Kids Health Notes

May 11th, 2008

What it means to be a blogger mom…

What does a blogger-mama have to deal with?

• blogs at the breakfast table with sticky strawberry jelly fingers, and a baby on her lap
• blogs in the afternoon, on the big king bed, with a sleeping toddler by her side and a baby on her lap
• blogs at 2 am, on the glider-rocker… no baby (whew!)
• dancing hip hop to “ABC”
• discipline is heartbreaking!
• wet kisses
• toothless smiles that melt her heart
• goofiness without shame
• “Mommy, I’m your princess!”
• “I love you, Mommy.Goodnight, Mommy.”
• anytime-hugs
• someone to play Dora with
• a newborn, skin to skin
• watching Smallville with the girl. for real.
• hero, unsung but fully rewarded
• middle-of-the-night snuggles when the girl wakes up and goes to sleep with her mom and dad
• that loving gaze her husband gives when he sees the kids with her
• when the girl pretends-play with her dolls and she acts like her mom
• to labor through, and deliver a really beautiful child
• nine months without chocolates, coffee, peanut butter, sushi, eggs and dairy
• and after giving birth, maybe many more months without the dairy, eggs, nuts, chocolates and seafood of an allergy-free life
• love, rediscovered

Every hero has a mom. Every mom is a hero.

Happy Mother’s Day.

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By Grace -- 2 comments

May 11th, 2008

What it means to be a Mom…

Three years after being a first-time mom, and two kids later, here I am again. About to celebrate another mother’s day, about to be celebrated as a mother.

I was browsing through my first b5media blog (it’s my 2nd anniversary yonder as a blogger… actually I missed it for a couple of days already! - I’ve been too busy). Anyway, back to my browsing… I came across one of my first posts and it was about my random thoughts as a mother. I want to share them with you, because as I read it again, I realize I haven’t much changed. How I felt then as a first time mom, I still feel now with two kids… only the feeling has grown stronger.

Two years ago, on May 12, 2006, I wrote – 

After I gave birth to our daughter, at that critical post-partum point when the fatigue has exhausted all strength, I saw a visibly pregnant neighbor playing with her two toddlers. Three kids, I thought. WOW. How can she handle being pregnant and taking care of two other young children? I can’t even manage one, let alone get through these first months! And then I remembered my own mom, who had four children one after another… Right there I realized - this is what it means to be a mother. You manage. You cope. You survive. Because you love your children, no matter how many there are, you love each of them. You will do your best for them, and give them everything you have, and more, even when it feels like there’s nothing to give and you want to give up and live your own life just for you. You still give, because you’re a mom.
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By Grace -- 1 comment

May 10th, 2008

Aquafina Spa and Prize Packs Give-away - winners

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Kids Health Notes Give-away: Aquafina Spa and Prize Packs give-away! I would love to see you come back often for great content and cool contests!

And now, we have FOUR WINNERS! The following numbers-names were randomly drawn -

One Winner of the SPA PACK:

# 983 David

Three winners of the PRIZE PACKS:

# 169 Shannon

# 972 Pamela White

# 489 Megan Gee

Congratulations to the winners! I’ll email you instructions for receiving your prize. If you have a blog, I would appreciate a link-up so I’ll know you’re there.

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By Grace -- 0 comments

May 10th, 2008

Seven random things and a Happy Anniversary… to me!

I totally forgot this… But it’s my second anniversary as a blogger! I first blogged for b5media on May 2, 2006 at Filipina Soul. And unknown to me at that time, this really was a fresh start.

Ruth tagged me, it’s been quite a while now, but hey, I thought this is the perfect time to answer, so you get to know a little more about me on this second anniversary.

Seven Random Things about me:

1. I read almost all fiction books at my elementary school library before I finished 6th grade. 
2. My maiden name is Portuguese in origin, and my Italian friend told me I do look like them.
3. I hiked up a mountain three times, rappelled down ravines when I was a teenager, and flew in a C130 cockpit once. Now I hate heights.
4. Writing is something I’ve always wanted to do. I was a Journalism major in college for a short while, until science (biology and genetics) took the better of me. Now I’m back to my first career.
5. I love chocolates! And I dream in “Amedei“.
6. I’ve been mentoring teen and tweens since I was a teenager.
7. My third toe is longer than my big toe.

LOL!!!

