Rejuvenation!!!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drink from the fountain of youth? Or to drink from the fountain of utter peace and happiness? That is exactly how I felt coming into Utah yesterday! It doesn't matter how long you have lived away from home or how happy you are where you live, Home is Home!! It feels amaizing to see these sights again!

Oh, and the look on my family members faces when I pulled up was absolutely priceless!!! They had no idea I was coming. In fact, I called them when I was a few hours away just to see how they were doing! I am so glad I will be back in a few weeks, because 5 days will go by too fast!!!

Follow-up appt with Dr. Nieman

Kyla had her follow-up with the pediatrician yesterday. All of her labs came out perfect! So that was great news!!! On the down side, he wanted her to weigh 8.2 kg (18 lbs). But, she only weighed 7.8 kg (17.1 lbs). He said she hasn't gained much weight since her appt two months ago. But that she was definently healthy, mentally and physically

So, he is chalking it up to genetics and that she is a picky eater. We put her on Enfagrow once a day. It's kind of like pediasure but he thinks its better. We are also going to put both of our kids on *juiceplus. I have heard of all the benefits including its ability to prevent future diseases such as cancers, diabetes and more. Tommy gets a lot of veggies in his diet, but I still have trouble getting kyla to eat them. The pediatrician suggested I put Kyla on it and I told him that as a mother, and knowing the health benefits, I couldn't put one of my kids on it and not the other one.

So, we will start this and Kyla goes back again in 6 weeks. Maybe she'll decide to grow a little!!!

Doing you a favor!!!

So, this weekend myself and Lara Coad manned a Pandemic Preparedness booth at the stake preparedness fair. So, I thought it would be a nice thing to put that info up on my blog. Hope this is helpful!!

What is the most important thing to remember????

PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION!!!!

Do i need to say it again?

This is not a time to panic, but a time to prepare!!!

1. Vaccinations can help boost the immune system

2. Proper hand hygiene is the #1 way to stop the spread of infection!!!

(NO ONE DOES THIS ENOUGH!!! unless you are ocd :)

3. Healthy Eating is so important to keep your body healthy so it can fight diseases!

4. Adequate Rest is extremely important to allow your immune system to remain strong. (especially for the little ones!)

5. Exercise can only benefit your health and make you better able to battle diseases, even if it's just going out for a walk every day!

6. Maintaining a clean environment and Proper Hygiene - Keep those bugs at bay!!

7. Education, Education, Education! Learn all you can from the appropriate sources! and most of all... Don't Panic!!!

Here is a checklist of things to have on hand, in case of!!!

• N99 reusable mask for everyone in the family (you can get them at rexall drug) or 20 N95 masks (but you have to be fitted for these!)
• Box of Surgical Masks (for caring for sick loved ones) These are only good for one use up to an hour. Not appropriate protection for out in public.
• Box of latex gloves (for caring for loved ones)
• Medical supplies/ medications for those in family with current medical conditions
• Gravol or similar antinausea medication
• Tylenol and/or Ibuprophen
• Immodium or other antidiarrheal agent (not to be given to young kids)
• Benedryl
• Hand Sanitizer (preferably hospital standards one, you can get them at home health care stores)
• Liquid Hand Soap (Washing is always the best option)
• Vitamins
• First Aid Kit and Thermometer
• Two weeks- one months of food and water (If it's too dangerous to leave, you wont have to)
• Electrolyte Fluids (Gatorade, Powerade, Pedialyte or a homemade option)

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe

Serves 6

4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid (optional)

Mix all until dissolved. Keep refrigerated and use within a couple of days. Like the store bought pedialyte, you can make them into popiscles too. Store bought pedialyte also contains potassium. If your child can keep food down, try giving them some mashed banana (which is high in potassium)

There is lots of information on the

World Health Organization website www.who.int

Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov

US Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov

and Lara found a Family Pandemic Preparedness Guide that is really helpful!

http://www.city.leduc.ab.ca/Leduc/files/Protective_Services/Emergency_Preparedness/Public_Personal_Pandemic_Planning_Guide.pdf