Need Help re Homemade Baby Food

Though I did end up passing on cloth diapers (we have really hard water and I have some other reservations... besides my main motive was way off-I simply think they are really stinking cute!), as a result I am even more committed to making my own baby food this time around.  I spent a fortune on Charlie's baby food and bought every brand under the sun in attempt to give him variety.  Then it was that much longer to transition him to what we were eating...I don't mind paying for some pricy gadget if it can make life easier and live up to the hype.  I figure I am still saving.

It seems like every time I turn around someone is doing this IRL and now on the blogs too.  For those who have gone into these unchartered waters, what helped?  What did you wish you knew going in?  Lessons learned, etc.  Did you freeze in single cubes (1 oz or 2) or those connected ones or simply ice cube trays (were they bpa free?).  Did you have a cookbook that was really helpful?  Did you steam and puree in one helpful gadget?  I have heard of a few.  I am a zero when it comes to cooking skills so I need to know how much water to add to steam, etc.  I think if I can figure it out, I will stick with it.  I like being able to go organic cheaper, have a good variety, know what my baby is eating, etc.  Saving money is a definite bonus!

This Came Through My Uncle's Prayer Chain-Please pray!

My cousin Matt is back in ICU in Arizona. 4 brain surgeries have taken their toll. The Dr. is not giving much hope. In his early 20's and has wife and 2 year old. Most of all does not have Christ in his life. He now has staph and meningitis. He is in so much pain that they have all but made him comatose. Please Please pray for Matt. The Dr's let him out too early knowing he had a knot on back of his head and of course the Neuro surgeon is supposedly furious about them releasing Matt too early but now we have to wait and see. This kid has been through the ringer. His Mom cannot be at the hospital because of 102 temp. Either she is just so run down that she has caught something or just run down.


On top of all this the Mom and wife do not see eye to eye on things and there is lots of fueding going on.

I cannot even begin to explain all that he's endured for the last 2 weeks but more than I will endure in a lifetime.

What We Did Last Night-Urgent Care Visit

Vaccines.  I don't love them.  I don't hate them.  I research them.  I avoid them when we are sick in the slightest.  I spread them out.  I avoid ones I think are silly (chicken pox and Hep B)-they can always get them when they are older if necessary.  But never has my child had the slightest reaction to one.  Until now :( 

Charlie got his shots at 3:15pm appt on Tuesday.  Wednesday morning dad changed his diaper and noticed nothing.  I got a text later on that morning to say Charlie had a red rash on his thigh.  He's never had one before, but I know folks where that is the norm after vaccines so she just continued to watch it.  She changed his diaper when I picked him up at 5:15pm and it had grown considerably, was hot to the touch, and his leg was HUGE from the knee up.  The picture makes it look like it was the angle of the camera.  I wish.

I went home and immediately called the on call doc.  A triage nurse called back and, mostly due to my hesitation because it was just so large, she had the on call doc call me.  By time the doc called back, dh had gotten home unexpectedly early for a busy week at work.  I was grateful!  I had just finished nursing the baby when the doc called back too.  The doc said yes, probably shot reaction (hot, red, swollen, and rash up to three days were listed side effects); however she thought it was a good idea to have it checked out just in case it was infection or something.  She listed two kid friendly places, one with a longer wait than the other (but is better).  We'd been there before without too much of an issue so I went there.  Dh stayed home with the baby.  I was only a little concerned b/c AJ is not a fan of bottles unless at daycare where he has adjusted to them and dh has not been able to successfully give him one in months :(  But he keeps trying, bless him!

Charlie and took off and he was in great spirits.  The leg didn't seem to hurt him at all and he played in the waiting room, which was moderately busy.  He got a wild hair for a half an hour and practically lapped the waiting room repeatedly, playing an imaginary game of basketball as his favorite player, which seemed to put smiles on most faces.  You would have never known he was there for his leg.

Getting called back took forever and it was only to be seen by triage nurse.  She agreed it was alarmingly large, but sent us back to the waiting room for a room to open up.  This took several hours. 

Once in the room, at least an hour and a half later, we were seen.  There was a phone there, so I was able to call dh and check on things.  I was so glad to hear the baby took the bottle from him.  You could tell he was relieved and surprised.  It really took some stress out of the night for him.

We had fun getting creative in the room. It was a children's hospital so we had a tv and a dvd in there, but it skipped and my boy was much more interested in being active. We passed the time by reading, playing with the few cars and disney characters we brought, etc. Our favorite way to pass the time (highly recommend this) was taking silly pictures of ourselves. And Charlie is very fond of being recorded and watching it over and over. We actually had a great time, and created some good memories.

Once seen, we found out all was well.  I was pretty sure, but definitely wanted it seen anyway.  There was no infection and we learned if there was it would be harder, tender to the touch, etc if that was the case.  Good to know in the future.  Very glad we have no shots remaining with him until Kindergarten.

