Why I choose to vaccinate

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Whooping-cough-epidemic-declared-in-Wash-150984375.html


In light of the recent whooping cough epidemic in Washington state, and an apparantly touchy subject I unleashed in the wide wide world of facebook yesterday, here is my stance. This is why I choose to vaccinate.

I want to apologize if I offended with the word ‘idiot’. Obviously if you are an anti-vaccinationist because you have educated yourself and stand by your ethical convictions, that certainly does not make you the idiot in this scenario. I am referring to the thousands of people who don’t get vaccinated out of sheer negligence or indifference. Or to the “lemmings” out there who blindly follow the loudest voice in the crowd, telling them not to vaccinate because “I heard from my sister’s friend’s former roommate that shots cause “x” disease/contain “x” chemicals, etc.” 

My feet stand firmly and proudly in the pro-vaccine camp, and I don’t think any less about someone whose research and opinions has brought them into the anti-vaccine camp.  The research that I have done (and yes, I have done my fair share too) has led me to believe that vaccines are for the greater good of human civilization. Because our country has the infrastructure in place to vaccinate 100% of its citizens—if they so choose, of course—we can move forward as a society not worrying (as much) about major life threatening or debilitating diseases that have virtually been eradicated from the American population.  People in 3^rd world countries still worry about contracting things like cholera, small pox, diphtheria, measles, etc.  Why don’t we? Because 93% of all Americans get vaccinated. We (I know I do) tend to take for granted the fact that we can go to the store and not contract a disease that will wipe out our entire family.

Now I am completely on board with alternative healing, building natural immunities to certain illnesses (not the major diseases), and homeopathic remedies. But I also believe there needs to be a balance between these and western medicine.  The advent of vaccines in the 19^th century was a HUGE step forward for humankind.  And I truly believe that vaccination’s original intent was pure and good.  But of course as we know, evil corrupts every good thing in this world. Today pharmaceutical corporations push lobbyists and physicians alike to buy a product that will make them money. This is wrong on many levels. It’s pretty obvious that some big drug corporations (and may I go as far as to say the FDA and USDA as well) have illustrated blatantly that they care more about money, votes, and power than they do about bettering humankind.

I wish we could fully trust pharmaceutical companies to deliver medicines and vaccines that were 100% free from extraneous chemicals.  But then again, I wish I could trust the FDA to never allow harmful food additives, pesticide residues, growth hormones, etc. into our food supply.  One can choose not to vaccinate themselves or their children for the same reasons that one can choose not to purchase processed foods which may contain harmful ingredients. The same argument can be used in both cases.

We don’t know the long-term results of modern vaccines yet, but we also don’t know the long-term effects from ingesting artificial flavors, manmade sugars, nitrites, sulfates, etc. or using synthetic chemicals on farmer’s crops.  Logic suggests that these things are not good for us.  I suppose every time I eat cheetos, a non-organic apple, or drink a coke I am taking that risk.  So it is with vaccines.  I may not entirely understand the long-term effects they will have on me and my children, but the bottom line is, weighing the risks, I still feel that vaccines are the best choice for my family.

I wrote this so you all will know that I am NOT casting any ill judgment on those who intelligently choose not to get vaccinated. I figure if one is wise enough to “do your homework” and not vaccinate, then one is also wise enough to quarantine themselves when they are sick.  

Here’s an idea for the Dept. of Health’s new posters regarding the whooping cough epidemic: “Visit your healthcare provider today! Get vaccinated! And if you don’t, for hell’s bells, stay home when you are sick!” ;-)

Easter Sunday

Why do we do this to ourselves? I mean trying to get even more dressed up and fancy schmancy on Easter Sunday and having the entire crew ready for church 15 min. early to take Easter Sunday family pictures?? All while the children are tired from waking up extra early and cracked out on Easter candy????  It just isn't a winning combination.  But I remember my mom insisting on the same thing.  Such is the great circle of life. Here is our attempt at memorable Easter pics this year.

Josh: "Mornin' neighbor!"

Me: "Would you all just stand next to each other please? C'mon Jaclyn, get over here right now!  Yes, I want you to stand next to your sister, it's just for a minute and then you can go back inside...right now, please. We're all waiting...Ok now Jayden put your shirt down and come back over here. Everyone please stand next to me and look at the bloody camera!!!"

Something like that, if I remember right.

And then once the kids were corralled and standing in one place, then Jayden and Jaclyn commenced with the crab-itude.

