Changing the Course - Switching Sides on Vaccines

 When my oldest was 18 months old, he had a well child visit. He received a Hep A, HIB, a Prevnar and a DTAP vaccine. He was grouchy after his vaccines. He went to bed early that night. He slept hard. So hard, in fact, that he was still covered up and laying in the position I put him the night before. Which was on his belly with a small receiving blanket on him. He slept in later,  uncommon for him. I went in to wake him up and usually, he would already be awake and jumping in his crib. I woke him and he didn't wake to stand up. I was totally freaked out. Refer back to my assumptions that vaccines are dangerous during this time. He refused to stand up on his own and my brain instantly went to "Oh my gosh, it's the vaccines - something happened!". I got him up and while changing his diaper, noticed he had a rather large lump on the side that he received his DTaP vaccine. It was warm, swollen. It's on a toddlers leg, so it looks big. I called his pediatrician and he...

When I became pregnant with our first born, it was a really happy time for us.  I charted ovulation cycles, started looking at baby stuff, and we were so excited to become parents.  Luckily for us, we got pregnant easily and quickly, within the first two months of trying. During one of my first prenatal appointments, the waiting room had a baby magazine. I read through it to pass time. The appointment was the run of the mill appointment- bloodwork, going through the ins and outs of what to expect, and getting our due date. When I got home, I wanted to look up that magazine and subscribe to it, because it was the first tangible piece of motherhood for me, it made it feel real - flipping through the pages and reading stories. I could barely contain my excitement (or nausea at that point...). This magazine had a website and a discussion board. I joined the board and watched silently for awhile. Then I started asking questions and seeking guidance from other moms, and eventually g...

I am a mother of three, who was previously in the grips of the anti-vaccine movement. I spent years arguing with my husband, pediatricians, specialists, etc about the safety of vaccines, and why my children would not be getting them. On a smaller more personal level, of course. I wasn't going to rallies or  protests. I was, and am, simply a mom trying to do her best to do what is best for her children.  My kids are now 15, 13 and 10. I am currently getting my children up-to-date with their childhood vaccines. The older two have most of their baby vaccines, but I stopped vaccinating them at a year old. I wasn't staunchly anti-vaccine, mostly vaccine hesitant. My youngest only had three vaccines up until recently - no boosters, just three jabs, as a baby. I recklessly thew her into daycares, school, etc. Leaving her vulnerable to diseases, and leaving others vulnerable as well. That is slowly changing.  I am making this blog to help ease the fears of other parents, hoping t...