The Guggie Daily

The Birth Story of Ciarán James

2012-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

Where does his story begin? The day of? The morning of? Or all the way back when he came into this world? He was unexpected, unexplained, although at least thanks to habit I can poke a guess at his conception dates (April 30th or May 5th lol). Ciarán didn’t fit into the pat, controlled concept of birth in the hippie world. He was close to his big brother and outside of a deliberate plan to

Pre-eclampsia and PIH Resources

2012-01-30T20:37:00.000-08:00

Pre-eclampsia is a growing concern for pregnant mamas. Diagnosis includes monitoring blood pressure and the readings on urine sticks. In the allopathic world, no one really knows what causes pre-e or how to "cure" it. Treatment includes magnesium supplementation and induction as symptoms get worse. Symptoms include: High blood pressure (hypertension) — 140/90 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or

India and Polio

2012-01-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

People keep asking about the Polio Eradication topic. So here is another perspective... A summary of the topic: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/article2837352.ece?homepage=true "Public health experts also estimate that between 100 and 180 children in India develop vaccine-associated polio paralysis (VAPP) each year, a rare but serious side effect of the OPV (Oral-live Polio Vaccine)

Unveiling the Placenta

2012-01-28T10:01:00.000-08:00

Placentas are pretty cool organs. What else can you grow to that size and then push out without consequences? Besides the baby, I mean? LOL Job Description: Mommy and Earthside Birth Photography also think the placenta is pretty cool. It's also treated somewhat as an afterthought and many people don't know what it looks like after the birth. Perhaps that's why the photo was initially reported

What Exactly DO You Know About Vaccines?

2012-01-25T16:36:00.000-08:00

This is an excellent article. I know it's a bit longer than most articles, but it is easy to read while still providing a clear overview of the science. I highly recommend bookmarking this site to read it and refer to it. http://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/challenging-the-theory-of-artificial-immunity.html It also reminded me that in this issue, so few people know: 1) what the immune

Confessions of a Mama who Broke the Punitive Cycle

2012-01-25T16:22:00.000-08:00

This honest mama kicks off our “parenting confessions” theme for the month. If you want to share your experience of learning about parenting methods or switching from one method to another, please email your submission. © 2012 Yardana ”I'm not exactly sure who recommended that I add you, but someone thought we'd be a good match based on our strong feelings against vaccination. Before I added

Another Old Save...Vaccines, Mercury, the Usual

2012-01-25T12:32:00.000-08:00

(Just saving some old conversations) No, that's fine, Bridgette. :) I like receiving good reviews. It helps tease out more information for those who are new to this subject. For example, I love to hear you mention the year 2001 b/c most people don't read far enough to learn that although it was enacted in 1997, the deadline for removal of Thimerosal as an adjuvant was 2001. And of course, it is

Flumist Study (Old Note)

2012-01-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

This is worth a read...it is not very long but definitely very interesting! So you know that the H1N1 live-attenuated viral spray is based on the Flumist seasonal flu spray, right? Here is the manufacturer insert: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM182406.pdf The nasal spray is available to children 2 and older who do not have contraindications

Birth as a Bowel Movement

2012-01-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

~Author Unknown Imagine if you will, that about a hundred years ago, people began having great difficulties having bowel movements (BM for short). It al came about because of some very unhealthy lifestyles. People weren’t eating correctly because they were desperately trying to be thin and beautiful. They had malnutrition and took a lot of pills and other drugs to help them become and stay thin.

Circumcision from a Different Angle

2012-01-25T11:37:00.000-08:00

When a lie, especially the sordid, asinine kind, is repeated over and over and over again by the majority of the members within a society, it becomes difficult to hear what’s wrong with it. The words become normative, even if they don’t become any less remarkably stupid. Thank you, Michelle Richardson, for bringing this link up in the circumcision discussion. http://www.thebabycorner.com/

Susan Weed's Miscarriage Brew

2012-01-25T11:12:00.000-08:00

From Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun Weed: Threatened Miscarriage Brew 1 Tbsp. dried Black Haw root bark -OR- cramp bark 3 Tbsp. dried Raspberry leaves 10 drops Wild Yam root tincture 10 drops False Unicorn root tincture 60 drops Lobelia herb tincture Put the dried herbs in a quart jar or four cup teapot and fill vessel to the top with boiling water. Steep until cool

Injury, Risks and Long-term Damage

2012-01-25T11:08:00.000-08:00

You won't find a neat and tidy file complete with statistics on this topic. First, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is the authority that keeps track of this information, and that organisation generally divides children into two groups: FULLY vaccinated ON schedule Or not. Yes, that means they often group partially vaccinated, delayed vaccinated or selectively vaccinated children in with

Quick List for Intact Care (Uncircumcised Boys)

2012-01-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to save this information about intact care. I’m the oldest of 5 brothers, all of whom are intact. I learned about caring for babies while growing up, such as when helping with diaper changes and bath time. Information was passed down to me, but that information has been overall lost in our cutting culture. Here is a list of links on caring for your intact child. If you have more,

Rearfacing to age 2?

