Our weekend got off to an early and sort of rough start. Can you see how red Gavin’s cheeks are (and how sad his eyes look) in the photo? He had a nasty fever on Thursday and Friday with no other symptoms. We think it was related to teething, but it meant he had to stay home from daycare. I took long walks with him both days and worked a bit on Thursday afternoon when he took a monster 4-hour nap. We also went outside in the late afternoons and waited for Sweets to come home from work.

We wound up skipping our soccer class and cancelling Saturday brunch plans, because Gavin had a terrible night of sleep on Friday, meaning he was up from 1am-4am. So, when he finally fell asleep, we wanted to let him sleep as long as his body needed. By the time he woke up at 10am, he was feeling much better.

Sweets and I have been researching bike trailers for Gavin. We tend to buy bigger ticket sporting items from REI, because (a) they do a lot of research for us, so we can trust the products they sell and (b) they have an amazing return policy. We checked out one trailer at an REI store in the city, but it was on the (super) expensive side, so we decided to do a little more research and think about it a bit more before making the purchase.

Then came this weekend, when REI had a massive sale plus an extra 20% off one regularly priced item for members. We decided to travel to a suburban REI to check out another (much less expensive) model that they carry. This is Sweets’ domain, so I let him talk to the sales guy, while I picked out a helmet for Gavin (yes, that’s a big smiley face on his helmet!). After Sweets filled me in on their conversation, I left the decision up to him. We walked away with a new bike trailer, a helmet for Gavin and biking jerseys for Sweets and me.

We then headed out to Sweets’ parents house. Sweets spent a couple hours assembling the trailer. As you can see from the photo above, there are wheels on the front, too. Those wheels remain in the upright position when the trailer is attached to a bike, but can be easily switched down to make the trailer into a stroller (because, you know, we needed a FOURTH stroller to add to our collection!). Don’t let Gavin’s seeming indifference fool you, either. He actually LOVED the trailer, probably because we gave him a bag of Cheerios to eat while we rode.

Speaking of a ride, we went on a great 15-mile ride with Sweets’ parents on Saturday late afternoon. We followed portions of the Illinois Prairie Path and the Great Western Trail before finishing  up our ride at a local eatery for dinner (there’s nothing quite like a post-workout meal!). Although there were a few gaffs to the day—Sweets’ dad collided with another cyclist (thankfully both were OK) and Sweets made the trailer ride over the base to a lamp post (not once, but twice), forcing the trailer to do a wheelie each time (Gavin nervously laughed, but was fine)—overall, the ride was a blast and we look forward to more long rides this summer (let it be noted: since we decided to go with an expensive (to us) model, I told Sweets we are booking specific days each month for bike rides, to make sure we get as much use out of this trailer as possible!).

Sunday was a crazy whirlwind day (because, clearly Saturday was our relaxed day – ha!). We went to a huge neighborhood-wide garage sale looking for one thing (a tricycle with a post at the back, allowing parents to help guide the bike – they retail in the hundreds of dollars, which is ridiculous!) and wound up buying two things: said tricycle ($35) and a small collapsible chair for cookouts and camping ($5). I’d say that was a win!

After walking around the neighborhood garage sale, we raced over to a birthday party for one of the kids in Gavin’s class. They had a woman singing songs and leading activities for the kids, which helped divert Gavin’s attention away from the juice boxes (he’s never had one) and the cake (he doesn’t need it). Me, too! We left the party early, so we could go to Gavin’s music class. Apparently, a very tired Gavin = non-stop Gavin in class. It was a fun class. After lunch, Gavin crashed. Daddy did dishes. And Mama went grocery shopping. Near suppertime, Sweets went to play soccer and I took Gavin on a walk with our neighbor and her daughter to grab an early dinner.

Another weekend and another “where did the time go?!” come Sunday night. Seriously, I need a vacation. Good thing we have a long weekend coming up!!

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the US Supreme Court is hearing a case this week that affects every US citizen. It’s the case regarding the health care overhaul put in place by President Obama (known as Obamacare). At question is whether the US government has a right to force citizens to purchase health insurance.

