Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Weak

Today kicks off a national campaign to raise awareness of congenital heart defects! As most of you know, my daughter, Michele was born with a heart defect, so this week is near and dear to me!

Congenital Heart Disease is considered to be the most common birth defect, and is a leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide.
Despite the fact that CHD affects approximately 1.8 millions families in the U.S.,  a relatively small amount of funding is currently available for parent/patient educational services, research, and support.

Congenital Heart Defect Fact Sheet

• Sometimes during early pregnancy, a baby's heart fails to form properly, resulting in structural abnormalities known as Congenital Heart Defects. Although some defects are genetic, in many cases  the cause  is unknown.
• It is estimated that 40,000 babies with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are born in the United States each year. More than 1 million American children and adults with Congenital Heart Defects and Childhood Onset Heart Disease are alive today.*
• CHD is the most frequently occurring birth defect, and is the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths.
• Although some babies will be diagnosed at birth, newborns are not routinely screened for CHD. The consequences of a late diagnosis can have serious, lifelong implications, so it is important for the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms in newborns, and children.
• Some CHDs may not require treatment other than periodic visits to a Pediatric Cardiologist. Others can be treated with medications or repaired with surgery and/or procedures. Complex defects may require several surgeries and are never really "cured".
• Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and Childhood Onset Heart Disease.
• It is estimated that more adults than children are living with congenital heart disease, and this population is expected to grow by 5% each year. Yet, many adults with CHD are not receiving adequate ongoing care from trained  specialists.

    Signs and Symptoms of Heart Defects

Parents should be alert to the following symptoms in infancy: Tires easily during feeding (i.e. falls asleep before feeding finishes Sweating around the head, especially during feeding Fast breathing when at rest or sleeping Pale or bluish skin color Poor weight gain Sleeps a lot - not playful or curious for any length of time   Puffy face, hands, and/or feet  Often irritable, difficult to console

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Some children with CHDs may not have any symptoms until later in childhood. Things to look for include: Gets out of breath during play Difficulty "keeping up" with playmates Tires easily/sleeps a lot Change in color during active play or sports (looks pale or has a bluish tint around mouth and nose) Frequent colds and respiratory illnesses Slow growth and weight gain/poor appetite Complains of chest pain and/or heart pounding

If your child has two or more of these symptoms, talk to your pediatrician about a referral to a Pediatric Cardiologist.

