FDA Decides....

In response to my last post, the FDA has decided that warnings do not need to be administered on products containing food coloring... any thoughts?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42362742/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/?new

Food Dye Linked to ADHD?

While watching The Today Show yesterday, where it seems like most of my news comes from these days, I saw a featured report on the links of Food Dye to ADHD, a disorder that has recently (in the past decade or so) become so prominent in many children. For those who don't know, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is 'a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination... beyond the normal range for a child's age and development'. (National Center for Biotechnology Information). Another name for this disorder is ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and the two often are used interchangeably in society. There has been much speculation over the past couple decades as to why children are developing this disorder at a much higher rate than previously found. What has been proven to be the cause of ADHD is heredity, that there is a given gene that contributes to the development of the brain which causes children to have such symptoms as inability to concentrate for long periods of time, sit still or even follow directions. (My ADHD)


Although heredity is the number one source linked to ADHD, many believe that products our society uses today increases the chance that your child will develop these symptoms and eventually be diagnosed with the disorder. Next to hormones, television and poor parenting, studies have also shot down the idea that a child's diet does not affect whether or not they have ADHD. However, in a recent article featured on The Today Show, Jackie Jackson Van of Washington D.C., a mother of four, says that removing all dyes from her children's diet has made a significant improvement in their day-to-day living. 


She decided to make this life altering change when she noticed her son showing symptoms commonly associated with ADHD; hyperactivity, inability to concentrate for long lengths of time, etc. She had heard and read articles that claimed that dyes found in many of our common foods were the source for ADHD symptoms so she removed all dyes from her children's diets. Within two weeks she saw drastic changes in her children's moods, behavior and even hand-writing. Although the FDA continues to deny that there is any such link, it makes a person wonder. After much speculation, the FDA is once again conducting more research on this topic.


Europe has already begun its fight to rid all foods of dyes, switching to natural fruit and vegetable sources for colors. In Britain you'll find that Fanta is dyed with pumpkin and carrot extracts and NutriGrain bars use beetroot, annatto and paprika. I do agree that by using natural elements to color our foods is much safer and better for our systems. But I am still debating whether the dyes do in fact bring out or even cause symptoms of ADHD. What are your thoughts?


Here are the two articles.
Jackie Jackson Van or Washington, DC
FDA Examines links between Food Dye, hyperactivity


Additional websites containing information on ADHD and Food Dyes:
ADHD - Pub Med Health
Food Safety Net - Cancer, ADHD and Dyes
Web MD - ADHD and Dyes

Colic

No one enjoys colic... neither baby, mommy nor nanny. The Today Show recently found a study on ways to better cope with colic and here I am to share it! It's so interesting how the natural elements of tea can be good for everyone, no matter the age. Read the article to find out what exactly I'm talking about.

Photo credit - icetea.com

http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/03/28/6355131-how-to-soothe-babys-colic-pour-a-cup-of-tea

Thanks...

Photo credit - Pen and Paper blog

To all those who say the written word is dead, you're wrong. Tonight after changing my facebook pictures in celebration for tomorrow's College of Wooster festivities (the seniors are celebrating their victory over Independent Study), I decided it was time to pull out my button so I could wear it to tomorrow's event in Chicago. What was going to take a simple 15 seconds, changed into an hour long walk down memory lane through my two boxes of Wooster memorabilia (the word is used very lightly). It started with the button, but then ended with my graduation cards. Hit with all emotions that brought tears and laughter, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of letters, cards and simple notes I had received during my years Wooster from family and friends. Most were from my mom, dad and sister, words of encouragement, drawn pictures, a little money here and there for laundry (now only the letter remaining of course), nothing much, but it was everything to me. And as I think of those times, it could have been simpler for them to pick up the phone and say 'hi' or 'we're thinking about you', but the beauty and honor that pen and paper bring would have been lost. There is something to be said about someone who takes the time out of their oh-so busy days to write even the simplest of words. But those are the moments that hold such pleasure, to know that someone cared so much about you that they wrote you a note.

So why did I label this post 'thanks'? Because I want to share my appreciation with my friends and most importantly my family for sending me those notes every now and then. They will be something I will treasure for ever. And here's what I would like to pass on to you. Do you have someone you've been thinking of recently, or someone you haven't spoken to in a while, or just a friend you'd like to say 'hi' to? Pick up a piece of paper and a pen. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. It takes five minutes, but the joy felt on the other end will last much longer. And who knows, maybe one day that smile will end up right back in your mailbox. Happy writing!

Play Time

Barbie and Ken. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear these two names? Girls. Dolls. Unrealistic features. Pink. Controversy. Racism. Perfect. Well, you can stop at perfect. In 2004, these two icons made their debut break-up, calling it quits after 43 years of dating. (Without a ring, I would have said the same thing, Barbie). This, however, was not the first time major change has taken place with the Barbie brand. Most of the changes though were made to the physical aspect of these dolls. NBC's The Today Show reported that Ken is going through yet another one of these physical changes. After getting back with Barbie on Valentine's Day (2011), Ken is getting a whole new make-over. He is looking younger, thinner, and less... muscular. He's taken on the Justin Bieber physique, just with the trademark blonde hair, which will continue mirror the 'real' hair that Barbie flaunts, instead of the plastic do we've seen for decades. Ken had a makeover in 2010 when Toy Story 3 featured him and Barbie flirting at Sunnyside Daycare. The 2010 'older' version of himself received a whole new wardrobe, including a classic black tux, but kept the traditional muscular physique so many of us are familiar with. Now, Ken is looking younger than ever. Take a look at Ken over the years.

Click to view NBC's report

Onesies

My last post gave me the idea to find the best and cutest onesies for babies! Here's what I found :-)

"Hey Chuckles... Enjoy... Laugh It up! One Day I will have the keys, and you will be the on in diapers!

Product of CafePress

"QT Pie"

Product of CafePress

"Party 3 a.m. feeding in my crib... BYOB"

Product of CafePress

Geek Wear (love it!)

Product of CafePress

iPood (Apple's latest product)

Product of CafePress

'Does this diaper make my butt look big?'

Product of CafePress

"That's how i roll"

Product of CafePress

"You like this." (Facebook)

Product of CafePress

"Mommy needs a ..."

Product of Cotton Baby Onsies

"You Have Now Crossed Over Into.... The Poopy Zone"

Product of Cotton Baby Onsies

Which one is your favorite? Have a favorite that didn't make my list? Post it!

Explosives

To all the mothers out there who had children with stomach issues, I tip my hat to you! I am fortunate to be working with a baby who does not have stomach issues, but on the rare occasion I will receive a gift, one which I often wish I could opt out of. You all know what I'm talking about. Yesterday was one of those days when my instincts told me to lift him off the changing table as fast as I could so what was in his diaper did not also end up in his hair (it was a close call). This little incident required me to hold Baby Boy from under the arms, while Baby Mommy (who had been working from home yesterday) stripped him of his filthy clothes, wipe him down, started the bath, then held him under the water all so we could get a cleaner version of him into the tub to be completely washed down. Had she not been there I probably would have resorted to literally hosing him down in his clothes with the shower head so I could then set him in his tub to get everything ready (I had time to think this out as I was running around washing clothes, getting new clothes, diaper, lotion and shampoo and deep cleaning all surfaces where Baby Boy had left his mark). Let's just say that I give a big shout out to Baby Mommy who had been home, and to all mommies out there who have to deal with this on their own! Who knew a 16lb child could make such a mess?! I think I am getting Baby Boy his next gift...

Fenway...

The Bearded Collie. He's my dog fix!

Firsts...

Okay, well today wasn't full of firsts, but it was close. I guess it started last night, when for the first time, I summoned up the courage to wander to the basement of my 16 story apartment building in hopes of finding a workman to repair a few things in my place. I've neglected this for a while and have now lived with inches of water in my tub while showering, a leaking bathroom faucet, a broken kitchen light and no screens in my windows. With no one downstairs to help, I left a note and within 40 minutes standing at my door was a large (in width) Polish man in a janitor's suit with 'Stan' embroidered on his right chest pocket. After the quick 'hello' and 'what's the matter with your place?' he became very chatty, and I quickly realized that asking him where he was originally from, since his accent was so thick, was probably the wrong move on my part if I had wanted to call it an early night. Once he came back with the new light bulb and the drain-o for the bathroom, he refused to work until I played him something on my piano. I tried to back out of it saying that it was too late, but he wouldn't accept that, telling me of a resident on the 15th floor who plays his baby grand (which I'd love to know how he got that up there) so loud that residents are always complaining. With a resistant workman at my door, and the minute hand clicking closer to 9:30, I pulled out the Canon in D in hopes that playing a page would please him. I finished, turned around, and he smiled and said, 'With a little practice, you'll be great!'.... Not what I was expecting him to say. Thankfully though, Stan went back to finishing his work. However, I still couldn't get rid of him. I asked about the screens (stupid me, should have just let that one go), and after a nice long conversation about how no one gets screens until the windows have been cleaned professionally from the outside, but if I stop by on Saturday or Sunday he might be able to get me a few, I smiled, thanked him and... 'But, if I install them you have to play the guitar and sing,' Stan said in a thick Polish accent. Shoot. I thought I was home-free. I laughed, agreed to consider it, and sent him on his way. What I thought would be a nice 10 minute visit, ended up taking close to 30 minutes. BUT, I will say this. I have learned that it is good to know the workmen in your building, because if you want to make sure pigeons aren't flying through your window when you feel that it's a warm enough day to open them up, then you'll need a friend who works in the building to help you out. So that was a first, meeting the workmen.

Another first. Babysitting and nannying a newborn always leads to the inevitable. Spit-up. I've had it down my back, on my pants, sleeves of shirts and sweaters, fronts of shirts and sweaters, hair and hands. However, today, was a great first. Baby boy got it down the inside of my shirt. I have no idea how in the world it happened, but he must have had the right angle, and I must have been leaning forward just so... SPLAT. Thank God for button up sweaters, and the family's washer :-)

And another first. Well a second, but first for pictures! Baby Boy and I went to the zoo. It was close to 65˙ today so we went for a stroll to the Lincoln Park Zoo. More animals were out today, and there were many more people out as well.  The stands were selling fresh popcorn ($3 a container...), the zoo cafe was open and the carousel was in full swing (ha). Here's what we saw!

This one's for Lins!

Baby Blue

Here's my next crocheted stuffed animal! He's a baby blue penguin. Sorry the pictures are a bit blurry.

Hobby

After two weeks of sitting in front of the television watching useless shows and reading article after article online when Baby Boy slept, I realized that the time I spent in front of a piece of technology was starting to add up to a ridiculous number. I had to find something to occupy my time that wouldn't make me feel like such a couch potato. Although I took up completing crossword puzzles, it quickly became boring when the Chicago Tribune started re-listing previous days' clues, over and over again. So I was in search for another hobby that wouldn't be too expensive and that I might actually enjoy. While looking at baby toys online for one of my previous posts I was drawn to the simplistic yet beautiful woven stuffed animals. I've seen them before in little boutiques around the city and on websites such as Etsy. I figured if other people can do it, why not me?! I bought some yarn, a crochet kit, using a Michael's coupon I found in the newspaper (woot!), and began my search. Having not practiced this art in a while, I searched on youtube to find a tutorial on reading patterns. (If you haven't seen a crochet pattern before it's something similar to short hand. There are lots of single letters and combination of numbers and letters to guide you through the steps of crocheting. Complicated if you don't know the abbreviations.) I found a step by step tutorial to make a giraffe and here is my final product! Please remember that this is my very first attempt at crocheting anything, so be kind! More to come soon. I am currently working on a cute little blue penguin. Maybe, one day, you'll see these on Etsy to purchase!

Words...

Poor choice of wording in this children's book?

Scramble... chicks?

Toys for Developmental Purposes

In a constant battle to be at the top, The United States strives to be the best at everything, even when it comes to their youngest. Researchers work long hours to design toys that are not only enjoyable at face value but also provide children educational and developmental value. Now when speaking about a newborn, there isn't much you can 'teach' them, but they have a lot to learn; For example, dexterity, language, emotion, etc. You'll find that today many parents analyze every toy they put in front of their child, verifying that this toy will in fact be good for something more than just entertainment. In reality, I believe children are clever in their own ways and learn through experience - (have you ever seen children drop their Buzz Light Years and Barbies just to jump into a huge box from a refrigerator and make believe they're soaring off into space, or paddling down the Allegheny or Mississippi?). My point is that no matter what a child has in their hands, I'm convinced that they're learning something, whether it's how their arm moves back and forth, or their fingers clutch the toy, or the sounds that come from it when they move it around. But there is something to say about these researched toys.