2012-01-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

"Is it a law now that I have to rearface my child until age 2?" It is not yet a law. Laws are slow to change, although I have heard rumors that they will begin to change to reflect the updated science sometime in 2012. This recommendation to continue to rearface past 1 year AND 20lbs is coming from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics...doctors) and is backed by the CDC and NHTSA. It's based

High Risk Love-Making!

2012-01-25T10:45:00.000-08:00

HUSBAND and WIFE passionately take off each other's clothes. WIFE reacts with alarm to HUSBAND's potbelly. WIFE: How many French fries did you eat tonight?! HUSBAND: Oh, about 200 . . . WIFE: How many have you eaten since childhood? HUSBAND: Uh, I don't know. WIFE: You could die of a heart attack at any time! You could die tonight while we're making high-aerobic love! And I could die from a

Labor Prayers and Affirmations

2012-01-25T10:38:00.001-08:00

Dear Father, Thank you for this new baby. Please protect and nurture this baby and bring this pregnancy to full term. In labor, please remove all fear and replace it with faith and anticipation. Please give those who are with the mother the wisdom to take care of mother and baby. Please let this baby be born normal and whole, healthy and strong, at home without complications for mother and baby

Confessions of a Mama who Regrets Vaccinating

2012-01-24T19:46:00.000-08:00

Copyright 2012 Jennifer Saleem at Hybrid Rasta Mama "I have a confession. My husband and I were not planning on having biological children. Ooops…got a little careless one night and we are now VERY proud and loving parents to an amazing 2 year old. When I found out I was pregnant it was a bit of a shock. I immediately went into “preparing for motherhood” overdrive and started voraciously

Congress and States Prepare for another Circumcision Battle

2012-01-24T19:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9131252.htmTuesday, January 24, 2012"Congress and States Prepare for another Circumcision BattleMGMbill.org sends proposed genital mutilation legislation to Congressand eleven state legislatures as the legal battle to regulatecircumcision heats up.It is never okay to cut off a healthy body part from a minorSan Diego, CA (PRWEB) January 24, 2012Children’s

Send a Birthday Card to Marci

2012-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

Those of you who know me, know that I generally avoid soliciting money or promoting fundraisers. It's hard to verify if the organization is legitimate or if the cause is real. It's hard to send money to a stranger. I've never felt it was my place to garner your trust and tell you where to spend it. But it's been my pleasure to be friends with Marcella since May of 2010. She is a professional

Jewish Intactivism Part III, More Jewish Parents Are Skipping Circumcision, Keeping New Sons Intact

2012-01-18T22:02:00.000-08:00

The following compilation was graciously shared with me: "It seems very silly that people who are not Jewish would engage in circumcisions. It makes no sense to me either. And neither does today from where I'm at, neither does a brit milah work for me. Because when I see the babies crying in your film, and I've spoken with neurosurgeons as well, and I know that babies undergo - that

Fighting a Different Cut

2012-01-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

Fighting a different cutIn addition to serving as chief executive of Hudson Health Plan, Georgeanne Chapin has become a national presence in the fight against routine circumcision of newborn boys. She has become the face of Intact America, a nonprofit group that is pushing pediatricians and parents to stop what she calls "a malignant form of violence against children—forced genital cutting.” Ms.

And Then There Were Two: Tandem Nursing

2012-01-18T18:53:00.000-08:00

Without any goal posts, without any set number in mind, I set out to provide for two babies. It's not the easiest thing in the world. Just like learning how to breastfeed one child can come with challenges and sore muscles, I had a learning curve with two children. What is this? It's where you nurse more than one child at the same time. People call it "tandem nursing" or even "sibling sharing.

The Bereaved Parent's Wish List

2012-01-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

1. I wish my child hadn't died. I wish I had her back. 2. I wish you wouldn't be afraid to speak my child's name. My child lived and was very important to me. I need to hear that she was important to you as well. 3. If I cry and get emotional when you talk about my child, I wish you knew that it isn't because you have hurt me. My child's death is the cause of my tears. You have talked about my

FDA Recalls Fluzone Vaccine Jan 4, 2012

2012-01-07T20:47:00.000-08:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a recall on January 4th, 2012 for Fluzone vaccines. Here is the recall page. In case you cannot view the information, here are the details: PRODUCT Fluzone(R), Influenza Virus Vaccine, Single-Dose Vials, 0.5 mL, NDC 49281-011-10. Recall # B-0460-12 CODE Lot numbers U4114DA, exp 6/30/12; U4118AA, exp 6/30/12; U4118BA, exp 6/30/12; U4118BB, exp 6/30/

The 12 Vaccine Days of Christmas

2011-12-25T21:39:00.000-08:00

Links open in new windows so you won't lose your place. :) On the first day of Christmas Big Pharma gave to me: Children dying needlessly. On the second day of Christmas Big Pharma gave to me: Two compulsory jabs And children dying needlessly. On the third day of Christmas Big Pharma gave to me: Three HPV’s, Two compulsory jabs And children dying needlessly. On the fourth day of Christmas

Feeling Accomplished!

