The boys got a hold of the camera the other day when no one was paying attention. These are a few of the pictures that I discovered when downloading everything onto the computer. I don't think there are any budding Ansel Adamses in this house!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Vaccinations
ETA: I wrote this post fast and didn't read through. I'm sure my thoughts come out as a jumbled mess, but here they are nonetheless.
Many people have asked about the vaccination schedule I do for my children since I mentioned that I choose to delay and selectively vaccinate them. This post only contains my feelings on this subject and what I feel is right for me and my children. I certainly don't think poorly on anyone who chooses to do something different for their child/ren. For me, I feel much more comfortable doing research and learning as much as I possibly can about a particular subject, than blindly doing what is the "norm".
So, after much reading, thought, and discussions with our two doctors (we have a regular family practice MD, and a naturopathic physician) I chose to not follow the regular vaccination schedule recommended by the AAP. There are a lot of reasons for it, but it basically came down to my feeling uncomfortable at the sheer amount of vaccinations that are given before a child is even 6 months old. I feel like that is such a crucial time of development, and injecting my child with a shot that contains known toxins, as well as many other elements I am not aware of, did not sit well with me. A baby's body is growing at an alarmingly fast rate in the first year. It is the greatest amount of change your body will ever do within one year. I wanted to keep that year as "natural" as I could for my children. To allow their bodies to develop as it was intended to do. Vaccines are not a risk-free event and I wanted my children's bodies to be bigger, healthier, and stronger when and if I introduced them to vaccines. At the time Gambit was born, I had decided to start his vaccinations at one year. Ninja was vaccinated on schedule until 2 years old because I had not looked into the issue before then.
A big part of what made me okay with that initial decision was I educated myself on the diseases in which we vaccinate against. For instance, a child's first vaccination is generally for Hep B and is given within a few hours of birth. I found it a little strange though, that Hep B is transmitted as an STD or through the use of shared needles (most commonly found among drug users). I don't know what newborn is out doing the diddy, or shooting up, and I knew I didn't have Hep B so that was an easy choice to make. I know why it is given first and so quickly. It's to help the children born to Hep B mothers (it can also be tranferred during childbirth) who may not know they are infected, or were not truthful about it. That is a vaccination I may consider giving when the boys are pre-teens, but for now, it just doesn't seem neccessary.
I opted out of the Chicken Pox vaccine completely because I think it's a little silly to create a vaccine for it. Chicken Pox is a relatively minor virus that passes through most children without complications. It is extremely rare for chicken pox to be fatal, or to even cause long term, negative effects in children. It can be much more severe if caught as an adult. The benefit is that when naturally caught and exposed to, the body creates its own immunity that is more often than not a life long immunity. Any time a person is again exposed to the chicken pox, their own natural defenses are bolstered and given a little "boost". Because the current chicken pox vaccine is not life long (only about 5-10 years, and there is no real life-long vaccine for any disease), we are causing the next generation to me much more likely to get chicken pox as an adult. In addition, adults now are not given the opportunity to be exposed to the virus to boost their natural defenses. As a result, the medical community as seen a sharp rise in the number of shingles outbreaks.
As far as the schedule that I do, I don't really have a laid out plan. I only do one series or disease at a time if I choose to vaccinate for it. Gambit has finished his Hib and MMR series and I am reevaluating what or if I will do anything next.
I think the most important factor in all of this is that we need to be educated in the decisions we are making for our children, and do what is right for our family. The way I do vaccinations may not be right for everyone, but I am comfortable and feel good about it. I know I'm considered outside of "normal" in some ways that I parent (or even birth) my children. But I do what I think is best for me and my family, and try not to make blind decisions that directly affect my family. This post isn't meant to be a bash on vaccines or the vaccination industry. I do not deny the effectiveness at reducing and in some cases eliminating diseases that were once rampant and deadly. But I also think our nation has gotten a little "vaccine-happy" and we've decided that our kids will be healthier if they never get sick. When I feel the risk of the disease is less than the risk of the vaccination, I take a little more time to think about the neccessity and how it will impact my children's health.
Many people have asked about the vaccination schedule I do for my children since I mentioned that I choose to delay and selectively vaccinate them. This post only contains my feelings on this subject and what I feel is right for me and my children. I certainly don't think poorly on anyone who chooses to do something different for their child/ren. For me, I feel much more comfortable doing research and learning as much as I possibly can about a particular subject, than blindly doing what is the "norm".
So, after much reading, thought, and discussions with our two doctors (we have a regular family practice MD, and a naturopathic physician) I chose to not follow the regular vaccination schedule recommended by the AAP. There are a lot of reasons for it, but it basically came down to my feeling uncomfortable at the sheer amount of vaccinations that are given before a child is even 6 months old. I feel like that is such a crucial time of development, and injecting my child with a shot that contains known toxins, as well as many other elements I am not aware of, did not sit well with me. A baby's body is growing at an alarmingly fast rate in the first year. It is the greatest amount of change your body will ever do within one year. I wanted to keep that year as "natural" as I could for my children. To allow their bodies to develop as it was intended to do. Vaccines are not a risk-free event and I wanted my children's bodies to be bigger, healthier, and stronger when and if I introduced them to vaccines. At the time Gambit was born, I had decided to start his vaccinations at one year. Ninja was vaccinated on schedule until 2 years old because I had not looked into the issue before then.