So let’s see. In honor of my 2nd year anniversary, I tag you -

1. Kristen of Lively Women 
2. Hope of Weighting Line 
3. Marijke of Help my hurt 
4. Beth of I should be folding laundry
5. Extraordinary Mommy 
6. Suburban Daddy 
7. YOU! (Leave me a comment so I can follow you)

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share seven random and/or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

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By Grace -- 3 comments

May 7th, 2008

A new baby girl for Ruth @ Eating Fabulous

Congratulations to Ruth of Eating Fabulous for giving birth to a beautiful girl!

Here is her bio:

mia amelie
born 28 april 2008, 11:10 am (GMT+8)
national university hospital, singapore
3200g, 50 cm.
almost 11 hours of labor, 4 pushes.

Mia just looks adorable, and I say she looks like mom. Happy mother’s day, Ruth!

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By Grace -- 1 comment

May 7th, 2008

Leaving comments - why it’s this blog’s lifeline

The best way I can explain the importance to you, is with this question:  Can you imagine wanting to share a story, a thought or a belief with forty people and preparing what you had to say, choosing the right words and nervously approaching them and then saying what you had to say, you say it just as you planned and you wait for the response and the person you are talking to listens to you, looks at you and just walks away.  Without a smile, a frown - no reaction.  They just walk away.  And out of the forty people you say this to, only one replies to you. 

Now isn’t this true? The lifeline of bloggers are the readers who respond. Sure we have pageviews and visits to tell us how many read our blog. But, how many really engage us? It’s all about comments. There is just no other way (other than email) to let us know that you’re there, and you like what you read. Or don’t which is totally OK too.

This may be a children’s health blog, where we talk health and wellness topics most of the time. And probably comments don’t seem to be appropriate if I just tell you what’s on the allergy alert, but it’s still nice to know that my writing was relevant to you. Or that I should write more of other stuff.

So, for everyone who leaves a comment. You have my thanks and appreciation!

And as part of the crowd who usually don’t leave comments myself, I apologize. I’ll be a better blogger-reader after this.

(Now I wish I said the above quote, but I really didn’t. I picked that excerpt up from Beth from I Should be Folding Laundry, when I read One La Costa Mom, who left her URL at my contest post. I *heart* follow up!)

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By Grace -- 4 comments

May 6th, 2008

Is the Nintendo Wii Fit for you? - orthopedic expert weighs in

This month, the Nintendo Wii Fit becomes available to the US market. Have you gotten yours yet? 

It’s a unique exercise game with a Balance Board that can measure a user’s weight and their center of gravity, and calculate the body mass index when told the user’s height.  The balance board is that flat board under the model’s feet. — >

There is obvious excitement over this, since the video ads place this as a very fun exercise game/equipment, where one can do yoga, balance, flexibility, even push-ups, play soccer, etc. It’s supposed to make you more mindful of your health, and keep you moving.

Yesterday, I had a phone conversation with Dr. Mark Klion, orthopedic surgeon at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Department of Orthopaedics. We talked about strain injuries resulting from repetitive activities associated with the Wii Sports that were traditionally seen only in actual competitive sports. He reminded us to limit the game to 30 minutes at the most, and to take breaks when a feeling of discomfort or pain sets in.

As a Wii user himself, Dr. Klion shared his thoughts on the new Wii Fit.

Kids Health Notes:  Now Wii Fit - I saw an ad at the Nintendo website. It seems to be marketed as a video exercise program, similar to a Dvd on Pilates or yoga. What’s your opinion about this?

Dr. Mark Klion: I watched the trailer on the website the other day. You’re standing on a pressure plate and I guess it’s figuring out your weight transference. There is one video standing where they show a young kid on a plate and on screen he’s hitting balls with his head. If it’s picking up your feet signal then it’s translating it from the rest of the body to the head. There’s no sensor on your head or in your hand that I’m aware of. If there’s nothing, then you can literally stand on the plate and just move your toes and heels and it will show that you’re leaning forward and hitting the ball with your head.

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By Grace -- 4 comments

May 6th, 2008

Kids Health Notes give-away: Banjees wrist wallets

Sometimes I really do NOT want to carry my messenger tote with me! If I’m just going for a quick trip to the store, or a stroll around the block with my kids, maybe take a walk after dinner… I so wish I could leave my bag behind. There are just too many unessential, clutter-magnets in my purse! And I think a lot of women (and maybe some men who carry backpacks all the time) will say “oh, yeah!” with me. Right?

