Henry and the School Photos

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jennie

Henry is nothing if not personable and feeling.

He’s hilarious.

He’s sweet and loving.

He’s dramatic.

In short, he has no problems sharing his feelings. Nope, no problems at all–we never doubt his happiness, his sadness or his annoyance at our utter stupidity.

“WHY would you make me wear this coat to protect me from the pounding rain today, you idiot? I will NOT, I repeat, will NOT stick my arm in that arm hole.” or “Who do you think you are with your prunes and your spinach? I’m not going to eat that crap? Don’t you even know who I am? I’m HTDB! I OWN you! (truth)”

Thus, the kid with a million emotions had zero problems sharing his feelings about having his school photo taken last month…or five months prior. (See: Exhibit)

Exhibit

Here is how I would caption these two gems:

Left: “Stoned tiny soccer hooligan with a penchant for plaid and the Pittsburgh Pirates appeases photographer with smug grin–sticks tongue out in act of defiance.” (note the glazed eyes)

Right: “Disgusted baby makes photographer cry with glares–goes on to destroy fake draw bridge prop in act of baby fury over being forced to sit through a school photo shoot against a cheesy yet ironic babbling brook background.”

The irony is that we’ve taken probably 4,321 happy photos of Henry at home with our iPhones—but try to get a professional shot of this kid and… apparently, you’ll be sorry.

Trusting Your Instinct: My Scary Morning in the Hospital

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Jennie

In the past, I’ve ignored my friend, Instinct, on many occasion and found myself in all sorts of messes: rotten boyfriends with all the red flags that I should never have even looked at ever yet considered dating (and turned out to be duds), expensive jeans I knew I would never wear after I bought them (and didn’t) and that damn ‘lease to own’ condo situation we set-up that backfired in our face last month (anyone want to rent a condo in NW Portland, btw?).

For once in my life, however, I decided to listen to that pesky Instinct this morning when she awoke me at 3:45 with a chest pain of sorts. Per normal, I spent an hour ignoring Instinct and trying to write my pain off as “probably a panic attack.” I’ve never had a panic attack before so I’m not sure why I believed my expert opinion on this topic for any amount of time–but I did…for about an hour and fifteen minutes.

At 5:00 am, it became clear that this pain was not subsiding–and my crazed Google searches told me that panic attacks generally don’t last that long anyway. So, having no other excuses that could explain away my pain, I listened to Instinct for once and called 9-1-1.

And while chaos ensued, I’m so glad I did.

The scene was dramatic, to say the least. Four fire fighters and three paramedics showed up in less than a couple minutes. Imagine me, bed-worn, crazy haired and mortified, on my couch, surrounded by SEVEN burly men hooking me up to various machines all at once. They were all very kind, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not the world’s biggest fan of being the center of attention, and this, folks was MY show…I was the center. After several minutes of testing my vitals and especially my heart, they concluded I wasn’t having “the kind of heart attack you see on tv, but there are many different levels of heart attacks you can have so we should take you in.”

Ummm. Okay?

So, in I went, taking my first ambulance ride–which also seemed very dramatic but they really wanted to get IV fluids in me so I obliged. Except, they tried FOUR times to get the IV in and couldn’t do it. FOUR.EXCRUCIATING.TIMES.

I ended up a Legacy Emanuel which, under construction, looks about like a war zone right now and couldn’t help but think, “WHAT HAVE I DONE?!” It was overwhelming and scary-and I was being quickly wheeled through particle board lined hallways with paper signs to an EMERGENCY ROOM! “Are you kidding me with this?” I kept thinking.

Apparently “chest pain” signals “freak out” in the ER because I quickly found myself in a tiny room surrounded by a doctor, two nurses and two EMT students who proceeded to ask at least 236 questions in two minutes, whilst making my strip my shirt off and hooking me up to one of those octopus-like hospital contraptions that measures your important numbers. It was a total whirlwind and one that I’m still trying to fully figure out.

