WNCParent September 2009 by Stacey

Catering to From big tubs to massages to slippers, WNC hospitals pamper women in labor

By Barbara Blake ◆ Staff writer When women have babies, nature is pretty much in charge of factors such as the length of labor, the position of the baby and even the mother’s pain threshold during contractions — a factor that cannot be predicted based on any previous encounter with pain. What women can have control of is where they give birth and myriad other components of the birthing experience. Water birth or stirrups? The whole family in the room or just dad? Midwife or family doctor? Jazz or

BLAKE MADDEN PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Sara and Erik Siegrist, of Asheville, are pictured at Mission Hospital with Dr. Melissa Brooks, right, and labor and delivery nurse, Brooke Beasley, left. Less than an hour later, the Siegrists’ daughter Abigail Rose arrived, at 11:50 am. Aug. 17.

Mission Hospital Mission is the largest of the facilities, serving both low-risk and high-risk childbirth needs, and works with patients to tailor individual birthing experiences. “We’re extremely proud of our whole team in Women’s Services at Mission, and the fact that we participate in more than 4,000 births a year,” said Dr. Kellett

Letson, Women’s Service line leader. “Please talk about your birthing choices in advance with your health care provider, and we will do all we can to honor them,” he said. “We want your birth to be a safe and pleasant experience for mother, baby and family.” ◆ Families are given one room for labor, birth and recovery. ◆ All rooms have a homelike décor, are equipped with emergency equip-

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mom Led Zeppelin? The birthing centers at the three major hospitals in Buncombe and Henderson counties offer a variety of amenities for mothers-to-be and those they choose to have with them during labor and delivery, from spa tubs to flat-screen televisions, doulas to board-certified specialists. Here’s a look at the services available at Mission Hospital in Asheville, and Park Ridge and Pardee hospitals in Henderson County.

ment and each has a tub. ◆ Mothers are welcome to choose the family and friends (three or fewer) they wish to be with them. ◆ There are designated women’s operating rooms on the unit for cesarean births. ◆ Midwives with privileges to practice at Mission are on staff. ◆ Anesthesia services for epidurals are available on site 24/7. ◆ Natural childbirth is honored and supported, and doulas (lay birth support people) are welcomed. ◆ Four rooms with built-in large tubs for water labor are an option as available. ◆ Babies stay with mothers unless the newborn has special medical needs. ◆ Mission has the region’s designated Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, directly accessible from labor and delivery by its own elevator. ◆ After recovery, the family moves to the Mother-Baby unit, with homelike rooms where baby and parents stay together. Each has a daybed for family and a deep bathtub for moms. ◆ Special free programs and tours are available for big brothers and sisters. For children ages 3-8, call The Health Adventure, 254-6373, ext. 316. For children older than 8, call Mission at 213-2222, option 2. For general information, visit missionhospitals.org. Continues on Page 12

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WNC hospitals pile on amenities to cater to moms Continued from Page 11

Park Ridge Hospital Park Ridge opened its new 18,000square-foot addition called The Baby Place in June, with 15 patient rooms and several unique offerings on the unit. “The Baby Place at Park Ridge offers a unique and memorable experience for the entire family at a time when they are celebrating a very important addition,” said Jennifer Perez, business development representative at the hospital. “We believe very strongly that the birthing process should be a personal and cherished experience, and The Baby Place offers this and so much more.” ◆ Spacious private rooms with soothing color palates and large bathrooms. Each has a pull-out sofa. ◆ Hotel-like amenities for moms, including a soft robe and slippers, allnatural bath products as a welcome gift,

PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

A view of one of the spa tub rooms at The Baby Place at Park Ridge Hospital in Hendersonville. massage services for mom, dad and baby, and a spa tub available for laboring and for aromatherapy relaxation treatments following birth. ◆ A dedicated C-section suite with operating room and recovery room. ◆ Two board-certified pediatric hospitalists (physicians that specialize in the hospital environment and only see patients while they are at the hospital) and two board-certified pediatricians on

staff, as well as all board-certified OB/ GYN specialists. ◆ A family C-section “viewing room,” where grandparents, siblings and close family friends can be a part of the birthing experience. At the physician’s discretion, a nurse will open the blinds separating the viewing room from the operating room, allowing the family to witness the birth of the baby. ◆ The “Get Well Network” is a stateof-the-art system offered on 42-inch flat screen televisions in each patient room. It includes Internet access, first-run movies, video games, educational videos on topics like breast-feeding, relaxation videos and direct contact with hospital departments like food service. ◆ Childbirth classes and support groups. Visit parkridgebabies.com for information and to read blogs and forums. Call 681-BABY to schedule a tour or sign up for classes.

