Just for fun...

Just something fun...

4 jobs I have had:
1. favorite: teaching an arthritis water aerobics class at a local retirement center
2. shortest: 3 months as a Lifeguard at Riveredge Fitness Club
3. longest: 3 1/2 years at McDonald's
4. worst: i honestly have not had a "bad" job. even during rough times, i've learned so much!

4 movies I would watch over and over again: Good Will Hunting, Home Alone, Family Man, Along Came Polly

4 places I have lived: Glastonbury, Ct, Lorain, Oh, Bowling Green, Oh, Elyria, Oh

4 favorite things to eat: ice cream, dark chocolate, anything mexican, crasins

4 places I would rather be:
1. Anywhere with my boys
2. The Bahamas
3. On a sailboat
4. Ireland

4 things I look forward to this year:
1. Consistant sunshine
2. Taking Bryce swimming!
3. Perhaps a mini-weekend-getaway for three...
4. Learning to juggle wife/mama/work

Lab-made DHA and ARA: Unsafe for Infants!

A shocking report has been released on the adverse health effects of fatty acids, DHA and ARA, found in infant formulas. On January 25, the Cornucopia Institute, a U.S.-based corporate watchdog group, presented their findings on DHA and ARA, which are commonly added to formula.

The report is based on a Freedom of Information Act request that the Cornucopia Institute filed with the Food and Drug Administration, the result of which was the uncovering of 98 reports filed by parents and physicians detailing incidences when babies had reacted adversly to formula containing DHA/ARA. The incidences range from cases of vomitting and diarrhea, that stopped when babies switched to non-DHA/ARA formula, to babies being treated in ICUs for severe dehydration and seizures.

This study shows that efforts to imitate human breast milk in the laboratory by fortifying infant formula with fermented algae and fungus are a marketing gimmick that puts infants at risk.

Study findings include:
1. Serious risks in premarket safety tests ignored
2. Infants seriously sickened by what some medical professionals describe as the "diarrhea
formula"
3. Virulent and long-term diarrhea recognized as grave health risk to infants
4. Industry accused of misleading marketing/advertising—discourag ing breast-feeding
5. Novel oils extracted with a toxic solvent that is banned in organic production, hexane
6. Benefit to cognitive and visual development of infants is mixed at best

Formula manufacturers claim that DHA and ARA are essetential to eye and brain development. The FDA has never been convinced of the safety of DHA/ARA additives, according to the report. The FDA also noted that some studies have reported unexpected deaths among infants who had been fed with DHA/ARA formula. Despite its reservations, inexplicably the FDA did not withhold approval for the additives. (I'm sure they're questioning themselves now!)

Cornucopia and the National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy also announced that they are calling for a warning label on all formula containing DHA/ARA. The groups are petitioning the FDA for a label alerting parents of the range of possible complications from DHA/ARA-supplemented formula.

While some infants and toddlers do not react to formula in this fashion- some do face illness and life-threatening situations as a result. These side effects may not be the majority, but really does that matter? The fact is- toxic substances are being used in formula for infants and that is NOT OK! For me personally, this is not a matter of formula vs breastmilk. This is about ethics and overall safety of babies.

I will be watching for ways to take action and should I come across anything I will be sure to post them.

Save Lives: Support the Mothers' Milk Bank of New England

Help support the Mothers' Milk Bank of New England (MMBNE) by voting for them at Ideablob. By taking just a few minutes to register and vote you can make a difference in the lives of infants! MMBNE has the potential of winning $10,000 through ideablob if they are the winning non-profit group for January. As a newly formed organization, these monies could be life changing for countless babies, mothers and families in the nation, specifically on the east coast.

Currently, there are only 10 milk banks in the US and one in Canada. Once the MMBNE opens it will be number 12 in North America. Milk banks provide donated (pasteurized) breastmilk to infants- particularly to premature babies, those who are failing to thrive, or those with a major illness or disease. If you'd like to know more about the Mothers' Milk Bank of Ohio in Columbus- check it out.