THREE more painful attempts later and they got an IV in where they drained my blood like a vampire and then left me to wait for the results. And wait. And wait…for a chest x-ray, a pee test and an iodine CAT Scan. But the meantime, they had to put in the final and EIGHTH IV, after the seventh one failed.

EIGHT IV’s later I looked pretty rough.

My blood levels came back elevated on two counts: one that indicates you could potentially have a heart problem and one that indicates you could potentially have a pulmonary embolism (blood clot of the lungs).

Awesome-sauce.

So, I was tested for more things and we waited, waited and waited some more. My arms bruised up from all the IV’ing and I began to look like a wacked out meth-head. I forgot to wear underwear. I sweated that terrible kind of nervous sweat that makes you smell. It was really the pits, you guys. (no pun intended)

When we finally saw the doctor again about 11:00, he informed me that I didn’t have any life threatening conditions going on, despite my odd blood levels.

EXCELLENT. Soooo… why does it hurt when I breathe?

While they can’t tell me for sure what is causing my pain since there just aren’t enough tests out there to measure every single thing, but they believe it to be something called pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest wall. I’ve never known someone to have this–I don’t think it’s super rare, I don’t think it’s totally common either–but it is a temporary and manageable condition according to the doctor. They don’t know what caused it in my case but say it will heal by itself in a couple days to a couple weeks.

Can I just tell you that I’m so happy I listened to my instinct this time? Had we not been able to rule out heart problems and a blood clot, I would have inevitably gone to work in pain, fretted over this all day and ended up at the doctor anyway.

And my advice for you, too, is just to listen. I think sometimes our instincts embarrass us because it’s such a non-scientific thing and if we follow it and are wrong, we feel stupid. But I feel like listening to mine saved me a lot of additional grief and suffering this morning and had I listened to Instinct more often in the past, I would have saved myself some, then, too!

6 Reasons I’m Voting “Yes” to Fluoridate Portland’s Water

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Jennie

I’m a mom and a wife. If there were a job description for mom/wife, it would include: “protecting your family’s health.” I worry that my son, who currently has the cutest little chicklet teeth you’ve ever seen at 10 months old, will not be able to keep those cute teeth forever, because he’ll inevitably have unneeded dental challenges from growing up with a non-fluoridated water supply. Supporting fluoride in our water is supporting his dental health, my dental health and my husband’s dental health. A+ job, Mom!
Those cute chicklet teeth may not stay cute forever with no fluoride to help them out.
I like my teeth. And I’d like to keep them strong, healthy and… in my head–and I bet you’d like to keep yours that way too. The only cavity I’ve ever had has occurred since my time living in Portland. I can’t prove, of course that an absence of fluoridated water made my cavity, but I can tell you that, by no fault of my own (I’m incredibly enthusiastic about dental care), I’ll get more cavities if I continue on in a city without fluoride in the water. Many of the comment trolls from my last post have suggested I should just move if I want fluoride in my water. And you know what? I MIGHT move —-but before I go, I’m going to do my damnedest to ensure I leave my mark by helping pass this initiative!
I turned out okay–and so did everyone I know who grew up with fluoridated water. Many who support the anti-fluoride movement claim fluoride has negative health effects, lowers your IQ, etc.—but, among those of you who, like me, grew up with a fluoridated supply….do you have any negative health effects associated with fluoride? I certainly don’t.
I believe in critical thinking but I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. (Okay, I kinnnnddda believe in a JFK thing but that’s it!). The mere assumption that national and global governments are trying to poison our brains with fluoride is not only laughable, but it’s absurd.
I support health care initiatives for those less fortunate than I am–especially initiatives that benefit children. Aaron and I are not rich… we’re not even a little bit rich, but we get by okay. We can pay to have Henry’s teeth cleaned regularly and get a cavity filled if need be. But there are many moms and dads in Portland who can’t afford to do this. (Peer reviewed) Studies show a 25% reduction in tooth decay in communities with fluoridated water supplies.
You can see the benefits of fluoride, first-hand. I worked in dental for three years out of college and still count several hygienists and dentists among my friends. One hygienist friend told me she could tell just by looking at your teeth if you grew up in a community with fluoride. Just by looking. And what she say in the non-fluoride mouths, wasn’t pretty. That means that fluoride benefits not only the integrity of your teeth (on the inside), but also their appearance (on the outside). And many might argue that the way your teeth look is not important–but it is important in terms of socio-economic advantage.
Vote “YES” for fluoride!

