Vaccination alternatives

With Monkey's 2 month checkup coming up, i've been researching vaccine schedules and alternatives like a mad woman. I read Dr.Sears take on it and have tried to be biased about it all.
I came across this blog in which she talks about this as well. I will leave it up to you to make your own informed decision on what is best for your child, but its always good to have information to make those choices.
Here is the alternate schedule and how it would be administered

Dr. Sears Alternative Vaccine Schedule

With all of the talk of vaccines causing autism and whatnot I thought I'd post this alternative vaccine schedule by Dr. Sears for other parents. He spaces the vaccine's out throughout their youth so that they aren't getting too much medicine at one time. The MMR shot is probably one of the most dangerous and criticized culprits of autism, but this schedule divides them up at 1, 2, and 3 years old.

The months with an * are shots-only visits b/c most doctors don't do well-baby appts those months.
I'm leaving the Flu shot out of this schedule b/c there are footnotes that basically say to start it with 2 doses between 6-12 months during flu season, then get one each year through age 5.lea
e use this list as a tool to discuss vaccinating with your pediatrician.

Dr. Sear's Alternative Vaccine Schedule

• 2 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 3 months*: Pc, HIB
• 4 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 5 months*: Pc, HIB
• 6 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 7 months*: Pc, HIB
• 9 months: Polio (IPV)
  
• 12 months: Mumps, Polio (IPV) (See 3rd UPDATE)
• 15 months: Pc, HIB
• 18 months: DTaP, Chickenpox
• 2 years: Rubella, Polio (IPV) (See 3rd UPDATE)
• 2 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A (start Hep B at birth if any close relatives or caregivers have Hep B)
• 3 years: Hep B, Measles (See 3rd UPDATE)
  
• 3 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A
• 4 years: DTaP, Polio (IPV)
• 5 years: MMR
• 6 years: Chickenpox
• 12 years: Tdap, HPV
• 12 years, 2 months*: HPV
• 13 years: HPV, Meningococcal (once Meningococcal vaccine is approved for age 2, Dr. Sears will move it there and delay Hep B by 6 months)

NOTE : The MMR vaccines are no longer split up into 3 different shots. As a result I have chosen to wait until my son is over 3 to get the MMR shot. He has to have 2 MMR vaccinations before starting public school so I will wait as long as possible. However, if there is an outbreak in my area of any of the 3 diseases, I will consider vaccinating him immediately. - Shari

****UPDATED ****
It was brought to my attention that the IPV vaccine is actually included in the above....it is the Polio vaccine. I confirmed with my own research. However, I am leaving this other alternative vaccine schedule recommended from a different author and pediatrician. This is just another option for concerned parents. This schedule is based on Dr. Stephanie Cave's What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations .

Here is her schedule:

Hep B
Delay until the year before starting school, although we may consider starting the series as early as two and half if we are considering preschool at the time.

Hib
4 mo, 6 mo, 8 mo, 17 mo

IPV (Polio)
4 mo, 6 mo, 8 mo, 17 mo (booster at 4 years)

DtaP
5 mo, 7 mo, 9 mo, 15 or 18 mo (booster at 4 years)

Pneumococcal (PREVNAR) one dose at age 2

Varicela (Varivax)
Age four, if at all

MMR
Mumps – 15 mo
Rubella – 27 mo
Measles – 39 mo
Booster – age 5

****UPDATED ****
I ran across this article and decided to post it. It is about a father's struggle with vaccinations and how his decisions effected the way he chose to vaccinate his two sons. He did a year's worth of research and this article is part of his result. "To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is the parental question of our time."

****UPDATED ****3rd UPDATE****
Merck is no longer making the MMR shots separately. As a result, personally, I am putting of the MMR shot until my son enters kindergarten. I am doing this because I think this is what is best for my son in my situation. Hopefully in the next 4 years they will have more answers and I can make a more informed decision. As for right now, this is what I've decided to do and my doctor is supportive. You, as a parent, must make your own decision on when you will get the MMR.

