Saturday, April 30, 2011

Product Review & Reader Giveaway(just in time to celebrate 100+ readers): BabyBond Nursing Accessory

How to use the Babybond Couture

My Review!

I recently received the BabyBond Couture in Hudson- there are four different color choices available. This particular item is only available in one size and is totally versatile. After your baby is born, the sash can be worn over your clothes to make any shirt a nursing shirt since purchasing nursing shirts can be unflattering, expensive, and a pain in the bum to use. You just pull your shirt down under the sash, and then position the slit in the sash so it’s over your breast. Since I haven't actually had my baby yet- I won't get to post pictures of the breast feeding portion being used until August - if I can even breast feed this time around. I have had no success in either of my last two attempts, although I was at least able to pump for awhile. The pictures above do however show how easy it is to use for breastfeeding. What I think is pretty cool is that you can still see your baby and have that bonding during feedings since usually socializing and food go together quite well.

During pregnancy, it can be worn around your stomach to give extended life to non-maternity clothes, just leave that button undone and voila a belly band to hide that undone button and no rubber band required! I actually would like to purchase a second one of these so that I may have one to use while one is in the wash. That way I can constantly rotate for hygiene and sanitary purposes. I am also excited to use this as a belly band after the baby comes; with having my third cesarean I know that I will need a "girdle" or other support device to take some of the strain and pain off of my incision- this will definitely do the trick and it is so cozy and comfy!

Babybond has also won an iParenting award and it is clear why. This product is versatile and innovative and meant to help make mom comfortable without stuffing her baby under her shirt or overexposing herself for the entire world to see. It's easy to wear with any shirt and takes the fuss out of feeding while making life a bit less complicated. It also make your clothes last longer so you don't have to rush out to buy maternity pants and gives the support you'll need after the baby comes. The best part are these babies are 100% cotton- cozy and comfy and machine washable! BabyBond Couture nursing accessory keeps mom covered, not her baby.

Buy It!

You know you want one! BabyBond Nursing Covers can be purchased here on their website for $35.00. (A great value, if you ask me!) Remember, if the Couture isn't for you, they also have the Original and the Flex models to choose from! It also makes a great baby shower gift.

Win It!

The wonderful folks at BabyBond are generously offering 1 lucky follower of mine a BabyBond nursing cover in their choice of any in-stock style or color! How cool is that?!

Make sure you use the following size chart otherwise you may wind up with one too big or too small!

Here's how to enter:
MANDATORY ENTRY:

PUBLICLY follow my blog on GFC. (Found in the right sidebar.) Please leave your follower name and a VALID email address in the comments section below so I can contact you if you win! It's not necessary, but I would love to know why you want to win this product.
Visit the BabyBond website and tell me which nursing cover you would choose, and in which color.

This entry is mandatory. All other entries will be void if this is not completed. And yes, I do check.

EXTRA ENTRIES: (Cause you know you really want to win this!)
Visit BabyBond and tell me something you learned that I have not mentioned in my review (1 entry)
Like BabyBond on Facebook. It would be awesome if you thanked them for this giveaway, although I cannot require you to. (3 entries)
Follow BabyBond on twitter. Please leave me your twitter ID. (2 entries)
Follow me on twitter here. Leave twitter ID (2 entries)
Follow me on Networked Blogs and leave user name. Link in sidebar. (5 entries)
"Like" this post on Facebook. Leave user name. (1 entry)
Friend me on Facebook as well. (2 entries)
"Like" my Facebook fan page. Leave user name (1 entry)
Share this giveaway on your Facebook wall and leave me a link. (5 entries. Can be done once)
Tweet this giveaway. Write your own tweet, but it MUST link to this post and @BabyBond. (Can be done 3 times per day, but tweets must be at least 2 hours apart.)

PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!! MUST complete mandatory entry and leave a vaild e-mail address in each comment so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway will be open from 5/01/2011-05-31-2011 at 12:00 Midnight EST. Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be posted here as well as e-mailed. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize, or I will have to redraw

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Product Review: New Tide Stain Release

OXY-CLEAN step aside!

Just wow! They really work. I received 2 x 10 pack samples by mail (via facebook offer- they were having issues apparently my entry went through twice) then was also selected to do a video review for Expo TV on the new Tide Stain Release Packets and they sent me and 18 pack. I am set on these babies for awhile!