Fluoride in Drinking Water: Myth v. Fact (Freaking Fluoridate Portland’s Drinking Water, Already!)

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Jennie

I’m not going to lie, there are some things about Portland that make me insane in the membrane. “Free” stuff that sits at the curb for weeks in the pouring rain and the people Aaron and I like to call, “the pretentiously unpretentious (You might call them smug hipsters)”… just to name a few.

But nothing, I repeat nothing, irritates me more than this city’s failure to approve ballot measure after ballot measure to fluoridate our public drinking water and protect my dental health, your dental health and that of those less fortunate than us.

“Why are you irritated by this, Jennie?”

Vote “yes” for fluoride.

Well, for one, I got my one and only cavity of my entire life this year and had to have it filled. I grew up 2,000 miles away from Portland in a land of sanity–one in which we had fluoridated water–and have incredibly healthy teeth. I attribute this to fluoride.

Anyway, back to my cavity… Having had a baby less than a year ago, I assumed my filling, would be fairly painless. It was not. In fact, it was extremely painful, uncomfortable AND I was numb—like face melty numb—for SIX.AND.A.HALF hours. By the time 2:30 pm rolled around and I could eat again, I was h-angry (hungry angry), emotional and really annoyed. Was this all a coincidence? Maybe…maybe not. Either way, I’d like NEVER to have to have a cavity filled again and I can’t help but think that if we had fluoride in our drinking water, my chances of never repeating that experience improve.

I have several more reasons I think it’s important to fluoridate the water, but before I share them in a future blog, I want to start by busting the opposition’s “scare you” myths. I set out to write something on my own but found the following except from the Tampa Bay Times and decided not to reinvent the wheel. (Besides, these guys are Pulitzer Prize winning journalists—I could never out-write them, so why try?!) Bottom line is: don’t fall prey to the fear mongers. They’re scary and full of baseless misinformation.

The following comes from a Pulitzer Prize winning series of editorials last year by journalists, Tim Nickens and Daniel Ruth, after the Pinellas County (Florida) Commission moved to quit fluoridating the county’s drinking water. Read more about their prestigious award and the other editorials on TampaBay.com.

From: Reverse the decay of common sense

5 fears, facts on fluoride

1. Science

Claim: The federal government cannot cite a double-blind/peer-reviewed scientific study that proves the health benefits of fluoride. Kurt Irmischer, a Clearwater financial planner and president of Citizens for Safe Water, recently sent a mailing calling removing fluoride in drinking water “the health care imperative of the 21st century” and listed “the Lies we have been led to Believe.”

Fact: Studies comparing the dental health between communities that add fluoride in drinking water and those that don’t are numerous and peer-reviewed. Dr. Barbara Gooch, director for science for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Oral Health, said studies show there is generally a 25 percent reduction in tooth decay in the fluoridated communities. The reduction was higher before fluoride toothpaste.

There is a good reason there are no double-blind studies, where residents in the same community wouldn’t know if they were drinking water with added fluoride or without it. Dr. William Bailey, the CDC’s acting director for oral health and the chief dental officer for the U.S. Public Health Service, said it is impossible to conduct such a study. “You cannot deliver (fluoridated) water to one house and not the other,” he said.

The double-blind/peer review argument doesn’t hold water.

