Pumping Little to Nothing?

I have to admit that I didn't have the problem of pumping when my boy's were infants. I had problems with latching, but pumping came pretty easy.

It was when Mica {my oldest} got a staph infection, at seven months where pumping became hard. At the time, I felt like we may have to give up breastfeeding. I was sick with bronchitis, and he barely nursed because he was so sick. When he was on his upswing, my body didn't want to deliver. I even had a Lactation Consultant tell me that at 7 months, my body wasn't going to produce as much milk. It may be time to quit. I felt awful. It was like everything I had been working so hard for was going to come to an end. I wanted to nurse him back to health. It wasn't easy, but we did it!

To Build Back Up Your Milk Supply, These are Some Things to Try:

• Pump between feedings and store. Don't give your baby the pumped milk. If they are hungry, they will manage to get more milk out of you.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Malt Powder is supposed to help mom's produce more milk.
• Any Mother's Milk tea. There are different mommy tea's out there. I don't know if one is better then the other. Check out your local health food store. 
• Fenugreek is a natural herb that is most often used to increase milk supply. I asked my doctor about taking this before I took it. Check out your local health food store. 
• While pumping listen to a baby cry, look at your baby's picture, play soft soothing music. All of these things help to produce more while pumping.

Trisomy 18

My sister is pregnant with a baby that has Trisomy 18. 

Many people do not know what this disorder is, so I decided to write a post about it. 

What is Trisomy 18 also known as Edwards Syndrome?

At conception, 23 chromosomes from the father and 23 chromosomes from the mother combine to create a baby with a set of 46 chromosomes in each cell. A trisomy occurs when a baby has three number eighteen chromosomes instead of the normal two.

It is a chromosomal defect that happens in one our of every 3,000 births. This does not count for miscarriages or still births. Many miscarriages or still births are thought to be Trisomy 13 or 18 related.

Only 10% of children with Trisomy 18 survive past their first birthday. There is that 10% that have gone on to reach milestones that many thought that they never could. They do have developmental delays and physical defects. They need to live with an assisted caregiver.

Diagnosis of Trisomy 18

An Ultrasound and AFP {also known as triple screen test} can show concerning problems. They will not diagnose Trisomy 18.


CVS {also known as Chorionic Villi Sampling} and an Amniocentesis can determine Trisomy 18. It is important to know that these test's do have a low risk of miscarriage. 

How to Cope With Trisomy 18

• It is important to know that every case is different. 
• Read about other people that have coped with a child that had Trisomy 18.
• Talk to a Genetic councilor and a Pediatrician. Make sure you are on the same page as they are with care.
• Know that it is ok to grieve before the baby is even born.
• You can read more on the Trisomy 18 Foundation and Support Organization for Trisomy 13 and 18 {SOFT}.  
• Contact Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. They are a Non-Profit Organization that has volunteer photographers that will donate their time and money to come take photo's of babies that may not live long. Part of their mission is to help families grieve.

I'm hoping that everything turns out as it should. My sister's baby is due on my birthday, June 21. His name is one that I picked out, Emmerson. My sister and my mom are rare carriers of Trisomy 18. Whenever I watch this video I cry:

Night Training~Oops!

I'm in the process of night training my youngest son Isaak. It's hard! Many kids just do not wake up when it's time to go potty.

Things I've Learned About Night Training:

• Don't rush it. It just happens over time.
• Take them potty before you go to bed. I wake up Isaak to go potty right at 10 pm. 90% of the time he does go. He also goes right back to sleep.
• Layer up their bedding. If you get tired of changing sheets in the middle of the night, layer their bedding. I put on a crib sheet, pee pad, crib sheet, pee pad. When an accident does occur; I simply remove layers of bedding. Then I don't have to make a bed when Isaak and I are tired.
• Use an Oops! fitted sheet. It's waterproof and breathable. Mommy Moment is hosting a worldwide giveaway to for Oops! right now.

There's a Baby in My Extended Family

My cousin Stacy just had a baby boy not too long ago. I was excited to see baby Alex again! He was a preemie. Alex is perfectly healthy.

 

Any guesses as to who hogged him? Not me...my youngest son Isaak! He love babies.

