What I'm Dealing With Right Now
Pregnancy blues . . .
Pressure on my bladder
Uterus pushing up near my diaphragm
Constipation
Indigestion + Heatburn
Contant Achiness
Shortness of breath
Dizzy spells
Bill Cosby "I'm 83 and Tired"
I've worked hard since I was 17. Except for when I was doing my National Service, I put in 50-hour weeks, and didn't call in sick in nearly 40 years. I made a reasonable salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, it looks as though retirement was a bad idea, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; Muslims burning schools for girls; Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries use our oil money to fund mosques and Madrasa Islamic schools to preach hate in Australia , New Zealand , UK, America and Canada , while no one from these countries are allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country to teach love and tolerance..
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses or stick a needle in their arm while they tried to fight it off?
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of all parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
I'm really tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
I'm also tired and fed up with seeing young men and women in their teens and early 20's be-deck themselves in tattoos and face studs, thereby making themselves unemployable and claiming money from the Government.
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 83.. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter and their children. Thank God I'm on the way out and not on the way in. There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.
I’m 83 and I'm tired. If you don't agree you are part of the problem!
Powerful words from a great man.
Wills and Ting
Last night my hometown team won the Super Bowl and one of the all time best entertainers, Mrs. Carter literally shut the Super Dome down. Her performance was so high voltage the lights were out for 30 minutes, somebody definitely lost their job last night (unless they're in a union ~inside j/k). Anyway, I am mentally going through the beginning stages of getting prepared for my upcoming labor. I am on an 8-10 week time frame. I'm definitely overly anxious to meet BC2. I am a little bummed that the doula we used for Lil D's birth will not be available, oh well. I assigned D to the task of being my doula. I know, ahh ohh, I'm a little apprehensive about this, but he is a coach and he has had first hand experience of seeing a doula in action. He was excited at the prospect of being "daddy doula" and even mentioned he would look into creating a rice sock. :-\ I've scheduled a tour of the birth center where we will have BC2. I hope it meets all of my expectations.
Besides my mental aerobics centered around birth, {S/N: I'm on train typing this sitting next to a grown man who is digging in his nose and mouth!!! WTH! Get me off this train!} I have been busily getting our family estate planning in order. This past Saturday we went to a notary to notarize our living wills (health care directives) and last will and testament. As I presented the paperwork to the notary I was quite appalled at her ignorance about planning for the unexpected. She said to me, "You are so young, why do you need a will?" I not so politely told her, "death and injury is not on a timetable". Ignorance is indeed bliss.
Way back in October our accountant recommended a lawyer who specialized in estate planning. We had a very informative two hour consultation with her and got a very good idea of the exact paperwork we needed. D asked her a million what if questions, which she patiently answered. We left the consult feeling quite comfortable with her doing our estate planning, but she was charging $300 per will! After thinking about it for three months, we decided it wasn't something we were willing to pay so much for. Through divine intervention, my neighbor spoke to D and ask if we could be witnesses for the signing of his family's wills and power of attorney. We agreed and I told them of our $600 situation. They were gracious enough to share a DIY site for free legal documents, Rocket Lawyer. Immediately went to the site and created our living will (healthcare power of attorney) and last will and testament.
I know its some heavy stuff, but when BC2 decides to use my ribs as a kickboard at 3 in the morning I think about some serious issues. I sit up thinking: Who will care for the children if we both were to die? Who will receive our property if both of us die at the same time? Who will handle the business affairs of our estate? If I were on life support who would decide to take me off?
Why You Need A Will, Especially as a Parent
If you die without a will or without naming a guardian, the courts will have to make the decision. This means that someone could be appointed to raise your children who does not necessarily share your values and parenting skills. The courts make their decision based on state law and what is considered best for the children, according to Colorado State University Extension. All this will happen in a short court hearing. Source
Some property is transferred automatically at death to the person with survivorship rights. This property, called non-probate property, includes most life insurance policies and assets transferred by beneficiary designation (such as retirement plans) and property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship. Even if all property is non-probate property, a couple still needs wills to transfer the property in case the person with survivorship rights does not survive and to provide for the care of children.
The Bottom Line
Lengthy disputes and delays are likely to prevent your beneficiaries from receiving the funds they need to settle your estate and benefit in the way you intend. So create a will as soon as possible.
