Hey Vaccine-Loving Wired and Newsweek: Talk to the hand!

Wow, but there's been a lot of press lately scolding and shaming non-vaxing parents.  Wired magazine's October 2009 cover story went full out:  the cover featured a picture of a gorgeous baby.  And in huge 8000 point font, it read: FEAR!!! The subtitle: How Panicked Parents Skipping Shots Endanger Us All.  Newsweek echoed these sentiments in a Dec. 7, 2009 article: The Long Term Evidence for Vaccines.  Non-vaxers, the article states, are "a threat to us all."


I made the decision six years ago not to vaccinate my children after my midwife gave me a heads-up about the issue.  I read Stephanie Cave's book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Children's Vaccinations.  I learned that they contained a host of disgusting ingredients... formaldehyde, thimerosal, aluminum, human and animal DNA... and quickly knew that I would not be injecting these substances into my perfect little newborn babies.  I have never doubted, never looked back.

Newsweek, Wired and all you parents who think I'm this evil scary threat - I understand what you're saying.  I understand that vaccines have saved lives; I understand that in areas of the world where disease is still rampant, they still do.  I understand that the more people that don't vaccinate, vaccine-preventable diseases will return.  Here's the problem though. You are asking me to inject a slew of toxic substances into my children to protect the public good.   When I put those two things on the proverbial balance - I'm sorry, but toxin-free children win.  Because they're mine.  And my job on this earth is to protect them.  My job is not to protect the rest of the world.  The rest of the world must be responsible for itself.


And with regard to my children - since we're talking about me threatening the rest of the world - my children are more healthy than geez - nearly any children I know.  My children, 6 and 3.5, have only needed to see a doctor once, each, in their lives.  The six year old got pnemonia in her first year; the 3 year old had an ear infection in her first year.  That's it.  Since then, a few colds.  Yea, my girls - pretty threatening.  Compare them with the typical American child who suffers from autism, ADHD, allergies, asthma, frequent illness.

I must be doing something right, don't you think? I don't inject toxins into them.  They eat unprocessed, organic (read: poison-free) food.  They sleep on an organic bed.  They practice good hygiene.  And most importantly - they are growing up in a household that firmly believes in the God-given perfection of the human body and its ability to ward off and heal disease.

The Newsweek article asks "Will the children of these naysaying parents of the rich world turn to Mom and Dad 30 years from now and say, "Thanks for not getting me immunized. Thanks especially for saying no to the flu vaccine?"

I say "Hell yes!"

Fertility blues

I've been wanting and trying to get pregnant for more than a year now.  Hard to believe.  I mean, I got pregnant last November 08, but then miscarried in December.  I was nursing my nearly 3 year old until May.... which could also have put a crimp in the works.  But since May - nothing.  Nada.  Fertility doctor says there's nothing wrong with me or hubby.  What a weird thing, you know?? I mean, I have two amazing girls - I got pregnant with them pretty darned easily.  And now this.  Granted, I am now 37 - pushing 38.  But still - this should happen.

All things considered, I've been very chill about the whole thing.  I don't stress about it or cry or complain too much at all.  It's just confusing, and frustrating to me.  I believe the problem stems from a hormonal imbalance - I have 2 major symptoms - 1) a lack of fertile quality cervical mucus, and 2) sore breasts for much of the month.  My naturopathic doctor has advised me to eat more fat and gain weight.  Apparently, hormones need fat to work properly.  So I added milk (organic, raw, of course) back into my diet in spades.  She wanted me to add meat back in, but I simply can't do that.  Dairy is bad enough.  Besides that, I've been mega dosing vitamins and herbs that I've read can address the CM issue: Shatavari, B vitamins (esp B-12), Evening Primrose Oil, and Red Raspberry Leaf tea. 

I just want this little baby so much.  I really feel that parenting one more little soul is mine to do.  I can see him already - I can see him nursing (ah, the bliss!!).  I can feel him in my arms. 

Meanwhile, though, I am grateful for my two girls, who bring me endless joy.  They are truly a gift; if baby # 3 is not to be, I am still utterly blessed by being their mother.

Living Bear-Style

I'm channeling the bears these days.  I'm living in hibernation mode.  I've slowed my life w-a-a-a-a-y down.  And I'm LOVING IT.  For close to three years, I've been constantly in motion.  Going.  Doing.  Leading.  Advising.  Coaching.  Giving.  And then, a couple of months ago, I hit a big old brick wall.  A dear friend became very angry with me.  The relationship ended.  The rift - moreover the pain it caused me - took the wind out of my sails.  Now - with a little distance - I realize the gift she gave me.  I was so busy giving to others that I placed much less focus on myself, my children and my home.

I am now re-learning how to live at a slower pace.  Cooking, cleaning, homeschooling, doing errands, walking to the park, driving the girls to lessons.  It feels good to do such simple things.  One thing I'm finding difficult though.  Playing.  I am trying to learn how to enjoy playing with my children.  That sounds horrible, I know.  But playing - I suck at playing.  My mind is always twirling.  It wants to solve problems.  It wants to go out and do.  So much so that when I sit down to play Candyland with my girls, my mind shuts off from boredom and I start to fall asleep.  I literally will be halfway through a game and my eyes will start to droop and I'll tell the girls "Oh, I'm so tired.  Can I just lay down here on the floor while you guys play??" Ugh.  It's insane.

Lest you think I'm the biggest slacker mom ever - I do much better when we do crafts together, and cook together - even play cards together.  Those things I can get in to!!

My mind still swirls with things to do - my children's book on night-weaning is back on the burner! - but my main focus: gratitude for the here and now.  I am blessed to live a life where I can stay home with my children and play - and cook and keep the home.  It was all I ever wanted but never thought I'd have.  I am grateful for my husband for providing for us so well.

Photo thanks to Quapaw http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1083871