I kind of wish I had my kids in opposite order. Mica's {my oldest child} just not into babies as much as Isaak is. When I had Isaak, Mica pretty much wanted nothing to do with him.




Isaak is helper and loves to role play.

He's even got the pat down!

Mica likes babies. He's just kind of a crazy, all boy and rarely holds still.

Great Aunt Becky had a conversation with Alex. He's was bright eyed; looking like he was truly trying to talk back to her.

I handed off some bibs that I won from a giveaway and a teething necklace. My cousin loved them. I'm a HUGE fan of teething bling!

Earth Day

I'm a big fan of supporting the local farmers, and planting my own garden. We just got done planting a lot of fruits and veggies. Our kids got involved! They love their fruits and veggies!

Mom4Life is having a cool giveaway going on right now. One winner will get to pick an Organic Bodysuit of their choice by Googly Goos!

I love Mom4Life and get no extra entries into this giveaway. I just simply wanted to put it out there for you to know about it!

Energizer $10 Gift Card to Target or Walmart {Your Choice} Giveaway!

Energizer and the National Park Foundation have teamed up to launch a public effort to power and preserve America's national parks. Launching this program is outdoor enthusiast, Peter Facinelli of The Twilight Saga and Nurse Jackie. This program heightens the awareness to the importance of preserving our country's greatest natural resources and gives people a number of ways to get involved.  

I know that most of my readers are newer mom's. It super important to think about your children's future. As your children grow try and get them involved in helping our environment. Simple things that kids can do to help our earth: 

• Pick up trash outside.
• Plant a tree.
• Recycle.
• Reuse.  

National Park Week 

From April 16 to April 24, the country celebrates National Park Week. Not only can everyone receive free admission to all national parks this week, but you can also text BUNNY to trigger a $1 up to $50,000 donation from Energizer to the National Park Foundation. Their goal this spring is to donate $400,000 to the National Part Foundation. The public can help them get there!

  

Product Purchase 

 

In stores right now there are specially-marked Energizer products. They have a special code, so that when you buy 3 participating products, you can then go online to www.nowthatspoitivenergy.com/blogs and redeem the codes for a $10 reward toward a national park adventure or elect Energizer for to donate the reward directly to the National Park Foundation.

Get Hands On

For the people who prefer to get more hands-on, you can visit www.nowthatspoitivenergy.com/blogs or facebook.com/energizerbunny and click on the Parks tab. While there, you have the power to select one of the park recipients through an online vote, which runs from Monday, April 18 through Friday, May 13. Each part hosting an event will receive a grant from Energizer and a donation of responsible power solutions including solar panels, chargers, batteries, solar lights and other lighting products.

 Energizer is giving away to one lucky reader their choice of a $10 gift card to Target or Walmart! This giveaway is open to US only and ends May 5 at 10 pm.

You can enter if you are not a blogger. Leave a separate entry for each. Make sure the first mandatory entry is filled out before all others.

1. For your first mandatory entry, check out the National Park Foundation Photo Gallery. Tell me which park you would love to go to this summer! Leave your email address with this entry. one entry

The other entries are optional. Be sure to leave a new comment for each.

1. Google Friend this blog. one entry
2. Add my Milking the Issue button to your site. Leave me your site link. one entry
3. {Like} Energizer Bunny on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in your entry. one entry
4. {Like} Me on Facebook. Leave your Facebook name in your entry. one entry
5. Leave a comment on a non giveaway post. Let me know the title of the post you comment on. You are free to leave many comments, but only one entry for this giveaway. one entry
6. Blog about this giveaway. Link back to this post and Now That's Positivenergy. Leave a link. five entries
7. Vote for me on We're on the Fence! Just click on the button {on my right side bar} to vote. one entry
8. Enter my Tropical Traditions Antioxidant Omega 3 Greens Giveaway by May 2.  

You do not need to enter all of the entries to be qualified, just the first mandatory entry.

Remember to leave your email address if it is not public in your profile.

This contest closes in 2 weeks, May 5 at 10 pm.

The winner will be chosen using random.org.

Disclaimer:
The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.
I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out.
If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

Giant Microbes Review

Spring and summer colds have got to be the worst! Your kids are ready to get out and play, and they or you come down with a cold.

