State Fair

New toxin series - Benzine

After having children, chemicals become a huge issue in our lives. Currently, I am listening to the Diane Rehm show. The authors of the book, "Poinsoned Profits" are now on and are explaining the complications of monitoring toxins in our lives. Personally, I find keeping the toxins out of our home is REALLY HARD. Because I have no faith in the government coming in to save the day anytime soon (new chemicals do not even have to be regulated by the EPA), I am going to try to take it one chemical at a time in an effort to get rid of these things in our lives. I know there are more natural minded parents out there who have been doing a better job of this from day one and would appreciate any advice and information. There are no ingredient lists, so a lot of research has to be done on each toxin to find out exactly where it is in the home. I am going to attempt to do this. Canada and Europe are good places to look to see what has been banned there. It is never too late to work on expelling toxins because with most of the chemicals, the lifetime of chemical build up in our bodies is what will trigger disease. Also, if you are a nursing mother or will be someday, it is REALLY important to think about what is in your body now. Our first nursling's get a double whammy of toxins from their mamas because many chemicals are soluble in fat (making the toxins 'active' in those tiny little bodies). By the second child, many of these toxins have been expelled from the mother and into (sigh) the first born's body. But alas, not all is doomsday because if we can keep those levels down post nursing, we have a fighting chance.

The chemical of the day is Benzine. This is a know carcinogen that can cause many types of blood diseases including leukemia. The main sources of exposure are cigarette smoke and gasoline. It can also be found in water and could be harmful to drink or bathe in. It also is found in some detergents and rubber.

My recommendations: don't smoke, try to avoid gas stations with the kids, do a test of your home water, use a water filter for drinking water, use natural laundry detergent, avoid pesticides, use water based paints and glues, avoid furniture wax, try to get rid of pliable plastics and rubber toys...(this will also be a huge recommendation when talking about phalates).

Ok, as soon as I make sure we are under control with Benzine, we will move on.

Old friends/New Friends

Me, Jamie and Jack

Drew in full beach action

Same for Jack...

Sand Castle time

Ava and Nora, so cute

Jamie and Gabby

Last weekend we made a trip up to Grand Haven, Michigan to spend the weekend with my high school best friend and her family. Jamie and John were high school sweethearts and now have three adorable children. Their youngest are each a year older than Drew and Nora and the kids got along famously. Seriously, Jamie and I were prepared for Nora and Ava to struggle a bit (they share strong willed personalities) but not one problem. They walked around all day talking about things only they understood. Jack and Drew were inseparable, Jack is a really neat kid and Drew got a lot out of hanging out with him. Gabby (who is nine) was such a good little hostess and did not complain once about all the little ones scampering about. Val and John are both awesome dads and enjoyed each others company. Jamie and I even spent some time alone on the beach while the guys took the kids back to the house, complete with a wonderful meal complements of John. Of course it was great to hang out with Jamie, she is one of my oldest and dearest friends. All in all, a great weekend, hopefully John's parents will share their beach home again next year!

A visit from Zeljko

Val's cousin Zeljko (i can't begin to spell it phonetically) is traveling the country with people from all over the world. It is a program through the state department about peace and civil rights, and yes it did come up that America is not necessarily the leader in these issues right now. Anyway, we went to Cincinnati to visit him, he is so nice and smart and I look forward to someday going to Sarajevo to meet the rest of the family. Val was sad to say goodbye and I understand why.

Drew, Val and Zeljko (ok it kind of sounds like Jeko if you say it with a sexy foreign accent)

The kids loved him, he was an instant hit.

We spent one of the very hot days at "The Beach"



Wouldn't you know it, we stayed two blocks away from the Cincinnati Fire Museum which was very well done, needles to say, the kids loved it.

Drew is Five

Our sweet little man is now five. I have read that many cultures have celebrated five years with a coming of age ceremony and I can see why! Drew has changed so much in the last few months it is incredible. His insecurities have become opportunities to be brave, his sense of humor has deepened and he can truly crack us up. He is really into Cubs baseball and now will watch and follow even when Val is not. He is so empathetic and although this has not changed, it is so enduring coming from his five year old self. He is inquiring about words and numbers and letters and emotions and plans and cooking and politics and current events more than ever and it is a pleasure to talk with him on these subjects. He is a baby lover and has such a calm and wonderful persona with the little ones. We are really having fun reading chapter books and lots of non-fiction(preferably about predator/prey relationships). He is a nature lover and just this morning ran into the house excited with the news that the calendula was blooming. He teaches Nora so many things and she is his biggest fan. I am so proud of him. The man that he will be is evident even now and I know he will be an asset to our world.

He even puts his socks on by himself!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREW!!!!