Please Mind Your Own. Thanks.

Okay...so this has something that has been building for more than quite awhile. So, it is going to be ALL over the place. So, advanced apologies for the scatter brained nature of this rant.
First, I understand that I look completely ridiculous pushing three children under the age of 2 in a six foot long stroller...but let me tell you this...YOU look even more ridiculous with that dumb founded look on your face. Asking stupid ass questions like "are they all yours?" "did you plan it this way?""how old are you? how do you do this?" aren't necessary. Trust me...I wouldn't CHOOSE to push around this monstrosity of a stroller if they weren't all mine and what business of yours is it whether I planned it this way? I am trying to beat out the Octo-Mom but can't find a doctor to implant me with that many eggs. What difference is my age? As if age is an indication of how well I can mother my children. And how I do it isn't a question I can answer. It is a neccessary must and I am very happy doing so. If you are going to "whisper" and say stupid things like "oh my God, look!"...you should probaly learn to work on your quiet voice which was a skill I swear I mastered when I was in first grade. If you are going to share your opinion with me...please make sure it is a positive one...because saying dumb things like "I so don't envy you" is uncalled for. What is there not to envy? I have an amazing, beautiful and most importantly HEALTHY family! There is nothing about my situation that is negative. Yes. I have my moments when I wish things turned out different that there was a larger age difference in my children and that I could have 1/2 an ounce of freedom but there is NOTHING about my life NOT to envy. So, thanks for your opinion.
Secondly...having inked skin has nothing to do with ones mothering ability. I love my tattoos. I think they are an amazing form of self-expression and individuality and am going to teach my children the issue of acceptance of everyone from the day they can grasp the concept. Because I am not walking around in a Gap sweater, a pair of khakis and some loafers does not mean I am not a good mother. It just means I am a mother who likes to hold on to my self. I have lost a large part of who I was to the role of mother and wife but NO ONE...not even you and your snide ass comments and looks can take away the way I decorate my temple. The money should could not and would not be spent in better places. My children are well dressed, my house is stocked with food, my rent is paid and I am not living off of government assistance so I will spend my excess money as I see fit. Thanks for your concern on my fiscal situation though. And on that subject please don't assume that because my husband is in the military and that we have 4395742098 kids that YOU are fronting my bills. You aren't so don't worry your pretty little head off. China is covering me for the time being.
Lastly, my weight is a subject that need not be on the lips of others. My ass size and waist size aren't the concern of anyone but my own. It is laughable that one would suggest that I have an eating disorder. I eat plenty. I just have taught myself how to eat healthy. I work out. And I chase toddlers around all day. I make milk. All of these things increase my metabolism therefore decreasing my ass size. I am guessing the same people that have started the ugly rumors do not have children and if they do never gave breastfeeding a chance because weight is literally FALLING off. But, then again I produce enough milk to feed a small army of children. On this subject, I am not doing drugs or taking weight loss formulas. I love my daughter and want her to have the happiest and healthiest food I can possibly produce...although I am not sure how healthy my lunch time cheeseburger was...I love her to the moon and back and would never do anything to compromise her health. So, like I said...you silly, silly folks. Breastfeed, exercise and learn how to eat right and stop worrying about my body.
Okay...I think that is all. So now that my vent sesh is done. Mind your own business. Thanks. : )

Adeventure of the day.

Spoons. Today the boys used spoons. Not to eat something like pudding or yogurt that sticks nicely without making a mess but to eat cheerios. In milk. Yes, the end result was rather disasterous. But up until the point that the bowl made it's upside down debut they did awesome. Pick up spoon. Put in bowl. Put in mouth. It is easy to forget how awesome the little things are. And how such little tasks in my life are such big advances in theres. My boys are basically awesome.