You must read this! grab tissues though!

THIS is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. And byt he way aren't her eyes just gorgeous?!

I'm thankful and completely blessed with my beautiful boys!

Trying to be "Green"

No i'm not going all hippie on you but i do want safer products to clean the house with especially with D's asthma during winter( and boy has it been winter-y this year, we are expecting another 12+ in of snow tomorrow!)
and with G being an infant not to mention the dogs and the ferret. I simply need something safe bottom line. Bleach is great but i can't stand the smell so i use it very little. I had try babyganics and i love the scent but its so damn hard to find in stores and i'm not going to pay shipping for it.
So it was a toss up between seventh generation and green works, and while doing some research on both i came to this conclusion:

Green Works cost is about a dollar less than Seventh Generation and about fifty cents more than the average cleaning product. And it works just as well as Seventh Generation all Purpose Cleaner.
Both products will give you a nice fresh fragrance afterward. However, I noticed that Green Works has a delicate scent of lemon.

Green Works all purpose cleaner is made up of plant and mineral based ingredients like coconut-based cleaning agents (nonionic surfactant), corn based ethanol, essential lemon oil, filtered water and biodegradable preservatives. There is no animal testing nor phosphorus or bleach.

Seventh Generation's all purpose cleaner is made up of plant-derived surfactants (for soil removal), natural alkalinity builder for enhanced performance (sodium citrate and sodium carbonate), Preservatives (less than 0.05%), Water. It has no fragrance.

So far i have tried the multi-purpose cleaner and i have to say i'm loving it.

I also got the swiffer wet jet- yes the mop for lazy people but i have a dog who when she gets nervous just pees herself, wherever she is standing! so i mop our kitchen about 3-5 times a day. Plus we got it for free so i can't beat that.
I'm excited to try all the green works products, but i have to finish the old stuff we still have, afterall it would be a waste to just dump it.

My only complaint is they don't have a wood furniture polish, so i made my own. here is a great site i found to make your own cleaners. But for a natural wood polish follow this formula:

Furniture Polish
In a spray bottle mix 1 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice

Shake well and apply a small amount to a cloth.

5 weeks

Head's up!

Your baby's neck muscles are getting stronger, which allows her to hold her head up for short periods. She can support it for a few moments while lying on her stomach, for example, and she can probably turn it from side to side. She may be able to hold her head up when she's in a car seat or front carrier.

The first real smiles

Smiling happens at about the same time in all cultures, so get ready for your baby to reward all your loving care with a beaming, toothless, just-for-you smile. This will probably make your heart melt, even if you've just had your worst night yet.

Sound asleep

Your baby may start sleeping longer at night (maybe four to six hours) sometime between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. It's a broad range, and much depends on your baby's development and your behavior.

Most sleep experts suggest putting your baby to bed while she's still awake, but drowsy. This will help her learn to fall asleep on her own, a skill that will come in handy for you both when she wakes in the wee hours of the night. You can help your baby reach that milestone sooner rather than later by establishing healthy sleep habits from the start, such as a bedtime routine with a calming bath, a baby massage, or a bedtime story.

Remember, your baby is an individual

All babies are unique and meet milestones at their own pace. Developmental guidelines simply show what your baby has the potential to accomplish — if not right now, then soon. If your baby was premature, keep in mind that kids born early usually need a bit more time to meet their milestones. If you have any questions at all about your baby's development, ask your healthcare provider.

and on that note

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Happy 1 month baby!

According to Pampers:
Sometimes it may seem as if your baby just eats and sleeps, but look again: He's studying you more each day and might even look as though he's getting ready to reward you with a smile. His face may have lost a little of its pudginess, and he may have tried out a coo or two.

What we first noticed were his eyelashes growing longer, take a look


Today we also hit our first milestone, monkey is 1 month old! We celebrated by going to our favorite bakery Swiss bakery and getting a cake, seriously who doesn't want cake?