2011-12-12T18:33:00.001-08:00

Peace Love JoyCreate custom new year's invitations at Shutterfly.com.View the entire collection of cards. YAY I finished my holiday photos and cards in ONE DAY lol. Now I just have to mail them out.....

A Tale of Tandem Nursing in the Beginning

2011-12-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Tandem nursing, also called sibling nursing or sibling sharing, is where the mother continues to nurse the older sibling(s) and the new sibling. This concept often brings lots of questions, but tandem nursing is a family event. How to nurse, where to nurse, for how long to nurse...these and other logistics are entirely up to the mother and her children. One frequent question I hear is: "How

Winter Carseat Safety Resources

2011-11-28T06:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a 2 year old, warmly rearfacing, straps snug over a thin, fleece jacket. Additional comfort provided by his favorite blanket. It's that time of the year again, when the temperatures drop and we bundle up our children even for the short trek to the car. But have you thought twice about using that puffy coat or thick blanket? Compression in a vehicle collision can disable the safety

Jewish Intactivism Part II

2011-11-24T13:16:00.000-08:00

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/august282011/jewish-circ.php The following compilation was graciously shared with me: The Circumcision Referendum: More American Jews are Becoming Intactivists "We're seeing [circumcision's] decline, and we're seeing Rabbi's like me and others in other communities saying these practices are not warranted and we're seeing a generational shift away from

Today's Deals: Klutz, Organic Dog Food, Craft Kits and More!

2011-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

Mamapedia, a daily deal site, has two enticing deals: You can score 3 Klutz books for $34 and free shipping here. And you can score $30 of organic dog treats for $15 here. Plumdistrict, a daily deal site, has a fun deal for kids: Get a 3 month subscription to Kiwi Crate for $30! Be sure to use one of the promo codes fabulous or pdx10 (limit once per account) to get an additional 10%

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

2011-11-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

Quick Links on Religion and Circumcision

2011-11-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

Facebook groups: Christians Must Not Circumcise: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christians-Must-Not-Circumcise/159872514066245 Whole Christian Network: http://www.facebook.com/WHOLECHRISTIAN Catholics Against Circumcision: http://www.facebook.com/CatholicsAgainstCircumcision http://www.catholicsagainstcircumcision.org/ What I have compiled on my blog: http://guggiedaly.blogspot.com/2011/01

From a Child's Point of View

2011-11-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

‎"When I was about twenty years old, I met an old pastor's wife who told me that when she was young and had her first child, she didn't believe in striking children, although spanking kids with a switch pulled from a tree was standard punishment at the time. But one day when her son was four or five years old, he did something that she felt warranted a spanking--the first in his life. And so she

Confessions of a Giving Mom

2011-11-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

© Copyright 2011, Lyndsie “This October marks my third year as a mother. "October?" You see, my daughter, June, likes surprises. And if the little bean in my tummy 3 years ago could be any sign of what would come of our future, I should've known she'd be a handful! My partner, Frank, and I were barely in our 3rd month of dating. We had been friends for a few months, and as carefree young adults

Spanking Resources

2011-10-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

I put this together as a basic introduction to parenting methods: Positive Parenting: Toddlers and Beyond: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Positive-Parenting-Toddlers-and-Beyond/139782679378764?ref=ts Positive Parenting: Toddlers and Beyond Reader Advice: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Positive-Parenting-Toddlers-and-Beyond-Reader-Advice/224292834261714 Gentle Christian Mothers: http://

Activist Pumpkins

2011-10-27T08:34:00.001-07:00

Last year's pumpkins: http://guggiedaly.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-halloween-great-pumpkins-are.html Want to submit an activist pumpkin? Just contact me on Facebook or comment here. Blessed Birth Doula Services created a homebirthing pumpkin scene, complete w/ a nursing moment afterwards:

The Morning, as Seen in the Animal World

2011-10-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Full moon? Too much fun yesterday? Cosmic forces? Whatever the reason, my kids stayed up late then woke up as the sun was rising. Well, to be accurate, my toddler woke up shouting, "I WANT A BANANA" which then woke up the baby, who still looks very confused and disoriented from the experience. They wouldn't be comforted. Wouldn't go back to sleep. And the worst part? WE ARE OUT OF BANANAS!

