Do you like milk?

I know I sure do. Yummy, creamy comforting goodness right from the jug. I was doing a little research on cow's milk for humans and came across this site http://www.notmilk.com and found some interesting articles. Now, I know you can pretty much find any "research" to back up your beliefs about anything these days. I guess you can choose to believe this stuff or not. For me, most of this info is hard not to get behind.

It's simple: Human milk is the only milk for humans. Well, I know that. However, give me a good ol' glass of vitamin D milk and I'll be so happy. What could be better with warm chocolate chip cookies? What is served in school cafeterias everyday? What is marketed as good for your bones and helps you lose weight if you drink 3 glasses/day? MILK. Cow's milk. Another animal's milk.

The best tid-bit I got from this site is about calcium. We've got to have it for our bones. We all know that, right? Well, a cow does not inherently create calcium that fortifies their milk. They eat grains and grasses that contain it. Hmmm, could we get our calcium from greens as well? Yup. We sure can.

Does any other species drink milk past infancy? (Thanks Martha)

All that being said. I'm going to make the switch. Start with milk first. I'm going to try Silk chocolate and maybe Very Vanilla. What about yogurts and cheese? Let me start with soy milk! Then go from there. Charlie loves soy milk. I don't. Yet.

Anyone want to make the milk switch? Anyone want to make sure they're not getting any unnecessary additives in their food? Baby steps....that's what I'll take. I'm not starting my own garden or ranch to grow my own food. Yet!

Breastfeed a Toddler?!

I've got friends who've formula fed, breastfed and then used a formula, or done both at the same time! If you're on the fence about nursing or feel confident in using formula this is worth the read. But take heart, formula won't make your baby grow a 3rd eye...I only have 2.

Breastfeed a Toddler—Why on Earth?

Handout #21. Toddler nursing. January 2005
Written by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC. © 2005

Because more and more women are now breastfeeding their babies, more and more are also finding that they enjoy breastfeeding enough to want to continue longer than the usual few months they initially thought they would. UNICEF has long encouraged breastfeeding for two years and longer, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is now on record as encouraging mothers to nurse at least one year and as long after as both mother and baby desire. Even the Canadian Paediatric Society, in its latest feeding statement acknowledges that women may want to breastfeed for two years or longer and Health Canada has put out a statement similar to UNICEF’s. Breastfeeding to 3 and 4 years of age has been common in much of the world until recently in human history, and it is still common in many societies for toddlers to breastfeed.

Why should breastfeeding continue past six months?

Because mothers and babies often enjoy breastfeeding a lot. Why stop an enjoyable relationship? And continued breastfeeding is even good for the health and welfare of both the mother and child.

But it is said that breastmilk has no value after six months.

Perhaps this is said, but it is patently wrong. That anyone (including paediatricians) can say such a thing only shows how ignorant so many people in our society are about breastfeeding. Breastmilk is, after all, milk. Even after six months, it still contains protein, fat, and other nutritionally important and appropriate elements which babies and children need. Breastmilk still contains immunologic factors that help protect the baby. In fact, some immune factors in breastmilk that protect the baby against infection are present in greater amounts in the second year of life than in the first. This is, of course as it should be, since children older than a year are generally exposed to more sources of infection. Breastmilk still contains special growth factors that help the immune system to mature, and which help the brain, gut, and other organs to develop and mature.

It has been well shown that children in daycare who are still breastfeeding have far fewer and less severe infections than the children who are not breastfeeding. The mother thus loses less work time if she continues nursing her baby once she is back at her paid work.

It is interesting that formula company marketing pushes the use of formula (a very poor copy of the real thing) for a year, yet implies that breastmilk (from which the poor copy is made) is only worthwhile for 6 months or even less (“the best nutrition for newborns”). Too many health professionals have taken up the refrain.

I have heard that the immunologic factors in breastmilk prevent the baby from developing his own immunity if I breastfeed past six months.

This is untrue; in fact, this is absurd. It is unbelievable how so many people in our society twist around the advantages of breastfeeding and turn them into disadvantages. We give babies immunizations so that they are able to defend themselves against the real infection. Breastmilk also helps the baby to fight off infections. When the baby fights off these infections, he becomes immune. Naturally.

But I want my baby to become independent.

And breastfeeding makes the toddler dependent? Don’t believe it. The child who breastfeeds until he weans himself (usually from 2 to 4 years), is generally more independent, and, perhaps, more importantly, more secure in his independence. He has received comfort and security from the breast, until he is ready to make the step himself to stop. And when he makes that step himself, he knows he has achieved something, he knows he has moved ahead. It is a milestone in his life.

Often we push children to become "independent" too quickly. To sleep alone too soon, to wean from the breast too soon, to do without their parents too soon, to do everything too soon. Don’t push and the child will become independent soon enough. What’s the rush? Soon they will be leaving home. You want them to leave home at 14? If a need is met, it goes away. If a need is unmet (such as the need to breastfeed and be close to mom), it remains a need well into childhood and even the teenage years.

Of course, breastfeeding can, in some situations, be used to foster an over dependent relationship. But so can food and toilet training. The problem is not the breastfeeding. This is another issue.

What else?

Possibly the most important aspect of nursing a toddler is not the nutritional or immunologic benefits, important as they are. I believe the most important aspect of nursing a toddler is the special relationship between child and mother. Breastfeeding is a life-affirming act of love. This continues when the baby becomes a toddler. Anyone without prejudices, who has ever observed an older baby or toddler nursing can testify that there is something almost magical, something special, something far beyond food going on. A toddler will sometimes spontaneously, for no obvious reason, break into laughter while he is nursing. His delight in the breast goes far beyond a source of food. And if the mother allows herself, breastfeeding becomes a source of delight for her as well, far beyond the pleasure of providing food. Of course, it’s not always great, but what is? But when it is, it makes it all so worthwhile.