He also wore his 1 month onesie and took pictures with 2 of his favorites friends...well one of them wasn't on Gabriel's favorite list tonight.

On the chair wasn't working, maybe the bed would be more comfortable?


hmm I think i know you


Nah....


Ohh, I like you better


I can't believe our little baby is no longer a newborn. Time really does fly when you are having fun. It took us so ling to get here i just wish i could make it go a wee bit slower.

Attachment Parenting

Ever since i got pg i knew this is how i wanted to be with monkey, i did it with D so it was only natural ti do this with G.
Now you may be wondering what AP is all about, i'll give you the basic rundown in a bit and a link to one of many websites supporting this method.
Know that you will be met with comments and opinions like my MIL who says i'm going to "spoil" my son, because i also choose to babywear.
so without further ado here is the rundown:
thanks to Eco-friendly & frugal for the info

There are 8 Principles of Parenting that API summarizes on their website. They are:

1) Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenthood
-Become emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy and birth. Research available options for healthcare providers and birthing environments, and become informed about routine newborn care. Continuously educate yourself about developmental stages of childhood, setting realistic expectations and remaining flexible.

2) Feed with Love and Respect
-Breastfeeding is the optimal way to satisfy an infant's nutritional and emotional needs. "Bottle Nursing" adapts breastfeeding behaviors to bottle-feeding to help initiate a secure attachment. Follow the feeding cues for both infants and children, encouraging them to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Offer healthy food choices and model healthy eating behavior.

3) Respond with Sensitivity
-Build the foundation of trust and empathy beginning in infancy. Tune in to what your child is communicating to you, then respond consistently and appropriately. Babies cannot be expected to self-soothe, they need calm, loving, empathetic parents to help them learn to regulate their emotions. Respond sensitively to a child who is hurting or expressing strong emotion, and share in their joy.

4) Use Nurturing Touch
-Touch meets a baby's needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement. Skin-to-skin contact is especially effective, such as during breastfeeding, bathing, or massage. Carrying or babywearing also meets this need while on the go. Hugs, snuggling, back rubs, massage, and physical play help meet this need in older children.

5) Ensure Safe Sleep, Physically and Emotionally
-Babies and children have needs at night just as they do during the day; from hunger, loneliness, and fear, to feeling too hot or too cold. They rely on parents to soothe them and help them regulate their intense emotions. Sleep training techniques can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects. Safe co-sleeping has benefits to both babies and parents.
Co-sleeping is another controversial element of AP parenting on paper, but I know many parents who SWORE they would never co-sleep who later find themselves sleeping with their little ones, simply because it's easier! Exclusively breast-feeding mothers especially find co-sleeping to be appealing because it reduces the number of times they need to get out of bed and drag themselves into their baby's room to nurse. With your baby right there you just need to roll over, scoop him/her up, and feed in the comfort of your own bed. My suggestion if you are hesitant about co-sleeping is to not poo-poo any ideas until you have your little one home! For me, personally, co-sleeping may not be an option because of my tendancy towards violence when I'm sleeping (refer to the bruises on my husband thighs). However, the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper is a great option if you want to co-sleep without bed sharing! I already have one on my "must-get" list for when I am actually pregnant!

6) Provide Consistent and Loving Care
-Babies and young children have an intense need for the physical presence of a consistent, loving, responsive caregiver: ideally a parent. If it becomes necessary, choose an alternate caregiver who has formed a bond with the child and who cares for him in a way that strengthens the attachment relationship. Keep schedules flexible, and minimize stress and fear during short separations.

7) Practice Positive Discipline
-Positive discipline helps a child develop a conscience guided by his own internal discipline and compassion for others. Discipline that is empathetic, loving, and respectful strengthens the connection between parent and child. Rather than reacting to behavior, discover the needs leading to the behavior. Communicate and craft solutions together while keeping everyone's dignity intact.

8) Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life
-It is easier to be emotionally responsive when you feel in balance. Create a support network, set realistic goals, put people before things, and don't be afraid to say "no". Recognize individual needs within the family and meet them to the greatest extent possible without compromising your physical and emotional health. Be creative, have fun with parenting, and take time to care for yourself.!

Are you interested in Attachment Parenting?

There are a lot of resources out there to help you learn more about Attachment Parenting. The API website is a wealth of information and they also have a listing of AP Support Groups so you can network with parents in your area. Also do a Google search for groups in your area and you may be able to find a few more not listed on the site there.

Are you more of a book reader? Here's a reading list you may consider picking from:

The Attachment Parenting Book by Dr. Sears
Attached at the Heart by Nicholson and Lysa Parker
Connection Parenting by Pam Leo
Discipline Without Distress be Judy Arnall
Parenting From the Inside Out by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell

not trying to brag but...

I'm down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 130! yay for me.
Although i'm not 100% happy (am i ever?) this was my weight at 9 months with D- man 9 years ago so ideally i would love to loose another 10-15 lbs. This is where my challenge comes in.
I will be starting the 30 day shred tomorrow. I hope to stick to it giving myself (maybe) a break on sundays haven't decided if i will or not but its an incentive as of right now.
for now i leave you with my 4wk PP pic...


PS i didn't realize how "clean" my mirror was until now. i blame our dog and his wet nose for this! lol

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Enter here to win this awesome prize!

Things you give up being a new mom

1. Getting dressed. I live in comfy pants and shirts now. Yoga pants and t-shirts with a wide neckline(think flashdance) or nursing tank have been my staple for the last 4 weeks. besides its not like i'm going anywhere other than the Dr. or the grocery store!
   
2. Cute clothes - if my boobs can't be easily accessed then I can't even try to wear it, oh and refer to #1 again
3. Sexy underwear...hello granny panties!!! boy shorts have been lifesavers as well.
4. Doing my hair and makeup. I'm happy if I have a shower by noon, let alone fix my hair or do my makeup.
   
5. My purse collection. The diaper bag is now my purse.
6. Cleaning. I thrived in having the cleanest, nicest smelling house ever and now swiffer is my new BFF and taht is about as much cleaning as i do. I do however take the trash out full of stinky diapers like 3x a day! lol
   
7. Sex. It still hurts, and Michael is still healing so we are out of luck on both ends!
8. Un-interrupted sleep
9. Heels...i can barely walk a straight line in flats with a 2wk old in arms!
   

4 weeks old

Your baby may gurgle, coo, grunt, and hum to express his feelings. A few babies also begin squealing and laughing. Be sure to coo and gurgle back, and talk to your baby face to face. He'll enjoy holding your gaze now.

If you have things to do, your baby will still enjoy hearing your voice from across the room. And don't feel silly about using baby talk — babies are particularly attuned to this high-pitched, drawn-out way of communicating, which can actually teach your baby about the structure and function of language.

my next baby purchase

are they not adorable or what? i love etsy,
Pinky Bleuclassic is the seller for this adorable suitcase gift set
we just recently got monkey this onesie,
Kool Kids clothing is the seller for it



I'm so bad when it comes to clothes, i keep buying him so much stuff because there are so much cute things. I disagree to those that say that boys don't have a cute/good selection of clothes. My little man has so many adorable outfits, but he is growing so fast i'm contemplating taking pics everyday of him in his outfits, and kill 2 birds with one stone and use them for my 365 blog. lol i guess we'll see

