Comments for Not Just Another Dad http://notjustanotherdad.com The Adventures Of Raising Children From a Dad's Point Of View Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:27:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on The Nap No More? by David http://notjustanotherdad.com/2010/01/08/the-nap-no-more/comment-page-1/#comment-155 David Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:27:42 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=251#comment-155 Erica, Thanks for the GREAT comments! We have continued our attempt to get Xavier onto a 7:30-7:30 sleep schedule with no nap, and for the most part it has been successful, fingers crossed that it will continue. The biggest issue we have now is that he inevitably wakes up once every night, sometimes twice, scared of something, and wants one of us to sit with him until he gets back to sleep. Fortunately, he hasn't yet figured out that being in a toddler bed allows him an easy escape, and stays in bed and yells for us. Because Hayden is in our bed, I am most often the one who goes to Xavier, so spend much of my night in the recliner next to his bed...not ideal, but I'm still sleeping. I still believe that once we get into a place with some walls and carpeted bedrooms for the kids, things will get better, but we're still trying for now. Thanks again! D Erica,

Thanks for the GREAT comments! We have continued our attempt to get Xavier onto a 7:30-7:30 sleep schedule with no nap, and for the most part it has been successful, fingers crossed that it will continue. The biggest issue we have now is that he inevitably wakes up once every night, sometimes twice, scared of something, and wants one of us to sit with him until he gets back to sleep. Fortunately, he hasn’t yet figured out that being in a toddler bed allows him an easy escape, and stays in bed and yells for us. Because Hayden is in our bed, I am most often the one who goes to Xavier, so spend much of my night in the recliner next to his bed…not ideal, but I’m still sleeping.

I still believe that once we get into a place with some walls and carpeted bedrooms for the kids, things will get better, but we’re still trying for now.

Thanks again!

