Just What The MommyDoc Ordered! Summer Safety!

We’re knee-deep into summer and with the fantastically warm weather we’ve been having here in Southern California, Jason and I have been wanting to get out and about with our little boy.  We love the beach and the park and while we supervise our son constantly, there are some potential dangers inherent in the great outdoors.  Just the other day my little boy tried to eat grass…yuk!  

One of the things I am particularly cognizant of is the record-breaking heat wave we’ve been having the past few weeks.  I carry a water-filled sippy cup with me at all times and try to offer it to him whenever possible so that he doesn’t get dehydrated.  My son doesn’t have the benefit of mommy’s tanned, olive skin so I have be particularly careful about sun exposure.  The sensitive skin he inherited from daddy means that I have to be diligent in protecting him from irritants.  In the summertime that translates into protecting him as much as possible from insects, dangerous plants, and other potential allergy triggers.  

 

I was recently introduced to MommyDocs, a website which provides practical pediatric information for moms.  If you were to google any pediatric topic you could think of, you’d probably come up with 100′s to thousands of results to sort through.  There is so much information available with one click and deciphering the truth from lies can be tricky.  MommyDocs is a site written by two board-certified pediatricians so you know that the information is credible.  The site contains informational podcasts, a health question and answer section featuring a variety of pediatric health topics, and my favorite section, entitled “Ask the MDs” where the docs answer reader-submitted questions.  

 

With summer safety concerns looming, MommyDocs introduces five simple summer safety tips to put parents minds at ease.  

• Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.  Look for products that provide “broad spectrum” coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.  Use this sunscreen routine with your child–daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating).  Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future.  In addition, don’t forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.  

• Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child.  For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellant.  Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day.  As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases.  To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.  

• Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria.  To keep the pool free from unwanted “swimmers,” after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of 3⁄4 cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly.  Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it’s a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.  

• High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke.  How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink!  Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.  

• Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicing in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather.  But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac.  If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine.  If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away.  

I’m bookmarking MommyDocs for all those nights when I have a question regarding my son and I don’t want my pediatrician to think I’m paranoid at 3 am!  

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

My sweet baby boy…

It’s hard to grasp that it’s been one year… To think that there were moments when I thought we would not meet this side of heaven. But God knew better. How I prayed for you each day of those nine months, that now seem but a distant memory. You’ve brought daddy and I such immense joy. Words fall short of the depth of love we have for you. As you broach toddlerhood, I find myself torn between expectant excitement as you start to speak and develop new skills, and nostalgia for when you were content to be held close to me.

As you grow and change, I find myself discovering new things about myself every day.  It’s been a learning process for me…this thing called motherhood.  I once read that “when a child is born, a mother is born too.”  Never has this been more true.  Everything and nothing was easy about this first year…from breastfeeding to sleep training, it’s been a roller coaster of a ride.  But we’re on the upward learning curve and I think I’ve got you all figured out.  Until next week when everything will change.  Life is a series of contrasts that way.

Because of you, I’ve worked harder to become a better daughter, wife, friend, and co-worker.  After all, what kind of example of a mother would I be if all my ducks were out of line?

Today I celebrate that special day when our eyes met and I heard the most divine 3 little words…It’s a boy!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mommy

Safe and Secure with Schlage

Before I met my husband, I lived with my parents for most of my life, minus the years I spent away in college dorms.   My parents grew up in New York and instilled the fear of everything in me…  It was no question that doors were always locked and alarms set.  Enter my Southern-born husband who grew up in a small town (which pales in comparison to Los Angeles suburbia) and has all of the qualities characteristic of this part of the country including an innate sense of trust in everyone.  Somewhere between insouciant and paranoid we’ve had to meet in the middle.  

It wasn’t until we had been living in our 1 bedroom apartment 6 months that we were the victims of an apartment-wide series of break-ins.  Fortunately, we only had my car broken into.  Some of our neighbors did not fare as well as they actually had their apartments broken into.  Regardless of the type of crime one experiences, it renders you feeling vulnerable.  Your entire sense of security is shattered.  For months I worried that the perpetrators would strike again, particularly since they knew where I lived and worked, having stolen my work bags.  

To this day, I am never quite comfortable staying home alone with my son.  I’m going to divulge and let you in on a little secret.  When my husband is away, I prop a chair behind the doors.  I told you I’m a tad bit paranoid. Thanks to Mom Central we were given the opportunity to review Schlage’s Electronic Keypad Deadbolt Locks.  

