Apparently that's how my boy likes to grow teeth.

And it's also how he'll be getting his shots.

First the teeth. I've noticed the last week or so his top middle teeth were getting close to making their appearance -- they were close enough to the surface for me to notice the whites of their... enamel... but the sharp little bumps that first break through hadn't quite made their move. Until Saturday, when I could feel the razor edge of one of the teeth. By Sunday, both had pushed through his little gums - not enough to see, really, unless you get really lucky because for some reason that boy doesn't want to show off his new pearly whites!

And now to the shots. I agonized with you a few weeks ago about vaccines, and I appreciate all the comments. It's always good to hear other people's perspectives, even if it's simply to know I'm not the only one feeling this way.

I have spent a lot of time the last few weeks since I wrote that post, reading an endless amount of opinions on vaccines. I found one source in particular that has really gone a long way in helping me find peace of mind on this subject. I thought if it helped me, it might help someone else who's feeling the same way. 

First a disclaimer that I am not an expert and have no medical expertise. This should in no way be construed as advice, just something that has helped me. 

I bought a book called The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears. He's a pediatrician -- the son of Dr. William Sears, who's written a whole library of child/parenting books. I won't go into detail and possibly mess up his take on things, but this book has helped me make what I feel are better informed decisions when it comes to Bennett's vaccines -- rather than just going along with what is offered and hoping and praying it's the right decision.

Dr. Sears looks at each vaccine on the recommended childhood vaccine schedule: What it is, what disease it protects against, how serious that disease is, how common that disease is, how the vaccine is made, what ingredients it contains, what if any ingredient is controversial and why, and what side effects have been reported from it -- and he lays it all out in very easy-to-understand terms.

I knew none of (most of) that before, and had no readily-available resource (that I could find, anyway) to find out. And he also outlines some concerns he has when it comes to vaccines -- some of which I'd never even heard of before.

Bottom line, after reading this book I have decided, with a great amount of weight lifted off my heart, to vaccinate Bennett on the schedule Dr. Sears recommends -- which quite different from the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommended vaccine schedule*.  Thankfully our pediatrician is a thousand ways of wonderful and is accepting of whatever I want to do. Practically, that means more trips to the doctor, but only two shots at a time, spaced at least a month apart.  

There you go. Again I put that out there not to say it's right or tell you it's what all parents should do for their children-- and it's certainly no guarantee of Bennett's safety or lifelong health or anything of the like. It is just what has made me feel better about the matter with the information that I have.

Thanks for listening.

Penny

*Let me be clear: I do not believe the AAP schedule is harmful or wrong or bad. With one notable exception because of Ava's egg allergy both girls were vaccinated on the AAP schedule and did 100% beautifully. This is just what feels right, right now.