I work with different businesses and child birth educators in the community and I wanted to share a wonderful new group that is being formed in Hernando county for families that have a loved one with Down's Syndrome.

Daniele Stokes, R.N., C.C.C.E. is heading up the new group that will meet the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Mr. Amadillo's Backyard. This will be located at 17055 Spring Hill Drive. The phone number is 352-754-8511.

Family and Friends are welcome to join us as we play in a safe enviornment, talk and learn from one another about Down's syndrome and avilable community support. They will have guest speakers every other month and quarterly newsletters.

If you are interested in more information please contact Daniele Stokes at 352-422-7117 or  at upfordownshernando@live.com.

 
 
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I am expanding my wings and now reviewing products that are for mothers, pregnant mommies, babies, toddlers and children. On of my first assignments was to give the ItzaBitza a try. My kids were eager to open the box and see what this was all about. Once I showed my 9 year old how to put the cd in correctly and install the program, they were hooked. With being the last week of summer, they are bored stiff with things to play with in the house. I have 4 children and 3 of them are ages 5 to 9 years old.

My 7 and 9 year old are really enjoying the game and come to tell me that they earned more points or money to unlock new games. My 5 year old does not read yet and is just getting ready to start kindergarten.

I would recommend this to parents for a great way for the kids to learn as they play. The average price to buy this on the web is around $19.99.

The box indicates that it won the 2008 Children's Technology Revier For Excellence in Design. Also references ages 4+. I think it is for children that can read basic sight words on their own otherwise, the parent will need to assist in playing the games.
 
 
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As many of you that follow my blog already know, I educate other pregnant couples in the community on cord blood banking. I was so happy that I had the opportunity to learn more about it when i was pregnant with my last child, last year. Viacord is offering a great promotion now for expectant couples that are considering banking your babies cord blood. My normal discount that i can offer is only $100. That is still a savings but doesn't top the $350 Off. If you would like to receive a complete packet of information or want to take advantage of the fantastic discount, email me at the "contact us" tab on our site at www.babynmaternity.com. PEN # 1278 or Sherri Spaw is needed to activate it. This offer expires September 14, 2009. As long as you enroll before then, the discount applies. You do not need to deliver before then.

You owe it to your baby to do the research and decide if it is right for you. As parents we spend time researching car seats, diaper bags and all the fun gadgets that are on the market.
 
 
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In this economy, pregnant moms don't have money just to spend on expensive designer maternity clothes. We are all trying to watch our dollars and cents when we can. I wanted to share that HSTMaternity.com has been in the maternity business since 2003 dressing 1000's of pregnant moms along the way. HSTMaternity.com is cleaning our their inventory to make room for new items. This is a great time to take advantage of their maternity clothing sale with discounts up to 70% off. You will find designers such as Olian Maternity, Rebel Maternity, Nicole Michelle, Japanese Weekend, Ripe Maternity and Bravado designs to name a few. so many of these beautiful maternity clothing items can be worn after pregnancy too. Don't waste money buying larger non-maternity clothes. They aren't built for the pregnant mommy as you grow. Gosh knows you don't want to wear them after baby too.

For more information or to check out the sales in all their maternity categories, visit www.HSTMaternity.com.
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Here is a great way to earn extra money while pregnant. I strongly recommend the Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel Florida for their maternity spa that offers 3d/4d ultrasounds. I was contacted and they are looking for pregnant mommies due between February 24th to March 9th 2009.  Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds is owned by a licensed sonographer and works with pregnant mommies both in their maternity spa and in a OB/GYN office for diagnostic testing. To contine their education with new technology and testing, they are looking for expecting moms. Please see the posting below:

EXPECTING MOTHERS

 

We are looking for six (6) pregnant mothers with

DUE DATES between Feb. 24 and March 9, 2010

 

 We will be performing a state of the art ultrasound training session for early detection of genetic abnormalities in the first trimester.

 

This educational training course will be held at:

 Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds

2533 Windguard Cr. #102

Wesley Chapel, Fl 33543

 

Monday: August 24th, 2009

10:00 am-1:00pm

 

If you qualify to participate, you will receive a $50 Visa gift card for your participation as well as a Special 4D Ultrasound Discount for later in your pregnancy!!

 

For reservations and more info:

813-909-8080

 
 

As a Parents Educator on cord blood banking. I wanted to share a secret with all the pregnant mommies. I have gotten wind that Viacord is offering a $400 off discount through June. If you have considered banking your babies cord blood, then this is the time to do it.