My knowledge of this debate is pretty superficial, but I still have questions. If I  have some of the details correct, the proponents of the plan state that when uninsured people seek out medical care (and cannot afford the care they need), the costs are passed onto those who pay for their care (straight up or through insurance) and taxpayers. So, to even out the playing field, everyone must have insurance, meaning everyone has medical coverage. And for those people who cannot afford to pay for insurance, there will be subsidies to help them pay.

The other side of the debate states the US government cannot force anyone to buy a commodity. Therefore, forcing people to buy health insurance is against the law or unconstitutional or whatever and the mandate should therefore be repealed.

Here’s my question. Was another option ever considered? What seems to be clear to me is that hospitals and medical care providers are REQUIRED to give medical attention to anyone seeking it. Then, if the person cannot afford the medical care, the onus is on the provider to figure out a way to pay for it … meaning, the medical providers wind up passing on costs to paying customers (in one form or another). That system, to me, seems broken.

What if we allowed medical providers to only provide medical care to those who can pay for it (either through insurance or out of pocket). Then, to help those people who don’t have insurance or can’t pay for these services out of pocket, we provide subsidies to them should they choose to get insurance. That moves the responsibility from the care provider to the patient. That way, the government doesn’t require anyone to buy anything … BUT, if you choose not to buy insurance, then you risk not being able to seek out medical attention if you can’t pay for it.

I know I’m missing something. Does the hypocratic oath require doctors and nurses to provide medical care whenever they are in a situation that demands it? What else have I missed. Surely something, otherwise, this option would’ve been on the table, right? RIGHT?

Last week, Gavin was sick. He was feverish and run down. We took him to the pediatrician, who gave me a bell-curve explanation of this kind of cold. In other words, he patted me on the head and said to call him on Day 5 if the fever continued, instead of Day 3. I stayed home from work for a couple days. We called in Gavin’s grandparents to help. And, we pretty much kept him out of daycare for most of the week.

Per usual, we had a jam-packed weekend. Saturday arrived and Gavin was doing alright. I mean, his fever was only 100. [insert sarcastic sigh] We decided to cancel all plans on Saturday, which meant skipping out on a 2nd birthday party and bailing on dinner with friends we don’t see very often. Instead, we cooped ourselves inside and had a low-key day. It didn’t help that it was gray and rainy outside. By late-day, we were climbing the walls. Of course, it’s nice to have down time, but forced down time sucks.

Even Gavin was bored by the end of Saturday.
He stole Sweets’ cycling gear.
A statement he’s ready to go? I think so! 

By Sunday, Gavin no longer had a fever, which was a great start to his 17-month birthday! And the weather was gorgeous. Gavin and I set out on a morning run. We then took him to music class and decided to have a leisurely lunch outside (instead of going grocery shopping – we’re such rebels!). It was a good move, enjoying the weather while we had it. By 2pm, Gavin was falling asleep in the car and a cloudy cold front was moving in. I dropped off the boys at home, so Gavin could nap, and did some food shopping on my own. Sweets’ parents came over late afternoon to play with their (healthy) grandson. We grilled burgers and brats for dinner. Yum.

Gavin finally smiles for the camera.
He must be feeling better! 

Of course, the 70s we saw briefly on Sunday turned into 40s on Monday, which is supposed to return to the high 60s today. If I’m not sick by the end of this week, it’ll be a miracle.

In recent years, how many of you have rid your house of something you consider toxic to the environment? Whether it’s choosing “fragrance and dye free” products or BPA-free water bottles or wood over plastic toys for your kids … my guess is we have all made decisions to “cleanse” our homes and our lives of products we believe are toxic to the environment and ourselves.

For the most part, I trash talk extremists of any kind. I’m more of an everything in moderation kind of gal. But, when I read this article the other week, I began to wonder whether I’m heading for extremes, too. Even though I’m a far cry from “establishing a shelf of environmental-health books and a regime of natural baby products,” I did start to take notice of the elements around me and we made quite a few changes after we found out I was pregnant with Gavin.