A big part of what made me okay with that initial decision was I educated myself on the diseases in which we vaccinate against. For instance, a child's first vaccination is generally for Hep B and is given within a few hours of birth. I found it a little strange though, that Hep B is transmitted as an STD or through the use of shared needles (most commonly found among drug users). I don't know what newborn is out doing the diddy, or shooting up, and I knew I didn't have Hep B so that was an easy choice to make. I know why it is given first and so quickly. It's to help the children born to Hep B mothers (it can also be tranferred during childbirth) who may not know they are infected, or were not truthful about it. That is a vaccination I may consider giving when the boys are pre-teens, but for now, it just doesn't seem neccessary.
I opted out of the Chicken Pox vaccine completely because I think it's a little silly to create a vaccine for it. Chicken Pox is a relatively minor virus that passes through most children without complications. It is extremely rare for chicken pox to be fatal, or to even cause long term, negative effects in children. It can be much more severe if caught as an adult. The benefit is that when naturally caught and exposed to, the body creates its own immunity that is more often than not a life long immunity. Any time a person is again exposed to the chicken pox, their own natural defenses are bolstered and given a little "boost". Because the current chicken pox vaccine is not life long (only about 5-10 years, and there is no real life-long vaccine for any disease), we are causing the next generation to me much more likely to get chicken pox as an adult. In addition, adults now are not given the opportunity to be exposed to the virus to boost their natural defenses. As a result, the medical community as seen a sharp rise in the number of shingles outbreaks.
As far as the schedule that I do, I don't really have a laid out plan. I only do one series or disease at a time if I choose to vaccinate for it. Gambit has finished his Hib and MMR series and I am reevaluating what or if I will do anything next.
I think the most important factor in all of this is that we need to be educated in the decisions we are making for our children, and do what is right for our family. The way I do vaccinations may not be right for everyone, but I am comfortable and feel good about it. I know I'm considered outside of "normal" in some ways that I parent (or even birth) my children. But I do what I think is best for me and my family, and try not to make blind decisions that directly affect my family. This post isn't meant to be a bash on vaccines or the vaccination industry. I do not deny the effectiveness at reducing and in some cases eliminating diseases that were once rampant and deadly. But I also think our nation has gotten a little "vaccine-happy" and we've decided that our kids will be healthier if they never get sick. When I feel the risk of the disease is less than the risk of the vaccination, I take a little more time to think about the neccessity and how it will impact my children's health.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Chicken Pox
We finished our week of the chicken pox. Ninja came down with them just a day after winter break was over. Poor kid didn't get to go back to preschool and he was so bummed. A few days after Ninja broke out Gambit did too. We all survived (especially considering I was on my own because Antonio was out of town). All it all it really wasn't a big deal. They boys weren't bothered by them (just a little itching) and they didn't get any other symptoms. Gambit's case was pretty mild so I hope he got the full immunity benefit.
For those who are wondering (because I know you are), no, the boys did not get the chicken pox vaccine. That seemed to be the first question out of everyone's mouth as soon as I mentioned what was going on. I do a delayed/selective vaccination schedule for my boys, and I opted out of the chicken pox vaccine completely. I was actually happy they caught the virus because it is rarely circulated anymore. At least I know they have lifelong, natural immunity to it now.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Update on the Whale and Shark
Here's a little update on Gambit's beloved whale and shark referrenced in the previous post. Much to Gambit's dismay, stuffed sharks and whales do not fare well in the bathtub. [Note to self right here: Do not attempt to check facebook when your kids are in the tub] I have tried CPR and they are now tumbling around in the dryer. Let's hope they can pull through!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Weirdness of Gambit
Gambit is currently obsessed with sharks and whales. I lucked out and found a stuffed shark and whale at our local Dollar store recently. He loves those guys and likes to sleep (and play, and eat, and do everything else) with them. This is how I found him sleeping the other night. If you can't tell, he's laying on his stomach and the shark and whale are perched on his back. I still can't figure out how he got them there.
A few of the super goofy faces that Gambit is constantly walking around with. I really think this kid is going to grow up and be a comedian. He also likes to give these faces when he wants to pretend he doesn't understand what you are saying. "You say I have poop in my pants? I'm sorry woman, those words are not in my vocabulary."
A few of the super goofy faces that Gambit is constantly walking around with. I really think this kid is going to grow up and be a comedian. He also likes to give these faces when he wants to pretend he doesn't understand what you are saying. "You say I have poop in my pants? I'm sorry woman, those words are not in my vocabulary."
Save me!
These are the kinds of creatures that roam around my house these days. The poorly clad knight, and the happy pirate. Both prefer to dress themselves....obviously.
Boy, they sure grow fast...
Shaving? Already?
Ok, thank goodness we aren't quite there yet, but the boys got their own special "shaving" kit from Mammie and they get such a kick out of it! I think they love to be like daddy.
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