When I first received them I was a little weirded out. They look just like the packets that I use in my dishwasher. I really thought they made a mistake and mislabeled these. The idea behind these little packets is that they release powder and liquid stain-fighting cleaners directly into your wash, without the need for additional spot-treatments. Well, I put these to the test- as a mom who works very hard for what we have- I find myself disappointed at times when clothes come home from school with god know what all over them (paint, food, mud, and anything else that latches on) and I wonder why I got the "better" clothes for them- then remember that they are the only clothes that last on my boys. So I always feel very flustered and frustrated by this. My laundry arsenal consists of 3-4 different detergents, 3-6 different stain treatments, 2-3 different fabric softeners (the clothes have to smell nice), usually adding borax or something extra to every load and using the longest cycle possible to get the most soak n' clean possible. Whew! Laundry alone is quite a workout.

When I put the clothes in the dryer later I noticed something else too! They smelled very nice, I was impressed seing as I just changed my entire "treatment" to try these- no pretreats, no added extras, nothing, but laundry soap (one variety) and two tide packets. The majority of the "unknowns" came out of the kids clothes, However the mustard on my shirt could have still used a liquid pretreat.

As a mother who uses liquid detergent, stain spray, a powdered laundry booster,a bleach whitener, longer wash cycles, and so much more this is a much needed addition to my routine. If I can reduce some of the products I use, prevent ruined clothing, and save some sanity (and time) in the process. I'm totally up for it-not to mention my recyclers will be thankful.

These products recently hit stores and may be available in your area. Check out Tide's website for information, locations, and coupons here..

In the spirit of full-disclosure, Tide has provided samples of the new Tide stain release packets for me and my family to try. No payment was given and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

Do you use a nickname when talking to your kids about their ..ahem.. private parts?

Kids are curious. They also ask a lot of questions as they get older and develop a deeper understanding about their bodies. I actually had this discussion with my boss recently because we were discussing our children and some of the many things that roll out of their mouths. To put it nicely she told me I'm one of "those parents" whose kids know technical terms that they shouldn't. When my son came to me curious about his parts I consulted with my pediatric doctor to gain my ground because I wasn't quite sure how to handle it, but he was asking me everyday until I could give him an answer. When I spoke to his doctor he told me to use the literal term and not make up or give it any "cute" nicknames. So I adhered to his advice and told my son what his "peter" really was. I know plenty of parents who use nicknames like "peachy", "garden patch", "peter", "johnson", "willie", and so many others and the thought of these nicknames makes me shutter. I don't know why. They just do. So in your opinions: should you use a nickname or not? If you do- what did you choose?

Friday, April 29, 2011

Half of 6 year old girls think they are overweight? REALLY?

*Fat and Thin Image ID: 7928638 Release information: N/A Copyright: zmajdoo by shuttershock

According to a study recently done by The British Journal of Psychology 50% of 3-6 year old girls feel they are overweight! By 7 ; 70% of those girls want to thinner and by 9 years old 50% of them have been dieting. For these girls as they get older their main goal by the ages of 11-17 is to "look good"- however it may be defined. Culture, television, peers, parents, friend's, and magazines all feed this "good image" to girls.

These young women should be embracing their bodies and themselves for who they are not how they look, but they feel a constant need to look a certain way. In their eyes the thinner the better, the fatter the worse off you will be- which in my personal opinion can lead to low self esteems and bullying.

Apparently, The Daily Meal believes that girls first learn about body image from their mums- as these young girls see mommy skipping meals, obsessing over a few pounds, constantly saying degrading things to herself, and focusing on her own self image constantly- they learn from this and believe this to be the norm and what a girl does to "look good".

Instead of focusing on having the "perfect look"- we as women need to take control and teach our daughters (wish I had a daughter) about healthy eating, portion control, exercise, and encourage a healthy body image. We should never use the word "diet" loosely with our children, be sure to dish out compliments (not constantly as this can do more harm then good), stop them from becoming "shopping addicts" by seeking out the latest trends, fashions, and brands, teaching them that these things do not always matter. It's nice to have nice things, but children need to understand about limitations, moderation, and money earned doesn't come easy- therefore we must be careful not to over spoil our babies and feed this vicious cycle.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Container gardening for/with your kids

So we picked out some various container plants that looked different, exciting, and fun.

