Flu Shots

There has been a lot of controversy lately about flu shots, who should get them and if they should be mandatory for health care workers. I fall into the last category; I work at a hospital. While I don't often interact directly with patients, when I do, they are usually immuno-compromised individuals.

My hospital just started it's employee & volunteer flu shot campaign. They do one every year. Where I work (as is the case for most hospitals) a flu shot is not mandatory. It is elective for employees whether they get one or not. However, if you elect not to get the flu shot, you have to sign a waiver (less common among hospitals, from what I understand). Basically, all employees are required to either get a flu shot of sign a waiver. Those who sign the waiver do so with an understanding that if a breakout occurs, they may be asked to give up working hours or wear a mask to protect patients.

I think this is a good policy. It addresses the agency of each employee but also accounts for the health of patients in the event of a severe situation. Most hospitals have employee vaccination rates around 50%. My hospital system is around 80%. I know the critics out there will still be saying that employees without the vaccine are still caring for patients, which is true. But we also have a much higher rate of immunization.

Despite my fear of needles, I got my flu shot today. I will be getting them for my girls when they are available at their pediatrician's office. The CDC is saying there won't be a shortage of vaccine like there was last year. I haven't been a big believer in flu shots, but I think the benefit outweighs the risk.

I'm Falling in Love

I get stuck in clothing tangents. And by tangents I mean I'm a marketer's dream and fall in love with anything they dangle in front of me. My personal style is whatever is currently on sale (because I'm cheap on top of being impressionable).

I have noticed that I can get stuck on a color story. In high school, 95% of my wardrobe was either black, white, red or some combination. My mom made me a sewing kit when I left for college. It included 4 spools of thread and she had a hard time deciding on a 4th since everything I owned was one of the previously mentioned 3 colors. She finally decided on grey. I didn't own a stitch of pink until well into college. When I recently took inventory of my clothing, I discovered that I no longer own ANYTHING red - so I immediately went out a bought a red shirt supporting my alma mater.

I know I'm not the only one. I recall a friend in high school who went through a charcoal grey and pink phase. Most of what she bought (or made, in this case) was one of those colors.

Now I'm at it again. A large percentage of the last few things I've bought for my wardrobe have been charcoal. I'm loving it. I'm drawn to it. It goes with everything! It calls to me. Is there a color that you are loving right now?

On another clothing note, do you know how difficult it is to find red clothing for little girls? I would think it would pretty easy, especially this time of year with all the fall colors out. It's not. And since I'm a kind wife, I'm not going to make JM wear pink for family pictures, despite the availability.

Guess who's 8 months old

Today Blanche is 8 months old. To mark the occasion she decided to start crawling forward under her own power.

She is typically such a sweet, happy baby. Mornings are her best time where she will just sit and play for hours. She loves her exosaucer, and thinks jumping in it is the greatest thing ever. She still loves her sister and will light up in a big grin or even laugh when BG walks into the room.

She has recently discovered that blowing spit bubbles is lots of fun and often does it when she is concentrating really hard. She has a bit of spitfire in her personality and when she doesn't like something, she is quick to let you know. Late afternoon and evenings are a hard time and she will scream at the top of her lungs if I'm not holding her. The second I pick her up, it stops.

Blanche is a pro at rolling now and loves to do it mid-diaper change. I usually have to roll her back several times to get the job done. The bath is one of her favorite places and splashing is heavenly for her. She is eating like a champ and will eat two containers of baby food (4 oz) plus a bottle for meals. I haven't found anything yet that she refuses to eat, but she wasn't thrilled with avocado.

She is great about going to bed. Mostly, I just wrap her up in her crib and she falls asleep on her own. She sleeps all night, then wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00 am. I'm not sure where she gets the early bird genes from, but it's not me.

Now that she has started crawling, I think life is going to change. It has been nice to not have to worry (too much) about her as long as she was happy. I need to go through the house and baby proof. Blanche has been such a joy in our family. We love you little Chunkers!

But I'm still putting in the hours!

I'm irritated today for several reasons. One of them involves a know-it-all co-worker (of sorts). The other one involves my HR rep (payroll actually, but I feel like lumping them all together). I'm channeling my inner Michael Scott.

See, I only work 3/4 time. I have set days for working but have been given the green light to switch my days as needed. I decided not to work on Labor Day (since no one else was) and instead work a different day within the pay period. Payroll is now telling me I have to take my very limited PTO for the hours on Labor Day or take it unpaid. My manager is on vacation this week so she can't back me up. Stupid payroll. Stupid unintelligible policies. Stupid job. Can I go home yet?

Yard Planning

Last night we were enjoying dinner on the deck. We were discussing plans for the backyard and asked BG what she wanted for the back yard. She said "I think I want a dog, and another baby, and a swing set." I guess we won't be asking her opinion on interior decorating anytime soon.

First day of preschool

I know I'm late in posting this, but at least I'm finally getting around to it.

BG started preschool a few weeks ago. She loves that she gets to pack and bring her own lunch. She is such a big kid! She was anxious to get off to school and wasn't too cooperative for pictures. She also picked out her own outfit and did a great job getting ready. She picks out her clothes most days and usually doesn't need any adjusting. Then again, I'm the kind of mom who is ok letting her express herself by choosing her clothes.

I didn't get any pictures of her at school because she ran into her classroom and never looked back. I guess it's a good thing that she loves school already. She has a cubby for her lunch bag and a hook for her bag.

Her school gives all the kids their own bag, so we didn't buy her a backpack. When she found out it is just a bag, she cried because she wanted a backpack.

I'm impressed with what she has learned already. She tells me that they work on their manners by saying Please, Thank You, and May I. She is much more vocal about the letters that she knows and will point them out. She can also count to 20 now (mostly, she misses a few of the teens, but it's different ones every time. I figure that means she knows them, just forgets them sometimes.) She loves to talk about her teachers and friends. She traces her name everyday and loves to show off her artwork. I'm so glad we decided to put her in preschool this year. I know she'll do great.