Alaskan Mama Chat for July - Page 4

[rabrog]

What was up with the rain and hail yesterday??? That was insane!

As for the peds, there's a reason I refuse to see a ped in this town! We use a family practice doc (Dr Bartling at TVC) for everything. I've never had any issue with breastfeeding/non-vaxing/etc. with him. I've heard Dr. Foote is good, but he soured me when he got my allergy testing completely wrong and then argued with me about it.

We've harvest 20 pounds of rhubarb (10 pounds just last night) so far this summer!

Jenn

[spruce]

Mmmm, I adored the storm yesterday!

Dr. Foote (I believe there used to be two, father/son? we saw the younger), did A's allergy tests years ago. Everything came up backwards for her (allergic to citrus according to the test, which is one of the few fruits she CAN eat, not allergic to things she reacts to badly, etc)., and he didn't argue with me. He just told me the prick test for food allergies isn't very accurate...so I just wondered why we did it at all.

We've always seen Mary Beth at Interior Womens' Health, but I am on the lookout for a regular family doc or PA now that Mary Beth is so much busier. I don't like to take her away from the very good service she's providing for pregnant moms and new mothers and kids.

love, p

[aksign]

thanks for all the peds feedback... forgot to even mention that she even did "manipulation" of his foreskin... unbelieveable!!!!! They are really right on in that resource article about how it happens so fast, you are just in shock... so BE READY out there!! Start the appt. off with "STAY AWAY from his little pecker!!!"

We have to do allergy testing- DS def. has a peanut allergy (unless he is allergic to something else in the peanutbutter since it wasnt natural), and Dr. Foote was recommended for that.... but also leary bc we went to him for iron concerns (a 9 on the finger prick test from Joanne at Pub. Health), and we almost ended up with a venipuncture from Foote's orders- CBC and such, when it was a bit of an overkill. He even admitted on phone later after we ended up refusing the test in the lab that he wouldnt have ordered it if he had known they could only do it through a venipuncture. It was very odd, I thought... how could he not know that?? And he even said that 9 wasnt that bad, he has seen 2s before/ so... I dunno.

I laugh remembering how a friend had recommended Dr. Mary before DS was born, so she was actually the first doc at hospital... but when we finally met her (tried to meet her while preg. and they said they didnt do that) we felt that her personality was a complete tornado!!! Her energy is a little much!!! Are you listening to anything we say?? She was nice enough, but whoa, slow down and take a breath! oh my, just hoping that bf will keep him as healthy as possible for a long time!!

[boogaloo]

I really like LaTouche Ped. I haven't been in awhile for just a check up but everyone there has been great. For instance, I said, "I don't know if he STTN since he's in our bed." A little note taken and on we went.
We went to a play group on Saturday at Kincaid that was fun and the imaginarium yesterday. Needless to say, the housework continues to lack. Oh well!

[brightonwoman]

PSA...
If you're on facebook, take a look at (and please join!) this page AWE: Alaskans for Wholeness for Everyone. It's the Alaskan page of The WHOLE Network, which has the goal of promoting intactness (taking the positive angle, rather than being just anti-circ). On the 'discussions' page of AWE, we're trying to start collecting info about health care providers who are intact-friendly in each region of the state...and it's probably a good place to also make notes of providers who are NOT intact-friendly (just be sure to clearly denote that, so that nobody gets confused!!)

[boogaloo]

I joined! Even put a little review in.
Here's my little PSA: I do outreach for Denali KidCare/Medicaid (I don't work for the state, it's a grant) and I'm always looking for new places to go. I'm ramping up a school by school effort with school registration coming so if anyone would like me to come talk or bring flyers to their school/church/day care/play date/whatever. Just let me know.

Randomly: I have so much trouble keeping my fruits and veggies fresh up here, what do you guys do for it?

Aksign - I read a post somewhere that the finger prick tests aren't super accurate so it might not even been that number.
And the reason for any test that isn't very accurate (finger prick, allergy, etc) is b/c they're billable! IDK, just my jilted view I guess.

[alaskaberry]

aksign--I went to Gannett too, stopped when we ran out of insurance. But I'm glad we don't see her anymore after what you've just posted. It also really bothered me that TVC wouldn't let me nurse the baby to get shots "sorry, they wiggle too much when they're nursing". It also should have probably tipped me off that she was so shocked that ds1 was still nursing when ds2 was born! For the iron, try drinking some nettle tea.

Hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather! We are trying to get as many blueberries as we can before it rains again!

[heartmommyak]

Anyone have any experience with any little kid classes (she's turning 3 in Sept) in Wasilla/Palmer area... dance/ballet, music (kindermusik?), swimming, or similar? We did gymnastics last winter/spring and I want to sign her up for something again starting this fall but I'm not sure what to sign her up for.

[dislocator3972]

Originally Posted by aksign

thanks for all the peds feedback... forgot to even mention that she even did "manipulation" of his foreskin... unbelieveable!!!!! They are really right on in that resource article about how it happens so fast, you are just in shock... so BE READY out there!! Start the appt. off with "STAY AWAY from his little pecker!!!"

This absolutely FREAKS me out! I'm sure this baby is going to be a boy, and as excited as I am about (possibly) having a son, I am SO NOT excited about having to constantly be on guard for him that way. Obviously I'll do it, but it already feels like a chore to have to explain basic care for a normal, healthy penis.

