I Get it!

I've learned this past year to let go of my own inhibitions about team sports. I never liked them. I was never good at them. I didn't like trying out - not making the team, etc. I found my place with music - everyone wins - everyone participates - everyone (usually) has fun. Even if you're not the best player in the band - your part is still important. You are part of a group and you all need to work together to accomplish something great.

So between my past relationship with sports and Quinn's feet issues I was very leery about signing him up for any team sports. And then his Physical Education teacher suggested it. As she put it, "at this age - everyone plays and they really try to make it fun. Any experience he can get running with his friends will help him break into a true run eventually."

So - Quinn's played basketball, soccer, and tee ball this past year. And he's loved every single sport. If you ask him what his favorite is - it's whatever he's playing at the time. We're just finishing up a tee ball season - where I signed both Quinn and Liam up to play together.

I get it now. The boys love it. They cheer each other on. They pay attention to the game (most of the time). They know the rules. They've improved with catching and throwing. They respect their coaches. And they look adorable.

Quinn's also taking piano lessons and it got me thinking. Why are we doing this? I have no dreams/hopes of him becoming a professional musician/rock star. I believe most parents have their children participate in a musical activity to encourage a love and appreciation of music. By participating and not just observing you feel a deeper connection to the music.

And it hit me. Why not give my kids the same experience with sports? I don't believe either one of them will go on to play professionally - or even in college (well, maybe Liam, but that's another blog post in itself). I can expose them to a variety of sports and allow them to build a deeper connection with each through participation and not observation. It'll work for now - as the games aren't competitive and everyone makes the team. We'll see what happens when they're older. But I've put my own fear about not being good enough to play aside and I've allowed them to determine what they feel comfortable trying.

Skinny is Not My Goal

A few days ago Jillian Michaels was asking her facebook followers for ideas for work-out t-shirt slogans. I, of course, couldn't think of one on the spot. But now, a few days later - I've got it.

I'd love to work out in a shirt that said:

My goal is not skinny.

My goal is strength.

I didn't always weigh what I weigh now. Maybe that's why I keep hearing people tell me, "You're so skinny." When really - I'm not. Yes - I weigh less. Yes - I'm wearing a smaller size than when most of these people met me. Yes - I'm working out. yes - I eat healthy foods. But skinny hasn't been my goal since high school (at which point I could never achieve the elusive "skinny"). My goal now, if you can call it that, is to put food into my body that will give me fuel to be stronger. To do more. I eat when I'm hungry - which some days feels like all the time. I rejoice in being able to do a few push-ups on my toes instead of my knees or to hold a plank for over a minute. More importantly, I rejoice in being able to run next to Quinn or Liam as the ride their bikes down the sidewalk. Or to be able to play an all-out game of soccer with them without huffing and puffing too much. My goal is not to be skinny. My goal is to be strong.

A Month Overdue

And No. NOT THAT. Geez. I'm smarter than that. And scared to death of having another baby. I can barely keep up with two kids, much less three. Geez. Speaking of, hold on while I go pop The Pill. Still gotta get used to taking that - I better be careful. =)

So, what's a month overdue...my post about Liam's one-year check up. Why??? It's been in my head for awhile, but never got around to it and part of what I'm about to write is pretty controversial so I wanted to do some research before posting, but now I'm thinking, forget the research and we'll just go with what I think, this isn't a paper for some class I'm taking, no, it's my personal blog, so coming up are somethings that I have some opinions on that may or may not agree with you or your doctor or our doctor, for that matter.... so for those of you who are just dying to know what's up. Here we go...