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Pardee Hospital The Pardee Women & Children’s Center offers a full range of services, from a variety of pre-birth education classes to water labor and childbirth. “At Pardee Hospital, we pride ourselves on the family-centered atmosphere and personal touch we provide to our patients,” said Rebecca Sparks, R.N., co-director of the center. “We have some of the most qualified nurses in the region working at our center with national obstetrics/maternity/ lactation certification,” she said. “We work closely with our board-certified OB/GYNs, family practice physicians and nurse-midwives to provide the highest quality care to mothers and their babies.” ◆ Family centered birthing in single birthing rooms, where patients stay from labor through recovery. ◆ Centralized fetal monitoring and wireless fetal monitoring that allows moms to walk in the hallways or in their room while they are receiving medication to induce labor.

◆ A Level II special care nursery. ◆ Complimentary inroom postpartum massage with aromatherapy by a certified massage therapist. ◆ Certified lactation consultants available before and after delivery, including follow-up consultations after discharge and a breastfeeding hotline. ◆ Comprehensive nursemidwife service with Pardee Nurse-Midwifery offering labor support and continuous call coverage. ◆ Birthing options such as Birth Center rooms, where moms can choose PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT water labor, water birth, natural pain relief measures Victoria Fleury, certfied nurse midwife at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, checks on a mom-to-be’s progress during labor. and support for natural birth, or traditional labor rooms with epidural, fetal telemetry Care, Prime Time with a Physician and monitoring and one-to-one nursing care. sibling tours. ◆ Education classes, including ChildFor more, call 866-790-9355 or visit birth 101, Art of Breastfeeding, Infant pardeehospital.org.

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Bonding can be easy for fathers By Rick McDaniel WNC Parent contributor OK, Dad, you’ve downloaded the pictures, e-mailed all the cousins, called the in-laws and laid in the entire list of supplies from the back of the Dr. Spock book. Now what? For some new dads, finding ways to bond with their baby can be a challenge. For the past nine months, they have pretty much been on the sidelines, and now comes the transition from bench warmer to co-captain. But with a few hints, any dad can bond with a new baby.

Be part of the routine One of the best ways for dads to feel more at home with a new baby is to jump right into the routine from the beginning. When it comes to being a father, Briggs Sherwood has been there, done that and has the pictures. With four sons ranging in age from 13-37, plus two stepsons, he’s been around the block a few times and has some advice for new dads. “Caring for your baby comes naturally,” he said. Give mom a break in the TLC department by giving baths, bottles and diaper changes. With each of my kids, I had more successive bonding experiences.” “Scotty is pretty awesome when it comes to helping with the baby,” said Heather Brown, of West Asheville, about her husband. The Browns have a 3month-old daughter, Lynnzie. “After I’ve been with the baby all day, he pretty much takes over when he gets home. He gives her a bath, changes her, puts on her

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pajamas and reads to her. It’s great.”

Read to your baby Pediatricians, child psychologists and educators all recommend reading to your child, even newborns. It gets the baby used to hearing your voice and snuggling with you. Not really that into Dr. Seuss? No worries — the sports page will do nicely, too. Just as long as you take time to hold the baby and read for at least 30 minutes. Try this every night and your baby will love you for it. And who knows — he or she might grow up to be a famous sportswriter some day.

Bottle feeding Feeding time can be PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT a little confusing for dads. Junior isn’t ready One of the best ways for dads to bond with their new baby is to jump right in from the beginning. for cheeseburgers or nachos, and nature didn’t equip you with the factory feeding lifting baby in the air. He or she will love option package. But if mom pumps or it, and those baby bench presses are also uses formula, giving your baby a bottle is a great substitute for those gym visits one of the best ways to bond. You get the you’re missing. Save this one for older best of everything — snuggling, feeding, babies, after they are old enough to supeye contact and talking to baby. port the weight of their heads.

Time for a change

Keep in touch

All right, guys, you can do this. Changing a diaper is nowhere near as hard as an oil change on a ’73 Plymouth Duster, and there’s no filter to scrape your knuckles on either. Just man up and dive right in.

Babies are very much into touching and skin-to-skin contact. Take your shirt off and let your baby rest on your chest. He or she will get used to your feel, smell and voice. Other ways for dad to bond: ◆ Give your baby a sponge bath (or later, a tub bath). ◆ Get your baby dressed. ◆ Rock your baby. ◆ Sing your baby lullabies and songs. Rick McDaniel is a freelance writer. E-mail him at southerncooking@ charter.net.