Inclusion on the following lists does not necessarily imply endorsement, nor do we guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these sites. Always consult your physician(s) with your questions and concerns. Adults with CHD Informational Resources Defect/syndrome Specific sites        Organizations Early Intervention/Special Education Summer Camps Grief /Bereavement Transplant Resources             Health Care/Insurance Web Guides Humanitarian Organizations   Return to the Internet links Home Page Adults with CHD Information ACC/AHA 2008 Guidelines for the Management of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease A Guide for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease Adult Congenital Heart Clinics Adult Congenital Heart Disease Passport (ACC) Adult Congenital Heart Disease: A Patient and Family Guide Care of the Adult With Congenital Heart Disease - 32nd Bethesda Conference ACHD CHAT with Richard Donner, M.D. Topics: Ablation; Atrial Arrhythmias; Coarctation Repair; Eisenmenger's Syndrome; Hemoptysis; Nose Bleeds; Pulmonary hypertension in TOF; Scoliosis; Valve Replacement CHD and Pregnancy Links to articles in medical journals Especially for Patients - ISACCD Living with Heart Failure: Information and Support for Patients and Caregivers Parents and ACHD'ers Speak Out! Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease Questions and Answers with Mary Cannobio, RN, MN, FAAN Gynecologic/Reproductive Issues in Congenital Heart Disease Insurance and Legal Issues Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S.) A comprehensive resource published by the U.S. Department of Justice Consumer Guides for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance (U.S.) Information about insurance law and assistance programs listed by state Support ACHD Online Support Group Adult Congenital Heart Association (U.S.) Canadian Adult Congenital Heart Network Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance Grown Up Congenital Heart Patients Association (UK) top of page Early Intervention/Special Education Early Intervention A Parent's Guide to Understanding Developmental Assessment Programs for Infants and Toddlers (U.S.) Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and families Special Education (School Age - U.S.) A Parent's Guide to Section 504 FAQ about Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities Learning Disabilities:A Guide to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) LD Basics Sensory Integration Disorder Your Child�s Evaluation The Differences Between IDEA and Section 504 The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools Speech/Language Auditory Processing Disorder Normal Speech/Language Milestones Speech and Language Disorders: General information about specific speech and language disorders Grief/Bereavement Books about the Death of a SIbling Experiencing the Death of a Sibling as a Child GriefNet Memorial Garden Pregnancy and Infant Loss Center SHARE: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support The Compassionate Friends, Inc. The MISS Foundation top of page Health Care/Insurance 5 Steps to Understanding How HIPAA May Affect You A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan Benefits For Children With Disabilities Child Health Law and Policy Project Consumer Guides for Getting and Keeping Health Insurance (U.S.) Directory of State Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs Disability Evaluation Under Social Security (SSI) Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Health Care Needs Evaluating Managed Care Plans for Children with Special Health Care Needs Healthcare Coverage Options Database Health Care Financing Administration Health Insurance Consumer Guides HIPAA - National Standards to Protect the Privacy of Health Information HIPAA: Your rights to health insurance portability How to Use Your Managed Care Effectively (American Academy of Pediatrics) Institute for Child Health Policy Insure Kids Now Medicaid: State & Territorial Government Information National Coalition on Health Care The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) RxAssist:Patient Assistance Program Center SSI: Your Right to Appeal top of page Humanitarian Organizations Aldo Casteneda Foundation Big Love Little Hearts Children's Heart Link Healing The Children Heart Gift Heart to Heart International International Children's Heart Foundation International Hospital for Children PatientTravel.org - National Patient Air Transport HELPLINE Project Open Hearts Save A Child's Heart Shevet Achim Spencer's Fund The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation top of page Informational Resources Glossaries / Dictionaries Glossary of CHD Glossary - NASPE Library of Heart Diagrams: Royal Children's Hospital The Heart Center Encyclopedia Medical Information Cardiopulmonary Bypass Center Watch: Clinical Trials Listing service CHD Fact Sheet Child Physiology Children and Clinical Studies Genetic Counseling Genetics Home Reference Medline Plus: Drug Information Non-Invasive Tests and Procedures Map of the Human Heart (PBS) Pediatric Heart Conditions: Surgical Procedures Resources for patients in the UK What is ECMO? What is Genetic Testing? Medical Literature MEDLINEplus: Congenital Heart Disease PubMed: Literature Search Engine (Medical Journals) Parenting 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors in Children Adolescent Health Transition Project Caring for the Baby with Congestive Heart Failure Developmental Tools for Families and Providers Emergency Preparedness for Children With Special Health Care Needs Factors Contributing to Congenital Heart Disease Family Developmental Charts Feeding Your Infant with Congenital Heart Disease Growth and Development Helping Siblings Cope  Informed Consent, Parental Permission, and Assent in Pediatric Practice (AAP) National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - State Resources Pain, Pain, Go Away: Helping Children with Pain Preparing Siblings for Surgery Sibling Support Project The Care Notebook Transition Resources Supporting the Dynamic Development of Youth with Disabilities During Transition: A Guide for Families William's Heart Operation - an online booklet for parents Organizations/Foundations United States (National) Aubrey Rose Hollenkamp Children's Trust The Alliance of Genetic Support Groups Brave Kids Cardiac Kids Have H.E.A.R.T. Foundation Children's Rights Around the World Harrison's Heart Foundation Heart of Gold, Inc. The Kimberly Anne Gillary Foundation Mend A Heart Foundation National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities National Organization for Rare Disorders Pediatric Heart Research Association Ryan Andrew Kaiser Memorial Foundation SADS Foundation Saving Tiny Hearts Society Spare Key Foundation Starbright Pediatric Network Stronghearts - Seamus Carroll Duffy Memorial Foundation The Braveheart Foundation The Children's Heart Foundation  United States - For specific Conditions Barth Syndrome Foundation Cardiac Arrhythmias Research and Education Foundation, Inc. CHARGE Syndrome Foundation Inc. Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association Kawasaki Disease Foundation National Marfan Foundation Pulmonary Hypertension Association SADS Foundation Spencer Crawford Children's Foundation-Pulmonary Vein Stenosis The Anthony Bates Foundation (HCM) The Noonan Syndrome Support Group The Turner's Syndrome Society of the United States United Patients Association for Pulmonary Hypertension Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome Educational Foundation Williams Syndrome Association Australia Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome - Australian Information Site Canada Charge Syndrome The Canadian Marfan Association The Canadian SADS Foundation Turner's Syndrome Society France Association Nationale des Cardiaques Congnitaux Spain Josemaria Ordiales Foundation United Kingdom Children's Heart Federation Max Appeal (DiGeorge, VCFS) The UK Cardiomyopathy Association Little Hearts Matter (Single Ventricle Defects) CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young Pulmonary Hypertension Association The Association for Children with Heart Disorders top of page Summer Camps Camp Del Corazon California Camp Bon Coeur Louisiana Camp Braveheart Georgia Camp Kaleidoscope          Henderson, NC Camp Meridian Ossipee Mountains, NH Camp Odayin Cross Lake, MN Cardiac Kids Camp             Eva, TN  Camp Systole Kansas City, MO Hope with Heart P.O. Box 2736 Fair Lawn, N.J. 07410 Phone: 973-728-3854 The Edward Madden Memorial Open Hearts Camp 250 Monument Valley Road Great Barrington, MA 02130 Phone 413-528-2229 Heart Camp Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Camp Taylor Livermore, CA Victory Junction Randleman, NC Camp Moxie St. Paul, IN Dreams From the Heart Camp              Buffalo, NY The Boggy Creek Gang Eustis, FL top of page Transplant Resources Canadian Association of Transplantation National Transplant Assist Fund Transplant Living Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc(TRIO) UNOS Transplant Information Site Transweb top of page Web Guides Healthfinder - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services MEDLINEplus: Health Topics Becka