So when Sprigs offered to sponsor this wrist wallet for give-away, it was like a problem solved. The Banjees Wrist Wallet lets you carry the essentials - cash, keys, ID, cellphone - in that comfortable pouch and free up your hands. And the zippered wallets have such cool designs they are NOT like black arm bands (unless you like it that way).

So for the give-away: 12 pairs of Banjees Wrist Wallet (one for each hand, of course!) to 12 winners!

How to join:

1. What is/are the most unessential items (or weird/unexpected items) you have stashed in your bag, purse or wallet. Spill them out in the comments section.
2. Additional entry will be given to those who link this contest post on their site!
3. Eligibility - one entry per person per email daily (so you get more entries if you come back tomorrow, but rules #1 (different item/bag) and #2 above apply for each entry.
4. It’s open to lower 48 U.S. states only (excl. Hawaii and Alaska). If you have a blog, do post your URL as well, as I love to visit my readers’ sites and catch a conversation.

The contest ends 12:00 midnight EST May 10, 2008 in time for Mother’s day. Twelve winners will be randomly chosen. I will post the winners before 12mn of May 11.

I have 4 other contests for Mother’s Day. Check them out, and join, HERE.

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By Grace -- 136 comments

May 6th, 2008

Kids Health Notes give-away: The Only Hearts Club dolls

One of the best gifts that a parents can give is the gift of acceptance. No matter what, the loving parent is there to receive the child for who she is and not just what she can do, or failed to do. Or how she looked.

And in a world like today, where the pressure to look pretty and thin can suck the life out of a young girl, how her parent (and especially her mom) looks at her makes a big difference in her self-esteem. To have our girls  know and believe that it’s fine to be themselves, and really, we love them no matter what. 

My next give-away is perfect for both Mom and her girls - The Only Hearts Club dolls.

These dolls help promote a healthy self-esteem in young girls, by sending them the message to “Listen to your heart, and do the right thing.”

Each doll is “born” with her own, unique identity, likes and dislikes, and group of friends.  They were created to show girls that no matter what they like in life, it’s okay to be yourself. These are the same messages that moms tell her girls all the time, and now maybe she’ll have a little more help.

So from one mom to another, I’m giving away one Only Hearts Club doll each to 15 (fifteen) winners!

How to join?

• In the comments, share how you encourage your child(ren) to have a more positive self-image.
• Additional entry will be given to those who link this contest post on their site!
• Eligibility - one entry per person per email daily (so you get more entries if you come back tomorrow).
• It’s open to US residents only. If you have a blog, do post your URL as well, as I love to visit my readers’ sites and catch a conversation.

The contest ends 12:00 midnight EST May 10, 2008 in time for Mother’s day. Fifteen winners will be randomly chosen. I will post the winners before 12mn of May 11, 2008.

(I have 4 other contests for Mother’s Day. Check them out, and join, HERE)

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By Grace -- 159 comments

May 5th, 2008

Kids Health Notes Give-away: "Jenny Craig 30 Meals in 30 Minutes" cookbook

When it comes to cooking, I am all about efficiency. As much as I love to whip up delicious AND nutritious recipes, I can’t spend too much time in the kitchen. That’s why I was impressed with this new cookbook -

“Jenny Craig 30 Meals in 30 Minutes“

When it said “30 minutes” it really was! I just had it for a week and haven’t tried everything, but the dishes I cooked were delicious and I knew exactly how much calories I was eating, which is good for postpartum health.

The cookbook is a spiral-bound collection of menus, not just recipes. Each facing page includes a full menu - entree and side/desert; shopping and kitchen staple lists; “quick meal countdown” to coordinate every dish; and of course, nutrition information.

So here’s something for you. I’ll be giving away five (5) copies of “Jenny Craig 30 meals in 30 minutes” cookbook!

How to join:

1. Share your tip(s) for creating fast, delicious and nutritious meals for the family.
2. Blogger or not, you get additional entries when you (1) share a 30-minute recipe; (2) share a link to the recipe on YOUR own blog; (3) link this contest back to your blog.
3. Eligibility - one entry per person per email daily (so you get more entries if you come back tomorrow, but rules 1 and 2 above apply for each entry).
4. Contest is open to residents of the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. If you have a blog, do post your URL as well, as I love to visit my readers’ sites and catch a conversation.

The contest ends 12:00 midnight EST May 10, 2008 in time for Mother’s day the next day. Five (5) winners will be randomly drawn.

I have 4 other contests for Mother’s Day. Check them out, and join, HERE.

image: Ebay

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By Grace -- 72 comments