We also picked out some that could be used for cooking.

And for eating....

And one to help with summer sun- in case we get a little burned.

I have found that even if the plant eventually withers away into nothing and we return it to the Earth that my children still walk away with something. Allowing them to pick out plants, get dirty, and reap the benefits of the plants has proven beneficial in the long run. They learn so much from something so simple. Something that many of us take for granted everyday. They are learning about nature, the plant cycle, how to care for something (responsibility and it beats buying a puppy!), they can learn about the use of the plant, the benefits of a particular plant (like aloe helping to soothe and repair skin), and so much more. When you are picking out your plants- they don't have to be in a kit. You can buy biodegradable pots, soil, and easy to grow seeds like lettuce, cabbage, beets, carrots, and many flowers are easy to grow. Make sure you find something low maintenance so that if your child does forget to water the little plant for a week the plant doesn't die on them. Getting them their own spritzer bottle or waters can has worked wonders for reminding the boys to take care of their plants. We even bought a "greenhouse" where we can grow plants indoors.

This beauty we actually picked up at our local grocery store for around $25.00. Not too shabby, huh? We can use it both indoors and out for many little garden projects and it has come in handy for starting outdoor seeds- even though we've had trouble every year getting a garden up and growing due to elements beyond our control. We'll post picture updates as our potted friends begin to emerge and progress.

Preparing for a Cesarean according to me.

*original image :http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/womens_health/cesarean_section_overview/

As a repeat c-section momma there are a few things that I have personally learned. The first and foremost being when I chose a different ob-gyn for my second pregnancy and was told that the original c-section was not even remotely medically necessary and because of my first doctor's decision I was forced to have a repeat c-section. That aside, my first experience was horrifying. I wish that someone had told me all the things I will share with you.

When my doctor told me the first time that I was going to need a c-section I was terrified and realized my birthing plan that I had worked so hard on concocting was now just a piece of recycling. Two, no one ever really told me what to expect. They explained the process- the anesthetics, being strapped down to a operating table, hooked up to monitors, having a divider so that I couldn't see them cutting into me and resting my uterus on my stomach, and even that I would need some time to recover. All things to be expected. What they didn't tell me was that I need to prepare my self for the recovery and what I would miss out on. I had my first c-sec at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown, PA. When all was said and done and I was finally in a recovery room I was left there-basically. For three days I stayed in that bed, only getting up to pee, sometimes wetting myself because the one nurse was a nasty old hag and "couldn't help" for one reason or another. No one had me up and moving and I definitely did not have a bowel movement before I was released to go home. I was doped up on percosets and morphine because I was having severe headaches whenever I was in the sitting up position. The ladies there kept trying to FORCE breastfeeding on me which did turn me off slightly to it at the time not to mention I asked them if it was good to do that while I was doped up. The one nurse literally ripped the top down on my hospital gown and shoved my child into my breast. WTF? REALLY? The headaches turned out to be caused by the anesthetics- when they inserted the huge needle into my back they missed the target and hit something else-most likely a bone or "pocket" of sorts as I was told. When I finally made it home three days later- I struggled to recover and bond with my child. My stitches ripped, I bled and was told to remove the taping on them myself. Breastfeeding was delayed because of the medications and headaches-not to mention when paired with a nursing expert I later found out at the time that I couldn't- something about inverted nipples and improper latching techniques due to delayed introduction to the breast and bottle feeding.

Now let us skip head- I found out I pregnant with my second child and quickly found a new ob-gyn. I am happy to say that I have stayed with them-wonderful folks over at Pocono Ob/Gyn in East Stroudsburg, PA. My second step was as soon as I found out that I would be forced to have a second cesarean I jumped into action and started my search online, books, magazines, and discussions with my new ob-gyn to find out how to make this time around better. I had told her the same thing that I just told you above and she was completely appalled by it. She explained to me that the first hadn't been necessary and assured my things would be different this time around. She explained to me that as soon as the anesthetics wore off that they should of had me up and moving immediately to help me recover and aid my digestive system into working properly again. She also explained to me that she would be using a medical glue to close me up instead of stitches- I was baffled (but it was so much better then stitches). When the day came for me to have my c-sec, I was okay- until I was sitting on the table waiting for the big needle to be stabbed into my back- I broke down crying and said that I wanted to go home and come back later and have my baby the way God intended me to naturally. LOL. I calmed down and she performed my surgery. When she was closing me up I overheard her saying to the nurse "Thank God, I didn't cave and send her home- she has no uterus walls- she would have bled out and her and her baby would have died.". I'm grateful for that and her.

