July 2012 Rockstar Mamas - Page 11

[onetwoten]

One of my friends from high school (ie we haven't talked in 10 years), is due with her first baby in September. She pinned a crapload of "after baby" type checklists tonight, and I'm just going through them for nostalgia. And then I came to this one:

http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kiirsten/after-the-baby/

I want to vomit!! It's all about things like "dress up sexy for your man" and "make sure you go to bed at the same time, even though you're exhausted". This is for the first SIX WEEKS pp. I definitely was not worried about dressing sexy, or going out on a date, or laying out my husbands pjs!! More like... remembering to eat -something- every day, and trying to get off the couch without mentally cursing. 

SHHHHH!!!!! Tenley is growing up fast enough as it is already! I don't want to even THINK about her being old enough for kindergarden!

[Baby_Cakes]

I'm so glad you had a good birthday, JJ!  It sounds like him realizing how much you do really made your bday special.  LOL.  I know that feeling of satisfaction!!  I'm sure I wished you a happy one already, but if I didn't happy belated bday!!  

Originally Posted by onetwoten 

Carrie-- all those newbie pictures of Finn have me just shaking my head. It's CRAZY to imagine that he's gone from that to the big boy he is now, in less than a year. Mind. Blown. 

Annie-- I'm sorry her shots are going so poorly!! What a decision that must be. I totally understand your reasons for wanting to get them, so I know how hard that must be to see her react, and now not want to give them. I'm very thankful Ten didn't react to hers, since I used to get pretty sick after mine. 

MW-- You keep on my tail, I'll keep on yours!!

Oh I know!!!  It's amazing and bittersweet!!  I am glad I took so many freaking pictures bc I really have forgotten a lot of how he looked and felt and the cute clothes he wore.  I have an idea for a neat before/after picture that I'm going to be working on for a few weeks.  I hope it comes out.  I'm going to be tinkering in photoshop and Im still a novice! 

So - Finn did have one vax reaction and the nurses I talk to at the office didn't know what to tell me.  I wanted to know if they thought I should discontinue the series or do it separately by itself.  I do believe in vaccines and that they work, so if it makes more sense to do it one more time, I would.  But idk.  Something in my mind is making me hesitant.  I want to speak to an actual dr about it.  So.  I need to either call up and get a consult or make an appt with a dr for his next one.  

re: exercise - I took Finn out in the stroller yesterday and almost did the 5k.  I got to 2.5 miles and then walked the rest.  I know if i didin't have the stroller with me (25lb stroller plus 28 lb baby) I could have finished!  It was also almost 100 degrees out, and very humid, but I have to squeeze in a workout somehow and if that means I push him, it means I push him!  I hope you BOTH have nice long walks today! 

Originally Posted by annie2186 

Arianna is still sleeping like crap - and I am exhausted!!!!!! Ugh. 

Oh, and I just enrolled J in kindergarten.............WTH is happening to time!?!

Word!  We had a week or two of glorious sleeping thru the night!  It was AH-MAZE-ING!!!  And now these past two nights haven't been god-awful but ... 

He went down at 930.

Woke at 3:47

Woke at 4:20

Woke at 6 babbling and I thought he was up for the day, but did nurse back down.

Woke at 730 for the day.

YAWN.  I'll take a huge cup of coffee please!!

And yes - kindy.  Oh man it's tough isn't it?  We are in a pickle here b/c Nora is starting the 4 year old class in september.  Since her bday is October, she will still only be 3.  So, we are planning to move, so this won't necessarily be the case, but after the school year, the next year would be kindy, but she will miss the cut off date.  I'm torn whether to put her in kindy as a 4 year old, or do one more year of preschool.  
I know she is book smart enough, but I worry about her socially.  She is still a little young in that area.  She's incredibly introverted and that isn't something she will grow out of.  But with age comes a grain of maturity and I'm hoping/wondering if an extra year will help give her more self esteem and confidence to not worry about feeling left out or being teased or missing mommy.  