Playtime Get down on the floor and play — it’s good for you and your baby. Play peek-aboo with the blanket, tickle the belly, make funny faces — just be creative. You can even lie on your back and play by

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parenting in a nutshell

Pregnancy weight guidelines revisited By Doreen Nagle Gannett News Service It has been two decades since the guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy have been analyzed, so The Institute of Medicine’s Committee to Reexamine Pregnancy Weight Guidelines has taken it upon itself to issue a new report on this important subject. One of the Institute’s findings underscores what many women already know: “Women today are heavier; a greater percentage of them are entering pregnancy overweight or obese, and many are gaining too much weight during pregnancy,” which can cause serious risk to the mother and or baby. When the initial report was written 20 years ago, about 40 percent of women of childbearing age were overweight. Today that number has moved to 60 percent, in-

cluding one in five pregnant women considered obese by today’s standards. The Institute also found that American women who are having babies are, in general, older than their peers of 20 years ago, and they are having more multiple births. The committee found that factors that affect pregnancy start before conception and continue through the first year after delivery. The amount of nutrition the baby receives in utero will affect that child’s later chances of becoming overweight or obese and therefore susceptible to high-risk diseases. Guidelines for weight gain are now based on the World Health Organizations’ body mass index categories. The new guidelines include a specific narrow range of recommended gain for obese women. The guidelines call for a pregnancy

weight gain of: ◆ 28-40 pounds for underweight women, ◆ 25-35 pounds for women of normal weight, ◆ 15-25 pounds for overweight women and ◆ 11-20 pounds for obese women. Women who are pregnant with twins are given the following guidelines: ◆ With a normal BMI, 37-54 pounds ◆ Overweight, 31-50 pounds ◆ Obese, 25-42 pounds Unsure how to interpret the new guidelines for yourself? Bring this article with you to discuss the next time you visit your OB/GYN. And make sure you know your BMI. Nagle is author of “But I Don’t Feel Too Old to Be a Mommy” (HCI, $12.95). Write her at parentinginanutshell@ joimail.com.

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Best gifts for baby – and mom By Barbara Blake Staff writer

PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Melissa Sweeterman cuddles with baby Julia at home in Hendersonville.

Diapers may seem like a boring baby shower gift, but they’re at the top of the wish list for most moms-to-be. A simple dinner ready to put on the table might not seem like a big deal to you, but when it’s delivered to a new mother with a fussy baby, it’s better than a four-star restaurant. And those precious outfits that get all the oohs and ahs at the shower? Not much good if they’re size 0-3. Most new moms and moms-to-be are grateful for whatever gifts they receive before and after their babies are born. But to get some tips on the best and not-so-great gifts to give, we asked three

women who’ve recently given birth to tell us about their favorite gifts and their not-so-faves. Here are the thoughts of Kelly Sparks, mother of 8-month-old Marley; Jenny Beckwith, mother of 4-month-old Jaxson; and Melissa Sweeterman, mother of Julia, born on July 13.

10 great shower gifts 1. Boppy pillow “By far, my most useful gift has been my Boppy (a special pillow used to position baby while feeding, sitting or playing),” Sweeterman said. “I use it every day and night at all hours, and it really helps you feel more secure holding a newborn at those 3:30-5 a.m. feedings

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when you’re exhausted. And the easy-to-change slip covers are an affordable, extremely useful gift as well.” 2. Diapers “Diapers were great, and it was a good way to know what brands we liked over others,” Sparks said. “And if you want to go a more cute route than just a box, they now have ‘diaper cakes,’ three tiers of diapers decorated to use as a great centerpiece as a shower,” Sweeterman added. “I used mine as a decoration in the nursery until I needed them. 3. Rattles “Little rattles and toys that I have now found out are teethers have been of great use as well,” Sparks said. 4. Snap N’ Go stroller “One of the best gifts I could have gotten was a Snap N’ Go stroller — basically just a stroller frame so that you can take the car seat out of the car and just pop it onto the frame,” Beckwith said. “This saves you from dealing with a bulky travel system and you can get in and out of stores in a breeze.” 5. Sleep positioner “I got an amazing sleep positioner that makes your newborn stay on her back during sleep, and has an incline to help prevent choking if they were to spit up during the night,” Sweeterman said. “That really gave me peace of mind during those few hours I was able to catch some sleep. 6. Gift cards “Gift cards are

great shower gifts,” Sparks said. “They’re not impersonal — they’re fantastic. And when the baby arrives, you have a whole list of things that you had no idea you needed or wanted, and that’s when they really come in handy.” “Even though a gift card won’t get as many oohs and aaahs as a really cute outfit will, the mom will be so appreciative,” Beckwith said. “Just remember that there are a lot of things that are really expensive that no one will get her, and a gift card can go toward that. I know that’s how I bought my ridiculously expensive breast pump that I couldn’t live without.” 7. Swaddles “Swaddles are wonderful,” Beckwith said. “While they give you a very good lesson in swaddling at the hospital, your baby tends to get much more active when you get home, and the receiving blankets just don’t cut it. The swaddles with Velcro and the Miracle Blanket have been our lifesavers. And that isn’t something you mind having too many of since one is always in the laundry.” 8. Clothes: Big sizes and those with snaps “Clothes are always good, especially larger sizes, and if you don’t want to think ahead about seasons, short sleeve Onesies always work,” Sparks said. Sweeterman agreed, saying Julia got “the most adorable clothes, but I quickly

PHOTO BY STEVE DIXON

Jenny Beckwith and her baby son, Jaxson, demonstrate the Snap N’ Go stroller she received as a baby shower gift. realized that anything with snaps for easy diaper access is the way to go for mom and baby.” “It’s unfortunate, but honestly Julia is going to be left with a lot of beautiful dresses for 0-3 months that she’ll never wear. Maybe gifting some older baby clothing right off the bat will be my plan next time I go to a shower as I must admit, I’m guilty of going for the cute rather than the practical myself,” she said.