Book Review: Free-Range kids
I've been out of commission for three days. On Friday, we celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary and my seventh month of pregnancy. We made the journey over to Warren, NJ to the Stone House Restauant at Sterling Ridge for dinner. Soon after returning home I began to feel queasy. This queasiness turned into a hacking cough, noise bleeding, abdominal aching, five pound weight loss, bedroom quarantined extended vacation. I'm at about 50% now, ready for work tomorrow. Thank goodness there will be no students at school this week for me, so I can be sick in peace. I went to the dollar store and purchased disposable face mask I plan to wear until I beat this cough. I know I'll be getting some strange looks, but who cares. When I had to go to Trader Joe's on Sunday, I wore one and people look at me like I had leprosy. Can't wait for my morning commute :-|. Also on Thursday I go for the glucose screening, with a five pound weight loss I know I'm going to get a lecture from my midwife -- I CAN'T WIN!
Back in June I began to construct this post and never completed it, so here is the finish product.
As a part of my "Mommy's Book List" here, I read Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy. It was an excellent, quick read. I highlighted almost every other sentence in the book, I was so engaged. The book is divided into two parts: (a) The Fourteen Free-Range Commandments and (b) the Free Range Guide to Life. In part two of the book an A-Z review of everything a parent might be worried about is provided with statistically data to support how unnecessary some of the worry is. At the end of each chapter Skenazy offers advice on three levels: Free-Range Baby Step, Free-Range Brave Step, and One Giant Leap for Free-Range Kind. In this post I will highlight a few of the more interesting facts I learned from part one of the book.
Topics for Further Research
- The Science of Fear, Daniel Gardner
- The Myth of the First Three Years, John Bruer
- A Nation of Wimps, Hara Estroff Marano
- Pressured Parents, Stressed-Out Kids, Grolnick
P 54
"The problem is, if you picture the very worst outcome of every very safe endeavor, there is no way you can enjoy life. All you can do is smother it."
P 55 "Constant supervision" "Issue of control"
"Cell phone umbilical cords" p 57
P 79 Help your child, age nine or up, find an 'apprenticeship'.
P 85 Unsupervised playgrounds seem to be the norm in most countries, freeing up parents to do other things if they choose.
P 86 Parents in other countries just seem to trust their children and their fellow citizens more. Or at least, parents in non-English-speaking countries seem to.
p 87
Cultural fear
P92
Control is a figment of our imagination. Seeking it only makes us more anxious. It certainly isn't required for good child rearing. And to the extent that we do manage to solve all our children's problems- or keep those problems from ever even popping up- we are doing them a disservice. Not a fatal one that will stunt our children forever. But still, we are steering them away from the real source of confidence and independence, which comes from navigating the world and its surprises. Especially the unpleasant ones.
P 94
The idea is that if you're worrying, then you're doing the right thing - Lawrence Balter, editor of the encyclopedia Parenthood in America. Worrying "is like a demonstration to yourself that you're being responsible" it has become our national pastime.
P 96
The assumption behind constant availability is that there are problems facing your child that must be solved, immediately, by you. The assumption behind that assumption is that you, the parent, are capable of solving all problems. And the secret assumption behind the assumption behind the ... Whatever, is that your child is helpless without you. So if you don't solve each and every problem, he's sunk, and you haven't done your job.
P 99
In terms of parenting, the way to gradually desensitize ourselves to the fear of letting our kids go is to - you guessed it- gradually start letting them go.
Peter Stearns, the Anxious Parents author, recommends letting kids walk to school without you starting in first grade.
If you can just put the risk in perspective, the fear gets put in perspective too.
"Don't go off with strangers" versus "don't talk to strangers"
P 104
... We are not just the results of how our parents raised us
Bottomline: Life = Risk (from www.wimp.com)
Friendships . . .
Life has taught me to be very jaded and cautious when dealing with people. This has manifested itself in me having a very limited numbers of friends. I've been fortunate to have two ready-made best friends in my sisters, and a husband I call friend. I spent the first 18 years of my life searching for the BFF or the all-girls clique that I read about in my Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High books. It wasn't meant to be. At age 11, I had the pleasure of meeting my brother from another mother, my bestest guy BFF, Richie B.
I don't acknowledge his role in my life often, but he was my confidente and closest friend for a very long time. We talk about twice a month now-- you know how it is when you get older and someone moves away or begins to have kids. He knows ALL of my secrets-- LOL {even read one my diaries {yes I still keep a journal, 2 acutally}}. He wasn't what I wish for, but he is perfect.
