I’m a regular contributor to the new online magazine, Life As A Human, and my column looks at mind-body-spirit health. In my latest article, I write:

It kind of reminds me of the way we humans treat illness. Sometimes it’s like we throw our symptoms at a doctor, the way Konan throws his shape sorter at me, and say, “What does it mean? What do I have? What do I do?” (our version of “Ahhh?!”)

Read the whole article here: Sorting it Out: The Mind-Body Connection and Your Health.

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Okay, look… I like Parents magazine. And Parenting, and BabyTalk… they’re some of my favorite reading materials for getting tips, ideas and advice on raising Konan.

But sometimes I’m just amazed at what makes it into the magazines under the guise of balanced journalism. The fact that they really toe the “company line” (i.e. promote what the establishment tells them to) becomes really evident at times.

Last month, it was an article called “Chiropractors for Kids?” which seemed like it was going to be a fair examination until the author started slamming chiropractic as possible quackery, mainly based on the fact that a lot of chiropractors (and other holistic health practitioners) don’t believe that giving kids a ton of vaccinations during their first few years of life — more than ever in the history of the world — is safe.

Yes, I accept the fact that these mainstream magazines are going to be pro-vaccination, for the same reason that Konan’s pediatrician HAS TO ask about shots every time we go in for a visit. They’re strongly regulated in these areas, and we have to take it all with a grain of salt.

But I can’t believe the blurb I just read in this month’s issue:

“Dental News Flash: It’s safe for kids ages 6 and up to get metal fillings when they have cavities, finds a review of more than 200 studies by the FDA. Known as dental amalgam, the metal mixture contains a small amount of mercury, but research shows that the amount of mercury vapor that’s released during the filling process isn’t high enough to be harmful.”

WHAT??? One of the most toxic substances in the world is OKAY to put in my child’s mouth? I DON’T THINK SO!

It goes on to say that the study couldn’t confirm safety for children under 6 years old.

So first they tell us that it’s okay to inject our kids with toxins and chemicals through the form of vaccines, and now it’s okay to put it in their mouths… because only a LITTLE BIT is going to leach out and get swallowed?

I yi yi… that’s just nuts. Hopefully Konan won’t get cavities (when he ever gets around to growing teeth, that is) but if he does, he’ll be getting non-metal composite fillings.

If you’re a pro-vaccination parent who’s getting riled up over what I just wrote, consider this from Diana Fatayerji, M.S., Ph.D., in Inspired Parenting Magazine’s Spring 2004 issue: “Adverse reactions are believed to be a result of contaminants contained in the vaccines, including viruses, bacterial toxins and chemicals used in the preparation or preserving of the vaccine.”

I just wrote an article on Vaccine Side Effects in Infants for LiveStrong.com which goes into this topic deeper. It’s a balanced and heavily-researched piece, and though the focus is infants, the same is true for all kids… and there may be some evidence there that you hadn’t considered before.

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Ya know, when the little one’s growing like a weed, it’s hard for me to think about dressing him fashionably. After all, if he’s just going to outgrow a new outfit in a couple of months… why spend very much money on it?

Just for the photo op?

I used to bartend with a girl about 15 years ago or so, who was the first person my age I knew who got pregnant. She was a real fashion snob, and when she had her child, of course she said, “My daughter only wears Baby Gap!”

I remember smirking at the time. Hey, I’m the girl who doesn’t even get a thrill from shopping for shoes (no, really, it’s true!)

But Konan got some Baby Gap stuff at his baby shower that he’s just now growing into, and it’s pretty darned cute! Little sweat pants and collegiate-looking long-sleeve shirts… they make him look like a mini man, unlike the onesies I’ve been putting him in for the past 10 months (which his daddy calls his “fruity little dance outfits”).

I just bought Konan some similar styles to the Baby Gap collection at Wal-Mart. Hey, value always wins out over label. I also noticed they’ve got some really adorable and affordable stuff at Gap’s sister store, Old Navy, that I’ve got my eye on.

But then TwitterMoms comes along with a Gap Outlet partnership that can save you an additional 10% from Sept. 11 to 24.

Not only that, but if you write a blog post about affordable fashions for the under-5 set, you can win a $20 gift card.

So I think Konan might be getting some more Baby Gap clothes soon!

Happy shopping… and happy writing!

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Last week I told you how Konan was getting out of his comfort zone by taking swimming lessons.

Yes, he was scared to try something new… like all of us are.

And it sure was hard to watch him go through it when he cried!

But by the end, he knew how to totally relax while floating on his back, and how to turn from front to back after entering the water.

At 10 months old (just today), he was the youngest in his class by far, and held his own against all the 3-year-olds.

Sure, his skill level wasn’t as advanced as theirs… but he’s a winner because he progressed beyond what he could do before.

That’s why he deserves to wear this star that was given to him for graduating from the class.

