I just found out that one of the women in my AP Meetup group has breast cancer. She is a mom to two kids, ages 3 and 1.5, and is newly pregnant as well...possibly with twins. Here's her update:
So, I have breast cancer. Invasive ductile carcinoma. In two weeks, I will have a "modified radical mastectomy"...After the mastectomy, they will know what stage I am in. The stage I am in will determine how much chemotherapy that I will undergo. If I wasn't pregnant they would do both breasts, but my surgeon and OB is worried that would be too much surgery for the babies. They are waiting two weeks for the surgery since at that point, I will be 6 weeks pregnant (once you get to 6 weeks, the risk of miscarriage drops). So much for my VBAC...Dr. A is referring me to a high-risk OB. No one is pressuring me to terminate the pregnancy (which I am happy about...I will not do it.) Apparently, it is the trend these days to try to treat the cancer "around the pregnancy" in order to save the baby's life. I will most likely have a super early c-section...as early as possible. Good thing the babies will be born at [certain hospital]...since they have the fancy NICU.
So...if you are of the praying type, please include my friend and her family in your prayers. They're going to need them.
:(
ETA: I just found out, she got the diagnosis one day after her 26th birthday.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Want your children to be at risk for sexually deviant behavior?
...then spank 'em!
-----
Spanking Raises Chances of Risky, Deviant Sexual Behavior
Review found physical punishment of kids linked to unprotected, masochistic sex as adults
Monday, February 25, 2008
Earth Hour 2008
I just read about Earth Hour 2008 in the paper. Here's the info from the website:
I signed up (#47,978)! Who else is in?
It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change?
The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour.
On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.
With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement.
I signed up (#47,978)! Who else is in?
Ina May on MSNBC
A friend just sent me this link to an article on Ina May Gaskin on MSNBC. Read it!
And please note this little statement from the article:
"The National Center for Health Statistics reported last month that the maternal death rate for 2005 has risen to about 15 women per 100,000 live births, more than double the 1998 rate of 7."
Supposedly some of that rise can be attributed to better reporting, but researchers think it also has to do with the now 31% C-section rate in our country.
Of course, it doesn't help when we have "stars" like Christina Aguilera raving about how great a C-section is because it's such a relaxing, calm way to "give birth." Oh, and it protects your parts, and there are no surprises...She had a scheduled C-section at 37 weeks! Never mind the average gestation is 40 weeks, and it's not uncommon for babies to need 41 and 42 weeks...sigh.
eta: found this lovely quote from People, by Xtina:
"'I didn't want any surprises,' she says matter-of-factly of her decision to deliver via scheduled C-section at week 37 of her pregnancy. “Honestly, I didn’t want any [vaginal] tearing. I had heard horror stories of women going in and having to have an emergency C-section [anyway]. The hardest part was deciding on his birthday. I wanted to leave it up to fate, but at the same time I was ready to be done early!”
(italics mine)
eta (again): just found this lovely "open letter" to Christina from Jennifer Block, the author of Pushed (great read - get it if you haven't yet read it)!
And please note this little statement from the article:
"The National Center for Health Statistics reported last month that the maternal death rate for 2005 has risen to about 15 women per 100,000 live births, more than double the 1998 rate of 7."
Supposedly some of that rise can be attributed to better reporting, but researchers think it also has to do with the now 31% C-section rate in our country.
Of course, it doesn't help when we have "stars" like Christina Aguilera raving about how great a C-section is because it's such a relaxing, calm way to "give birth." Oh, and it protects your parts, and there are no surprises...She had a scheduled C-section at 37 weeks! Never mind the average gestation is 40 weeks, and it's not uncommon for babies to need 41 and 42 weeks...sigh.
eta: found this lovely quote from People, by Xtina:
"'I didn't want any surprises,' she says matter-of-factly of her decision to deliver via scheduled C-section at week 37 of her pregnancy. “Honestly, I didn’t want any [vaginal] tearing. I had heard horror stories of women going in and having to have an emergency C-section [anyway]. The hardest part was deciding on his birthday. I wanted to leave it up to fate, but at the same time I was ready to be done early!”
