As everyone knows, there is a woman in the states who gave birth to octuplets recently. I picked up a copy of Life & Style today, as she is featured on the cover next to a picture of Angelina Jolie. Curiosity got the best of me, so I had to check it out. Nadya Suleman, the mom of the octuplets, plus 6 other children, bears an eerie resemblance to Angelina Jolie. So, I read the article, then went online to find more dirt. She is living with her parents in a 3 bedroom house, which is unacceptable for that many people to reside comfortably. She did in-vitro, and was given higher doses during treatment. Ethically, medically and morally wrong. She lives on two forms of government assistance and food stamps, and her parents' house is being threatened by foreclosure. She hasn't worked since she had her first child, but was apparently married back then. My point in all of this... Not only is this morally and ethically wrong with all parties involved, but this woman idolizes Angelina Jolie. Some reports of course deny it, but she seems to following the path of Angelina. I have very high respect for Angelina, her family and all that she does. Yes, she does seem to be a little over the top with her ever growing family. But kudos to her. She has more than enough money, stability, and support, that you know the children will grow up in a safe, loving and comfortable environment. Then you get someone who, yes, loves all of her 14 children. She loves being a mother. Fine. But she is not stable, financially or mentally to handle it. She was employed in a state mental hospital, has already divorced, and knowingly accepted larger than normal amounts of treatment to conceive multiples. She collects government assistance, food stamps and was going to use her student loans to finance her evergrowing family. She has limited education and lives with her parents in a house that may soon be owned by the bank...
So, should a few psych evaluations be done? Should social services get involved? It boils down to the media and Hollywood showing off glamorous pregnancies, multiple births and gorgeous mommies making it look easy as pie raising more than 1 child. I don't believe she understands what she is doing. Has she thought about the future? About the financial and emotional struggles of being a single parent to 14 children. Does she have any morals? Leave the mass child bearing and adoptions to those that can handle it. Wanting to be a mommy is one thing, having 14 children with no planning, future or foundation? It's wrong...
On the flip side... We went to the zoo yesterday and let Liam toddle around. We saw Granny F. there, as she was there with her school for the day. We saw a couple with 4 kids, 3 in a stroller, 1 walking. Turns out one was there own, one was a niece, and the twins were foster children. It definitely takes a special person to do that, as you sometimes get them as a newborn, and then have them for a few years, and then they're gone...
Should run though, need to get off the couch and get busy. Cheers!
So we went vomit free last night. We cut down his milk yesterday, increased his solids, gave 2 doses of tylenol, and a dose of his anti-gas meds in the evening. Seemed to do the trick. He went down at 10:30pm--I know, it's late, woke up 1/2 an hour later with a nightmare, woke at 2am to sleep with me, and we woke up at 8:15am. Rested, happy, and puke free. And, he's already down for his nap, a whole hour earlier. We'll just keep it up--it's basically guess and test with him, meaning it's alot of work. But we shall keep going, as we seem to be making progress!
Went for our weigh-in today. Andy lost a whopping 8.6 pounds--in a week! I lost 1.6 pounds, so am down 4 pounds in 2 weeks! We're definitely back on track. We did a treat mini-lunch after weigh-in, which we like to do. It definitely keeps us motivated and not feeling completely treat deprived. And moderation is key. And being active. I know that we are more successful come the warmer weather, ut we are looking into going to a gym soon, so we shall see. Should be good to see what happens in 2 weeks at our next weigh-in! And I didn't fall this time, thank goodness! Their sidewalks were completely clear and the clinic owner was very apologetic and worried for us.
We're taking it easy the rest of the day, letting Liam relax with his constant teething. Might try to get to the zoo tomorrow, as the weather is supposed to be nicer. And visit my parents tomorrow, bring up some things for storage.
Until next time.... Cheers!
It's been a week since I have blogged last, so I figured it was about time. Have updated my foodie blog with more fabulous food finds, so please check it out. Yum-o!
I took Liam to the zoo on Tuesday morning, 
when we had a bit of mild weather. We had a blast together, and he loves it more each time we go. He especially loves the monkeys and hippos. They also were letting 
the tortoises out on the pathways in the rainforest, which he definitely loved. They are doing alot 
of construction at the zoo, mostly on the conservatory and the flamingo building. Can't wait to see what they will look like when they are done. The ray tank is open again to the public as well, with alot of cameras around and staff, and visitors are not allowed to touch the rays. Hopefully it works out better for the zoo this time.
