The Eric Carle Hunt

We have had a little bit of success in our hunt for Eric Carle books. We found a new copy of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see. The copy we had was one we got at a garage sale for free. It was very ratty and the cover was peeling off. I was pleased to find a new one. We also found the mini board book of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Then today we found Animals, Animals in the hardcover version. All of which were found at thrift stores. And the hunt continues.

Dust Particles

Let me tell you the latest and greatest (as my Grandma would say). So the fruit flies were freaking Stinx out quite a bit last week. But he's slowly getting over it. But right when his fears were most heightened, he started thinking that any little thing was a bug. He'd see a piece of dirt on the floor, then he'd point and say "Bug!". It even got to the point where one morning we were sitting in the living room, and the sun was shining in. He kept saying "bugs".. I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. I realized he was mesmerized by the dust particles floating in the air, visible in the sunshine. Mesmerized in a nervous & anxious way. I kept telling him it was dirt but it took awhile to convince him.

I had bought some mini muffins for Stinx to eat for breakfast last week. As he was eating one at the table, he looked at the crumbs and said "bug!"... He was scared just looking at the crumbs. I ate one and explained that it was a part of the muffin that fell off.

This previous week end while we were in Lake Louise, my mom mentioned that during bath time on Saturday night, Stinx was paralyzed with fear in the bath tub. "Bubga" just couldn't figure out why he wouldn't move in the bath and wasn't sure why he was crying to come out. Then, as she looked thoroughly at the bath water, she noticed the tiniest little speck of dirt. Sure enough, he thought it was a bug. Poor Stinx.

I didn't intend for this to happen. I really was just surprised by the ladybug.. I tried to make up for it... oh what have I done. If you have no idea what I am talking about, click here

More on vaccines.

I've just been doing a little more research. Came across this info on Jenny McCarthy's site. Wanted to share it. Very informative.

http://generationrescue.com/vaccines.html

Vaccination Choice

On Tuesday evening I went to a really interesting seminar called "Vaccination Choice". The speaker was a local doctor, Dr. Stuart Wilkinson, who is in Autism Doctor. My cousin had seen him before about 3 years ago and said that he was really informed. And that he was. He really seemed like a great doctor. When he explained how he works as a doctor he said that he tries to help people in the way they want treatment. He said that if someone doesn't want to use a certain type of treatment, he'll continue to provide solutions until the person agrees with one they are comfortable with. How cool is that? Most doctors offer one solution and if you say you don't like it, they're like "Then what the heck are you doing here?". It sounds like he does a lot of western medicine as well as naturopathy.

My cousin shared with me previous notes from his lecture 3 years ago. I also took notes on Tuesday but they are much the same. Here are some things that I learned and thought was interesting.

He wasn't pro-vaccines but wasn't totally against them either. He really thinks its something people need to research and make an agreed decision on (between parents). He thinks vaccines have helped but have also done some damage. His first child was vaccinated but had a reaction to the vaccination causing brain stem swelling. His child was treated and is ok now. His 2nd and 3rd child are NOT vaccinated.

Rockefeller owns part of all 3 Vaccine producers, as well as the FDA who are supposed to be the "watch dog", and as well as the distributors.. a little sketchy I would say. Rockefeller is also the one who pays people out when there is a vaccine related injury.

Most people are concerned with the MMR vaccine. This is probably due to the first studies possibly linking vaccines with autism. However, Dr. Stuart said the vaccines that cause the most problems are actually the Dtap-ipv and chicken pox. The chicken pox vaccine doesn't seem to work very well. He said that the only way to guarantee immunity is to actually catch the disease. He recommends chicken pox parties.

Hep B vaccine contains the most amount of Thimersol of all vaccines. The flu shot also contains thimersol. An interesting note on the flu shot, it contains an anti-biotic ingredient that children can not have, but the vaccine is given to 2 month old babies.. weird! Stuart mentioned that if you get your kids vaccinated, you need to request very specifically for vaccines without Thimersol. He said to get them to show you the monogram which should say "No Thimersol". Ask to see it!!

He mentioned that the doctor who created the Polio vaccine was asked once if he vaccinated his own children and he responded by saying, "Why would I put that shit in my kids?". Yikes....

The Dtap vaccine can't be separated inn Canada. All or nothing with that one.

Recommends women get the Rubella vaccine since it can be very harmful to unborn babies. However this vaccine doesn't always work.. Possibly doesn't last very long.

His thoughts on homeopathy vaccines was that they might be worth checking into, but could just be a waste of $$$. Said that you have nothing to lose, won't hurt your kids, but might hurt your wallet.

He said that our natural immunities are usually well developed by 12 years of age.

Best way to prevent disease - washing your hands!! and exercise.

On a different note, he thinks that ColdFX is awesome. Hmm.. maybe I should try that stuff. I do have friends that swear by it.