Made it through

Valentine's day will forever be bitter sweet for Michael & I. I've never been big on this "holiday" because honestly if you need one day for your significant other to express how much they care for you, then i'm sorry to break it to you but your relationship has problems. Yes its nice to go out to a nice dinner make a nice date out of it, what is lame is how commercialized it is. Its almost as if you don't do something or buy something then you don't love your partner as much as you say. Flowers are nice but again overrated, get me some chocolates instead.
Anyway our 1st date was on valentine's day 8 years ago, we celebrate it as a dating anniversary not really valentine's.
Until 3 years ago.
3 years ago at 2:45 i went to the bathroom to find that i was bleeding, well spotting bright red, which if you know anything about pregnancy bright red is never good. I called Michael crying and then called my OB who said to come in right away. I went to pick up D at the bus stop and the whole time in the car waiting i prayed, i begged, i made promises and swore i would do anything if only our baby was ok. i cried some more. D arrived i put on a happy face took him home and my in-laws came with me to the OB.
the waiting room was empty and i couldn't;t stop shaking, finally i was called in to the u/s room, my MIL came in with me and when Dr. F started the u/s i saw the screen and that beautiful flicker we had seen just last week was gone, he looked at me and just said "I'm sorry" my world crumbled.
its been 3 years and it still feels like it was yesterday. Friends have said oh but you have this amazing baby now. Yes I do and i thank God so much for him, but it doesn't take away the pain and the emptiness in my heart. I lost my baby and that would never change.
I tried to keep myself busy sunday and having Gabriel really id help, but i cried and i still mourn my baby. Not a day goes by that i don't think about all my losses, not a day goes by that i think of how old they would be right now.
I'm not living in the past, but unless you go through something as hard as the loss of a child you will never understand what its like. and yes i said child because although they were never born, they were still my children, i had dreams and hopes and plans for them. so yes my child.
I'm not trying to make this post be sad but it is my reality and it is how i feel about V-day and i just wanted to let it out.

grab your tissues

Autum is just absolutely amazing! she put this together for us, check it out at her blog here

trying to catch up at home

As we hit 3 weeks on tuesday of our little monkey being with us, Michael is alo starting to feel a bit better from his surgery. He is walking more and able to come upstairs and hold monkey. Which in turn gives me some extra time to do things like shower, do the dishes, clean, and laundry which has been greatly neglected. case and point this is the load of just whites that i was able to tackle today.



I guess it doesn't help that i give myself impossible tasks to do while juggling a newborn, a 9 year old who ca turn into Jekyll/Hyde in a matter of seconds, 2 needy dogs, a rambunctious ferret and a recuperating hubby, oh wait did i mention myself in that list? didn't think so.
anyway my point to that rambling was V-day, i decided to MAKE something for D to bring to school instead of buying stuff at the party store. so 2 days of a 1am bedtime, this is what i ended up making:

full instructions here

I ended up using different colors since there are boys in the class. in the end i was very proud of the finished product and in hindsight it was relatively easy, also because i enrolled D to help me wit this.
here are some pics of the finished product, i added a greeting to the back of the "IPOD" and then put the whole thing in treat bags and tied with ribbon to make it more "presentable" for the class/ D said they all loved it and his Teacher had him go show it off to the principal. needless to say D was very proud of "his" v-day card/gift

haha just saw this and i had to share

sinus infection & Breastfeeding...what to do

What To Do When You Have Sinus Pain
By Allison Ishman

For those troubled by sinus pain, the process of relief can be an aggravating one. In this article, I intend to offer a more complete approach to managing sinus pain so that you may enjoy life without sinus pain.
Drink lots and lots of water. Without water in your bloodstream and lymph system, your sinuses cannot drain. Without drainage, all you have is the uncomfortable sinus pain and pressure that distracts you from your daily life. So, first and foremost you need to go drink about 16 ounces …right away. Recommended daily water intake that is generally agreed upon by health and fitness professionals is about half your body weight in ounces. That means that if you weigh 150 pounds, you need 75 ounces of water each day. Tap water, bottled water, sparkling water, Perrier, Pelligrino, water with cucumber, lemon or melon
are all good. I particularly encourage the use of lemon in water as it sometimes helps boost lymph drainage.
Which brings me to…

