18 Months of Nursing Milestone!

I am so excited to write that we have made it to the 18 month milestone of nursing.

I am so proud knowing that I have given Dalia the very best for so long. Breastfeeding was a goal of mine, and then making it to 6 months, and then 1 year. My main support has been my own tenacity and empowerment through knowledge and research. Being educated is a girl's best weapon! I also don't care what other people think about it, and that always helps!

Dalia only really nurses in the mornings now, but she loves starting her day with a snuggle in mommy's bed. And some people might think this is odd, but in fact my mom's group has several mothers (pregnant and not) who are currently nursing--it isn't a "weird" momma group either. We were brought together by zip code through an organization called Moms Club. Oh, and everyone in my group has a 18 month old. Oh, and there are former lawyers, yoga instructors, health professionls... you get my drift, right?

18 months have gone by so incredibly fast. And though she may look and act like a big girl, she is still a little one in my eyes!

Up Down and Potty Party!

Some people might think potty training a 1 year old is totally nuts, but in many parts of the world, early potty training, or a similar concept, elimination communication, is pretty much standard practice (though ERers don't like the word "train"). And while we aren't die hard ECers who started at birth, we are introducing Dalia to the potty and letting her use it when we think she needs to. She is an active participant in this process, saying "pee" when she successfully went in the little potty today (for the third time this week). This is not rocket science, people. Sure it takes a long time, but, what else do I have to do? It is like learning how to breast feed, learning how to eat, crawl and walk.

TMI?

I guess some may think so, but this is a place where we shares the trials and tribulations of being new-ish parents. So if you aren't interested fast forward! But I have to warn ya, the first photo is a good one, if you can recognize the main event.

Now, of course we took privacy into account. I bet Dalia is going to LOVE this one day:

We are also going to invest in the snap on toilet. Anyone know of an elmo one? Oh and we spared most viewers the actual potty photo, but some chosen

unlucky family members were not spared.

So for those of you who are interested in trying this or just plain confused/shocked/perplexed here are some helpful websites, interesting stuff

Some EC links:

EC community

Nappy Free video

Helpful tidbits

EC clothing/potty pants

In action #1

In action #2

If my mom didn't already think I was an insane hippy-leaning weirdo, she certainly does now :) We will obviously still be using our amazing stash of cloth diapers for some time, but we are still moving toward a diaper free Dalia.

I thought I would also share a couple of cute Dalia playing photos:

Kuddos to Grandma for picking out this sweet riding toy. Dalia loves it!

Dalia is a ball of fun these days and she loves to play. She LOVES to play "up down" at all hours, including dinner time (and at three am).

Check out this video of Dalia playing "up down" with daddy:

Oh and that frame on the wall that still has the original packaging?

Yep, that is major class right there.

Ciao!

Up and Down, Parenting Dos

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You may notice that we don't yet have any baby gates up. Yes, even on the (few) stairs. In a lot of ways, this is one example of how our parenting style is a little different from the norm.

One thing that is important to us is using the word "no" extremely sparingly. When a child hears the word no a zillion times a day, it not only means less each time you say it, it also emphasizes the behaviors you don't want to highlight. Children are also notorious for imitating their parents--so, you guessed it, you say no a million trillion times all day long, your child will also say no back to you. It all boils down to respectful discipline and understanding that your child is her own person. We treat Dalia with respect as we would any other human being. We treat other children with respect because they are human beings. And in the end, we want Dalia to treat herself with respect, her parents with respect, and other human beings (and animals) with respect.

Three words: empathy, compassion, and respect.

These are the core values of our little family of three.

So we let her climb the stairs. She did fall down and she was very scared, but that is ok. I was there for her and she learned that sitting on stairs doesn't work. I do not let her climb on the stairs when I am not looking, but I don't jump up and say NO NO NO DANGEROUS, because climbing stairs is an important skill. And she felt empowered when she accomplished it!

We have said no to Dalia basically one time. And now at 12 1/2 months, she never ever touches electrical cords. In fact, they are abound in our home and she crawls right past them. I no longer get nervous, though I watch her. She looks at me sometimes (and acknowledges that touching it would be a no no). It isn't about changing your whole world so your child is always protected, it is about teaching your child right from wrong.

It is about teaching your child to make the right decisions. And we value Dalia making her own decisions because we know that she is (with guidance) capable of learning and growing without too much intervention.

What is in that Vaccine?!

Gelatin

Fetal Bovine Serum (derived from aborted baby calfs)

Human Diploid Cell (derived from human fetuses in a laboratory setting)

Chick Embryos

These are current ingredients in the MMR vaccine.

Formaldehyde? Yep, that is in the IPV vaccine.

Some kids are exposed to 40 pricks and prods before they turn 2!

Don't believe me? Think this can't be true? Contact your local pharmacy and ask for the ingredient list and then go further and ask your pediatrician for the information on the specific maker of the IPV vaccine they use. Call that company for a full listing of every single ingredient.

In my circle of friends, vaccine talk is one topic of discussion that really gets heated. Most of my friends have opted to follow the alternate vaccination schedule recommended by Dr. Sears. For those of you who aren't familiar with Dr. Sears, take a look at his website and his famous writings on vaccines. Many people do not "jive" with Dr. Sears, but he spoke directly to us. His opinions aren't for everyone (nor should they be). This is information that we find useful and we know that some parents feel the traditional schedule suits them.

It is an individual choice.

This is simply our journey.

Even before Dalia's birth, H and I spent a long time discussing vaccines and did plenty of research. We knew that we definitely did NOT want her to receive the routine eye medication after birth. Some hospitals still use silver nitrate which can burn a baby's eyes. More often than not, hospitals are using Erythromycin instead. While it causes little physical harm to the baby, it does give the baby blurred vision for quite some time, and YES, newborn babies can see right after birth. We knew we wanted our little Dalia to see the two people who helped her make it into this world.

Dalia did not receive the HepB vaccine. We did not want to unnecessarily expose her to possible fever, lethargy, and the inability to suck with gusto in he first days on earth. This vaccine is extremely important if the mommy has HepB or if the family is residing in a part of the world where HepB is more common than not. We do plan on giving Dalia this vaccine later in life when it makes more sense for her. That time is certainly not now.

Most pediatricians recommend administering the IPV (polio) vaccine at 2 months. I gave Dalia her first dose of IPV today at her 10 month appointment. I was pressured like you wouldn't believe. It was a bad situation. This would never happen if we signed up for a practice listed on the Dr. Sears website as vaccine-friendly. Dr. Minkus does generally start the IPV series at the 10 or 12 month appointment, but he listens carefully to concerned parents and then often alters the course of action with empathy.

So what did I do upon returning home? Contact the pharmacy etc etc... I feel disappointed and angry right now. Upset and confused. It will all get better with time, but I just want to know why the orthodox practice of medicine is so stifling, secretive, and rigid.

Being a parent is hard enough, but I just can't let this go! I am a researcher (always have been, thanks mom) and the vaccine world is really unknown to most parents. We assume things are good because the doctors say so, but not all doctors say so!

Even if you give your child every single vaccine, at least research beforehand a little bit and know that the decisions you have made are right for you and your baby.