As of today, there are 70 diseases that cord blood can be used for. My youngest is 12 months and he has no idea that he potentially could save the other 5 members in his family. We didn't bank with our first 3 children and really considered it with baby #4. This was an insurance policy that my family could not pass up.

If you are interested fill out the contact us form and i will contact you for information to have the kit sent to you and the coupon.

This is a great unadvertised promotion that all pregnant mommies should consider.

 
 

Ok. January 1st has come and gone and most of us have put losing weight or in some cases baby weight at the top of our list. We are women! Looks are something most of us value.

It has come to my attention that the Greater Bay Area Stroller Strides is hosting a FREE. Yes, I said FREE event to try the class 1/9/2009 and 1/10/2009. They are following up with refreshments and in some cases give aways. There will be a class in New Tampa and 1 in Hyde Park.

Make sure to check out our events tab for more information. I personally have never tried the class and have thought about it many times with my 8 month old. Losing the last 10-13 lbs is at the top of my list since summer will soon be here.

Hope to see some of you there.

 
 

Wow! I was overwhelmed with all the pregnant mommies that stopped by to check out the local vendors (baby minded businesses) and the mommies that had their reduced 4D ultrasound. Pregnant moms were able to sign up for door prizes and the grand prize raffle. Valerie Lewis is the "LUCKY" mom that won the Grand Prize Drawing.

It was a beautiful day outside, all the moms were so cute with their growing bellies. You could see the excitment on their face as they waited for their appointment to view their baby. Even more excitment once they came out and knew that they were having either a "Boy or Girl".

The expecting couples were able to gather information about cord blood banking with ViaCord. As a ViaCord Mom, I loved to share the information about cord blood banking with each family. This is such a personal decision and they need to be educated to decide what is best for their baby and family. Many of the moms were able to meet my ViaCord Baby, Caleb. He was there and his big sister was keeping him entertained!

Moms were also able to shop with HSTMaternity.com. They set up a trunk show to showcase some of their inventory. Pregnant moms had the pleasure of meeting other baby businesses in our community. Our list included: Bella Vedute (artist that paints murals & other types of designs for your home or nursery), Jessica Dana Photography (specializes in maternity and baby/family portraits), Victoria Laurin and Baby (The Under Wraps Nursing Poncho), Touched By An Angel Doula Services ( I personally love them! I used them with my delivery in April), Tree Frog Yoga (pre-natal yoga), Only Wee Once (plaster keepsakes of baby's hands and feet), A Child's Closet (new consignment store) to name a few!

This was such a great event, Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel is planning on another similiar event on February 7th, 2009. Make sure to check back for more information!

 
 

The holidays are fast approaching and your belly is growing like old St Nick. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the lack of money this holiday season, here is something to bring a smile on your face.

Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel is celebrating their new location and opening their doors to other maternity and baby related businesses. You will find information, be able to shop and register for great prizes totally HUNDREDS of dollars at this event. The vendor list keeps growing as the days pass.

You can take advantage of their open house and schedule a $45 4D ultrasound. Yes, I said $45! With this economy, you can't help but to call and schedule yours.

RSVP's are requested as appointments are needed for this special promotion. Stop by Look Who's Kickin Ultrasounds in Wesley Chapel on December 6th from 11am-3pm to see what all the commotion is all about. I am co-sponsoring the event as a Parent Educator with ViaCord.

If you are interested in receiving the on-line version of the invitation, please email us through the contact section of this site. To book your appointment, please call 813-909-8080.



 
 

Many of us new mothers are so excited to finally meet baby and once they get here, we wonder now what. As that precious newborn takes every once of energy that we have, we start to yearn for other adult interaction.

When I had my first child, I would bug my husband the moment he came through the door. He wanted down time after work and I was eager for adult interaction.

As new moms, we stil need to find time for ourselves. A playgroup is a perfect solution for both mom and baby. This gives the mom something to look forward to each week. A time we can actually wash our hair before night time, put a little make up on and try to look like we did before baby.

Many are wondering, where do I start? The first place to look is at the hospital that you gave birth at. Many hospitals have different support groups for new moms. I joined one when I had my 2nd child and that was my life line. We got together each week until our kids started Preschool. Joshua is now 6 1/2 years old. We called ourselves "BYOB- Bring Your Own Baby."

Another place to look is meetup.com. Search with key words that apply to your area. You can check into local breastfeeding groups or google mom groups in your geographic area.

Remember in order to be a happy parent, you still have to take care of yourself mentally and physically. Enjoy your new bundle!