Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The way I see it....vaccines!
Recently, my very good friend Nina had a post about vaccines {her blog is linked on my sidebar, Baby Hancock}. In her post it linked to an article about how there was an out break of Measles in 15 US states. Here is the article...
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0943743120080709?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true
After reading the article, thinking about what she wrote and researching vaccines for MYSELF; I figured that I would write a post about the way that I feel about vaccines. Side note: Brooklyn is selectively vaccinated, meaning that there are vaccines that we refuse all together and the vaccines that she does get are very much delayed. Just so everyone knows this is NOT a post to bash anyone. Every single parent is doing what they feel is the best for THEIR child and family. In the end what they do will only effect them, their child and their family. Who am I to tell them that they are doing something wrong. I just want to voice my opinion on the subject and maybe, in turn, clear up any confusion about vaccines that someone out there in blog land might have.
There is A Lot of information out there about vaccines...some that is true and some that it just crazy! In my opinion there are people out there who are extreme on both sides of the vaccine debate coin.
The majority of my research comes from The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears in addition to other mothers who have been there, done that with vaccines. I think that the easiest way for me to explain my thoughts is to just go through each vaccine and explain why, why now, or when our child/children will be getting them.
But first, let me talk about some of the problems I have will vaccines and the rate that they are given.
- People will tell you that ~no~ vaccines contain mercury or thimerosal anymore...that is not true. Several vaccines still contain trace amounts of this toxin. In my opinion, if it is bad for you it just plan bad for you, no matter how much is in there. A lie is a lie is a lie, no matter how big or small it is still a lie.
- Doctors {some doctors, but not ours, feel the need to belittle or disrespect a parent for not vaccinating or selectively vaccinating their child. They can trust that all parents that do this are not looking for the easy way out, they have done the research and have come to a decision. Trust me when I say, it is a load easier to just trust what the doctors tell you. It is a lot harder to go out on your own and do the research.
- The ingredients. Some of the ingredients in vaccines are completely revolting...they range from formaldehyde to fetal cow blood and monkey kidney cells. Brooklyn eats mostly organic foods so why would I put monkey kidney cells in her little body.
- When I was young, (that comment makes me feel really old) we received 10 vaccines throughout our childhood. Now children are receiving more than 10 vaccines during the first year of there life. I ask why? Were we not safe back then...
- People assume that if they get the vaccine that they will be fine. That is just not true! All vaccines only offer up to a immunity 90% rate. That means that there will ~always~ be 10% of the population that will not be immune.
- The amount of Aluminum that some vaccines contain. The FDA states that the minimum amount of Aluminum a ~healthly~ (not preterm, premature) baby's body (at 2 months and 12 lbs.) can handle is 30 micrograms. 'A newborn who gets a hepatitis B injection on day one would get 250 micrograms of aluminum. When a baby gets there first big round of shots at two months, the total dose of aluminum can vary from 292 micrograms to a whopping 1225 micrograms is the highest aluminum brands are being used.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book} Now remember that the FDA has already stated that they know that a limit of 25 micrograms is safe....but still have not required vaccines to change. 'To put this information in perspective, an average newborn has a blood volume of a third of a liter. So having more than 30 micrograms floating around in his bloodstream at once could be toxic if the baby's kidneys weren't working well.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book}
The schedule that we are using comes from the Vaccine Book with only a few changes...
Birth - Hep B received before I was able to research fully...now am refusing until much older
2 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
3 months - PC & HIB
4 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
5 months - PC & HIB
6 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
7 months - PC & HIB
9 months - Polio
12 months - refuse the MMR until after 3 years old
15 months - PC & HIB
18 months - DTaP refuse chicken pox
2 years - Polio
2 years, 6 months - refuse Hep A & Hep B
3 years, 6 months - MMR
4 years - DTaP, Polio
5 years - MMR booster
10 years - Blood test for hep A immunity. Consider vaccine IF NOT immune.
12 years - refuse HPV {not enough research yet, would like to see what happens to the girls that are taking the vaccine now.}
13 years - refuse Meningococcal, same as HPV
I hope that I didn't offend anyone with my post...like I said, It is up to every parent what to do for their child.
