Halloween Books

We're working on a new nap time routine with Hannah and it seems to be working really well. 

It's a really genius plan:
When she's tired, we lay down and read a story.
the end.

It only took us 13 months to figure it out.

Obviously we're newbs.



The short children's books with 10 worlds or less per page won't work - it has to have some heft to it and fall somewhere between picture book and novel.

But when you find the sweet spot of book lengths you get a room full of snores - Which is music to any nap time vloggin' mommy's ears.

Now that we've established a routine, the sweet spot books are getting a LOT of use and it's time to add a few new ones to the mix.  Enter one of my favorite childhood books:

This amazing children's book was written by my preschool teacher, and was published and released while I was in her class.  We all received signed copies and The Little Old Lady came and visited our classroom for a special reading.  I admit that this personal connection might make me a little biased, but I think this book is awesome.

I'm getting a copy for Hannah (she's in a book ripping phase so I'm not letting her near my pristine edition) and can't wait to read it to her and enjoy one of those Life Coming Full Circle moments.

Get your copy here:

Cloth Diaper Haul

I attended the Cotton Babies store 1 year anniversary on Saturday and bought a few items to support them.  I love having a local store where I can TOUCH the product and COMPARE the diapers.  I'm very lucky to have a Cotton Babies store near me and I hope they branch out to your neck of the woods soon.

My one disappointment of the day is that apparently Cotton Babies owner Jennifer Labit was at the store that day and I missed her.  So bummed.  I think she's an amazing businesswoman and I'm amazed at the role she's had in reinventing the cloth diaper industry. 

Kicky Pants

Company Website - Fall/Winter 2011 Collection

Grovia Cloth Diaper

My Product Overview Blog Entry - GroVia Website

BumGenius OneSize Snap

Jennifer Labit's Facebook - BumGenius Website

Kissaluvs Contour Cloth Diaper

ClothDiaperChannel Kissaluvs OneSize Fitted Review

Kissaluvs Contour - Kissaluvs Website

Excuse Me While I Jump and Scream

My blog was featured as one of DailyBuzzMom's Top 9 yesterday!

http://moms.dailybuzz.com/

The topic was Looking Fall Fabulous and they selected my I can be fashionable entry. I'm amazed and flattered. A big THANK YOU to DailyBuzzMoms for supporting my efforts to get out of the mom jeans and back into fashion.

Healing BooBoos - Creating Your Toddler First Aid Kit

I think every parent will remember the moment that their baby is no longer in pristine condition and earns its first scar. Hannah had a few bumps and bruises, but the first real battle scar came from a head dive into the corner of a wall when she lost control through the turn and skidded head first into the wall.

My mom called to tell me what happened, Chris emailed me at work to let me know what to expect, but when I walked up the front stairs at the end of my day and saw Hannah with an inch long gash, and a knot the size of an egg on her forehead, I admit that I completely lost it.

Vain, yes. Over-reacting, yes. Valid, to me – yes.

I quickly realized that my first aid kit, while stocked with gripe water and unopened teething remedies, was woofully unprepared for toddler booboos, and thus I went shopping.

The TOP 10 things to include

in your Toddler First Aid kit:

News Clips from the World of Pregnancy, Infertility & Motherhood - vol 1

Amazing Science News

Prenatal blood test for Down syndrome available
By Shari Roan
Los Angeles Times / For the Booster Shots blog
October 19, 2011

"A prenatal blood test that can detect Down syndrome in a fetus in early pregnancy is now available to doctors in 20 U.S. cities, says the developer of the test, Sequenom Inc."

Breastmilk to provide stem cells
The University of Western Australia   
October 18, 2011

“Human breastmilk has the potential to help people suffering from diseases including Parkinson's disease and diabetes, according to a researcher at The University of Western Australia.  Dr Hassiotou, a member of the UWA Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group, has discovered that human breastmilk contains stem cells which are able to turn into not only breast cells, but also cells of the bone, cartilage, fat, brain, liver and pancreas, depending on the medium in which they are grown.”

How awesome is that?!

Official Announcements

New SIDS Guidelines Say Breastfeeding Lowers Risk
By Rita Rubin
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
October 18, 2011

Sleeping in the Same Room but Not in the Same Bed Also Recommended

Fuzzy Math Award

Katrina's Aftermath: Failed Pregnancies for IVF Moms Nationwide
By Maureen Salamon
HealthDay Reporter
October 18, 2011

Researchers tracked outcomes for nearly 105,000 single-baby pregnancies among women who had undergone assisted reproductive technology (typically in vitro fertilization) across the country before and after the storm hit in August 2005.
The team found that pregnancies begun in the 18 months before the calamity were 87 percent less likely to end in a first-trimester miscarriage, compared to ART-assisted pregnancies initiated after the storm.
Stress may be the key here, experts said.

Award for the worst headline goes to:

Disclaimer - I think this article is lame, but I posted it because I thought it was laughable that someone pointed out a GOOD thing about PCOS.

Bright side to PCOS paradox
SUSANNAH SINGH

"Swedish researchers have found women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to suffer pregnancy complications, regardless of whether they have used fertility treatments."

Where’s the bright side you might be wondering? 

“PCOS might have been a good thing to have in times of food scarcity because it allowed the window of fertility to be extended and it allowed women to survive and reproduce in low fuel environments.” 

Riiight.  PCOS is awesome because we could still produce eggs at an older age compared to our counterparts that ovulate regularly?