Dr. Weil Pacifier

After Augie had his scary choking incident with his Nuk binkie, we needed to find a solution ASAP! I was recommended several types, and finally found one that works. The three criteria were: 1. Big enough, yet flexible enough that Aug can't get it "stuck" in his mouth. 2. All made from one piece, because in my searches I found out that sometimes the pieces can fall apart and become a serious choking hazard. 3. The shield needs to have curvature and the nipple needs to be indented (not completely round) in order for him to keep it in his mouth.

Ta-Dah!!

I actually found these while browsing through Whole Foods, but you can get them several other places, including online. Apparently this doctor makes a lot of baby products, but I had never heard of him. Really, I just like them because I don't want Augie to go another round with the scary-fire. (That's a play on the words scary and pacifier...not sure how well that joke worked.)

In other news, Augie has been going teething nuts lately and has taking a strong liking to his Sophie. I think we might have to get several of these, because God forbid we lose it!

Four Month Appointment and My Thoughts on Vaccines

Today was little Augie's 4 month check-up.

Newest stats: 

Weight- 17lbs 4oz, 90th percentile

Height- 25.5in, 75th percentile

He has gained 4lbs and 2 inches in the past two months! Also, he shot up from the 81st to the 90th percentile on weight and from the 66th to the 75th percentile on height! Woot, woot!

Today he also had to get shots again- same ones as last time, second round. I was very iffy about it, since I have been able to get my brain together enough from the last visit to do research on the vaccines. It is such a tricky thing for any mother to make these kinds of decisions for her baby. Well-- I suppose some moms do not fret about this particular thing, and there are some things that other mom's fret a lot about that I don't; it is all perspective. This is a big one for me. 

Based on my research, here is where I stand so far on vaccinations for Augie:

Hep B: This is a virus that is primarily transmitted by blood, i.e. sexually transmitted or transmitted by needles. Since I don't think Augie will be having sex or getting tattoo's any time soon, I am going to delay this one until he is MUCH older. This vaccine is typically given at birth, 1 month, and 9 months. I think they do this because they have to work with the "lowest common denominator", parentally speaking, and need to get this vaccine "taken care of" since a lot of parents might not care enough to finish vaccinating at an older age. No thanks on this one, until he is 5? Maybe 7? Not sure yet. 

Rotavirus: Essentially, the baby flu. The disease is not very terrible, and the deaths is causes are typically from dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, but since this vaccine is not know to have scary side effects, I did not really have an issue with him getting it. This vaccine is typically given at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, which is what we are doing. 

Hib: Essentially, a bad baby cough/cold. It is spread easily and the vaccine is not known for side effects, so, once again, I have no issue with him getting it. This vaccine is typically given at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, and a booster at 4 years. 

PCV: The product name for this vaccine (usually) is Prevnar. This is one that I really thought over quite a bit. On the one hand, this vaccine IS known for some side effects. Mostly fever and sometimes a rash, and 1 in 20,000 babies will have seizures. Yikes. Here is the flip side of that coin: Pneumococcal bacterial illness is the largest killer of babies in the modern day. This bacteria is associated with a plethora of diseases, the most severe being meningitis. It is also worth noting that this vaccine contains 125 micrograms of Aluminum, and it is not effective against ALL pneumococcal diseases, as there quite a few. As for us, I decided to go head with this vaccine. I will only allow it to be given to Augie in combination with Hib (a low side effect vaccine) and I make sure to watch him like a hawk for 24 hours after he receives it. And I pray. A lot. Am I freaked out? Sure. Would I absolutely die of sadness if my little boy died of Meningitis because of this disease. Yes. Hard decision. This vaccine is typically given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months, and this is what we will do. 

DTaP: This is a combo vaccine for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis. This is another one that is really making me think, and I have yet to make a decision on. I do know that he will not be getting it on schedule, since I do not want to do this one in combination with Prevnar, as it is another vaccine that has a high rate of side effects. While Diptheria and Tetanus are very uncommon in the US, Pertussis is very common, and is currently turning into a bit of an "epidemic", so I will most likely get him this vaccine at some point. It contains 330 micrograms of Aluminum, Formaldehyde, and Mercury. This vaccine is typically given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, and 4 years. I am leaning towards asking my pediatrician if he can come in between two month increments to receive this shot by itself on odd months. 

IPV: This is the vaccine for Polio. It has been around forever and, therefore, is a VERY uncommon disease in the US, but it also has very low side effects and so he will be getting this one. This vaccine is typically given at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months, with a 4 year old booster. Augie will be getting this at 9 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 4 years.

MMR: This is the vaccine for Measles, Mumps and Rubella. It is the one that has been linked, according to some studies, to Autism. Whether or not I believe this, these diseases are basically unheard of in the US, so I will be waiting to give Augie this vaccine until he is a little older (along with the Hep B). This vaccine is typically given at 12 months and 4 years.