Jewish Intactivism: Circumcision Resources

2011-09-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

"I've put together a comprehensive collection of intactivist material as it is relevant to Jews. You are welome to add them to your links page or to your website. Few people have seen these perspectives and I would like to share them with as many as possible." The Growing Movement of Jewish Intactivism “Coming from a European background… where many Jews reject a brit milah as an archaic and

You Aren't Just a Mom; You're THE Mom

2011-09-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

I could barely contain my excitement while sharing with my friends on Facebook and someone recommended making this into a post that can be shared for inspiration. So guess what happened this morning?!!! YAYYYY DH (Dear Husband) and I stopped by Target this morning to grab a few things for our camping trip and I stayed in the car b/c the kiddos were asleep in their seats. After a few minutes, DS

Five Simple Steps to Carseat Safety (Forwardfacing Version)

2011-09-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

Carseat safety can seem daunting. Confusing. Intimidating. Overwhelming. And annoying. After you've correctly installed your child's seat, here are the 5 basic things to follow for proper forwardfacing before getting behind the wheel. Make them a habit and it will take 15 seconds to buckle in your child: 1) Make sure the harness straps are AT or ABOVE the shoulders and the chest clip is ON the

Five Simple Steps to Carseat Safety (Rearfacing Version)

2011-09-17T23:00:00.000-07:00

Carseat safety can seem daunting. Confusing. Intimidating. Overwhelming. And annoying. After you've correctly installed your child's seat, here are the 5 basic things to follow for proper rearfacing before getting behind the wheel. Make them a habit and it will take 15 seconds to buckle in your child: 1) Make sure the harness straps are AT or BELOW the shoulders and the harness is buckled

Doppler Danger's Ultrasound List

2011-09-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

These are a few of the links posted by Doppler Danger…more apparently is on the way! © Doppler Danger 2010, reprinted with permission. “Don't stop researching when you find the answers you want. Please remember that there is absolutely no ethical way to PROVE that ultrasound, including dopplers, is safe for the unborn and there will be no funding for studies to prove that this cash cow is

Relationship Books

2011-09-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I'm asked what books I appreciate for strengthening relationships. I'm just tossing the list here to save it ha! Please remember that DH and I are both practicing Catholics, so some of the books are from religious authors. I think you can still find great benefit in the particular authors, but just to give you a heads up.... http://www.amazon.com/

Caption Contest Winner....

2011-08-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

And the winner of the caption contest, who will also get a $20 book voucher, is..... Brittany, owner of Mama's Felt Cafe http://www.facebook.com/mamasfeltcafe The runners up had great ideas, too! I think it would be fun if we make photos of each one and create a display haha. Maybe a Halloween activism project? Anyone handy with doing this want to partner? The Mom: Informed http:/

How many Babies Must Die from Circumcision?

2011-08-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I was reviewing a link on circumcision deaths and was struck again by the chilling, callous comments surrounding the topic of babies who die from this medically unnecessary surgery. Over and over again, I hear other debaters remark that the estimated 100-200 deaths resulting from amputation of the prepuce on newborn baby boys in America are a “small number” and not something of

A Gentle Reminder When Discussing Circumcision

2011-08-29T20:08:00.000-07:00

Surely it would be wise for us to remember that perhaps the parents you meet online who consented to circumcision on behalf of their children did not realize fully what circumcision was or what it would do to their sons. Some might have even been coerced into it, or had their sons taken away without notice. If these parents are honestly reading any links you posted or thinking about your

Freebie Friday's Caption Contest...Makeover the Skeleton!

2011-08-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

This cheery guy is sitting at a Walgreens in Arizona. Today's Freebie Friday event will be a caption contest! Post one comment with your caption suggestion OR if you're really handy at the computer, post a link to your image of the finished project. The finished image will be prominently displayed in the Vaccine Album, used on The Stand Against Vaccines page and used in blog posts

Boba Carriers Starting at $59 on Zulily!