A drug free home

Today while perusing on a mothers of multiples I read an amazing article written by a mother of triplets who is also a homeopathic health care practitioner. She has made a personal commitment to having a "drug free family". She believes that all ailments and conditions can be treated holistically through natural medicine, meditation and the maintenance of healthy chakras. While this goes a step further than I would take it she brought forward an interesting concept of a drug free family. I understand that there are a number of conditions that we need modern medicine to cure but there are also a number of conditions and situations where I do feel our children are being grossly over medicated. I have taken the stand and have decided to place my children on alternative vaccination schedules because I am unsure how I feel about the potential consequences of them. But, what about the things I give my children to treat their ailments. What about the potential consequences of them? Tylenol, benadryl, orajel, antibiotics all have possible repercussions as well.
I try not to over think my children's illnesses and sometimes realize colds just need to run their course but I am also the first to give my children cough suppressants to clear their chests, anti histimines to un stuff their noses and tylenol to stop their pain or break a fever. But, in reality stuffy noses and chest congestion is the bodies way of naturally curing out impurities, fevers are the bodies natural response against defenders. When we interrupt our bodies fight against outside offenders we are actually delaying the time in which are children are going to heal. As a parent, I cannot stand to see my child uncomfortable but rather than reaching into the medicine cabinet maybe I should be curling up on the couch with my boys instead. Laying down and cuddling with them rather than doping them with benadryl or trying alternative approaches before jumping to modern day medicine
Antibiotics are being over prescribed in epic proportions. Children are being given these drugs for almost every ailment that brings them into a physicians office and it is created a vicious cycle of drug resistance. A recent study by the APA has found that 80% of all ear infections, 86% of all upper respiratory tract infections and 60% of all eye infections will clear BY THEMSELVES within 7 days and are now encouraging parents to keep a "watchful eye" on these conditions rather than immediately treating them but unfortunately most pediatricians are not heeding this warning and are still OVER PRESCRIBING.
What we are ultimately doing is overwhelming our children's bodies with drugs that don't belong in them and destroying their ability to naturally fight off infection.
While I can't bring it in me to throw my tylenol to the wind...I will be ditching benadryl and cough suppressants.
And will try to remember when the sick bug comes my way that cuddles, hugs, chicken soup and nap time probably have more cure in them than any syrup ever could.

ERF-extended rear facing

So, today as I was packing my children into our vehicle a friend asked why are they still rear facing? I responded with my typical response...I am an advocate of extended rear facing. My husband was skeptical and actually told me I was crazy when I first popped the idea on him and after watching the videos and hearining my arguments he too, agrees, that erf is the way to go as far as car seat safety is concerned. Most people don't know what this is (actually my parenting soul sister Nikki got me hooked on making my parenting stances known). Well, here is the chance to hear me carry on about another one of my mommy beliefs. It is now recommended by the AAP (american association of pediatrics) now recommends that children...ALL children be rear facing until the minimum age of two. Why you ask? the law says my child has to be one year of age and 20 pounds and then I can face them forward. Well, yes...you CAN but why would you? This is a minimum requirement. Not a definite.
Take a second to think of these facts: 6 million car accidents a year in the US. Every 12 minutues someone involved in an automobile accident dies. 2,000 of those deaths are children. Almost makes you want to encase yourself in a bubble and never get into a car again.
So, those facts at hand it is important to stress that car seats save lives...no doubt and that safer car seat practices are needed. Now that the AAP has made their statement known we have to wait for the state to change the law and car seat manufacturers to change their requirements sticker. I am not one to butt my nose into other peoples parenting but these facts and videos changed my entire view on car seat safety.
A child, though they may have adequate muscle control do not have a bone structure that allows for whiplash type injuries. The bones that are protecting the delicate spinal cord are soft, pliable and do not have the ossification that adult bones do because of this during a whiplash type injury a spinal stretching of 2 inches can occur. The spinal cord can only withstand 1/4 inch of stretching before snapping occurs. That is a difference of 1 3/4 inch. This type of injury is called "internal decapitation", the name alone is enough to scare the hell out of you. What is literally happening is a childs spinal cords is snapping from the intensity of an impact though the bone structure is remaining in tact. There have been a number of crash tests performed that have shown RF (rear facing) crash test dummies undergo significantly less impact than there FF (forward facing) counterparts. The car seat acts as a cradle during impact causing a child and car seat to move as one unit rather than a forward facing child who's head is thrown forward during impact. This can truly be the difference between a life or death injury for a young child.