I was lucky enough to win my choice of a Giant Microbe. In return of winning this fun, yet informative plush I asked if they would like for me to review it? They said, "Yes."

I chose to get The Common Cold {Rhinovirus}. I wanted to get it to push my kids to wash their hands. There were others that I thought about getting.

They have a Staph Infection Plush {Staphylococcus aureus}; Mica had a life threatening staph infection when he was 7 months. I thought that having that plush could explain some what happened to him.

I also thought about getting their new Hay Fever Plush {Grass Pollen} plush. My kids and I all suffer through allergies. Mine are off the charts!

These plush's are more then cute! They are a teaching devise!

Each plush comes with a little card that teaches you what their plush is about. Things my kids, husband and I learned about the common cold:

• There are over 250 varieties of cold viruses. That's why it's so hard for doctors to determine what you have when you go in.
• In the Greek language "Rhino" means nose. 
• Rhinovirus love the low humidity months. That is why we get colds more often in the fall and winter.
• You do not get a cold from being cold.

Both of my kids were really excited to get The Common Cold {Rhinovirus} in the mail! We sat around and talked about the common cold.

What is the best thing you can do when you or your kids get a cold?

Get lots of sleep, rest and enjoy cuddling up with your Giant Microbe plush!


Disclaimer:

The opinions on this post are my personal take on the products. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I am not compensated to provide my opinion except for receiving the products themselves to test out. Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

If you have questions about this post please contact me at: alissa4illustration@hotmail.com

My Toddler is a Packer

My two year old Isaak likes to pack up bags and carry them around the house. Basically to go no where. ;)

Toddlers are like that. Some of them also hide things in odd places.

I love the dog bag from Skip Hop! The Crafty Nest is hosting a giveaway for them! They will be giving away a pack, lunchie and mit.

Keepsakes Mean so Much!

I think one of the best gifts to give someone that is about to have, or has had a baby is a keepsake.

One of my husband's favorite things he has is a plate that he had when he was just a little boy. I had a ceramic shoes with my name, weight, date of birth all on it. I also had a small ceramic June doll that had my birth month flower {a rose} with my birthstone inside it {a pearl}. My own children got a set of silverware with Peter Rabbit on them.

I found a site called Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles that has a really pretty keepsake for all different types of occasions. A baby shower, or birth is a perfect time to give something like this away.

The Crafty Nest is giving away one tile from Sadie Ryan Keepsake Tiles!

Something a Little Special for Mom!

I think that it is so great that they have a lot out there for new mom's.

Feisty Frugal and Fabulous is have a great giveaway going on for a mommy to be. One person is going to win their choice of any Gownie from Baby Be Mine Maternity.

There are so many positive things about these gowns!

• 100% cotton
• A lot of patterns and colors
• Machine washable
• Snaps up the back for full coverage
• Snaps on the front for easy access to breastfeeding

Brith Wrap

I'm always on the look out for my sister who is pregnant. I look more for her then her baby to be. Her baby has Trisomy 18, and there is a 90% chance he won't make it past his first birthday. She's due to have him on my birthday, June 21. I want to do what I can to make her experience as positive as it can be.

Today I found something great for her, or any other pregnant mom for that matter. It's called a  Womama Birthwrap Dress. New Age Mama is sponsoring a giveaway for one of their readers to win one of these dresses.

A little bit about this dress from Womama:

• It comes in 2 colors, Ocean Blue and Black.
• The material is made from Organic Cotton. Perfect for baby and mom.
• It has easier access then hospital gowns for the doctor and if your baby is breastfeeding. Note in the second picture that mom can fully cover up.
•  Can be worn during and after labor.
• Promotes skin to skin contact with baby. A must in my book!

Start Hunting!

EcoMom has an egg hunt going on right now.

You have to find 12 eggs on their site and have a chance to win a $25 gift card.

Email all 12 of the product names {where you find the eggs} to egghunt@ecomom.com

I've already found mine. You have until April 17. Join in on the fun!

I Love Baby Kimonos!

I think baby Kimonos are so cute! I didn't even know they existed when my boys were babies. They look so comfortable.

Natural Mama is hosting a giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to BabysOrganic.