Wednesday took Liam and I to the doctor. Not fun. To sum it up, Liam had a rash that was spreading, I took him to the doctor, which he hates, she came near him, he got worked up until he was a pretty shade of purple, then threw up everywhere, while the doctor was telling me to get him to the sink. Right... 'cause my child knows to puke in a sink. Good on ya doc. Have been putting on lots of cream lately, and it seems to be easing a bit.
Thursday we stayed in, as it was horribly cold out. Missed playgroup, which bugs me, but I didn't want us to freeze our tushies off.
Friday was dad's birthday--positive. Negative, we took Liam to his pediatrician appointment. We went downtown early and wandered around, window shopping, which was fine. There are alot of changes going on downtown, not for the better, but that's just my opinion. Went to the doctor's office, checked in, still okay. They have a giant castle shaped play area, so Liam was happy. The doc was running late, so Liam spent most of the 45 minutes we were waiting, wandering the hall ways, toddling along, flirting with the ladies, and just-a movin'! Too adorable. When we finally got called in, they got him to stand on a scale--"Please Ms. Receptionist, Liam is 16 months and hates doctors, and you want him to stand on a wobbly scale, and then hold still?" I had to laugh. Nonetheless, we got him weighed, with clothes on, and he registered in at an adorable 35.6 pounds. My goodness. Fast forward to the doctor. Amazing and very nice doctor, a pleasure for Andy and I to deal with. He took Liam's history, we addressed our concerns about his eating and his strange sensitivity to anything touching his hands (he plays in puke though--seriously). Then the doc grabbed his scope, to look at Liam's mouth and do a quick exam, and Liam started to shake. Then he went stiff. He sobbed. The doc got closer, he balled. Doc got even closer, and the poor little man was hysterical, with tears pouring down his face. I could feel his stomach rejecting his milk, the doc backed off and out it came. I waited until he was done, tidied up as best I could, and thenchanged his clothes, and finished our visit. So, apparently, lesson learned, it's the doc's tools, not the doc him/her - self. He is being sent for an upper GI series--sure to invoke a series of vomit sessions, no doubt, then to a nutrition group at Children's Hospital, to give support with his eating. Otherwise he is healthy, and the doc just says, he will outgrow it, it is common, and that he has a sensitive gag reflex and tummy. Mommy feels better, and that her child is just a wee bit slow with his eating... sigh...
Went to visit my dad in the afternoon to bring him his birthday pressies, and to bring them dinner. I made them chicken pot pie to heat up in the oven, and they loved it... I will definitely get the recipe up on the other site soon. Liam was wiped out, as he had only napped for about 1/2 an hour after the doc, so he dozed on and off through the evening.
And the big news!!!!! Yesterday, we went van shopping. Yep, Manders, I beat ya to it. I'm younger than you, and I caved. We realized we were outgrowing our little car, so a van was definitely in order, especially for road trips. We are now the proud owners of a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE, stow and go, fully loaded, rear back-up camera, 2 dvd screens, power everything--even windows on the sliding doors. It's black, it's shiny, and it was a demo model, so there is only 16,000km on it. I love it, and I know Liam will love it. It also has wireless headphones too for the rear seat, and he can watch his wonder pets, and visit with daddy on the road. Definitely a huge decision, couldn't have done it without the organization and support of Mr. H! Thank you sooo much for everything-I will see you Wednesday!
Today was a lazy Sunday. Did endless amounts of laundry, am still ignoring the dishes, Andy got the fish tank all cleaned up, I sorted stuff in my room, remade our beds, and puttered. Picked up a few groceries, went to Grandma's, as it was her birthday, and gave her birthday pressies. Played with Liam, trying to keep him up as long as he could--he barely napped today, so we didn't want him going down too early. He went to bed at 8, has been up twice, but nothing major.
Going mall walking with Dad and Liam tomorrow, and need to get to the pet store. I have to find some drops for our tank, as one of our fish is looking kinda icky... he's okay, just kinda white haze on some of his scales. And Andy goes back to work tomorrow night, so I'll see how Liam is after supper, and maybe we'll try to go out somewhere.
Should run, my eyes are twitching, and my fingers aren't cooperating anymore. And Manders, coffee on Tuesday sounds really good. Will do the tagged thing on the next blog for sure. Too cool. Until next time, Cheers!