This video demonstrates what happens to a young child during a forward facing impact





This video demonstrates a rear facing child during impact.



The difference in body distortion, whiplash type injury and overall impact are noticeable.
There are arguments that claim that children in RF car seats are more likely to suffer broken legs during an accident if their feet touch the seat in front of them. This may be true. However, broken legs can be fixed. Broken necks cannot.

Your child may be going crazy to face forward and see the world. To be "big" like their older siblings and face forward but I am urging all parents to keep their children rear face to the minimum age of two. I have two very tall 18 month old boys who legs touched the seat in front of them months ago but they aren't going forward facing yet or anytime in the near future.

So, my word has been said...I have spread my word of knowledge and I am done for the day.

Gossip needn't be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around. ~Frank A. Clark

Once upon a time I had a life. A life without children, responsibility or much common sense for who I hurt along the way. A life without a husband. A life without unconditional love and a life without a solid respect for the my reputation. I had a life the involved drinking. Hanging out with friends and throwing virtues to the wind. I gossiped with friends. Hell, I gossiped about friends and to be completely honest I had little concern for anyone except number one...I mean there were a few exceptions...but besides bff's and family...yea, little regard went into people's thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Basically, I was kinda a bitch...and a cruel one at that. If your dirty laundry was aired and drifted my way...if I didn't like you I was sure to send your business in the direction of others. Not because I had nothing better to do, nothing to talk about or no life of my own but because I didn't care about destroying people if it furthered my cause. Harsh, right? Almost sociopathic of me. But, then again I was a completely self-centered, self-righteous and strong willed young woman. I lived for that DAY. Not the next. I am not sure I ever destroyed anyone...with the exception of myself and maybe my reputation. But, I realize that now.
Three years of marriage and 3 children later people who haven't kept up with my business are still amazed to find out that I have settled down. I have lost many individuals along the way that could have been great friends because I had a fierce tongue and an even fiercer attitude. But, that wasn't the person that was in my heart. That was the person those I surrounded myself with convinced me that I was.
You know what they say...one bad apple spoils the bunch.
I am a firm believer...now of never saying anything about someone that you wouldn't sign your name to. Regardless of the validity of a statement it shouldn't be said if it is going to be deterimental the the mental and emotional health of another individual.
As a mother, I look at the bigger picture. I can vividly remember the hurt and pain that rumors and gossip caused my life. I can remember being the shoulder my friends cried on when rumors hurt them and remember being the crier. I remember saying a lot of miserable, nasty and often times very true things about people that once confided in me.
And now when I imagine my daughter in her late teens and early 20's I can only hope that I can teach her how painful rumors are. I hope I can save her from the pain I have felt and hope I can keep her from causing the harm I know I caused.
Rumors and gossip have little power until they are spread among people. Rumors aren't always false...but then again, they aren't always true either. But regardless of validity they hurt. If I could personally go back and apologize to everyone I have hurt I would...but I can't.
So, I will sit here. Be the best possible friend I can be. Be a mother to my children and hope that I can instill some virtue, chastity and empathy in them that they will carry with them throughout the years.

Sometimes two legs and two arms just isn't enough

***These have got to be my boys...They totally veg out to Wizard of Oz. They watched the whole thing***

Last week, I was forced to deal with vomiting, for my first time since I entered the grand world of Mommy-hood. And to think I thought spit up was gross. HA! I woke up at 5:45 bright and early to two little boys COVERED in vomit. Gross. We took 3 baths that day. Mommy got thrown up on twice and I chased them around with tupperware everytime I heard what sounded like possible regurgitation.

