Babywearing with Twins? Yes you can!

As a mama of twins, one of my biggest regrets is not doing a little more research on babywearing with two.  Not having any clue that you could wear two infants, I assumed that I'd just resort to wearing one at a time.  It wasn't until some time later when I became immersed in the cloth diapering community that I came across baby carriers that would have worked for me.

In case you were unaware, youtube has a wealth of babywearing videos and tutorials.  Mamas and papas are eager to share with you their favorite carriers and techniques.  Below I'll share with you a few good ones that I've found.  You can, in fact, wear twins in buckle carriers, mei tais, slings and wraps!

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An (un)natural beginning to natural parenting.

Guest Post by Hannah

We had the cloth diapers picked out, religiously attended our Natural Birthing Class, and had about half a dozen slings and wraps on our registry.  We were totally ready for a natural birth and natural parenting experience.  That was before our son was born at 32 weeks. 

Instead of a natural delivery, immediate skin to skin bonding and breastfeeding,  I  was recovering from an emergency c-section and our new baby, whom I hadn’t even been able to meet, was somewhere in the NICU in a plastic crib instead of our arms.  We spent 2 weeks in the NICU, 2 months recovering from an emergency c-section and months trying to figure out what had happened to our shattered expectations.

Hudon, our NICU baby3 yrs later!

Our plans for natural birth were squelched by a sudden onslaught of pre-eclampsia and swift dive into HELP syndrome.  Exclusively breast feeding had not gone according to plan as our son was taken directly to the NICU and I was unable to attempt breastfeeding till much later. Cloth diapers were out of the question, as they generally don’t make any small enough to fit on a 4 lbs. baby. 

We both felt like such unnatural parents as we adjusted to a cranky little guy who wasn’t ready to be in the world, and seemed to need more from us than we could provide.  We did what we could; pumping breast milk, wearing our baby skin to skin and we eventually even got him into the cloth diapers. 

As we stumbled into our role as parents, I think we came to realize that we didn’t have to use all the special ‘natural’ baby gear and that our expectations of natural parenting wasn’t exactly on the mark.  Natural parenting is not only about natural things or natural instinct, but committing to raise your child in the most spiritually, mentally and physically healthy way we can.  Despite an unnatural beginning, we found we were able to naturally parent after all.

About Hannah:  My husband and I are Rochester natives, returned after an 8 year educational hiatus.  Mom to Hudson Daniel 4 years old and Ellis Irene 4 months old.  I practice law by day, natural parenting by evening and attempt to put my creative writing minor to use after bedtime.

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Get to know Lora of Lora Ann Photography a little better!

Today, to coordinate with our fabulous Lora Ann Photography Giveaway, we're sharing a brief interview with Lora Ann so that you can get to know her a little better!  We're also sharing some of her favorite portraits.  Don't forget, if you want to check out more of Lora Ann's work please visit her website.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family?
I am a thirty-"something", wife, mother of three, one dog, 5 cats and a partridge in a pear tree.

When and how did you realize you had a talent and passion for photography?
I have Loved photography all of my life, I come from a family of artists and photographers and former Kodak employees! Photography is in my blood! (  as my Aunt Lee always says...)

What is your favorite type of location to take photos?
I am continually inspired by Nature; sunrises, sunsets, tall grass, cool breezes, slight waves, weeds!, calm blue lakes, falling leaves, rain, and fresh fallen snow! In short, I Love shoot outdoors! Anywhere! Any season!

 

Which of my photographs is my favorite?
The one I am going to take tomorrow, Imogen Cunningham!  My favorite image from today, so far, is above!

Any goals for the future that you'd like to share?
I am super interested in BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY lately and I look forward to capturing a birth in the near future.

You can view more of Lora Ann's work in her portfolio at LoraAnnPhotography.com!  Are you a Rochester, NY area local?  Make sure to give Lora Ann a call and schedule a session with her!

Below are some more of Lora Ann's favorites!

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Enter to win a Family or Children's Photo Sessions with Lora Ann Photography of Rochester! Ends 08-31-11

We're ready to end this summer with a bang!  While the weather's still beautiful, we're giving THREE lucky families a chance to win a Family or Child's Portrait Session with Lora Ann Photography of Rochester, NY.