Originally Posted by onetwoten 

One of my friends from high school (ie we haven't talked in 10 years), is due with her first baby in September. She pinned a crapload of "after baby" type checklists tonight, and I'm just going through them for nostalgia. And then I came to this one:

http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kiirsten/after-the-baby/

I want to vomit!! It's all about things like "dress up sexy for your man" and "make sure you go to bed at the same time, even though you're exhausted". This is for the first SIX WEEKS pp. I definitely was not worried about dressing sexy, or going out on a date, or laying out my husbands pjs!! More like... remembering to eat -something- every day, and trying to get off the couch without mentally cursing. 

Um, ok that website is a little weird.  I don't like how its making it the newly postpartum mothers job to worry about ANYTHING besides her baby and herself.  SHE should be the one being dressed up for and attended to!  Yuck to that website!  Yuck to any man who isn't mature enough to take care of himself and not get bent out of shape in those first few weeks!  

[AnnieA]

What was the vax and what was his reaction if you don't mind sharing? DH says DD being sick for a day or so is ok so she doesn't get more sick. But seriously, do you know anyone that's gotten diptheria? I've always thought it best to be the oldest in the class instead of the youngest, especially K-2 when a lot of stuff is physical.

[MarineWife]

:Annie ~ You should come down for our Ball. It's on the 15th. Tickets are $60 per person and they say childcare will be provided. I don't know the details on that, yet, so I don't know if anyone can use it or only ADMs and their families.

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

So this may seem silly to you but it feels wrong to me to lie and say I have a religious conviction against vaccines when I don't. And in VA, that's the only exemption IIRC.

I think it depends on how you define religion and a religious belief. Religion is the belief in a higher power. It doesn't have to be a god or deity. If I believe in the natural order of things and that nature is more in control that I am and I believe that it's better for my children to be naturally exposed to diseases (if they are going to be exposed at all) so their bodies can build natural defenses against them and I believe that vaccinating my children goes against that natural order, then I can honestly say that it is against my religious belief to vaccinate my children. I don't think that religious beliefs are any different than a personal philosophy or conviction so interchanging those doesn't phase me one bit.

I understand how it can be trickier in your own heart and mind when you subscribe to a specific religious organization. You can have personal religious beliefs that are not included in the beliefs or tenets of your chosen religion. That's one of the wonderful things about this country and it's constitution.

I think that forced vaccination is unconstitutional. The government does not have the right to do anything to my person like that. And, like annie said, I will do anything to protect the health and well-being of my children. If that means lying to the government, I'll do it. But I don't consider it lying because I can easily justify a personal religious belief against vaccination.

There was more I was going to say but I've been interrupted and distracted so many times that I can't remember it all. Maybe it will come back to me at a time when I can post more. Oh, I remember part of it.

JJ ~ Water play is fun. Dylan loves the pool. I haven't had the nerve to take him to the beach with the other boys by myself now that he can really get around. I want to go on a weekend when dh can go but he's been working on that clubhouse. I may have to insist that we go to the beach first and he can work on the clubhouse later. The problem is it's been raining or threatening rain every afternoon so, if he doesn't work on it in the morning, it may not get done.

Carrie ~ I'd wait to put my child in school. But then I might skip kindergarten, anyway. Kindergarten isn't compulsory in many states. Is it in yours?

Dylan has been very fussy lately. I don't know if it's his teeth or what. Those molars have broken through the gums a little but not completely. The ringworm he had is much, much better but I have to keep applying the cream for a total of 4 weeks so I wonder if it's a reaction to that. He's also got some sores on his scrotum that I think are related to the ring worm. In doing a quick google search, I found that it could be a sign of a yeast infection. So, I've started applying the nystatin cream to that, too. We'll see if it gets better. He's sleeping ok, though. Just really fussy and clingy when he's awake.

[akind1]

Does Nora have enough sense of herself that you could ask her what she'd choose? We intend on homeschooling so it's not really so much an issue for us, and the first couple years will be very unstructured, I think. I don't know that I will go completely the unschooling route, but I don't plan on doing "canned" homeschooling either.

ITA with MW re: religious exemption. I do believe in God, but generally the principle is the same.