(italics mine)
eta (again): just found this lovely "open letter" to Christina from Jennifer Block, the author of Pushed (great read - get it if you haven't yet read it)!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Indian fun
So this arrived a few days ago:
It's hard to really see, but this white is a thin fabric, like a flour sack. Below, you see how it is literally sewed together, encasing the insides:
We started into it...and found this:
And then this:
And finally this:
And what should we discover, so securely and uniquely packaged? These:
Here are all the pictures from the Indian gift package from Auntie A (if you get past the first part, with the "objects only," you'll be rewarded with many more "action" shots):
Thanks again, Auntie!
It's hard to really see, but this white is a thin fabric, like a flour sack. Below, you see how it is literally sewed together, encasing the insides:
We started into it...and found this:
And then this:
And finally this:
And what should we discover, so securely and uniquely packaged? These:
Here are all the pictures from the Indian gift package from Auntie A (if you get past the first part, with the "objects only," you'll be rewarded with many more "action" shots):
Thanks again, Auntie!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thirty-three
33 years ago today, I was born in Anchorage, Alaska.
Just for fun...
3+3=6, which is the age C will be in just 2 months...she was also born in Anchorage.
6 = the number of years D and I have been married
3 = kids in our family
Yeah, that's all I've got tonight. I'm sure there's more fun with numbers to be had, but since everybody else is sleeping at the moment, I think I'm going to join that club.
Just for fun...
3+3=6, which is the age C will be in just 2 months...she was also born in Anchorage.
6 = the number of years D and I have been married
3 = kids in our family
Yeah, that's all I've got tonight. I'm sure there's more fun with numbers to be had, but since everybody else is sleeping at the moment, I think I'm going to join that club.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Presidents' Day Weekend Trip
Since C had Fri/Mon off this week, D decided to take the days off too. Friday morning we went to Scottsdale to visit with a friend (and stealth blog-reader) from Iowa City/Portland who was in town for the weekend. After a too-quick breakfast and visit, we ran home to pack for a little vacay...we were headed south, to see some more of our state.
Just heading out of our house, heading down the 101...I saw the single most awesome vanity plate ever. We were heading South on the 101 about 3:30 in the afternoon. For non-locals, the 101 is ALWAYS backed up and really obnoxious to drive. Generally, we'd avoid it completely at rush hour, but we found ourselves none the less on its surface...complaining about the traffic as always...when I suddenly spotted this:
(isn't that the coolest ever?? I actually got this through our windshield while driving...I was so very happy I had the camera handy!)
After that awesome spot, we headed to RawMilkStar's ranch south of the city complex. We just started getting 2 gallons of raw goat milk a month from these guys, and thought a visit to the goats providing the goods would be fun for all of us.
D, C and I all gave milking a shot...D's feeble attempt wasn't successful (to be fair, he only gave one go). However, both C and I did OK for a first try. Of course, I have the advantage of being a multi-year lactating mama LOL...Here's C in action:
From there, we headed towards the Colossal Caves area, thinking we'd find a hotel and crash for the night. Surprisingly, three kids later, D and I are still pretty much fly-by-the-pants travelers. Who wants to plan ahead? *eyes rolling here*
Here started the comedy-of-errors trip...
We got to the Vail exit (according to the whole-state map to which I was referring, it was closest to the caves, and therefore a great spot to stay, right?)...and there were no hotels. So we headed back north towards Tucson, but since the Gem Show was still in action, everything was full or way too expensive. We headed South AGAIN, past the Vail exit and all the way to Benson...about 40 miles further down I-10. At Benson, we got off the highway, and found....nothing. Actually, we drove by two little motels, both with "No Vacancy" signs and full parking lots. Then we drove down a dead end that paralleled the highway. Then we stopped for a girl potty break, where I proceeded to somehow whack my fourth toe, right foot, so hard on some seat mechanism as to most likely break the bone. In excruciating pain, I finally looked up the Days Inn in our "Family Fun in AZ" book and called for some directional help.
We arrived at the Days Inn around 10:30 at night, paid too much for a room, and after limping up the stairs to the second floor, we settled into our nasty, polyester-creepy-feeling skanky-blanket-clad beds...but hey, at least there was a complimentary breakfast, right?
Yeah, so the breakfast buffet consisted of...Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, donuts, Folgers coffee, X-brand instant oatmeal, and white bread and white bread bagel-ettes. Mmmmm.
We quickly ditched that place, and headed towards Tombstone, famous home of the Shoot-out at the OK Corral (Doc Holladay, Wyatt Earp, etc.). Cool, right? Re-enactments, Western-town...uh, no. You have to pay to get in to any shoot-outs, and the sidewalks were lined with folks smoking cigarettes.