Talk about miserable. But, despite the throw up being gross and miserable to deal with it was even worse having two sick boys and one little peanut all seeming to need my attention at the same time. It was on of those days I realized that the 4 limbs that I have just wasn't enough. Normally, I carry on my day and am certain that I have limbs I didn't know about. Somehow, despite the obvious challenge my house stays clean, dinner gets cooked, diapers get changed, children get fed and bathed and at the end of the day I sigh...and ask myself how did that all get done?

But sick days are the worst. They tug at my heart strings. Two arms isn't enough to hug two boys at the same time and my lap just isn't big enough for them both to take a seat. On normal days...both are possible...sick days they simply won't allow it. There are 100 thousand things I love about having twins. THIS is the one thing I hate. I want to be able to nurture and care for them both at the same moment of need. I want to squeeze them both and give them every ounce of feel good mojo I can muster but when they won't share I can't. And as I am giving love to one I am feeling the pain of the other as he screams in desperation for a hug. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Sometimes two legs and two arms just isn't enough.

If you don't want to hear about boobies. Read no further.

As some know, and others may not know, I was inflicted with a condition known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum during both of my pregnancies. The condition is nasty and got me so bad that all pharmaceutical interventions became ineffective and both times I ended up with a PICC line (a catheter type IV that went from my arm and dropped off right by my heart), this is how I was fed, given prescription drugs and hydrated. Basically...shittiest thing ever. Especially with Addy, I couldn't gain weight and her health and my health were potentially being compromised. At birth, she was small. Not considered low birth weight but tiny nonetheless...she is my petite little princess. But, thankfully, my hyperemesis began to lessen in my last 8 weeks, I was able to put on weight and I was able to produce milk the day after my little one was born.
During my last experience with Hyperemesis I joined an online support group to help me through my misery and remind me I was not alone in my struggle and I realized that some women were much less fortunate than myself. Another woman in the group had her daughter 4 days after Adelyn was born and her health, weight and nutrition were so significantly compromised she was unable to lactate. The doctors discouraged her from even trying! I couldn't imagine being in her shoes.
Nutrition these days has not been an issue for me. I pump. Exclusively. Meaning my daughter gets nothing but breast milk, but from a bottle. Because I am pumping exclusively my supply isn't necessarily dictated by HER needs but by my pumping schedule and my supply is a supply of plenty. I honestly have enough milk to feed her for 2-3 months if I were to stop producing today and now my deep freeze is full (we had to buy a new freezer to have storage for all of it). Now, any nursing mom will tell you breast milk is "liquid gold". There is nothing healthier for a child than the nourishment that comes from their mother but what if their mother can't produce it? Formula isn't the only option.
Due to my abundance of supply I started investigating what to do with it. I became aware of a few milk banks, that is right I said milk banks, in Southern California which accepted donations of breastmilk which they would test, pasteurize and forward to needy recipients. After researching a handful of them I found my match. They are based out of Southern California, have a cute name ("Milkin' Mamas") and donate their milk to NICU units and place a special emphasis on Very Low Birth Weight Babies, pre filling 10 ml syringes for hospital use. There are a number of reasons for low birth weight babies, the most prominent of these being pre-term delivery. When pre-term delivery occurs mothers often have a very hard time producing breast milk as their body is adjusting the the early delivery, stress of having a pre term child and of course any circumstances that may have contributed to a pre term delivery. Every child born deserves to be given the best start possible and though THEIR mothers milk is best...second best is another mothers. I feel very blessed to have the supply of milk that I do and am happy I am able to help other mothers and their children have a healthy start.
So, today was the day I signed my life away...well, at least 200 oz of my liquid gold away. In return I get an amazing feeling of satisfaction in being able to help others and an awesome t-shirt to go along with my swelling sense of fulfillment.

Melt downs. Blow outs and Blow ups.

