Hmmm, well Celiac is a genetic disorder, so I don't know how it could lead to it. If they have a mild case that hasn't been diagnosed or shown symptoms, I suppose it could lead to a worsening of the condition. I agree with a large amount of the things in that book, but some of it strikes me as off. I try to balance what I learned in that book with what I've learned in other places. I don't like to take any one sources as gospel (well other than the actual Gospels in the Bible of course ;)

:iagree: This is what I was going to say.

I would likely give him another chance. If I had a long relationship with him, and I liked him generally, I would be inclined to stay. I would make sure though that any time there are test results to come back that he will either be in town, or have the results forwarded to the on-call NP/Dr. There needs to be a better system for getting the test results, and you need to work something out with him in regards to that. It will hopefully not only benefit you, but his other patients as well.

Wow, that's neat. Do they have requirements as to what type of curriculum you use, or do you still have a pretty free hand?

What exactly are umbrella schools? Do they offer any particular advantage vs being a 'free agent'? How many of you all are part of one?

Ah, this is me too. My first daughter's is almost done. I haven't even started on Caitlyn's though. She's been a much more high needs baby than her sister was, so I have trouble finding the time. Of course if I followed OP's (and my husband's) suggestion of going on forum's less maybe I'd have more time to do the hobbies I love, like my modified version of scrapbooking. My real 'hobby' that I keep trying to start, have tons of supplies for, but never really 'get around' to is crocheting. I have a big bin of yarn, a bunch of hooks and books on how to, and I never do it. It's been years. Maybe I should give up the idea for now...

I remember I first tried to read them when I was too young. Not because of any content, but because the medical terminology frustrated me to the point where I didn't even finish the books. I think I was 9/10 at the time though. I didn't pick them back up again until I was 17 and didn't have any problems then. I would think a 13 would be fine.

Yes, I do have multiple email accounts. I have one for registering places, ebay, and other 'spam' stuff. My main account is for my friends and family as well as newsletters I actually want to read. That reminds me, I need to look at my spam account. I haven't been there in weeks........

I don't know about mayo, but I believe Tea Tree oil is a more natural way to treat lice. They have TTO shampoo's that are typically used for dandruff, so you could try that. Or if you have any actual TTO you could probably add it to a regular shampoo. Here is a link to Dr. Greene's article about head lice: http://www.drgreene.com/21_640.html

What about the magic schoolbus series. If teachers and classes were anywhere near as cool, I would have no problem sending my kids to a school. (well ok, I might still have a problem because I've read Dumbing us Down)

With all the books and tv shows for kids often having kids going to school as a large part of them, do your kids ever feel like they should be going to school? Does it ever make them wonder if they are missing out on the fun since most of them portray school as the best thing ever, especially books and shows for preschool aged children? My daughter is only 2, and it seems like a lot of books for her age, and shows on PBS and such talk up going to a classroom based school like its the best thing ever. I worry that she'll feel she's missing out on something since she's too young to really understand. I try and keep shows and books like that out of the house, but 'getting ready for school' seems to be a HUGE theme for preschool books. Grandpa doesn't help either. Last night at dinner he was making comments like 'You're getting to be such a big girl now. Why you seem like you're ready to go to school already and play with lots of other kids and have fun'. He knows we plan on homeschooling....

Sorry, I don't know about the KitchenAid attachment, but I wanted to share that I got the WonderMill for Christmas, and I love it, it's big, but not huge, and cleanup is a breeze. In case the KitchenAid attachment doesn't work out, it's just a thought.

Just bumping this question. I have a bfing 6 month old that I don't think I could leave for 12 hours (or get her to sit still and behave for that long if I brought her). The seminars look great though, and I'm sad at the thought of missing them, especially since they're so close....

If you have any books you don't want you can try http://www.swaptree.com/ and see if they have any of the ones you're looking for. Then if you don't like them, you can swap them back to someone else. edited cause I put up the wrong link....

Thank you all for your responses. I decided on getting 4 for now. I'm going to get Bible Stories for Growing Kids, Winnie the Pooh Vol. 1, Mouse Tales, and James Herriot's Treasury for Children, Warm and Joyful Animal Tales. You all were a great help in helping me decide:)