As we walked down the (OK, relatively cute and interesting) Western town boardwalk/sidewalks, some guy walked out of a store, took a disparaging look at our family, and stated as he walked right on by, "You guys need a few more." I just wish I'd bothered to tell him, "You're right. We're working on it," or "Ah, thanks, you think we're that special?" But no, instead I'm seething at the rudeness and blatant nastiness the fellow exhibited. I sure hope he has no kids of his own...
We decided to take the trolley for the narrated tour. This was great, and actually very interesting...and also the place of E's first ever "accident." Yup, she full on peed her pants, standing in the old trolley. Sigh.
At least they enjoyed some cheezy sights...
After the tour, we went back to the van to get new pants...and realized she (we) hadn't packed any extra pants. I asked about thrift stores, but alas, there were none. So we drove on to Bisbee...cute place! I can't wait to go back. We didn't actually get out and explore, since I was pretty much unable to walk or even put on a shoe, thanks the toe incident...but we grabbed D a cup of coffee and found a thrift store with a pair of jeans for E. Of course, when we got her out of the carseat to change pants, turns out she'd had yet another accident...sigh.
From Bisbee, we drove Northwest to Sierra Vista. Here, we decided to simply get a room and hang out, since for the girls half the fun is the hotel, and as for me...well, I still couldn't walk around.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn (which, for the record, is our favorite hotel). We swam, hot-tubbed, got Pizza Hut pizza, and watched bad TV. The girls thought life was great...and I could keep my feet up.
Sunday we headed home, stopping in Tucson at the Children's Museum. Not quite the vacation we originally intended, and full of error...but we still had fun.
For Presidents' Day, we cleaned the van...
...and C took the baby for a little walk:
At least all the peeing got us to finally remove the covers from our carseats and wash them!
The stats from our odd little trip:
12 hours, 24 minutes driving time; 530.4 miles
And no, I still can't walk normally. I really think it's broken.
Next on the agenda: swimming lessons at 5:00, and back to real life...
Just heading out of our house, heading down the 101...I saw the single most awesome vanity plate ever. We were heading South on the 101 about 3:30 in the afternoon. For non-locals, the 101 is ALWAYS backed up and really obnoxious to drive. Generally, we'd avoid it completely at rush hour, but we found ourselves none the less on its surface...complaining about the traffic as always...when I suddenly spotted this:
(isn't that the coolest ever?? I actually got this through our windshield while driving...I was so very happy I had the camera handy!)After that awesome spot, we headed to RawMilkStar's ranch south of the city complex. We just started getting 2 gallons of raw goat milk a month from these guys, and thought a visit to the goats providing the goods would be fun for all of us.
D, C and I all gave milking a shot...D's feeble attempt wasn't successful (to be fair, he only gave one go). However, both C and I did OK for a first try. Of course, I have the advantage of being a multi-year lactating mama LOL...Here's C in action:
From there, we headed towards the Colossal Caves area, thinking we'd find a hotel and crash for the night. Surprisingly, three kids later, D and I are still pretty much fly-by-the-pants travelers. Who wants to plan ahead? *eyes rolling here*
Here started the comedy-of-errors trip...
We got to the Vail exit (according to the whole-state map to which I was referring, it was closest to the caves, and therefore a great spot to stay, right?)...and there were no hotels. So we headed back north towards Tucson, but since the Gem Show was still in action, everything was full or way too expensive. We headed South AGAIN, past the Vail exit and all the way to Benson...about 40 miles further down I-10. At Benson, we got off the highway, and found....nothing. Actually, we drove by two little motels, both with "No Vacancy" signs and full parking lots. Then we drove down a dead end that paralleled the highway. Then we stopped for a girl potty break, where I proceeded to somehow whack my fourth toe, right foot, so hard on some seat mechanism as to most likely break the bone. In excruciating pain, I finally looked up the Days Inn in our "Family Fun in AZ" book and called for some directional help.
We arrived at the Days Inn around 10:30 at night, paid too much for a room, and after limping up the stairs to the second floor, we settled into our nasty, polyester-creepy-feeling skanky-blanket-clad beds...but hey, at least there was a complimentary breakfast, right?
