Lead in the Bounce House

The bounce house birthday party turns out not to be as reliable as we thought! The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit this week claiming that the vinyl used in some bounce houses contain unsafe levels of lead. The suit arises from a study by the Center for Environmental Health which tested dozens of bounce houses and discovered lead levels ranging from 5,000 to 29,000 parts per million. The federal limit is 90 to 300 parts per million.

California wants manufacturers to change to lead-free vinyl and party rental stores to include warnings about lead in bounce houses. Until the new lead-free editions, we can wash kids’ hands and faces after they play in a bounce house. We also are pulling out new party ideas–cookie decorating, fishing in a kiddie pool, painting and planting flower pots, decorating magic boxes and treasure hunts.

New VBAC Guidelines Are Less Restrictive

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released new guidelines for vaginal deliveries after a cesarean section (VBAC) stating that vaginal birth is a “safe and appropriate choice” for women who have had a cesarean delivery in the past, and for some women who have had two previous cesarean deliveries.

The new guidelines are in response to ACOG’s former guidelines which led many hospitals and doctors to limit VBACs, or refuse to allow them, for fear of liability if they did not follow ACOG’s more stringent recommendations. The former guidelines were interpreted by some health care providers as requiring a surgeon and anesthesiologist to be at the hospital at all hours, and even the presence of two doctors during a VBAC. Cesarean rates have increased to reach 31% in 2007, an alarming number that obstetricians are working to reduce for the health of mothers and their babies. More

Oliver’s Preschool Transition

Oliver’s starting at a Montessori school this September, and the transition they’ve set up has been great for both of us. They invited us to visit the school outdoor play area starting the second week of August. We’ve gone by twice to swing on the tire swing and try out the slide. The first time we ran into his teacher carrying a new fish for the class tank. Our next visit, Oliver tried out the seated bikes, which intimidated him a bit in the beginning. He had the chance to figure out how to make the pedals turn quietly on his own, with me beside him when he needed an extra push to get going.

The week before school his teacher will visit Oliver at home, see his room and favorite toys. More

A Calvin Klein Bra

I found a bra that fits. The style is called, as perhaps it should be, the Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit No Wire Bra. I will confirm the design provides adequate coverage, dependability for white T-shirts, and all this without air pockets. I dallied with the surprisingly comfortable Bra-lleluyah! Soft Cup Bra by SPANX until the non-adjustable shoulder straps didn’t work for me. I would like to announce that Calvin Klein has created the perfect bra, but after my initial delight, I discovered the limitations of perfection. Like, it’s not great with tank tops, and the fact that my life has not changed dramatically. More