You go, Konan — you’re a star, and this is just the first of many awards, medals and trophies you’ll receive!

Daddy and I are proud of you!

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Today Konan went for his first official swimming lesson. He’s had a few off-the-cuff sessions, and lots of flutterboard time, at the health club pool, but this was the first with a teacher directing all the action.

While he usually loves the water, he cried nearly all the way through this.

Why? Probably reasons that are similar to the ones we all have when we balk at getting out of our comfort zones.

He was afraid.

There was a lot of commotion, other kids crying, and a strange teacher holding him that he’d never met before.

A brand new situation, and for a little guy that’s not even 10 months old, that’s pretty scary!

And as his mother, part of me certainly wanted to protect him, take him away, and comfort him. But instead we kept on, and I encouraged and applauded him.

That’s because I’m sure he’ll stop the tears once he gets used to the lessons, which happen nearly every day for the next two weeks.

And then he, like all of us who face our fears, will have a new, rewarding experience and personal growth under his belt.

And that’s just priceless!

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I love making my own things, but I don’t always have time. I know, I know, you probably don’t either… but homemade arts and crafts, or even furniture, can make some really special  and unique gifts, especially for kids.

They also give you a sense of accomplishment, and remind the recipient how much you care.

My articles on eHow tell you how to make a few cool things:

How to Make a Stuffed Monkey

How to Make Rock & Quartz Crystal Jewelry

How to Make a Child’s Storage Bench

How to Build a Kid’s Desk

How to Build a Children’s Table

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Konan’s first birthday is in just a few months, and apparently it’s tradition for a one-year-old to eat a piece of birthday cake. I asked his pediatrician today at his 9-month check-up, and he confirmed that his kids ate cake on that first birthday too.

I think I’ll make Konan a healthy cake, since I’ve been feeding him homemade baby food instead of store-bought stuff. Maybe a nice carrot or banana cake.

And I’ve got a lot more ideas now about birthday themes, since I just wrote a bunch of articles for eHow on different kids’ birthday cake ideas:

Monkey Birthday Cake Ideas

Tigger & Pooh Birthday Cake Ideas

Webkinz Birthday Cake Ideas

Pirate Ship Birthday Cake Ideas

Luau Birthday Cake Ideas

Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Cake Ideas

I might save these ideas for future birthdays, rather than Konan’s first one, but I’ll figure it out closer to the day…

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For months, Barry has been trying to get Konan to sleep in as little as possible to keep his body cool.

First, when he was a newborn, Barry didn’t want him swaddled, even when swaddling calmed Konan down and made him stop crying. Babies feel secure when their arms can’t flail around, but it looks like their freedom is being compromised, which always bothered Barry.

Then Konan graduated to sleep bags, which are like PJs without separate leg openings, or lightweight sleeping bags with arm holes.

Or… kinda like baby Snuggies that zip up!

There have been a few times when he slept just in a onesie or jumpsuit, but for the most part he sleeps better in a bag. Hey, I don’t like sleeping without covers either, even in the summer (especially when the AC is on)… and sleep bags are like covers that babies can’t suffocate themselves under!

But Barry keeps asking for Konan to nap without his bag, and today — another sweltering 100 degree afternoon — Konan decided Daddy was right.

He wiggled his way out of his bag, and threw it on the floor (along with his pacifier, toys, rattle and anything else that happened to be in his crib — throwing stuff overboard is his favorite new game!)

The picture shows Konan holding up the bag, shortly after he took it off.

So, at least for today, the message from Konan is: I’m a 9-month-old big boy now… and big boys don’t need bags!

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Barry had his first Father’s Day today… an amazing milestone in the journey of parenthood.

And I got a milestone too.

I got to appreciate how my favorite man has given the best of what he’s got (time, energy, love, and of course, genes!) to my favorite boy.

Konan is the most amazing thing to have happened to us, and more incredible than we ever could have imagined.

The fact that two people can come together and create a third that’s so special, so perfect, and so ready to learn, grow, develop, and experience everything they can from life is just mind-boggling.

Of course, millions of people have experienced this very thing before… but it doesn’t make it any less awe-inspiring for those of us who are going through it for the first time.

Konan turned 8 months old yesterday (this favorite picture of mine was taken a couple of months ago) so he’s already 2/3 of his way to becoming a year old.

A year full of firsts… and today was one of the most special.

Happy Father’s Day, Big Bear!

And to Konan (and the rest of us, too)…

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Today is Mother’s Day, the sweetest day of the year in many women’s lives.

But to me, this is my first Mother’s Day so it’s even sweeter than that!

Okay, last year I was pregnant, so some people wished me a Happy Mother’s Day anyhow… but this is the first one that I can hold my own child in my arms.

And I can look in his face, and see both myself and Barry there.

Isn’t it amazing how much life can change in the blink of an eye?

This day will definitely go down in history as a very special one for me.

Keep Unwrapping The Mysteries of Life!