We started using a lot of fragrance and dye free cleaning products: clothes detergent, fabric softener, dish liquid. We moved to Method products for soap. We chose cleaning people who used eco-friendly products (vinegar is a pretty awesome cleaning product, by the way). We made (still make) our own wipes and use diapers with as few chemicals as possible. I have become snobby about plastic toys, preferring wood and natural products. We more closely monitor what kinds of foods we’re buying.

Making those decisions felt (and continues to feel) good, because I felt like I was protecting my child and bettering our lives. But, I also wonder, am I going too far? Where’s the proof that (some) chemicals will take years off our lives? Would exposing ourselves to some of these things help us build immunity and increase our tolerance levels to other things in the environment? Am I reacting to the crazy media (who jumps on these kinds of stories like bees on honey) or am I making sound decisions?

Furthermore, if I am behaving rationally, am I doing enough? I know that just because it says “All Natural” on the packaging doesn’t mean jack, but sometimes I fall for it. Should I really be scouring labels, researching online and becoming an expert in all house goods? Ha, I know that’s not going to happen, but it still makes me wonder. Also, what kind of parent cleanses their home of these toxins, but lets her child eat food that fell on the floor, doesn’t wipe down restaurant high chairs and doesn’t flip out when her son eats dirt???

I guess it all goes to intuition. Each of us makes decisions that feel right for our homes, ourselves and our lives. Sometimes those decisions change depending on where we are in our life journey (kids are a great reason to re-evaluate a lot of things in your life!). So long as we’re acting soundly and behaving rationally, I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer. I might chuckle at people who bring grocery cart seat covers for their children, but at the end of the day, it’s their prerogative, it’s what makes them feel comfortable.

Do you try to live in a toxin-free world or do you belly laugh at people who do?

What do I believe? I believe certain Republicans in Congress are instigating investigations into Planned Parenthood, not because they believe there’s been a misappropriation of funds, but because it serves their personal agendas of appeasing their highly conservative constituencies. I believe Komen caved to pressure from pro-choice groups. I believe, at the direction of one of their executives with a very personal agenda, they carved out new corporate policies that allow it to yank funding from Planned Parenthood without debate. I believe they mistreated and were completely disrespectful to Planned Parenthood—not by yanking funding (that one we can debate), but by making an announcement to Planned Parenthood, instead of meeting face to face with Planned Parenthood leadership. Is this any way to treat an organization they’ve partnered with for seven years? Cowardly, I think so.

My reaction? I was deeply saddened by this news. Because, I actually have history with the Komen Foundation. My college sorority picked the Susan G Komen Foundation as it’s national charity (and I can only hope they will seriously reconsider a different breast cancer organization to support going forward). We organized the Franklin 5K (before 5ks were popular) as an annual fundraiser for the organization. Over the years, we raised thousands upon thousands of dollars for that organization. After I graduated and moved to Chicago, I continued to support that organization by raising money for and running in the Race for the Cure. And so, it’s sort of a stake in my heart that an organization I supported for so many years could so egregiously mistreat another organization I happen to support. And, more important than my personal disappointment, it’s incredibly unfortunate that women’s health has to be politicized. Ridiculous and appalling, actually.

Furthermore, this story adds more reasons why I am utterly confused by the political right. The whole conservative Republican movement screams at liberal Democrats that we need less government. Fewer taxes. Less spending. Stay out of our business. That’s their message and trust me, we hear it loud and clear. Oh, but wait a minute. What’s that? If the conservative Republicans don’t agree with my business, then they’re more than happy to stick their noses in it? So, what this basically means is that when it comes to my body, conservative Republicans have their hands all over it. Hypocrisy much? Eff that.

Ooooh boy, I can feel the comments brewing. Or even better, the lack of comments brewing, because many of you don’t like to pick fights. And that’s fine. Bring it on. Or don’t. In the meantime, I’m gonna turn my words into action. Instead of continuing to whine about this sad state of affairs any more, I’m heading over to the Planned Parenthood website to make a donation. And from what I hear, a lot of others have, too (they raised $400,000 in the 24 hours after the Komen announcement went public). Action speaks louder than words.