Yesterday, when Baby Mommy came home, she told me about how a coworker's 10 month old had to wear a helmet because he didn't receive enough tummy time and had now formed a flat head. The parents of this 10 month old committed little time to putting their baby on the floor because within 5 minutes she would start screaming. So my task for this week, and for the weeks coming, is to increase tummy time for Baby Boy. But when I thought about it, what baby wouldn't scream if they were taken from their rocker where they can see the world around them and placed on their stomachs to look at the carpet? In hopes of making Baby Boy enjoy tummy time a bit more, I placed Henry the Hippo in front of him, and to my delight it worked! I raised Henry a bit above eye level so Baby Boy had to use his arms and legs to push up to see Henry. After about 3 minutes, he was still smiling, and had figured out how to roll himself over, something he much preferred over lying on his stomach. This whole activity got me thinking. Is there a toy designed to encourage babies to lie on their stomachs or to at least occupy them during tummy time? So I went in search for some age appropriate toys! Here's what I found.

To make it easier for anyone interested in toys that are designed for specific developmental skills, Ebeanstalk is a great source. These toys, for ages newborn to 12 years have been created in mind of a developmental purpose (or purposes) with an explanation under 'features'. Below are a few of my top picks from 'baby toys'.

Whatzat: Dexterity and Emotion

This cloth creature can be hung from a stroller or mobile arc. It gives the baby texture to touch, colors and patterns to explore and the legs pull down and vibrate back up.

Whoozit Icicle Toy: Imagination, Dexterity and Emotion

This toy not only inspires the 3 month old with sound, shape and movement, but as the child grows, the toy will also change in use. It can be rolled, thrown and shaken.

Boing, Bobble & Bounce: Dexterity

This toy isn't just for Dexterity. It your child with an outlet for language, sound, and imagination. Each head wabbles and makes a sound when hit. The suction on the bottom allows this toy to be attached to a highchair, floor or divider in the car. This is a great toy for Baby Boy's tummy time!

Octotunes: Education and Dexterity

What child doesn't like noises, tunes and music? Octotunes provides just that, with each tentacle a different note when squeezed. The songbook that comes with it can be used when the child is bigger and can pick up on small patterns and tunes.

Here are some other great websites that provide similar toys.

Tiny Love: Search for toys by age, elements and category

Toys R Us: They have a great website divided into categories for developmental skills - Cause & Effects, Sights & Sounds, Manipulatives, etc.

Fisher Price: 'Find a Toy' by checking the box. They compile a list based on what elements you want a toy to possess. 

Walk In the Park

Who doesn't love a walk in the park? I am fortunate enough to work for a family who lives 3 blocks from the famous Lincoln Park and Lincoln Park Zoo! Where many flock to during the summer, the zoo is just as much fun during the cooler seasons. With free admission, spacious walkways and a wonderful old-fashion carousel how could I pass up this walk on a warm winter day?

Baby Boy and I bundled up, weather being just above 40˙, and headed out the door for the brisk 5 minute walk through the park to the zoo. We first came to a pond, a very large pond, swimming with ducks and geese, the only winged creatures that enjoy the frigid Chicago winters. There were only a few other families walking around, for it was middle of the workday, which allowed both Baby Boy and I to take our time while wandering the zoo. (A wonderful contrast to the busy spring and summer crowds). As we walked closer to the bridge that would cross us over to the main area of the zoo, I heard a sound that was similar to an elephant but was confused since we were only 100 yards from a very busy street and saw no large buildings for such a large animal. My curiosity got the best of me and as I climbed the small hill to the bridge, I couldn't help but burst out in laughter. Only in Chicago would there be cows in a zoo! Four cows stared back at me through a white post and rail fence, mooing and swishing their tails. It was a small reminder to never forget my roots.