Ravioli in a Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce

1 package refrigerated Ravioli
16 oz. jar of sun-dried tomato alfredo sauce (or just add chopped up sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce)
2 T. white wine
2 tomatoes, diced (I used a drained can of diced tomatoes)
1/2 cup FRESH basil
1/3 cup grated parmesan

1. Cook pasta according to directions on package
2. Pour sauce and wine into sauce pan and warm through
3. Add tomatoes and basil, cook on low for five minutes
4. Pour over pasta, top with cheese


Becka

Fun snowy day activities!

Snowed In Don't let the snow get you down. When the kids say they're bored or get tired of building snowmen, send them outside to try out one of these fun activities: Snow Hurdles Using a sand bucket, pack in snow to make a course of hurdles. After the course is complete, have them jump over the hurdles or do relays. Castle in the Snow Using a sand bucket, make a castle out of snow. Don't forget the moat! Treasure Hunt Freeze colored water in ice cube trays to make "jewels." Hide them throughout the yard and have your little pirates go on a scavenger hunt. For older kids, make a treasure map from crumpled construction paper, with "X" marking the spot of the treasure!

Ye old Giraffe

So there's this giraffe. He was Nick's FAVORITE toy from about 2 months to a year. I took a recent picture of him. You would never know he was almost 11 years old...and he still has his original ring around the neck. This was taken just before I started this blog :)

I looked and looked to see if I could find a picture (not in the album, since my scanner is not set up) of Nick and his Giraffe. But alas, I could not. So I found a pic that was around the time he had gotten Giraffe. 