I’m no locksmith, but this is definitely the Cadillac of locks.  Do you misplace your keys as often as I do?  Do you find yourself concerned about the safety of your home, particularly if you have children?  Schlage’s keyless entry lock gives you both security and convenience.  Every portal of entry into our home is an area of concern, but we decided to install the lock on our front door until we can replace all of our locks.  When I compared the lock we had on our front door to Schlage’s Electronic Keypad lock, ours looked like something makeshift and tenuous.  

Check out some of the features of Schlage’s Electronic Keypad Deadbolt Locks:

Schlage’s high quality, durable locks are the most secure keypad deadbolts for residential use

Their solid brass exterior finish has been tested to withstand harsh environmental conditions (perfect for use on the front and back doors)

The keypad is simple enough for even small children to operate

The large print numbers on the keypad are easy to read

The keypad illuminates for nighttime visibility

The buttons are coded to prevent wear and tear from everyday use and environmental elements

Professional grade security features include a warning signal after 4 incorrect attempts. The keypad will also stop working for 30 seconds, which can be a deterrent to would-be burglars

The locks feature a vandal resistant keyway turn design which rotates freely until a valid user code is entered

Locking the deadbolt is easy.  Just press the Schlage button and rotate the keyway turn.  

A six digit programming code is required to add and delete users

A 9 volt battery (which will work in the event of power failures so common in Southern California) is included with an average lasting time of 3 years.  

Schlage locks are designed to fit most standard residential doors

Installation is relatively easy and can be completed with a screwdriver in about 30 minutes (with the assistance of my hubbie! )

Each lock comes preprogrammed with two unique user codes and one unique programming code.  These codes can be changed or deleted as desired.   

Two mechanical keys are provided for back-up use

Schlage locks can be re-keyed to match existing housekey

Locks come with a lifetime warranty

You won’t have to sacrifice style for security.  Schlage locks are available in a variety of styles and eight finishes to match your existing home decor

 

One of the features I truly appreciate about these locks is the ability to create unique codes for individuals who have access to our home.  I can’t tell you how many times my parents have come to visit us only to forget the key!  What’s even better is that when we get ready to hire a nanny for our son, we can give her a unique code that can be changed or even deactivated at any time without worrying about her or anyone else having a key to our home.  When our son gets older he’ll have his own code and we won’t even bother with giving him a key to lose.  Now that we’ve installed Schlage’s Electronic Keypad Lock on our front door I feel more secure.  I guess that chair is just going to have to stay at the table where it belongs!  

I encourage you to check out their online demo.  

Purchase Schlage Electronic Keypad Locks at Lowe’s, The Home Depot and numerous other locations here.  

 

Cool Contests This Week

MomSelect is giving away 5 $100 Lands’ End Gift Card.  To enter, complete this short back-to-school survey.  While you’re over there, why not join? 

Deadline:  June 25, 2008

Pink Lemonade Bags is giving away a beautiful bag to one lucky lady! Head on over to Notes From My Nest and leave a comment.

Deadline:  July 2, 2008

A WonderFALLY Marvelous Vacation!

My husband and I love to travel.  I know, I know…I blog about it almost every other day it seems.  : )  It is such a passion of ours and I love talking about all of the wonderful places we’ve visited in the world so that you may be inspired to take a trip too!  Four years ago my family took a cruise through the Caribbean.  That one week gave me a taste of the immense beauty and rich culture prevalent among these unique islands and I’d love to take a trip over with my husband and my son.  Our travel plans have been on hiatus since we returned from Europe last year, mostly due to the birth of our son.  If you’re like me, the thought of traveling with small children makes me a little anxious.  But I don’t want the stress and anxiety of pre-trip planning to prevent us from the rich experiences travel effects.  

 

 

I have always dreamed vacationing in a resort where everything is included and I have to do nothing but relax and enjoy the view.  The closest my husband and I have been to an all-inclusive resort was our honeymoon in the South Pacific.  I can’t imagine how effortless planning a family trip to an all-inclusive resort would be.  

Beaches, THE luxury-included resort for families, is having an awesome WonderFALL Celebration during September and October.  I actually prefer to travel when the summer heat has abated and the crowds have gone back to work and school.  During these two months families can enjoy all that Beaches has to offer while saving up to 45% off published rates and receiving 2 nights free with at minimum 7 night stay (if you stay at least 5 nights you’ll get a free night).  If you are not familiar with Beaches resorts, here is the 411:

Parents Magazine heralded  Beaches Resorts as a “Top Ten” family beach resort

Choose from four all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean including Boscobel, Sandy Bay, and Negril in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos (my number 1 choice!