2. Risk

Claim: Fluoridated water causes widespread fluorosis, a discoloring of the teeth; skeletal fluorosis, which causes pain in bones and joints; a risk of cancer; and thyroid damage. A November 2010 CDC study found more than 40 percent of kids ages 12 to 15 have dental fluorosis.

Fact: Most of those were mild cases of dental fluorosis, which are often hard to diagnose and barely recognizable as flecks on teeth. Severe dental fluorosis occurs in less than 1 percent of the general population. The CDC cites another study that mild fluorosis has risen, but the portion of low-income teens with tooth decay decreased from 73 percent in 1988-1994 to 65 percent in 1999-2004.

Kip Duchon, the CDC’s fluoridation engineer, said there have been a handful of skeletal fluorosis cases in the decades since fluoride was introduced into drinking water, and they generally aren’t tied to routine drinking of potable water. Some studies show fluoridation can help strengthen the bones, and repeated studies have not established a clear link between fluoridation and cancer or thyroid damage. Over the decades, fluoridation has not posed any significant health risk in the United States.

3. Need

Claim: It is unnecessary to add fluoride to public water supplies since it is available in toothpaste and other supplements.

Fact: There are sources other than drinking water for fluoride, which is why the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently recommended lowering fluoridation levels to 0.7 milligrams per liter of water instead of a range of 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams based on the community’s climate. The Pinellas level was only 0.8 milligrams per liter. But even with toothpaste containing fluoride widely available, fluoridated water still can result in 25 percent reduction in tooth decay. It benefits children as well as the elderly, who are living longer and keeping more of their teeth. Fluoride, combined with other fluoride products such as toothpaste, enhances oral health.

4. Conspiracy

Claim: There are plenty of conspiracy theories regarding the federal government and fluoride, such as alleged connections to the Manhattan Project or secret coordination with sugar growers or heavy industry. Tom Nocera, a Pinellas resident and longtime fluoride opponent, cryptically suggests a link between the introduction of fluoride into the Pinellas County water system in 2004 and former Pinellas County Commissioner Steve Seibert.

Seibert joined the Mosaic Co.’s board of directors in 2004 and served as secretary of the Department of Community Affairs under Gov. Jeb Bush. Mosaic, one of the world’s leading producers of phosphate, from which fluoride is a byproduct, provided Pinellas County’s fluoride.

Fact: Seibert left the County Commission in 1999. He was on Mosaic’s board of directors at the time the Pinellas commission voted to add fluoride to the drinking water. Now a Tallahassee lawyer, he said he had “absolutely nothing” to do with the decision.

Mosaic spokesman Russell Schweiss said fluoride sales represent about 0.02 percent of the company’s estimated $6.7 billion in annual revenue. The implication there was a conspiracy to win the Pinellas contract is baseless.

5. Bottom line

Claim: The federal government will not vouch for fluoride.

Fact: The EPA, which is responsible for the safety of the nation’s drinking water, sets the standards for fluoride in drinking water. The CDC is unequivocal in its support. “We promote water fluoridation as effective,” Bailey said. “We would say absolutely it is safe.”

“Pet Enthusiasts” Bring in $3200 for the Pixie Project

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Jennie

With your help, our awesome Furbowl team raised $1600 during our Pixie Project fundraiser–and with the anonymous donor match for teams earning $1000 or more, that’s $3200!

Our team raised $3200 to help pets in Oregon!

Amazingly, we didn’t place first, second or even third in this contest of hard core pet people who, collectively, raised more than $68,000 during the fundraiser. Out of nearly 40 teams, we placed a respectable sixth—something we’re quite proud of! We had 59 donors and an average donation rate of $26.00 each.