3 years and 4 months after Nick was born, and 2 years after he had basically forgotten about Giraffe, Nick's sister Michele was born and inherited said Giraffe. 

In this picture is also Pink Kitty, which was her lovey for 11 months...then mama lost it :( I am still torn up over this, 6 years (last month) later! Michele loved having this Giraffe, probably because it was her most favorite person's...her big brother!!!!! 

7 years and 4 months after Nick was born, and 4 years after Michele was born, Wyatt came along. Well, he also inherited Giraffe! We thought we had given it away, and we were SO happy when we found it! 

There he is!!! Playing with Wyatt and a friend at our house in North Carolina. Wyatt was not as big into it as Nick or Michele. But he played with it!!

And now, 10 years and 4 months after we got Giraffe, our last lil one, Evan, is now the proud owner of Giraffe. He seems to LOVE this toy, maybe even more then Nick did!!!!! 

I guess I am just sentimental, and can not believe that, after all the toys they went through, this seems to have been a favorite among all 4 kids at different ages! Evan as I am typing this, 7 month old Evan is happily chewing away at Giraffe!!

Wordless Wednesday

Things that make you go WAHHHH

So recently I think my children (well the older 3) have become possessed! The only other thing I can think of, is that someone replaced my 3 well behave sweet children with aliens from the planet wefightconstantly. I am pretty sure this might be it! That would be the first 2 anyway...the almost 3 year old has been replaced with an alien from the planet noidoit. I love my kids...I have to keep telling myself this, or I may sell them to the Gypsies. (Better yet, maybe I will run away with the Gypsies!!!)

I am trying t figure out when they figured it was a good idea to constantly fight from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed?! What happened to my sweet kids...you know, like the ones in these pics?

Don't let that last one fool you, I am sure they probably fought before and after that pic was taken lol. 

But to my point...in last nights paper in the comic section, there was a comic on the front page that made me almost BAWL! Of course my kids were in bed, and I just had to go kiss each one. They just gorw up SO dang fast!!!! 

Here is the comic

Does that not just make you want to turn back time?! My oldest is 10, TEN?! Where did the past 10 years go!? My baby girl is 6, and will be 7 in 17 days, my lil man will be 3 in 10 days, and my baby is already past the 1/2 year mark!!! 

If I could have one wish right now, it would be to visit certain ages in my kids lives, just to relive some of those moments that meant so much to me! 

I hope that my kids can all look back on their childhood and have wonderful memories of things we did together, places we went, baseball and hockey games, and other fun things we did as a family. I just wish I could freeze time, and bask in the moment...fighting and all...

Help for Haiti

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. Information is still becoming available and this page will be updated to help direct those interested in helping to the right places
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If you are looking for relatives and friends in Haiti, the ICRC has set up a Locate Your Relatives page:

http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/WFL_HTI.NSF/DocIndex/locate_eng?opendocument
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Phone number for Americans looking for their relatives in Haiti 1-888-407-4747
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Putting a stop to rumors: Facebook and twitter have been abuzz with incorrect info. American Airlines and Jet Blue are NOT offering free flights to medical personnel traveling to Haiti. UPS is NOT offering free shipping to Haiti for packages under 50 lbs. Please do not spread this false information as it can be damaging to legitimate relief efforts underway.

_____________________________

If you need to contact us, please email nick@itsjustlight.com
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For those interesting in helping immediately, simply text “HAITI” to “90999″ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.


