free hugs

FREE HUGS

First click the FREE HUGS link above to see an amazing video called FREE HUGS. Okay, so maybe I'm 2 years behind discovering this video (fair enough- evidently he was on Oprah in 2006) but the message is timeless. To learn more about FREE HUGS, visit- freehugscampaign.org

Hugs.  Studies show we can give and receive numerous benefits from hugging; increased self-esteem, a sense of security, help with depression, a sense of belonging- the list goes on and on. I started thinking about hugs this morning as I was giving Oliver what seemed like a Guiness Book of World Records qualifying hug. As I hugged him I was wondering what was going on in that little brain of his- why sometimes he goes for a 30 second hug, other times I get the "don't even think about giving me a hug" look and then there are mornings like today where it seems he would be happy if we never ever stopped hugging. When I was in nursing school, before I even had kids I remember running across an article about the importance of hugging your children. The woman who wrote the article (sorry, 15 years ago- no way do I remember who wrote that article) encouraged parents to embrace your children until your child breaks away from the hug. Her point (which is so true based on my experience) is that kids know "how much" they need that day. One day it may be a quick hug, another day they'll need just a bit more and there will be days where it seems the hug they're craving lasts forever.  After reading that article, I told myself I would hug my children like that and I do. It's is such an amazing gift to give. If you've never tried it, try it today. I can't wait for you to see and feel your children respond to this! Also, the benefits you receive as a mom from hugging this way rival the benefits you know you're giving your child. 

"There's nothing like a mama-hug"  -Adabella Radici

What makes a 2 year old happy in the morning?

At my house the answer every time is DIPPY EGGS! Before meeting my husband I was not familiar with dippy eggs. Scrambled, yes. Poached, of course. Fried... hello, I grew up in Missouri. Eating dippy eggs is one of Luke's fondest childhood memories and even still, he looooves when his mom comes for a visit because she makes a dippy egg for him.. ahhh (you know we'll be the same way when our little ones grow up!) 

Here's the secret to making a perfect dippy egg...

1. Fill a pot 1/2 full of cool water and gently place the egg in the bottom.

2. Bring water to a full boil.

3. Let egg boil for JUST 1 MINUTE! (believe me when I say just one minute... I've played with the time and ruined many an egg)

4. Gently remove egg with a slotted spoon and place in your dippy egg holder (there may be a more official name for these things, but if there is, I don't know it)

5. Tap around the top edge (approx. top 1/8 of the egg) gently with a knife and remove top. 

6. Place sliced buttered bread on plate (to dip inside the egg) next to dippy egg and serve with a smile!

Try one tomorrow morning and tell me if your toddler (& maybe your husband too) doesn't love it! Enjoy!

Thunder and Lightning... seriously?

Okay, so I've yet to blog about anything political mostly because I find that politics may be the one thing that contradicts my "the more you know, the less you worry" belief. This week I was reading Maureen Dowd's column in the NY Times and came across something that definitely struck a nerve with me. I write this for every woman who has dreamed of, spent time praying for or God bless her actually made it to a gym in an attempt to get beautifully sculpted arms. 

So the story goes.... evidently Maureen was in a taxi with David Brooks (NY times) talking about Michelle's amazing arms (that part I'm fine with.. who hasn't noticed?) Here's what I'm not fine with- David indicated that is was time for her (michelle) to cover up. "She's made her point," he said. "Now she should put away Thunder and Lightning." Seriously? Seriously. 

I have to admit I've never seen David Brooks in a muscle shirt, but I'm guessing his comments may have been inspired by insecurity... (not judging, just guessing). So to David Brooks, I pass along a tip from my 10 year old son, - David, you don't have to make someone else feel bad to feel good about yourself. We should celebrate this woman for her successes- she's highly educated, a successful attorney, a wife, a mother, the First Lady (hello!) and proud owner of beautifully sculpted arms. We love you Michelle!

baby MEDBASICS and West Coast Maternity in NYC

As you all know by now, my gig with this blog is, the more you know the less you worry. I chose that theme because I find that time and time again... well, it's true. Here is my latest example. 

When we first started MEDBASICS I had heard whisperings about the need for showrooms/sales reps but didn't have the first clue how one nurse/mom/bran new entrepreneur might go about doing this. Worry? Ummm, yea, add it to the list! But then I met Cathe and Jodi (west coast maternity girls) last fall at the ENK Children's Club show here in NYC. I peppered them with questions re: how "it" all works, what should I look for, what is standard commission, etc. As fate would have it, they ended up being our LA maternity showroom and in some way, my "rep" mentors. They've put us in touch with reps in other cities and continue to help us figure this part out.

