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February Newsletter - 2012

Hi everyone! Well, like so many babies, our first newsletter for 2012 is slightly ‘overdue’, but as parents, we all know we can’t rush these precious developments. it is finally here!! we would like to say that summer has been beautiful but sorry summer you have ripped us off a bit this year... However the team at Mum 2 Mum HQ still all managed to recharge, relax and all enjoyed some family time.

Here at Mum 2 Mum HQ we have a big year planned with some travel, trade shows and more developments so really looking forward to sharing some new news with you all as the year progresses. This month we have focused on summer and relaxing, have included a truly decadent caramel slice and much more. Hope you once again enjoy the read and please feel free to give us some feedback or just drop us a line on facebook anytime.

Lastly we would like to wish you all a happy new year and look forward to a great 2012 together.

Regards Jo & Jo

Preparing for School

Provide your child with opportunities to stay with other adults and mix with other children, such as Grandparents, uncles/aunts, friends etc.
Encourage your child to gain independence by dressing themselves, putting away their own toys and performing simple household tasks.
Read stories, sing nursery rhymes and play games with your child.
Visit the school with your child so he or she can become familiar with the environment and interact with teachers and other children.
Gain as much information about prospective schools (such as curriculum, sporting activities, after school care, parent participation etc) in order to help you decide which school you and your child will feel most comfortable with.
Attend any upcoming open days or information sessions.

Swimming with Toddlers

Before we start, I need you to know...
When you are relaxed, I relax too
Show me how and I will follow you
When I see you having fun, I have fun
When I am in the water with you I need to see your happy face
Look for my happy face and we’ll be OK
When we begin to play in the water together hold me close so I get used to the feeling of the water and learn to like it
I need to trust you when we try new things

Let’s get comfortable in the water together...

Tell me what’s going to happen before we do it so I am ready

Help me to splash the water gently so I feel it moving around me

Listen to my body when we are in the water

Sometimes I don’t want to do things you want me to do

When you sprinkle water on me please start with my body before my head

Before you sprinkle water over my head, use the same prompt (like “ready 1, 2, 3”) to warn me it is going to happen

When you shower water over my head, move the sprinkler away from me quickly because I will take a breath

When I get used to water over my head and face, let’s splash together with more vigour

Relaxation for Expectant Mothers

Feeling tense? Wondering if you will forever be pregnant? Tired of walking into a store with complete strangers stopping you to ask to “touch your belly”? The life of an expectant mother can be full of stress. Worries over the impending delivery, financial costs and trying to juggle the stress of another little person joining your life can send any sane person into high stress mode.

Never fear, there are ways to help calm any pregnant women down and it doesn’t even have to include large buckets of ice cream and pickles. - Drum roll please…..

The “Top 10” techniques to a calmer, more ZEN mommy-to-be:

10. Try sipping some de-caffeinated tea. Won’t make Jr. jumpy and there is something about relaxing in an easy chair drinking warm brew that sends the female species into their “happy place”.

9. Massage anyone? Convince your partner that a massage is just what you need. Sumptuous oils that will help aching pregnant feet, not to mention soothe aching muscles are just what the Dr. ordered.

8. Nothing wrong with being a bookworm. Reading is a great way to relieve stress. You can read to escape the idea that your pregnant or read about parenting….or read about non-pregnant things for a nice change of pace.

7. Water is a terrific way to get some exercise and feel weightless….notice I didn’t say “skinny”! Water can be calming and relaxing

6. Girls Night Out! Get together with new moms or moms that have seen it all. Have a good laugh, commiserate with each other. Try to steer clear of scary birth stories!

5. Like a good girl scout….always be prepared! Nesting is a natural part of pregnancy. Women feel the need to “feather their nest”. Get the nursery ready, clothes put away in the dresser and sit back and relax…..

4. I’m walking on sunshine…woo-hoo! And yes, it does feel good. Get some fresh air, take a walk and enjoy the outdoors. You will get a renewed outlook on life and reduce some anxiety.

3. Have a plan in place….parenting will be a big change, but it doesn’t have to be. Talk to your partner, discuss financial and working concerns. Communicate, communicate…..Communicate!

2. To thine own self, be true. A woman knows her own body, if you are taking on too much at home or work….cut-back! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Know your employees maternity leave policy and use it.

1. Take a nap! Even a 15 minute little “cat-nap” will re-charge your batteries. Take advantage of naps, you’ll need them once the baby arrives.

Now that you have at least a few different ideas on how stay sane for the next few months it's time to think about going shopping for the little one(yet another way to relax).

Who's who?? Top 10 Baby Names.