Highlights of the Furbowl bowling celebration party last Saturday include:

I took probably my first shot in a decade (celebratory Pixie Project shots were made available at the check-in). It was green and probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever ingested. I will probably not take a shot again for another decade.
I scored exactly 104 in both games. YOU try doing that twice in a row.
One team member man who shall not be named bet AGAINST his team member woman’s bowling performance and won $20. He vowed, of course, to use his earnings to take said female team member out to drinks, as would any man who finds himself in this particular predicament.
Mandy and I wore the same outfit. Naturally, we had to get a photograph and we both came out looking young and skinny. Maybe it was the mustard yellow, maybe it was the dim lighting but either way it’s a win.
Bowling twins. (By accident)
There were fantastic bowling alley strobe lights and some spoil sport wanted to turn them off. (The crowd voted against him)
The world’s most questionable dj played blared sad Coldplay songs at extremely loud volumes followed by the song “I’m No Angel.” The three female members of our team immediately went into pregnant Amy Poehler on SNL mode for at least the rest of the evening.
Amy Poehler, “I’m No Angel”
Ezra lovingly nuzzled the voluptuous, Pixie Project Stay Puft Marshmallow Man who was there for reasons I cannot explain.
Stay Puft love.

Thanks to everyone who supported our event. It was an awesome experience for each one of us and we’re thrilled to be connected to such a supportive community of people who give back to great causes.

As Aaron would say, “People helping people.” (or, pets, in this case)

Remembering “The Good Guys” in the Wake of the Boston Marathon Blasts

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Jennie

It’s easy to get jaded and bitter at human nature and the world in the face of immense tragedy like Newtown and like yesterday in Boston. In the wake of such incidences, it feels like pain and suffering are just a side effects of the times we’re living in–times we’ll look back on as war-torn, divisive and violence prone.

Things like this make it scary to be a mom. I question how Aaron and I will raise Henry to feel any sense of safety in a world in which horrific things keep happening. Right now he is so sweet, innocent and oblivious—in the future, how can we ever explain such suffering to him without rocking that innocent foundation and inadvertently instilling fear?

But this quote from childhood favorite, Mr. Rogers, reminds me that reacting with anger, fear and revenge is wrong because truth be told, behind every single terrible thing there are always “helpers” or good guys–and like comedian Patton Oswalt pointed out yesterday–the good guys will always outnumber the bad guys…always have.

The good guys are out there.

Following yesterday’s blasts, there was footage of people running away from the scene, sure… but there was also footage of people running toward the scene—to help victims. I saw photos of complete strangers comforting or helping other complete strangers. I saw photos of the good guys–crying, lost, dismayed… but willing to give a hug to another good guy, also crying, lost or dismayed.

The point of all of this is that, even in my cynical opinion, human nature lends itself more to nurturing other humans than to torturing other humans, so let’s not get jaded and bitter about it. While there will always be bad apples in the cart, we’re, by and large an amazing, complex and dynamic species who will overcome this and, ultimately, our inherent goodness will persevere.

If you know me, you know I’m largely a pragmatist, so let’s be real—sad events will happen again. But, despite them, we’re going to be okay—and, in the end, the good guys—those who practice love, acceptance and understanding will win.

And that, my friends, I can accept.—I can live and raise a child in a world focused on that.

Post-Bath Silliness

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Jennie

Oftentimes, Henry’s post-bath sillies involve streaking around the house completely absent of even a stitch of clothing. And while the risk of floor pee is great, we let him do it because the sight of his baby cellulite speckled buns crawling rapidly around the living room is hard to resist, as are his squeals of delight as we chase after him. But since Henry might not appreciate me posting pics of his naked butt online later in life (see: #babyshaming), I’ve abstained from sharing any of those. Can you imagine if he got Googled for a job interview in 20 years and his baby nudie was the first result?

Thankfully, Aaron and Henry had some safe for work/later in life job interviews post-bath silly time this weekend, resulting in some of my favorite Henry photos ever. Favorite, of course, because his tiny toothed smile sets my mommy heart a blaze!

As our friend Kay wrote on Facebook, “love this chick-let [teeth] phase.” And I have to agree, it is rather charming.

Henry and the post-bath sillies.

The Day(ly)-Burget

Day(ly) is a lie.