Our High School Senior Portraits
My Wedding Day
My mother sent me this email and it is the catalyst for this post. I know it is a common saying that people come into your life for a reason and this poem speaks to this. Don't have the source.
People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that
Person..
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need
You have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with
Guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an
End.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire
Fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has
Come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy..
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
Foundation..
Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other
Relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
Thank you for being a part of my life,
Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.
I pray Daniella finds that someone who she can call friend outside of her family. A relationship that allows her to just be. To just be free of envy, jealously, and contempt. As an African-American woman I know how hard this is to foster a relationship like this. And I know that my Lil D will have a harder time of it because of her lighter skin, and straight hair. I just hope and pray she will have enough of her father's personality to be a true alpha female and not be boogled down by the bullshit that often comes from trying to "fit" in a group.
Baby #2 Preggo Weight Gain
When I became pregnant with Lil D I began my pregnancy journey at about 147 pounds. I gained about 25 pounds during my 38 week pregnancy (See my weight gain numbers below). I kept the weight on even with breastfeeding because my ass ate like a beast the 12 weeks I was home on maternity leave, won't do this again. The main reason why weight is on my mind now is because at my last prenatal visit my midwife was disturbed that I only gained 2 pounds since the beginning of this pregnancy.
I visited the Baby Corner's website to input my numbers into their Pregnancy Weight Gain Caldendar and here is the report I got back.
This week you should weigh between: 166 and 171 lbs
You are 6 pounds under the lower end of of your target weight range. During your first trimester, you should gain between 2 and 4 lbs. Thereafter, you should be gaining between 0.5 and 0.77 lbs. per week until the end of your pregnancy.
At full term (40 weeks pregnant) you should weigh between: 173 and 183 lbs
Total Target Weight Gain: 15 to 25 lbs.
Everyone knows I work in Manhattan. I walk to work every morning (20 blocks -- a little over a mile) rain, snow, and/or cold. I also have a very active 22 month old I spend a lot of time chasing. Imagine me at 5' 5" weighing 180 damn pounds. Hell to the NO! This would not even fit my lifestyle. As I told my midwife, I am way too active to be on target with the "recommended" pregnancy weight gain. Who the hell has time to lose 30 to 40 pounds post- pregnancy with a 2 year old and a newborn. In the words of Sweet Brown, "Ain't nobody got time for that!" I'm not starving myself. I'm just eating clean and organic foods -- no refined sugars or processed foods so my weight gain is slow, but steady. On this same topic my sister sent me a wonderful acticle, Why Aren't Docs Giving Obese Pregnant Women Accurate Advice? It's a quick read and quite informative check it out.
Lil D's Pregnancy Weight Gain
149 lbs. ---> 18 Weeks
152 lbs. ---> 22 Weeks
158 lbs. ---> 26 Weeks
158 lbs. ---> 28 Weeks
160 lbs. ---> 30 Weeks 6 Days
166 lbs. ---> 34 Weeks 5 Days
168 lbs. ---> 36 Weeks 5 Day
168 lbs. ---> 38 Weeks 1 Day {Lil D's birth weight 6 lbs 2 oz}
The take home message from this post is simply this: I will have a natural birth in a birthing center with the aid of my husband, midwife, and doula. "Eating for Two" would severely impede my ability to have a successful intervention free birth experience.
Lil D's Diet
My child does not eat much. Well, that's if you don't include brown rice with black beans, peanuts, popcorn, pizza, or bananas. We have exposed her to many foods, but she is quite finicky when it comes to food and beverages. All she will drink is apple juice, milk, and water. For weeks, I have been worried that she has not been eating enough variety to be considered a well-balanced diet. Last weekend, D and I were proactive and made the journey to Whole Foods to choose a multi-vitamin for Lil D. After reading labels on about 5 or 6 vitamins we settled on a multi-vitamin (with minerals) formulated by ChildLife. ChildLife is a company developed by Dr. Murray Clarke, ND, D.Hom., L.Ac. Dr. Clarke has been specializing in pediatrics in his homeopathic and nutritional clinic for the past twenty years. We felt his product was the best offering the most vitamins and minerals.
I am of the mindset that your food should be your medicine, but until Lil D is older and I can negotiate with her to eat everything on her plate I will have to supplement her foods with products like ChildLife. Our next purchase will be their Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) formula.