Yeah, so the breakfast buffet consisted of...Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, donuts, Folgers coffee, X-brand instant oatmeal, and white bread and white bread bagel-ettes. Mmmmm.
We quickly ditched that place, and headed towards Tombstone, famous home of the Shoot-out at the OK Corral (Doc Holladay, Wyatt Earp, etc.). Cool, right? Re-enactments, Western-town...uh, no. You have to pay to get in to any shoot-outs, and the sidewalks were lined with folks smoking cigarettes.
As we walked down the (OK, relatively cute and interesting) Western town boardwalk/sidewalks, some guy walked out of a store, took a disparaging look at our family, and stated as he walked right on by, "You guys need a few more." I just wish I'd bothered to tell him, "You're right. We're working on it," or "Ah, thanks, you think we're that special?" But no, instead I'm seething at the rudeness and blatant nastiness the fellow exhibited. I sure hope he has no kids of his own...
We decided to take the trolley for the narrated tour. This was great, and actually very interesting...and also the place of E's first ever "accident." Yup, she full on peed her pants, standing in the old trolley. Sigh.
At least they enjoyed some cheezy sights...
After the tour, we went back to the van to get new pants...and realized she (we) hadn't packed any extra pants. I asked about thrift stores, but alas, there were none. So we drove on to Bisbee...cute place! I can't wait to go back. We didn't actually get out and explore, since I was pretty much unable to walk or even put on a shoe, thanks the toe incident...but we grabbed D a cup of coffee and found a thrift store with a pair of jeans for E. Of course, when we got her out of the carseat to change pants, turns out she'd had yet another accident...sigh.
From Bisbee, we drove Northwest to Sierra Vista. Here, we decided to simply get a room and hang out, since for the girls half the fun is the hotel, and as for me...well, I still couldn't walk around.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn (which, for the record, is our favorite hotel). We swam, hot-tubbed, got Pizza Hut pizza, and watched bad TV. The girls thought life was great...and I could keep my feet up.
Sunday we headed home, stopping in Tucson at the Children's Museum. Not quite the vacation we originally intended, and full of error...but we still had fun.
For Presidents' Day, we cleaned the van...
...and C took the baby for a little walk:
At least all the peeing got us to finally remove the covers from our carseats and wash them!
The stats from our odd little trip:
12 hours, 24 minutes driving time; 530.4 miles
And no, I still can't walk normally. I really think it's broken.
Next on the agenda: swimming lessons at 5:00, and back to real life...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Woo-Hoo!!
We have a functioning pool pump once again! Yes, my handy husband has managed to re-plumb, re-electrify, and just all-around re-do the old shot pump and shoddy plumbing/electric job (which caused the failure in the first place) by himself! Well, fine, we bought a new motor for the pump...but as of 5 minutes ago, our pool is being filtered once again...to the tune of about $200 instead of the $2000+ we were quoted!
Did I say...WOO-HOO?!?
Did I say...WOO-HOO?!?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Renaissance Fun
Went to the big Renaissance Festival on Sunday...it's huge! We had a great time, staying from 11-6:30. Some highlights: we watched a jousting match, some entertainment shows, ate some bad food, enjoyed some good Guiness, and soaked in the gorgeous 75 degree day.
Here are my favorite shots from the day:
And the rest below. There are lots of pics in this album...To see them in bigger format, mouse over the yellow head in the lower left corner, then click on the link that appears!
Here are my favorite shots from the day:
And the rest below. There are lots of pics in this album...To see them in bigger format, mouse over the yellow head in the lower left corner, then click on the link that appears!
Monday, February 11, 2008
And the answer is...
(can you believe I remembered??)
The three kids in dinos...
A. L
B. C
C. E
And the other one...
A. Me, circa 1976
B. C!
(I think we look like twins...crazy genes)
Thanks for playing along!
The three kids in dinos...
A. L
B. C
C. E
And the other one...
A. Me, circa 1976
B. C!
(I think we look like twins...crazy genes)
Thanks for playing along!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Hurry, post your guesses!
I'll give the answers to the photo quizzes below on Monday (if I remember LOL). Keep guessing :)
In other news, we just returned from a quick day trip to Tucson, to visit an old friend of mine from Jr. High/High School (he was actually my first boyfriend too). He and his wife were there for the Gem and Mineral Show, which unbeknown to us, was REALLY COOL. We're planning on returning next year, sans kids, to take advantage of my friend's ability to get into the wholesale shows...