D

]]> Comment on The Nap No More? by Erica Williams http://notjustanotherdad.com/2010/01/08/the-nap-no-more/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Erica Williams Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:32:08 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=251#comment-150 Oh, I feel your pain! Especially now that I am in the newborn phase of sleepless nights. I do have some personal experience to share having gone through the whole bedtime, nap or no nap ritual with two kids and having lived in a loft condo with Avery. Avery was not a great sleeper until she was about 4 years old. One reason being that I, like Kerry, did not want to disturb the neighbors with a crying baby so I responded immediately to any sound she made. Also, like Kerry, I was not (and am still not so far) able to ignore a screaming baby. I tried to let Avery "cry it out" for two nights in our condo and she cried for an hour and then fell asleep for about 20 minutes and then woke up and cried again and then fell asleep briefly again and woke up crying again until I finally rocked her to sleep and then I cried. She did the same thing the next night so I gave up. It is just too tough for me emotionally. Avery was also a very light sleeper so living in a one bedroom loft condo did not help with that issue either. Once we moved to our house I was determined to correct her sleep issues. I will say that having her own room upstairs with a closed door helped her to become a better napper but really did not solve her night time sleep issues. I would lay down with her for naps and every night until she fell asleep and gradually I started just sitting next to her bed until finally she was okay with me being in my room as long as I was upstairs. But, she was always a "night owl". She would go to bed between 9:30 and 10:00 every night, which eventually I couldn't take any more. I was longing for some time to myself to watch tv, read a book, etc. Finally, when she was about 3, I took away her nap and put her to bed earlier and it worked. It was not immediate but it didn't take very long. We had to endure some crabby afternoons but ultimately she started going to bed by 8:00pm and sleeping until 7:30 0r 8:00 and now most nights she and Brooke are in bed with lights out by 7:30pm. She still didn't start sleeping straight through the night though until she was about 4 because she had night terrors often which she seemed to just outgrow. After 4 she became a rock star sleeper. No noise would wake her and she would often sleep until 8:00 or 8:30 and on occasion has even slept until 9:00. With Brooke I was bound and determined to not go another four years without an uninterrupted nights sleep so I started very early on trying to get her on a schedule. I would start her sleep routine before she was overtired. I do believe that that was part of Avery's problem, she was overtired and we didn't know it. Both of them have never been kids that slow down when they are tired. They seem to do the opposite. I read a sleep book, that I can't remember the title of now, that said that once a baby gets overtired it is more difficult for them to fall asleep and the more they continue to go to sleep overtired the more difficult it becomes for them to learn to soothe themselves to sleep. Basically, sleep begets sleep. It sounded a little crazy to me but it seemed to work for Brooke. I would more watch the clock to know when to put her down for naps than wait for signs from her that she was sleepy and it worked. I started this when she was like two months old. By 3 or 4 months old she fell asleep for naps and night with me just rocking her for a few minutes at 7:00 pm. She was sleeping through the night by the time she was 4 months old (no waking for feedings or anything)and would sleep until around 6:00am. By the time she was about 8 months old I was able to take her upstairs, read her a book, feed her and rock her a few minutes and then lay her in her crib awake and she would go to sleep on her own without a sound. She went through periods here and there where she would wake in the night but that was it. Just recently she has been waking up and coming in our bed in the middle of the night saying she is scared but once she falls asleep I return her to her bed. Hopefully this is just a phase. Brooke gave up napping just after she turned two. She started fighting it. It would take forever to get her to sleep so by the time she fell asleep it was 2:00 or 2:30 and then I would either have to get my neighbor to come and sit in our house while I picked Avery up from school or I would have to wake her to go get Avery. On the days she was able to stay asleep she would nap until 4:00 or 4:30 and then would fight going to bed at night and be up until between 10:00 and 11:00. This I definitely couldn't handle so although she was young, I eliminated the nap again and just as it had worked for Avery it worked for Brooke, she started going to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and sleeping until 7:00 or 7:30. Again, we had to endure some crabby afternoons (and still do sometimes) but bedtime is much smoother. They are both sound asleep in about five or ten minutes most nights. Every now and then when she is having a really crabby day I will put her down for a nap and then at bedtime I'm sorry I did because she just will not go to sleep and then she's crabby again the next day from staying up late and the vicious cycle begins. Just after Brooke turned 2 she also transitioned to the trundle bed in Avery's room because she did not want to sleep in her crib anymore. She started refusing to get in it and would dangerously climb out not doing well on the dismount like Xavier. She instead wanted to sleep on the floor which clearly wasn't acceptable, so we had no other alternative but to put her in a bed. I was worried about her not transitioning well and worried about the two of them keeping each other up but being together seemed to work to our advantage. They were comfort to each other. Having a sister in the room seems to calm any night time fears either of them has and still does to this day. In fact, the couple of times recently Avery has not been home to go to bed with Brooke, Brooke has a really hard time and I have to lay in there with her. So, after all those years of sleeplessness, struggle and experimenting we have two kids that sleep pretty well and Matt and I were getting many, many uninterrupted nights sleep. Then, November 11th rolled around and we were blessed with our third beautiful little girl and so we (mostly me) began sleeplessness all over again. And the trials of what works and what doesn't has just begun because poor Sienna has to contend with her two older sisters school schedules and after school schedules so she is dragged out and about a lot and spends a lot more time sleeping in her car seat than the other two ever did. This I'm sure will pose new obstacles for me when it comes to getting her in a good sleep routine. I'll let you know how it turns out. Just a quick disclaimer - because I am sleep deprived right now my writing may not be up to par and I don't have time to proofread since I have already sacrificed some quality sleep time to write this response and I have no more to give. Hopefully there is something helpful or interesting in here. Good night! Oh, I feel your pain! Especially now that I am in the newborn phase of sleepless nights. I do have some personal experience to share having gone through the whole bedtime, nap or no nap ritual with two kids and having lived in a loft condo with Avery. Avery was not a great sleeper until she was about 4 years old. One reason being that I, like Kerry, did not want to disturb the neighbors with a crying baby so I responded immediately to any sound she made. Also, like Kerry, I was not (and am still not so far) able to ignore a screaming baby. I tried to let Avery “cry it out” for two nights in our condo and she cried for an hour and then fell asleep for about 20 minutes and then woke up and cried again and then fell asleep briefly again and woke up crying again until I finally rocked her to sleep and then I cried. She did the same thing the next night so I gave up. It is just too tough for me emotionally. Avery was also a very light sleeper so living in a one bedroom loft condo did not help with that issue either. Once we moved to our house I was determined to correct her sleep issues. I will say that having her own room upstairs with a closed door helped her to become a better napper but really did not solve her night time sleep issues. I would lay down with her for naps and every night until she fell asleep and gradually I started just sitting next to her bed until finally she was okay with me being in my room as long as I was upstairs. But, she was always a “night owl”. She would go to bed between 9:30 and 10:00 every night, which eventually I couldn’t take any more. I was longing for some time to myself to watch tv, read a book, etc. Finally, when she was about 3, I took away her nap and put her to bed earlier and it worked. It was not immediate but it didn’t take very long. We had to endure some crabby afternoons but ultimately she started going to bed by 8:00pm and sleeping until 7:30 0r 8:00 and now most nights she and Brooke are in bed with lights out by 7:30pm. She still didn’t start sleeping straight through the night though until she was about 4 because she had night terrors often which she seemed to just outgrow. After 4 she became a rock star sleeper. No noise would wake her and she would often sleep until 8:00 or 8:30 and on occasion has even slept until 9:00.