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Beckwith suggested buying 6-9 months or 12-month clothes. “The mom will really like having some clothes that the baby can grow into,” she said. “Just keep in mind what the season will be when you are buying for that age.” 9. Books and frames “Books are great because you can never have too many of them,” Beckwith said. “And picture frames are great, since you tend to

take a million pictures.” 10. Follow the registry “You can never go wrong with the registry,” Beckwith said.

5 gifts for the new mom 1. Basket of medicine “A thoughtful friend who knew I was a first-time mom put together an adorable medical gift basket for me,” Sweeterman said. “It had baby Tylenol, Mylicon, an easy-to-use thermometer you run across the forehead, saline nasal spray, Vaseline, a baby grooming kit and instructions for infant CPR. Thank goodness for the help of all the experienced moms out there that got me started off right.” 2. A bit of bubbly “One of the coolest gifts I got was a bottle of Champagne,” Beckwith said. “It was really thoughtful, and something I could look forward to having a glass of after I had the baby.” 3. Food “My brother-in-law grocery shopped for us and cooked one night, and it was amazing, and my dad also brought us food a lot,” Sparks said. “You just have no clue how tired you will be, and how much you just can’t get accomplished.” “Once the baby was here, all the people who brought food over were complete lifesavers,” Beckwith said. “You just don’t have time to do anything, so that was so appreciated.” 4. Photography gift certificates In addition to picture frames, Beckwith said, “gift certificates for places to get professional pictures taken would be a really great gift for a new mom.” 5. Pampering Collectively, the new moms gave high fives to the following suggestions: A day at the spa, coupons for free babysitting, restaurant gift cards, coupons for someone to fold laundry once a week, chocolate in any form, bubble bath, a magazine subscription and an offer of a prepared meal to be delivered once a week for six weeks.

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contents This month’s features 2 Breast-feeding boost

When I went into labor with my twins, it was my first time going through the birthing process, which can be a little scary. Having already seen the accommodations at Pardee Hostital in Hendersonville and knowing I would be in one room to give birth and stay in that same room afterward was comforting. Knowing what lies ahead can help stave off some fears. See our story on Page 10 about three of our local birthing centers to see what your options are for giving birth. Learning the do’s and don’ts of eating while expecting and nursing can make for a healthier pregnancy and baby. Find out some tips in our story on Page 4. Whether you are pregnant now, thinking about it in the future, or have a new baby, we hope the information in this issue helps with some of the questions new parents have about babies and pregnancy. Nancy Sluder, Editor

Learn the myriad benefits of nursing.

4 What to eat?

Pregnant women need to pay attention to their diets. Find out what’s best to eat — and avoid.

6 Teaching tots Your baby’s education starts at birth, and it doesn’t require toys.

Knowing what’s ahead makes for easier delivery

8 Ready for a sibling Start preparing older children before baby arrives.

10 Birthplaces The area’s three major hospitals offer a host of amenities for mothers-to-be and their families.

14 Get dad involved

Fathers don’t need to sit by and watch mom take care of baby.

17 Best shower gifts

New moms tell us the best gifts they received.

P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802 828-232-5845 I www.wncmom.com

36 Spice up lunch Get new, kid-tested ideas for packing a school lunch.

25 The name game

Thinking of names? We list 2008’s most popular ones.

In every issue

On the cover

Parenting in a Nutshell ..................16 Kids’ Voices.................................20 Show & Tell.............................22-23 Librarian’s Picks...........................24 Divorced Families .........................30 Video Games ...............................32 Kids and Sports ...........................33 WNCmom.com..................................34 Growing Together..........................38 Story times .................................39 Puzzles...................................40-41 Calendar ................................42-55

Photo special to WNC Parent.

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Randy Hammer WNC PARENT EDITOR Nancy Sluder nsluder@citizen-times.com

ADVERTISING Miranda Weerheim - 232-5980 mweerheim@gannett.com

FEATURES EDITOR Bruce Steele bsteele@citizen-times.com

Lisa Field - 252-5907 lmfield@gannett.com

STAFF WRITER Barbara Blake bblake@citizen-times.com

WNC PARENT DESIGNER Katie Wadington kwadington@citizen-times.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802-2090 CALENDAR CONTENT Submit in writing via P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802-2090 or e-mail calendar@wncparent.com SUBMISSION DEADLINES Advertising deadline for the October issue is Sept. 15 Calendar items are due by Sept. 16

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kids’ voices

Brotherly (and sisterly) love Being a big brother or big sister has many rewards — and the occasional downside. We asked kids at the YMCA Summer Camp program on Beaverdam Road to tell us the best and worst parts about having a little sister or brother. Here’s what they told staff writer Barbara Blake.

