Hello all!

The blog is back! Most of my blogging time last year was over at Tessa's blog, but I'm back home now to our Kirsch Family Adventures! Tessa is officially a Kirsch, and we are a busy family of five. I hope to get some pictures up today of our Christmas. And do a little blog makeover:-)

Blog Redesign

Well, the redesign of the blog is pretty much complete! I've added a few widgets I like, in addition to the things designed by TPDP designs. I even managed to add on a playlist of some of my favorite songs! If you want to know the name of a song, or the artist, the entire playlist is at the very bottom of my blog. I still have a few things to finish, or have finished. I hope to get that done in the next week! Now, onto some Disney blogging!

Blog update coming!

Waaahhhhooooo! I am so excited that a blog makeover is on it's way! I've gotten really tired of taking the time to try and get my blog looking cute and updated. However, I really like it to be cute, because it inspires me to blog more often. I found a lady who does blog designs, and really like her work. So, with that said, she'll be starting work on my new blog tomorrow. I can't wait!!!

I hope to have time later in the week to write about a class Eric and I are taking at church, plus my boys trip to the grandparents, plus a little something extra that's been on my mind the past few months.

Just in case....

Just in case you were wondering, the reason I'm not blogging tonight is because I'm trying to make sure all 338 posts have tags! Oh, what fun this is!

Time for a makeover!

Since fall is FINALLY here, I thought a little fall themed blog makeover was in order. Ya likes?

I've been asked where I get the cute little picture graphics at the top of my blog. I assure you, it's not my creative genius. I go to the website www.justmommies.com. Become a member of the message boards, find some topic you enjoy, and start posting. Once you are involved on the message boards, go to the siggies board. Read the rules there, and request a siggie with some pictures you post. And viola....now you have what's at the top of my blog.

We are back from an absolutely amazing wedding in Sonoma, and I hope to get some pictures up soon.

A few changes

Hi! Long time no blog! My super busy life and incredibly adorable children have me occupied! I did take a few minutes while Drake, Eli, Eric, and even the two dogs are napping, to make a few blog changes.

You'll see I've added Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things. I've posted here before about her blog, and I read it religiously!

I've also added one by some chick named Candice, who always has me laughing so hard I cry. Beware her language is incredibly foul, but I think it just makes it funnier!

I've also added Science and Sensibility, a blog backed by current research. It's written by Lamaze International. LOVE it!

And last but not least, I've added one by RixaRixa, called Stand and Deliver. I find a lot of what she writes about totally fascinating. As a matter of fact, I'd love to link and discuss one of her recent posts about birth trauma. It was an amazing read!

You'll see below I've posted a couple of videos that I've recently found entertaining. They both are about anesthesia stuff, so maybe they'll give you a little insight into my adult life outside of my children. That's right, I do have a life. Ha! It may consist of unconscious folks, but that's okay!

Inspired!

So, a while back I blogged about Kelle Hampton and her blog, www.enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com. It is inspiring and beautiful to read. It will make you think, and it will make you pause to enjoy the little things in your life a little bit more. I suggest everyone follow it!

Anyhow, she is a professional photographer and takes gorgeous photos! She has for the past three years made a hard back "coffee table book", with pics of her daughters previous year. It's part of her daughters BD gift, and she plans to do it for 18 years. I just LOVE this idea. What a wonderful way to document her life. For the Mom, and the child. So, I've decided to do this for my boys. With iphoto on my Mac, it's honestly not that technically difficult. And I'm only one year behind!!! Once I get Drake's first year done, then I can just take my time and do each boy month by month. When I finish each year, I'll order two books. One for my little man (and their future wife), and one for me. I thought it was so cool when Eric's mom gave me his baby book. It was cool to see his pictures as a baby and child, and read about what kind of things would set him off into a temper tantrum. Essentially, that's what these books will be, just more pictures. I'm really excited to get started! Thanks Kelle for this wonderful idea!

Wow, just Wow.

