Have your hemoglobin checked. The blood volume expands around 25wks which causes hemodilution which in turn can cause physiologic anemia. Totally normal and a good sign. But do have it checked to make sure it doesn't stay too low close to delivery. The low end of normal for pregnancy is 11.3. If it is low you can help boost it up: - Iron-rich foods - Cook with cast iron - Black strap molasses - Iron supplements such as Floradix or Garden of Life RAW Iron. They will assimilate well and won't constipate.

Each week you can also look up the number of cases in your state via the Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report. Here is the report for the week ending on 1/18: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6303md.pdf Look at the actual numbers for your state. Is it really that much of a threat? If you feel it is (and if you are ok with what the package label says about testing being done on pregnant women and fetuses), then you can make a better informed decision about this vaccination.

Ask your doctor for the package insert. Read it. Has it been tested on pregnant women and/or fetuses? Is it safe and effective for pregnant women? If it has not, are you still comfortable taking that vaccine?

Haven't seen that one yet. We're part of SKrafty and love it. They have started offering classes as well.

Avocado. You can hide it in stuff like chocolate pudding (google it...you'll find recipes).

Maybe McHenry's is more along the lines of what I'm looking for??? It just not a full semester (which is why I think I ignored it when I was looking in the Fall) which I guess isn't a bit deal since we have 16 weeks (we do four weeks on and one week off) left. Is it enough on it's own or do I need to supplement? I found one thread where someone was looking for curriculum to supplement it. ??

Depends on the child. We tried it several years ago and my dd hated it! A friend of mine used it with her boys and thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I'm having a really hard time finding a chemistry to use for my youngest two (6th and 3rd). I bought NOEO Chemistry II in the Fall and really, really hate it. We were all bored and I really didn't like having to read everything out of the spines. It just didn't seem to have much to it. So I'm looking around for something different. I like the look of Elemental but it seems that it's laid out the same way, using the spines as the main texts. Are there any other amazing differences between the two that would make ES more enjoyable?? Is there something else out there that isn't just lesson plans with separate spines?? And don't suggest Apologia's new Chemistry text. I've looked it over at a store here and wasn't impressed.

:lurk5:

Aldi chocolate chips here too. Have used them for years. Double broiler. Add a little crisco or Gulf wax. Voila! :)

:grouphug: Mama :grouphug: I too am so very sorry you had to go through that alone. Speaking as someone who has been through a m/c at home while not under a doctor's care, not speaking in a way giving medical advice... Exactly. Someone mentioned if you soak through more than one pad an hour and that is correct. If you have not passed all of the tissue, you will begin experiencing symptoms. The only reason I would say you absolutely need to be seen is if you are Rh- because you need Rhogam. Otherwise, there really is not a significant reason to be seen. You could have blood work to have HCG checked but...*shrug*...it's just going to tell you what your body is naturally doing. Rest and let yourself mourn and heal. :grouphug:

It definitely needs to be something you feel is an absolute calling on your life and for your family. My mom has been a foster parent for almost 20 years. There are some really amazing kids in foster care. But there are also some kids who are really hurting and are still learning how to process what has happened to them. Having witnessed some of her experiences with children in her home, I would never even consider it with young children in my home. Momling posed some really great questions to consider. The only other thing I would add (and maybe someone mentioned it already) is to strongly consider not taking a child who is older than your youngest.

Same thing I'm doing now....my midwifery practice. :)

Yep. It's coming through Oklahoma.....finally. Ready for the cold. This spring-like weather we've been having is getting really annoying.

http://tvline.com/2013/11/15/the-walking-dead-spin-off-prequel-premise-cast/ http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/walking-dead-spinoff-could-be-prequel-report-20131115 http://www.horror-movies.ca/2013/11/walking-dead-spin-off-could-be-a-prequel/ Lots out there if you google "Walking Dead spinoff".

Yes, they showed a "season preview" but it was just one scene. The writer they had on the Talking Dead said it's a scene directly from the comics. No other insights. Just "great stuff to come" and talk of adventures.

What....the.....???? :crying: That's all I have to say about Herschel. No, Judith wasn't in the In Memoriam on Talking Dead. *shrug* Me too. So horrible episode....but.... Why, WHY if they wanted to live and survive in the prison did they run the tank into the fences and start bombing the prison walls??? And where was the fence zombie mob???

Yep. It's a blessing and a curse. LOL!! I'm grateful to not have greedy children. But it's also really nice to have a list to work off of.

Maybe so. Still, it seemed really weird to be THAT attached so soon. *shrug* He may seem humanized but it sure doesn't take much for him to turn (not "turn"...lol...you know what I mean) on his own people.

That episode was annoying. #1 - All of a sudden the lady (who has the little girl...sorry I don't remember her name) is acting like they are a family. Huh? #2 - She was SO sad that they were having to leave their "home". Um..you've known this guy like what, three days? And all of a sudden she has a new family and home? It was all just really weird. No surprise that it was all leading up to him trying to take over the prison. But I guess they had to spend two weeks explaining where his new posse came from. I really hope the mid-season finale is good. So far this season has been a bit disappointing.

I'm hosting again this year. The menu has been set. I usually get groceries on Sunday morning but dh and I had to go out of town today so I'll get groceries tomorrow. Then we'll spend Tuesday cleaning. :)

I use the Young Living home diffuser. This site has several options: http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/Diffusers_s/2.htm

Project Free TV

If your gut is telling you something, don't ignore it. Because some women have had quite traumatic c/s experiences. So yes, some women are horribly terrified of going through that emotional trauma again and having another c/s. And it is a big deal. It is major surgery. There are more risks involved with c/s than there are va*inal delivery.

I'm on the fence about this episode. On one hand I liked seeing him weak and getting a little back story. On the other hand I just want him gone and the whole "sisters" plot was horrible. How on earth could she keep going upstairs to kill a walker, shoot it all up, and NOT aim for the head???? Lots of questions about their clean water source and toilet but being a stand alone episode they aren't going to have time to give us all that information. Still...annoying. While I understand the symbolism, it did make me sad when he burned the picture of his family. And I really, really wanted to see a Walker using a walker in the retirement home. :p EL - I lover your avi! :)