EVERYTHING is included, and I do mean everything! Here is the rundown:

-Unlimited dining in gourmet and specialty cuisine restaurants

-Access to their state-of-the-art fitness centers

-Water activities, including snorkeling and scuba diving (free for certified divers, nominal instruction charge for all others), wading pools for small children, Pirate’s Island Waterparks for older children, and pools with swim-up bars

-Nightly entertainment, including stage shows and a piano bar

-Luxury accommodations, including ocean view and beachfront room options and one/two bedroom suites (some with personalized butler service)

-Roundtrip airport transfers, hotel taxes, and gratuities

-An awesome children’s program including The Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street®.  Children will enjoy story time with Elmo, baking with Cookie Monster, dancing with Zoe, exploring with Grover, making music with Bert & Ernie, Sesame Street stage shows, character parades and character breakfasts.  They also provide supervised kids camps for all ages (newborns to teens).  

 

During their WonderFALL celebration, Beaches is launching even more activities that will keep your family entertained.  Here are some of the activities they have planned:  

The premiere of a brand new stage show including exclusive Gordon and Elmo live performances

Special parenting workshops hosted by Sesame Street educators

Dive In Movies

“Baby You’re A Star Photo Contest”

Grandparent celebrations

There is still much to be said about Beaches so you simply must check out their site.  Hurry on over to get in on these savings as they are sure to fill up quickly.  

A Penny For Your Thoughts…The Pregnancy Journal

I write a lot about the time Jason and I spent living overseas.  While it was a relatively short season in our lives, we experienced immense growth and maturity.  It was also where I spent the first 3 months of my pregnancy.  Before my husband and I boarded that one-way flight to London, we went to visit his grandparents.  They gave us a bit of advice that stuck with me.  

Write everything down.  Journal your experiences.  When you eventually come home you’ll start to forget all of the details that made your experience so special.  

I wish I had taken that advice and applied it to my pregnancy.  I only started THINKING about journaling when I was placed on bedrest at 17 weeks.  And it wasn’t until the end of my second trimester when I discovered The Pregnancy Journal.

 

 

I have to diverge just a second to say that I have bought and been given many journals.   In theory, a journal is a thoughtful and insightful gift.  Realistically, I’ve never had much success with journaling.  People gift journals when they a.  have no idea what to get you  b. realize they have not bought you a gift  and c. need to get rid of the ones they’ve yet to use.  Perhaps my lack of success with journaling can be attributed to the journal itself rather than the journalist within me.  Staring mindlessly at blank pages begging to be filled with thoughtful insights has the potential to create writer’s block in even the most seasoned writers.

 The Pregnancy Journal, by A. Christine Harris’, only resembles your typical journal in the sense that you can record your day-to-day thoughts, feelings, and experiences throughout your pregnancy.  This little book is so much more than a journal.  While I was pregnant with my son, I was consumed with curious inquisition, wonder, and amazement at the little miracle developing inside me.  I wanted to know how big he was, what organs were developing, how my body was changing, what I needed to do to keep us both healthy and safe, how to support his growth and development…  The questions were endless.  While a detailed pregnancy reference is a must, I often found myself overwhelmed with the depth and breadth of information provided.  The Pregnancy Journal concisely provides tidbits of information about the growth and development of your baby and the changes your body is experiencing.  It is a daily snapshot of you and your growing baby.  The author has recently released a revised version of the journal which includes updated facts about prenatal development, current nutritional recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, and expanded coverage of subsequent pregnancies and the transition that ensues, technology-assisted pregnancies, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, doulas, and much more.  

I only wish I had started journaling earlier in my first pregnancy.  I would love to go back to my thoughts and feelings regarding those first few months in Scotland when I was relishing in the joy (and nausea) of early pregnancy.  The Pregnancy Journal contains so many intricacies that make it such a special memoir.  From daily inspirational quotes to information about Childbirth Then and Now, you’ll find this journal to be a source of information as well as an outlet for expression.  Journal your waist size and weight (if you dare) and your mood, energy and appetite and look back after your baby is born.  I plan on journaling our next pregnancy and am looking forward to re-reading my thoughts and experiences during my first pregnancy to see how they compare.    

The Pregnancy Journal is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Read what other moms are saying about The Pregnancy Journal here.