Put it down to Oasis, Schindler's List, and the Irish - the name Liam has finally overtaken "Jack" as the most popular boy's name in New Zealand. The Department of Internal Affairs today released the list of the most popular baby names registered in 2010, with Liam number one for boys and Sophie top for girls. Jack had been the most popular boy's name since 2005, making it a great feat for the Liams to leap to the top of the charts.

Famous people called Liam include Liam Gallagher, from rock band Oasis, and Liam Neeson, star of such films as Schindler's List. It is a short form of the Irish name William, originating from the Germanic name Willahelm. In total, there were 374 little Liams born this year this year. Next most popular were James, Oliver, Jack, and William.

Meanwhile, Sophie remains the most popular name for girls and has been atop the list since 2008. After Sophie came Olivia, Ruby, Charlotte, and Isabella. There were three new entries in the top 10 lists for boys' and girls' names. Jacob and Lucas were the most popular newcomers for boys, coming in at eighth and tenth. Chloe made the jump into the girls' top 10 after being ranked 11 last year. The new names entered the lists at the expense of Daniel and Thomas for the boys and Amelia for the girls.

Top Ten Boys Names:

Liam
James
Oliver
Jack
William
Joshua
Benjamin
Jacob
Samuel
Lucas

Top Ten Girls Names:

Sophie
Olivia
Ruby
Charlotte
Isabella
Lily
Ella
Chloe
Emily
Emma

As reported on stuff.co.nz

Yummy Easy Caramel Slice

Ingredients

Servings as posted Metric

Original recipe makes 4

1 cupSelf Rising Flour

1 cupBrown sugar

1 cupCoconut; shredded

125 gramsButter; melted

400 gramsCanned Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tablespoonButter

2 tablespoonsGolden Syrup

250 gramsCooking Chocolate

Base:

Combine self raising flour, brown sugar, coconut and 125 grams of melted butter. Mix well. Press into a pre-greased 28 x 18cm lamington pan. Bake in 180 degrees celcius oven for 10 minutes until lightly cooked.

Filling:

Combine can of condensed milk, tablespoon of butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan. Stir over moderate head until boiling. Continue stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and spread syrup over base. Return to over for a further 10 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

Topping:

Slowly melt cooking chocolate in a saucepan or microwave safe dish, depending on the melting instructions included with the cooking chocolate you purchased. Spread melted chocolate over filling and refrigerate. When set cut into squares using a warm knife.

The Sleep Store Sleep Tip - after the holiday!

It's extremely common for sleep problems to develop either during or after holidays, even with children who have previously been excellent sleepers. Your child may now be needing extra help to fall asleep at bedtime, waking in the night and may have become used to new habits such as feeding in the night.

Sleep problems can develop after even a very short holiday. It generally takes about 3-4 days for good sleep habits to be established, so the reverse can also develop in a similar time frame!

There are a number of reasons that sleep problems develop on holiday. Usual causes are that your child has become used to one or more of the following:

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The History of Valentine's Day - 14th Feb!

Every February we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, "Who is St. Valentine"? Time to brush up on your Valentine's history!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.

Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we'll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure...February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating clear back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.

Another valentine gentleman you may be wondering about is Cupid (Latin cupido, "desire"). In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around wounding both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love.

Bringing home your newborn.

Being at home with your newborn baby can be an overwhelming experience. You have just gone through the biggest workout of your life and you need to rest and recover. But how do you rest and recover with a newborn that needs milk, warmth, bum changes and lots of love? How do you balance everything?

Here are some tips to help ease the transition from giving birth to being at home with your baby.

Meals

If you were able to prepare and freeze meals in advance then you are all set! If not you may want to consider buying fruit trays, veggie trays, cooked chicken, and other prepared healthy choices when shopping at the grocery store. If this is not an economical option for you, you or your partner can prepare meals each week in advance. When you need a snack all you need to do is go to the fridge and grab something that has already been prepared.

Germs

Wash your hands often especially when preparing food and after using the bathroom. Keep soap and a hand towel next to every sink and have hand sanitizer around the house for you and guests that may drop by to see the new addition to the family.

Accept Help

“It takes a village to raise a child.” Let others provide you with the support you will need when you bring your baby home. Whether they want to prepare a meal, do some laundry, babysit, or clean the house, let them! Those who are stepping up and volunteering their time, have probably been in your shoes and know how helpful it is when others take the time to assist with the necessary household chores.

Holding Baby

When picking up or holding your baby it is important to remember to support her head. Newborns do not have the ability or neck strength to hold their head up on their own.

Sleep

Don’t underestimate your need for sleep as sleep deprivation can lead to both physical and emotional distress. Allow your husband, partner, friends, and family to help out. Take catnaps whenever possible. When your baby naps, you should also nap because a happy mommy means a happy baby.