No sugars or simple carbs, careful with the dairy, and get egg whites?! Simple carbohydrates and any form of sugar will spike your blood sugar and be much harder on your lymphatics. In order to reduce load on the lymph system, you want to keep your blood sugar relatively even throughout the day – and especially late at night and early in the morning. Eating throughout the day on a 5-meal a day plan is recommended, even if two meals are simple snacks such as nuts, vegetables, or string cheese. Carbohydrate foods to avoid include white bread or potatoes, most fruits, ice cream, sweets, and pastas.
Wheat versions of foods is always preferred to white versions. Those of you out there with wheat sensitivies will find that even wheat products make your sinuses hurt, so you may need to avoid that altogether. Some people are more sensitive to carbohydrates when it comes to sinuses, and others are more sensitive to fruits and sugars. In eastern healthcare systems, sugars are hard on your Spleen and Stomach meridians. These two meridians are responsible for your immune system and are very strongly affected by what you eat.
Stomach meridian controls sinus. When you eliminate sugars, your body can keep up with it's Spleen and Stomach meridian activities without having to regulate your immune response to your foods. Spleen meridian is responsible for regulating energy and blood sugar for the rest of the body. Some people are especially sensitive to dairy. In traditional Chinese medicine, dairy is also considered a “damp” food, which is also hard on Spleen and Stomach meridians.
This brings me to the do, rather than just the don’ts. I strongly recommend a poached or a boiled egg in the morning to clean out your sinuses. This loose protein chain is changed chemically when an egg is beaten or cooked. An unbroken protein chain found in boiled or poached eggs is quickly and easily absorbed by your lymphatic system, and is impressively useful in cleaning out sinuses. Try it. Even if you don’t enjoy a boiled egg as a food – think of it as medicine. The yolk is optional and not necessary if you want to cut your fat intake.
Go easy on the alcohol. For the same reason you're avoiding sugars, you want to avoid all alcohol,which breaks down VERY quickly into sugars in the body.


Use Vibration! In addition to heat, the lymph system responds really well to vibration. Major hubs for your lymph system or in your armpits and the inguinal area, which is the crease between your lower abdomen and your leg. I prefer using the Body Relaxer, but any vibrational massager will help. The Body Relaxer is a smooth, flat surface and doesn’t get too pokey around these sensitive areas. It’s also adjustable for intensity of vibration and can even be used on your head, which drains sinuses incredibly well. Also try the vibration around your neck and shoulders.

Self massage for sinuses. To massage gently for sinus drainage, roll the skin on your cheeks. Then you can use the fingertips to glide consistently over your eyebrows from the inside of the brow to the outside, following the hair growth. Do the same motion lightly on the bone just under each eye, from the nose to the outside of your eye. Repeat 10 times.

LIGHT pressure points.
1. Eyes - You can press that place at the top of your nose by your eye socket where pressure
collects.

2. Neck - To reach the tight muscles at the base of your skull, sit on a high-backed chair and GENTLY press against the chair so your neck feels relief. You can roll your head back and forth gently to work the attachments of tight muscles there.

3. Hand - The reflexology points are the webs of your fingers and your toes – so massage them gently to work out the tenderness.

4. Chest - Also, press GENTLY under the middle of each collarbone, and use this point to release Stomach meridian that governs sinuses if it’s sore. Consider getting a lymphatic drainage massage and have a skilled therapist relieve these places.

Ahh…The ease of heat. Since the main goal here is to increase lymph circulation to relieve the sinus pressure, using heat in some way is especially helpful. Your options include moist heat packs, baths, showers, and hot tubs. I’m not fond of steam, as some people can’t tolerate it well with sinus pressure. I love these practical neck packs for increasing circulation and sinus drainage. You may also appreciate using a moist heat pack for eyes/sinus. You can try getting into a bathtub of hot water, a spa, a hot tub, or into a shower and immerse your head and sinuses (without suffocating yourself). Some find that using dead sea salts helps act as a saline solution and cleans out sinuses well. Dead sea salts are well know for reducing stress and tension as well. Finally, you can use a vascular flush effectively as well. Try alternating hot with a cold splash from time to time, to get those fluids in your system to flush out. The alternation of hot and cold offers a temperature pump and hydrates you if you’re stuffy and dehydrated. It also cleans away dust or pollens that may be aggravating you.