I have read the most amazing birth story ever. Yes, it was more amazing than Drake's. The combination of this Mommy's writing style, photos, and the story itself had me bawling my eyes out. I'm now an avid follower of her blog! I wanted to share it with all of my readers, b/c that's how amazing I think this family and blog is. They are inspirational with their love and strength. They are in my thoughts and prayers as they begin their journey together! Make sure you scroll down to Nella's actual birth story when you first go to the blog. www.enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com

Privacy

I've decided that it's time for this blog to be private. Comments are enabled, so feel free to comment away! I love getting comments from people who won't be leaving rude ones. And since I'm being very selective about who I invite to read this, I don't anticipate it being a problem.

I've also started a second blog. It contains more about my job, and my passions for pregnancy/childbirth. It's written anonymously, meaning without my name or any photos that are identifying. It contains a lot more of my very opinionated opinions, and it's a place where I feel I can be more blunt. And a place where I feel like I can do more venting. I want to keep my original blog to mostly talk about my family and kiddos.

If you want the name of the other blog, I can email it to you. But I will warn you in advance, I'm being very selfish about handing it out. If you know you feel the same as me about the issues I'm passionate about, then you might enjoy reading it. Let me know!

How refreshing; and a little more on H1N1

It seems that there are a few people that take my blog for what it is; a chance to share what works for my family. It was really refreshing to read positive feedback for a change. Here is what one dear soul had to say:

"Niki-
I have to tell you thank you for your blog. I have been reading it for quite awile now. (I was WTTC around the time you got pregnant so I saw you in WTTC grads). I do not plan on doing everything you have done as a mother, I am just not the "crunchy" person, but I totally respect all of your choices and opinions. I do not understand how anything you said can be seen as anything more than your opinion. You have stated more than once that the things written are how YOU feel about life and never once have I felt as though you have been trying to push your ways on anyone else. However your blog alone it the reason I started doing my own research on a number of things, NCB, cloth diapering, delaying vax's and not starting solids till 6 months for example. I learned things that I had NO clue about thanks to you and I feel as though it will help me to be a better mother to my daughter just because I now can make truly educated choices. Please do not let people get you down and keep blogging just as you have been, people are truly learning from it and I hate that some women are so childish that they feel as though they have to belittle you for what you think.
Sorry this got so long but I wanted to let you know that you are doing a great job no matter what anyone else may say."

And another person who "gets me",
"Nikki, I already posted to this thread, but wanted to say that I love your blog. I check it all the time and I have never thought you have belittled anyone! You state what works for your family but you don't say that has to work for everyone. I think some people just like to feel attacked to make themselves feel better about their choices."

Another positive thing has happened lately. I've had not one but two people actually ask my opinion, or what I've found in research about the h1n1 vaccines. One momma pointed out that she didn't know there were variations of the vaccine. Well, most mommy's wouldn't. I guess they have a blind faith in their pediatrician to just make decisions for them, but this momma does not. We don't do any vaccines with thimerosal, or squalene, and is this is why.

The multi dose vials of vaccines often have "preservatives". The most well known is thimerosal. Here is what that is, in a nutshell, courtesy of the FDA's website.
"Thimerosal is a mercury-containing organic compound (an organomercurial). Since the 1930s, it has been widely used as a preservative in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines, to help prevent potentially life threatening contamination with harmful microbes. Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised. Indeed, because of these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has worked with, and continues to work with, vaccine manufacturers to reduce or eliminate thimerosal from vaccines."

Now, from what the package inserts are saying, these H1N1 vaccines don't have squalene. At least from what I can tell from reading their reviews. So, that isn't an issue.

So, if the FDA is working with manufacturers to eliminate thimerosal from vaccines, why is it in the new H1N1 multi dose vials? Two answers: speed and money. Drug companies can make the vaccine faster and cheaper by doing it in a multi dose vial.

I'm not a mom that believes in some autism and vaccine conspiracy. I just believe in researching (alot) to find out what is best for my child. Not your child, but my child. And I just happen to believe that asking for a single dose syringe of the H1N1 vaccine is best for him. Here's hoping his peds office has it!

