The Amish Activist

I found this picture in an article and absolutely could not resist it! The Amish usually like to be left alone and not to be photographed, but here in the flesh (or rather, celluloid) is a real-deal baby-wearing Amish woman protesting charges made against one of her community's most beloved midwives. Only something as important and as personal as birthing could make an Amish woman come out of her shell and protest something. You go, girl.

P.S. You can read the article here if you are interested.

So good I had to re-post for my peeps...

Thanks, Sarah for sharing how margarine is made and re-affirming our choice years ago to switch to real butter:

"Hydrogenation: This is the process that turns polyunsaturates, normally liquid at room temperature, into fats that are solid at room temperature-margarine and shortening. To produce them, manufacturers begin with the cheapest oils - soy, corn, cottonseed or canola, already rancid from the extraction process - and mix them with tiny metal particles - usually nickel oxide. The oil with its nickel catalyst is then subjected to hydrogen gas in a high-pressure, high-temperature reactor. Next, soap-like emulsifiers and starch are squeezed into the mixture to give it a better consistency; the oil is yet again subjected to high temperatures when it is steam-cleaned. This removes its unpleasant odor. Margarine's natural color, and unappetizing grey, is removed by bleach. Dyes and strong flavors must then be added to make it resemble butter. Finally, the mixture is compressed and packaged in blocks or tubs and sold as a health food."

Pool fun!

That's Peer's cousin Jeremy in the background. Peer has been enjoying his first experiences with the pool. He won't ride in the floaty yet, but as long as he's in Daddy's arms, the pool is tons of fun!

Our Date-aversary

July 17, 1996...

Holy crap-- we've been together twelve years.

I'm freakin' old.



(I also sound strikingly like Sarah Budd right now...)

Shots from June...

I realized I don't have many shots of his cloth diapers... so here's one. Not my favorite diaper brand, but I just love the print. Mostly I love his cute little bottom!

Speaking of cloth diapers, I know I originally intended them to save us trash and money, but lately I've been feeling like my real reason for cloth diapering is to save his precious little skin. Disposable diapers are made of chemicals known to cause cancer and just be generally dangerous and irritating to the skin. There is also one chemical-- I don't remember the name-- that was taken out of tampons long ago for causing Toxic Shock, but it somehow got left in disposable diapers. Creepy. I'm nervous about our vacation and putting him in disposables for the whole time. I think I will buy some Seventh Generation for the trip.

Victory!