Have you ever had one of those days where you really "know" like the second you get out of bed that today is NOT going to be a good day? Well, that was my day. I woke up like any other day to grumpy little teething gooses in the room across the hallway. Screaming...not crying just yelling, clearly for no other reason than to get my attention. Chicken was contently sleeping but awoke a couple of moments later with one of those pucked lipped "I am so upset" crys. Fair enough. This was the standard morning in the Mayo house. But, my mommy radar told me it was going to be much worse than standard.
Let me start by saying I am not one to talk about poo...I find it gross, disgusting and nauseating and can still not believe I have been pooped on and puked on...they are lucky they are my children.
So, blow OUT # 1-Brendan. This was truly...the BLOW OUT OF ALL BLOW OUTS. I am not sure what I fed him last night but clearly it did not mix well with his little belly and his diaper was no match for its vengeance. There is no greater horror when it comes to diapers than realizing it is not only UP the back but OUT the sides.
blow OUT # 2-Adelyn. While I was still adjusting my nostrils from blow out number 1...I was eating breakfast...great, right? Well, Adelyn cute as a little button, no joke, passes gas louder than her big brothers. And it makes me laugh. But, there is a very distinct sound between the 'passing gas to pass gas and the passing gas to handle business' noises. Well, these gas sounds were the later of the two and within 10 seconds I smelt that awkwards breastmilk poopy smell that smells like a bad combo of buttered popcorn and mustard. Now that I have assaulted your senses with my graphics I will continue. Well, I picked her up...and realized she was COVERED in this nonsense. Up her back, up her belly, down her legs. LOVELY. There was no way this onesie was coming off without it getting everywhere. This is one of those 'I warrant a both poops'. Like I said not a great way to start my day.
Now that we have covered the blow outs...let's move right along. Fast forward two hours. Put ut in our cadillac 6 foot long stroller in the baby aisle at target. As I looked at the damn product numbers trying to fulfill a few items on a registry I heard the fusiness start. Their spoons were no longer holding their interest. I MUST HURRY. But within seconds spoons, sippy cups and snack containers were being pelted passed the diapers and landing near the newborn clothes (my boys have great arms...while I hate public meltdowns I am nervous about discouraging a behavior that could potentially make me the mother of professional baseball players). I ran, picked up the items and returned to my Cadi to hurry to the check out stand. I couldn't go fast enough...I knew this. Today was just not a good day. Before I reached electronics, mind you I am in a slow jog at this point pushing 100 + lbs of children and stroller, Colin turns around to the best of his abilities smacks Brendan upside the head and starts SCREAMING! Like really...screaming. My kids don't scream like this...they did today. Both of them. As I realized I was that person today, the one that you look at and wonder "who the hell gave them the license to breed?". Yea...well, that's me and I have three of them. They screamed all the way through check out stopping breifly when crazy old women tried to talk to me when CLEARLY I didn't have the time (that is another blog for another day).
While exiting the building a mother with a young child approached me and said "You are so patient. I melt down with one." I don't judge parents of singletons. Their one child may be a nightmare and my 3 incredibly well behaved though at times demons of children may treat my sanity much better than hers. I couldn't help but just smile and laugh. I meltdown...I have my moments...but I certainly do not do it in public. What is the point of that? I have never understood the parents who yell and scream and grab and pull. That isn't me and isn't my parenting style. But, did she really think screaming and crying in public (which I would have loved to do) was going to help my situation? Oh holy heavens no. Meltdowns happen in private places. Like the shower. I find catharsis in tears and screaming but it won't happen in front of my family let alone the general public.
Today we got no where with potty training...I had to much poop on me to try to focus on keeping it anywhere but the diaper. As far as language development goes...we didn't get very far but their vocal chords are in good shape when they are ready to try and the spoon issue...but bought new utensils at Target...dinner will be the first try.
Now, I would really like Steven to get home so I can take that shower.

Toilets. Words and Spoons.