Lora Ann is a local photographer who is passionate about photography and capturing amazing moments and events that you can cherish for a lifetime.

You can read more about Lora Ann and what makes her tick, how she got her start and why she loves her job here on her website.

Lora Ann has generously donated (3) portrait sessions for our lucky Luvaboos fans!

Three winners will be chosen:

• (1) Family or Children's Portrait Session with Lora Ann including a $100 print credit
• (1) Family or Children's Portrait Session with Lora Ann including a $50 print credit
• (1) Family or Children's Portrait Session with Lora Ann including a $20 print credit

*Sales tax and/or Shipping & Handling are not included. 

Entry open only to new clients of Lora Ann Photography.

You can view Lora's website and stunning portfolio here or check out her work on FaceBook.

Submit your entries into this great giveaway via the Rafflecopter form embedded below.

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Breastfeeding Insurance Reimbursement & Tax Benefits

Exciting News for Breastfeeding Mamas!

Via Medela

Thanks to Medela for sharing this great information.  There's always such an overwhelming amount of information out there in regards to health insurance and tax credits that it's very much appreciated when someone broadcasts all the pertinent information and related links so that you don't have to scour the internet for more indormation.

Well Medela has compiled all the information you need to find out if you can benefit from any of the tax benefits for qualifying breastpumps and supplies.

Medela connected with the IRS to learn more, and here is what you should know:

• The IRS guidance is broadly interpreted and covers any supplies that “assist lactation.”
• FSA/HSA benefits providers may differ slightly in what they may cover. For example, some may define a breastpump as an allowable expense, but not other supplies. 
• It is important for you to contact your employer’s benefits provider to determine what is covered under your specific FSA/HSA and the steps needed for reimbursement.
• If you do not have a FSA/HSA account, you may be able to deduct breastfeeding costs if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, and if you itemize your tax returns. 

FSA/HSA plans are one of two ways you can explore reimbursement for your breastpump.  Private insurance may also offer coverage.

For more details, please visit this page from Medela.

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The Winners of the Pregnancy and Newborn Giveaways are....

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this great giveaway sponsored by EIEIO Photography.  We know the guidelines were a little complicated but we really wanted to make sure someone wins who could actually use the free photo sessions.

The Grand Prize Winner, Shannon Akers entry 36, will receive a Maternity and Newborn Package with EIEIO Photography, No session fee. $250 value plus a $100 print credit!

1st Runner Up, Johanna O'Connell entry 27, will receive an Earth Mama Angel Baby Pregnancy Pampering Kit from Luvaboos!

2nd Runner Up, Leah Minervino entry 5, will receive a A Little Something for the New Baby Kit from Luvaboos!

Winners please check your email for a notification from us or email us to claim your prize.  Thanks!

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Are you cloth curious? Check out these great videos from Mama Natural on Youtube!

When you're researching cloth diapers, it's always helpful to see the cloth diapers in action in order to get a real idea of how they work.  Well thanks to Youtube and some super tech saavvy mamas and papas, you can now find a plethora of cloth diapering "how to's" that will answer any questions you might have, from how to use a diaper, diaper sprayer, cloth wipes, folding techniques and more!

Today I'll share with you two videos from Mama and Papa Natural on Youtube!  One video shows you cloth diapers are better than disposables and the other demonstrates how to use cloth diapers.  Papa Natural shows you their routine, using BumGenius cloth diapers, from the moment they put the diapers on the baby to the moment they come out of the wash!

Good stuff!  Check out these videos and let us know what you think!?

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Garden Fresh Potato Salad Recipe from Dr Greene!

Just thought we'd share this delicious recipe recently posted on the Dr Greene.com blog!  It's yummy, garden fresh, easy to make and your family is sure to love it!  It's called Three Color Potato Salad!

Three Color Potato Salad Recipe on Dr. Greene.com

Ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Green Beans
• Tomatoes
• Olives
• Capers
• Parsely

Add this healthy recipe to your regular menu and see if you're friends and family don't just go nuts over it!