Re vaccine reactions . . . see, while I agree that vaccines WORK (to an extent - it's not 100% in any case) I have a very hard time reconciling injecting all the miscellaneous crap that's in vaccines into my healthy children. Now, if we lived somewhere where supposedly VPD (I say supposedly, because vaccinated people do still sometimes come down with VPD's) were far more prevelant, and access to healthcare and treatment for these diseases weren't so readily available, I would consider then the benefits to be worthwhile, given the risks. But, we don't.

So, if a child of mine did react, I would look into perhaps separating them. because often with series injections, if one is missed or delayed, you might have to start over. (I had to with my Heb B vax I got in college). But that's just my 2 cents.

Norah loves the water, but hated the life jacket. oh well.

[MarineWife]

Here's something to consider with the series of vaccines, too. The reason there are series of vaccines is not because every person needs more than 1 vaccine for his body to make antibodies. Every child is given more than 1 shot of the vaccines because not everyone produces the antibodies the first time. I don't remember the numbers exactly but it's something like 85% of the population will create antibodies from the first shot, another 10% will create antibodies from the 2nd shot and another 2% create antibodies from the 3rd shot. That last 3% will never have antibodies. So, your child may not need more than one shot of any vaccine but it's easier and more profitable to give everyone a series of shots rather than test each person after each shot to see if they have the antibodies or not.

You could always have your child tested for antibodies and forgo any more vaccines for those diseases that he has antibodies. Your insurance company probably won't pay for the tests. You'd probably have t pay out of pocket.

We may have an issue if dh gets overseas orders. I don't know the rules for going overseas when not vaxed. I also don't know that I'd feel comfortable taking my children overseas unvaxed because of the issues Kat brought up. However, I'm not willing to inject them with vaxes just for that purpose. So, either we'd have to be able to get exemptions (which may not work if we are bound by the rules of the other country) and go to a relatively modernized country or dh would have to go unaccompanied.

[akind1]

He would most likely be sent to Okinawa, no? We had missionary friends over there that didn't vax at all, and their son got everything - chicken pox, measles,  . . . maybe german measles? - one summer. He was a preteen though, and he was kind of miserable, (because he had to miss out on fun summer stuff) but otherwise didn't seem too bad. This is to say, that obviously, there are cases of unvaccinated children over there, but I am not sure what exactly the rules would be regarding bringing unvaxed kids in.

And yes, you can have titers done. I think a blood draw might seem more traumatic for the baby at the time, but at least you might not need to inject more stuff into him.

Depressing: I only got 2 oz at this mornings pump. ugh.

[MarineWife]

No, it would not be Okinawa. He's looking at places possibly in the Middle East, Africa and South America. There's one position for German, I think. More than likely, he won't get chosen for any of those but everyone in his rank has to be considered so it is a possibility. I would possibly consider Germany but I have a feeling their rules would be very strict. That country is strict about so many things. Homeschooling is actually illegal in Germany. There's no way I'd take my unvaxed kids to the Middle East, Africa or South America.

Ethan had some blood drawn when he was little and it didn't phase him one bit. There isn't much to a blood draw other than a quick prick, unlike vaxes that can sting, cause pain at the injection site and illness later. To me, that seems like it would be much less traumatic in the long run. Of course, a child who has had shots might be more afraid of getting blood drawn because they associate needles with pain and illness. Since Ethan had no recollection of shots he didn't have any reason to be afraid.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

What was the vax and what was his reaction if you don't mind sharing? DH says DD being sick for a day or so is ok so she doesn't get more sick. But seriously, do you know anyone that's gotten diptheria? I've always thought it best to be the oldest in the class instead of the youngest, especially K-2 when a lot of stuff is physical.

Ok so, it was his 2nd prevnar.  The first one, no issues, a little red at the injection site,  but it went away within 24 hours and he was fine.

The 2nd time, it was red, hot, hard, and his entire thigh (and he's got big thighs) blew up huge and he was in obvious pain.  He couldn't crawl w/o dragging his leg and crying.  It lasted for 4 whole days after his vaccine, and then started to fade.    