Ben Wallace, 5 “The best thing is playing with toys and playing games with (3-year-old brother Julian). I teach him stuff. And sometimes he’s nice. But sometimes he (is) mean to me, and he hits me sometimes. But that’s really all the bad stuff.”

Paige Bradford, 10

Elyssa Cram, 11

“Sometimes we (6-year-old sister) have fights over TV and stuff, and sometimes she gets on my nerves because she talks a lot when I’m doing homework. But we share and stuff pretty much all the time, and everything works out.”

“I guess little sisters are OK. They tend to yell all the time, usually when they don’t get their way. You have to share a room, so it’s hard to keep it clean, and she won’t sleep with the light off. But the good part is I get to stay up an hour longer than she does.”

Karis Hudgins, 4

Sadie Cole, 7

“Sometimes I like playing with (1 1/2year-old Piper) if she’s happy. But sometimes she hits me and bites me. Biting is the biggest problem.”

“My baby sister is 7 months old, and I’m looking forward to taking care of her and babysitting. She’s not really too much fun yet, but she’s starting to crawl and she’s kind of trying to pronounce some words. The only bad part is all the screaming and crying when you put her down to bed.”

Jada Silver, 7 “The worst part is that sometimes (3year-old sister) is a back stabber and makes me do things for her, and sometimes she’s a little obnoxious — same thing for my (2-yearold) brother. But I’m just thankful that I have (siblings), to have someone to be related to, and to have them all the time by my side.”

Will Joerling, 8 “The best part of being a big brother is you get to do more stuff because you’re older. And when you can’t play with anybody else, she’s (4year-old Tess) always around to play with. And when she’s not feeling good I can always help her out — we do stuff together. The worst is when they don’t get their way, and they kick and cry and all that stuff.”

Joey Gantt, 5 “My mom’s having a baby, and his name is Jackson. He might like my baby toys from when I was a baby. I think I can teach him a few things. But my mom will do most of the work.

America Vera, 10 “My little brother is 7, and we play and share stuff, and when I’m sad I can talk to him. But sometimes he gets into fights with me. He screams at me like he knows everything, even when I know I’m right.”

Taylor Sprouse, 10 “The good part about a little (5-yearold) brother is there’s always somebody to play with, and always somebody to scare. Sometimes he’ll try to boss me around or he’ll fight over a toy that I bought with my own money. But he’s really pretty cool. He’s fun to wrestle with, and we have more fun than fights.”

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Abigail Holland, 4, has her great-grandfather Jay Griffin wear the hat and medal she received from playing T-ball. Both live in Fletcher. Submitted by Martha Holland. Kandyce, 4, and Brady Crisp, 2, of Bryson City, watch the waves come in at the beach. Submitted by their mom, Liana Crisp.

Seth Holloway, 18 months, relaxes on his first visit to the Gulf of Mexico during a trip in July to Panama City Beach, Fla. He is the son of James and Hansi Holloway, of Dawsonville, Ga., and Andrews. He is the grandson of Kenneth and Pamela Carman, of Andrews, who submitted the photo.

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SEND US YOUR PHOTOS We welcome photos of family, neighborhood, school, church and other social activities involving children. Send your high-resolution photos, along with a brief description of the event, and names, ages and hometowns of everyone pictured. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget your name and contact information. Send to Katie Wadington at kwadington@citizen-times.com or WNC Parent Photos, P.O. Box 2090, Asheville, NC 28802.

Riley Hall, 2, hides in the garden her class grew at the Valley Child Development Center in Swannanoa. Submitted by Mac McElwee, teacher in the Waddler Toddler class there.

Emily Navia, 3, checks out a butterfly at the WNC Nature Center. Submitted by my her parents, Sonia and Wladimir Navia, of Leicester.

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librarian’s pick

‘Life-Size Zoo’ takes readers on a tour By Jennifer Prince WNC Parent columnist Pop-ups, unusual insets, sound bytes and glittery applications have their place in the world of children’s books. Certainly these characteristics add interest and lure readers. Once in a while though, it is refreshing to come across a new book that stands out simply because of its subject matter, accessible writing and stellar illustrations. “LifeSize Zoo” by Teruyuki Komiya is such a book. Brimming with fascinating facts and first-rate photography, “Life-Size Zoo” takes the reader on tour of a zoo, introducing animals, habits and habitats. Komiya features animals in some of Japan’s foremost zoos. The photograph

