NY) and parents came by yesterday- I wish I had more pics but my camera ran out of batteries!) Jake loves his grandpa soooo much!!!!! (He was sleepy and was snuggling with grandpa, so cute!)
Have a great day!!!
More about food... just skip this post if you aren't into cooking! Don't you love trying new recipes, though? I love baking and cooking-- when I actually make time to do it! After baby is born, there probably won't be much creativity happening in the kitchen, so I'm having so much fun doing it right now! This morning I tried a new recipe for Banana Sour Cream Waffles. Yummy! They were *by-far* the most moist waffles I've ever had. (I made them with a Belgian Waffle maker, so the recipe that was supposed to make 4-6 waffles, only made 3 belgian waffles. That's all we needed, though.)
BANANA SOUR CREAM WAFFLES
1 C flour
1 C sour cream
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 C milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 C butter, melted
1/4 tsp salt
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 egg, separated
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In small bowl, beat the egg white with whisk until light peaks form; set aside. Add eff yolk, sour cream, milk, butter, and banana to the flour mixture & mix well. Fold in the whipped egg white. Follow instructions on your waffle maker. For the Hamilton Beach Waffle Baker (Belgian): pour 3/4 C of batter into waffle waker & cook "6-7 min" until golden brown... but mine only needed 3 minutes on the golden setting. Enjoy!
Jake got yogurt and strawberries on his,
and Mommy & Daddy got BUTTER, strawberries, and POWDERED SUGAR!
{{I'd be so much healthier if I avoided the things I don't feed my babies!}} P.S. This waffle is very moist, but not sugary at all... Jake wasn't totally crazy about it- he ate the toppings off.
Add a little powdered sugar and it's perfect, if you have a sweet tooth like me.
On a quick note, regarding children & eating/health... My sister bought me a book for my bday called "Super Baby Food" by Ruth Yaron. Have you heard of it? I actually just started reading it, and it looks REALLY GOOD! I wish I had it when Jake was younger! Check it out.
I also recently saw an Oprah about Jessica Seinfelds, "Deceptively Delicious" and Dr. Oz came on and did a whole show on children and eating. It was really wonderful! If your children (or HUSBANDS, ahem!) don't eat enough veggies, I would strongly recommend the book! Instead of "giving up", you 'hide' pureed veggies in their food... while at the same time serving fresh veggies so they learn that they still have to eat them, but that way you have peace that they're getting enough in the mean time. This book is definitely on my Christmas list. Even though Jake loves eating certain veggies, he's developed a distaste for others. I also want to sneak other yummy foods (fiber- wheat germ, & flax seed) into some of our recipes. Anyways, sorry for the RANDOM spiel!
Here is a sweet picture of my dad and Jake looking at the sunset at one of my favorite restaurants on the pier (The Fisherman's Wharf). My grandma (from NY) and parents came by yesterday- I wish I had more pics but my camera ran out of batteries!) Jake loves his grandpa soooo much!!!!! (He was sleepy and was snuggling with grandpa, so cute!)
Have a great day!!!
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