Now for some little tips on how to prepare: What I learned from various resources:

Go on a semi-liquid diet a 3-7 before your scheduled c-sec- this helped cut down on gas pains and the digestive system wasn't slowed enough that I was constipated after the surgery
Make sure you pack Gas-X (or an off brand) in your hospital bag- this will help with the gas pains and you'll really be happy that you did
Broth, juice, pudding, yogurt, and jello are your friends until you make your first after surgery BM- it's easier if you stick to these. They can't send you home until you BM
The quicker you get up and moving the quicker you'll recover and the less med.s you'll need.
Don't be afraid to ask for help with day-to-day activities including showering, getting to the bathroom, preparing meals, and taking care of the baby
If you couldn't quit smoking while pregnant- you need to quit at least 2 weeks before your c-section- smokers heal much more slowly then non-smokers
Do not drink/eat anything after midnight- NOTHING NOT EVEN WATER
Don't have guest on the first day(when you have your c-sec)- give yourself the day to recover a little bit- ask guest to come on the 2nd or 3rd days
Don't feel guilty about having a c-section- it's not your fault (if these symptoms persist or worsen talk to your doc about postpartum depression)
Talk to your doctor about a belly binder- this did help with some of the moving around
Granny panties are your friend until you are healed and so are high waisted pants or soft fabrics with no buttons, zippers, or elastic waistbands- try pull string pants.
Plan on sleeping downstairs on a couch (if your room is upstairs or you have a tall bad)

And there you have it! How to prepare for a cesarean Mikey style.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

In the meantime....

Besides new musings on breastfeeding, here are some other things I have in the works.

Nudity @ home: Is it appropriate?
Homeschooling vs. Public Education
School lunches/Obesity in kids
Quick/easy lunch and snack ideas for the kids (healthy)
Freezer dinners and possible reader giveaway (no promises for giveaway on this one)
Ideas for kids parties
Designing a playroom
Organizing an existing playroom
Making a cozy corner/reading nook
Product Review: Custom T-shirt/Hoodies
Product Review: Bryton Pick (reusable flossers)
Product Review & Reader Giveaway: BabyBond Nursing Products (can't wait to show you this one)
Product Review: Halloween costumes; great for pretend play
Updates on the hunt for freebies
Places to get great deals on books, cute children's clothes, and more
Container gardening for your kids
Easy garden plot for kids
Is your child acting out?
Product Review: New Tide Stain Release
New kid's crafts with pictures
May day; origins and celebrations
Preparing for a c-section (personal experiences included)
Children's disorders, and special needs (probably going to start with ODD)
Family nights and the importance of this precious time spent together
Family Adventures with hands on stuff for the kiddos (the zoo, aquarium, science center, environmental center, petting zoo, fruit/veg picking, and more)
Coupon tips, tricks, and money savers.

If there are any articles you would like to see from me that aren't listed here as being in the works- let me know. If you have any ideas/items you would like me to throw into one of these articles/topics and link to you/your idea- let me know. I feel reader feedback and participation are both keys to successful blogging and expansion of your current base of readers. So let's all get involved and network- perhaps we can have a "healthy eating" blog day or something of the like! LOL.

Breastfeeding is Kosher by fellow blogger Kaitlyn (Breastfeeding is a HOT TOPIC right now)

Breastfeeding is Kosher

Posted: March 26, 2011 by Kaitlyn in Uncategorized

here is Kaitlyn's article on her blog. I loved this article so much I had to reblog
it in it's original, unscripted, unchanged form, I ctrl copied it and pasted it here
to share. Please follow the link to the original and leave your comments there as
well as here on my blog. She deserves the credit she is due. I am starting to write
my own article on breastfeeding now, but in the meantime (while I am consumed with
my writings) I didn't want to leave my readers hanging wondering when I would post again.