The Stats:
21 pounds 7 ounces

2 feet 6 inches

And here we go: traditionally, or whatever, it's typical for children to receive the MMR vaccine at their one year check up. At least with our doctors - they tell you at the 9 month appointment to be sure to schedule the one year check up for after the child's birthday so that they can receive the shot, because they cannot give it unless the child is over a year old. Now, there's been some debate (and by some, I mean a whole lot of debate) about whether or not that vaccine causes autism. It's tricky, because the symptoms of autism usually appear around that time (between 12 months and 18 months) - so does the vaccine cause it - I'm not convinced. What I am convinced of, however, is that some children have gotten that particular vaccine and had horrible reactions - very high fever lasting several days, and then, all of a sudden some of the developmental milestones they have reached (talking, especially) disappear. Now whether or not these are all from the pre-"Mercury free" era or not, I'm not sure. (notice the lack of research, yeah, sorry...I warned you.) So my thoughts on this entire thing is similar to that girl who's dating Jim Carey, what's her name? Basically, I agree with the too many too soon theory when it comes to shots. When Quinn was one year old I choose to wait to get the MMR shot - I told the doctor I was uncomfortable with it and she said, "That's understandable. He is, however, showing NO signs of autism, so I would feel comfortable giving him that shot, but if you're not comfortable we can wait." Cool. So we waited 3 months and at 3 months she convinced me that since he was showing no signs she felt really comfortable with it - so we did it and he was fine (and still is). {Oh and on a total side note, regarding Jim Carey's girlfriend, what IS her name - wait - Jennifer? Jenny? Oh - Jenny McCarthy, isn't it? Anyway, I don't think she cured her son of autism with a diet. I think that her son had serious allergy issues with symptoms similar to autism - and thus, a diet change did wonders for him - because he had allergies to those foods. How controversial is that statement? Anyone?} So - now, let's move on to a month ago when I took Liam in for his one year check up.

I went in with the mind set that there was No Way he was getting that MMR shot - not my Liam, my little fuss-bug, takes-long-to-adjust-to-things, and doesn't-like-to-try-new-food baby. There was no way I felt comfortable giving him that shot. (Now would be a good time for me to explain that I feel that possibly, that shot could cause children who somehow have a pre-disposition for autism to have a bad reaction, or something, and then actually get autism. Just like someone who has a pre-disposition to get lung cancer, smokes like 2 cigs a day for a few years (or never smokes), and gets lung cancer, yet we know people who smoke like 2 packs a day forever and never get lung cancer, because they dont' have a pre-disposition - again, not fact, just my opinion). So anyway, I was all set to SAY NO TO MMR and the doctor and I began talking. Mostly about what he was eating, or uh, not eating at that point. He would put new foods in his mouth only to spit them out. "Does he ever want what you're eating?" Yes, then I'll give him some and he'll spit it out, or just feel it with his fingers and throw it on the floor. And he's still eating baby food, because it's mainly veggies he avoids. "So, what does he eat?" Mostly bread-type food, puffs, Cheerios, cereal, you know. He really doesn't like fruits or veggies and it took us forever to get him to try watermelon. But he does like bananas. "Okay - I'm going to give you a referral for a speech therapist. Sounds like he has a texture aversion and sometimes they can give you some toys to let him chew on to help him get used to different feels in his mouth. And also, we usually do the MMR at this appointment, but I'd like to wait a few months." And do you want to know what I heard? I heard, "I don't want to give him the MMR because I think he may have autism and I don't want you to blame it on the shot. And also, see this speech therapist, because early intervention is key for kids with autism." And then she added, "All of his other developmental milestones look good - he's making eye contact, smiling, engaging, he's doing great." And I heard, "RELAX." And that's what I needed to hear. And then I asked, "When we do get that vaccine is it possible to get it in separate doses?" (meaning, three separate shots at three different visits) Yes. Yes it is. And so, that's where we are. Sort of. My plan is to wait until he's two years or 18 months and then to get the vaccine done separately. Like I said, I have no proof that the MMR causes autism, but hell if I'm going to think that it was my fault if I have the tools and the "knowledge" to try something different.

Also - while we're talking about vaccines I do think that kids get way too many vaccines - and we always take a pass on all the "optional" ones. We've never had a flu shot and I guess there's some series of shots they do that helps prevent ear infections - we've never gotten that one either.

Oh - and also - Liam's been a much better eater. Stubborn as all hell, but better. I have to do a lot of "This first (while holding a veggie) and then this (while holding something he loves)." He totally gets it and now will eat green beans, peas, all sorts of fruit, pasta, etc. He's still picky and I still have to pack food for him when we go out - and I still give him some baby food while we're out, just so he gets some veggies. But the kid loves him some french fries - and all stuff "bad" for you. I haven't yet called the speech therapist, but I will. It wouldn't hurt, would it?

Oh - and also - one more thing - if you've made it this far, Liam says, "yeah for you! Good job!" and also "WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

If you want to do your own research - go for it! Do a search for MMR/autism/mercury shots/too many too soon/what causes autism and you will find a TON of conflicting information or misinformation. Way too much for me to sort through and link to...if you have a good link or site with some real information please leave it in the comments!