This weekend they're in town for the spring ENK show and in a oh so chic kind of way. They've rented a super cool loft space around the Flatiron district rather than the traditional trade show booth space.  They're providing hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and free car service to buyers- who doesn't love that? On Friday, I dropped off more baby MEDBASICS samples/line sheets and hung out for a bit while they set up the showroom.  I snapped a few photos for fun but also to remember, it truly takes a village. 

We don't have to know it all or do it all. Nobody can. So as I sit here at my computer I feel overwhelmingly grateful that while I'm taking care of day to day MEDBASICS' stuff as well as home and school stuff, someone else is helping sell our products. This might be the ultimate know more, worry less statement and true in every area of my life, not just business, 

wait for it... 

Knowing that other people are helping me makes me worry less.

Ollie in one of his brief hat wearing moments

Snow Day... Hats off (or on?) to mama's everywhere!

We woke up Monday morning to an absolute winter wonderland (today, an absolute mess but that's why you have cute brown fur-trimmed snow boots, right?). I had the great pleasure of telling my son Nicholas that his school was cancelled for the day. "No way! YES!" he screamed. This was followed by some celebratory dance that only a 10 year old boy could create. It was his FIRST official "snow day".... EVER! Unbelievable, right? In his 2 years of preschool and 4 1/2 years of grade school here in NYC, he'd never had a snow day. I'd always felt a little sad about that because I grew up in the midwest and experienced the joy of snow days on a regular basis as a child. In fact, we had snow days, ice days as well as "there's a chance of snow or ice" days (and still managed to get out of school for the summer by May 14th! I look back at that with some concern, did we really log enough school days? I can't see how). Anyway I sat with my coffee and watched Nico blissfully running around the apartment planning his most amazing snow day; some tv, sledding, video games, hot chocolate... 

First up, sledding. After 30 minutes worth of "Mom, I can't find gloves, where's the other glove?... did you move my snow boots?... mine, mine, no, that's my sled" Nicholas and Oliver headed for the door. I yelled after them, "Hats boys, don't forget to put on your hats please". Every mother is familiar with the looks that follow the put your hat on request- eye roll and a "it's not thaaat cold, mom" from the oldest and a sneaky "game on" challenge from the younger (read- put the hat on my head, I'll take it off, you put it back on, I'll take it off over and over and over...) Btw, I forgot to mention that my babysitter Zoey (love her!) took the boys sledding for those of you wondering if I really let my kids go sledding in Central Park alone. I consider myself a laid back mom but not that laid back. Anyway, the trio departed, Nicholas with his hat on his head and Oliver, hat in hand. 

I closed the door, sat down at my computer to begin a day of work, assuring myself it wasn't such a big deal if Oliver didn't wear a hat sledding. At the same time, I was wondering how much body heat his little body was losing by not wearing his hat. I ended up spending the next 20 minutes googling body heat loss. 

Did you know... the belief that we lose most of our body heat through out heads is actually a myth? What? Gasp! Yes, that's right, a myth. (great, 30 minutes of sledding prep for what?!) Apparently, it all began with an old military study from the 1950's. The study suggested that the subjects wearing arctic survival suits lost most of their body heat through their heads. Fair enough, except what wasn't considered at the time was that their heads were the only bare part of their bodies during the study. We typically don't lose more than 10% of body heat thorough our heads and truth be told, any uncovered part of the body will lose a similar % of heat. "The face, head and chest are more sensitive to changes in temperature than the rest of the body, making it feel as if covering them up does more to prevent heat loss. In fact, covering one part of the body has as much effect as covering any other. If the experiment had been performed with people wearing only swimming trunks they would have lost no more than 10% of their body heat through their heads," according to Indiana University scientists Rachel Vreeman and Aaron Carroll.

So, Mama's, ultimately we're doing the right thing, keep trying to get your little ones to wear those hats (and gloves and coats.. zipped!) but don't freak out or feel bad if sometimes you lose that battle. Hats off to you for trying!

31 prizes for 31 parents!

Check it out.... A fantastic giveaway for new parents 

http://www.hisboyscanswim.com/contest

The His Boys Can Swim Pregnancy Blog Contest

The contest will run from Saturday, Feb 21st to Saturday Feb 28th.