The following is a list of legitimate charities and organization in need of donations to help with the relief efforts underway in Haiti. Please note that while we wish we could list every charity collecting funds for the relief effort, we feel it is most effective to list the ones with an active, on-the-ground presence in Haiti, rather than the charities collecting funds to re-donate to one of the listed organizations. While everyone involved is playing an important role, we want to keep this list targeted to the organizations able to offer the most immediate help and assistance. Long links have been shortened for easy re-tweeting. A mirror of this list is available to share as well at:

http://itsjustlight.com/?page_id=777



American Red Cross International Relief Fund:

http://bit.ly/7pChi9

Canadian Red Cross:

http://bit.ly/12cR1n

The Humanitarian Coalition - Canada

http://bit.ly/6kOuoI

International Committee of the Red Cross

http://bit.ly/7zaFIy

IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies:

http://bit.ly/6Gpu04

Action Aid International

http://bit.ly/7EGPHL

Disaster Emergency Committee

http://bit.ly/6BHLL9

Action Against Hunger

http://bit.ly/4ScKj9

AmeriCares

http://bit.ly/5jX9MK

MercyCorps:

http://bit.ly/4nyB0q

Oxfam America

http://bit.ly/6E9Xd8

Oxfam UK

http://bit.ly/6SwLAE

International Medical Corps:

http://bit.ly/89W696

Pan American Relief

http://bit.ly/74Opc2

ShelterBox:

http://bit.ly/4FVsTz

Medical Teams International:

http://bit.ly/4wxkal

Architecture for Humanity

http://bit.ly/8MDfJe

International Rescue Committee:

http://bit.ly/8AGZ90

AmeriCares Help For Haiti:

http://bit.ly/5bz7a9

Islamic Relief USA

http://bit.ly/4KzSDB

Food for the Hungry

http://bit.ly/67GBST

Doctors Without Borders:

http://bit.ly/4Yp1aN

Convoy of Hope

http://bit.ly/8BTzS7

UNICEF:

http://bit.ly/8RT4CQ

Childcare Worldwide

http://bit.ly/6hCvtv

Partners in Health:

http://bit.ly/7bsUly

International Organization for Migration:

http://bit.ly/66Ul9m

SOS Children's Village:

http://bit.ly/50W2ZR

Catholic Relief Services:

http://bit.ly/4OdwPp

Mennonite Central Committee

http://bit.ly/5S6OK0

St. Boniface Haiti Foundation:

http://bit.ly/6cUJzH

Kids Against Hunger:

http://bit.ly/4xjdUw

Lambi Fund

http://bit.ly/4ILGso

Episcopal Relief and Development

http://bit.ly/6v1rN7

Adventist Development and Relief Agency

http://bit.ly/4OCC3q

Compassion International

http://bit.ly/85QtXC

Outreach International:

http://bit.ly/7Xv7XE

Partners in Development:

http://bit.ly/6cE325

Hope for Haiti:

http://bit.ly/4EYFIH

Beyond Borders:

http://bit.ly/7RMCN8

American Jewish World Service:

http://bit.ly/4WYmif

Food for the Poor:

http://bit.ly/73ZcDj

Search Dog Foundation

http://bit.ly/5vdKei

Habitat for Humanity

http://bit.ly/90R7mp

Fondation Odette Roy Fombrun:

http://bit.ly/8GzxWW

Lutheran World Relief:

http://bit.ly/50DTq6

Haitian Health Foundation:

http://bit.ly/4BcsRr

Childcare Worldwide:

http://bit.ly/6hCvtv

Friends of the World Food Program:

http://bit.ly/7aEjXm

Madre.org:

http://bit.ly/8bEgZy

Samaritan's Purse:

http://bit.ly/5D9N3D

International Eye Foundation:

http://bit.ly/7jAajP

Operation USA:

http://bit.ly/8qOqNc

Save the Children:

http://bit.ly/7EL3MB

Save the Children Australia:

http://bit.ly/4Z8Oqy

Meds and Food for Kids:

http://bit.ly/5V778s

Direct Relief International:

http://bit.ly/8gLP7P

Salvation Army:

http://bit.ly/4YmC2j

Operation Blessing International:

http://bit.ly/GkW4N

World Wide Village:

http://bit.ly/5GRwph

International Relief Teams:

http://bit.ly/8qKk2f

CARE:

http://bit.ly/8VLrDr

World Vision:

http://bit.ly/5MMv0T

MOSCTHA - Socio-Cultural Movement of Haitian Workers

http://bit.ly/83RjKU

World Concern:

http://bit.ly/5lRt12

Mission Aviation Fellowship

http://bit.ly/7NrpDY

Converge Worldwide

http://bit.ly/7IX47Z

Products:

if you know of additional information that should be added to our page or if you feel one of these organizations does not belong, please email nick@itsjustlight.com

first week in Albany

So we are finally here. We are still not sure how we will adjust aftter
Being in nice warm NC for the lasdt 3 years! It is very cold lol!!!
The kids enjoyed seeing their old friends as did we.
We even went to Friendly's for the first time in 3 years!

Here is hoping the warm NC weather follows us here soon!

Wordless Wednesday

End of Week 2 trackout Friday, November 20

Today was the end of the second week of trackout! The kids had fun this week, but my camera broke!

We went to Chuck E. Cheese, for a couple walks, and to friends houses. Next week is not only the last week of trackout, but also Thanksgiving!!!

The kids are also looking forward to the big move!!! As of today, there are about 20 days left before we move!

Caramelized Onion & Cornbread Dressing/Stuffing

 

Super easy and inexpensive side that will be great for Thanksgiving dinner or any night.

You'll need...

2 tablespoons butter
2 onions, chopped
6 large cornmeal muffins, cubed
Handful fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 egg
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

To make...

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for about 10 minutes, or until soft and caramelized. Add sage and scrape into a large mixing bowl.

Add the cornbread pieces, season well with salt and pepper, and give it a good toss until it's well combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, cream, and stock, and pour that over the cornbread. Stir the stuffing together and stuff the cavity of the turkey.  OR You could spoon it into a buttered baking dish and put it in the oven along with the turkey.

Bake until hot and crusty on top, about 30 minutes.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Cool craft idea: Stained Glass Leaf Mobile

 

You'll need...
construction paper or felt in autumn colors
poster board or cardboard (I recycle boxes from Costco for this)
scissors
white school glue

brown buttons

hot glue gun

 ribbon

 

To make...

Create the leaves, by tracing your child's, or the entire family's, hands on colored paper or felt. Then cut several hands in a variety of colors.

Cut the wreath ring shape using poster board or cardboard.

Glue the felt or paper hands randomly around the wreath, until the cardboard is covered. Make sure they overlap a bit and have the fingertips fan out from the wreath.
Attach buttons, or nuts in a cluster with a glue gun; a job for a grown-up. Glue your ribbon to the back to hang on a doorknob or hook.

So long North Carolina! I will miss you :(

So as of last night it is official...after 3 years 4 months in North Carolina, we are moving BACK to NY. This is a day I actually never thought we would see. It took 2 days to get down here in July 2006. I loved it here from day 1! I did/do miss family and friends up there,, but thought this was our new, permanent home. Two of our children were born here. I joined the most AWESOME mommies group EVER before coming here, and made some great friends along the way.

I will bring back to NY with me, some great memories! Moms nights out, craft night, movies with friends, karaoke, drunk guys hitting my friends that are obviously pregnant, birthday parties, TM birthday bashes (3 to be exact) holiday parties, great fun, food, CAKE and more!

I know I have great memories where we are going, and will make more, and I will miss my friends here. I hope we stay in touch!!!

My kids have changed SO much since moving here, it is amazing to see the change!

Here is Nick when we first moved here:

And now:

Michele then:

And now:

Wyatt was born 7 months after we moved here:

February 2007

And November 2009

 Such big changes in my babies!!!!!!

Of course, Evan was also born in NC...

June 2009

And November 2009

What change in only 4 months!

It will be amazing to see the changes once we are in NY again, 3 years from now. I can only imagine what they will look like, and what my friend's kids here will look like.