Retrieved from: www.foodandhealth.com.

In recent decades, there has been a remarkable shift in the way women in modern society are seeking to satisfy the nutritional needs of their newborn. Although nature has provided us with a valuable set of mammary glands, many mothers are abandoning the breast and turning to the bottle. Why is it that a woman would feel the need to nourish their babies with formulas and artificial nutrition?

Retrieved from: http://www.freakingnews.com

The answer lies between the fast paced, antifeminist culture and machismo work force, where women are being discouraged from nursing in public, and not given time at work to pump at all, let alone pump enough to keep a steady milk supply.

Retrieved from: http://theadventuresoflactatinggirl.com/tag/breastfeeding-v-formula-feeding/

This desire to return to a “normal” lifestyle serves as the basis for the common complaints of “not making enough milk,” to “the baby wouldn’t latch on” and “being to tired,” promoting bottle feeding and formula supplementation as a convenient alternative.

Sure, there are legit reasons to avoid breastfeeding, such as in the presence of diseases like HIV or hepatitis, maternal drug use, or taking medically necessary medications that could harm the baby. Occasionally, premature or sick newborns are not strong enough to breastfeed, and some endocrine conditions and anatomical defects (extensive breast surgery) can lead to an insufficient milk supply.

Retrieved from: http://painterswife.com/2010/08/06/august-is-world-breastfeeding-month/

More often than not however, women are uninformed about the facts, and influenced by misconceptions and negative pressure from others. So to set the record straight, here are the facts…Breastfeeding is GOOD FOR YOUR BABY!!!

Ok so maybe feeding by the breast is a primitive mammal function. Are human beings that much above the animal kingdom that they cannot rely on natural methods to feed their young? This may come as a surprise to some, but guess what? Mother Nature knew what she was doing; babies were born to breastfeed! Starting with conception and the development of the placenta, the female body was perfectly designed to nourish her offspring, providing a direct lifeline to the fetus, supplying it with just the right amount of nutrients, oxygen, and energy to grow. For the healthy woman, nothing more is needed! Although birth signifies the independence of the baby as its own being, separate from its mother, the need to love and care for the baby doesn’t stop there, and neither does our ability to provide perfect nourishment.

Biologically speaking, during pregnancy, abundant amounts of progesterone are secreted from the placenta (hence why progesterone is called the “hormone of pregnancy”). This inhibits the secretion of prolactin (the milk hormone) from the pituitary gland, and prevents the milk supply from coming in while the placenta is still the primary means of nourishment.

After birth, with subsequent delivery of the placenta, progesterone levels drop, and allowing prolactin to dominate and begin milk production. Throughout pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone influences cause proliferation and maturation of the mammary glands and ducts in preparation for birth. This aids in the development of colostrum, which is the thick, yellowish substance that may be seen prior to delivery and arrival of the milk. Although colostrum is commonly misunderstood to be unsanitary, it is actually superior nutrition, in that it is very rich in calories, protein, and protective antibodies to help establish beneficial intestinal flora to produce vitamin K and protect against harmful extrauterine pathogens. It also creates a mild laxative effect to help pass the first stool and clear the gut of the sticky fetal meconium. Bringing the baby to the breast immediately after birth (or as soon as possible) allows not only for maximum colostrum intake, but it facilitates mother-infant bonding, and nipple stimulation to secrete oxytocin. Oxytocin (synthetically supplied as Pitocin to induce or augment labor) is a natural chemical produced by our body that causes the uterus to contract. Oxytocin serves as a natural protective factor against post partum hemorrhage because it causes the uterus to contract and close off any bleeding uterine arteries. This is often why many women experience abdominal cramping when first starting to breastfeed. Additionally, it produces a positive reflex reaction o promote more milk production. Like most hormones that create physical and emotional effects, release of oxytocin presents a feeling of maternal yearning for her newborn to enhance the bonding period. Unsurprisingly, interference during the postpartum period (such as repairs and recovery after a C section) presents a challenge to initiating these crucial events in the short time just after delivery.