The rest of the zoo was wonderful. We made our way past the kangaroos, zebras, deer and seals to the cat den. The Lincoln Park Zoo is home to lions, tigers and... leopards! OH MY! And it was an 'Oh My' day because not only did I get to see a tiger 2 feet from my face (through a thick layer of glass, not to  worry) and a lion 10 feet from my face (through a very heavy duty wire fence) but Baby Boy and I heard the growls of a tiger that, in the large, open building echoed so beautifully. People stopped in awe as the tiger climbed to the top of his indoor space, pacing back and forth making these low yet loud noises. Although Baby Boy probably couldn't see the tiger completely, he was aware of the noise and thankfully was not bothered by it the least (phew!). We finished our walk with the 'kids' zoo, consisting of a wolf, two beavers and a play area that Baby Boy was too young for. My guess is however, that come spring and summer the kid's zoo will be a bit more populated with the outdoor creatures. Next time Baby Boy and I go to the park, we will make sure to take the camera! It's so cool to see a Zebra in the snow!

Giddy

How else would you want to spend a Saturday morning than walking through IKEA?! One of my best friends (shout out to Maggie) took me to IKEA to finally purchase the book case I've been ogling for months. Although we had a plan to pick that up and head to the mall for shoes, I couldn't stop picking things up, testing tables, chairs, couches, saying, 'I could use that. But do I really need it? Eh... But I WANT it!' Like that favorite dress, chicken noodle soup or movie, I know that no matter what mood I'm in IKEA will make me smile! After purchasing the bookself, rubber cleaning gloves, bath mat, another utensil holder, a toy for Baby Boy (couldn't pass it up), furniture sliders and a cinnamon bun, I walked out of the store in disbelief of (a) how much bang I got for my buck and (b) how much I actually did spend... my wallet was feeling extremely light, and my heart was beating irregularly.

Anxious to set up the bookshelf, we dragged the two 50 lbs boxes down the hall (laughing hysterically, visualizing my neighbors watching us through their doors while we struggled to get the boxes from point A to point B), then scarfed down the Domino's thin crust pepperoni pizza while opening the boxes and pulling out the directions and materials. One reason I love IKEA's products is that they almost always come with everything you need to put them together, even the tools - I have many tiny wrenches to support that statement. So start putting it together, a few screws followed by 54 wooden dowels to hold each shelf into place. The one thing that IKEA didn't mention was how difficult it was to get the dowels into the holes and then how fragile they were. Inevitably, in our struggle to attach a divider to both the top and three shelves (as directions said to do so) we broke a shelf. Whoops! After many laughs and apologies, we finished the piece, turned it around five times and decided on the final look. We placed the boxes of books that were left in my apartment on the shelf and here is the final product!

As I said, IKEA always brings a smile to my face. And from walking into the store, putting the shelf together and looking at it when I walk in the door, I will always smile and laugh at how difficult and funny it was to hull the boxes down the hall, assemble the shelf, then breaking the shelf and finally having it set up. I love IKEA!

Play

With a growing baby, parents (and caregivers) must be clever when investing in toys for their little one. And an investment those toys are. Now that Baby Boy is almost 3 months old (WOW!) he has discovered his hands and has started to explore what they can do. He has become more curious, waving his hands back and forth, swinging at the small items dangling from the arch on his play mat, and grabbing my sweater whenever he can. Although I am unsure as to whether this movement is purposely done, he is quickly learning what those ten little fingers on those two tiny hands can do. I now find myself dedicating time in the day with Baby Boy not only to tracking beautiful patterns from side to side, and lying on our stomachs for tummy time, but now I dangle items in from of him, just out of reach, in hopes that he will reach out and grab it. Many of his toys are large, to best be utilized during many stages of his baby months, but I wanted to find a great small, but safe, toy (like a rattle) that would allow his little hands to grip.

I Googled 'baby' to see what kind of websites I could get that would recommend some great, safe and fun baby toys, and I landed on babyzone. From there, they had a collection of 15 top toys from 2009 that they recommend for babies. Although some of the prices are a bit high for me, I think they did a great job selecting some versatile toys that could grow with the baby. It was especially interesting for me, because (a) I don't remember what my baby toys were, (b) from what I've seen that I played with, they were fairly simple, and (c) toys have come a long way and are so unique, detailed and researched. Every toy now has a purpose, a reason to be used by a baby, whether it be to work on gross-motor skills, fine-motor skills, hand-eye-coordination or hearing. So much goes into choosing the 'right' toy for your baby and here are a few of my favorites from the Babyzone list.