 

 

 

I had this epiphany that I would  

She Wore An Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie…

I have lived in Los Angeles my entire life. Living among the glitz and glam of Hollywood can distort even the most secure woman’s sense of self image. It is no wonder that fad diets and cosmetic surgery dominate this sub-culture of America. With the beach never more than an hour away and weather to suit, swimsuit season extends beyond your typical summer months. It is the season I have always dreaded since the emergence of hips and curves. As a teenager I always wore a pair of board shorts over my swimsuit (a one-piece of course). Once the saga that is high school culminated into life in the “real” world, I stopped caring about what people thought of my curves. Here I am on the remote island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific where my husband and I honeymooned. Talk about bold and brazen!

Three years and a child later I find myself reverting to my reserved adolescence to cover up the baby weight that I’ve yet to shed. I’ve retired my itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikini and replaced it with the oh-so-stylish yet modest tankini.  What are you wearing to the beach this summer? Check out what other moms are saying here.

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by BOCA.  My husband calls Californians fruits and nuts. In a culture that thrives on all things fat-free, sugar-free, low-carb, and vegan comes a new group that’s sure to be popular with us Angelinos. Balanced Living is a site designed to help you eat and live better.

Chic Boutique of the Week

Even before my son was born I much preferred the quaint, intimate feel of boutiques.  I have always managed to find the most unique treasures in these one-of-a kind specialty shops.  

 

MarieLynn Boutique specializes in fashionable and affordable accessories for your little one.  Everything in the store, apart from the diaper bags, is handmade by the owner herself.  While her hair accessories stand out as her most popular item, be sure to check out her unique array of tutus, onesies, pacifier clips, wipes cases, and more.   All of this talk of bows and tutus is making me think about trying for baby #2!  Moms of little boys, don’t despair.  Almost any item in the store can be customized to create that perfect look for your child.  

Posh Pick:  Please Be Nice to My Parents…They Don’t Get Much Sleep  Price:  $7.00

Right now all diaper bags are 10% off.  Hurry as this sale ends June 21.  

 

A Change Is Gonna Come

In true Lemming style I’ve decided to ditch Blogger and opt for the oh-so-snazzy WordPress!  And I owe my new rockin’ look to Chelle!  Isn’t her work fab?  

Thank you Chelle!  You rock!  

 

 

Lions and Tigers and Pandas…Oh My!

Over the weekend my son and I attended a special reception at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club to celebrate the release of Dreamworks‘ new film, Kung Fu Panda hosted by Maria Bailey from MomSelect. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but we had fun and it was nice to meet some local families and bloggers. The swanky resort, complete with it’s own private beach, was the backdrop for this delightful event.

It was posh enough that I felt important, but laid back enough not to feel too stuffy.

The food was incredible! From freshly prepared grilled pastas to the children’s buffet, the food was delectable.

Take a look at my favorite finale…

The event itself was informal and geared towards kids a little older than my son. We discovered play dough and that occupied much of his time.

The kids seemed to be most fascinated by Activision’s new Kung Fu Panda game.

The main room where the event was held included several activity stations where children could get their face painted, make Kung Fu Panda inspired crafts, and learn the “Pandamonium,” (which I’m sure is the new Macarena…or something like that!).

The not-so high – light of my son’s day was his encounter with Po (the panda in case you’re just joining us). One-year-olds vary in their reactions to oversized costumed replicas of imaginative characters. According to my best friend, they either LOVE the furry creatures, attacking them with reckless abandon, or run away shrieking in sheer terror. We managed to get a photo in (which I’ll have to scan for you) just before my son FREAKED OUT at the sight of the gi-normous movie-inspired panda. I had to physically leave the room so my son would calm down.

(After the scary panda went buh-bye!)

I’m hoping to attend more of these types of events to meet local moms in my area. It’s a great way to connect, network and meet a new friend. Thank you Maria Bailey! And a very special thank you to Hewlett-Packard for the awesome goodie bag! Don’t forget to check out Kung Fu Panda in theaters now.

And because I’m soooo nice (wink wink) I’m going to share and share alike.

Win It! I have 3 HP/Kung Fu Panda Activity CDs to give away to 3 readers. Head on over to the Kung Fu Panda website and leave me a comment with an activity from the site you’d like to do with your child(ren) OR if you’ve seen the movie tell me one thing you liked about it. 1 comment per person, please. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back June 25, 2008 when I announce the winners. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Comments will close on June 24, 2008 at 10 pm PST.

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