BlogginMomma.com

Posted by cassie on Monday, 31 March, 2008 @ 8:48 pm

The AAP doesn’t have an “official” recommendation for all children on when to start allergy-prone foods, but if allergies run in your family (as they do in mine), many experts suggest the following schedule. Posted in part for your benefit but mine as well when #2 shows

Foods should be introduced one at a time to help pinpoint any type of reaction and idly, a week apart.

After 6 months: rice cereal; meats; vegetables, except for legumes (like peas and beans, including soy); and fruits and juices except for citrus

After 1 year: milk; wheat; corn; citrus; and legumes

After 2 years: eggs

After 3 years: peanut butter; fish and shellfish

Posted by cassie on Monday, 31 March, 2008 @ 7:40 pm

“Who’s Your Baby’s Daddy?” come up in conversation at all, or if you are just wondering if you REALLY are the daddy check out this at-home test kit that is now available. For roughly $200-$400 you can prove (or disprove) the relationship. The kits are available at Rite Aid for $30.

Participation of the child and father is required of course since you need to swab their mouths, with the mother being optional but highly recommended.

“…The paternity kits have taken their place on store shelves next to other diagnostic tests that don’t rely on DNA, including those for pregnancy, HIV and blood sugar, said Michael S. Watson, executive director of the American College of Medical Genetics.

Unlike genetic tests for health conditions, tests that use DNA to determine paternity are fairly simple to provide and fairly easy to interpret, said Watson. They’re subject to limited oversight, however, with no review required by the Food and Drug Administration and no certification required under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, or CLIA.

The Identigene kit includes swabs for collecting cell samples from the inside of the cheeks of the child and the alleged father. Collection of the mother’s cells is optional, but strongly recommended to strengthen the results. The swabs are packaged and mailed to the Sorenson laboratory in Salt Lake City where they’re analyzed…

….Total cost is about $150, including the price of the kit and a $119 laboratory processing fee. For another $200, users can purchase validated tests that meet legal requirements for determining paternity, Fogg said.” Read the rest of the story here.

I can see how this could potentially complicate matters for some people since they could have a “surprise” child show-up or suddenly learn the kid they thought was their’s, isn’t. But overall I think it is a good idea. What do you think?

Posted by cassie on Monday, 31 March, 2008 @ 3:25 pm

Let’s all thank Shari for the post below….

Hey all mamas close to Philadelphia: One of my favorite stores in Manayunk, BELLY, is closing in about 2 weeks or so. The owner sent out an email last week announcing that she’s got NEW Spring Mia Bossis and Skip Hops (plus other bags, clothing, bedding, maybe a stroller or two left) all at 30% off. I’m guessing now she may be down to 40% and may go further if there’s anything left.

I was in a few weeks ago and she had some GORGEOUS bags.

So, if you have a chance stop in or if you’re looking for a particular item, give her a call. She’s really great and I give her so much credit for being so forthright with her customers and sharing with everyone how the state of the economy has made it impossible for her to stay open anymore. So sad.

Anyway ~ the Bossis were beautiful and she had all the new Skip Hops.

Posted by cassie on Sunday, 30 March, 2008 @ 7:29 pm

Kandoo wipes tub are $1.99 at Target. I haven’t used them so I can’t vouch for them either way, although I’d like to hear your thoughts if you have any!

One really enterprising mama (and very good at math too I might add) put this info together for us.

A even better way to do this is if you have the coupon from Sunday 03-02-08 P&G insert of the paper. Pampers Kandoo Wipes, Any $1.00 /2 & the Sunday Insert 02-10-08 P&G Pampers Kandoo Tub FREE WYB Any Size Kandoo Wipes B1G1. Use 1 of the 1.00 off 2 & 1 of the B1G1 cp. = .50 a tub. & yes you can do that.