Information about the Multi-Vitamin from the ChildLife website:
The full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals support healthy development, strong immune function as well as emotional and mental vitality.* Research shows that one of the fundamental reasons for the decline in children’s health and immunity is the decline in the nutritional content and value of their diet. Supplementing a child’s diet a smart way to ensure that all nutritional needs are fulfilled.Today’s children face unprecedented challenges from two very important areas. On one hand, the nutritional value of the food we eat decreases as the nutritional content of the soil is depleted through time and modern farming methods. On the other hand, the rapid increase in environmental pollution and toxic burden creates an increased need for these nutrients – the vitamins and minerals that protect, nourish and sustain a child’s natural, healthy development. Support your child’s growth and development with this Multivitamin and Mineral formula.*
Orange / Mango Flavor. 8 fl. oz. (237ml) $16.95 @ Whole Foods
Pediatric Bronchitis
Last week I was bombarded with feelings of inadequacy and rage wrapped up in a nice little box that sat on my chest for a week. Lil D had what her pediatrician called pediatric bronchitis. Now this is a child who was given the flu shot and is current on all her recommended vaccines, she is not enrolled in any daycare center... oh and she was breastfeed for 13 months, this was the catalyst for my anger. You can not tell me that the "preventative" medicines given to children do not inhibit their immune systems. It is mind-boggling to me how my child contracted a viral infection that had her gasping for air, trying so hard to breathe her abdomen was being sucked under her ribs when she tried to breathe in and out. Ummmph... she was so out of it that all she could so was cry "Mama...Mama" {tears}. It was a traumatic experience, one in which I pray never happens again.
Found a wonderful article to help me gain a better understanding of what the hell was going on here.
In Kentucky, RSV is common from November through April, with most children having at least one version of it by age 2. In most cases, RSV lasts between one and two weeks. In rare cases, it can leave behind a more chronic cough that can mimic asthma. In most children, the symptoms are wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath and typically will not improve with asthma treatments.
Here are some quick facts about RSV/bronchiolitis:
• It is caused by a number of viruses that infect the lungs and airways, typically in young children. It is the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 1.
• Symptoms typically develop 4 to 6 days after exposure, and children are contagious for one to three weeks. Because it’s a virus, antibiotics have no role in its treatment.
• Treatment involves supportive care including over-the-counter fever medicines, and in certain cases, medicines typically associated with asthma, including steroids and inhalers. There are no decongestants or cough medicines approved for children younger than 5.
• Symptoms typically last one to two weeks.
• Less than 2 percent of children require hospital stays. Of those, the vast majority are younger than 6 months.
• Bronchiolitis is rare in adults, and symptoms tend to be mild, but the elderly and chronically ill are at risk for complications and more severe infections.
During Treatment
To get a feeling of what Lil D was experiencing I held one end of a straw, leaving a tiny portion open, and blew into the open end. It made me emotional thinking of how she was suffering and we were unable to fix it. A common viral infection my ass.
After Treatment
Tot Cosignment Shops
As you may already know I'm addicted to shopping, especially when it comes to shopping for apparel for Lil D. She is 21 months old and I have FIVE 18 gallon bins in our attic with clothing and shoes she has outgrown. It bad. Many of the items packed away she only wore once. Being pregnant again I am skeptical about giving away anything because I have a strong suspicion BC2 will be a girl. To my credit I have looked up children consignment shops in NJ and MD. Guess what I found?! Check it out below:
Join over 1500 Maryland families as they turn their gently used toys, equipment, clothing and more into CA$H!
-
Timonium, Maryland Maryland State Fairgrounds January 9-13 + April 9-14
-
Howard County, Maryland Howard County Fairgrounds February 6-10
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Gaithersburg, Maryland Montgomery County Fairgrounds March 6-10
-
Frederick, Maryland Frederick Fairgrounds March 20-24
While reading my latest edition of Baltimore Style magazine, in their SAVVY SHOPPER section, I arrived upon a Timonium based company that specialized in renting super cute stylish toddler clothes. Borrow Baby Couture, rents brands like Moschino, Fendi, Robert Cavalli, and Il Gufo. With families taking holiday portraits renting a fabulous frock for your little one would be a cost effective idea.
Just for Smiles
2012 Holiday Family Pictures
This Thanksgiving's dinner was really no frills, we all ate dinner in our pajamas. No one was inclined to get dressed or do any hair or makeup this year. We ate, laughed, and talked. Lil D got to sit at the table like a big girl and eat with everyone, this went over well considering she wanted to eat food off of D and my plate instead of hers. SMH ...
Later that night my sisters, brother-in-law, uncle and mother went to various stores for their pre-Black Friday sales. My behind went to bed. I have been fatigued more than normal lately, so me going to bed by 9 o'clock is not uncommon. Of course, I'm up most of the night tossing and turning after having dreamt crazy dreams. Pregnancy is no friend to my nightly rest. Besides enjoying a wonderful dinner with the family we took our traditional holiday portraits, this year in Druid Hill Park. Check them out below:
Alie (my BIL) didn't want to be in the pictures... Sucka.
The Cruz's
PopPop, D, + Lil D-- Lil D insisted that she had to go down by the water, hence this picture.
Back @ PopPop + GMy's house
VBAC
During my weekly birthing resources search I arrived upon two web sites that offer in-depth information for women interested in vaginal births after cesareans. I have never had a C-section, but many of my friends have and I always cringe when they tell me their OBs tell them having a vaginal birth the next time around is out of the question. LIES... LIES... LIES. You know how I feel about women having the opportunity and right to make informed decisions not based on fear, lies, and cohesion.
The two resources for vagina birth after cesarean (VBAC- Vee Back) are here:
VBAC.com provides childbearing women and maternity care professionals access to evidence-based resources, educational materials, and support for VBAC and cesarean prevention.
Childbirth Connection offers great resources for women interested in having a VBAC and repeat C-Sections.
Professional Pics from Lil D's 1st Modeling Gig
I got an email surprise today from Bridget Strickline, the owner of Wee Chic Boutique, who sponsored the photo shoot Lil D participated in back in August (check it here). Laura Black Photography created a gallery of all the pictures from the shoot, so I downloaded all of the ones of Lil D. Enjoy!
Lil D's Second Christmas
I've begun purchasing Lil D's holiday gifts, of course everything has been clothing and shoes. I have been on the hunt for uniquely designed children's jewelry, it sucks that her ears aren't pierced because I would have purchased a nice pair of rose gold studs or hoops. Oh well . . .
Check out my purchases to date.
GIRLS' STADIUM-CLOTH MARQUEE COAT
My favorite color to dress Lil D in is yellow, so I purchased this "bright butternut" compact high-density wool from J. Crew for $198.
You know how I LOVE the soft soled shoes. I order a pair of black and white personalized with her name from EBay Vendor Moxiesbabyshoes. These hand-made creations were $23.99 + $4.75 shipping.
Boutique Bonnie Jean Handkerchief Set
For $35.99 from EBay Vendor Cowtrucks1, I love this look.
Childhood Vaccines: An Informed Decision
Its been a while since I've blogged, once again life has taken over and I've had very little "me" time. A major development in my quest for better health has been our decision (read: my decision) to not immunize our children. Sure Lil D has had all her vaccines up to 18 months, but that will be all for her. I've got 3 years to figure out how to get her registered into a public school without having the "recommended" vaccines, I'm sure it will be an interesting journey.
We hope that you consider this list, and the side effects of vaccines before giving your child vaccinations. We have strong reasons to believe that overall, and in general, that the risks of horrible and long-term side effects far outweighs the risks of the diseases which vaccines are supposed to prevent. Human blood is supposed to be, and traditionally was, remarkably sterile. There were virtually no bacteria or organisms present in the bloodstream. With vaccines now being so prevalent, this is no longer the case. SOURCE
2012
Recommended Immunizations for Babies
HepB
HepB
1-2 mos
+
DTaP
+
PCV
+
Hib
+
Polio
+
RV
DTaP
+
PCV
+
Hib
+
Polio
+
RV
HepB
6-18 mos*
+
DTaP
+
PCV
+
Hib
+
Polio
6-18 mos*
+
RV
(Influenza)
6 mos through 18 years**
MMR
12-15 mos*
+
PCV
12-15 mos*
+
Hib
12-15 mos*
+
Varicella
12-15 mos*
+
HepA
12-23 mos*
(Influenza)
6 mos through 18 years**
DTaP
15-18 mos*
(Influenza)
6 mos through 18 years**
Vaccine Ingredients
- Aborted human fetus tissue and human albumin
- Vaccine Ingredient: Formaldehyde
- Vaccine Ingredient: Mercury
- Vaccine Ingredient: Antifreeze
- Vaccine Ingredient: Aluminum
- Vaccine Ingredient: 2-Phenoxyethanol
- Vaccine Ingredient: Phenol
- Vaccine Ingredient: Methanol
- Vaccine Ingredient: Borax(sodium tetraborate decahydrate)
- Vaccine Ingredient: Glutaraldehyde
- Vaccine Ingredient: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- Vaccine Ingredients: Sulfate and phosphate compounds
- Vaccine Ingredient: Ammonium Sulfate
- Vaccine Ingredient: Gentamicin Sulfate
- Vaccine Ingredient: Neomycin Sulfate
- Vaccine Ingredient: Tri(n)butylphosphate
- Vaccine Ingredient: Polymyxin B
- Vaccine Ingredient: Polysorbate 20 / 80
- Vaccine Ingredient: Sorbitol
- Vaccine Ingredient: Polyribosylribitol
- Vaccine Ingredient: Beta-Propiolactone
- Vaccine Ingredient: Amphotericin B
- Vaccine Ingredients: Animal Organ Tissue and Animal Blood
- Vaccine Ingredient: Large Foreign Proteins
- Vaccine Ingredient: Latex
- Vaccine Ingredient: Animal Viruses
- Vaccine Ingredient: Human Viruses
- Vaccine Ingredient: Mycoplasma
- Vaccine Ingredient: Genetically Modified Yeast
- Vaccine Ingredient: Foreign DNA
For a comprehensive explanation of each of these ingredients here.
More Resources:
(1) We’ve been told that vaccines stimulate the immune system with a “rehearsal” of what will happen when an actual disease comes down the pipeline. When the disease does show up, the immune system will be locked and loaded, ready to destroy the attacking germ. Source
(2) A high immunity to disease doesn’t come from a needle, pill or supplement. It doesn’t come from antibacterial soaps and a germ free environment. Actually, considering the poor state of health most people are in these days, it can’t even come from healthy food and medicinal herbs alone any more. The epidemic of allergies, asthma, obesity, gastrointestinal infestations, infections, malabsorption and so much more are all directly related to poor immunity. It all comes down to the body’s own defense systems and how well or poor these function.
Isn’t it ironic that the time when we have no actual control of our health – our early childhood, it’s the very time when life long immunity is built or affected? The first seven years of our lives are crucial. And it actually doesn’t stop there. {Source}
(3) The Entire Vaccine Industry Is Being Exposed For Unproven Assumptions And Misrepresentations of Data
(4) The Most Damning vaccination Study Not Publically Disclosed to Date
(6) More vaccination information from Share Banoosh here.
IMMUNITY BUILDERS IMMUNITY DESTROYERS
Breastfeeding----------------------------------------------------Commercial Baby Formula
Raw Organic Milk ------------------------------------------------The Gut Connection Betw Baby + Mother
Dirt, Farms, + Animals ------------------------------------------Vaccines
Healthy Food + Lifestyle----------------------------------------Sterile Environments
{Source Here} ---------------------------------------------------Drugs
Update
on 2012-12-09 16:07 by O. Cruz
Interesting article:
Court Requires 8-Year-Old to be Vaccinated Against Mother’s Wishes
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
I've been teaching for nine long years, during this time I have seen a host of children with a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical disorders. Most stem from the reckless behaviors of their mothers while they were in the womb. One such group of disorderes I see time and time again is FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FASD). The behaviors of students who have FASD often look like ADHD. On Friday, my mother went to a workshop on this topic and shared a great deal of information with me. She mentioned that 50% of pregnancies are unplanned and this often leads to cases of FAS and "involuntary infanticide". Mommy also mentioned that the highest cases of FASD are seen in middle class, college educated, White women (source). She relayed that doctors often don't ask the questions of this type of patient that is needed to find out if they are at-risk.
During my first prenatal appointment, last week, I was asked to complete a two page drug and alcohol questionnaire. With Lil D I was not given this option. I think this should be a mandatory intake process for all pregnant women, right along with NT screening.
Facts About FASD
Photo Credit: here
Photo Credit: here
Sources:
2 here
9 here
11 here
Nuchal Translucency (NT Screening)
The newest procedure is performed at 11 to 12 weeks and involves a test of the mother’s blood and a specialized ultrasound that measures nuchal translucency (NT), the amount of fluid in skin folds at the back of the fetus’s neck. These results, combined with the mother’s age, help determine a fetus’s risk of Down syndrome. The tests are not 100% accurate, but it gives doctors a baseline to determine if more tests are needed. There is no evidence of chromosomal abnormalities or other such disorders in my or D's family history. I am mainly doing the tests to get one last high tech ultrasound. During my pregnancy with LilD I had 7 ultrasounds. This to me was extremely excessive and wasteful, but when you have such good insurance some doctors take full advantage of it. SMH... Barring any complications, this will be my last ultrasound for this pregnancy.
