A shot in the arm for vaccinations

Okay, this post is probably my most controversial yet, but this is my blog, so I'm going to post it anyway:)

I read a lot of other people's blogs and there are quite a few that mention why the blogger has chosen not to get vaccines for their children. Also, it is all over the news, especially stars in Hollywood who have children on the Autism spectrum who believe it is due to vaccines.

I am not one of these people. I understand the argument and I don't deny that there does appear to be something to the possible link to vaccines that needs to be investigated and is being investigated. On the other hand, I know what devestating diseases these vaccines are meant to prevent. Our generation was vaccinated for nearly every childhood disease that our parents were at risk of having. Therefore, most of us have no idea what these diseases are capable of doing.

I ran across this article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today.

This is my issue with the vaccination debate. I see it the same way I see smoking in public places. Everyone is entitled to choose how they want to parent and whether they want to vaccinate their kids, just as they are entitled to choose whether they want to smoke or not. However, where I have a problem is when your exercise of your freedom to choose puts me and my family in danger. I don't think smoking should be allowed in restaurants and public buildings, because my entire family suffers from asthma and smoke greatly bothers our ability to breathe. Similarly, I don't think kids should be able to come to school without vaccinations and be in a class with kids whose parents have chosen to vaccinate, because if my child's vaccinations didn't fully take or if they carry the virus they are exposed to home to my toddler who has not finished their vaccinations yet, my school-age child or my toddler could be seriously ill, disabled or even die. I know there is a risk even if everyone is vaccinated, but that risk is much smaller than when you have a large and growing number of children who have not been vaccinated.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox. I'm not going to attack any moms/dads who don't vaccinate their kids, I just thought the other side of the coin should get a chance to be heard too:)

First Day of Kindergarten

First Day of Kindergarten - Author Unknown

Everyone has a "first day"
when they feel sad and all alone;
It can be so scary
when you're out on your own.
And I know that a "first day"
can be full of doubts and fears,
But they're full of new beginnings,
Take my hankie, dry your tears.
You'll find lots of things to do
and you'll probably make new friends.
I promise we'll be together
when the school day ends.
Here comes the teacher
blow your nose and be brave.
Come on now and wipe your eyes,
this is no way to behave.
Well good morning teacher.
We really must beg your pardon.
No, MOMMY doesn't always act this way,
But it's my first day of...KINDERGARTEN!

S started Kindergarten today. Tears were shed. 'Nuff said:)

What's in a name

A good friend of mine has finally picked out a name for her baby to be and she won't tell me what it is. Now, to her defense, she didn't tell anyone, even her parents, the name for her last baby until the little one arrived. She and her hubs decided not to tell anyone what the name was so no one could try to change their minds. This is an interesting concept to me. We told everybody the name we had picked out for all three of our kiddos, but it did kind of leave not much of a surprise with S and M. With K, we didn't know if she was K or S until she got here due to her extreme lack of cooperation at the ultrasound:) I have heard of folks keeping the name secret so there would be some element of surprise.

Just to maintain some element of surprise, I have decided to keep my weight a secret until further notice:)

Home again, home again

Well, the long, long vacation odyssey is over. We made it home in one piece. I'll fill everyone in on our goings on in a few days once the kids get back in school and I have some time again. We went to open house for school yesterday and met K and S' teachers. They both seem nice and I think both the kids will be happy to start. M kept wanting to see her room:) She doesn't start Mother's Morning Out again until September, so for the rest of this month, she'll be home with me everyday.

For AML

:):):):):):):):):):)

100

100 folks have now viewed my blog! Hope I wasn't too boring:/

Just cause I know y'all been missin' the cuteness

Here's a pic from our recent trip to the Jacksonville Zoo



This was my zoo when I was a kid. It is totally different now, but in a good way:)

And no, we didn't add two more kiddos while we've been on vacation, those are my cousin's kids, M and L:)

Bloggy shout out

My friend Ashley taught me how to do this today! Thanks, Ashley! You are always there when I need ya:)

Hey guys, Check this out!

Nate of Confessions of a CF Husband and part of the duo forming the inspiration for my first Bloggy fundraiser - as seen in the top left corner of my blog - is raising money in support of his wife's and brother-in-law's fights with cancer. He promises he'll shave his head if he raises $3000.

Make him do it:)