Packing day

Today was completely unexciting. Kathryn "helped" me pack for Destin. She got a bag I'd packed and started one-by-one pulling things out. We also did laundry, ironed, and ran bags to the car in the rain. The rain made her giggle! It is ridiculous how much stuff we are taking. Thank goodness we aren't taking the dogs or one of them would have had to ride in my lap like when we went to Memphis for Christmas.

Good news! I went to Hancock's today and bought a fusion fabric that you iron on to the back of the fabric then whip stitch it. From a foot or two even I couldn't even see it. What a relief! I bought Kathryn a lollipop so she was very happy and too busy to pull down all the buttons like she did on our last trip there.

This afternoon we went on a walk and Kathryn pushed her shopping cart down the street. It was so cute! We then went over and petted Abbie for a minute. She loves doggies.

She started saying her version of 'no' yesterday. It comes out as 'doh'. She uses a 'd' in almost very word.

Not looking forward to getting in a swimsuit tomorrow. Oh well. I was thinking about it and remembered something our neighbor, Melissa, told me about a year ago. I was talking about how I hadn't lost the baby weight and she said "you have a year to get the baby weight off." Well Melissa, here we are a year later and . . . All of us mommies can understand. The exception is Ruth who after having Libby looks better than she did in high school. Luckily she is a sweetheart or I'd have to hate her!

I received this email. I had read this yesterday on msnbc.com but now that the CPSC is announcing warnings it seems more concerning. Anyone who has a child should sign up for email alerts on the CPSC and choose the child category.

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2010
Release #10-165

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Sling Carriers for Babies

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months of age. In researching incident reports from the past 20 years, CPSC identified and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including three in 2009. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than four months of age.

Slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling's fabric can press against an infant's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. Additionally, where a sling keeps the infant in a curled position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.

Many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold. Therefore, CPSC urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low weight to use extra care and consult their pediatricians about using slings.

Two months ago, the Commission added slings to the list of durable infant products that require a mandatory standard. Additionally, CPSC staff is actively investigating these products to determine what additional action may be appropriate. Until a mandatory standard is developed, CPSC is working with ASTM International to quickly complete an effective voluntary standard for infant sling carriers.

CPSC recommends that parents and caregivers make sure the infant's face is not covered and is visible at all times to the sling's wearer. If nursing the baby in a sling, change the baby's position after feeding so the baby's head is facing up and is clear of the sling and the mother's body. Parents and caregivers should be vigilant about frequently checking their baby in a sling.