For Our World a poem by Mattie Stepanek

The Canine Heroes of 9/11

Raising RSV Awareness

Riley and I had the pleasure of being interviewed yesterday by Stacey Deffenbaugh!  Stacey anchors NBC-2 News at Noon and The Healthcast report at 5:30pm.  She also contributes court stories from state and federal court.

We discussed raising awareness of Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV.

Ms. Deffenbaugh and her cameraman, John, were a pleasure to have in our home and share Riley's story as well as his cause of protecting vulnerable children against respiratory illness.  Fortunately, Ms. Deffenbaugh was incredibly patient with my random thought pattern and our slightly chaotic lifestyle.  This experience certainly shows me that I need to polish my speaking skills and reign in my focus.  I suspect however that she will have no problem working around us as she prepares to get the word out.

RSV

 

www.rsvprotection.com

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, is a common, easily spread virus that almost all children catch at least once by the time they turn 2.

RSV disease usually causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms.  However, for some babies, complications from RSV disease can lead to serious lung infection.

Babies at most risk for developing severe RSV disease are premature babies - those born before 36 weeks gestation.

Premature babies have underdeveloped lungs and fewer of the vital antibodies needed to stave off infections, so they are not so well-equipped to fight RSV as full-term babies.  Other risk factors for RSV include: low-birth weight (under 5.5 pounds), certain lung and heart diseases, and situational risk factors such as attending day care, having preschool or school-age siblings, or exposure to tobacco smoke.

It is recommended that you call your baby's doctor if your baby has any of these problems:

Coughing or wheezing that doesn't stop

Fast wheezing or gasping for breath

Spread out nostrils and/or caved in chest when trying to breathe

A bluish color around the mouth or fingernails

A fever (in infants under 3 months of age, a fever greater than 100.4 degrees rectal)

Prevention

• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Wash hands frequently and correctly with soap and water for 15–20 seconds
• Avoid sharing their cups with others
• Refrain from kissing others 

Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities, Webinar

Baby Shower Gifts

Wondering what to bring to your next baby shower? Let our Top 10 list guide your choice.

Top 10 Baby Shower Gifts

No matter how formal or informal the baby shower is, you still need to bring baby gifts to the future mom. Choosing a great gift for a baby shower is a matter of knowing the mom well and of getting something thoughtful, personal and useful. Here are our top 10 baby shower gift choices.

Children’s books

There’s nothing more wonderful for a baby than to grow up being read stories to. It opens up the imagination and it helps develop listening and eventually reading abilities. If you are literary-minded, getting children’s books is a great gift.

Baby shoes

Babies’ feet grow super fast and they will need a constant supply of baby shoes. Some great designers like PediPed are making practical AND fashionable shoes for babies. You can’t just buy one pair!

Baby tub

Baths are too big for babies, and toddlers quickly grow out the kitchen sink (ew!). So why not give a customizable baby tub that will last until your baby’s big enough for the bath? And it’s hygienic, too!

Bouncy seat

The classic bouncy seat is always a great choice if you’re not really sure about what to get the new parents. Bouncy seats keep baby safe and occupied while mom and dad go around preparing dinner or cleaning the house. Choose one with colourful, interesting activities.

Baby sling or carrier

Baby slings are hot these days, with celebrity and ordinary moms alike using them. It’s not only practical for mom and dad, but also fashionable (some great fabrics out there) and it helps strengthen the parent-infant bond through close body contact. We love them!

Baby sleeping bag

Blankets can be dangerous to babies if they get it around their necks, so baby companies like Halo have come up with armless sleeping bags to keep your baby cozy and safe at night. Be original by choosing funky colors!

Travel kit

Everyone knows a parent who forgot something at home while out with baby. With a baby travel kit, this won’t happen again: a diaper bag, some diapers, extra clothes, a bottle and some baby formula, small toys and cleaning wipes are all you really need.

Play mat

Like the bouncing seat, the play mat is a great way to keep baby busy. Choose one that will last for a while through many different activities that will gradually interest baby as it grows up.