A Response to Requests to Support Susan G. Komen

It amazes me how everywhere I look there is a pink ribbon and some portion of the proceeds of the sale of something I love goes to breast cancer research.  And not just any breast cancer research.  Specifically one company-Susan G. Komen.  It seems they have the monopoly over it all.  Despite this, it was a long time before I was infomred of the breast cancer and abortion link and the fact that Susan G. Komen donates all this money to planned parenthood.  But, thankfully, God surrounded me by the right people and I eventually learned this information.  Since then, I think it is important to share it with others that also may not know.  Especially because I am constantly being asked to donate to them-it seems Susan G. Komen is EVERYWHERE.  Oh, well, just that many more oportunities to spread the word. 

In fact, I got one of those emails today.  I was somewhat surprised to see it came from my church's parents with young children group.  She is doing the walk.  I immediately drafted a response and, in a somewhat bold move, posted my response on the list serve that the original email came from rather than drafting a private response.  My thinking was that it was best to inform all of them, just in case, though I can imagine it may be seeen as confrontational and unnecessarily taking additional potential donors away.  Perhaps I was willing to do this because I haven't been a member long and don't know the girls well, but I would like to think I would have responded regardless in this manner. (update-one girl just emailed the whole group in reply thanking me for my response, saying she felt the same way and it was important we spread the word-yeah!)

Below is my response.  I am including it for a few reasons.  First of all, to inform if you are not already aware of these things.  Second of all, if you like it, save yourself some time and keep it onhand when (you eventually will) you get approached to donate to this organization.  (I imagine the walk is coming up soon).  Finally, I would like feedback.  Is there a better way to say what I said?  My goal is to be information and not off putting.  These women and men usually, at least when they are participating in the walk, have close family members affected and the issue is near and dear to them.  I would love any recommendations on how to make this letter better-whether it be more resources you know of, some quotes or facts or citations to beef it up, or you just notice something that is unnecessarily stated in a way that would alienate rather than bring in others.  I appreciate your feedback!

""...once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible to act."

----------------------------------------------


X,


I am sorry to hear that your mom had breast cancer, but I am glad her story had a happy ending. I can't even fathom. I think it is wonderful you are taking some action and literally getting on your feet to make a difference.

Unfortunately, I can't sponsor you because of a conflict of interest you may not be familiar with. The Susan G. Komen foundation pours millions of dollars into donations to Planned Parenthood (who does manual exams, rather than provide mamograms with this money) and embryonic stem cell research. While I obviously support finding a cure for breast cancer and also adult stem cell research, I can't ethically financially or otherwise support embryonic stem cell research or the leading provider of abortions (by the way, there is research now showing a link between abortions and breast cancer).

You may or may not know these things already and if so, may or may not agree with me. I understand. I still appreciate you taking the time and effort to work towards a cure for breast cancer.

If you would like to donate funds to BOTH Research Breast Cancer & Protect Lives in the Womb, here are a few options...

1. Polycarp Research Institute (www.polycarp.org)

2. Breast Cancer Prevention Institute http://www.bcpinstitute.org/home.htm

3. AbortionBreastCancer.com http://abortionbreastcancer.com/

Best of luck to you,
WBR

Why I Love My Husband (3)

I know I just did this, but he deserves another one.

I love my husband because...

For the last two months Charlie has developed a fear of taking a bath. It started when he had an accident in the tub (he was having very loose stools).  We responded kindly and didn't make a big deal, but he was mortified.  Getting poop and pee mixed up often by name for some reason, he has been bathing in tears holding his pee pee tightly in one hand.  We have talked about it (you can tell your potty to stay in there and it will probably listen; accidents happen sometimes, we can clean it up), I have tried everything I can think of, but in the end I have just had to put him in the tub and wash him fast through tears.  This from a boy that loved to bathe prior.  You could hardly get him out.  Today the sitter made the mistake of keeping AJ up for me because he was off schedule and I was due to pick him up 30 min into a nap.  He was a mess by time I got there, worse off by time we got home, and then he cried hysterical another hour.  I finally just nursed him because by then he was close enough, and that put him too sleep.  Poor buddy!  While I was dealing with that, my dh initiated putting Charlie down.  This is big in and of itself, because he'd rather keep him up so they can play longer (he can be a big kid!)  However, on top of this, he recalled I said it was bath night.  I half hoped he had forgotten because I didn't know if he had the patience or finesse to deal with the situation that had arose.  It had really been hard on me because I was doing all the bathing of both kids when admittedly, I barely had it together to bathe myself!  Anyway, as I left the nursery with the baby asleep, I go into my son's room only to hear loud giggles from the bathroom.  What a relief after what I had come from!He and dad were having a water fight with the squirter toys.  Charlie is squeeling with delight.  Daddy is laughing too.  Great memories were being made.  No tears.  No grabbing himself.  In fact, I am pretty sure before it was said and done there were negotiations for "one more minute" more than once.  Dad was the instant cure.  I should have called him in weeks ago!  I am so grateful for this!

Fourth Biggest Day of My Life Thus Far

Thank you all so much for your prayers!  It went well and I am done! 
Of course I am already back to how I am most comfortable-sweatpants and spit up :)