I will miss the births of a few friend's babies, but I know I can share in the joy on Facebook and on Triangle Mommies!

As you can see, I am both happy and sad. Happy to be near family again, near grandparents who missed the first 2 years of Wyatt's life and the last 3 of the older two, as well as not being able to see Evan.

Sad I will be leaving such awesome friends here! (you know who you are: Katy, Lisa, Faith, Susie, Aisha, and many more!)

I am hoping to have a party to say goodbye to all my awesome friends and their families!

I am sure you will all see many posts when we get back...

I will miss you NC!

Top Five Ways for Parents to Protect Children

The likelihood of a child getting abducted is one in 347,000 or .0003 percent, but if it happens to your kid, it's 100 percent. Dr. Phil counts down the five most important things you can do to keep your children safe from predators.

5. Prepare Your Children without Fear

You don't want to make your children paranoid, but you must prepare them. Talk about safety openly and without fear. Go over the dos and don'ts with them.

Don'ts

• Never get in a car with a stranger.
• Never go to a second location with someone you don't know.
• Never let someone swear you to secrecy.

"The child has no decision to make, because there are clear nevers," Dr. Phil explains. "That way, they will be cautious, they will be careful to not let someone put them in harm's way."

Dos

• Stay with a friend.
• Let parents know where you are.

You need to make sure your children understand that they are loved, and they need to love themselves.

4. Set Up Their World for Safety

• Never leave your children alone, even for a moment, particularly when they're young. 
• Have strict procedures on such things as going to and from school and where to go after a dance or sports. If your child is a latch-key kid, make sure he or she knows the procedure you want in place for when he or she gets home from school, like keeping the doors locked.
• Your children should know their home telephone number, their parents' cell phone numbers, their home address and how to call 911.
• Children should never wear clothes displaying their name.
• Set up a code word with your child in case of emergency and test it. If you send a friend or family member to pick your child up, the child can ask him or her for the code word. Your child will know it's safe to go with the adult if they can repeat the code word.
• Create a map of your neighborhood so children know where to go if they're feeling uncomfortable. Point out safe houses, fire stations or a trusted neighbor's home. Your child should also know where to run or drive in case the situation calls for that action.

"They need to know where things are if they have to make decisions on the spur of the moment," Dr. Phil says.

3. Listen and Look

• As parents, you need to be extremely tuned in to what's taking place in your child's life. Listen to your children to see if they’re talking about anyone who doesn’t belong in their world.
• When you pick your children up from the mall or school, scan the landscape and notice if there are people lurking or located where they don't belong.
• Most abductions are not completely random. Even if it's a stranger abduction, they tend to target children for a period of time before they abduct them. Many abductees are girls and teenagers.
• Be sure to look and listen to what your child is doing while on the Internet. Know how to monitor the computer. Get in game and figure out how to check for access, passwords, lockdowns and where they’ve been surfing. Predators will try and groom a childover the Internet and then try and set up a meeting in the real world. 

2. Have a Plan

• Make sure you have up-to-date pictures of your child from every angle. Be sure the images are easily recognizable.
• Get your child fingerprinted. Many local police departments offer the service free of charge, so your child can be entered into a database.
• Have a list of emergency contact numbers easily accessible. The first number on your list should be 911, and the second should be for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: (800) The Lost, (800) 843-5678. The first few hours after an abduction are most critical.
  

1. Teach Your Children to Self-Protect

Teach your child to recognize danger: who, what and where.