For the complete recipe and instructions please visit Dr.Greene.com!

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An Amazing Giveaway! Enter to win a Keekaroo High Chair, CLOSED

Remember a few weeks back when we discussed the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly high chairs?  The post was titled "High Chairs...You can have too much of a good thing!"  Well this week you're in luck because we're giving away the most awesome prize thanks to Keekaroo!

What's the Prize?
(1) Keekaroo Height Right High Chair in Mahogany
(1) Keekaroo Infant Insert in Lime *Optional Comfort Cushions can be purchased when your child outgrows the infant insert.
(1) Keekaroo Tray and Tray Cover

Total Value over $219.95!

Details:
Open to participants in the USA only.

Date:  Giveaway is open through August 31, 2011.

The winner will be announced on the Blog and FaceBook and will also be notified via email.  Winner has 7 days to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen in their place. *You must leave us a method to contact you, if none can be found then we will choose an alternate winner.

Rules:  All winning entries will be verified.  For each entry you must comment on this giveaway post.  Please make sure we can either contact you via email through your profile or leave your email address with each entry.

*You must first complete the mandatory entry.  All other entries are optional.

Entry Methods:

• Mandatory 1st Entry- Leave a comment here (as your first entry) letting us know why you'd love to win this awesome Keekaroo High Chair!
• (1) Entry for Becoming a Fan of Keekaroo on FaceBook and then you must comment on their wall that @Luvaboos sent you. The comment verifies that you did indeed "like" their page.
• (1) Entry for using Keekaroo's store locator and submitting an entry letting us know the name of the store closest to you.
• (1) Entry for Becoming a new Fan of Luvaboos on Facebook or already being a Fan of Luvaboos on FaceBook.
• (1) Entry for Following Luvaboos on Twitter
• (1) Entry for leaving a Luvaboos Product Review on Luvaboos.com (visit the item you'd like to review and look for the link to leave a review under the products description.  Come back and leave your name and the name of the product you reviewed with your entry) *Limit 5 product reviews per giveaway.
• (3) Entries for sharing the link to our Giveaway on FaceBook or your Blog. (limit 1 x per day)
• (3) Entries for Tweeting about this Giveaway.  You must Tweet this "Enter to #win a Keekaroo #nontoxic wooden high chair @Luvaboos Blog! Click here to enter--->http://ow.ly/5YMPs" (limit 2 tweets per day)
• (3) Entries for Tweeting this "Visit @Luvaboos for all your Natural Parenting & Cloth Diapering Needs! #clothdiapers --->http://ow.ly/5dj85" (limit 2 tweets per day)
• (10) Entries for Contributing an article/blog post to the Luvaboos Blog!  Please email submissions to shethinksmedia(at)gmail.com
• (5) Entries for placing the code for our Luvaboos Blog Button (located on the right sidebar of this blog) onto your Blog or Website.
• (5) Entries for making a purchase at Luvaboos during the giveaway.  Please leave your invoice or date of purchase with each entry.

 Good Luck!

*All winners entries will be verified.   Winner has 7 days to claim their prize before an alternate winner will be chosen.

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The Raspberry Boys, a breastfeeding poem by Peter Waldor

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week I'm sharing with you all my favorite breastfeeding poem!

the raspberry boys 

The nipple huge in the baby's mouth,
like a well gummed butt of an old cigar,
the baby's hands squeeze the flesh,
he pulls off every few seconds to smile
at his mother or turn to see what else
is out here. And then one brother blew
huge raspberries on the baby's belly,
the baby pulled off again, guffawing,
then the other brother blew raspberries
into the air, there being no more room
on the belly, that worked just as well,
child laughter squeaky as old pumps,
young spittle covering the scene,
then, for encore, the holy valve closed
a second late and the baby's face
was sprayed with warm milk, more laughter,
the raspberry boys waving their hands
to feel the spray as if it were a first snow,
boys who lost their privileges at their
mother's breasts not long ago,
though they remember none of it as they
won't even remember this by tomorrow,
and so I take it down for them.

Peter Waldor 

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