for each animal shows the animal’s size as it is in real life. That means that while readers can see some animals from head to toe, they must content themselves with seeing only portions of other animals. It is easy to put a life-size photograph of a meerkat in a book, not so for a panda. What the reader sees, then, is a panda’s head and shoulders, a zebra’s muzzle, a tiger’s face. The photos’ austere white background, in combination with the wellreproduced images seems to magnify details that might otherwise be overlooked: toenails, eyebrows, and the patterns and textures of fur. Every wrinkle, ear hair and whisker is apparent. Information on each animal is con-

tained in adjacent sidebars. The author includes the animal’s gender, age, scientific name, personal name and facts with wow-factor. Written in a breezy, informal tone, some comments draw readers’ attention to linger on the animal’s face: “Can you see that the anteater has small, round eyes? They have poor eyesight.” Also, it is a fact that the rhinoceros’ “horns are actually made of a bundle of hair, but they have little hair on the rest of their bodies.” Other comments have to do with the animal’s diet, sleeping habits or “bathroom” habits. With its brief, informative text and photography of remarkable clarity, “LifeSize Zoo” offers readers the next best thing to going on an actual safari. Look for it in the Buncombe County Public Libraries.

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Emma, Jacob take top name spots Most popular girl name changes in US in 2008 By Katie Wadington Staff writer You can look for lots of Williams and Emmas in your toddler’s class when he or she starts preschool in a couple of years. Those were the two most popular names given to babies in North Carolina in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration. On the girl’s side, Emma is a change from 2007, when Madison was the top name in the Tar Heel State. William isn’t nearly as popular nationally. It ranks only No. 8 on the list of favorite boy names across the U.S.; Jacob is No. 1. In fact, Jacob has been the top name

MOST POPULAR GIRL NAMES IN NC IN 2008

1. Jacob 2. Michael 3. Ethan 4. Joshua 5. Daniel 6. Alexander 7. Anthony 8. William 9. Christopher 10. Matthew

1. Emma 2. Isabella 3. Emily 4. Madison 5. Ava 6. Olivia 7. Sophia 8. Abigail 9. Elizabeth 10. Chloe

1. William 2. Joshua 3. Jacob 4. Christopher 5. Ethan 6. Michael 7. James 8. Jayden 9. Noah 10. David

1. Emma 2. Madison 3. Ava 4. Emily 5. Abigail 6. Olivia 7. Addison 8. Elizabeth 9. Isabella 10. Hannah

in the nation for 10 years running. It is the first year Emma has topped the list. Emily had enjoyed a 12-year reign as the favored moniker for baby girls until last year.

For more on baby names, visit socialsecurity.gov, where you can search for a name’s popularity over the years and a list of top baby names for each year since 1880.

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home-schooling scene

The ‘accidental home-schooler’: Don’t expect it to be an easy process By Nicole McKeon WNC Parent columnist I read the term “accidental homeschooler” on the Time4Learning Web site the day we took our daughter out of public school. Yup. That’s us. Accidentally home-schooling. We didn’t “go quietly into that good night” of homeschooling. Our arrival at the decision to home-school was more like a car accident, a crash and burn, rollover decision. Our child was not happy in public school. She is a creative, energetic, intelligent and kind person. She really tried to make it work — but it just didn’t. For so many reasons, sending our child off to school was not the right path for

our family. Most of the feelings we have about the environment we want our children to live in, and the way we want them to learn, did not mesh with the environment or thinking we found in the public schools. If you find yourselves, like we did, with a child who is no longer his or herself — crying, angry or just becoming someone you don’t recognize — and you are considering home-schooling, know that you are not alone. A recent article in USA Today said more people, particularly parents of girls, are taking their children out of public school and choosing to educate them at home. The world is a complicated place, and the decisions we have to make as parents about education

are much more complex that those our parents faced 20 or 30 years ago. I wish I could tell you that taking your child out of public school is an instant solution. It isn’t. And, I wish I had known then some of the wonderfully experienced home-educating parents I know now. We went it alone for the first several months, and it was painful. There is a word for the months immediately following leaving the public school routine and beginning homeschooling: de-schooling. Most home education books will tell you that you should be prepared to allow your child one month for every year she attended public school. This is the estimated time it takes for them to rediscover who they are. I can tell you that it took longer than that for our child. It took almost a full six months for her to regain her confidence and steady footing and relax. Don’t stress. The first several months are tough. It’s an adjustment for the whole family to spend so much time together, especially if you haven’t done so in a while. Take a deep breath and give yourselves time to settle in. Don’t try to make your child sit down and do page after page of workbooks because you’re afraid he’s falling behind. Behind what? You are free. You are free to collaborate with your child to make the learning journey one that is both enriching and fun. Truth is, what I’ve learned over the last year is that I am just the facilitator. Kids learn despite, not because of, your best laid lesson plans. Now that I am a veteran, I realize that home education, as all education, is a process. It is not about the destination. It is about the conversation along the way. Nicole McKeon is a home-schooling mom who lives in Asheville. Contact her with your ideas at nmckeon@msn.com.