Stretch your neck, arms and chest. The muscles in your chest, upper arms (both biceps and triceps – think balance) and forearm affect your neck. The connective tissues that wrap your muscles are called fascia. The fascia is like a rubber band that is spread widely and wraps your limbs and body. The fascia in arms, chest and neck can really tighten down and reduce the lymph flow need to drain those sinuses!

Stretch your calves and hip flexors. Do deep lunges. I know it sounds nutty, but the truth of the matter is that there are structural reasons why your hips – linked to rib, chest, and shoulders – affect whether or not your neck and shoulders will relax. I call these "fascial links". You can call them whatever you like…just stretch your groin, your butt, your legs, and make sure those fascial links aren’t referring tension up to your head and sinuses.

Avoid Echinacea and Goldenseal supplements if you're allergic to ragweeds. Echinacea and Goldenseal are ragweeds.

Use a cervical roll – a small pillow roll – and rest your neck a bit. We all use our heads all day, and sometimes the weight of holding up our heads and focusing on driving, computers, phones, and conversations of speeches give us muscles used to tension. Relax that neck on a pillow that puts your neck in a neutral position…ahh, relief.

Antioxidants. A neurologist recently told me…in person…that the Journal of the American Medical Association has published over 2,000 articles documenting the effectiveness of antioxidants in tissue healing. Be sure you’re not skipping this very important piece of the wellness / I-don’t-have-sinus-pain anymore puzzle. The quality of your antioxidants does matter. If you don’t have fresh, good quality vitamins, you may be missing the boat on this one. If you can’t figure this out or can’t find any, let me know. I have fantastic ones in my office.

Stress – stomp on it. If you’re tolerating a lot of stress – relationships, work, family, scheduling – whatever the cause – you need to dump it. Do some breathing, exercise, and find out about the stress reduction methods that work for you. You may have to actually deal with a problem you’re been avoiding. Sometimes physical pain is caused by life stresses that are irksome and become downright annoying. So,un-annoy yourself. It sounds simple - it is. It just required a little planning.

Strengthen your "safety muscles". These are the muscles below your shoulder that dissipate some of the strength imbalances that keep your neck and shoulders tight. If your neck and shoulders are tense, the muscles will not allow all of those handy little lymph nodes to drain…and you are left with uncomfortable, clogged sinuses. Not good…so go strengthen the safety muscles in your shoulder, and take a load off of your neck.

I know this is a big list. But it's better to have more options than fewer options. I hope these are useful to you!

I gave in to the hype

I have heard so many good things about the fisher price soothe and seahorse on the bump boards, that i decided to research it. amazon has it for about 16 + shipping. BRU had it for $13.99, so off D and I went and got the thing. i have to admit its super cute looking and i was surprised at how soft it is.
Monkey was sleeping when we got home but once he was awake we put him in his crib with "bloo" as D has decided to nickname the horse and he was fascinated! actually its the first time i think i've heard him coo.

something to laugh about

2 weeks old

Your womb was a warm and cozy environment, and it takes time for your baby to adjust to the various sights, sounds, and sensations of life outside your body. You may not be able to detect much of a personality just yet as your baby spends his time moving in and out of several different states of sleepiness, quiet alertness, and active alertness.

The only way your baby knows to communicate is by crying, but you can communicate with him through your voice and your touch. (He can now recognize your voice and pick it out among others.)

Your baby probably loves to be held, caressed, kissed, stroked, massaged, and carried. He may even make an "ah" sound when he hears your voice or sees your face, and he'll be eager to find you in a crowd.

my dopplegangers