The Power of Prayer

I am not a spiritual person.

Nor am I very religious.

But tonight I am asking for your prayers.

There are two new little girls who entered the world today. At just 25 weeks old, they are about to meet their parents' for the first time in the NICU.

I do not yet know how much they weigh or their current medical status, but I do know that the love their parents already have for them is insurmountable.

I look at Hannah and realize she really was a little miracle. And all I can do is pray for my friends and their two daughters that they will experience their own miracle.

Welcome to the world, strong little fighters.

Aunt Flo

When I was about 10 years old we went on a family vacation to Vail Colorado with my cousins from New York. One day out on the slopes, I thought I was following the fluorescent yellow one piece snowsuit of my uncle, when in fact it was another man in what can now be considered a fashion faux pas. Lost in the powder, I managed to find my way back to our ski-in hotel.

Once my mom finally found me, she escorted me back to meet the rest of the gang. As we slid on to the chairlift, there on the whiteboard, was a message from my parents in search of my return. But instead of writing "Lauren meet here" it read "Florence meet here".

Every since that day, I have been taken on the nickname Flo.

Well, while I wish I was currently pounding the powder out west, I am unfortunately focused on the pounding occurring in my lower abdomen. After 17 months (of pure heaven) without a monthly visitor, I think she is about to make her grand entrance.

Hannah is still breastfeeding at 8 months old but the cramps I am clenching back in my tummy, may be a pretty good indication that I have a visitor on the way. And this aunt is pounding at my door for what will seemingly be an anti-climactic return.

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Red Alert, red alert! It's NOT a catastrophe!

Ain't nuthin' goin' on but history, yeah
it's all right, don't panic...

If only the Basement Jaxx's tune could have been piped through the airways today..

Warning: Some of you might not like what I am about to post. Sorry to offend you if you are one of those in question.

I rarely express opinions in this blog trying to keep it to whimsy and tips but H1N1 is on everyone's mind so...

Wake up at 5am. Get a number at 6am. Stand like cattle with cranky children about. Get pricked. Leave by 9:30.

Why?

Why would you subject yourself to that? Why would you subject your children to that?

Yes, H1N1 is real. But if you have been safe thus far chances are you're not going to get it today, tomorrow or even the day after. So why not let the panic settle? And when society is back in an orderly state then take your spot in line?

It seems like even by waiting until this afternoon wait times seemed to be reasonable and crowds civilized.

So with more than a month on the calendar until the vaccines open up to the general public, why are so many of you in a mad rush to get you6 6 month - 5 year olds vaccinated within the first hour of availability?

Now, all this is not to say that I don't care about the health and safety of Hannah. In fact, now that I know that things have settled down I plan on taking her to the Cavendish Mall tomorrow afternoon (prime time pre-shabbat). In my opinion, standing amongst hoards of people today was probably a bigger health threat than having your kids out in the fresh air with the possibility of actually contracting the virus.

There's my vent. End scene.

I wish you and your kiddies all nothing but health and and hope that the only Hs in our vocabulary this winter are pure happiness.

3rd (and 4th) Times are a Charm

Hannah broke out all of the stops this halloween. Decked out in her orange pumpkin onesie she topped it off with two new fangs. Yes, her eye teeth made their debut.

Our pediatrician suggested that we start brushing all four pearly whites right away (without toothpaste) so that she gets used to the sensation. And while we trade in the Colgate and Crest for water, he suggested that she get her fluoride in another form: a daily dose of Fluor-a-day.

Proven to reduce cavities by 70%, our future pediatric dentist better stock up on plastic rings and lollipops for Hannah's dental debut. But the way these teeth are coming in, her future orthodontist can probably book that retirement world cruise sooner than later!

H to the Hizzo

Phones ringing off of the hook, 5 hour line ups, hysteria in the headlines...all for your very own chance to experience flu-like symptoms and what is hoped to be the immunization that saves us all from the swine flu.

Yes, H1N1 is on everyone's mind. And up until now I was against it. I don't have tons of facts to back up my opinion just knowing that in 30 years of never getting the flu vaccine I never got the flu.

But with the constant media attention and heated conversations, it was time to get informed. And the best, most respected place to get this information (in my opinion) was at our pediatrician's office this morning. We had our first visit with the new doctor and the three of us absolutely loved him. So when we found out that he had already gotten the shot and was recommending it for all of his patients (no matter their age) and their parents, I realized that we should join the pack and get our vaccines.

So now the big question is when?! Of course, we all want to avoid the lineups (especially with an 8 month old).

Have you gotten the vaccine yet? Planning on it? Any tips for getting through the system easily and efficiently?

Queen of the Road

On the road again...heading back from a week in NYC.

We had a great trip and Hannah was a superstar during the day. Most
nights she spent 7-9pm in her pack and play and then joined me in bed
nursing the night away (two steps back, I know- hopefully upon
returning home it will just take a few nights to get back on track.)

And I myself just achieved new credentials for my "dairy queen" status
while soothing a crying (confused by the time change) baby with milk
at 120km/hr. I always knew yoga moves were multi purpose :) To go just
took on a whole new meaning...

We're staying put now until Christmas but these vacation memories are
sure to last all the while.