For additional info, here is what Dr. Sears has to say:
http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/

Blog Changes

I changed my comments to where you have to be a member of my blog to comment. Now, I'm not really sure what you have to do to be a member of my blog. But I couldn't find an option to not allow commenting at all. I do enjoy thoughtful and intelligent comments, and hate to see comments go. But, I'd rather have it that way to keep away all the others that just piss me off. Absolutely asinine comments, with no basis, that are completely untrue. And certainly not ones that I'll ever publish. Suggestion: Quit attacking my family, just because yours is falling apart all around you.

Thought of the morning

In order to be unbelievably hateful and hurtful, I believe that someone must be very sad and miserable inside. I feel sorry for any unfortunate blog reader this applies to, and NO, I won't be publishing your untrue and asinine comments.

Confessions of a CF husband

I've followed this blog/website for over a year now, and it's such a sweet story. It's written by Nate, who is married to Tricia (who has CF), and they have a little girl named Gwyneth. I love their story, and I'm continuously inspired by it. Throughout their journey, more and more people have started reading their blog. Along the way, Nate had to start moderating comments and not letting people post anonymously. I'll never quite understand why someone who doesn't even know them would feel the need to write hateful things. The easier option is simply to quit reading about them and their story.

The same thing goes for my blog. My blog was originally started to keep our distant family and friends up to date with our crazy lives. It has evolved over time, but I still enjoy blogging. It appears that I may have to eliminate people having the option to post comments anonymously. They are inevitably rude and hateful, which is just immature and ridiculous considering the other option is to QUIT READING MY BLOG.

One more night of work, and then it's time to pack some stuff up! We are still considering going out of town this weekend, but haven't decided yet. I guess we'll decide tomorrow:-)

Blog surfing

I should really quit blog surfing. If you're confused by what that means, then let me enlighten you. Basically, it's hopping to others blogs via someone's blog you actually follow/read. I do that often, just because I find blogs entertaining. For the most part. However, I've decided I need to quit randomly doing that, b/c I keep finding myself frustrated and irritated. I really need to stick to people's blog who either 1- I know, or 2- think like me.

Sometimes I'm tempted to comment, but I don't because it's not really my place. If someone is making ignorant decisions, and has people to cheer them on in their ignorance, my little comment isn't going to make a difference. And like I said, I really don't feel it's my place. Sometimes I wish I was friends with blog writers, and could actually call them up and enlighten them.

To avoid being endlessly frustrated, I've decided to stick with a few of my favorite message boards. Boards that are chock full of people who believe the same things I do, and who I can vent to. One is the natural childbirth board at justmommies.com, and another is mothering.com. They are both great sources of information, but more importantly, support. The internet really is a fabulous thing, because I only have one friend in real life who thinks like me about alot of things. Mainly pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. Support is great, and sometimes crucial when the things I choose to believe and practice aren't mainstream. If you surf the net long enough, I guarantee you can find a group of people to support whatever your current passion or interest is.

I have two more nights of work, and I'm ready for them to be over. I'm honestly not ready to leave my job, or Charlotte, but I am ready to be done working nights. Not my thing, and these two months have reminded me of that. We move next Tuesday. I'm not sure whether to cry or try to be excited. When it comes down to it, I HAVE to try and be excited. I've got to give living in Florence a fair shot. Eric is, so I have to too. I think the summers will be easier, since it's then we'll take advantage of being close to the ocean and lake. I'm sure this first winter will be the hardest. Give me strength, because I'm sure gonna need it........

Oops, I did it again. (I love Britney Spears.) And apparently, I did do it again. What, you wonder? Well, obviously my opinions written on my blog have offended a "friend". I use the term loosely here. I'm sure there are people who disagree with and are offended by things I write about. Luckily, it's my blog, so I can write what I want. Freedom of speech and all that. Fortunately there is also freedom of choice, as in choosing to not read my offensive blog. Everyone has that right. I usually blog about Drake and what he's up to. And post his adorable little pictures. But I also enjoy blogging about things I am passionate about. Heavens knows there are plenty of those! I'm in general a very passionate and opinionated person. Those traits are probably what feeds my desire to blog, and the enjoyment I get from it.

