Animal Rights? Children Rights?

Olivia and I went on a "mission" out to visit Dr. Dorothea Fritz at her clinic. It was a Sunday, when the clinic was closed so we could have Dorothea all to ourselves, walking around. Olivia loved every moment off it, and cried when it was time to leave.

Being a parent is really hard. Suddenly, you realize that when it was only you, you could have your own opinion(s). But raising a child(ren) you don't want to "color" them too much by your own thoughts and beliefs in life.

One example; I am an vegetarian since many years ago, but I want my daughter to make her own decision if she wants to be a vegetarian or meat eater. Well, this is kind off an "easy" thought process in life, but then I tumbled over another situation from Olivia's day care center.

The class was going to a circus with lions, elephants, etc. and I who am not that fond off circuses-- since I have not much experience with them-- and, it is different from circus to circus. I tried to explain to a friend of mine that it is the people who either are taking very good care of their animals or those who are abusing their animals (lack of food and medications, horrible living conditions).

On the other hand, it is a hard question to discuss, since many animals in freedom today are living under poor conditions since we, the humans, are cutting down the trees on their land, food and the hunting can also be cruel not to mention to be hit by a car (here there are so many dogs run over and just left). It is so hard to say it is wrong or right to visit the circus(es), after all the animals are housed and fed, and have a "job".

But, would I send my daughter together with her friends to the circus, or would I "color" her with my own opinions?

How would Olivia feel when all her friends would go, and she had to stay home?

And all you want to teach them is; Amore!

Lets Back up a Little #2

Christmas came as always... very quickly. I still remember how long Christmas Holiday was when I was a little girl, I waited and waited for Santa to come.

Since I have been so busy with Max-- and he came too early-- my Christmas preparation totally stopped. Thanks to my husband he made sure we got a fresh new Christmas tree and a lot of presents under the tree, and in our stockings.

The Swedish Christmas, 24th, we celebrated in our home, and it was peaceful and nice. To see Olivia's joy when unwrapping all her presents was the best present itself.

No Santa came and knocked on our door, since Olivia is scared of this big-chubby-hairy-man-in-red. Then something interesting came up; who got the real Santa!?

The one that comes on the 24th and scares children and makes the dogs go bananas? Or, the one that comes through the chimney in the night and leaves presents in everybody stockings?

My Santa or my husbands Santa? Suddenly, the discussion was going lively here in Italy.

How would Olivia and Max explain when classmates told them that you cannot have two Santa's my husband wondered?

Time will tell!

The 25th my very good friend Paola invited us over for a wonderful Italian Christmas dinner together with her family and some friends. It was such a joy! Fantastic food and great presents, Olivia had a wonderful time with two girls in her age *one is her best friend Chiara*, Maximillian got admired by everyone, and we got to eat several dishes of fantastic food.

That's Amore!

Animal Lover, Thats Amore!

It shall start in time!

The Family Mercer drove out to Dr Dorothea Fritz clinic to give her the bags of dog food that Todd got for his birthday--instead of presents, so it is not his dinner--Olivia loves to visit Dorothea and all the animals. Her passion is also to take my wallet and take out money to put in the donation box. Once she even took out my credit card so I had to ask the veterinarian to open up the box.

We went outside to look at the dogs that are ready for adoption--dangerous of course we wanted them all-- It was close to adopting one dog for Maximillian--we called her Skruffy--

So many dogs we wanted to adopt, it was painful to walk and even if we were happy that these dogs would get food and medical care helped a little. That is Amore and not Amore!

www.legaproanimale.de

Happy New Year 2008

I wish you all a great 2008, and I hope that children and animals will get a higher status in this world. I will continuing working hard for them and hope to be able to "plant some more seeds" to educate people and myself.

This picture was taken from our third floor. The Italians really know how to handle fireworks, it was so beautiful. Amazing, the Italians "just" fired fireworks New Years Eve. In Sweden I became crazy by people starting shooting fire crackers December 15th till January 15th. I hated it!

So this new year 2008 I hope for a lot of Amore!

Let's Back Up a Little!