I don't vax at all, but I've seen a few suggestions for what to do. This one is from Dr. Mercola: In summary, this is a vaccination schedule that I would recommend: No vaccinations until a child is two years old. No vaccines that contain thimerosal (mercury). No live virus vaccines (except for smallpox, should it recur). These vaccines should be given one at a time, every six months, beginning at age 2: A) Pertussis (acellular, not whole cell) B) Diphtheria C) Tetanus D) Polio (the Salk vaccine, cultured in human cells) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/12/29/vaccination-schedule-part-one.aspx Others go by Finland's national vaccine schedule: http://www.euvac.net/graphics/euvac/vaccination/finland.html And I'm pretty sure this is Dr. Sears method: 2 months: DTaP, Rotavirus 3 months*: Pc, HIB 4 months: DTaP, Rotavirus 5 months*: Pc, HIB 6 months: DTaP, Rotavirus 7 months*: Pc, HIB 9 months: Polio 12 months: Mumps, Polio 15 months: Pc, HIB 18 months: DTaP, Chickenpox 2 years: Rubella, Polio 2 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A (start Hep B at birth if any close relatives or caregivers have Hep B) 3 years: Hep B, Measles 3 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A 4 years: DTaP, Polio 5 years: MMR 6 years: Chickenpox 12 years: Tdap, HPV 12 years, 2 months*: HPV 13 years: HPV, Meningococcal (once Meningococcal vaccine is approved for age 2, Dr. Sears will move it there and delay Hep B by 6 months) Before I made the decision not to vax I was considering the Finnish schedule, but ultimately decided it wasn't for me. I'd say you need to read up, talk with your doctor, and come up with your own plan that you all are comfortable with.

As far as length goes, if you sort by how long they are the book of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales is the longest at 13 hours, though it is a collection of 30 stories since a child will not sit through 13 hours of book. I'm mostly curious about what type of substance a 2 year old could handle, or if I should just get the chapter type books now and let her listen to them just to hear the words and she'll 'grow into them'.

I'm looking through Audible Kids website trying to decide what type of books I should get for my 2 year old to listen too. When can they start listening to longer stories? She goes to sleep listening to music right now, and I'd like to start having an audiobook going instead with the idea that she should be surrounded by language as much as possible. I know kids can listen to stories that are higher level than their 'reading level', and I don't want to buy picture type books on audible for her. I'm not sure what level would be good though. I mean, I figure things like A Wrinkle in Time are to high level, but what about Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, or Wizard of Oz? Should I get more complete stories such as those, or stick to Fairy Tales, Fables, and Mother Goose types stuff? So far in my cart I have Winnie the Pooh, House at Pooh Corner, and Bible Stories for Growing Kids.

My husband and I really enjoyed Sabrial, Lireal, and Abhorson by Garth Nix (I think I got the spelling right). It helps that they're read by Tim Curry ;)

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my time in for the most part. I met a lot of great people, learned a lot, and saw a bit of the world (fortunately Germany instead of desert). You make a lot of great friends and learn a lot about yourself and what you are capable of. My attitude only changed when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter. We had been planning on waiting until I was out to have kids because of the potential to be deployed. My daughter surprised us 2 years ago though, and I spent my last 2 years on the military terrified of being separated from her. 8 years is a long time and a lot of things change.

I do agree with this, but we are supposed to be leaving Iraq within 16 months (if Obama keeps promises). That being said, there is still Afghanistan where troops need to be beefed up because of situations there. Also, there are several other countries that could potentially cause problems. When he signs a contract it will be an 8 year contract, he needs to keep that in mind. All contracts are. He might only spend 2 of those years actually drilling or on active duty, but the rest would be in IRR, inactive ready reserve. They can, and have been, pulling people from the IRR to supplement troops overseas because of shortages. I just got my discharge papers from the Army saying I was finished with my IRR obligation Oct. 31st, so I know the sick feeling of fear in the stomach everytime you hear on the news a new rotation is going to be called, and wondering if it will be you and you'll have to leave your kids (or whatever else is in your life at the time). http://polybius.blogs.com/left_of_way/irr_information/That guy has a lot of stuff about IRR folks there. Most people don't even know it exists unless your in it. They think its 2-4 years and your out.

safe, beautiful, isn't polluted with great wine and cheese you say? I spent 14 months in wurzburg, germany with the military and I LOVED that small city. Frankenwine is the best wine, IMO. There is so much to see and do within a train ride of there as well. The train system in Germany is great too. Also, because military people are in town there are a lot more people that speak English, so it could make it a little easier. I'm getting homesick just thinking about it:( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Würzburg

That's what I'd always heard too. Not that we have many credit lines or anything, but I left the furniture line open so that helps our ratio. We just paid off my credit card (yay!) and unless there is a true emergency we don't plan on using it again. We should be able to pay his off soon, a few months at the latest especially with tax returns coming in. Then we will just have vehicle and mortgage.

I'm not sure if its the type of book to raise blood pressure or make you question anything, but The Dante Club is the most boring book I've ever tried to read. I tried to read it a couple times, but never got past the first few chapters. Left behind was just bad writing. I read them all because they were quick reads and I wanted to see what happened, but looking back on them they were really bad. Right now though, with a 2 year old and a 5 month old I don't get much of a chance to read anymore.

I've always thought the Eiswein was way to sweet. It might be just me though, because my husband loves it. It can be pricey though, so it's a treat when we get it.