Nursing pillow

The nursing pillow is kind of new in the baby care landscape, but it’s definitely a relief for mom’s tired arms. Fits in any lap, keeps baby stable while mom feeds him and it comes in various styles and colors. A welcome addition to any new mom’s kit.

Car seat

A staple of any baby shower, the car seat is definitely a must. Choose from a reputable company that produces safe and sturdy seats like Graco.

There are many other gifts available: a gift card for baby clothes, hand-knitted booties or hats… Just use your imagination and you’ll give a great gift!

The romantic life of a couple with a disabled child

The romantic life of a couple with a disabled child.

(I, John Buck, being of  relatively sound mind (yeah, who am I kidding) take credit for this contribution.

THE NAUGHTY NURSE:  Yeah after a kid with a disability, the whole nurse/doctor role-playing thing will never be the same.  Instead she is the b*tch  who critiques you on how you handle being a parent and not making the mark.  Unlike a spouse who will never criticize you for not making the mark :)...  esp. when s/he is overtired, stressed and covered in XX (fill in the blank but it always originates with Riley).

LOTS OF MOANING: With a disabled child in the bed 7 feet away you will constantly hear moaning during "the moment"... move to another room and the baby monitor will provide the background "music."  The best part is when the diaper gets really full, you are "in the moment"/almost at the end and there is a huge giggle/laughter in the background.  Nothing says romance like laughter in the background.

A THREESOME : frequent breaks "in-between" to put a pacifier back in the mouth; change a diaper or lift a drooping head.  Trust me, a threesome is TOTALLY OVERRATED.

BEING CATHOLIC:  yeah with a disabled kid you don't get that much and probably every 2 months you get your virginity card back.  One more card and I can apply for canonization.  

THE CRYING SCREAM:  Back molars are coming in and no matter what you do, cries of pain come out.  The cries are nothing like the people in "the movies."  Even "the Hedge Hog" would have backed away from that one.  But, when you are the parents of a disabled child, you plow though!  Take your chances/"Embrace" the moment (and for those of you who do know get the joke/ Do not Google "hedge hog movies adult."

A THOUSAND AND TWO USES FOR A BURP CLOTH:  Yeah, we are trying to keep this blog PG-13.  You fill in the blank.  (Legal claimer:  Any profit made for using the burp cloth in this way will be forward to >>>> :)

COULD HAVE BEEN TWINS:  My FAVORITE  story... Ronan was conceived while my mother-in-law watched Riley for 30 minutes.  Considering it took 10 minutes to get to the room.  Ten minutes to get back.  Five minutes to remember what the hell we were doing.  We had 5 minutes to enjoy.  His joke:  Had we had 10 minutes it could have been twins!

 

I SHAVED FOR THIS?:  When you have a disabled kid you will be happy that they just showered (in the past 3 days).

YOU'RE DONE ALREADY?:  As a supportive/contributing husband, I took 7 minutes and wrote the above.  When I told Stacie I was finished.  She replied "you are done already?"  Again, it is amazing what you can/will/DO accomplish with a disabled child!  Even without a disabled child, in the context of this blog, it still fits!

by John Buck

aka The Shark Tooth Guy

Link

Enter the Between: The Silent, Priceless Gift of Blood

Enter the Between: The Silent, Priceless Gift of Blood: Donating blood? What have you got to lose? One pint, actually. The average person has between eight and twelve pints of blood, plen...

Blogging Worldwide

 Found the a wonderful surprise in my email this morning:

Mary Rebecca created the adorable new Riley's Smile Button for her Blogging Worldwide project.

Isn't it great?

The boys and I are on our own again this morning.  John is working yet another Sunday and sees this Sunday morning only project going through next summer.  I am missing my husband and the boys definitely miss their Dad.  Ronan is being a very understanding six year old.  He rose as usual before 6 am, got out of bed on his own, dressed and came downstairs and entertained  himself (or rather cared for his herd) on Webkinz allowing me to focus on Riley.

Have a safe and wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

Stacie

If you stumble by my post today - Please link up with me at the sites below

Enter a Giveaway