Reasons are many why I have not been on my blog for quiet some "days". Main reason; Max and Olivia are getting my full attention. And, getting to know a "new" member takes time before felling really comfortable. It is amazing how we forget.
It is not that long ago since Olivia was an infant but I don't remember all the diaper changes--amazing how much green poop that comes out from a little persons butt--Me changing clothing's several times a day from all the spit ups, and not to mention three hours sleep a night! But when his blue eyes are looking into my eyes and I sniff his wonderful soft skin, I am in heaven!
That's Amore!

Reason two; Breastfeeding was something I longed to do, bonding and healthy for Max and me. well, I just made it for three weeks--with a lot of problems-- then I had to go into ER the day before Christmas.
For several days I had had high fever and pain in my breast and the milk slowed down to just one tablespoon.
Inflammation in my breasts; Mastitis. With IV penicillin at the ER and antibiotic with me home for several days, I am now on my feet again. Sad though that I cannot continue breastfeeding, but I will have to accept facts even though it has started to become difficult with plenty of peoples harsh questions.
That is not Amore!

A New Animal Activist

A new animal activist is born! We are all doing fine and Max is a wonderful easy infant. Olivia is adjusting to her baby brother and it is not easy. Must be hard, one day you have both parents full attention and next day there is a small little "poop" machine taking up a lot of space.

I want to thank you all for the congratulations you have sent us, that means a lot even if I haven't answered back yet. If I have five minutes over I cannot stop looking at our new addition Mercer. Wow, I can now walk around saying; "my children" it is a fantastic felling. That's Amore!

A Birthday to the Max

Todd's birthday is 6 December. I'd planned it for a long time to celebrate it as much as possible, given my "condition". We'd had a surprise gathering of some friends and co-workers on Friday, November 30th, since Todd would be involved in an exercise on "his" day, and then the exercise would run until the due date for Maximillian.

Well, you know the parable: "If you don't think God has a sense of humor, tell Him your plans." Apparently, God had different plans than ours for Maximillian's birth. Instead of waiting until the 13th, he decided he wanted to celebrate his dad's birthday his own way.

At 4:02 pm Central European time, Maximillian came into the world, weighing 6 lbs, 10.2 oz and "standing" 20 1/2 inches (3010 grams/52 cm).

He's a perfect little man, and we adore him.

And, as everyone who we talk to says, "So, he shares his birthday with his dad? How cool is that?!"

Already?

Yesterday I baked 100 cookie hearts for a charity which the International Spouse Club had today-- together with Mother Theresa Org.-- for homeless men. I think I have been so busy that I didn't know that I was/am getting ready to introduce Max to you all.

Left Olivia at her Italian school this morning and then drove to my check up appointment at the hospital. Well, we were all surprised when they doctor told me that I am already 4 cm open!
Max heartbeat is wonderful and so are my contractions, hmmm.
Of course I have felt "something" but what can I say....so much to do and so much to prepare.

So out of the hospital, picked up Olivia, home and took care of the four dogs AND packed my hospital bag.
And typical women (most); I folded the laundry, empty the dishwasher, moped and washed the floor. Is that what they call Nesting?

Either tonight, or tomorrow it seems like Max will be introduced to his new parents and sister.

Keep your fingers crossed and I know "Daddy" will let you know what happens.

That's Amore.

Glogg Party

Surprise birthday/glogg party for Todd was held last Friday in our house . Little would he know since I had been hiding all the food, and the Swedish winter drink; Glogg-- was hidden in the laundry basket--I knew he wouldn't do any laundry--
IKEA, wonderful store, had everything I needed for a great Christmas table; gingerbread cookies, julmust (drink), chocolate, salmon, meatballs, mini sausages, herring...well you name it! A christmas tree was bought and decorated, and I even found hyacinths (flowers).

Our home smelled Christmas and with lovely friends, we sang for Todd first Swedish, then German and finished off with American happy birthday song (our Rumanians had to leave early, would have loved to hear Happy Birthday in Rumanian).
Instead of presents we did another tradition. The guests had to bring a bag of dogfood that we later this week donates to a shelter for homeless dogs.

It was very appreciated, both by humans, and I know the dogs will appreciate it too.

That's Amore!

Mahatma Gandhi

'The greatness and morality of a nation must be judged by the way it treats its animals '.
--Mahatma Gandhi --

One of my readers sent me this one. Couldn't have said it better myself.