In my last post about Drake's weight, I wrote about feeling bitter since I feel I've done everything "right". I even put the word right in quotations in that post. I don't HAVE to explain myself. Or expand on every little thing. But "right" in that context meant right for me, and right for my family. I've said it before on this blog, and I'll say it again. Just because I've decided that something is right for me and my family, doesn't mean that it's right for others. It also does not mean that people who don't do the same things I do, are in the wrong. For example, my cousin Ashlee had C-sections with both her daughters. They were medically indicated to save her and her child from further complications. I, obviously, don't think she's in the wrong for her C/S. My friend Tarah chooses to formula feed. She's decided it's what best for her and her family, and it works for them. She is a wonderful Mommy who loves her girls wholeheartedly. She's no less of a Mom just b/c she formula feeds. My SIL Bridget started solids with my niece at 4 months. She also has decided it's what best for her and her family. She also loves her daughter with all her heart, and she is indeed no less of a Mom because of when she starts solids.

Every Mom simply does what is best, in their opinion. I'll share this little quote with you, in that it's one of my favorites. "There are no medical facts, only medical opinions disguised as facts". That quote makes me smile, because it's true to an extent. Obviously, there is plenty of medical fact. But for a lot of "facts", you can find research studies to dispute the "fact". Take cloth diapering for example. There are plenty of articles claiming it to NOT be beneficial for the environment, since it requires water to wash them so frequently. Or take breastfeeding: there are articles out there saying that it's NOT best, due to all the stuff mommies consume in their diets that can be sent to the babies. I, as a Mommy, choose to believe what I want. So does every other Mommy. We choose what we believe, and then we choose how that affects our family. Freedom of choice is a beautiful thing, isn't it?

I share a lot of things on my blog to hopefully open peoples eyes to an alternative way of looking at things. Or to educate others to non-mainstream ideas. Kinda like when I wrote about why I use midwives, and what a doula is. They aren't necessarily mainstream, so it was nice to shed some light on that for people who read my blog.

Back to the issue at hand. My blog obviously offends a girl I went to high school with, to the point that she herself wrote quite the blog post. In an effort to make this blog post of mine more clear, I am copying and pasting hers below. To avoid copywrite issues, it's from www.kmkandherday@blogspot.com. Her words are below, in bold and italics.

Some People are Just Mean.

Okay.

I shall remain silent no more. Of course, I typically do TRY to keep my mouth shut when someone says something just plain ignorant. If you are a health care "professional," it is not okay to call someone a crackhead whore! It just isn't. Not everyone that has a c-section opts for it, or schedules it in their day planner. There ARE medical rationales for having to have a c-section, hints the word "emergency," which is so often synonymously used with it in charts. Whichever birth a women partakes in to have her child, it may just be natural TO HER. I have 2 extremely healthy children, one 7p 11 ounces, and another 8p 4ounces.

They had all of their immunizations, with ZERO effects! If that makes me "granola" oh well, I'm not a damn cereal bar! Both of my children were diapered in disposable diapers, and had no diaper rashes, and were both potty trained at a year. They lack developmental delays, or any of any sort, and yes, they drank out of plastic bottles! Katelyn walked at 8 months, my son at 12. Freedom of choice is what makes this such a great country to live in. Also, I am sorry but if you had your tit hanging out in a public place feeding your child or not, I wouldn't want my son seeing it. What you consider natural, to me is indecent to my child. (and yes, I breastfed)..by the way..are they even real? If not, how about organic? I'm sorry, do you eat all non-chemical foods, or beer? Are you having detrimental side effects. Did you wear disposable diapers, eat organic baby food, and go without immunizations, unlikely!

Besides, we all know you must have them to enter school! What REAL evidence is there that plastic bottles, or immunizations harm any child? Some "granola" website, which is monetarily gaining from their sale of such "organic" products. I am sorry, don't you give drugs for a living? (because that is what anesthesia is right?)...just plain hypocritical. My children both ate solids before 6 months, and neither has a problem with "childhood obesity." Perhaps each persons' individual way of mothering and reering a child is just as good as your own, since you have so much experience..what..months?