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WNCMOM.COM, THE PLACE WHERE LOCAL MOMS CONNECT

Benefits of nursing By Lockie Hunter WNC Parent contributor Perhaps the most important benefit these days to nursing is that it is free. “Mothers and babies come fully equipped and no assembly is required,” said Susan Mooney, a leader with La Leche League. “In these tough economic times, this is extremely important.” Breast milk is also nature’s ideal food for developing both baby’s brain and body. “It contains the right amount of fats, microminerals and other nutrients needed for human growth and development,” Mooney said. Holly Mason, RN, BSN, breast-feeding educator and specialist with the Women’s Wellness and Education Center in Ashe- PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT There are many benefits to breast-feeding, but in these increasingly tough economic times, perhaps the most imporville, added, “babies who are breast-fed have health- tant one is it’s free. ier immune systems because they have and reiterates the La Leche idea of by the hormones released during feedthe benefit of antibodies that mothers “nurse early and often.” ing, Mason said. “The emotional connecmake in their milk to fight the specific tion formed during this time is very germs in baby’s environment.” strong, as Mother Nature intended.” Weaning There is research indicating that babies who were not breast-fed have a The American Academy of Pediatrics A good start higher incidence of being overweight by has recommended that women nurse kindergarten. exclusively for the first six months and Though there are no “nursing rules,” for at least the next 18 months or for as Mooney and La Leche do suggest breastlong as possible. Mooney says that infeeding right away. Benefits for the mother stead of placing an artificial timeline on “There is a natural trigger which goes nursing such as six months, women off when baby is brought to the breast “Mothers who breast-feed have lower should consider nursing their baby until soon after birth,” she said. “There are rates of breast cancers, endometrian they outgrow the need. times when this cannot happen. For cancers, ovarian cancers, osteoporosis, “You should nurse as long as is muexample, if a baby is sick or is born too and postpartum hemorrhage,” Mason tually satisfying to your family,” Mooney early. However, good hospitals and care said. said. providers realize how important human Mooney added that moms who La Leche recommends that a mother milk is to human babies and they try to breast-feed return to their pre-pregwean “gradually and with love.” “Abrupt get mother and baby together as soon as nancy weight faster than mothers who weaning is usually not in the best inpossible.” do not. terest of mother and baby,” said Mooney. Mooney cautioned that nursing, And the bonding that takes place though natural, may not always be easy between a mother and child is enhanced

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divorced families

Find ways to fill the need to connect with a child By Trip Woodard WNC Parent columnist There are a lot of things that are not fun about divorce. Uncertainty about what the future holds, undergoing the “discovery process” of the opposing attorney or finding out that some of your so-called “friends” are not friends at all are a few examples. Yet, I think the worst experience of divorce is what I call “family withdrawal.” It is that first weekend or day that your children leave to be with your former spouse for whatever time has been allotted. It is that time that you realize that you may miss your child’s first day at school or the loss of his first tooth. Or maybe, it is your belief that child-bearing options are now over along with your dream of how family life was supposed to be. OK, now take a deep breath. I promise you I am not trying to recruit more participants for the mental health business. I just know all this hurts and that it is all the more important to have hope that you have options, whatever your situation may be. Let’s look at a few: ◆ If you need a short term family “fix,” consider volunteering. Churches and other religious organizations are often in need of people willing to help out with their various child care programs. County sports programs, like soccer and little league, need coaches and assistant coaches. Single parents in

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your neighborhood may love to know you are available for babysitting. If you are up for a longer term commitment, consider checking into Big Brothers Big Sisters. Look into hosting a foreign student in your home for a school year. Single parents are considered as viable options for both these programs, so don’t count yourself out. Both state and private agencies are in desperate need of foster care parents. Yes, you can expect to be checked out for home life stability and a criminal background, but you will not be discriminated against for being a single parent. After approval, you will be required to take training and you may then specify your particular interests in fostering such as the age range of the child, respite care versus longer term care or even foster-to-adopt options. In return, the recruiting agency will provide you with needed personal and some financial support. You could adopt. This option can be costly and I don’t ‘Family withdraw- advise people to do this unless al’ is that first they are really weekend or day sold on the idea that your children as a good fit for leave to be with them. Foster-toyour former adopt programs can offer a solid spouse. It is that time that you real- experience to figure out if this ize that you may avenue is right miss your child’s for you. first day at school Keep in mind that as time or the loss of his passes and your first tooth. cynical view of the opposite sex begins to erode, that it is an increased possibility that your next relationship will land you into a step family. On the surface of things, this may seem to have solved your “family withdrawal” pains by gaining an “instant family,” but this is not necessarily true. Far from it! But, step families are a topic for another article. Trip Woodard is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a clinical member of the N.C. Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Contact him at 6068607.