Varicella: This is Chicken Pox. What?! No way. My kid can just get the good 'ol pox like I did and get an ACTIVE immunity to it, which is way better than the vaccine anyhow, and will therefore protect him better against Shingles later in life. This vaccine is typically given at 12 months, 2 and 4 years.

**Disclaimer: Clearly I am not a doctor, or anything close. I am a woman, and I have a brain, so I use it in my God given vocation: Motherhood. I believe that doctors should wear disclaimers, too, though. Theirs should say: I am a doctor, not God. The things that I tell you are healthy today could totally be proven wrong in the next few years. They might even kill you. 

You're welcome. 

For any parents who want more information, this book shares impartial advice about the twelve standard vaccines, profiling each for risk factors, manufacturing processes, and current controversies: 
"The Vaccine" by Dr. Robert W. Sears 

When in doubt, educate yourself, and don't just listen to what a doctor or ANYONE tells you you"have to do" for yourself or your childern : )

Prince of the Pack

For about a month now I have been aware of Augie realizing that there are animals in the house. He seems to think some of the things the pup's do are funny, and the kitty simply amazes him. I have recently, because of his sudden interest, begun to start introducing him more and more to the animals. I regularly try and get Gremlin to sit still when he lays near her, but she usually just scampers off right when she notices him. I don't know what her problem is, but she better watch out when he starts to walk because he seriously wants him some Grem-kitty. Today I finally just gave up and plopped him right on top of her. Take that, you arrogant little feline!

This pose only lasted long enough for me to snap a quick pic, but he was quite gratified that he got to touch her.

I have also tried to give him some very supervised moments with the dogs. Even with my constant interceptions, he usually ends up with a few scrapes on his legs. You see, my dogs are of the UBER hyper variety. I would like to say that it is because they just have to get used to him, and they might calm down, but I myself regularly get little puppy nail scrapes from playing with them. I think a few years of aging will have to be the solution. I just hope they calm down a little more by the time he can walk, so he isn't constantly being pushed down. Today's encounter ended when he got whipped in the eye with a Mosby tail and started screaming. I think he forgives them now, and we shall try again another day. I love my pups, but I do have to give my sister-in-law Erin mad props for being smart enough to adopt an older dog, since she has a small child. Good idea. I will be happy when he gets old enough to "hold his own" though, because I have a feeling they will be good at wearing each other out in the back yard. We shall see!

Hehe!

No-Poo? No, Thank You.

It turns out (as it does, quite frequently when one does an experiment) that my hypothesis was incorrect.

Okay, that isn't really true. What's true is, I was unwilling to stick around long enough to find out. It is HARD to go for that long without using conventional shampoo! Yeah, yeah- maybe if I would have stuck it out the six weeks they claim it takes to regulate hair oils I would end up with AMAZING, low maintenance hair. Guess what I found out? I love adore simply cannot live without my 5 minutes of luxury each day. Luxury? Washing your hair is a luxury? Yes. I take care of a baby boy all day. This means that I generally spend about 80% of my time in pajamas, I rarely go get anything done (hair, nails, etc), and I can usually be found with a tiny mans body fluids somewhere on my attire. The 5 minutes each morning I spend giving myself cancer and wasting my husbands money on $7 a bottle magic are WORTH IT. 

There. I said it. Now the hippie-dippie's and natural mama's can kick me out of the club if they want. I am keeping my shampoo.

A special thanks to John Freida "Root Awakening" shampoo and conditioner WITH Eucalyptus for never forsaking me, even when I turned my back on you for vinegar and baking-soda. They are trollops and I shall not stray again, my beloved(s). 

Four Months Ago...

**Note- Augie stats and pictures will be posted after his checkup, Monday.

Four months ago today, my life changed. Four months ago today I was still just a girl who thought she knew about responsibility, thought she knew how lucky she was to have such a good husband, and thought she knew what unconditional love meant. Then, everything changed. She realized that sleeping at night was really just a luxury, not a necessity. She found out the hard way, just how tough she could be. She realized there were things in this life that were more important than her, how she felt, or what she wanted. Most importantly and amazingly of all, she realized that the "good man" she married was even more than that. He was the most incredible rock and pillar she could have ever hoped to find...

My husband is an amazing daddy.

He holds my hand while I grip him with all my might, my nails probably in his skin (I was being stitched up, and the anesthetic was not working too well), all the while not flinching, and just adoring our new baby.

My hero!

A Few Giggles...

Dear Augie,

This is what your giggle sounded like when you were four months old. When you thought something was *really* funny, you would open your eyes and mouth wide and, after a few moments of open-mouthed silence, let out little squeaky chirps. I loved to make you giggle every chance I could.

Love,
Mama