The Mothers' Milk Bank of New England is a non-profit milk bank serving babies, hospitals, and families throughout New England. The Milk Bank will provide screened and pasteurized breastmilk to premature and critically ill babies, primarily in neonatal intensive care units. This milk will be donated by volunteer mothers in our region. For sick and premature babies, breastmilk can mean the difference between life and death, and a short or long hospital stay. Studies have shown that premature babies who receive banked milk are far less likely to suffer life-threatening complications and have much faster recovery rates.

What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
1) Processing and storage equipment. $5,000 for the purchase of equipment; freezers, pasteurizers, refrigerator, etc.
2) Milk Money Fund. Insurance doesn't always cover the cost of donor milk. $3,000 would be for our Milk Money Fund, to provide donor milk to families who cannot afford the processing and shipping fees. 3) Start-up marketing costs. $2,000 for publicizing the Milk Bank in our region, particularly to recruit potential milk donors i.e. radio public service announcements, web and print materials to educate the parents and medical providers about milk donation and use.

Truly Inspiring: The Journey of One Mother's Milk

While reading one of my favorite breastfeeding blogs, The Lactivist, I came across this truly inspiring story about a mother's determination to provide breastmilk. Please take a few minutes to check out the article.

*Sidenote: My first day of work was great! Can't wait to blog about it soon...

Baby "Boomlet" in U.S.

Recent studies show that birth rates America in 2006 were at an all time high since 1961, the end of the baby boom. In 2006. the U.S. welcomed more than 4.3 million babies into the world! Figures suggest that there was an increase in births among almost every age, racial and ethnic group.

I find this news exciting! While there are many reasons as to why birth rates have increased; fewer abortions, larger overall population, less use of contraceptives, greater share in child rearing and home maintenance among partners, and more, I hope that the underlying reason is that women and couples are choosing to turn their focus on their families. Hopefully the message from this "boomlet" is a statement of pro-life and pro-family. I'll write more about the issue of pro-life in the coming weeks as the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and Sanctity of Human Life Sunday are right around the corner.

What a positive way to start out the new year with news of so many lives being born!

A few thoughts...

Today after Breastfeeding Support Group, Bryce and I went to Babies R' Us to buy a few essential duplicates for the sitter, including a couple new sleep sacks and a few big Dr. Brown bottles (love 'em). While standing patiently in the check out line I noticed that the customer in front of us was buying a shload of formula. I started feeling very sad for the woman and her infant. I wondered if they had ever tried nursing, or if they had but received little or no support or encouragement to continue. Most likely the baby will grow to be healthy and happy with a great relationship with her mother. Imagine the millions of parents who choose to give their children formula.... all of the nutrients specific only to that child that s/he will never get, those mothers and babies who will not decrease their risk of developing breast and other cancers, and all of the money spent on the cans filled with powder! Those are only a few of many things that formula mums and babes miss out on.

Please don't misunderstand me, I fully recognize that every mother has to do what is best for their family during that time, given whatever circumstances that may exist. But, given proper education, understanding, encouragement from family and friends, and support from employers and the government every child (and mother) should have the opportunity to nurse.

Breastfeeding Bryce has been amazing for us both, and I sincerely want every mama and baby to experience it and reep the many benefits that it offers!

Now Serving Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

Many of you know that I have been actively searching for a job for seven months since losing my last job exactly two weeks before Bryce was born. Needless to say that situation created some extra stress for me and Brett. I didn't understand why I was treated so unfairly, and I still don't. But looking back, I am so thankful for the time I have had with my baby! I've been trusting that the Lord would continue to provide for us, which He has.