With Brooke I was bound and determined to not go another four years without an uninterrupted nights sleep so I started very early on trying to get her on a schedule. I would start her sleep routine before she was overtired. I do believe that that was part of Avery’s problem, she was overtired and we didn’t know it. Both of them have never been kids that slow down when they are tired. They seem to do the opposite. I read a sleep book, that I can’t remember the title of now, that said that once a baby gets overtired it is more difficult for them to fall asleep and the more they continue to go to sleep overtired the more difficult it becomes for them to learn to soothe themselves to sleep. Basically, sleep begets sleep. It sounded a little crazy to me but it seemed to work for Brooke. I would more watch the clock to know when to put her down for naps than wait for signs from her that she was sleepy and it worked. I started this when she was like two months old. By 3 or 4 months old she fell asleep for naps and night with me just rocking her for a few minutes at 7:00 pm. She was sleeping through the night by the time she was 4 months old (no waking for feedings or anything)and would sleep until around 6:00am. By the time she was about 8 months old I was able to take her upstairs, read her a book, feed her and rock her a few minutes and then lay her in her crib awake and she would go to sleep on her own without a sound. She went through periods here and there where she would wake in the night but that was it. Just recently she has been waking up and coming in our bed in the middle of the night saying she is scared but once she falls asleep I return her to her bed. Hopefully this is just a phase.

Brooke gave up napping just after she turned two. She started fighting it. It would take forever to get her to sleep so by the time she fell asleep it was 2:00 or 2:30 and then I would either have to get my neighbor to come and sit in our house while I picked Avery up from school or I would have to wake her to go get Avery. On the days she was able to stay asleep she would nap until 4:00 or 4:30 and then would fight going to bed at night and be up until between 10:00 and 11:00. This I definitely couldn’t handle so although she was young, I eliminated the nap again and just as it had worked for Avery it worked for Brooke, she started going to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and sleeping until 7:00 or 7:30. Again, we had to endure some crabby afternoons (and still do sometimes) but bedtime is much smoother. They are both sound asleep in about five or ten minutes most nights. Every now and then when she is having a really crabby day I will put her down for a nap and then at bedtime I’m sorry I did because she just will not go to sleep and then she’s crabby again the next day from staying up late and the vicious cycle begins. Just after Brooke turned 2 she also transitioned to the trundle bed in Avery’s room because she did not want to sleep in her crib anymore. She started refusing to get in it and would dangerously climb out not doing well on the dismount like Xavier. She instead wanted to sleep on the floor which clearly wasn’t acceptable, so we had no other alternative but to put her in a bed. I was worried about her not transitioning well and worried about the two of them keeping each other up but being together seemed to work to our advantage. They were comfort to each other. Having a sister in the room seems to calm any night time fears either of them has and still does to this day. In fact, the couple of times recently Avery has not been home to go to bed with Brooke, Brooke has a really hard time and I have to lay in there with her. So, after all those years of sleeplessness, struggle and experimenting we have two kids that sleep pretty well and Matt and I were getting many, many uninterrupted nights sleep. Then, November 11th rolled around and we were blessed with our third beautiful little girl and so we (mostly me) began sleeplessness all over again. And the trials of what works and what doesn’t has just begun because poor Sienna has to contend with her two older sisters school schedules and after school schedules so she is dragged out and about a lot and spends a lot more time sleeping in her car seat than the other two ever did. This I’m sure will pose new obstacles for me when it comes to getting her in a good sleep routine. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Just a quick disclaimer – because I am sleep deprived right now my writing may not be up to par and I don’t have time to proofread since I have already sacrificed some quality sleep time to write this response and I have no more to give. Hopefully there is something helpful or interesting in here. Good night!

