Ah men

Are we really the weaker sex? Because everything I'm reading about weaning says that boys should be nursed longer, since they are more prone to sickness. I remember the NICU nurses assuring me that Elle would be fine, she is a girl, and girls are much stronger than boys. She is actually. She has had much less of a problem with all the shots she has gotten, even the hot lots... and Justin reacted to just one.

So are we really weaker? Aren't we the ones who grow babies and birth them? And then feed them until they can tolerate solid foods? Someone has pulled the wool over our eyes. Women are much stronger than we are given credit for. Who is responsible for this farce?

Working in the hospital was an eye opener. The men were so wimpy when they were sick... but the women just put on a brave face and got through it. They were much better when it came to pain. And most of the time when a man was sick, he had his wife there to support him. But usually when the tables were turned, husbands couldn't be counted on to be there for their wives. It was their friends who were there for them.

God I need to write a book about all my hospital experiences. I think it would be cathartic. Gee I'll get right on that...

Take my daughter, please

Won't someone take her? She is driving me nuts. I know, I know, all three year olds are this way, but... the screaming and shrieking when she doesn't get what she wants is driving me batty. Take her please?

Allergies

Hello everyone,

I guess I should apologize for sending out mass emails all the time! My brain just gets clogged with all kinds of stuff, and since I don't journal anymore this is a good outlet. Dad pointed out the horoscope to me the day before my birthday, and said it fit me to a tee- it went something like this, "you are not always the last word. Other people do have opinions and you need to respect them". I had seen it and thought the same thing. So yes I know my point of view is a bit skewed sometimes, and I think I am right about everything. So just let me know every once in a while if I am being a PITA.

The last email I sent was in January... it's hard to know all that has gone on since then, but I will try to give you an update. Both Elle and Justin went for allergy testing to foods, and both were negative. The allergist said that it is highly suspicious though that Justin's symptoms go away when we remove gluten from his diet. She prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid to clear up the inflammation in his ears, even though he didn't have an ear infection. It worked for a while but then the ear pain came back when he started teething and cutting his bottom teeth.

So I got into a discussion with her when I was there with Justin about immunizations. She basically said that in this case the hygiene hypothesis applies, that our kids are too clean. They aren't exposed to endotoxins in the environment like children are who live in the country or on a farm, etc. So their immune systems are not stimulated the way other children's would be, and their immunities are down-regulated, while the part of the immune system that regulates allergies is up-regulated. So basically it is OK for your kid to play in the dirt and chew on shoelaces, it is good for their immune system.

Then we were talking about side effects from vaccines, autism, etc. She said everyone made a big deal about thimerosal (the mercury preservative in vaccines), so they removed it, but children are still suffering from autism spectrum disorders. I said that they had recently found that children with autism spectrum disorders also have sensitivities to gluten and casein (cow's milk protein), and their symptoms improve dramatically when they are taken off of foods that contain them. She had not heard of that.

Breast Pump T Shirts

I think it is just hilarious that all these teenagers are going around wearing Hollister shirts. The first time I saw one, I was like, don't they know Hollister makes breast pumps and colostomy supplies? Now every time I see one, I think- wow free advertising for breast pumps. Haha. If they only knew.

One of my girl

Here is a pic of Elle's things, all nicely laid out when she got home from school. And a pic of miss sassy pants.

I cut his hair!

Yes I cut his hair. I am his mother, I am allowed. Get over it. He was hot and sweaty, and now he is much cooler without all that girly hair. All the old people in the grocery store thought he was a girl.

Ugh

Why are people so damn intolerant of little kids? I know I used to be, so maybe I deserve it, but... I took Elle to the chiropractor today and she was kind of ugly to her. Yes, Elle had a meltdown b/c I made her stay in the room and close the door when Justin and I were getting adjusted. But that is par for the course with a 3 year old, I am learning more and more these days. But so what? She is my kid and I handled it. I am the one who has to discipline, not her. I was so aggravated. I just can't wait until people like that have their own 3 year olds. I am almost wishing it on them. Anyway...