Happy Weekend?

Try as I did several times, I absolutely could not access this site Friday.  I hope it was a restorative weekend for you.  It was very much that on this end.  I'll be writing about this past weekend's experience once my photos are in order.

Instead, Happy Monday, friends! 

Here's info well worth considering and passing on to those you know with little loved ones:

Digital Baby Monitors: Are they Safe?

SAFEKIDS.CO.UK

Children may be more vulnerable from exposure to any form of electro magnetic energy, such as that generated by mobile telephones, and to a degree baby monitors, because of their developing nervous systems, the greater absorption of energy in the tissue and a longer lifetime of exposure.

Lately, there has been some discussion regarding the safety of Digital baby monitors. Digital baby monitors use digital communication in their link between the mobile station and the base station.

Philips is one example of a company that uses the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) standard for baby monitors. The company states that this technology eliminates interference from other wireless equipment and ensures privacy.

Digital technology, due to its 'pulsed' nature appears to be more harmful at lower levels of power than the older analogue technology, which is potentially more prone to interference but creates a more 'even' output without spikes.

Philips, in its documentation states that the radiation/emission of its DECT baby monitors is not dangerous to children: "The level of electro-smog is 10,000 times lower than internationally accepted safety norms. For total peace-of-mind, we recommend placing the baby monitor at least one metre away from the baby."

The distance from a transmitter is important, since the power drops off as the square of the distance. If you double the distance of any baby monitor, or transmitter from your baby therefore, the level of electromagnetic radiation is reduced by a factor of 4.

If you are concerned about the safety of your digital baby monitor consider the following:

1. Keep any baby monitor as far from your baby as possible (at least 1 metre)
2. Remember that doubling the distance reduces the Electromagnetic radiation by a factor of 4. So 2 metres is better than 1 metre by a factor of 4!

So What is Electro-SMOG

Electro-SMOG refers to the level of man made electro magnetic energy (EME) that comes from the gadgets in our homes. Items that produce Electro-SMOG include mobile phones, microwaves, computers, TV's etc.

People who consider Electro-SMOG to be a problem say that constant exposure to this energy can result in headaches, irritability, sleeplessness, fatigue or even more serious health problems. Although there is little we can do to avoid this in our general environment due to mobile phone masts and so on, we can reduce the levels in our homes to a degree.

The number one material that amplifies EME is metal. It therefore stands to reason that the use of metal in decorating should be kept to a minimum. Choose other materials for furniture, window coverings, appliance fronts or other surfaces.

Removing computers and televisions from our children's bedrooms will reduce the level of EME. Even wooden hangers are considered preferable to metal ones.

It might well be considered that EME from baby monitors and Electro-SMOG generated by low output devices (not mobile phones!) are not issues to become massively concerned about, however, removing electrical equipment from your baby's environment wherever possible makes good sense. Where this is not possible maximise the distance between the equipment and your baby.

An Experiment?

At home, you could try the following experiment to see if Electro-SMOG is affecting your family: At night, before your family goes to bed, unplug all of these items you may have in your home: your Television, Computer, Cordless Phone base station, Wireless Computer System, and any Baby Monitors. See if this makes any difference to everyone's sleep, how you feel in the morning on awakening, and note whether you and your child seem calmer.



PREGNANCY Q & A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural? 
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.    

Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q : Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Best of all, no negative side effects!

What could possibly . . .

• lower blood pressure
• reduce stress hormones
• increase muscle flexion
• boost immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells
• trigger the release of endorphins
• enhance one's sense of well-being

It's a deceptively simple yet incredibly powerful and potentially life-changing form of exercise that anybody can do, anytime, anywhere. 

When do we start?   

Taking the day off

Everyone's allowed that every once in a while, right?  Good.  This was my day.  In the meantime, given that laughter seems to be the key to surviving almost anything, enjoy:

and/or this

Great giggles...

Excellent photography!  Darling, effervescent child.  Parents not bad either.  Love the transitions!  TERRIFIC music/Jack Johnson, one of my more recent favorites.  This was a LOT of work, Krista.  And very inspiring.  So, darling young friend of mine, did you use a Flip recorder or something more sophisticated?  HOW did you do this/any particular programs to recommend?  Tips for others who would like to take on a project like this?  How many hours would you say you invested from beginning to end/photos out of the equation?  I absolutely love it!  Have watched several times/love the Laugh Out Loud component.  Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with the rest of us.  xo L