C'mon Jayden, be a sport and look at the camera!

Okay now you're just overcompensating, Mr. Smartie Pants.

Yippee!! A keeper!!!

Right before this picture was taken, Josh says to Jayden, "put your arms around your sisters and say, 'I'm a pimp!'"  And while I give Josh "the look" for encouraging our son to repeat that phrase, guess what comes out of his mouth as clear as day. Uh huh.

Easter

This year dyeing eggs was actually a pleasant experience for me. The kids had fun. Nobody fought or cried. And now that they're getting old enough to take an active part in the process, we had a really great time!

Joanna meticulously painted her eggs.

Okay these are completely out of order but Blogger.com is acting retarded today and not cooperating with me. So in random order, here's 2 pics from an Easter egg hunt.

Now back to egg dyeing...

I got Jayden a kit that came with stickers and cutouts to make egg trains, helicopters, airplanes, and trucks.

Jaclyn & Jayden flying the airplane and helicopter eggs.  We had two crash crack landings of the egg planes before the eggs made it to the refridgerator.

Jayden helped me make Easter bread. Guess the mixer was too loud for his sensitive ears.

definition of a REAL superhero

What is a superhero? Someone who possesses superhuman strength? Someone who protects the public by defeating the villian hurling them into outer space or binding them with a spider web? Someone who wears a mask, cape, and tights to conceal their identity?

Maybe when we were 8.

With age and life experience I have learned what a superhero really means. It is someone who can swoop in when you need them the most and help you with the big problems as well as the small, everyday things. They make you feel important. And loved.

Jayden has been in a wear-my-spiderman-costume-everywhere-all-day-every-day phase. In fact he wore it to the hospital the day we had our ultrasound. All the radiology techs got a kick out of seeing spiderman at "the office" that day. Last week--I think Wed. afternoon-- a spiderman-clad Jayden noticed me sprawled out on the couch. I was tired and dying for a nap. He came up to me and asked, "Mommy, you're tired. Can I use the vacuum for you?"

Oh. My. Gosh. I was blown away. I thought to myself, I need to write a letter to all those big brain psychologists who study the Nature/Nurture debate and cite this example in favor of the Nature side because I know he has not learned this skill set (the ability to discern others' needs) from...eh hem...the other male member of the household. My husband is always happy to help in any way I need, and he provides a ton of help with the house and kids, but, as it is with 99% of the male population, we need to ask.
Without being asked Jayden got out the vacuum, plugged it in, and proceeded to do this:

And then later that evening while I was making dinner Jayden asked if he could help me cook! He even ran and got a chef's hat to wear for the occasion. ;-)

And this, my friends, is the true definition of a superhero. A man who steps in and does the cooking and cleaning without asking!

a mother's intuition

A little over a year ago I came to Josh and told him that I felt deep in my heart we should have another child. He was quick to shoot me an eyebrow-cocked glare and tell me I was crazy to want to add to the craziness that already existed in our home. But "something" was telling me over and over again for months that our family was not yet complete. And not only was I convinced that we should add to our family, I felt very strongly that it was going to be another boy. After a few months of discussion and prayer, we decided together that we'd take the baby plunge again. Besides, since I am the neck I was able to turn the head to see things my way.  ;-)
After I found out I was pregnant, my symptoms and cravings further convinced me of the fact that we were, indeed, going to have that boy I'd been anticipating for a long time.  Cravings of meat n' potato type food for every meal, acne breakouts, crazy, intense dreams every night, chinny-chin-chin hairs to pluck (oh yeah! probably my favorite symptom!).....it's been my pregnancy w/ Jayden all over again.

So Thursday's ultrasound left us all feeling pretty shocked to say the least when the ultrasound tech told us that we are having our 3rd GIRL!! I'd completely convinced myself...and Josh...and the kids...and everybody else...there was a little male floating around in there.  If I've talked to you in the past couple months personally, you can vouch that I've been telling the world this was going to be a boy!
HA.  So to hell with my "mother's intuition"!

I am beyond excited to have one more girl. I've already pulled out all the pink, girly baby clothes we'd saved; just to look at them again!  And do you know who's really, really happy this baby is a girl??  Josh! Yes.  He is.  You see, he has a soft spot for his girls and sometimes I think he views Jayden as a spinning, 3 foot tall dervish of destruction.  So the thought of not having one more human tornado in the house brings a sigh of relief to him. ;-)

So now it's time to come up with another "J" name, isn't it?!