Music

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile, life has been busy between work and family commitments. Lately I have been thinking a lot about music. Maybe that has to do with the fact that I had the opportunity to see GLEE Live two times! Boy, was that a treat! That cast is amazing and comes together so well. As I was sitting there singing along to the tunes, I noticed a small child about 2 years old, dancing and singing along to the music. It was there I realized that kids love music for what it is, even if they can't understand the words or have never seen the show to know who the characters are. She didn't fuss at all, and stayed content for the entire 2 hours. When I sat down to write this post, I tried to dig up every memory I had of a experience with kids where it involved music. One sticks out very boldly in my mind.

I babysat for twins from the time they were infants until they went to kindergarten (tear tear) They LOVED music, and I always had it on for them in the house. At nap they had classical, at lunch they had kids tunes, in the car they had praise music. I mean, every opportunity I had, there was music on. We even had songs I mad up for bath time, clean up and brushing their teeth. Now, when kids are small, its hard to tell if music impacts them the way you hope it does. But as they grew, they starting requesting the songs, and even singing them on their own.

When they did get to watch tv (which wasn't very often!), they had this really amazing DVD collection titled Praise Baby. It has babies, animals and scenery set to praise music. It really calmed them down and helped them prepare for nap easier. I would recommend this DVD collection for anyone and it would be great to give as a gift. You can find it at http://praisebaby.com At this site you can buy, see samples and learn all about their company.


Another awesome collection is Baby Einstein. I used to have them playing in the background when they were small, just so they could hear music at all times. The great thing about this collection is it is all classical music. They have DVD's, CD's, toys and other great gift ideas to give someone that is having a new baby. You can find out more at www.babyeinstein.com.

Both of these collections are great to have around and are sure to be enjoyed for years to come. Let me know if you own these or have any experiences with either of these products!

Candy Bar Baby Shower Game (WARNING:this post may make you crave chocolate!!!)

A couple of years ago, I attended a baby shower of a high school friend. We did all the usual things you do at baby showers: ate, open presents, talked and oohed over ultrasound pictures.

When we got to the games, I had played most of them before. That is, until we played the Candy Bar Game. It was the most exciting, hilarious, creative game I had ever played. I thought I would share with my readers so if any of you are planning a shower or having one of your own, think about adding this one to the list.

Preparation:
Print the list of candy bars/clues below and take it to the store with you. After all the candy is bought (just in case you can't find some of them!), take a poster board and write the clues on it. You can make it better by covering the clues with numbers so no one can read them before hand. Put all the candy in a box with the number it goes with, that way it will be easier to find them.

Playing the game:
Guests are read a pregnancy related clue and have to guess what candy they feel best describes it. You can either have people raise their hands/shout out clues or go one by room across the room. When they get a clue right, they are given the corresponding candy bar. And, if they are wrong, they are given a dum-dum sucker (just for fun). If they are having a hard time guessing, you can give them hints. You will find that people really enjoy playing this and everyone seems to get involved. It is perfect for all ages.

Prizes:
The guest who guesses the correct answer gets the matching candy bar

Candy Clues:

1.Pregnancy
Big Hunk-Daddy at conception
Skor-the conception
Chunky-the pregnant belly
Whatchamacallit-deciding on baby's name
Baby Ruth-girl's name
Mike and Ike-twin boys
Now and Later-Contractions

2. Labor and Delivery
5th Avenue-Hospital address
Late to hospital-Rocky Road
Mr. Goodbar-Anesthesiologist
Life Savers-Epidurals
Bonkers-Daddy at delivery
Twizzlers-Umbilical cord
Cry Babies-Hospital nursery
100 Grand-Hospital Bill
Nerds-Hospital accountants

3. Baby's 1st days
Tear jerkers-seeing your baby for the first time
Runts-Preemie
Whoppers-11 pound babies
3 Muskateers-Swashbuckling triplets
Rolos-Chunky Baby
Mounds-Engorged Breasts
Jelly Belly-Postpartum tummy
Milky Way-Breastfeeding
Sugar Daddies-Grandparents

4. Bringing Home Baby
Zero-time alone
Take 5-Mommy's lunch
Fast Break-Mommy's sleep time
Snickers-Baby's giggles
Payday-Diapers, Formula, Wipes, etc.
Milk Duds-dirty diaper
Symphony-Lullabies
Hugs and Kisses-loving baby
Crunch-teething
Sugar Babies-Daycare
Smarties-baby's intelligence
Treasures-your new baby

Hope this game brings lots fun and laughter. Comment if you have ever played this game or if you end up doing it, write what happened.

Tummy Talk Journal

A couple of weeks ago, I was on another baby blog (http://www.modernmommymusthaves.blogspot.com/) and I came across a contest for a Pregnancy/New Baby Journal. Now, I don't have any kids of my own yet, however I thought this would be a great product to review if I was lucky enough to win. Low and Behold, I received an email that I had, in fact, won! I was so excited!