Posted by cassie on Sunday, 30 March, 2008 @ 7:23 pm

My SIL sent this to me today and although it is an email that may eventually reach your mailbox too I wanted to share it with you. It’s a nice reminder to enjoy everyday life! In fact, it would make a wonderful plaque or poem to give to that special someone with pictures of the two of you featured. Maybe use pictures of the kids with mom for Mother’s Day or dad for Father’s Day…
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, “I love you, and I wish you enough.”

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom.”

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?”

“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?”.

“I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.

“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I wish you enough.’ May I ask what that means?”

She began to smile. “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. “When we said, ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.” Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.

Posted by cassie on Sunday, 30 March, 2008 @ 7:17 pm

This site by the FDLE was recently featured in the newspaper and will send you email updates of sexual predators and offenders in your area. My girlfriend sent it to me (thanks Jody!) and I, in turn, am sharing it with you.

I signed up for it and found out there is one located in the back portion of my neighborhood so needless to say I won’t be strolling in that direction anymore! It’s very simple although it does seem somewhat intimidating at first. I entered in my address and told it to give me info on a two mile radius since I doubt I’ll be walking further than that for the foreseeable future.

They also feature pictures of people that they are looking for  so be sure to check it out often.

http://www.flsexoffender.net/offender/homepage.do

Posted by cassie on Sunday, 30 March, 2008 @ 7:52 am

In an effort to amuse both of us since I am getting fatter (yea yea pregnant isn’t fat but tell that to pregnant women everywhere) and the weather is getting warmer I’ve been searching for arts and crafts to do with toddlers. My goal is to use stuff we have in the house already and it isn’t too messy or time consuming. So far I’ve done the playdoh and plan on trying the crayon trick when we have enough broken ones. BUT! BUT! This is a cool one - fun with scissors (duh the child-safe ones people) and paper. What’s not to love

After pondering it some more, I realized this may be somewhat advanced for Anthony’s age group but it is amusing to create the different critters online, print and assemble so check it out for yourself.

Posted by cassie on Friday, 28 March, 2008 @ 5:51 am

…is at Tottlers.com for $47.99 + $5.00 flat rate shipping. This is a deal-of-the-day deal so don’t procrastinate or it will be gone! Only comes in Midnight Blue.

The classic BABYBJORN Baby Carrier Original keeps your baby close and secure while you go about your daily activities. The carrier is easy to put on and take off and is individually adjustable to your child. You can use it for newborns as well as older babies. Its unique design has made the BABYBJORN a real celebrity. It has won dozens of awards, including the Industrial Designers Society of America award in 1999 as one of the 36 best products of the decade.

Posted by cassie on Friday, 28 March, 2008 @ 5:33 am

There are some incredible bargains at kohl’s for girls in the toddlers, 4-6X, 7-16 clothing. You’d better hurry as I’m sure these won’t last long. Some of the ones I looked at just a few minutes ago in 4-6x are already sold out.

Shopping for next Easter? There are a ton of adorable dresses, hats and other whatnot available.

As usual the boys’ section is cleaned out - either because there wasn’t much to begin with or we need to buy more clothes to keep a portion of them presentable. Something about playing in the dirt and rough and tumble. lol

Don’t forget:
If you have a Kohl’s charge care to use these codes for more savings.
For 15% off, use code SAVE15MAR
For Free Shipping, use code MVC5869

If you’re not a Kohl’s charge holder you can still Save another 10% with coupon code KOHLS1680

Posted by cassie on Friday, 28 March, 2008 @ 5:22 am

If you are thinking about, encouraging or in the middle-of potty training this may be a good idea for you! Wal-mart has Mommy & Me Potty Training Systems in several of their stores in the clearance section ranging from $4 to $7. They have been found in the kid’s area by the diapers and by the craft section so weave your way through the end-caps to find one for yourself! Online it is still full price but may still be worth it.

Several Easter Bunnies gave this away as gifts this past Easter so always keep your eyes peeled for some creative, helpful and yes, useful, gift alternatives. After all, you were going to buy it anyway weren’t you?