Monday, January 30, 2012

Meningitis Awareness... Did you know?



Meningitis is an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of meningitis. Meningococcal disease is amongst the leading causes of death in infants, and 50-60% of cases are vaccine preventable.

I know not all parents choose to vaccinate their children. I've even considered not vaccinating my children, but eventually I decided that I would vaccinate. I hope to not have this turn into a debate, but I do want to share this information with everyone. 

The CDC estimates that the incidence of meningococcal disease is three to seven times higher in infants under one year of age than any other age group. Infants are at the highest risk in the first seven months of life. Combine that with the fact that about 1 in 16 children who contract meningococcal disease will die from it, you have a very scary situation.


If those who do get this disease don't die, they are faced with some very serious complications including blindness, hearing loss, strokes, paralysis, seizures, severe scarring, organ damage, and brain damage.  Infants aren't the only people who can get meningococcal disease, and I can say I have seen this first hand in an adult. Meningitis is NOT merciful. 

Symptoms often start off as flu-like symptoms, but the disease can progress so rapidly that an affected person can die from it in as little as a four hours. That is why I believe that children should be vaccinated for the four groups of meningococcal disease is possible to be vaccinated against. You could think your precious baby just has the flu...and within hours, it could be too late. 


According to the information on Meningitis Angels,  the meningococcal vaccine is only approved for use in children 9 months old and older, but a vaccine for 2 months and older is in the works.

The site also says "We are at a critical time in fighting this disease. Meningococcal meningitis is one of the leading causes of infant deaths. Infants account for about 35% of the 2,500 + cases of meningococcal disease in the US each year. As many as 17% of these will result in amputations, blindness, deafness, organ failure, severe brain damage, seizures, learning disabilities  and worse death.  As part of our infant toddler meningococcal educational program, we have developed this web site  http://www.protectinfantsnow.org." You can also sign this petition if you feel that this vaccine should be recommended by the CDC.

Whether or not you feel vaccines are right for your children, please understand that many parents do wish to protect their children with vaccines. I can only imagine how the parents of those who have died, or suffered, because of meningococcal disease wish that there was a vaccine they could have given their children. 

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central and Meningitis Angels. This campaign was made possible in part through support provided by Novartis Vaccines. A small donation to a charity of my choice was made in my name from Mom Central as a thank-you for participating. All opinions in this posting are 100% my own."




Wednesday, January 25, 2012

SEVEN in the Nest!



So... you may have noticed that the blog looks a bit different...! 

Thanks to Tree, from Pearl Tree Designs, for the new header!

We are expecting our 7th  blessing at the very end of June, 2012! We will be finding out gender late next month, and we can't wait (Intelligender says boy...)! We are so excited!

Here is the ultrasound from back in December... I was 9 weeks along then.


I will post some more about the pregnancy and baby as we get further along, I can't wait to share our next ultrasound with you all! 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

SOUND+SLEEP




Today I get to tell you all about an AMAZING product, for both children and adults! 

Do you struggle with sleep? I do. I struggle with falling to sleep. Many nights I will lay in bed for hours, my mind too busy to allow sleep to come. 

Now, I have heard that white noise and sound machines can help you fall asleep. I've even tried a couple of them. Most of them are so repetitive... a short recording in a never-ending loop. These aren't relaxing to me at all, they are rather annoying in fact. Well, things have been lovely since I found the SOUND+SLEEP!



The SOUND+SLEEP sleep therapy system has several features that really makes it stand out among other sound machines.

SOUND+SLEEP's speaker is on TOP of the machine. 

The SOUND+SLEEP has high-definition sound. No tinny speakers, not quiet sound... it is rich, full sound that fills the room. Along with the high-definition sound, the SOUND+SLEEP also has a feature for Adaptive Sound.  Adaptive Sound technology allows the SOUND+SLEEP to listen to your environment and change the volume level to help mask the other noises that could disturb your sleep.

Even Percy couldn't resist checking the SOUND+SLEEP out!
The SOUND+SLEEP has 10 different sound stories...but with the "richness" feature you can make them more customized for you. The richness button will increase the different added sounds to your sound story. An example, you are listening to the Meditation sound story. When you push the richness button you add in other noises such as woodwinds, percussion, etc. (all depending on which sound story you have it on).

I really cannot say enough about this product... SOUND+SLEEP is truly amazing, and one of my favorite review products ever. 

Head on over to the website to listen to the sound profiles that could be lulling you to sleep in the near future. 
(My personal favorites...Meadow and Meditation) 

Monday, January 16, 2012

Husband down... Aisle 7!



A husband and wife are shopping in their local Wal-Mart. The 

husband picks up acase of Miller Lite and puts it in their cart. 


'What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife. 'They're on sale, 

only $10 for 24 cans', he replies. 'Put them back, it's a waste of 

money', demands the wife, and so he does and they carry on 

shopping. 



A few aisles further on along, the woman picks up a $20 jar of face 

cream and puts it in the basket.



What do you think you're doing?' asks the husband... "It's my face

 cream. It makes me look beautiful,' replies the wife. 


Her husband retorts: 'So does 24 cans of Miller Lite and it's half the 

price....'






HUSBAND DOWN, AISLE 7 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Walgreens and Express Scripts



This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.


Heads up! There are changes in Walgreens prescription coverage!

For the past year, Walgreens has negotiated with Express Scripts for a new contract to continue as part of its pharmacy provider network. Those negotiations were unsuccessful, and the contract expired on Dec. 31. As a result, Walgreens is no longer part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network as of Jan. 1, 2012. This includes all Walgreens pharmacies nationwide and Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City area.

So, if you have an Express Scripts plan, this could be an issue for you! You can find out if you are effected by contacting your Walgreens pharmacist. This is obviously not a good situation if you are an Express Scripts plan user, but Walgreens is trying to ease this burden.

During January, Walgreens is offering a discount for the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club . For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions.
The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club offers savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications (plus, you can get bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photo finishing services).

You can also like Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter .

Visit Sponsor's Site

Thursday, January 5, 2012

My New Year's Resolution... 2012



This is a few days late, I know. However... I do want to share what I have decided I will do in the next year.

I plan on being more grateful for what I have, and less focused on what I don't have. I resolve to see the big picture in life, and not dwell on the hardships that can be overcome.

It won't be easy... it is easy to fall into the "woe is me; I have it bad" trench. 

The truth is, my family is very blessed. VERY blessed. We don't always have everything available at our every need...but somehow, everything always works out. 

Sometimes it is very hard to get up in the morning, or stay up late into the night, and work...but I am very thankful that I not only have one, but TWO fantastic jobs. I am lucky.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with my children, and I would love a quiet moment to myself.... but I am incredibly blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.

I may find our finances lacking, but something always works out... a generous person gives us a gift, I get extra hours in at work, or I am able to do some paid writing. I am grateful for generosity and opportunity.

In the grand scheme of things, most of my hardships are pretty small compared to that which so many people suffer in the world.

I can do this... I can take control of my happiness, take control of my reactions.


What is your 2012 resolution? 
 
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