2011-08-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

This carrier is $59 on Zulily! I woke up this morning and watched the online crunchy community light up over Boba carriers. What's the big deal, I asked myself. Well, Zulily, a website dedicated to showcasing one-time deals on unique merchandise, has Boba Carriers available until 8/25 (or until supplies run out). They start at $59 on the the site and go up to $89 for the organic version. I

Babytalk says Flu Vaccine Ingredients Pass through Human Milk

2011-08-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

In the September 2011 issue of Babytalk (a print magazine owned by The Parenting Group) there is a small but alarming passage on page 54 about flu vaccinations. It starts off fairly reasonable by quoting the CDC on advising mothers to get the flu shot earlier in the season to avoid illness from doctors’ offices. That makes sense if you choose to vaccinate. But then the magazine reaches a new

Tackling a Common Vaccine Topic: More Vaccines for New Diseases

2011-08-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Join the Facebook page here. Thanks to Holly Paz for asking about another common vaccine issue. She was looking at the difference between the vaccine schedule of ages past and the current vaccine schedule. Someone told her, “Well there are soo many more diseases out now than there were back then, so these vaccines are NEEDED!" Holly wonders, what is a thoughtful response to this? First, if

Catholic Thoughts on a Whole Body and Bodily Integrity

2011-08-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH SECTION TWO, Paragraph 6. Man. BODY AND SOUL BUT TRULY ONE: 362 The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that "then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man

Confessions of a Mama who Birthed Prematurely 3 Times

2011-08-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

© Amanda 2011. Amanda shares her journey of experiencing premature complications through 3 pregnancies and births. Trigger warning for those dealing with infant death, c-section trauma and infertility! ”It's May of 2003 and I just found out I am pregnant with our first child. We have longed for this day for so long now. We have always dreamed of having a baby girl to name Faith. I'm only 19

Confession of a Birth Rape Survivor

2011-08-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

This is a guest post submitted by Jennifer. Names withheld upon request. Warning: may be a trigger for rape and/or birth trauma. Jennifer shares her experience of birth-rape, also displaying the callous way that others deny birth rape and the consequences of birth rape. Unsupportive comments will not be published. "Our oldest, born a mere 14 months prior to our daughter, was born with a broken

Guest Post: God will never give you anything more than you can handle

2011-08-14T22:57:00.000-07:00

God will never give you anything more than you can handle. Really?by Kristin Uhrig "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Over time that promise has become abbreviated to "God will never give you more than you can handle." Like many others, I've

Chickenpox Vaccine and Shingles

2011-08-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

I pulled this together to shine a different light on the shingles argument. Many people have most likely heard the common quip that "chickenpox vaccines prevent shingles!" Here are some links that you have a right to know about. Here is the vaccine pamphlet, straight from Merck, which lists shingles as a reported side effect (herpes zoster): http://www.merck.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/v/

Newborns are Stronger than Adults; It's a Personal Decision

2011-08-09T21:24:00.000-07:00

“Getting it done is a personal choice. And anyways, I’d rather have it done to my son when he’s a baby and can’t remember instead of as an adult.” If circumcision is a personal choice, then abide by that and leave it up to the person to choose. It’s his body, his penis and his choice. Babies still remember their circumcisions and babies who experience circumcision have a strong reaction to

Protect Your Child from Carseat Toxins

2011-08-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, it seems that the topic of toxins in carseats became a popular topic online, with many major media sources reporting on Healthy Stuff’s test results. Christie Haskell on the Stir wrote an excellent article on the current issue of toxins in carseats. She encourages us to look at the big picture about chemicals, their purposes and the dangers of not using a seat correctly. Since

The Boobie Beanie Winner is...

2011-08-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

Comment # 98: Breanna! Breanna said..."Like" As Nature intended on fb.August 6, 2011 9:44 PM Congratulations and thanks for making this a fun giveaway during World Breastfeeding Week!

You Are More

2011-08-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

“There's a girl in the corner With tear stains on her eyes From the places she's wandered And the shame she can't hide.” Hi, I’m Sanfis. You all might remember me from my first guest post. Other than sharing with my wife, I had not opened up about my personal experience with forced circumcision until writing that first post. The other day, Guggie copied some lyrics as a status on Facebook. They

If Only

2011-08-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

© Emilee Mason 2011. “I conceived our second child in September of 2007. As soon as I found out that I was carrying a boy, I knew I would circumcise him. I was a Christian, and hadn't Jesus been circumcised? Wasn't that the right way to do it? The foreskin was created to be removed. That was my take on it. My husband agreed, saying it was cleaner and easier to care for a circumcised boy. And he

World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway!

2011-08-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Let's end World Breastfeeding Week with a fitting giveaway! Jade, owner of Hats for Little Heads, is offering a FREE Boobie Beanie to one lucky winner in North America (Canada/US). Winner can specify color/flesh tone and size. To enter, here is the mandatory entry requirement: Go to Jade's Facebook page, click "like" then comment on this blog post that you have liked her page. Doing this

Alternative Birth?