Originally Posted by akind1 

Does Nora have enough sense of herself that you could ask her what she'd choose? We intend on homeschooling so it's not really so much an issue for us, and the first couple years will be very unstructured, I think. I don't know that I will go completely the unschooling route, but I don't plan on doing "canned" homeschooling either.

She might by the time it comes up.  Right now we are just going to go ahead with the 4 year old class and see how she does.  At least I do have one more year to really see how she blossoms.

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

Here's something to consider with the series of vaccines, too. The reason there are series of vaccines is not because every person needs more than 1 vaccine for his body to make antibodies. Every child is given more than 1 shot of the vaccines because not everyone produces the antibodies the first time. I don't remember the numbers exactly but it's something like 85% of the population will create antibodies from the first shot, another 10% will create antibodies from the 2nd shot and another 2% create antibodies from the 3rd shot. That last 3% will never have antibodies. So, your child may not need more than one shot of any vaccine but it's easier and more profitable to give everyone a series of shots rather than test each person after each shot to see if they have the antibodies or not.
You could always have your child tested for antibodies and forgo any more vaccines for those diseases that he has antibodies. Your insurance company probably won't pay for the tests. You'd probably have t pay out of pocket.

Hmm, good thinking.  I had thought of that but wasn't clear on if titers would be present or not.

Originally Posted by akind1 

Depressing: I only got 2 oz at this mornings pump. ugh.

It's something! 1 oz from each side?

How is your freezer stash?  Is she nursing more at night to make up for it?

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

No, it would not be Okinawa. He's looking at places possibly in the Middle East, Africa and South America. There's one position for German, I think. More than likely, he won't get chosen for any of those but everyone in his rank has to be considered so it is a possibility. I would possibly consider Germany but I have a feeling their rules would be very strict. That country is strict about so many things. Homeschooling is actually illegal in Germany. There's no way I'd take my unvaxed kids to the Middle East, Africa or South America.
Ethan had some blood drawn when he was little and it didn't phase him one bit. There isn't much to a blood draw other than a quick prick, unlike vaxes that can sting, cause pain at the injection site and illness later. To me, that seems like it would be much less traumatic in the long run. Of course, a child who has had shots might be more afraid of getting blood drawn because they associate needles with pain and illness. Since Ethan had no recollection of shots he didn't have any reason to be afraid.

Wow, homeschooling is illegal in Germany?  I didn't know that.

AFM - I'm going nuts with this party planning.  I just bought MORE tattoos, stickers, and goody bag loot.  Sigh.  It's too much fun.

[akind1]

Since I have an October birthday, I was always the youngest and shortest :) but I was always one of the more advanced, also. So if I had been held back a year, I think that would have been more harmful.  If we were to do a school, I like the Montesorri system. Less age-specific pressure, and it fits in more with what I think is natural, younger kids learning from olders, and olders reinforce what they've learned.

It's hard to say with Gabe, since he will have the issue of likely being the oldest with a November birthday. His physical skills are very good, but he has some catching up to do in the verbal department, and other knowledge things . . . well, we really haven't worked on much.

I don't stress on non-pumping days, because she seems content enough. and yeah, I'm still getting something. I have to remember I can't gauge what I get with the pump as to what she's getting, she's more efficient than any machine. My freezer stash is just about gone, since I've only been making 1/2 of what she needs while I am gone. I need to stress offering more solids while I'm away.

MW: they do accompanied tours in the middle east??? Germany, I know some people that have gone there. I wish we could have, what an awesome experience! I am not sure the outlawed homeschool thing would apply to you, as an American on a military base. There are TONS of homeschoolers in Okinawa. I think easily 1/4-1/2 of the military population over there is homeschooled.

[MarineWife]

Carrie ~ Honestly, if my child had a reaction like that, I would never do that vaccine again. That's scary. It sounds like temporary paralysis, Guillain-Barre syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain%E2%80%93Barr%C3%A9_syndrome#Signs_and_symptoms, which has been associated with vaccines.

No, I don't think the homeschooling laws in German would affect us as U.S. citizens. I was just using that as an example of how strict and controlling that country's government is. If they have laws requiring vaccination with no exemptions, that would almost certainly apply to us. We don't have to go and they don't have to allow us to enter. KWIM?

