Newborn blood samples stored in Texas

Most of you probably heard about the controversy lately about the State of Texas taking and storing baby's blood when they are born. Apparently, starting around 2002, the State started taking the leftover blood from screenings and storing it without parents' consent. This prompted several families to sue the State claiming violation of the 4th and 14th Amendments.

The state claims that it kept the blood for reasearch and followed all state and federal laws in doing so. Because of this suit, the Texas Legislature passed a law to allow the State to keep the blood for research but the parents must be informed and have the option to decline. If the parents opt for it to be destroyed, the State must do it within 60 days.

The new law does not dictate that any information received from the blood has to be deleted. It also says that the records are confidential and are exempt from the Texas Public Information Act. Any information about what research is being done or who is involoved with the research is not publicly disclosed. Other states are having this issue as well and have been trying to determine what is best for its residents.

The lawsuit was settled and the State of Texas agreed to destroy about 4.5 million samples taken between 2002 and May 27, 2009. The State will now abide by the new law and ask parents' permission before doing any research on their baby's blood.

Celebrity baby clothing lines

Celebrities love their clothing lines and fragrances. Clothing designers have learned that celebrity names can sell their products like no other. Many celebrities start their own baby and kids clothing lines once they have children.  Read More...

Curtain Rods

Chip and I have been concentrating heavily on curtain rods since Austin home building is basically non-existent these days. We have been telling each other for years that we need to start pushing the curtain rods more, come up with new product lines, etc. But we've always been to busy. Well, now that we do (somewhat), it's really taken off. I've also been learning about SEO (search engine optimization). It's a crazy world, and I'm positive I'll never understand it completely. But, we are selling lots more curtain rods to people all over the country.

School is Starting

Yay. School is starting next week. Summer was fun, but I'm ready to get back into our routine. And I think the kids are too. Katie is really excited about first grade and Mackenzie goes into her new pre-K classroom at day care. Jack doesn't know the difference, but he does move to an older kids classroom as well.

And with school, starts the activities. Katie's playing fall soccer and probably attending a tumble & cheer class at My Time Kids. Mackenzie is going to continue her weekly tumbling class there also. She loves it! I guess it's time to get Jack into something as well. What could that be? A baby and me class? What else is there for 18-month-olds?

Wow...

My girls ate dinner in their pj's from last night. Yes, they did not change their clothes today. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Sleep ...after 6 1/2 years

My oldest kiddo is 6+ and my youngest is 18 months. After about 6 1/2 years, I am consistently getting good sleep. Or should I say longer sleep. I've almost always slept well. It's just that for awhile now, I haven't been sleeping enough. I can now go to sleep around 11 pm, sleep until 8 am, and get 9 hours!! It's incredible. There were periods of time (when my kiddos were newborns) when I got interrupted sleep and times when I got less sleep because I had two or three kids on different schedules. So hang in there..."good" sleep is in your future.

New dentist

We went to a new pediatric dentist last week, and Katie had her first cavity. But I was too amazed by the doctor's office to really notice. The lobby was decorated very nicely and there were plenty of toys to keep the kids entertained. But the exam area had my mouth on the floor. They had televisions on the ceiling so when you lay down, you can watch a movie. They chose their movie and their cleaning flavor and their fluoride flavor. At the end, they got goodie bags with a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, toys, pencils and stickers galore because there's a filled sticker hanger in every room. My girls LOVE the dentist. I asked when I could sign up to come there.