Toilets. Words. Spoons.
My life revolves around these three things. Funny how things change.
We have officially decided to introduce the boys to the toilet. I am not hoping for miracles here but I figure SAHM used to do it all the time "back in the day" no reason I shouldn't try. To be honest the boys aren't interested or not as interested as I would like them to be. They would much rather pull the potty part out and wear it as a hat. They have sat down on occassion but I am not sure that it was out of understanding or just thinking they had aquired a cool new chair. They let me know when they have gone "number two" so there is an understanding of bodily functions occuring now if I could only get them to let me know when they are going. But, I am sure that will be a challenge for another day. Today I will focus on keeping the potty in the potty seat.
Twins are funny little creatures. Have their own little language and really no desire to communicate with anyone but each other...unless they want something at which time the decide it is best to scream about their needs being fulfilled. We are working on language development and I am not sure it is going as quickly as I would like it to. We get basic words. "hi", "bye", "mommy", "daddy", "I love you" (or at least what sounds like it) an occassional "up" and "down" but really nothing more no matter how much I prod and pry at it the dang kids don't want to say "cup", "food", "all done". They would prefer sign these things to me though I know their language abilities would allow them to use them. So, how do you force a kid to talk? I guess you really don't. I would feel like a bad mother with holding their desired items until they tell me in their "big boy words". So, I am stuck. We read. Everyday a lot. I talk to them all day about what I am doing. Describe everything to them as I am doing it. Watch 'educational' cartoons and try to interact within as much as they let me...and I feel like I am at a point when there is nothing more I can do. I hate feeling stuck as a parent...feeling like there is nothing more I can do and that all of the work I am doing is getting me no where.
Now, as far as utensil use goes. My kids don't get it. Or maybe I don't get how to make them get it. They love their spoons. They don't like using them for their intended use. They would prefer throw them at each other, sword fight with them and attempt to drink whatever I have placed in their bowls. I show them how to use it make sure I eat using whatever utensil I give them in hopes that they will mimic me and still nothing. I end up with yogurt in the hair...cheerios on the floor and a royal mess. And messes and me aren't getting along right now. Messes mean I have to clean them instantly and if I don't face a considerable amount of anxiety. Maybe they pick up on this. Is it possible that children that young know how to "get me" so to speak. No...can't be. But, then again they are Mayo's.
Well, nothing better than feeling defeated as the end of another long week comes to an end. Tommorrow is another day. Another day to master the art of using a spoon. Another day to work on the learning of words and another day to have my children pour yogurt, pudding and oatmeal on the floor and me clean it while happily singing my crazy little song.

Vaccinations and my little chicken

Let me start by saying I AM NOT AGAINST vaccinations. I DO believe that they serve a purpose. I DO NOT believe that they 'cause' autism. I DO believe that without them we would be facing nationwide epidemics of diseases. I DO NOT believe that parents should choose to forgo vaccinating their children hoping that their child will not be exposed to the condition.

But, I DO believe that there is a certain amount of vaccination education that is being with held from parents. I am sure as a mommy or daddy you have taken your child to receive their well-child check-up are handed a stack of papers regarding the vaccinations your child is about to receive and you tuck them away as you prepare your little one for their shots...not thinking twice about reading them. I know most parents do not question their child's pediatrician and unfortunately, we have become a nation that relies to heavily on others doing what is right for us, our children and our families. I know I never questioned the vaccinations that my children were receiving...I never asked whether or not they were preservative free. Whether they were a combo vaccination. Whether they contained live viruses. (The first time I even considered these questions was while pregnant and debating on the H1N1 vaccination).