Yesterday I came home to find a nice brown package on my doorstep.

I opened it immediately and begin looking at it page by page. Let me tell you guys, it is one of the best journals I have seen. It has the softest cover that feels like velvet and an imprint of the name of the company and a little crystal jewel. On the inside left cover is a place for the parents to write a letter to the baby. Perhaps to give on a special occasion in the future. (Prom? 18th B-day? Graduation? Wedding?) Throughout the book are several blank spaces for pictures, writings and other memorabilia.

There are 5 tabbed sections, each of a different color.

1. Tummy Talk-Pregnancy Stories

2. Prenatal Progress Report-Mommy's Checkups

3. Weeks in Waiting-Weekly Journaling

4. Showered With Love-Baby Shower

5. It's About Time-Labor/Post-Birth Details

Many of the pages have guided questions for those of us that don't like to write a lot. However, some of the pages are empty, giving the chance for creativity. It reminds me of a baby book, yet with a more modern twist. The Journal comes in 4 colors, pink/purple, blue, green and peach.

If you are more interested in checking one out for yourself, head over to

http://www.tummy-talk.com/ to get more information. They are a great company, and I hope people take the time to capture every up and down during their pregnancy, for it goes by way too fast.

Baby Girl delivered by.........RN

Wow! Guys, let me tell you a little about my day yesteday. Working at a big, busy hospital has its ups and downs. Well, yesterday, I experienced the downs.


I started off my day in Postpartum. For those of you out there who are lost on medical terminology, it is where the moms and babies go after delivery. I had 3 moms and 3 babies, all of whom were discharged by lunch. I got 1 new patient and after I assessed her, I gave her time to rest. 1 hour later, I received a call that she was bleeding. And I mean, bleeding! A small amount after birth is normal, but this gal apparently had been bleeding since a little after I left, and got in the shower to clean up, and stayed in there for over an hour! I got that situation under control, when I got a call from the Labor and Delivery charge RN saying she needed me on the other side, as a new pt. walked in and was moaning in the wheelchair. Great, just what I need as I am trying to process what just happened.


I walk into my new pts. room to indeed find her huffing and puffing. After getting her hooked up . and doing my initial assessing, I found her to be 3 cm dialated. Phew, I thought, I will have time to get a Dr. here before delivery. WRONG!!!!! Little did I know she was pushing with her contractions, causing the cervix to dialate fast, as this wasn’t her first baby. “Just break my water,” she stated, “I go fast when that happens!” I, an RN, am not going to break your water, I told her. It is not safe practice. The Dr. can do that on arrival. Well, just as I was getting the orders for admission, the call light went off.

“I have to push, my water just broke, Hurry!” was all I heard. I rushed in the room to find a screaming lady and a dad saying, “I think the baby is coming out!” Sure enough, the baby was delivering. Luckily, we have a very supportive unit, and all at once, I had several people in the room, all giving their assistance. However, the Dr. was on his way, and about 10 minutes later, he arrived. 3 doors done, another pt of the same Dr. was getting ready to deliver and was screaming as well. The poor Dr., he was doing his best to make it to both, his stress level was just increased. He did make it in time and let me tell you, he was exhausted as well. After yesterday, I am glad I have the day off today! In the end, it was a very productive day. Everything turned out all right, and mom and baby were resting when I left them to go home. Oh, did I mention that this was close to the end of my shift and I had to stay 1 hour past my time to get off to do all the charting!!!

Oh well, just another day in the life of an L&D RN…………

Support when needed

Let me start my first post by saying how important support is during the labor and delivery process. It is a time of great importance and where family comes together to bring a new life into the world. However, I have seen many times where the visitors can put undo stress on the mom in labor which in return, affects the baby. Immediately after birth, all visitors should come in and get a quick glance at the new miracle and then leave and let mom and dad have their bonding time and much needed rest. There will be plenty of days ahead to visit baby and even bring a meal or two to the new family. Lots of visitors in the hospital lead to a weary and stressed out mom. Until next time......

Welcome to my blog :)

Let me start by saying I am so excited to begin this journey in the blogging world. I hope to educate and inspire many people out there on babies and children and have some fun along the way. I am a Labor and Delivery RN and I have over 14 years of babysitting experience, so I know a LOT about children and the best baby products on the market. I started this blog by the requests of my friends and family, since I am always giving them advice and telling them my crazy work stories. This will enable me to have a place to share my knowledge and experience and give away some prizes as well. Welcome to the start of an adventure!


*Disclaimer: Any advice I give is solely for the purpose of this blog and I take no responsibility for any medical conditions. Any questions or concerns should be taken up with your Dr. and /or the nearest hospital. This is meant to be educational and fun only.