]]> Comment on A bit about this Dad by David http://notjustanotherdad.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-82 David Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:31:26 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?page_id=144#comment-82 Jaime, thanks again...I am not planning to go away, so bring on those followers! Leslie! How did you "trip" into the blog...love it! Yes, I am writing some, though not as much as I should to accomplish my goals. I also author a golf blog at http:beavergolf.blogspot.com/ which is part of my future plans of a hostile takeover of the golf world now that Tiger has made a mess all over himself. Please do send as many friends as you can...and even a few strangers should you cross their paths. Happy New Year to you and Ralph as well! Jaime, thanks again…I am not planning to go away, so bring on those followers!

Leslie! How did you “trip” into the blog…love it! Yes, I am writing some, though not as much as I should to accomplish my goals. I also author a golf blog at http:beavergolf.blogspot.com/ which is part of my future plans of a hostile takeover of the golf world now that Tiger has made a mess all over himself. Please do send as many friends as you can…and even a few strangers should you cross their paths. Happy New Year to you and Ralph as well!

]]> Comment on A bit about this Dad by Leslie http://notjustanotherdad.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Leslie Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:22:21 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?page_id=144#comment-80 Hiya! I was wondering what you were up to and then tripped into your blog! It reminded me how much I have always enjoyed reading your various work - so very glad to see you writing - I plan to inform friendly parent friends of your effort. Here's hoping for a very happy healthy 2010 and beyond! Hiya! I was wondering what you were up to and then tripped into your blog! It reminded me how much I have always enjoyed reading your various work – so very glad to see you writing – I plan to inform friendly parent friends of your effort. Here’s hoping for a very happy healthy 2010 and beyond!

]]> Comment on Common Sin With Uncommon Impact by Dominick Bouchard http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/12/20/common-sin-with-uncommon-impact/comment-page-1/#comment-78 Dominick Bouchard Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:58:51 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=217#comment-78 A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You've obviously spent some time on this. Well done! A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Well done!

]]> Comment on Terror in the Kiddie Pool! by Return to Huck’s Harbor! « Not Just Another Dad http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/07/04/terror-in-the-kiddie-pool/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Return to Huck’s Harbor! « Not Just Another Dad Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:19:36 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-75 [...] this blog about our dismal first attempt at Xavier “swimming” in my post titled “Terror in the Kiddie Pool!“. Just in case you don’t have time to peruse that post, the basic premise was that we [...] [...] this blog about our dismal first attempt at Xavier “swimming” in my post titled “Terror in the Kiddie Pool!“. Just in case you don’t have time to peruse that post, the basic premise was that we [...]

