we did it. all of us.

I've been encouraged by every health professional I've seen over the past month or so to GET THE H1N1 vaccination- for me and my family (anyone who will be in the house with the baby). I kept putting it off and putting it off- until everyone in Jackson county started coming down with the swine flu! Now my little brother has it, and that's just a *little* too close to home for me! I spent last night talking with Ryan, praying and panicking (yes-panicking). I woke up this morning with a totally new perspective on the whole thing. I AM a vaccinating mom- Maeve has all her shots and I plan on doing the same with this baby. So why would the swine flu vaccine be any different? I know its new, but again, I've been told by all my doctors (and Maeves) that its just the flu vaccine with the H1N1 IN it. And I'm totally comfortable with our family getting the regular flu vaccine, therefore, I should be fine with the swine flu vax. That isn't to say it wasn't tough walking through the doors, holding Maeve down and watching them inject her. And I couldn't help but notice the kicking buddy in my belly when it was my turn. But I think the thing that really matters is that this decision feels right for me and my family.

sooooo I did it.

I got the "regular" seasonal flu shot. And prior to my appointment I was having some MAJOR anxiety. Thoughts were flying left and right over whether it was the right thing to do or not. But in the end, I decided to go for it. I asked the nurse who administered the shot to me if she had seen a lot of preggos getting the shot, and she said A TON. Apparently the OB's in town are definitely recommending it. Does that make it right or okay? Who knows... but all I can live with is that I'm doing my best- or rather, I'm doing what I think is best. It's scary to have to take meds or be vaccinated with anything while pregnant, and I hope I never have to do it again... the unknowns are killing me but I've gotta keep the faith!



****Okay this is completely, and I mean COMPLETELY off subject, but if you go to THIS website, and type in your email on the right hand side of the screen where it says "join the newsletter/get a coupon" you will receive a coupon in your email for a FREE box of any snikiddy snack. I printed 6 off and redeemed them at Toys R Us today- I got the chocolate chip cookies and they were totally, completely free. No tax- NOTHIN'! AND the best part? They have no preservatives, are made with 100% whole grain and taste great! Maeve ate probably 10 on the way home :) And I didn't feel guilty about giving them to her because of their "nutritional" value :) Happy shopping...

weekend plans & a SHOT

I just got an awesome "grandma" card in the mail (ya know the ones that contain gift cards and a check that make you feel like a kid again??) and realized- HOLY CRAP its my birthday this week! WAHOOOO! I mean I KNEW it was this week, but we hadn't made any plans and I really haven't been thinking about it. So after just a teensy little bit of convincing, I have talked Ryan into getting away this weekend- the three of us :) Yes, my mom volunteered to take Maeve- she desperately wants a sleepover with MaeMae!- but I truly, honestly LOVE to be with her- my birthday wouldn't be nearly as fun without my maebug.
SO the plan is that Ryan is going to get off of work early on Friday, and we're going to head up to DEEEE-troit. On the way we're planning on stopping at the Chelsea Treehouse- I take Maeve there a lot by myself, but since I am giant and preggo I probably shouldn't be climbing through those tubes and sliding down the slides- so it will be awesome to have Ryan there to take Maeve through all the stuff. After the treehouse, its dinner in Ann Arbor (still deciding on where to eat... so many options....) THEN its up to the Westin- yes our FAVORITE hotel! We booked a room overlooking the Northwest tarmac so Maeve can sit and watch the airplanes (she's gonna love it!) After a night of renting "still in theater" movies (YEA for "Time Travelers Wife!!!") and room service, we're going to go to "Great Lakes Crossing" for a little shopping. There are still a few baby items that need to be bought and Maeve needs some fall clothes, so that should be fun. :) I'm really excited :) Oh yeah- we're also looking forward to the pool and I'M looking forward to a spa treatment at the Westin :)

OKAY- so about the shot- I probably should make a separate post about this but I'll just mush it into one. At my last OB appt. I was told that I needed to get the seasonal flu shot (no biggie I guess- still freaks me out to get a flu shot while preggo) AND when the swine flu vaccine comes out apparently, I'll be first in line (well all preggo women will be). Like I said, I'm okay (semi-okay) with getting the flu shot while preggo- but I am NOT okay with the swine flu shot. I wasn't planning on giving it to Maeve nor was I planning on getting it myself. I was kind of shocked my OB wanted me to have it. I nodded and said okay, but after researching it a bit, I am thinking its a no on the swine flu vaccine. UGHHHH I just don't know though! It's so hard- I'm trying to weigh the risks/benefits... but I am so wishy washy with it. My question that I REALLY want to know is, WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY DOING ABOUT THE SWINE FLU? If you're preggo, are you getting it? Would you get it? Are you giving it to your kids? TELL ME!!! I want to know!!! I am scheduled to get my flu shot tomorrow afternoon and that's freaking me out enough- but at least that vaccine has been around for awhile.

Please give me your thoughts on this! I really want to know!

We're Going TOMORROW!

I have been putting off Maeve's 15 month vaccines forever now (well like a month & a half)- for several reasons, the whole autism thing and then we went on vacation and then she had a little virus......... so anyways its just been one thing after another. PLUS I was super nervous about giving her that MMR vaccine so secretly, I was glad things kept coming up b/c it allowed me to put it off. Well I'm sure (since most of you are moms) you've heard that the MMR vaccine has been officially ruled out as a cause of autism. I heard that last week, and thought "OKAY that is my sign that its time to take her!" Then tonight, while we were eating dinner, the tv was on in the background- it was NBC news and they were talking about the dangers of NOT getting your kid vaccinated and it scared the crap out of me (for lack of words..) SO I told Ryan "We're going tomorrow!" And we are- I've said it before, but I would so, SO, SO much rather have a child with autism than a child with some horrible, deadly disease. UGH not looking forward to it, because honestly, its super hard to take your kid JUST to get shots- its like you're choosing to subject them to pain- but its just one of those things I have to get over and get done. So wish me luck... ;)