Tori's Blog
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Not Keeping Up
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
I am back at work full-time. Now, unless you have been with me for at least six months, this is a MUCH longer story. However, all ll I can say, as I write this while grabbing toast and running out the door at 6:30 am is that I am NOT keeping up. Period. I’ll explain later. Have a great day. -
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Outbreak –
Friday, August 27th, 2010
There is a very effective vaccination for whooping cough and most of us received it when we were kids. But the vaccine wears off after a few...
Did you know that we are currently in the midst of a terrible pertussis (also known as whooping cough) epidemic. In California, more than 2,700 cases have been reported so far this year — eight times last year’s number at this time. This year is on pace to be the worst breakout since 1958! -
Economizing As A New Parent
Monday, August 16th, 2010
Believe it or not we are heading into the busiest baby months of the year. The highest rate of babies in the U.S. are born between August and October. I want to go over some good ways to economize as the baby arrives. If you’d like you can watch my Good Morning America spot or read about some ideas here.In a good or bad economy – when it comes to your children, you should never compromise. Here are some simple and fun...
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Beach So-Longs
Monday, August 9th, 2010
Beach Friends
We head back to California today. A bittersweet ending to a beautiful summer here on Lake Michigan. It always comes too quickly but this summer just seemed to completely disappear.
It wasn’t an especially busy time and although I did not even touch the couple of “projects” I brought with me to do (which I never do), I feel like Alexander and I did all of the things we wanted to do. As always, for him it was to play....
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Reflecting On Alexander’s Birth Story
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Last week I wrote about my birthday and birthdays in general and how the day of our birth evolves, over time, into two or three sentence descriptions by our mothers.This, of course, has led me to think about my own Alexander’s birth. His actual birth was crappy. Sorry, but it was. There was no spiritual or profound experience attached to it. There was, actually, real fear for my safety and I was pretty much out of it for the last...
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A Controversial Analysis of The Safety of Home Birth
Friday, July 30th, 2010
An interesting and controversial new report was published in the New York Times last week. It’s premise is that although a planned homebirth can be a rewarding experience for mom, it is not without some documentable risks.A planned home birth can certainly have some health benefits for mothers — fewer lacerations, fewer hemorrhages, fewer retained placentas and fewer infections. But there may be a price to be paid: according to the new analysis, there are increased risks for the baby.
I would...
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Pain Medications for Labor and Birth
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Many types of medication can ease pain during labor and delivery. Here is a brief outline of the most common types of medication offered.Epidural block – An epidural block is a regional analgesic or anesthetic that can be used during active labor. The medication is injected into the lower back just outside the sac of spinal fluid. It takes about 20 minutes to administer an epidural block and another 10 to 20 minutes for the medication to take effect.
An epidural alleviates...
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Managing Labor Pain
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Labor is a natural — although challenging — process. No two women have the same degree of labor pain, and no two labors are exactly alike. Ultimately, you need to choose the pain relief option that’s right for you.The best approach to labor pain relief depends on your preferences and on how your labor progresses. Sometimes, you won’t know what kind of pain relief you want until you’re in labor. Still, it’s a good idea to think about your options...
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My Own Birthday
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Sisters: Tori, Denise, Debbie (Kassie missing)
I had a birthday this month – July 9th. It was a quiet day and that was how I wished it to be. I had a lot of lovely birthday wishes – from my family, others who love me, and friends on FaceBook.
My parents, sister and nephew were visiting here at the lake and being with my own mother on my birthday got me thinking about the details surrounding the day I was born. I...
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Tori on ParentsAsk.Com – Homebirth or Hospital Birth
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Today, the sky is clear and I sit in what is quite possibly the best chair in the world looking out over the sand, blue water and nothing but the coastline of Lake Michigan.We have had friends visiting us so the kids have been up late playing in the sand dunes or on the beach every night. The house is so quiet right now — the dogs quietly wrestling on the floor and my coffee actually still hot as I...