2011-08-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday. That comes with the expected and socially normal greeting, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY." And yet as I am still working on coming to grips with my own birth and the violating births that I witness or hear of daily, I find it hard to do more than provide a nod and token smile to the well-wisher. Indeed, life is precious and birth is an intense event no matter what happens. But all births

Cry-it-out hell

2011-08-01T06:29:00.000-07:00

Today's parody is thanks to babycenter and Evonne Lack: http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/cry-it-out-hell/. If you read the original article and feel a desire to respond, I am asking that you do me a favor: respond with sheer kindness and leave one informative link. For a mama to experience and freely discuss that much emotional trauma means she must surely feel very unempowered and

The no-wives allowed movement is spreading

2011-07-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Today's parody from: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-no-kids-allowed-movement-is-spreading-2516110/ What's the matter with wives today and why doesn't anyone want them around? In June, Malaysia Airlines banned wives from many of their first class cabins, prompting other major airlines to consider similar policies. Lately, complaints about whining wives are being taken seriously,

Circumcision ban to be snipped from ballot

2011-07-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

Today's parody is brought to you by: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=94103 The November ballot just got a few inches skinnier. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Larry Girri today issued a tentative ruling saying the ballot measure to ban female circumcision must be withdrawn, calling it "expressly preempted" by state law. He said that the California

Tackling a Common Doctor Tactic: Local Epidemics

2011-07-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

One of the top vaccine-related statements I hear from parents: Doctor: “Well, at least get little Timmy the XYZ vaccine, b/c there has been an XYZ epidemic in our town!” I get a message with this comment relayed from a concerned parent almost every day. Yes, every day! It is a common, effective tactic b/c it makes the parent feel an intimate and relative risk. It assumes 1) that the parent is

Who Would You Cut?

2011-07-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Ah, forced circumcision. Infant circumcision. Routine circumcision. Involuntary circumcision. Genital mutilation. A snip, cut, clip. Getting it done, trimming it up...seems our words can change our perception of what circumcision is and what it does to the body. Photos tend to stop that nonsense. So I wasn't surprised when, upon confirming new friend requests, so many of my "friends-only" photos

Two Little Shadows

2011-07-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

I saw a young mother With eyes full of laughter And two little shadows Came following after. Wherever she moved, They were always right there Holding onto her skirts, Hanging onto her chair. Before her, behind her - An adhesive pair. 'Don't you ever get weary As, day after day, your two little tagalongs Get in your way? ' She smiled as she shook Her pretty young head, And I'll always

Mom Bottlefeeds Baby At American Girl Store, Told To Move Elsewhere

2011-07-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here is today's parody piece, based on: http://mommyish.com/stuff/mom-breastfeeds-baby-at-american-girl-store-told-to-move-elsewhere/ "I always knew American Girl dolls were evil despite their cult-like following(they’re too Village of the Damned for my liking). Even so, the American Girl retail locations are beyond packed at all hours with little girls and their mommies living out their

Vitamin K and Eye Drops for the Newborn

2011-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

“And what about the eye drops at birth? And the vit k shot? I'm having a baby and want know what's good (if any) and what's not.” Eye drops are antibiotics routinely given to all infants to prevent blindness from exposure to gonorrhea or chlamydia. Tests can have false positives and symptoms are not always obvious, especially with chlamydia. If you are absolutely confident in your STD status,

7 Reasons You Should Refuse or Delay Vaccines

2011-07-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to kids and vaccines, I get nervous about the misinformation and lack of information available to parents. So when I come across an article that makes vaccines the default instead of an intact immune system, I can’t help but use it for my Parody Series. The parody below is based off this link: http://thestir.cafemom.com/toddler/123244/7_reasons_you_shouldnt_refuse?utm_medium=sm&

Confessions of a Mama who Formula Fed

2011-07-18T18:48:00.000-07:00

(©) Amber Carder 2011. Amber shares her journey of working with a late diagnosis of tongue-tie and perhaps thrush. She shares the struggles she made to choose formula and the relief she felt when she discovered an online community for donor milk. ”From the first time he nursed I knew in my heart that something wasn't right. I asked the midwife if I was doing it right and she said that he looked

Book Review: Mama, Talk About When Max Was Born

2011-07-18T15:17:00.000-07:00

When I was first asked to review the adorable book, “Mama, Talk About When Max Was Born,” I scrolled quickly through the pages and thought sure, it’s certainly cute. Then Zon looked over my shoulder and wanted me to read it to her. As I took my time looking at the pages and pointing out various details with my toddler, I became very impressed. This book manages to incorporate little details

A little yelling at employees is a good thing

2011-07-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Today's parody is brought to you from TODAYMoms: http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/07/18/7060182-a-little-yelling-at-kids-is-a-good-thing "My name is Marissa, I have two employees, and I’m a yeller. Chances are, you are, too, psychologist Jose Bolden says. Bolden ought to know: He’s spent much of his career studying how employers discipline their employees. He opposes slapping; yelling, not