Now, like I said, Kim has obviously had enough of my blog. Luckily she knows all about freedom of choice making this country great, and isn't required by law to read my offensive blog. Geez, good thing!

Yes, I am a healthcare professional. And yes, the term crackhead whore sufficiently describes a patient from time to time. If I'm doing a C/S, its necessary for me to know my patient is a crackhead whore. The crack (and other random drugs) can potentially interact with drugs I give. Her being a whore (paid prostitute) puts her at risk for communicable diseases that ARE my business if her blood, vomit, and whatever else ends up on me. I work in a Level I, urban trauma center. Yes, I do get some sweet women with adorable little husbands for C/S. I also get the other end of the spectrum. And when THAT end of the spectrum comes in, and has a beautiful healthy child, I'm bitter and jealous. ESPECIALLY WHEN FACED WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT MY CHILD HAS A SERIOUS ILLNESS. Fault me for my feelings, fine. But they are my feelings and I'm entitled to them. I'm allowed to feel how I feel. (Thanks Michelle!)

Being a healthcare professional, I am also aware that there a variety of reasons to have a C-section. They can at times be life saving for both mom and baby. I'm all for those. I'm happy to do them, and happy when everyone turns out well. But I'm gonna go way off on a tangent here, and talk all about the C/S that DO annoy me. First and foremost, a purely elective c/s for women who simply don't want to labor. They don't want to "hurt" with labor. They don't want their vajayjay stretched out. Whatever the reason, they wuss out of birthing a child the way our bodies are intended, and take what they believe is the easy way out. If only they knew. It pisses me off that it's even an OPTION, when women who go into hospitals with natural birth in mind are told they DON'T have options. I also can't stand when people demand early c/s because they are "tired of being pregnant". Are you kidding me? Who isn't tired of being pregnant in the third trimester! That reasoning is just a joke in my opinion. C/s for butt first breech presentation are one of my current pet peeves. Canada and some European countries are following research that says a butt first breech delivery is NO RISKIER than a c/s. The US doesn't follow that yet, because let's face it. Our OB's don't know how to deliver breech babies anymore. And they make a lot more money from a c/s than a vaginal delivery. It's just really sad to me that I can't "choose" to have a breech delivery, when the woman next door can "choose" a C/S because she's heard contractions hurt. Let's see, what other c/s annoy me.......Oh yes- the repeats done because an OB uses fear to talk the patient into it. Uterine rupture is such a small risk (1% or less I believe), yet women choose a repeat c/s because they "don't want to die during labor". We do a ton of c/s at work because of FTP; Failure to Progress. I have personally renamed this failure to push. Being induced when a body just isn't ready, laid on your back, then made numb from the chest down......and then we wonder how a failure to progress came to be??? If women would wait until their bodies were ready, stay upright, and be able to push effectively, our c/s rate would go way down. I'm seriously disturbed that it's over 30% now in this country. It makes me sad. Like I said before, I'm all for a honest to goodness medically indicated C-section. But the others just make me sad:-( I'm off my C/S tangent now. Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

It's great that women can choose to view their birth, no matter how it goes, as natural. But let me say for the record, that as someone who birthed a baby completely natural without so much as a damn Tylenol, I will be offended when someone calls their intervention filled birth "natural".

Choosing to fully vaccinate a child is as far from granola as possible. It's the other end of the spectrum from granola. I'm always thrilled when children are vaccinated without injury. But the fact remains that there ARE children with documented vaccine injuries in this country. No one knows what the true long term effects will be from each and every new vaccine that pops up. While I'd rather my child not be a guinea pig, I couldn't care less what other parents do. Just because Drake only gets one vaccine at a time, doesn't mean that the kid who gets 6 vaccines at once is any worse off. That kid's parent (hopefully) researched and made her own educated decisions.

I get annoyed beyond belief listening to "My child x,y,z, and they are just fine." I don't make ANY of my decisions based on one example. I prefer statistically significant research studies with large numbers of participants.

