Trusting Tuesday: Immunizations

This post isn't about if you should or shouldn't vaccinate your baby.

This post is to encourage you to become educated about vaccines so that you can trust your own decision to vaccinate or not vaccinate your children.

There are many vaccines available for ourselves and our children. These vaccines have been developed to help prevent the spread of some potentially very scary diseases. Every parent has a choice to vaccinate their children or not, but the majority of school systems require children to be vaccinated or sign a waiver in order to attend school. Obviously if you child doesn't go to a public school where vaccines are required, then you have the option to home school your children if they aren't vaccinated.

Here is a list of current vaccines: and the signs and symptoms of the diseases

Chickenpox: Rash, tiredness, headache, fever

Diptheria: sore throat, mild fever, weakness, swollen glands in neck

Hib: may be no symptoms unless bacteria enter the blood

Hep A: fever, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice, dark urine

Hep B: fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, jaundice, joint pain

Flu: fever, muscle pain, sore throat, cough, fatigue

Measles: Rash, fever, cough, runny nose, pink eye

Mumps: Swollen glands, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle pain

Pertussis: Severe cough, runny nose, fever

Polio: Sore throat, fever, nausea, headache, or no symptoms

Pneumococcal: pneumonia

Rotavirus: diarrhea, fever, vomiting

Rubella: rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes

Tetanus: stiffness in neck and abdominal muscles, difficulty swallowing, muscle spasms, fever

Resource for this post were from the CDC website. Found HERE

IF any of these diseases end up with a complication they can lead to things like liver failure, paralysis, meningitis, broken bones, swelling of the brain or heart, and even death.

How often does this happen? I don't know. I do know it is rare, I do know that a lot of people don't get these diseases anymore because of vaccines... but what harm comes from the vaccines themselves? I have no idea. Does every child tolerate vaccines the same way?

Nope- they don't- Do I have scientific proof? Nope. But my first daughter took every vaccine like a champ and the second one I had to change her vaccine schedule because she got so sick every time she had vaccines.

Interested in alternative vaccine schedules? Stay tuned for next week's post.

Mommy Monday: Toddler Love

Every night before we go to bed my daughters string me along a whole routine.

First we brush our teeth. Then they get a drink of water. Then we tuck them in.

Without fail one of them has to "go potty" and if one goes potty the other one has to as well.

Then we get them back into their beds.

They watch me feed the fish and they say goodnight to their fish as I turn out the tank light.

We decide who gets to say the prayer. One or the other, mommy or daddy, or all of us. Nights when they are really tired and fussy- we all have to go- usually at the same time because they hate taking turns when they are cranky

After the prayer we sing one song. And then another. And another. Finally dad kisses them and leaves the room because he knows it is getting ridiculous.

Then during the "last" song I kiss them both. Then they want hugs, high fives, and knuckles. If they remember then they ask for a butterfly kiss (eyelash flutter on their cheek), an eskimo kiss (rubbing noses), and a fancy kiss (think the French kissing each cheek).

They even sometimes ask for a "Flint Kiss"- if you haven't seen Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs then you have no idea what I am talking about. But we often do a "flint kiss" before bed.

Then finally I give them the ultimatum- LAST SONG. LIE DOWN. And I sing one more song. Then before I finish that song I walk out the door and leave it slightly open. If I close it all the way there are instant tears.

After the door is slightly shut I stand there and listen as my girls continue to sing each other to sleep. This is truly Heaven on Earth. I couldn't love my girls anymore than I do when I close that door and listen to them grow and learn and bond with each other. They protect each other. They listen to each other. They love each other.

As a mom I know that these little things I do may not be the most effective but they are precious and I wouldn't change them for the world.

Have you entered our Giveaway?? HERE

Special Guest Sunday: Stirrups and Stories

Have you entered our Giveaway yet?? Click HERE

http://www.stirrupsandstories.org/

Have you checked out this website before?

Here is the information at the bottom of their website:

The images and statements depicted on this website are based on individuals' own experiences and knowledge, and may not apply to your situation. They are not to be considered medical advice, nor ought they replace the medical advice given by your provider. 'Stirrups and Stories' is intended to empower you, the patient, to address concerns with your provider and to find additional information to demand satisfactory, safe, and appropriate health care. Please do not consider anything found on this website to be specific medical advice.