I can't remember the job but, yeah, some assignments were in the Middle East. DH asked me to pick the top 5 in order of where I'd want to go so he thinks it's possible we'd all go. I would love to go to any of those places. I originally picked Morroco, Egypt and Brazil.

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

Ok so, it was his 2nd prevnar.  The first one, no issues, a little red at the injection site,  but it went away within 24 hours and he was fine.

The 2nd time, it was red, hot, hard, and his entire thigh (and he's got big thighs) blew up huge and he was in obvious pain.  He couldn't crawl w/o dragging his leg and crying.  It lasted for 4 whole days after his vaccine, and then started to fade.    

Oh that's scary! Ava didn't do well w/the PCV shot either so we stopped that. I could tell her pedi wasn't thrilled but oh well. He's pretty laid back.

Annie, thanks for mentioning the fetal stem cell/vaccine connection. I had no idea. I googled it and found this page: http://old.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/vaccfac2.shtml It's old but it references what you are talking about and if that is the case, then I have no trouble signing the religious exemption form if necessary.

[Baby_Cakes]

Originally Posted by MarineWife 

Carrie ~ Honestly, if my child had a reaction like that, I would never do that vaccine again.

This is how I feel.  Chris feels differently.  He says do it once again, by itself.  I see absolutely no reason to do that, but he is adamant.  WWYD (if you vaccinated)?

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

Oh that's scary! Ava didn't do well w/the PCV shot either so we stopped that. I could tell her pedi wasn't thrilled but oh well. He's pretty laid back.

I think the dr would be ok with discontinuing it since Finn reacted.  

I'm thinking titers would convince DH more is unecessary...

The kids are finally asleep!  I'm having some wine and some ice cream!!  

[AnnieA]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

This is how I feel.  Chris feels differently.  He says do it once again, by itself.  I see absolutely no reason to do that, but he is adamant.  WWYD (if you vaccinated)?

I think the dr would be ok with discontinuing it since Finn reacted.  

I'm thinking titers would convince DH more is unecessary...

The kids are finally asleep!  I'm having some wine and some ice cream!!  

Does Chris go to the dr appts? If not, just don't consent to it. Or make him do the research and prove to you that it's a good idea.

[AnnieA]

Also, would he even know what it was if you said to the nurse "we aren't do the next dose of Prevnar right now"? My DH is smart in a lot of things but details are not a strong point for him. We discuss Ava's shots but he mostly defers to me. When we had her 1 yr WBV last week, I said to the nurse, "We're doing Pentacel today". I bet if you paid DH $1000, he wouldn't be able to tell you what that shot was for. He just doesn't retain that info. 

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes 

This is how I feel.  Chris feels differently.  He says do it once again, by itself.  I see absolutely no reason to do that, but he is adamant.  WWYD (if you vaccinated)?

I would do what Annie said. Just refuse it at the appointments if he doesn't go with you. Tell him to research it and prove to you that it's safe. Does he know anything about G-B syndrome and it's association with vaccines? Have him talk to your doc if you've established with the doc that s/he is ok with not doing another. Check titers if all else fails.

[annie2186]

Originally Posted by AnnieA 

Annie, thanks for mentioning the fetal stem cell/vaccine connection. I had no idea. I googled it and found this page: http://old.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/vaccfac2.shtml It's old but it references what you are talking about and if that is the case, then I have no trouble signing the religious exemption form if necessary.

No prob! I've seen aborted fetal cell in the list of vaccine ingredients countless times and I don't doubt it at all 

Carrie - that reaction is freaking insane! I would definitely follow your mommy instincts on that one. *Usually* vaccine reactions get worse and worse. Like you said, the first shot was just a little red and irritated, the second one made his whole leg blow up, what the freak is a third or fourth one gonna do??

I remember reading before about babies who died or suffered severe vaccine reactions that they usually had a milder (but still bad) reaction the first few times and then it was the 3rd or 4th time that something REALLY bad happened and the author was just wondering where the freaking heck the mother's instinct was? The mom's just followed the doc's advice blindly. Sucks. 