Parable of the Unforgiving Parent

2011-07-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Then Peter came and said to Him. "Lord, how often shall my child disobey me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a friend who wished to settle accounts with her girlfriends. When she had begun to settle them, one girlfriend who owed her ten

Pediatricians encourage parents to learn more about vaccines

2011-07-16T10:56:00.000-07:00

This is a parody of the Shine article found here. We hear too often about pediatricians who require compliance with the CDC schedule. What about those pediatricians who encourage parents to retain their parental responsibility and to research the subject? Share your pro-education doctor in the comments if you desire. Pro-education doctors: http://www.cafemom.com/group/4388/forums/read/2738581/

Confessions of a Mama who had a Fearless Birth

2011-07-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

(©) Rina Joye Bly 2011. Rina shares what she calls a fearless homebirth. She kindly lets us walk with her on her journey or laboring, giving us insight into how a well-trained birth team can provide lifesaving care in the home and ensure it is a respectful experience: “Having the knowledge that I would give birth at home, with my midwife Nancy, assisting midwife Noel and doula Machelle, was a

Trying Homemade Pesto

2011-07-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

After reading this simple recipe for pesto, it occurred to me that I had never made my own pesto before (not counting whatever random acts happened in early childhood.) So we set out on a journey to make a Parmesan and pesto steak dinner. Zon helped pour in the ingredients. She was satisfied with the finished product. And the meal was delicious. I doubled the recipe so we have

Carseat Video Summary

2011-07-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

I've collected a summary of youtube videos available on a variety of carseat topics. These compare rear versus forward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMFPSStXfqE&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKIeExpDLDAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqdtdHmW338&feature=related Simple, clear and short for quick sharing on rearfacing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sssIsceKd6U This one shows

Confessions of a Mom who Disliked the Midwife

2011-07-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

© Amber Carder 2011. Amber shares her home birth story with us, giving us good reasons to carefully research our care providers no matter what location we choose for the birth. After trying to get pregnant for almost a year, in April of 2010 I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. My husband and I were excited and nervous. I prepared for a home birth from the beginning. I had already picked out

Liam's Story

2011-06-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

As I write this post, I can’t stop the tears from pouring down my cheeks. My dear friends Leilani Luna and her husband, peaceful parenting advocates, experienced a stillbirth. From the beginning her little baby was welcomed into the family. Leilani had experienced two previous c-sections, with the last one being over 11 years ago. There were no adhesions and the scar had healed well.

On Rubella (Not Congenital Rubella Syndrome)

2011-06-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

This is not a complete post. Just beginning it for later use. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rubella/DS00332/DSECTION=symptoms "The signs and symptoms of rubella are often so mild that they're difficult to notice, especially in children. If signs and symptoms do occur, they generally appear between two and three weeks after exposure to the virus. They typically last about two to three days" "

30 Autism Studies

2011-06-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

This information was compiled by Ginger Taylor. Evidence that vaccines can cause autism It is an often repeated fallacy that there is no research that supports the supposition that vaccines can cause autism. This talking point is most often repeated by medical personnel and public health officials who have simply never been told that these studies exist, and in some cases by those who refuse to

The Torah Against Genital Mutilation

2011-06-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

"In the 613 mitzvos, we are commanded to:(N 41) Not imprinting any marks on our bodies (Lev. 19:28)(N 45) Not making cuttings in our flesh (Deut. 16:1)" "It is a violation of Torah commandments to physically assault or harm another person (Exodus 21:18-27). Yet that is exactly what circumcision is! Thus, it is against the most fundamental concept of Jewish law." Jews Against Genital Mutilation

Confessions of a Mom who Vaccinated Her Son

2011-06-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

© Stephanie 2011. Stephanie shares the story of her son Ben and his vaccine reaction: I wish I had known all the things I know now. I was 18 when I had my first son and 21 when I had my second. We were Baptist and we were told that circumcising was what the Bible taught. We were also strongly encouraged to fully vaccinate our children. If only we had known some basic information about vaccines,

Where Vaccine Doubt Persists

2011-06-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

The following is a parody, written for a friend, based on this link: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/10/20/why.not.vaccinate/index.html A toddler experiences a painful vaccine reaction after routine vaccination. ”For years, Katherine Lacey felt she and her husband made the right choice by vaccinating her two youngest kids. After all, the children were thriving with their vaccinations. But in

Confessions of a Mama who Said Goodbye to Three

2011-06-13T21:34:00.000-07:00

I am sharing this story of a mama who birthed triplets. Trigger warning: premature birth and stillbirth is mentioned. http://modvegan.wordpress.com/2011/06/07/the-birth-story-of-the-bear-triplets-their-mothers-prospective/

Love Your Babies Pre-born and Born: Don't Abort and Don't Cut!

