Cherish your children

I had some sad news this week as someone I work with lost her baby to SIDS. What a tragedy to lose a baby so young and full of life with no warning, no signs, and no time to say goodbye. He was at daycare and just didn't wake up from his nap. My heart goes out to not only his mother, but also the person watching him. As I think about the mother, I cannot even begin to imagine what she is dealing with. Her little boy was a little older than Delaney, and it just reminds me that there is something so scary out there that we have no control over, or at least that is what I had originally thought.

Upon hearing this news, and in an attempt to make some sense out of a tragic and heartwrenching situation, I did a little research. I found that there is actually a cause that has been found, and if you use the method these researchers suggest, SIDS will not happen. It has been 100% effecive over the last 11 years. Unfortunately, this is not told to people in the U.S. The study was done in New Zealand and babies in New Zealand are not dying. At all. SIDS is caused by chemicals in mattresses mixing with a normal fungus/bacteria found in mattresses and creating a toxic gas that lies over the top surface of the mattress. If a high level of this toxic gas is breathed in, it kills the baby. To prevent it you wrap the mattress to eliminate the exposure. It's as simple as that. I am currently furious at our government for not recognizing this because they feel they would have to admit liabliity for requiring these chemicals be put in the mattresses in the first place. (The chemicals are what make mattresses fire retardent) Please read the link I attached if you are interested because it explains it so much better than I have.
Anyway, the point is, if you know anyone who has a young baby or is pregnant, please let them know about this solution to SIDS. I will be wrapping my crib at home and both the crib at my parents and Christian's parents. It's just not worth the risk!!
Here is just ONE of the many websites explaining the research.

http://www.healthychild.com/cribdeathcause.htm

I just hope if I can help spread the word maybe we can prevent a death without even realizing it. Unfortunately it took a horrible situation for me to even look up more information.

Makenna's First Day of Preschool/

Well, Makenna had her first day of her last year of preschool if you can follow that. She's really lucky because two of her cousins are in the class so I know she'll feel comfortable. The only concern is that she won't meet new friends, but hopefully the three of
them will branch out.
Here is a picture of her first day. Not my favorite picture, but the camera died and I only got to take one.



I didn't take a picture of Logan, Riley and Makenna, but here is an old one. This was at Christmas 2006. I need a new one!!!


Here are Camden and Morgan who will be in preschool together next year. They are troublemakers together and I love this picture!


This is a picture I took today of all three, I thought it was a sweet picture. :)

Things we like

Here are some things we are interested in right now!

Christian
*Wii Fit
*wrestling with the kids
*doing brainquest with the kids
*watching movies

Kerry
*playing games with the kids
*pictures
*decorating the house, specifically the kids rooms, so fun!
*Wii fit

Makenna
*cartwheels (everywhere, one-armed or two)
*Ariel (well all princesses really)
*TV shows Word World and Super Why
*clothes (I am in trouble because she loves new clothes-which I love but my wallet does not!)
*Dancing
*Her younger brother and sister
*playing with her cousins
*preschool

Camden
*all trucks, cars, airplanes, boats, anything that contains a motor
*turning everything into a rocket and sooming it around the house
*Pretending that lions are coming to get us (but he likes to remind they are just pretend when I get "scared")
*TV show Word World
*Reading or trying to read everything
*kicking, throwing, hitting, and carrying, basketballs, baseballs, etc.
*Dancing
*His sisters

Delaney
*scooting around on her tummy, cast and all
*having anyone talk to her, she just lights up
*pacifier
*music and lights
*her big brother and sister
*putting everything in her mouth

Makenna's 4th birthday

Makenna turned four earlier this week and we celebrated that and the upcoming Olympics at the same time. First, on her birthday, we took the kids to Chucky Cheese where Makenna finally got her courage to meet Chucky, she was so excited! For her party, my friend Angela graciously let me borrow her gym to host the Olympics. The kids had relay races, long jump, obstacle course, and made their own country flag. It was fun to have all Makenna's cousins and friends together and the kids had a blast. Some of her birthday presents included a leapster, a "diamond" necklace, My Little Ponies, fancy purses, hairbows, and her own Mickey digital camera. Lucky girl! I put some pictures in so you can see the fun. Makenna even got a new Olympic leotard. Who knows, maybe in 2020 she will be in the real Olympics!!