]]> Comment on Love Is A Battlefield by Jo http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/12/10/love-is-a-battlefield/comment-page-1/#comment-56 Jo Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:31:46 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=209#comment-56 This is a tough one! And, I'm afraid it is only just the beginning! There are numerous times I can well recall that stirred up a multitude of feelings in me over the years. Three particular memories I have that I'm sure you remember quite well too are these. Brets first full sentence: " David hit me right here."...as he held out his arm to show me the damage. Then I remember Erica reporting after being left in the care of her "big brother" that she was hit not just once, but at least a dozen times......which she had the where-with-all tou acutally count! Later on, during a return visit from college, when Bret had "at last" grown to equal physical size of his "big brother" the two of you engaged in an angry fist flying, pushing and shoving argument on the steps that sent me into heart stopping fear, only to be told to settle down and get out of the way because you weren't REALLY hurting each other! Yeah! Many of these stories as well as others that mom is only privy to hear in later years, which only add more fuel to those lingering parental doubts of having been an effective and responsible parent at all! Ah, but at last kids do grow up and learn that physical altercations don't cut it any more....well most of them! Hang in There, Mom This is a tough one! And, I’m afraid it is only just the beginning! There are numerous times I can well recall that stirred up a multitude of feelings in me over the years. Three particular memories I have that I’m sure you remember quite well too are these. Brets first full sentence: ” David hit me right here.”…as he held out his arm to show me the damage. Then I remember Erica reporting after being left in the care of her “big brother” that she was hit not just once, but at least a dozen times……which she had the where-with-all tou acutally count! Later on, during a return visit from college, when Bret had “at last” grown to equal physical size of his “big brother” the two of you engaged in an angry fist flying, pushing and shoving argument on the steps that sent me into heart stopping fear, only to be told to settle down and get out of the way because you weren’t REALLY hurting each other! Yeah! Many of these stories as well as others that mom is only privy to hear in later years, which only add more fuel to those lingering parental doubts of having been an effective and responsible parent at all! Ah, but at last kids do grow up and learn that physical altercations don’t cut it any more….well most of them!

Hang in There,

Mom

]]> Comment on Lil’ Kickers Is Underway by Jo http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/12/05/lil-kickers-is-underway/comment-page-1/#comment-55 Jo Sun, 13 Dec 2009 05:10:34 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=195#comment-55 What form he has already....well, actually, it was evident a lot earlier too. As you say, though, whether or not this takes him into a future of soccer playing or not, I think it is a wonderful experience for Xavier. Learning any sport is so valuable in realizing the importance of the value of being a team member and listening and following directions. It is such a gift that you are able to enjoy this time of his life with him! And, as for the answer about "caution"....sounds like he's taking after someone else I know! Continue to Enjoy this new adventure! Mom What form he has already….well, actually, it was evident a lot earlier too. As you say, though, whether or not this takes him into a future of soccer playing or not, I think it is a wonderful experience for Xavier. Learning any sport is so valuable in realizing the importance of the value of being a team member and listening and following directions. It is such a gift that you are able to enjoy this time of his life with him! And, as for the answer about “caution”….sounds like he’s taking after someone else I know!
Continue to Enjoy this new adventure!

Mom

]]> Comment on A bit about this Dad by jaime http://notjustanotherdad.com/about-2/comment-page-1/#comment-50 jaime Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:22:34 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?page_id=144#comment-50 Hey there! Thanks for visiting my blog. I absolutely LOVE yours. I would have asked my own husband to do it if he had time because I think Dads are totally overlooked in today's parenting world. We totally need practical, solid, and manly advice around here. And not just if we have boys or teenagers. I am absolutely sure you'll gain a huge following after awhile. Hang in there!! Hey there! Thanks for visiting my blog. I absolutely LOVE yours. I would have asked my own husband to do it if he had time because I think Dads are totally overlooked in today’s parenting world. We totally need practical, solid, and manly advice around here. And not just if we have boys or teenagers. I am absolutely sure you’ll gain a huge following after awhile. Hang in there!!

]]> Comment on I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Big Trains by David http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/11/24/i-scream-you-scream-we-all-scream-for-big-trains/comment-page-1/#comment-42 David Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:03:58 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=171#comment-42 Thanks, Gary...it should have occurred to me that you might have gone through a similar phase. We went to the Chicago hobby show as well several weeks ago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. I was blown away by both the size of the show, and the number of attendees both young and old. The train sets are incredibly detailed, and the knowledge of railroad history astounding. The thing I love most, however is watching the joy on Xavier's face when an Amtrak rolls by...or when he spots Stinky Vern, of course. Thanks, Gary…it should have occurred to me that you might have gone through a similar phase. We went to the Chicago hobby show as well several weeks ago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. I was blown away by both the size of the show, and the number of attendees both young and old. The train sets are incredibly detailed, and the knowledge of railroad history astounding.

The thing I love most, however is watching the joy on Xavier’s face when an Amtrak rolls by…or when he spots Stinky Vern, of course.

]]> Comment on I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Big Trains by gary http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/11/24/i-scream-you-scream-we-all-scream-for-big-trains/comment-page-1/#comment-41 gary Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:30:16 +0000 http://notjustanotherdad.com/?p=171#comment-41 Dude! I loved this post. We recently took the twins to a model train show, thinking it would be a nice diversion from the normal zoo visits and hikes in the woods. Wow! So much detail and so many enthusiasts. I grew up watching life-size trains, as my Granny lived near a railroad switching yard. The twins got fascinated by them when I commuted via Amtrak, and the models just fueled their excitement. Although their older brother never "got the love", so to speak, he did do a significant Thomas stage and always enjoyed a trip to the railroad museum. All in all, there are worse obsessions by far, and the opportunity to learn together with your kids is delightful. Dude! I loved this post. We recently took the twins to a model train show, thinking it would be a nice diversion from the normal zoo visits and hikes in the woods.

Wow! So much detail and so many enthusiasts. I grew up watching life-size trains, as my Granny lived near a railroad switching yard. The twins got fascinated by them when I commuted via Amtrak, and the models just fueled their excitement.

Although their older brother never “got the love”, so to speak, he did do a significant Thomas stage and always enjoyed a trip to the railroad museum.

All in all, there are worse obsessions by far, and the opportunity to learn together with your kids is delightful.

]]> Comment on Kicking it off by Queenie Ross http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/06/11/kicking-it-off/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Queenie Ross Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:31 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-2 What an excellent blog, I've added your feed to my RSS reader. :-) What an excellent blog, I’ve added your feed to my RSS reader. :-)

]]> Comment on A Walk in the Park? by David http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/06/18/a-walk-in-the-park/comment-page-1/#comment-4 David Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:13:29 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=9#comment-4 Hey, Chloris, thanks for the comment...glad to see you are reading! Hayden is a pretty happy girl in general, but she can still cry up a storm. Xavier seems to be entering his terrible 2s/3s phase now, looking to test his limits with us, to see how far he can go, but he is a really great kid, and most people comment on how happy he seems to be (which makes me swell with pride, of course). The fact is both are amazing, but I don't think it's ever worth "trying for a boy/girl" if you really don't need to have another baby...right? I hope you like the writing so far, and I love having your comments as well. Thanks. Hey, Chloris, thanks for the comment…glad to see you are reading! Hayden is a pretty happy girl in general, but she can still cry up a storm. Xavier seems to be entering his terrible 2s/3s phase now, looking to test his limits with us, to see how far he can go, but he is a really great kid, and most people comment on how happy he seems to be (which makes me swell with pride, of course). The fact is both are amazing, but I don’t think it’s ever worth “trying for a boy/girl” if you really don’t need to have another baby…right?

I hope you like the writing so far, and I love having your comments as well. Thanks.

]]> Comment on A Walk in the Park? by Chloris http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/06/18/a-walk-in-the-park/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Chloris Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:52:38 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=9#comment-3 While my 4 year old is eating I am reading a few of your posts and have to comment here. I read this one because of the "infant crying" tag as my infant (5 weeks) is crying. He would definitely stop if offered the boob, but I could tell there was a burp stuck in there so we got that out first. Now he is enjoying some "dinner" also. I have 2 boys and am old enough that I probably not try for the girl. I frequently look for girls doing things that my oldest boy (not enough experience with the younger to know for sure how he will act) would not do (some of those girls at daycare are dramatic!!!). I can add that crying experience to the list of reasons it is ok to have boys. Thanks! :) While my 4 year old is eating I am reading a few of your posts and have to comment here. I read this one because of the “infant crying” tag as my infant (5 weeks) is crying. He would definitely stop if offered the boob, but I could tell there was a burp stuck in there so we got that out first. Now he is enjoying some “dinner” also.