And just in case you are wondering what my stance is on vaccines. I got Stinx vaccinated at 2 & 4 months old. The first time I just did it blindly.. The second time I was starting to question it a little, wondering why some people choose not to. Then I started to read up on vaccines and the more I read, the more I didn't want to vaccinate him. Oh man, "Evidence of Harm" has scarred me!!I do think vaccines are good and that they have really helped our continent, but I do think its quite weird and not natural to inject babies with all sorts of weird shit like mercury, aluminum and formaldehyde. And there are some other very very controversial ingredients in some of them. Anyways, so I think once Stinx is a bit older I will consider giving him some of the vaccines.. We'll be doing delayed and selective vaccinations. Choosing the ones we think are really a concern to us, and delaying them for as long as we can.

If you'd like the full notes version that my cousin gave me just leave me a comment. Its really informative and has some good guidelines to follow should you decide to vaccinate. (For ex. Never ever ever vaccinate your child if they seem to be sick or acting unusual - cancel the appt).

Lake Louise

Dad had his company Christmas Party at Lake Louise this week end. Right at the Fairmont Chateau. It was all fancy schmancy. I felt totally out of place. Sometimes, honestly, I kid you not, I feel way more comfortable in a room full of homeless folks. At least they are approachable and friendly. Anyways, for the most part it was a nice week end.

Stinx went to bed really well both nights for Grandma. I was so impressed. And, great news, Stinx even managed to have a nap on Saturday!! That was a shock since Stinx refused the nap on our last trip to the mountains. So all in all a pretty good time.

Good Bye Retro High Chair

This is my delicious Tuna Casserole. MMM. I love it. Too bad no one else in the family likes it. I've tried offering it to Stinx a few times but he never even swallows the first bite. Dad on the other, is extremely lactose intolerant, and usually won't bother to eat it. And, I understand that. BUT, I don't think its fair that he risks eating things like Blizzards from dairy Queen and overdosing on the lactose pills. So anyways, I usually eat the whole casserole myself in a couple days.

I've been trying to clear some of the stuff out of our basement lately. So far I gave away the futon, a baby walker and now the Retro High Chair. I bought the chair when I was about 6 or 7 months pregnant. I found it on local site similar to craigslist. I thought it was the greatest high chair ever. And it is... as far as looks go. It's a beautiful old relic. I naively thought that this chair would be practical for Stinx.. Well once Stinx turned 6 months and I started him on rice cereal, I realized there was no way I'd stick my baby in there. The chair is probably most practical for a 1-3 year old. And even then, there are no straps to keep them in the seat. Originally the chair is designed so that you flip the tray up and the child sits in it, and then put the tray down. However small children like Stinx could slip right under the tray. So needless to say, we only used this high chair once he was older and very rarely at that. I didn't buy classic modern high chairs, I bought the type that sit on top of a normal kitchen chair.

The beautiful old retro high chair has been living a simple life in our basement. Until this morning. Yesterday morning I emailed a local restaurant to see if they'd like it. It's a retro diner and they have the exact same style of high chairs. I know this because Stinx had to use one of them this summer. It was a painful dining experience only because Stinx kept trying to climb out of the chair. Anyways, the restaurant called me back and they totally wanted it. Awesome! So I'm $40 richer and the high chair is living a more exciting life in a neat, trendy, busy, urban retro diner.

Stinx seated in the high chair for the last time. Well, until we go back to Diner Deluxe.

On a totally different note, Stinx is petrified of fruit flies. He freaks every time he sees one. He shots, "Bug! Bug!" and points. And because fruit flies are so small, I can never see them and I say, "Show me? I can't see it. There are no bugs!". And then a second later, of course I see it. My poor son, terrified of bugs. All because of the ladybug.

Braw Beh

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" By Eric Carle is absolutely Stinx favorite book of all time. At least for the months of October and November 2008. He runs around saying "Braw Beh, Braw Beh". He adores this book. But I do think the book is slowly falling from Stinx ultimate treasure. The only reason it hasn't lost its touch yet is because no other book seems comparable. If he had found another gold book maybe Brown Bear would have been short lived. I'm just waiting for Stinx new favorite book.

He's had a lot of favorites. Some include: Goodnight Moon, Bear and Kite, Hands Hands Fingers Thumb, Sam Loves Kisses, Tale of Tails, Little Ambulance etc.

I'd have to say of them all, Eric Carle's books are my favorite. I just love his design. It's really brilliant. Stinx first Eric Carle book was the classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. My pal Chelsea bought for him as a gift. Stinx quite enjoys that one too. Especially the holes in the pages. We have the First Shapes and First Animal Homes as well. I think he will enjoy those even more once he is a bit older. I'd like to get my hands on Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear?

I'm really looking to add more Eric Carle to Stinx collection.. So if you happen to pass some by at the local thrift store or used book store, pick it up for me and I'll pay you back :)