I'm not an "Anti-Vaxxer"

I have written here in the past about my choice not to vaccinate my children. I wrote about my mother supporting me through that decision and in that decision. So I really struggled with deciding on the Covid-19 Vaccine. First, how could *I* be vaccinated when I've been against vaccinating my children? How could I trust this vaccine? But some friends helped talk me through the decision and be alright with it, honestly. So... while not the first in line, I did get vaccinated against Covid-19. In fact, I just received my booster this week. My side effects were severe (by MY standards), but I will do another booster as soon as they tell me I am supposed to.

Sunday Surf: Vax & Gender & Boobies, Oh my!

My week has been filled with continuous early labor signs and stress leading up to my husband's vasectomy. He survived the procedure and we're working through recuperation now. I have a post about vasectomy (complete with several links) coming next month and intend to write some posts about other methods of birth control I've tried.

In the meantime, here are my links for the week:

ALL the Vaccines Are Contaminated - Every Last One of Them

From Salem-News.com, a lengthy article about some of the nasty stuff in vaccines. The article even mentions that Hepatitis B vaccines, contaminated with a virus, caused the AIDS epidemic in the US. Some very serious stuff here!

Led by the child who simply knew

From The Boston Globe, the tale of a pair identical twin boys, one of which was a girl to the core. The story of this amazing family, their braveness and support is simply awe inspiring!

Target Nurse-In

Target employees recently harassed and humiliated a breastfeeding mom in their store. She was given no support when she called their corporate offices, even though their supposed policy supports breastfeeding on site. Click my Target Nurse-In header for the Facebook page of the nurse-in event coming on December 28^th.

Great stuff this week, other than the awfulness that happened at Target. Still, you can help in a great way! Tune in next week... unless I'm tied up with a new baby!

Sunday Surf

Was very busy today! (I'll post more on that tomorrow!) Good thing I had already gathered a few links for you this week.

• I have always had a hard time around perfumes, colognes and many "air fresheners." It seems the world is catching up to me! Check out Clear The Air: Scented Candles, Air Fresheners Can Be Irritating from NPR's Health Blog.
  
  
• Was anyone else made a bit nervous by the recent nation-wide test (the first of its kind) of the Emergency Broadcast System? As if that wasn't bad enough, take a peek at Potential loophole in vaccine law could mandate vaccines in children during declared emergency.
  
  
• Someone linked a blog this week: Free-Range Kids. I'll admit that the term does carry some negative connotation in my mind. I have known some families that never said no to their kids. One of said kids tried to convince my very small child to enter a storm drain in a park. It was an ugly issue. However, I get the idea behind Free Range Kids. More-so, I think I could benefit from letting go a bit more. I'm doing better with my teenager, whom I tended to Helicopter Parent when she was younger. Click over and read real life experiences with raising Free Range Kids and how those children react.
  

What caught your eye this week?

Down Syndrome Awareness Month ~ Medical Concerns

This year / month marks 30 Years of Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Before we received Spencer's diagnosis, I knew very little about Down syndrome. So I'm taking the opportunity of my blog and this month to give you some little snippets of information. Once again, I tried not to write a book.

Photo Credit

This week I'd like to tell you about the medical problems that can affect babies and children with Down syndrome. Again, these issues will not all affect every person with Down syndrome, but they are all possibilities. Our son will likely get a grab-bag selection of issues. We're hoping for as few as possible!

Sunday Surf: With Crafts!

I bought Sasha some finger paint a few weeks ago and finally let her use it this week! She paints using a brush with her sister, so I let her use a brush, too. She covered the paper with orange, then I gave her red, then blue. She had a great time. The next day she kept asking for "red" (with sign and word) and it took me another day to figure out she meant paint!

That was just a tidbit from our week. Here are some links!

• Wow, just wow! Several news stories about Whooping Cough outbreaks where everyone involved was vaccinated but still got sick!
  
  
• Did you know that TLC Tugger offers a free Your-Skin Cone to dads-to-be?? (This is a tool used to reverse some of the effects of circumcision.) Not only do you get the product for free, they include waterproof ankle bands with the words "DO NOT circumcise or retract" for your infant to wear while in the hospital! I've been trying to sell my husband on reversing his circumcision, but also really want those ankle bands for our son!
  
  
  
  
  
• In my recent search for the right / affordable Cloth Diaper solution for my family, I came upon this link. The post offers a handful of ways to get started with cloth diapering for under $100. The links within are all for EverythingBirth.com... I already have a friend that does Everything Birth, so if I order anything it'll be through her. I'll be doing a virtual consultation with her soon, but have been hoping to get enough stuff as gifts before Spencer is born.
  
  
• Next weekend I'll be doing a crafting project with a group. We're going to be doing Freezer Paper Stencils. I don't think I'm great with an x-acto blade, but we'll see how it goes. We got some nice thick onesies, so now we just need to decide on a design or two.
  
  
• Here is one idea I found that would go well with our upcoming Buddy Walk. This woman didn't use Freezer Paper, but still... this could make for a cute template.
  
  
• I'm waiting for the right opportunity to sit and watch some of the 30 Natural Birth Videos and Slideshows to Prepare Children for Labor and Birth provided in a recent Code Name: Mama post.

I hope you enjoyed some of my links. What have you been reading this week?