Retrieved from: http://health.uml.edu/thc/HealthIssues/breastfeeding/Breastfeeding.html

It is commonly believed that the only way to know if the baby is getting any milk is when breasts become engorged and the milk starts leaking out. This leads to many women wanting to use formula and a breast pump to help the milk come in. This is where patient education is crucial. Not only is the baby getting sufficient nutrition from colostrum, but allowing the baby to latch on and suckle provides significantly better nipple stimulation than just the pump alone. This is also a big factor later on, when pumping often doesn’t produce enough milk. This is due to the mechanism of how milk is expressed. When the baby is properly latched on to the breast, it is able to use the entire mouth and jaw to compress the glands around the nipple to squeeze out more milk than just nipple suction alone (such as with the breast pump, or when a baby is improperly latched on). This method also allows for less trauma to the nipple and helps to reduce nipple soreness.

Now here’s the big kicker….how many formula feeding parents have done their research on the origin of most of the nutritional ingredients in baby formula? I guess no one ever really thought to ask where many of the enzymes and fatty acids come from…go figure, many formula companies process and use the abdominal fat of swine to supplement their products. Sure, its got plenty of calories, digestive enzymes, vitamins, hell, they even have bacon flavored baby formula!!

So with questionable components of baby formula, why settle for less than what God gave you? Babies are able to get excellent portions of calories, fluids, antibodies, fats, enzymes, and more just from the breast. Most recommendations are supportive of exclusive use of breast milk to feed during the first 6 to 12 months of life. Not only is it more economic than expensive formulas, but breast milk actually changes its composition to meet the developmental needs and nutrient requirements of the growing newborn. If all else fails in changing perceptions about the benefits of breast feeding, pull the weight loss card….breastfeeding burns about 500 calories a day, or more. A GREAT strategy to lose pregnancy weight!

Unless there are prior contraindications, healthcare providers around the world are in agreement…”breast is best.”

For more information and local support, check out these great websites…

La Leche League: http://www.llli.org/

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/hwi/toolkits/lactation/index.htm

http://www.breastfeeding.com/

http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breastfeeding.html

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Versatile Blogger Award

Amy over @ Grace and Me and Lisa over @ HopeChest Bride awarded me the
Versatile Blogger Award. Thanks ladies!

This award is to recognize and appreciate fellow bloggers and let your readers
know about some new blogs they might not have visited.

Now it's time to pass it on. Here are the rules:

*Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

*Share seven things about yourself.

*Award 15 bloggers you recently discovered.
*Contact these bloggers and let them know they have received this award.

Seven Things About Myself:

1) The moment I felt the most pride in my life (aside
from being a mom) was when I was nominated for the
Dickinson's Award @ 12 years old for a poem I had
written.

2) I turned down a once in a lifetime opportunity to
be an anime' artist/cartoonist to finish high school-
I wanted my diploma.

3) Maybe because I grew up without as many luxuries as some of my cousins did and less money I feel this constant need to make sure my kids have the "best"- I don't want them to go through/feel what I felt. I was picked on and made fun of all the time. People make such a big stink over things like shoes, clothes, and even what you got for Christmas that I wanted to hide forever. Some parents are worse than children- some relatives are worse than anything.

4) I never planned on having children. I planned on graduating high school, figuring college out one day at a time, graduating college at the top of my class, and finding a high paying career choice, and being married to my career (doctor, lawyer,dentist, paleontologist, archaeologist,or some other big fancy job person).

5) I HATE seafood. I don't hate anything- I teach my children that you can dislike something/someone, but you don't hate. I think it looks good-some of it even smells delicious! I cannot stand the way shrimp or lobster, or any of that feels in my mouth. I think it's because the first time I tried shrimp it was like chewing on an eraser (you know the pink ones we used in school).

6) My personal library consists of over 300 books. Yep, 300. I like to read, my kids like me reading to them. I don't have the heart to part with my books- even after I have read them once or a million times. Thee subjects range from mathematics, astrophysics, string theory, history, religion, old school classics, poetry, Aesop's fables, and so much more.

7) Even though there are opportunities that went by and goals that have yet to be reached I have absolutely no regrets and I wouldn't change a thing. The biggest accomplishments thus far in my life are my children and the fact that I was able to adjust to living life with them and it may have slowed me down a little bit, but we have plenty of time to catch up and new goals to obtain.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO: