Lead Poisoning & CPSIA

I stole this excerpt from my sister in law. I have heard and read some about this particular topic and it frankly disgusts me! I thought this was a free country and it's turning into something we can't even live comfortably in. Please read and pass it on. It's really important that we do something to protect our children. We should have the freedom to read and write and challenge our minds and that is something the government is wanting to take away from us. I don't like it and I'm so worried for what it will be like once my kids are old enough to have it effect them... oh wait, they ARE old enough... it's not an age issue here, its a moral issue, in my mind.

This is an excerpt from Etsy.com. Please read it...This law has the potential to have a HUGE impact on all of us.


As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way.

Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too. How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students: Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader: Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade: Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist: Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper: Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector: Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html


To the American Economy: Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.


To the Worldwide Economy: Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.


If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
*{skip the add and read the article!}


And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

I'll tell you what...it alarmed me, that's for sure! I'm all for keeping our children safe, but this is absurd.

This was a story done just last night on Fox 13 news
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-story-lead-law-to-go-into-effect-feb-10,0,711932.story

Today (Wed. the 28th) has been set aside for bloggers to make a point of helping EVERYONE know about this. If you want to react and aren't sure how...blog about it.

Thanks for reading!

Addy's Cardiology Appointment

Today was the dreaded day at Primary Childrens Hospital. She had to go to see a cardiology specialist about her heart murmur. Her doctor was concerned that it was worse than just a simple murmur. Well, the cardiologist today ran some tests and found that there was no reason to be concerned anymore because the murmur was one that is normal and she shouldn't have any problems with it in her life. THANK GOODNESS! One more health issue down with little Addy.

Amazing News for Addy!

Today was a dreaded day. This morning Addy had her appointment at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where they were doing tests on her kidneys. Not only was she a superstar, everything came back normal. Although all the poking and prodding, she is fine and so far, no damage was done to her kidneys.

We are SO relieved and can't thank everyone enough for their fasts and prayers. The team that helped us at UVRMC was AMAZING. First, Addy had to have an ultrasound. She wasn't too excited about it and was pretty wiggly, but it wasn't too bad.

Second, they had to send us down this really long hall to radiology where they were performing a VCUG. On our way down the hall, we were greeted by someone on the team who was somewhat of a transition nurse or something.. she had a bin full of toys for Addy and other things. She took us to the room we would be waiting in. She chatted with us for a minute till all the other doctors and nurses got there. I'm an idiot and didn't realize that Addysen had to be done with ALL foods and liquids 2 hours prior to her appointment, whice I had given her a sip of Apple Juice just before her ultrasound, so we ended up having to wait an hour before they could do the proceedure. This is where the tears came. After all the stress of worrying about this and sweet Addy, I just sort of lost it realizing how dumb I was. Thankfully, nobody made any issue out of the fact I was emotional about it.

USUALLY, people are so busy in hospitals that if something like this came up, they would just leave you in a waiting room and come back to check on you periodically. Not this time. The whole team of 5 doctors stayed with us the whole time we waited. They answered questions, played with Addy, gave her toys, gave us A LOT of information about all kinds of child illnesses, proceedures, etc... basically just sat and talked with us while the time passed.

I was very impressed. They all fell in love with Addy and Nate and I were very grateful to them for making it a good experience (as much as it can be). So, thanks to UVRMC! And once again.. thanks for all the prayers and fasting. We have such great support in our lives and we are so grateful for it.

Now, after not eating since 4am, Addy has just had her first bottle and has gone to sleep.. probably for a VERY long nap! :-)

We will keep you all posted on the results of her Heart appt. at Primary Childrens as well in a couple weeks.

B.I.G. Girls

I can't believe how fast they grow. Just the other day, Hailey and Addy were playing in the playroom and Addy was so fascinated by Hailey riding her little 4-wheeler around the house. Hailey at one point got off of it right by Addy and said "here Addy, your turn!" So, of course, I just had to take that opportunity. The funny thing was.. she actually fit on it! AND, I took her for a ride, and she even held on without help! It was pretty funny.

Then, as Hailey was running around the other day in her big girl underwear, (yes, diapers are no more.. well at least during the day!) I took this picture of her. Then, later as I was viewing it on my computer I noticed how RIPPED she is! Check out that stomach! If only I had as much energy as she does, I could have a gnarly stomach like that too! One day...

oh, and by the way, i've added some cute candids of Hailey on my photography blog...see them here.

#1 Reason I HATE the snow!!

As some of you know, I have something called Raynaud's Disease. It's nothing fatal or serious... besides the fact that I once got frostbite due to it, but that's another story. It's mostly annoying more than anything. Well, basically, its a circulation problem. It's really hard for me to be in cold climates because it causes REALLY bad pain in my feet and hands mostly.

At a visit to Primary Children's with Addysen recently, we found out that she also has the same disease, thanks to me. I feel awful for that.

This is why i'm so IRRITATED about it right now. Last night, after recieving MUCH unwanted snow, Nate challenged me to go out and build a snowman after he told me it was impossible because the snow was too dry. People, I come from living in MONTANA where you could make ANYTHING out of ANY kind of snow. Now, with having the dare thrown out there, he added that he would give me $100 if I could do it. He even showed me the cash!

I would be an idiot not to, right? Well, good thing I have a very competetive husband who would allow me to prove him wrong, all the while adding some spending money to my pocket.... which would probably end up getting spent on groceries.. i'm boring, I know.

So, I bundle up Hailey who wanted to accompany me and outside we went. So, as I got the first ball done, I couldn't take it anymore. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?????? My hands hurt so bad, I can't even explain the pain...

so, I ran into the house, almost in tears as I tried profusely to warm them up quickly, only making it worse, I failed. I failed at completing the challenge. Although I got ONE part of the three part snowman done, I still didn't qualify for my reward. STUPID RAYNAUDS!!!!!!!

Now, the frostbite story, that's for another day. I'll tell that story as soon as I get over my frustration at being two large snowballs away from $100.00.

A New Update on Little Addy

This past Tuesday morning, Addysen woke up and I found blood all in her diaper. So, of course, we took her into the doctor where they did a cathider to get a urine sample (which she was NOT a fan of). She was put on an antibiotic to try and kill off whatever infection she had. We were told to just keep an eye on her and her fever and if it spiked at all, to bring her in.

Well, I spoke to the doctor again this morning and the results are back that it is in fact a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) which is what they were worried about. Apparently, it's very serious if a child gets one before puberty, especially an infant. The biggest concern is kidney damage. I will explain momentarily.

Back to the antibiotic. The one they had given her, they also got the results back from the strands in her urine sample that it is not working to kill off the infection. So, they have now changed her antibiotic to something they have tested and know will work for her. So, hopefully soon enough, we can get her feeling better.

Now back to the kidney issue. Because of the great concern, they have made an appointment for the 15th to have some further tests run at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.. yes, this is a seperate appointment from the cardiologist we are seeing on the 26th! What they will have to do is two things: 1. an ultrasound on her kidneys to see if there is damage on her kidneys and the extent of it... 2. they have to perform a VCUG which basically means to shoot some dye into her bladder to see if it does opposite of what it is suppose to do and if it does, that also means there is damage to her kidneys. THEN, we go from there.

Ugh.. I'm not sure when this snowball effect of trials for this poor sweet girl will end but we are hoping and praying it will be soon. We'll keep you updated.