I don't breastfeed Drake with my "tit" hanging out in public. But I also refuse to cover him up. He's eating, not molesting me. I suggest to parents that if your child questions what I'm doing, to use it as a teaching moment and explain that God created our bodies to sustain our children, long before formula was around. It may be a perfect introduction into that birds and bees talk.

And can I just say how unbelievably honored I am that anyone would think my boobs are so fabulous that they are the handiwork of a plastic surgeon?!?! These are all mine, and I agree that they are quite nice. But after breastfeeding all my kids, I probably will need that plastic surgeon. I wore sposies, drank forumla, got all my shots, and I'm still brilliant. But it was a close call=)

Vaccines are not required to enter schools in all states, if you claim religious exemption. It's quite easy to do, at least in NC and SC. FWIW.......

If I didn't have such a cute little man occupying so much of my attention, I'd be happy to pull up some articles that explains precisely which plastics, and what ingredients of vaccines are dangerous. But alas he does indeed keep me busy. I suggest to a mom who honestly wants to know these things, to do her research just as I did. I have two books I am particularly fond of. "Healthy Child, Healthy World" is a book all about green living. "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears contains unbiased factual info about vaccines. Those are some of my go-to books when I have a question about something. Great info in them!

Generally, anesthesia involves giving drugs, lol. It's what I do, I enjoy it, and I'm well compensated for it. It hardly makes me a hypocrite just because I choose a granola and green lifestyle.

I have never once said that other peoples way of mothering isn't as good as mine. I have, however, frequently said that I choose what's best for MY family. Not all families, but mine. It's what works for us. No, we are not completely green and all into healthy living. I personally love the quarter pounder with cheese combo at McDonalds. It's my very favorite fast food! We take it one day at a time. And I take this blog one post at a time. I speak my mind, and I'm usually brutally honest. It's chock full of my opinions. I think it's unfortunate that Kim feels I insinuate that any Mom who doesn't do the same things I do, is a bad Mom. That isn't the case at all. I don't generally label people as bad mothers, except maybe the crackhead whore.

With all of that said, I hope that none of my family, or true friends feel I have belittled their parenting. It's not my intention in this blog. But I will not change how my thoughts come out on here, or edit them to avoid hurt feelings. It is what it is, and if you don't like it, then don't read it.

Can I get an Amen?

Post #100 Baby!!!

100 posts, I just can't believe it! When I started this blog, I thought it would be like a lot of other things I start. They sound good in the beginning, but then fizzle out as I lose motivation and time. But, I've really become quite fond of blogging. Mostly b/c I can say whatever I want, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Hehehe! And, if someone does have something nasty to say, I can just delete their comment. I've never gotten any rude or mean comments, but then again, I don't blog about extremely controversial things. It's alot of fun talking about Drake incessantly, which is kinda what this blog has evolved into.

We've had a busy last week. Eric's parents were here Saturday til today, which was awesome. Having grandma here allowed me to get a nap each day, and she cooked and cleaned like crazy. Grandma's are the best! I have some photos downloading, so I'll work on getting those posted soon.

I am in such shock, but in a good way

So, as it turns out I am famous. A superstar known to many. Okay, maybe just a few. I honestly thought that my Mom, MIL, and grandma were the only ones who read this thing. Plus a couple of friends. So, much to my surprise, I found out there are others. My friend Angela from the message boards at www.justmommies.com posted this morning that my little blog has been recognized on someone else's blog. Someone who actually has FOLLOWERS. Someone who's blog is so popular it's worthy of advertisements. Someone who's blog I've actually been to and read. And she thought that a post I wrote about midwives was actually worthy of mentioning and linking in one of her posts. I am totally in shock!

So, I know that now you all wanna run over there and read all about it. You can find it at www.crunchydomesticgoddess.com. My blog is mentioned in the article about midwives. You can go see how famous my little blog is. This has totally inspired me to keep on blogging, especially about things that may inspire or educate others. You never know when something you say may get through to someone. I'm so excited- did I say that yet?

One more thing...

Just want to add that I am by no means an expert or even close to it. And if my blogging makes you think a little, don't take my word for it--do your own research! The internet is a fabulous thing!