The Screening Consists of:
Nuchal translucency (NT) is the sonographic appearance of a collection of fluid under the skin behind the fetal neck in the first-trimester of pregnancy. The term translucency is used, irrespective of whether it is septated or not and whether it is confined to the neck or envelopes the whole fetus. In fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, cardiac defects and many genetic syndromes the NT thickness is increased. (SOURCE)
Two Maternal Serum (blood) Tests
The blood tests measure two substances found in the blood of all pregnant women:
The blood tests measure two substances found in the blood of all pregnant women:
- pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) - a protein produced by the placenta in early pregnancy. Abnormal levels are associated with an increased risk for chromosome abnormality.
- human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - a hormone produced by the placenta in early pregnancy. Abnormal levels are associated with an increased risk for chromosome abnormality. (Source)
Excellent source for Fetal Screenings here.
Interesting Read
Furthering my knowledge on birth and pregnancy I visited The Unnecesarean, one of my favorite sources for birth policy and hospital rates, to catch up on the latest news. On the blog I arrived upon an article published by ConsumerReports.org titled, What to Reject WhenYou're Expecting: 10 Procedures to Think Twice About During Your Pregnancy (May 2012). In the article the authors mention the 10 overused procedures, 10 things you should do during your pregnancy, 5 things to do before you become pregnant, and two successful birth stories.
10 Overused Procedures
- A C-section with low risk first birth
- An automatic second C-section
- An elective early delivery
- Inducing labor without a medical reason
- Ultrasounds after 24 weeks (the margin of error increases significantly as the pregnancy progresses)
- Continuous electronic fetal monitoring
- Early epidurals
- Routinely rupturing the amniotic membranes
- Sending your newborn to the nursery
- Routine episiotomies
After reading the section on not needing a ultrasound after 24 weeks for a low-risk pregnancy, all I could do was reflect on my experience and think about the tactics that were used on me to get me to comply with the bullshit I was feed. For instance, I was told that a full term pregnancy was 38 weeks, well according to the March of Dimes and medical research is was a big fat lie. A FULL TERM PREGNANCY IS AT LEAST 39 WEEKS. The "coercion, lies, manipulation, bullying, intimidation, threats, and anger" directed at women in their most fragile state is criminal.
I think the summer of 2014 I will begin training as a doula. I strongly feeling women in this country are being sold a bunch of shit when it come to giving birth. Got to be the change you want to see in the world.
About one third of the babies born in the united states are born via csection! One in three!!! Shameful.
Guess What?!
I am nine weeks pregnant and feeling like shit on a stick. I've come to experience that each pregnancy is indeed different, but I wasn't expecting it to be this drastic. For the past six weeks I have felt so horrible. Unlike when I carried Lil D, I have had severe nausea, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Remember that 20 pounds from Lil D I spent the summer trying to work off and wasn't successful? Well . . . honey 12 pounds of that is gone and all I've been doing is sleeping. It's a crime I tell you. Baby Cruz #2 (BC2) has been making his/her presence known. Not just by making me feel like crap, but also I have a belly pouch! I am trying to discern if its left over Lil D fat or bloat. Either way I look pregnant and this didn't happen until after 24 weeks with Lil D.
Me & Lil D (in utero) - 17 weeks 2 days
After the debacle that was Lil D's birth process I have found another midwife. Initially, I was heading towards having a home birth. I presented this idea to D and he asked me if I was on drugs. After thinking it over, considering the risks, I decided I was not totally comfortable with this either. So I began to research independent birthing centers in New Jersey. Guess what?! There are none, but in my search I arrived upon the practice of Dr. Lonnie Morris. I was truly impressed with her history and philosophy on birth. I made my first prenatal appointment for this coming Tuesday. Here practice is affiliated with Mountainside Hospital in Montclair, New Jersey. According to the 2011 NJ Department of Health data report, the c-section rate at this hospital is 39.4%... relatively low for New Jersey. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this is a great fit. Now I have to request my medical records from the other GYN, ummm drama is sure to ensue.