2011-06-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

This post is not an appropriate area for abortion debate. No comments on abortion debate will be published. I am merely collecting some thoughts I posted on my Facebook wall and putting them here for safekeeping. They stem from Jill Stanek's recent article, where she and Dr. Gerard Nadal both defended routine infant circumcision while ironically attacking Russell Crowe, who defended abortion and

Confessions of a Mom who had a Fast Waterbirth

2011-06-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

©Meredith Barth 2011. Meredith shares her midwife assisted homebirth story. She provides perspective on how a good midwife can stay behind the scenes and only intervene when required. She also gives insight into fast births and waterbirths: Birth and Relativity I had the perfect birth. After less than two hours of labor, supported by my husband and midwife in the comfort of my living room and

Confessions of a Mama who Tried

2011-06-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

© Nikki 2011. Nikki shares her third birth story and shows us that no matter how hard we prepare, life can take us on a different journey. This is her final installment for us. Her first story Her second story One, 21 guns Lay down your arms Give up the fight One, 21 guns Throw up your arms into the sky. ”The song on the radio seemed to fit as I climbed into the midwife’s car to transfer from

Confessions of a Mama Changed...Again

2011-06-09T21:49:00.001-07:00

© Nikki 2011. Nikki shares her second birth story and talks more about the changes she experiences on her journey. Her first story: http://guggiedaly.blogspot.com/2011/06/confessions-of-mama-changed.html “Finn didn't have the easiest start to life. Four years after my first c-section, I found out I was pregnant again. We were overjoyed! A short time later, however, we found out that we were in

Confessions of a Carseat Advocate in a Crash

2011-06-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

Story published with permission from Felicia Barr. “August the 9th, 2010 is a date that I will never forget and one that I hope my children will forget. My husband, our two sons, and myself were driving back home to Fort Walton Beach from Tampa. We had gone down for my high school reunion and to visit friends and family. My husband was

Safety 1st Clarifies Complete Air Standards

2011-06-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

Safety 1st, operating under parent company Dorel, has released a statement clarifying key installation and usage standards for its convertible carseat called the Complete Air. This statement is particularly important for parents who want to purchase the Complete Air to fit taller children. The seat has one of the tallest shells on the market and rearfaces to 40lbs. But according to their

Confessions of a Mom who Birthed Joyfully

2011-06-07T22:53:00.000-07:00

Today's birth story is brought to you by Amy! Part I: http://little-willa-lamb.blogspot.com/2011/05/its-all-about-perspective-josephs-birth.html Part II: http://little-willa-lamb.blogspot.com/2011/05/joyful-delivery-josephs-birth-story.html

Confessions of a Mama with an Awesome Hospital Experience

2011-06-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

©Molly 2011. Molly provides perspective on the experience of birthing with a supportive OB. She shows us a great balance between the patient/doctor relationship and how being informed can drive positive outcomes. "If you would have told me when I was pregnant with my first child that someday I would have a perfect birth in the big bad hospital, I would have laughed in your face. And then I

Confessions of a Mom with Dreams

2011-06-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a birth story submitted by Sally:: http://blessedearthmama.blogspot.com/2010/03/dangers-of-breastfeeding-in-formula-fed.html

A Baby Born Occiput Posterior with Face Presentation

2011-06-04T08:36:00.000-07:00

Scroll down to take a look at an amazing image captured of a baby being born Occiput Posterior (sunnyside up) and face first. This is not something you get to see every day! The mother writes that no tearing or cutting was involved in this birth. The photographer has given permission to distribute the photo as long as it is not cropped or edited. To learn more about baby

Confessions of a Mama Blessed

2011-06-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

© Jami 2011. Jami provides us with perspective on infertility, traumatic birth and miscarriage. Her journey includes more than one birth. Loss is mentioned. I am pregnant and very blessed. I have no words to express how thankful I am. I have PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome and have struggled each time to get pregnant. My dream in life, what I have always felt called to do and to be was to be a

Confessions of a Mama Changed

2011-06-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

© N 2011. N shares her birth story, a sequence of events that was decided for her and without her informed choice. Abortion and adoption are mentioned. “My pregnancy with Olivia was unplanned. I wasn't married and didn't have a supportive boyfriend. We fought constantly in the early weeks. He constantly pressured me to abort. There was no way I could ever go through with that. As the weeks went

Confessions of a Mama who Birthed Unassisted

2011-06-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

© Erin Powell Davey 2011. Erin shares her story, reminding us that each birth and baby is different. She also shares the surprise of an unintended unassisted birth! ”After Camryn arrived at 37 weeks, I was paranoid with this pregnancy, worried that I was going to go into labor before I was ‘homebirth legal’ at 37 weeks. Beyond that paranoia, I was pretty much sure that I was going to go into