I have been so busy enjoying the last little bit of summer. Today I spent the day at my parents house and tomorrow we are going to the County Fair. 

Hopefully the baby sleeps all night - she has been waking up every night for a couple weeks now! I'm not quite sure what is up. Today she only slept for like 30 min though in the car so hopefully she is konked out 

[akind1]

In our case, DH is far more adamant about no vaxes than I am, so it would be a non issue. I even had him do a couple of the wbv for Gabe by himself, because he is better at standing his ground than I am (or was, since I was recovering from a c-section then).

Our sleep was slightly better last night, I think I got 4 solid hours. (11 something to 4 something) then nursing on and off between 4 something and 6. She is refusing the paci. IDK if its because she really wants milk or if it's because she is a little stuffy and and can breathe better around the boob than the paci?

Gabe was so funny last night, I was tired of nursing Norah down for 30 minutes only to have her sleep 10 before waking up again, so I brought her back out, and Gabe was saying "C'mere sister" "play, play" "C'mere!" and patting his chest like he was calling the dog. he'd run down the hall and back trying to get her to chase him. She just grinned at him, and finally went to play. It was so cute. I love it.

Annie, last little bit of summer?! we still have probably 2 months of summer weather left, if not more. I want to go the beach. Any beach. *sigh*

[MarineWife]

Kat ~ So cute!

I've been thinking I need to get to the beach because this may be our last chance at quick and easy access for a while.

My dh doesn't seem to have a strong opinion one way or another on vaxes or anything else child related, really. He pretty much just goes along with whatever I say. If I told him today that I'm taking all the boys to get all their vaxes, he's probably just say, "Ok." He did tell the people he works with that we can't use the CDC because we don't have the boys vaxed. That kind of surprised me. I guess I thought he'd keep that a secret because he didn't want us to seem too weird.

Oh, I've been meaning to talk baby clothes. I still have stuff from at least when Kellen was a baby with tags on them. I rarely use any baby clothes other than shirts since I use wool soakers, shorties and longies. I keep everything everyone gives us, though, just in case. I'm finally to the point where I can start getting rid of things as D grows out of them. I now have a few bags of baby clothes from newborn to at least 9 months that I need to do something with. I've listed them on a FB yard sale page and on LeJeune yard sales but no bites. I'm not asking much, $1-2 for used clothes and maybe $5-10 for new stuff depending on what it is.

I'd really like get a little bit of money out of this stuff so I can buy more diapers or a SSC or yarn. Hehe Any idea what else I could do? I don't think an actual yard sale will ever happen. I keep thinking about but just never get motivated enough to organize one and get it done.

Dylan is 1 today! I can't believe it. I have to run to the store for a cake mix and so the boys can get him something. We looked when we were at TRU yesterday but everything was plastic. They did not have any natural, wooden toys at all! I'm going to try Target today because I know they carry some wooden stuff. The other option is Ross. Believe it or not, they usually have Melissa & Doug stuff. I checked there last week, though, and didn't see anything good.

Doh! I just remembered while typing that out that the "natural" stuff is in a separate section at TRU. I can now picture in my mind exactly where it is. Gah! I forgot all about that and only looked in the baby section.

[Baby_Cakes]

True that DH doesn't come to any appts.  I'm really REALLY leaning towards discontinuing it, (and besides, since he has already had 2, he has some protection...)  I can just keep putting it off until I feel right one way or another.  I'm not in any rush.  

Happy birthday to Dylan!!! 

AFM - AF showed up right on time this morning, CD28.  I didn't really chart at all this month, just counted days and noticeable CM.  I tried to temp for a few mornings, but Finn dropped my therm behind the bed and I really didn't care about fetching it so ...  no real temps.  I never had any actual fertile cm or EWCM, so I'm wondering if it was annovulatory again.  

Beach!  I think we'll go at least once more.  I'm kind of over it, TBH.  My friend lives at the shore so we have been there a handful of times already.  I think I want to try to get there during the evening so it isn't so freaking HOT!