As a healthcare provider I found this website very insightful. It has taught me that while I do exams on a daily basis I need to make sure I never ever let them become commonplace. I need to respect every woman and acknowledge her feelings with the current and past exams.

Be aware that there are some graphic images and some foul language, but each story is a different perspective of an individual.

Fashion Friday: Baby Owl

Guess what? If you win our GIVE -A -WAY from yesterday (open until Wednesday night at midnight!) then you could get this cute little number from Babies R Us.

It is on sale right now!! HERE

Since when did owls get so cute? I love that they are in style now.

Thankful Thursday: GIVEAWAY!!

I am thankful for Giveaways!

They are always so fun and when a blog is small and just growing (like ours!!) you have such great chances of winning.

So Laborlooks would like to announce our very first giveaway. It will be going on for 1 week and it will end on Wednesday night at midnight pacific time. We will announce the winner next Thursday.

There are multiple ways you can win.

1. Post a comment here on the blog.

2. Like us on facebook (then post a comment saying you liked us!)

3. Share our on your blog or facebook about our giveaway (then comment saying you did so)

4. Blog about us and your favorite post of ours (comment with the link so we can link to your blog as well!)

5. Become a follower (then post a comment saying you follow us!)

Pretty awesome, pretty easy. I don't know many people out there who couldn't/wouldn't use a $25 gift card to Babies R Us. Even if you don't have a baby- try to win this for a friend! You all know someone who is having a baby.

Wild Wednesday: Tina Fey

I don't know why this makes me so happy- it isn't really "wild" news- I guess I just think Tina Fey is the funniest woman of all time. It makes me happy that she is having another baby!

Neilson Barnard/Getty

Baby no. 2 on the way!

Tina Fey, 40, debuted her bump Sunday night at Catch Me If You Can‘s opening night on Broadway in the Big Apple.

The 30 Rock star — and author of new memoir Bossypants — is five months pregnant with her second child.

The new baby will join big sisterAlice, 5½, Fey’s daughter with husband Jeff Richmond.

RELATED: Tina Fey Agonized over Having Second Child

Trusting Tuesday: Grandma

This article was taken from HERE at About.com

We all love our mother and mother-in-law, but here are some tips to help trust them around your birth

10 Tips for Grandmas About Birth

By Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE, About.com Guide

See More About:

• third trimester
• childbirth classes
• guests at birth
• grandparenting

Photo (c) iStockPhoto

Dear Grandma-to-be,

Here are some things I've been meaning to share with you about our upcoming birth:

1. It's not your birth.
   You've had your children. It's my turn.

2. My choices are my own.
   No one is forcing me to do anything. I've learned quite a bit and studied. I've taken childbirth classes and chosen a path that is my own. I'm happy to explain some of my choices to you, you might really find it fascinating.

3. It's a due date not an expiration date.
   A due date is a guess not an appointment. Please avoid calling me multiple times a day to ask if I'm still around. I promise to keep our plans to let you know what's going on.

4. Dads are allowed in.
   It's not going to scar my husband to see me giving birth. It's a decision we've made together and thankfully no one has to handcuff themselves anywhere.

5. Invitations are to be given not assumed.
   I know all the other grandmas are going into labor rooms. If that's what we want I promise you'll be the first to know. If we decide against it, don't be offended.

6. Follow my lead.
   I may not want a whole waiting room of people while I'm giving birth. Follow my lead on this one and come when I call and not sooner. I know you're anxious, but the most important thing is that I'm unhindered to give birth.

7. It's a doula.
   A doula is someone to help me. The difference between you and her is that she can step back and be objective. She also has lots of training to support us in our decisions.

8. It might seem a bit strange...
   But I've decided to have an epidural/homebirth/unmedicated birth. It took me a long time to come to this decision and it wasn't made lightly.

9. Give me some time alone.
   Once the baby is born it will take a bit of time to get me cleaned up and for me to greet my new baby. Don't take it personally if you're not in the room five seconds after the baby is born.

10. You're going to be an amazing grandma!
    I can't believe you're going to be a grandma. But I'm also excited. There are so many things I need your help with and I can't wait to share my baby with you.

Love,

Your Daughter or Daughter-in-law