But, recently, I have been forced to question these things. Upon returning to Ventura County, after spending a year in Monterey, I was told by my new pediatrician that my boys were behind on their vaccinations and basically told I was a miserable parent for allowing this to happen. Behind? There was no way they were "behind" they were in daycare while I worked. I didn't question whether they were or not and just went along with their "new" catch-up schedule. I listened to their pediatrician tell me they were "missing" their chicken pox vaccination and they were behind on their HIB and MMR. Sure. Okay. Whatever you say. After all you are the doctor.
I knew that my boys vaccination schedule was slightly modified because of their previous pediatricians preference which included delayed chicken pox vaccination to allow time for children to catch the chicken pox which is what he preferred and I felt his reasoning behind such was sound. And I also knew that he had "spacing" between others to allow their bodies time to adjust between individual vaccinations...but I was certain they weren't "behind". When I contacted my previous pediatrician regarding this they told me that they were NOT behind. They were being vaccinated WITHIN CDC guidelines just not on a traditional vaccination schedule. Yet, our current pediatrician said nothing to us about being within guidelines...simply told us we were behind. Either she wasn't happy with our non-traditional approach or knew nothing about the guidelines existing that varied from standards.
At my daughters 8 week appointment, I again, didn't really question the quantity of vaccinations she was receiving (6 in total). She received rotavirus, polio, DTap, Hep B, HIB. PCV. SIX VACCINATIONS!!! I got my stack of papers shoved them into my purse and readied my chicken for her shots. She handled them like a trooper. Then minutes later while attempting to feed her, I felt ever muscle in her petite little body tense up, her eyes rolled into her head and she began projectile vomiting. I am not sure if I yelled for help or just began screaming but within seconds doctors, nurses and a handful of EMT's surrounded my daughter. I couldn't see her as they encircled her. I NEVER felt so helpless. My heart broke a thousand times every time I heard her make a sound and I sat broken. Not knowing at all what to do.
After she was deemed okay but all present parties we sat. I held her so tight not wanting to let go. I couldn't even imagine what havoc just happened in her little body.
That experience as horrible as it was prompted me to get educated. I have read more about, talked to more people regarding and found more information on vaccinations than I have ever wanted to know. And it has also prompted me to advocate not only for myself, but for my children. Though the incident that happened to my daughter occurred within minutes of vaccination the CDC prohibits physicians from saying that any event is caused by the vaccination and instead they must say that there MAY be a correlation between the two. There MAY BE a correlation? I am pretty sure that is a pretty positive cause and effect relationship. But, hey, I am not the US government so I will just go with what they have to say. According to the statistics on the DTap vaccination (the one that the pediatrician suggested may have been responsible for the episode) 170 children have suffered a "major convulsive episode" within minutes of receiving the vaccination within the last 5 years. 1,800 more have suffered from another severe event including: catatonic like state, severe unstoppable crying lasting 3 or more hours, severe vomiting, and other brain reactions. That equals nearly 2000 children suffering a severe reaction...and you know where this was listed on my cheat sheet of sign and symptoms to watch out for? IN FINE PRINT ON THE BOTTOM. Where is says "rarely these symptoms will occur". I understand that putting those effects in bold letters at the top of the page might discourage people from vaccinating their children but it would also force them to understand the risks they are taking. I could care less about "redness, swelling, fatigue and tiredness"...hell, I get that when I get vaccinated.
Like, I said...I DO NOT believe vaccinations should be avoided but I think parents should be fully aware of the risks that they are taking. And should advocate for themselves and their children. I have learned that I can now split up vaccinations, meaning no vaccine will be given as a combo vaccination, I can ask that all vaccinations be preservative free, I can follow the vaccination schedule I CHOOSE not the one dictated by my pediatrician or even the CDC for that matter.
The increase in vaccinations in the last 25 years is remarkable. It is a 260% increase. Not only that but vaccine combinations are NOT tested in their combo form but rather tested individually. It has been questioned whether or not the increase in vaccinations is truly necessary. Vaccines contain a number of HARMFUL substances to humans; including anti-freeze, disinfectants, known Nero-toxins and harmful preservatives. There is a conflict interest between vaccine makers and big government. Vaccinations are big business and big money and because of this information may be clouded along the pipeline and there has been recent concern over the efficacy of vaccinations.
It is up to parents to choose to vaccinate, not to vaccinate, to forgo some vaccinations, to follow their own schedule and NO ONE can force a parent to vaccinate if they are not comfortable.
So, that is my tangent for the day. My children...ALL THREE OF THEM...will now receive their vaccinations independently of each other, They will not be receiving any combo vaccinations and will not be receiving more than 3 vaccinations at any given time. I have educated myself and urge all parents to do so for themselves.