Two days ago I posted about a great job offer, and my heartache of leaving Bryce. Well, one day after verbally accepting the position I received another job offer from an organization that I interviewed with in the Fall. They were calling to offer me a job! SO, to make a long story short(ish)... I accepted the second offer. I will be working for the Lorain County Health Department as a Health Education Specialist. The major pro in taking this position is that my commute will literally be cut in half, allowing me more time with Bryce. After worrying and stressing for more than a year about possibly losing my job and then that nightmare becoming reality... everything has fallen into place.

God is so good. And I'm not saying that because I now have a job. Rather because His will and plan are perfect! Even when life is sour and all you seem to get are lemons... don't worry... God is preparing sweet lemonade for us to enjoy!

High Ho High Ho It's Off to Work I Go...

Beginning on January 21 I will officially be a working Mom! Yikes... the thought still makes me weak in the knees, but I have to believe that this is for the best for our family. I'll be working as the Marketing Coordinator for Lutheran Hospital- a Cleveland Clinic hospital in Cleveland. If it weren't for Bryce I'd be estatic about the opportunity.

Fortunately, Brett will be able to watch our little guy for at least one or two days, sometimes more, each week. The remainder of the workdays the baby will be with an in-home daycare sitter... still to be determined.

To date this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I just hope that with time it will become easier to be away from my love and for him to be away from his mama. We are very close and I'm super concerned with how he will adjust to this very big change. I know I'll be in tears over it!!!

GreenDimes link

Spread GreenDimes

Junk mail... love it or leave it? OK, so I will admit that I LOVE getting snail mail. When it comes to retrieving the mail each day I'm so like a little kid . Always hoping that I'll get a new issue of a magazine or catalog with shiny, bright and freshly-pressed pages just waiting for me to earmark! I even enjoy flipping through the junk ads and val-u-pak coupons. But, seriously- WHAT A WASTE!!! The American culture has recently made green living fashionable. Let's make changes in our day to day living in small ways, like recycling, reusing shopping bags and water bottles and stopping junk mail!

GreenDimes is cool concept, so check it out... they stop up to 90% of junk mail and plant trees! I plan to sign-up our household this week. I'm sure I'll have less pleasure in opening the mailbox, but hopefully, if we all take small steps to a more earth-friendly lifestyle, many generations to come will find pleasure in our one and only earth! :)

Adventures in Eating

Bryce sampling oatmeal for the first time. yum-o!

If you are a parent, then you know that the timing to begin offering solids to your infant is highly debatable. Our parents' and grandparents' generations typically started infants on solids very early. One woman told me of how she gave her one week old baby fruit! My mom nursed me for six months before I self weaned, but she did begin giving me cereal at five weeks.

Bryce's pediatrician believes that breast is best and that it should be given exclusively for the first six months. We waited until two days before Bryce turned six months (12/18/07) to introduce him to anything other than breastmilk. In order to keep our eye out for any potential allergies to foods, we have been spacing new introductions four days apart. So far we have tried oatmeal, bananas, carrots, green beans, and apples. I want to get some solid protein in him soon, so next on the menu will be chicken.

Reasons to wait six months or more before beginning solids:

1. 
   
   Delaying solids can decrease the chance of food allergies.
2. 
   
   Delaying solids helps keep mom's milk supply up.
3. 
   
   Allows baby's intestines plenty of time to mature.
4. 
   
   Young babies have tongue-thrust reflex.
5. 
   
   Gives baby wonderful protection from illness.

For more information, check out these links: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/index.html http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/T032000.asp

It has been very important to me that breastmilk be Bryce's primary source of nutrition, which is why I made the conscious choice to nurse exclusively for the first six months.

I just want to address the old wives tale that if you feed your child cereal or formula that he/she will sleep better and for longer periods of time, particularly at night. There has been no research supporting this belief. One study through the Cleveland Clinic Foundation showed no promotion in nighttime sleep patterns of infants given cereal or formula. Before offering your infant solids, do some research and make the best decision for your family and your baby. Remember to go with your gut and keep your child's gut in mind when deciding when and what type of foods to introduce.