Hugs!
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN0943743120080709?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews&rpc=22&sp=true
After reading the article, thinking about what she wrote and researching vaccines for MYSELF; I figured that I would write a post about the way that I feel about vaccines. Side note: Brooklyn is selectively vaccinated, meaning that there are vaccines that we refuse all together and the vaccines that she does get are very much delayed. Just so everyone knows this is NOT a post to bash anyone. Every single parent is doing what they feel is the best for THEIR child and family. In the end what they do will only effect them, their child and their family. Who am I to tell them that they are doing something wrong. I just want to voice my opinion on the subject and maybe, in turn, clear up any confusion about vaccines that someone out there in blog land might have.
There is A Lot of information out there about vaccines...some that is true and some that it just crazy! In my opinion there are people out there who are extreme on both sides of the vaccine debate coin.
The majority of my research comes from The Vaccine Book by Dr. Sears in addition to other mothers who have been there, done that with vaccines. I think that the easiest way for me to explain my thoughts is to just go through each vaccine and explain why, why now, or when our child/children will be getting them.
But first, let me talk about some of the problems I have will vaccines and the rate that they are given.
- People will tell you that ~no~ vaccines contain mercury or thimerosal anymore...that is not true. Several vaccines still contain trace amounts of this toxin. In my opinion, if it is bad for you it just plan bad for you, no matter how much is in there. A lie is a lie is a lie, no matter how big or small it is still a lie.
- Doctors {some doctors, but not ours, feel the need to belittle or disrespect a parent for not vaccinating or selectively vaccinating their child. They can trust that all parents that do this are not looking for the easy way out, they have done the research and have come to a decision. Trust me when I say, it is a load easier to just trust what the doctors tell you. It is a lot harder to go out on your own and do the research.
- The ingredients. Some of the ingredients in vaccines are completely revolting...they range from formaldehyde to fetal cow blood and monkey kidney cells. Brooklyn eats mostly organic foods so why would I put monkey kidney cells in her little body.
- When I was young, (that comment makes me feel really old) we received 10 vaccines throughout our childhood. Now children are receiving more than 10 vaccines during the first year of there life. I ask why? Were we not safe back then...
- People assume that if they get the vaccine that they will be fine. That is just not true! All vaccines only offer up to a immunity 90% rate. That means that there will ~always~ be 10% of the population that will not be immune.
- The amount of Aluminum that some vaccines contain. The FDA states that the minimum amount of Aluminum a ~healthly~ (not preterm, premature) baby's body (at 2 months and 12 lbs.) can handle is 30 micrograms. 'A newborn who gets a hepatitis B injection on day one would get 250 micrograms of aluminum. When a baby gets there first big round of shots at two months, the total dose of aluminum can vary from 292 micrograms to a whopping 1225 micrograms is the highest aluminum brands are being used.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book} Now remember that the FDA has already stated that they know that a limit of 25 micrograms is safe....but still have not required vaccines to change. 'To put this information in perspective, an average newborn has a blood volume of a third of a liter. So having more than 30 micrograms floating around in his bloodstream at once could be toxic if the baby's kidneys weren't working well.' {Taken from Dr. Sears Book}
The schedule that we are using comes from the Vaccine Book with only a few changes...
Birth - Hep B received before I was able to research fully...now am refusing until much older
2 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
3 months - PC & HIB
4 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
5 months - PC & HIB
6 months - DTaP refused Rotavirus
7 months - PC & HIB
9 months - Polio
12 months - refuse the MMR until after 3 years old
15 months - PC & HIB
18 months - DTaP refuse chicken pox
2 years - Polio
2 years, 6 months - refuse Hep A & Hep B
3 years, 6 months - MMR
4 years - DTaP, Polio
5 years - MMR booster
10 years - Blood test for hep A immunity. Consider vaccine IF NOT immune.
12 years - refuse HPV {not enough research yet, would like to see what happens to the girls that are taking the vaccine now.}
13 years - refuse Meningococcal, same as HPV
I hope that I didn't offend anyone with my post...like I said, It is up to every parent what to do for their child.
Hugs!
Monday, July 28, 2008
SO busy...no time to blog!
OMG....we have been so busy, crazy, and busy some more!
I guess that I can't really act like I didn't know this busy time was coming, all the dates were on the calender at the beginning of the month. I guess I didn't realize what it would actually feel like to be So busy.
If you haven't gathered already...Our family of three has been on the move. Going places, seeing family and trying to get to bed before 11pm each night with little success. This last weekend marked started our 6 weekend straight with already planned plans. Does that make sense???
Don't get me wrong though, I like having things to do but the grass is always greener, right?
Let's see what has happened since my last post.
~~~~~thinking~~~~~~
My nephew J {Jonathon...is it with an A, I can never remember}turned 2 and we had his birthday party in out backyard. It was loads of fun, and J seemed to enjoying playing in the kiddie pools with his friends and family. I still can't believe that he is 2 already! I remember when Shannon {sister in law} told everyone at Christmas. Dave and I were so excited and then when we decided to move closer to them, we were just elated to be able to have a relationship with him.
Brooklyn turned 10 months old on the 23rd. If you are bad at math, that means that in less than 60 days my baby girl will 1. That is 52 weeks, 366 days {leap year}, 12 months. I don't know how many minutes or seconds that is...if you know you can leave a comment all let me know.
She isn't doing too many NEW things. She IS getting better at pulling up, her version of crawling and babbling to anyone that will listen. She has started to use sign language, which is so cute. Right now all she can sign is more. Over the next few weeks I plan on teaching her the signs for finished, {if you know Brooklyn's eating habits you know that sign won't be used too often} eat, Mommy and Daddy. I don't like to teach infants too many signs for fear that there language will be delayed. I know it doesn't always do that BUT I have seen it... She has also went to doctor or her 10 mth well baby visit. She still weighs a bunch and in the 90 % for both height and weight. She current has 3 teeth and cutting 3 more. Fortunately, the teething isn't effecting her sleeping too much. Thank God...I don't think that could handle a teething baby and all of our running around too!
I am a black belt - to - be now! After a year and a half, one pregnancy and 7 weeks of bed rest I will start my black belt testings next week. With ATA {my black belt academy}, I have 3 testing cycles in which I am required to complete 3 forms at each testing. It is a 6 month process but the most stressful. I also have a required amount of classes that I need to take before testing. Another cool part of these testings are that I will also be required to break 2 boards at testing. I will make sure that I get video of the board breaks and post them. I have been breaking boards since becoming a yellow belt but will now have only 3 chances to break. I will be updating my progress other the next few months. I can't wait to finally reach my goal of becoming a black belt.
I think that is everything that I missed!
Hope that everyone is enjoying there last few weeks of summer...
I guess that I can't really act like I didn't know this busy time was coming, all the dates were on the calender at the beginning of the month. I guess I didn't realize what it would actually feel like to be So busy.
If you haven't gathered already...Our family of three has been on the move. Going places, seeing family and trying to get to bed before 11pm each night with little success. This last weekend marked started our 6 weekend straight with already planned plans. Does that make sense???
Don't get me wrong though, I like having things to do but the grass is always greener, right?
Let's see what has happened since my last post.
~~~~~thinking~~~~~~
My nephew J {Jonathon...is it with an A, I can never remember}turned 2 and we had his birthday party in out backyard. It was loads of fun, and J seemed to enjoying playing in the kiddie pools with his friends and family. I still can't believe that he is 2 already! I remember when Shannon {sister in law} told everyone at Christmas. Dave and I were so excited and then when we decided to move closer to them, we were just elated to be able to have a relationship with him.
Brooklyn turned 10 months old on the 23rd. If you are bad at math, that means that in less than 60 days my baby girl will 1. That is 52 weeks, 366 days {leap year}, 12 months. I don't know how many minutes or seconds that is...if you know you can leave a comment all let me know.
She isn't doing too many NEW things. She IS getting better at pulling up, her version of crawling and babbling to anyone that will listen. She has started to use sign language, which is so cute. Right now all she can sign is more. Over the next few weeks I plan on teaching her the signs for finished, {if you know Brooklyn's eating habits you know that sign won't be used too often} eat, Mommy and Daddy. I don't like to teach infants too many signs for fear that there language will be delayed. I know it doesn't always do that BUT I have seen it... She has also went to doctor or her 10 mth well baby visit. She still weighs a bunch and in the 90 % for both height and weight. She current has 3 teeth and cutting 3 more. Fortunately, the teething isn't effecting her sleeping too much. Thank God...I don't think that could handle a teething baby and all of our running around too!
I am a black belt - to - be now! After a year and a half, one pregnancy and 7 weeks of bed rest I will start my black belt testings next week. With ATA {my black belt academy}, I have 3 testing cycles in which I am required to complete 3 forms at each testing. It is a 6 month process but the most stressful. I also have a required amount of classes that I need to take before testing. Another cool part of these testings are that I will also be required to break 2 boards at testing. I will make sure that I get video of the board breaks and post them. I have been breaking boards since becoming a yellow belt but will now have only 3 chances to break. I will be updating my progress other the next few months. I can't wait to finally reach my goal of becoming a black belt.
I think that is everything that I missed!
Hope that everyone is enjoying there last few weeks of summer...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sucks to be Dave...
Well, it would if we were still living in the 1930's!
I found this test to see if I would be a good 1930's wife....I scored a 16. I think that it was out of 100.
Oops!
Feel free to take the test yourself and comment on what your score was! Should be interesting...you should at least score better than me!
Peace...
I found this test to see if I would be a good 1930's wife....I scored a 16. I think that it was out of 100.
Oops!
 | 16 As a 1930s wife, I am |
Feel free to take the test yourself and comment on what your score was! Should be interesting...you should at least score better than me!
Peace...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Running update...5wks down and 4 wks to go~
Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on our running progress!
Dave and I have been running for about 6 weeks and are currently on week 5 of our 9 week 5K program.
This week it has really stated to become harder! Just to be clear; when I say harder I mean that it kicks my butt and I am seriously wonder while running if I am going to die! Ha.... alas, I am still here, heart beating, lungs working and really not too sore. Go me!
Over the next few weeks, the program starts to get harder and harder!
I am still planning on taking pictures of where we run so everyone can see...maybe during my next I will be able to do that.
Adios!
Dave and I have been running for about 6 weeks and are currently on week 5 of our 9 week 5K program.
This week it has really stated to become harder! Just to be clear; when I say harder I mean that it kicks my butt and I am seriously wonder while running if I am going to die! Ha.... alas, I am still here, heart beating, lungs working and really not too sore. Go me!
Over the next few weeks, the program starts to get harder and harder!
I am still planning on taking pictures of where we run so everyone can see...maybe during my next I will be able to do that.
Adios!
1st Harvest...
On Sunday, Dave and I walked out to our garden as we always do to check on the weeds, new growth, etc. Much to our surprise, we had vegatables that we could actually eat.
We had greenbeans! I was so excited...so I picked them, Dave helped a little to! {I was crazy excited, so I didnt want Dave to help!}
Anywho, they were great! I steamed them in my Ziplock Steam bags with a little seasoning {garlic powder, salt, and pepper}. We had them along side a salad and some meatloaf.
Yumm-o
We had greenbeans! I was so excited...so I picked them, Dave helped a little to! {I was crazy excited, so I didnt want Dave to help!}
Anywho, they were great! I steamed them in my Ziplock Steam bags with a little seasoning {garlic powder, salt, and pepper}. We had them along side a salad and some meatloaf.
Yumm-o
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
DIY weekend...
I'm sure that everyone has seen the shows on the DIY channel and the ommericals from Lowes/Home depot telling you...."It's a holiday weekend, pick a project or two and Do it yourself!"
Well, instead of 1 project Dave and I picked quite a few to do. Dave had a 4 day weekend so we went crazy trying to get things done around the house.
We relaxed a little on Friday {4th of July}, hung out with the other Shrewsberrys and eating a ton of food. We tried to go to the Morgantown 4th of July parade but with all the rain it was cancelled at the last minute. Since we were all out anyway, we all met up with the Pecks for dinner. There weren't too many restaurants open so we went to Chili's. It was SO yummy!
And then the DIY weekend started... {not everything that we did was DIY related, some things we just had to do and never had the time to.}
Saturday we...
- Went back Target {was looking for a foam pad for Brooklyn's play room - Dave looked in that section and 'didn't see it'.}
- Went to Sam's Club
- Went to Best Buy { Seasons of 24 were on sale....normally $50 on sale for $20}
- Went to Lowes to get Chalkboard paint, magnetic paint, dry erase paint, painting supplies and paint chip ideas for the living and dining room.
-Came home and started to reorganize the basement. In order to make Brooklyn's play room in the basement we had to move all of Dave's exercise stuff, computers, and scrap booking table. This took so long....Dave had to condense two desks down to one desk with a desktop computer on it too. Thankfully, it was all 'his' stuff so I didn't have to help.
-I reorganized my scrapbooking stuff and moved my table to a different section of the basement. I also finally got some totes with drawers too...it looks so mush better and I can find everything now. Woo Hoo!
-Taped the walls where the chalkboard and dry erase board will be.
- Did the first coats of magnetic paint {had to wait 30 min between each coat...ugh}
- Played with Brooklyn and went out to dinner.
On Sunday we...
- Started on the other coats of paint {dry erase and chalkboard}
- Started to stencil a border around the boards.
- Dave finished moving everything around in the basement.
- Washed/dried many loads of laundry including really stinky cloth diapers.
- Went to the grocery store and did the food shopping for the next 2 weeks.
-Played with Brooklyn and relaxed in the evening.
On Monday we...
- Dave cut down a huge bush from the front of our property and carried it to the back yard to dry up.
***Side Note - Once the bush has dried up (along with our Christmas Tree) Dave and I will be having a bon fire in our backyard. More details to follow in the coming months.***
- Weeded the garden...we haven't done this in FOREVER and I REALLY needed it. Thanks goodness it is finally complete.
Check out my corn! Can't wait to eat that...
- Finished painting in the playroom and load up the room with all Brooklyn's toys.
Magnetic Chalkboard Wall...
Dry Erase Board Wall...
What did everyone else do????
Well, instead of 1 project Dave and I picked quite a few to do. Dave had a 4 day weekend so we went crazy trying to get things done around the house.
We relaxed a little on Friday {4th of July}, hung out with the other Shrewsberrys and eating a ton of food. We tried to go to the Morgantown 4th of July parade but with all the rain it was cancelled at the last minute. Since we were all out anyway, we all met up with the Pecks for dinner. There weren't too many restaurants open so we went to Chili's. It was SO yummy!
And then the DIY weekend started... {not everything that we did was DIY related, some things we just had to do and never had the time to.}
Saturday we...
- Went back Target {was looking for a foam pad for Brooklyn's play room - Dave looked in that section and 'didn't see it'.}
- Went to Sam's Club
- Went to Best Buy { Seasons of 24 were on sale....normally $50 on sale for $20}
- Went to Lowes to get Chalkboard paint, magnetic paint, dry erase paint, painting supplies and paint chip ideas for the living and dining room.
-Came home and started to reorganize the basement. In order to make Brooklyn's play room in the basement we had to move all of Dave's exercise stuff, computers, and scrap booking table. This took so long....Dave had to condense two desks down to one desk with a desktop computer on it too. Thankfully, it was all 'his' stuff so I didn't have to help.
-I reorganized my scrapbooking stuff and moved my table to a different section of the basement. I also finally got some totes with drawers too...it looks so mush better and I can find everything now. Woo Hoo!
-Taped the walls where the chalkboard and dry erase board will be.
- Did the first coats of magnetic paint {had to wait 30 min between each coat...ugh}
- Played with Brooklyn and went out to dinner.
On Sunday we...
- Started on the other coats of paint {dry erase and chalkboard}
- Started to stencil a border around the boards.
- Dave finished moving everything around in the basement.
- Washed/dried many loads of laundry including really stinky cloth diapers.
- Went to the grocery store and did the food shopping for the next 2 weeks.
-Played with Brooklyn and relaxed in the evening.
On Monday we...
- Dave cut down a huge bush from the front of our property and carried it to the back yard to dry up.
***Side Note - Once the bush has dried up (along with our Christmas Tree) Dave and I will be having a bon fire in our backyard. More details to follow in the coming months.***
- Weeded the garden...we haven't done this in FOREVER and I REALLY needed it. Thanks goodness it is finally complete.
Check out my corn! Can't wait to eat that...
- Finished painting in the playroom and load up the room with all Brooklyn's toys.
Magnetic Chalkboard Wall...
Dry Erase Board Wall...
What did everyone else do????
Saturday, July 5, 2008
We have a new blogger....
....MY SISTER
She has finally succumb to my will and started her own blog. I am so excited....so go check it out and give her some love! Tell her that I sent you...
Trieva's Blog
I have also linked her blog on the sidebar too!
She has finally succumb to my will and started her own blog. I am so excited....so go check it out and give her some love! Tell her that I sent you...
Trieva's Blog
I have also linked her blog on the sidebar too!
A little late....9 month stats
I took Brooklyn for her nine month appointment on Monday...I think, maybe it was Tuesday.
Anyhow, she went!
Dave and I were wondering how big she was getting. We have started to comment on how our arms are hurting while carrying her around. I thought that she probably had crossed into the 20+ lbs area but still we weren't sure.
Here it is in all its glory!
Weight: 20 lbs 4 1/2 oz (75%)
Height: 28 1/2 in. (75 - 90%)
Head: 43 cm. (75%)
Above average in every category!
This is just a side note: I thought that I would be happy that I have a healthy, chubby, chunky baby but it kind of worries me. Instead of having to worry about her not getting enough to eat, I am instead worrying that I am feeding her too much.
The girl can eat....When people ask about her eating habits I normally give one of the two examples.
- She is just like a fish. If there is food in front of her, she will eat until it gone. There have been times that we have touched her stomach and it was completely hard.
- She is the girl on Willy Wonka that ate all the blueberries. Eventually she is going to turn into a {insert what every Brooklyn is eating}.
If you have a child that won't eat, you are probably reading this saying "What is she complaining about, at least she eats anything." I am grateful that she isn't picky but with the obesity rate the way that it is....I just don't when to start watching it. I don't want it to be a habit...you know?
Anyhow, she went!
Dave and I were wondering how big she was getting. We have started to comment on how our arms are hurting while carrying her around. I thought that she probably had crossed into the 20+ lbs area but still we weren't sure.
Here it is in all its glory!
Weight: 20 lbs 4 1/2 oz (75%)
Height: 28 1/2 in. (75 - 90%)
Head: 43 cm. (75%)
Above average in every category!
This is just a side note: I thought that I would be happy that I have a healthy, chubby, chunky baby but it kind of worries me. Instead of having to worry about her not getting enough to eat, I am instead worrying that I am feeding her too much.
The girl can eat....When people ask about her eating habits I normally give one of the two examples.
- She is just like a fish. If there is food in front of her, she will eat until it gone. There have been times that we have touched her stomach and it was completely hard.
- She is the girl on Willy Wonka that ate all the blueberries. Eventually she is going to turn into a {insert what every Brooklyn is eating}.
If you have a child that won't eat, you are probably reading this saying "What is she complaining about, at least she eats anything." I am grateful that she isn't picky but with the obesity rate the way that it is....I just don't when to start watching it. I don't want it to be a habit...you know?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Attention Cloth Diaper Mama's
Win a Bum Genius 3.0 Starter Kit from Nature's Child - Wholesome Goods for Mothers and Babies
Just thought that I would let you know....
Just thought that I would let you know....
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