Also joined the Children's Museum, as one more visit in within a year makes up the entrance price...nice place, but I was disgusted (too strong? Nah.) by the BOTTLES in the children's make-believe section. All the kids were "taking care of their babies" by giving bottles :(
So yes, I left a nice little comment card politely suggesting that they do their part to encourage the youth of today to be breastfeeders of tomorrow - by tossing out the bottles.
In other news, we just returned from a quick day trip to Tucson, to visit an old friend of mine from Jr. High/High School (he was actually my first boyfriend too). He and his wife were there for the Gem and Mineral Show, which unbeknown to us, was REALLY COOL. We're planning on returning next year, sans kids, to take advantage of my friend's ability to get into the wholesale shows...
Also joined the Children's Museum, as one more visit in within a year makes up the entrance price...nice place, but I was disgusted (too strong? Nah.) by the BOTTLES in the children's make-believe section. All the kids were "taking care of their babies" by giving bottles :(
So yes, I left a nice little comment card politely suggesting that they do their part to encourage the youth of today to be breastfeeders of tomorrow - by tossing out the bottles.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Three of a kind
Three kids, one outfit, one hand-made cradle. Can you tell which kid is which (and no cheating by trying to read the date stamp on the middle pic!)?
A.
B.
C.
A.
B.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Win a new vacuum for my aunt!
Go to this Bissell contest, enter your name and email, and help win my aunt a new vacuum! It's a one-vote-only thing, so I won't pester you. Just do it before the 12th!
Oh, it's a pet contest...and the picture is her kitty, Tedward!
Thanks!
Oh, it's a pet contest...and the picture is her kitty, Tedward!
Thanks!
Some AP studies and links of interest
Thanks to a thread on tbw...some very interesting and pro-AP (attachment parenting) articles for your reading pleasure:
this article in the Harvard Gazette. Highlight:
"Instead of letting infants cry, American parents should keep their babies close, console them when they cry, and bring them to bed with them, where they'll feel safe, according to Michael L. Commons and Patrice M. Miller, researchers at the Medical School's Department of Psychiatry."
Then, read this review of RCTs by an MD...
Here's an article about the use of particular kinds of carriers...
Here's the abstract for a study titled, "Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment."
And somebody just pointed out this handout from AskDrSears I thought I'd add...more on why CIO (cry-it-out) is detrimental to infants.
this article in the Harvard Gazette. Highlight:
"Instead of letting infants cry, American parents should keep their babies close, console them when they cry, and bring them to bed with them, where they'll feel safe, according to Michael L. Commons and Patrice M. Miller, researchers at the Medical School's Department of Psychiatry."
Then, read this review of RCTs by an MD...
Here's an article about the use of particular kinds of carriers...
Here's the abstract for a study titled, "Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment."
And somebody just pointed out this handout from AskDrSears I thought I'd add...more on why CIO (cry-it-out) is detrimental to infants.
Monday, February 4, 2008
As political as I get...
...I admit to being pretty lax about following politics...but I was horrified when I went to figure out where I vote tomorrow, and realized that I can't. See, we (D and I both) registered as independents when we moved here. I never thought to check until today, but that means we cannot participate in Super Tuesday tomorrow. :(
So for my local readers, you already saw this from MH. For some of you, I know it's opposite of your political leanings...but I still think it's worth passing on. An interesting manifestation of internet capability and celebrity power...enjoy.
I should clarify - I have not actually made a final decision on who will get my vote. I just thought this was interesting.
So for my local readers, you already saw this from MH. For some of you, I know it's opposite of your political leanings...but I still think it's worth passing on. An interesting manifestation of internet capability and celebrity power...enjoy.
I should clarify - I have not actually made a final decision on who will get my vote. I just thought this was interesting.
And this is why we use Burt's Bees...
"Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests."
Read the whole article here.
Want alternatives? Some of our favorites are Burt's Bees, Aubrey Organics, and plain old Dr. Bronner's. For shampoo, baking soda with an apple cider vinegar rinse is also great...
Please leave a comment with your favorite natural skin and/or hair products!
Read the whole article here.
Want alternatives? Some of our favorites are Burt's Bees, Aubrey Organics, and plain old Dr. Bronner's. For shampoo, baking soda with an apple cider vinegar rinse is also great...
Please leave a comment with your favorite natural skin and/or hair products!
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