[stellarmomof3]

Hello mama's. I have a question for anyone in Anchorage or Eagle River. So what is there to do in town with the kids that doesn't cost anything? Since the weather has not been so good and I really need to get my 5yr old out of the house and to run around. She has too much energy, so does my almost 2yr old. Plus I need to get out of the house. Will be 37 weeks prego this friday and that alone is almost too much lol. I am just going stir crazy lol. I guess I am just use to always having sunny weather and could always take them to a park to play but not here. All the indoor play things cost money and the sad thing is, I am in a condo where there doing construction so I don't have a yard they can just play in. Also can't find any good playgroups that meet up. Or that I should say meet up doing something free. It always cost. I don't have money to do that. So any ideas or suggestions would be great.

[stellarmomof3]

Also I am looking to buy a cheap birthing tub, anyone know where I can get one? Wouldn't mind borrowing one either cause this is my last home waterbirth. Looking for something with wide sides so I can lean on it. The last waterbirth I had the Aqua Doula and didn't like it.
Thanks

[roadfamily6now]

If you can hook up with a momma from the Base, they have awesome free indoor play areas.

Library does have a reading and "play" group for toddlers too.

[stellarmomof3]

Thats a great idea....thanks Tammy. I will have to ask around. My MIL is able to go on base but she works so is not able to take us at all.

[boogaloo]

Free groups: This group is active: http://www.meetup.com/Anchorage-Pare...-and-Toddlers/ I met with them at Kincaid on Saturday. There's also cuddlers at Prov.
So I'm a total BFing nerd. I had a mom tell me today she couldn't BF b/c of her meds and found peer reviewed research that says that she can. I can't wait to print it and share it with her. Especially since she's homeless and food insecure.

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by stellarmomof3

Also I am looking to buy a cheap birthing tub, anyone know where I can get one? Wouldn't mind borrowing one either cause this is my last home waterbirth. Looking for something with wide sides so I can lean on it. The last waterbirth I had the Aqua Doula and didn't like it.
Thanks

i got a fishy pool on amazon $38 + free ship to AK

nak

[stellarmomof3]

Originally Posted by brightonwoman

i got a fishy pool on amazon $38 + free ship to AK

nak

I will look on amazon....thank you so much.

[heartmommyak]

Originally Posted by stellarmomof3

So any ideas or suggestions would be great.

Check the libraries... besides storytime, sometimes they have other free events going on for kids. I check the events calendar on ADN and once in a while they'll have some kids event going on that's free as well. I know a couple of the movie theatres have free movies on Tues and Wed at 10am through the end of the summer as well (regal I think).

[Icequeen_in_ak]

Originally Posted by heartmommyak

Anyone have any experience with any little kid classes (she's turning 3 in Sept) in Wasilla/Palmer area... dance/ballet, music (kindermusik?), swimming, or similar? We did gymnastics last winter/spring and I want to sign her up for something again starting this fall but I'm not sure what to sign her up for.

There is dance at Sonja's on the PW Hwy, there is also a kindermusik out here I believe, I just don't know where. Swimming, they have lessons at either the AK club or at the Wasilla Pool. I know the pool classes fill up FAST. Like you have to stand in line to get signed up, or you'll not get in. During the year our business does preschool science workshops here and there, but nothing consistent.

In other news... I'm soooooooo over this weather It's seriously depressing us. One day of sun every 10-12 days is NOT ENOUGH. Hubby and I are seriously contemplating selling everything (our business, both houses, vehicles, everything) and jumping in the RV and just fulltime RVing for a couple of years. We think it would be an amazing experience for the kiddo. Instead of studying the grand canyon in a book, lets go! She could see so much. Of course, some of my more mainstream friends have told me that such a thing is downright irresponsible parenting that I'd be socially crippling my child (of course, they think homeschooling is already scarring her ) I tend to think the exact opposite. We are looking at leaving Oct/Nov 11. (I have to wait to get my braces off LOL).

[brightonwoman]

Originally Posted by stellarmomof3

I will look on amazon....thank you so much.

Here's the actual pool I got http://www.amazon.com/Intex-Center-2...9737124&sr=8-3
here's the review i left for it
I bought this pool to use for my homebirth and I was very happy with it. It is comparable depth to other 'fishy pools' available from waterbirth suppliers, and of comparable price but with amazons free shipping of course it was a bargain! Fishy pools in general are not as deep as name brand birth pools, and I did find that I wished I had 4-6 more inches of depth when I was kneeling up, however I had someone to pour the warm water on my back and it worked out fine.
I hadn't been sure about the 'star' shape (As opposed to a regular oval or circle) but I actually really liked it because I had 'corners' to sit against and it gave me great back support when I leaned on it.
One thing to be aware of--the sides are clear--you can see right into the pool from anywhere in the room. Initially I thought that might be awkward because it didn't afford any extra privacy, but it ended up being no big deal when I was actually in labor.
My baby was born in this pool and hopefully my next one will be too. Five stars to amazon and this pool!!

[stellarmomof3]

Originally Posted by Icequeen_in_ak

In other news... I'm soooooooo over this weather It's seriously depressing us. One day of sun every 10-12 days is NOT ENOUGH. Hubby and I are seriously contemplating selling everything (our business, both houses, vehicles, everything) and jumping in the RV and just fulltime RVing for a couple of years. We think it would be an amazing experience for the kiddo. Instead of studying the grand canyon in a book, lets go! She could see so much. Of course, some of my more mainstream friends have told me that such a thing is downright irresponsible parenting that I'd be socially crippling my child (of course, they think homeschooling is already scarring her ) I tend to think the exact opposite. We are looking at leaving Oct/Nov 11. (I have to wait to get my braces off LOL).

Please take me with you lol! I feel the same way about the weather and I just moved here. Really worried when winter gets here cause I don't like cold

I am hoping when I am not prego I will be able to do more though. Guess we will wait and see.