27 weeks - 13 weeks to go!

Today marks my 27th week of pregnancy. I am very excited that I haven't gained much weight and am keeping quite active. I am getting a little anxious. The crib is up without bedding of course and I feel like my belly can not grow anymore. I am starting to come down energy wise. I know that no matter what I am going to be tired so I am just pushing on until I am exhausted. I have really enjoyed this pregnancy.

Glucose test is this Thursday which if I remember correctly isn't the best tasting liquid around. Any who, off I go.

Twins in 2009

by Kate Peterson

A friend sent me this and I had to share - love it!

Traveling with a Two Year Old

OK, I am going to say it – I don't like traveling with my toddler son in tow. Don’t get me wrong, I love my son to death and don't like to be away from him. It is just all the preparation and then entertaining him on the plane for four hours and then the childproofing (or not) of the hotel room, that I really despise. It all starts with the packing – how many outfits, how many extra outfits, what toys should I bring, how many diapers, how many packs of wipes, did I remember his favorite night- night book and his blanky and his puppy and the other puppy…it is amazing that I actually remember to pack anything for myself. And then there is the carry on bag for the plane…snacks, toys, sippy cups, more snacks, more toys, extra outfit, and of course his favorite thing in the world right now – markers and paper. By the way, my son is apparently from Boston when he says “MAhkers”. So tonight is the packing and tomorrow is the flight. Wish me luck!

Toddlers Trying New Foods

by Kate Peterson

We have been following Ellyn Satter's guide for feeding children for over 2 weeks now. It is still hard not to try to encourage my 19-month old to eat. He's just over 21 pounds and is, has been, and always will be, a tiny kid. However, he did try and LIKE bacon after 3 months of me putting it on his tray. He is also eating lunch meat, sandwiches and even ate a bagel!

He seems to have food envy more than anything else. Unfortunately it is not my food that is the object of his envy. He seems to be very interested in whatever the sitter eats. Not a bad thing, just wish I could be more a part of it.

We're off for a 5-hour road trip tonight. Never a dull moment!

Have I given in to commercialism???

by Kate Peterson

My little man started to recognize and say "Elmo" this week. While enjoying my child-free Sunday afternoon, I bought him an Elmo doll. I never thought I would give into this kind of commercialism, but I knew it would make him happy...and it did.

An Emotional Wreck

So I am 25 weeks along and have become an emotional time bomb. I found out that my dad's cancer is back. Not just in his bones but a tumor in his brain. I get very annoyed with people and have yet to find an emotional outlet.

I just went to California to visit my only brother and all he wants to talk about is my dads funeral and who is going to take care of mom.

How am I supposed to keep it together?

He Eats!

by Kate Peterson

OK so we made it through our first week with this new feeding “program”. I still find it a bit hard to not be a food pusher, but it IS working!!! This week, my 19-month old tried tater tots, a bagel with cream cheese and a waffle. He still won’t touch the asparagus, but I do have hope.

We are going to try a Happy Meal tonight. Ok, not the healthiest of meals, but since he is in the 3rd percentile for his weight, I figure one Happy Meal is not going hurt.

Help! My Toddler Doesn't Eat

by Kate Peterson

I attended a seminar the other night to try to do SOMETHING about my 19-month old who doesn't eat. We have already seen the gastroenterologist and know how to fatten him up (adding Carnation instant breakfast to his bottles and changing up milk for egg nog). But I feel like a food pusher at every meal.

The seminar was based a book by Ellyn Satter and the primary teachings are that the adults decide on what the child eats, where they eat it and when. The child decides on how much they eat and whether they eat a particular item or not. It is definitely a different approach - no rewarding for doing a good job and at the same time, no scolding for not eating.

I am giving it a try. It's been hard to hold my tongue and not encourage him to eat. My son is tiny - always has been. At 19 months he is 21 pounds and 31 inches tall. His father and I are on the small side as well. I'll post weekly updates so check back!

BabyTime Expo Partners with Mamapalooza in San Diego

BabyTime Expo and Mamapalooza Partner in San Diego

Las Vegas, NV….. BabyTime Expo, a public event celebrating babies and toddlers and their families will feature Mamapalooza, June 13-14, at the San Diego Convention Center in the heart of Downtown San Diego.

Mamapalooza will feature women who perform – everything from Rock & Roll to Comedy and Performance Art. The traveling festival began in 2002 in Manhattan and since then, has grown to seven live festivals and year-round internet presence. They will perform Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, on the main stage at the San Diego Convention Center.

Produced by ConvExx, an independent show and event organizer in Las Vegas, BabyTime Expo will showcase all the providers and goods needed to fill babies’ and toddlers’ lives with fun, joy and good health. In its second year, the show will include more product manufacturers, retailers and service providers aimed at children ages 0 – 4.

“We’re excited to feature Mamapalooza at BabyTime Expo,” Show Organizer Mindi Cherry stated. “We want a BabyTime Expo that has something for everyone. Mamapalooza will bring exciting entertainment for the whole family. As the mother of a two year old, I can’t wait to hear songs like ‘Eat Your Damn Spaghetti!’ “.

Mamapalooza producer Joy Rose agreed. “We are the only large scale grassroots organization featuring women & mom talent that benefits communities and individuals. It’s a win-win experience”.

Alongside exhibits, BabyTime Expo will feature special areas including a toddler fun zone, infant and toddler fashion shows hosted by Model Republic, a Diaper Derby, and a Daddy Contest. Workshops for expectant and new families on such subjects as breast feeding and safety will also take place.

More information regarding performers and the stage schedule may be found on www.BabyTimeExpo.com.

Information regarding exhibit space costs and availability may be obtained by contacting ConvExx at 800.291.0326 or salesmgr@babytimeexpo.com. More information about Mamapalooza can be found at http://www.mamapalooza.com/.


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About ConvExx
ConvExx, an independent show management company is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV and has produced shows all over the US and overseas. The team has five CEMs (Certified in Exhibition Management) and the executive team has over 60 years of combined show, event and meetings experience. ConvExx produces both tradeshows and consumer events, including the Trade Show 200 top 5 show – The SEMA Show, and the Las Vegas BikeFest™. For more information about ConvExx and all its services, please visit www.ConvExx.com or call 702-450-7662, ext. 102.

It's a Girl!!!!

by Kate Peterson

I just got the word from my cousin that she is having a girl. Not a huge deal, you might think. But actually, it is.

On September 11, 2001, she was exiting the subway at the World Trade Center when the first plane hit. She survived. Not soon after, she developed breast cancer. Before she started treatment, she and her husband harvested 4 eggs. She survived the breast cancer.

While undergoing treatment for her cancer, they hired a surrogate to carry her fertilized eggs. 2 of the 4 that were harvested were implanted into the surrogate, but none took. Come to find out that the fertility clinic accidentally unfroze all 4 and now she had nothing left.

2 years ago, she got the green light to start trying again, but the doctors warned that IVF was likely her only hope. Round one produced no viable eggs. Round two didn't work either. And now, round three and she is 20 weeks along with a girl AND has 2 more eggs left over! Yippee!!!!