I have 2 boys and am old enough that I probably not try for the girl. I frequently look for girls doing things that my oldest boy (not enough experience with the younger to know for sure how he will act) would not do (some of those girls at daycare are dramatic!!!). I can add that crying experience to the list of reasons it is ok to have boys. Thanks! :)

]]> Comment on Vaccinations — TMI! by Bret http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/07/08/vaccinations-tmi/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Bret Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:40:45 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-6 As you know, we too have done a lot of research on this topic. We have chosen a similar path. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there to ingest. For me, when examining what appear to be the most reliable unbiased resources, the main conclusion that I have drawn is that the system in place in this country is fundementally flawed. Autism links? My answer for now is I don't know. There is no hard evidence on a causal link, but there is equal evidence that can refute the possibility and some frightening in betweens. There is fact, scientific and otherwise that is disturbing. I have a problem with the fact, for example, that Rotovirus vaccinations have become part of the required schedule when it is a temporary disease that at worst causes diarrhea that can lead to dehydration - thus only really threatening in a third world environment without the access to healthcare (an I.V.) that most of us have, and one of the most common side effects of the shot is...drumroll please...severe diarrhea and dangerously high fevers!! There is some evidence that points to the chicken pox being beneficial to kids in building there immune systems to fight other illnesses yet this newer vaccine is now part of the schedule. But worst to me is that some aspects make it very difficult not to draw terrible conclusions about greed and negligence and deceit. The fact that scientists have studied and concluded the that an adult being exposed to more than 25mg of aluminum can be harmful and some of the most commonly used multivaccines have over 650mg going into an infant is maddening along with the fact the these vaccines seem to be carelessly approved for use without appropriate long term studies on the effects. We were adminstering known poisonous levels of mercury through thimerisol for nearly than 20 years because it was a successful preservative. more recently we were told that manufacturers were discontuing single doses to split up combo vaccines for Measels mumps and rubella so we won't even have that option anymore. There is obviously much more than this but it has certainly taught me the lesson to not assume and trust the motives. My final frustration to highlight is that the medical field makes clear effort to avoid informing new parents of options to slow down the schedule, split up shots, etc. We were told by the doctor who was speaking to us condescendingly for having concern that the main reason multiple shots are administered at once several times in the schedule is because with so many dual working parents these days it saves time and trips to the office. But that would not have even been mentioned had we not brought up the discussion. Here is an interesting link. I think to dismiss the science is extreme, but more people need to recognize that that thought goes both ways on this issue and it certainly causes me less fear of being called an alarmist. http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity/ As you know, we too have done a lot of research on this topic. We have chosen a similar path. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there to ingest. For me, when examining what appear to be the most reliable unbiased resources, the main conclusion that I have drawn is that the system in place in this country is fundementally flawed. Autism links? My answer for now is I don’t know. There is no hard evidence on a causal link, but there is equal evidence that can refute the possibility and some frightening in betweens. There is fact, scientific and otherwise that is disturbing. I have a problem with the fact, for example, that Rotovirus vaccinations have become part of the required schedule when it is a temporary disease that at worst causes diarrhea that can lead to dehydration – thus only really threatening in a third world environment without the access to healthcare (an I.V.) that most of us have, and one of the most common side effects of the shot is…drumroll please…severe diarrhea and dangerously high fevers!! There is some evidence that points to the chicken pox being beneficial to kids in building there immune systems to fight other illnesses yet this newer vaccine is now part of the schedule. But worst to me is that some aspects make it very difficult not to draw terrible conclusions about greed and negligence and deceit. The fact that scientists have studied and concluded the that an adult being exposed to more than 25mg of aluminum can be harmful and some of the most commonly used multivaccines have over 650mg going into an infant is maddening along with the fact the these vaccines seem to be carelessly approved for use without appropriate long term studies on the effects. We were adminstering known poisonous levels of mercury through thimerisol for nearly than 20 years because it was a successful preservative. more recently we were told that manufacturers were discontuing single doses to split up combo vaccines for Measels mumps and rubella so we won’t even have that option anymore. There is obviously much more than this but it has certainly taught me the lesson to not assume and trust the motives. My final frustration to highlight is that the medical field makes clear effort to avoid informing new parents of options to slow down the schedule, split up shots, etc. We were told by the doctor who was speaking to us condescendingly for having concern that the main reason multiple shots are administered at once several times in the schedule is because with so many dual working parents these days it saves time and trips to the office. But that would not have even been mentioned had we not brought up the discussion. Here is an interesting link. I think to dismiss the science is extreme, but more people need to recognize that that thought goes both ways on this issue and it certainly causes me less fear of being called an alarmist.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7395411/deadly_immunity/