Enter for FREE by clicking on the link above.

Over $1594 in prizes!

31 prizes, 31 winners!

You can win a Baby MEDBASICS home or travel pack plus 30 other amazing prizes!

Happy (and safe) Holidays!

This holiday season you most likely will host out of town visitors or you'll be an out of town visitor yourself. Both situations can provide parenting challenges when it comes to maintaining a safe environment for your baby.

What's a mom to do? How can you maintain a safe environment this holiday season?

1. Reality check.

You are busy, busier than usual busy. Ask friends and family to help keep an eye on your little one. Be specific in this request rather than offering a blanket request. For example, "Mom, I have to make the dessert for tonight, would you please watch darling Oliver for me while I do?" or "Oh my dearest sister, I have to start laundry (yet another load), would you please make sure Oliver is safe while I do?"... you get the point. Accountability is key here because inevitably people will think someone else is doing it.

2. Open suitcases, open invitation.

Ask visitors to be responsible for their own medications and vitamins (or if you're traveling be responsible for your own). Suggest a safe place they can keep them during their visit. Don't think your baby won't be interested in Grandma's open suitcase and the goodies inside it. It's new, it's different, it's there. He's interested! Yes, that is the voice of experience you're hearing. When my son, Nicholas was 3, he and his cousin Julian (2) ate a ziplock bag full of my sister's vitamins straight out of the unlocked, unzipped suitcase. Luckily they were fine but this is why I stress the importance of keeping medication and vitamins out of reach. It all looks like candy, candy, candy to a kid. If you're traveling, when you first arrive do a quick assessment of the environment. If you find potential hazards politely ask if you can remove the hazard for the time you're there. It may feel a little uncomfortable asking the first time but remember, you are your baby's advocate and ultimately everyone who loves your baby wants him/her to be safe.

3. The bubbly is flowing.

The bubbly is flowing (as it should be for your sanity if for no other reason!) this time of year but take care not to leave open bottles and 1/2 empty glasses of alcohol for little ones to find. And when uncle Frank comes back in from smoking on the front porch, kindly remind him to keep those smokes away from the babe.

4. Poinsettia plants are poisonous?.... NOT TRUE!

You can absolutely enjoy your beautiful poinsettia plants this holiday season without worry. Even though the name sounds like they should be poisonous they in fact are not.

5. Presents, presents and more presents.

Toys with small parts or loose pieces are a choking hazard. Discuss with older children the importance of keeping those toys away from the baby. Encourage friends and family to buy age appropriate toys- the choking hazard warning is printed on the packaging for a reason.

6. People in, people out, doors open, doors closed, safety gates open.... safety gates open?

The addition of out of town visitors can make for a very busy environment. Older children, adults who don't have children and adults who had children 35 years ago may not immediately understand the importance of closing the safety gate every time. ("We didn't have safety gates when you were a baby and you turned out just fine"). Have a brief discussion regarding the importance of keeping the gate closed and the consequences for baby (and maybe for the person who doesn't close the gate, but that's just me) of leaving it open. Offer to demonstrate how the gate works. We have a great portable baby gate we use when we travel. If you're celebrating the holidays somewhere other than home this could be a good solution for you too.

7. I'm in the kitchen.

Meal preparation is such a big part of the holiday season. Some of my favorite memories have been made with friends and family sipping wine and making meals in the kitchen. For baby this season, a busy kitchen is a myriad of potential burn hazards- hot ovens, open flames and hot liquids. Keep these things in mind while you're cooking- turn panhandles inward, add a stove guard and keep hot liquids out of baby's reach (my parents visited for Thanksgiving and I can't tell you the number of times I moved a cup of hot coffee of the edge of the table!). Side bar- this has nothing to do with food but because we're talking about burns, can I just add curling irons, flat irons and good old fashioned clothing irons with dangling cords are super interesting to babies, ask visitors to place hot irons high out of baby's reach. Okay, back to food. During all the excitement of the holidays, remind your baby to sit, chew slowly and enjoy the food that you've prepared (and lovingly cut into small 1 inch pieces. Such a good mommy!)

8. The best way not to worry this holiday season?

Keep your baby MEDBASICS home and travel packs where everyone can find them... just in case!

At the end of the day, you can't possibly control everything or everyone but you can rest easier know you've done your best to keep your baby safe this holiday season.

Know more. Worry less.