And if the child does become ill or does get hurt (and they do as they meet other children and become more daring), what easier way to comfort the child than breastfeeding? I remember nights in the emergency department when mothers would walk their ill, non-nursing babies or toddlers up and down the halls trying, often unsuccessfully, to console them, while the nursing mothers were sitting quietly with their comforted, if not necessarily happy, babies at the breast. The mother comforts the sick child with breastfeeding, and the child comforts the mother by breastfeeding.

Questions? see my book Dr. Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding (called The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers in the USA)

Handout #21. Toddler nursing. January 2005
Written by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC. © 2005

Kenny and Dolly

If you're not listening to this wonderful album during this season....Shame on YOU! This CD is called Once Upon a Christmas and it's full of 80's fabulousness. I have listened to the album for many, many Christmases. I even wore out the tape Joyce and Dan had. When I saw the Album in Best Buy a couple of years ago I started crying.

No, seriously.

What's that I hear? Are you laughing at me?

I didn't think so.

The best song on the album is called Once Upon a Christmas and it tells of Jesus' birth and how the shepherds brought him gifts. You know, the story that pretty much everyone grew up with. Well, when I was little I thought (every Christmas) that I was going to hell for loving that song. Now, I'm serious when I tell you that. I was under the wrong impression that since in the Bible it didn't say "On Dec. 25th Jesus was born" we couldn't really believe that Christmas was the celebration of His coming down to earth to save us. That is SO sad. Don't you agree?

Well, my Charlie and Aubrey will never feel that way. EVER!

So, buy this album. Let your kids listen to it. Celebrate Christmas for what it really is.

That's an order!

A little kiss!

Funniest Post of the Day

Go to Heather Hendrick's blog today and see her son, Hudson. His older brothers got a hold of him! I'm still laughing.

Charlie and "tister"

Charlie checking out baby tister in front of the WE FINALLY GOT IT Christmas tree!

Bouncing Baby!

Last night I was lying in bed and I was so sleepy I could only read a page out of Fast Food Nation. Which, by the way, is a very interesting read about well, uh fast food and marketing. Lots of information about marketing to children that should freak you out. If you want to borrow it, give me 3 more months to finish and I'll be happy to let you have it.

Back to the story.

So I was really tired and then somebody decided to wake up.

The little girl in my belly didn't realize how tired Mama was. She was doing somersaults, kicking, punching...

I was really trying to concentrate on my reading, but the book kept bouncing in the air and I'd lose my place.

So, I put it down and watched my night gown move. I started laughing because she is still small enough that it's not uncomfortable yet so I can enjoy the party in my belly. Sister was doin' some movin'!


This is the fun part of pregnancy for me. No more projective vomit or Zophran for nausea. No more feeling sorry for myself on the couch unable to move. However, I do find myself on the couch UNABLE TO MOVE! Maybe it's because I don't want to do the dishes!

We go to the doctor on Tuesday for the "cattle weigh-in" and heartbeat check. Then it's a visit every 2 weeks. Dude, this is flying by. Baby sister will be here in no time.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland...on Stutts Street!

Yep, that's me in my robe I put over my clothes because it was just too cold for a regular jacket!

Fabulous Fudge

Taking an idea from Carrie Rose's blog I thought I'd post a yummy holiday dessert recipe. Carrie posted a ham casserole recipe and it looks seriously like some good eats. Check it out!



FABULOUS FUDGE....in the microwave!


1 package of milk chocolate chips
1/2 package semi sweet chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
PUT ALL OF THIS IN A GLASS BOWL AND MICROWAVE AT 1 MINUTE INTERVALS UNTIL CHIPS ARE MELTED. STIR EACH MINUTE.
When that mixture is melted together add in a splash of vanilla and stir. If you want you can add nuts and mini marshmallows at this time.

Pour into greased 9X13 pyrex dish or smaller dish if you want thicker pieces. I always use the next size down.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours and then cut into squares when ready to serve.

Christmas Sweater

These were the best I could do Sunday morning! He kept wanted to look through the camera and say "cheese". The last one he's holding his favorite fruit: an ernerg...aka orange.

Bored on lunch break...

Here I am at 6 months with baby girl. We should have a name picked out really soon. Some folks have been asking and we just need to make certain we've chosen the best name!


If you're wondering about the crazy snowman top...well, it goes with my pajamas of course. Today we are finishing up our study of The Polar Express and we all wore p.j.'s and had hot chocolate this morning. The kids enjoyed it for the most part, but all of them have already seen the movie so we finished up a writing project instead. I love the movie myself. Not one of my kids cared! :(


Officially 10 days left until we're out for the 2 week holiday break AND I CAN'T WAIT!

My kids need a break as well. We've been working hard in our reading groups and tackling 2 digit subtraction with regrouping (aka "borrowing). As Cookie Monster would say, "Me need holiday!"

Check out these slippers!

I think I've seen these before, but had to post them. HILARIOUS. This picture has made my day.

Christmas Countdown at FlashBannerNow.com

Christmas countdown at FlashBannerNow.com

Advent Guide

http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/adventguide.htm

Visit this site for celebrating Advent, or the coming of Christ. I need to go buy a wreath and some candles!

What's Your Favorite Christmas Carol?

To get us all into the spirit of the season...how about a little poll.


1. What's your favorite Christmas carol?

2. Is your tree up AND decorated?

3. Is all of your shopping/creating gifts done?

4. What is your most treasured family tradition?

5. Will you go to a candle light service during this season or Pathway of Light?


**Cut and paste and let us all know about YOU this Christmastime.