]]> Comment on Vaccinations — TMI! by Lissa http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/07/08/vaccinations-tmi/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Lissa Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:05:48 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-8 Interesting blog post. I agree wholeheartedly. I know that immunizations are beneficial in protecting my kids from the host of illnesses and diseases that could kill them, but on the other hand watching them being injected with all of those "toxins" in one setting causes me to think... Interesting blog post. I agree wholeheartedly. I know that immunizations are beneficial in protecting my kids from the host of illnesses and diseases that could kill them, but on the other hand watching them being injected with all of those “toxins” in one setting causes me to think…

]]> Comment on Vaccinations — TMI! by David http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/07/08/vaccinations-tmi/comment-page-1/#comment-7 David Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:53:23 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-7 Oh, Elizabeth, thanks for the comment...my first on this blog, hopefully the first of many more. Do you know anyone who has chosen the zero immunization route? Have you asked them why? Oh, Elizabeth, thanks for the comment…my first on this blog, hopefully the first of many more. Do you know anyone who has chosen the zero immunization route? Have you asked them why?

]]> Comment on Vaccinations — TMI! by Elizabeth O. http://notjustanotherdad.com/2009/07/08/vaccinations-tmi/comment-page-1/#comment-5 Elizabeth O. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:56:43 +0000 http://justanotherdad.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-5 After the past decade, I get scared when I see how quickly actual science is tossed aside in favor of sound-bite rumors, forwarded emails and yes, people turning to Jenny McCarthy for any kind of medical guidance. As you pointed out, we know that immunizations have eradicated many childhood illnesses/plagues of the past. It's also true that we don't know what causes autism, but because it manifests around the same time as immunizations take place, the link keeps getting explored. To date no link has been proven - the paper that started the whole anti-vaccination movement? Ten of the 13 authors have withdrawn their conclusions and it has now come out that the main author falsified data to get to his conclusion. There are many, many other hypotheses out there - both genetic and environmental in nature - fragile X syndrome, mercury poisoning during pregnancy. The list is endless, and about every other day I read of a new research study being done in one of these areas. Of course, these studies are never highlighted by Yahoo! or Oprah (and I love me some O) because they're not sexy and exciting, and people can't get all riled up about them. So here's what's bizarre to me: why would parents not immunize their child when for SURE it will expose him/her and other children to harmful diseases, on the basis of something that has no proven link? Spacing out the immunizations, for your own peace of mind, good for you. But potentially bringing back deadly childhood diseases on the basis of zero proof is just irresponsible. After the past decade, I get scared when I see how quickly actual science is tossed aside in favor of sound-bite rumors, forwarded emails and yes, people turning to Jenny McCarthy for any kind of medical guidance.

As you pointed out, we know that immunizations have eradicated many childhood illnesses/plagues of the past. It’s also true that we don’t know what causes autism, but because it manifests around the same time as immunizations take place, the link keeps getting explored.

To date no link has been proven – the paper that started the whole anti-vaccination movement? Ten of the 13 authors have withdrawn their conclusions and it has now come out that the main author falsified data to get to his conclusion.

There are many, many other hypotheses out there – both genetic and environmental in nature – fragile X syndrome, mercury poisoning during pregnancy. The list is endless, and about every other day I read of a new research study being done in one of these areas. Of course, these studies are never highlighted by Yahoo! or Oprah (and I love me some O) because they’re not sexy and exciting, and people can’t get all riled up about them.

So here’s what’s bizarre to me: why would parents not immunize their child when for SURE it will expose him/her and other children to harmful diseases, on the basis of something that has no proven link? Spacing out the immunizations, for your own peace of mind, good for you. But potentially bringing back deadly childhood diseases on the basis of zero proof is just irresponsible.

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