Fair Indigo is a great company that makes cloth, organic, fair trade toys for babies. These little toys are a bit expensive, but they're hand-washable and they'll grow with the baby.

Fair Indigo Penguin $29.99

Munchkin makes a toy with 'endless play possibilities'. The Bobble Bee is great for the little guys learning to use their hands, and those who are older and able to manipulate the toy on their own. It twists, spins, bobbles, and rolls, makes noise and has a great suction cup on the bottom to secure it to most any surface if the child still hasn't learned to hold a toy. And since it's plastic, you can easily wash it!

Bobble Bee $6.99-19.99

Taggies, their tag-line 'Babies & Kids Love to Rub 'em', has created a line of soft toys, books, clothes and blankets. This is a fun and enjoyable blanket, not only for the baby but for the parents as well! Babies will love to cuddle with them, lie on them, and most likely chew on them. But that's okay! Throw them in the wash and their good to go again.

Peek-A-Boo Blanket $32.00 (LOVE IT!)

Have any favorites of your own? Feel free to share!

View

Ever wonder what a child is looking at while you're trying so hard to get their attention with 'ooo-bah's and 'ah-coo's and 'doo-bah-doo-bee's and they just seem to continue staring right past your attempt into the air behind you? Well today, Baby Boy was doing just that as he laid on the floor during 'back time'. So I figured, 'Let's find out!' From the half-kneeling-half-sitting position I was in, I crawled down to a lying position, angling myself in the direction his little head and eyes were pointed. It was somewhat up and off, towards the windows but not completely outside where the sky was blue with thin wispy clouds. So I looked up a bit more, and there it was. The light. It wasn't on, just there, in the ceiling. I'm told that babies, particularly at the age where Baby Boy is, are attracted to objects that have contrasting colors. The daylight must have been hitting the plain white bulb and fixture to create an attractive looking specimen.

So all day, I was using Baby Boy's eyes to look around the room, transitioning my attention from my own to where he was looking. I found that he loved the blinds, white as they were, but when open, showing the colors from outside, whether it be the buildings across the street or the bright sky above. He also LOVES the red paisley designed pillows Baby Mom placed in the room. Those occupy much of his time when on the couch during feedings, burping and lap time. It's just amazing what babies see that we often overlook and take for granted.

Impulse

As I walked to the store the other night to pick up a few items my kitchen was in dire need for, I happened to look down to find these. I thought, 'What a shame! They look so delicious. If it had been me, I would have taken whatever wasn't touching the ground and put them right back into the container, proudly!' (That childlike impulse to eat them overwhelmed me). However, since I wasn't the culprit who accidentally (I'm hoping) wasted this delicious looking fruit, I decided that picking them up would probably be a bad decision. So instead, I took a picture!

Then, for dinner last night, not wanting to have regular left overs (because (a) I don't have a microwave to reheat anything and (b) I just didn't want the same thing) I looked up the recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Rice Casserole. I seemed to have all the ingredients so instead of putting it in the oven, which would have taken longer and it was already getting close to 8pm, I threw it all in a pot on the stove. And might I say, it was delicious! I used last night's left overs to make a whole new dish. Yay for me!

Passion, for Dinosaurs

Yesterday, while Baby Boy was sleeping, Baby Mama and I turned on Ellen. We agree that whatever the day might bring, Ellen is sure to put a smile on our faces. So on went the tv, and with the usual monologue, handing out of outrageous gifts (to one viewer who happened to be celebrating her birthday), a dance around the stage and a short 'What's wrong with this picture', Ellen introduced Riley Chandler, 7-year-old Paleontologist, that is, self-proclaimed Paleontologist. Not only was Ellen flabbergasted, but so was I! Riley knew everything from the Eras, types of Dinosaurs, who would win what battle, and the shape of their toes... And Ellen only made it that much better to watch. Take a look at Ellen's interview with Riley!