• Who: Somebody they don't know or don't  trust asking them to do something they don't want to do. Strangers are not only the creepy looking men in trench coats. They can be anyone. Many kids are abducted by a family friend or acquaintance.  
• What: Adults do not ask children for help. That should be a warning sign that something is wrong. Your children should also be aware of anybody who asks them to get in a car or go somewhere with them, or anyone who crosses a boundary, such as touching them or invading their personal space.
• Where: If someone asks your child to go to a second location, that should set bells off in his or her head. If your child is alone and an adult approaches him or her, that is not a good sign.
• The Buddy System: Kids should never be alone, even for a minute. They should always be with a friend or two, because there is strength in numbers.
• React: Children must also know that it is OK for them to say no. They shouldn't worry about being polite. If the feel they are in danger or something is not right, they should move in the opposite direction, yell, scream and ask for help. Rehearse this with your children by asking them how they would react in certain situations. Don’t tell them how to react. For example, ask them what they would do if they are at bus stop and a car pulls up offering a ride. 
• Communicate: It's imperative that you establish a line of communication with your kids about anything they don't feel comfortable talking about.  

Trust your instincts; if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong. These tips can save your child's life.

Baby/toddler sign language: classes , videos, or both?

We LOVE our Signing Time videos! Even my 10 and 6 year old love to watch them with the almost 3 year old. You can really learn a lot, for the most part, and they an keep them entertained while you make dinner. These are some great videos! But what about taking a class as well? Many people say that their child learned a lot of signs by watching these videos. But did they learn anything else?

What can you get out of a baby/toddler/preschool sign language class that you can't get out of a video? Don't get me wrong, I have been known to pop in a video once in a while, not that my kids ever sit through a whole one!

Let's compare:

Videos: Signing videos have great songs, a lot of signs, and music that will stick with you all day. They are great in the car, or when you need to get something done around the house. And you will notice your child producing some signs. But look at the above statement...what is missing? For the most part, when you or your child pops in one of these videos, they are in a trance for the entire 30 or so minute that the video is playing, staring at the TV, usually not interacting with anyone. They may end up signing along, and signing, but where is mom or dad? Look again...they are usually doing dishes, making dinner, or doing other household chores, and so on.

Baby/toddler/preschool sign language class: You are in a room with other parents and children. Your child is learning what is and is not acceptable in a social situation, and they are making friends. The children are getting face to face time with the teacher, children, and their parents. (Now you know the answer to the question above, about what is missing) During the 45 minute (or more) class, you are singing songs, signing to songs and books, playing a ring around the rosie game, and more, with/to your child.

When you take a class (and not just signing, around here, we LOVE our Kindermusik and Music Together classes!) your child is learning how to interact with adults and children, something they can not learn from a  video. One of the most important things they are learning, is how to produce a sign correctly. After all, you ARE teaching your child (and learning yourself) a viable language!

During a class, you can ask questions. If you want to know how a sign came to be, you can find out. What a joy it is to see your child laugh and play with other children while they are learning so many things (as I mentioned, social skills, manners, signs, songs, what to do in social situations, and so on) and having fun as well! You can't do this with a video.

What you also can't get from a video is the excitement of your child excitedly asking if today is a class day! That excitement in their eyes as they enter the room and see their new friends, and run to hug their teacher. Babies require face-to-face interaction to learn. They don’t get that interaction from watching TV or videos. In fact, the watching probably interferes with the crucial wiring being laid down in their brains during early development. (Despite years of warnings by pediatricians to the contrary, parents still believe that the content of programs aimed at babies is good for brain development)

Never has it been more important to take time away from screens, engage with family and friends and focus on living life, not simply watching others via an electronic screen. The more time we spend watching and the less time we spend doing, the less experience we have in what it takes to be a full fledged human being. Also, many studies have shown that the more videos young babies and kids watched, the fewer words they knew. Pretty scary, if you think about it!

Babies and young children will learn SO much more from us and others, then they will from a video. Yes, there are many parents who will sit with their child and talk about what is going on, sign along, etc... but the general consensus when it comes to videos, is that it gives mom and dad a "break" from their kids...to me, this sends out a very negative message...

So remember, more face to face time and less screen time. The years from birth to 5 are the most important in forming brain synapses and helping develop skills needs later in life. What parent DOESN'T want their child to reach their FULL potential?

So start today! Turn off that video, and start interacting with your children...they will thank you for it later!