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video games

‘Wii Sports Resort’ ramps up family fun By Jinny Gudmundsen Gannett News Service

‘WII SPORTS RESORT’

If the popular “Wii Sports” games that shipped with your Wii are no longer giving you enough of a challenge, Nintendo has released an update with “Wii Sports Resort.” The long-awaited sequel continues the gaming-for-everyone theme with a fresh set of easy-to-play games, but adds some nuance. It also offers more than twice as many sports games as “Wii Sports.” New to this version are archery, wakeboarding, Frisbee, swordplay, basketball, table tennis, jet skiing, cycling, canoeing, skydiving and airplane flying. It also has more in-depth golf and bowling options than those found in “Wii Sports.” The nuance comes from Nintendo’s new Wii MotionPlus. “Wii Sports Re-

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5) Best for: 5 and older From Nintendo, WiiSportsResort.com, $49.99 for Nintendo Wii. sort” comes bundled with this controller add-on that snaps onto the Wii remote, boosting the responsiveness of the motion-sensitive controller. With the MotionPlus, it is now possible to put spin on a bowling ball and to “slice” a table tennis shot. Each of the sports is immediately available as either a solo or multiplayer game, and most can be played by up to four people. For some games, like Frisbee, basketball, cycling, table tennis and bowling, after you have played the standard game, you unlock exciting variations. For example, in bowling, you can

unlock “100-Pin,” where the goal is to knock down 100 pins instead of 10. With “Wii Sports Resort,” Nintendo has done a brilliant job of distilling sports games down to their fun essence. For example, in the Frisbee game, you start by mimicking the motion of throwing a Frisbee by playing catch with a cute little animated dog. Then you move to throwing the Frisbee to pop large balloons, and eventually to my reviewers’ favorite: “Frisbee Golf.” “Wii Sports Resort” is the perfect party game. It fosters fun group interaction and doesn’t intimidate players. Everyone from kindergartners to seniors and every age in between will enjoy playing these games. Gudmundsen is the editor of Computing With Kids magazine (ComputingWithKids.com). Contact her at gnstech@gannett.com.

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kids and sports

Time to vent about kids’ athletics By Tom Kuyper Gannett News Service It’s “pet peeve” time. Come on, give it to me! Let’s hear all those things that “bug” you the most, or things that drive you crazy about youth sports. I will get us started (in random order). 1. I think it is too funny when adults are asked to join in the game to play and just have fun with their young kids and then to watch some parents go all out to win and dominate. 2. Parents who force their kids to specialize in one sport at a too early age are a big no-no for me. 3. How about those parents who get more excited than the kids about winning a little league game? 4. What about all those personal statistics that a dad keeps for his son, and/ or cheers only for his son? 5. I am not a fan of kids calling coaches, teachers or adults by their first names. Mr. Steve, or Coach Dan, or Teacher Julie just doesn’t sit well. 6. Parents who stick around and watch every second of every practice, and then come out on the floor and instruct their child with extra personal attention in front of the coach and all the other kids is bad news. 7. Parents who come running out on the field every time their child falls down and cries can be added to my list. 8. What about those kids who get more playing time at the junior or high school level because their parents donated lots of money to the sports budget? 9. I always feel so sad for those kids whose parents put so much emphasis on performance. These kids learn that their acceptance is based on what they do rather than who they are. Write to Tom Kuyper at tomkuyper@kidsandsports.com.

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From the WNCmom.com photo galleries Anna and Matigan at Charleston, posted by Carrie.

Posted by Crystal. ARE YOU A MEMBER OF WNCMOM.COM? Join in the conversation with other parents, share photos and more.

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Quick dinner Wasabi-crusted beef with mashed potatoes 3/4 pound russet potatoes 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 2/3 cup wasabi-coated dried peas (from Asian snack-foods section) 2 beef tenderloin steaks, about 7 ounces each 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons milk (any type) Peel potatoes and cut into medium chunks. Put in a medium saucepan, add cold water to cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and simmer until fork-tender, 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat (not too hot or wasabi coating will burn). Put wasabi peas in a zip-top bag and use something heavy to finely crush them. Dump crumbs onto a plate. Set aside about 2 tablespoons crumbs for the potatoes. Press steaks, one at a time, into remaining crumbs and make crumbs stick. Place steaks on hot, oiled skillet and cook 5-6 minutes each side for medium doneness. Drain potatoes and return to pot, off heat. Add butter and milk; mash until smooth. Stir in reserved crushed wasabi peas. Serves 2. Prep time: 30 minutes. Total time: 30 minutes. Source: Gannett News Service

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Add some lunchbox creativity By Jolene Ketzenberger Gannett News Service

Taco dogs

School has started, and back to the classroom means back to the lunchroom, too. But not every kid will be toting a cafeteria tray. Whether for economic, health or environmental reasons, more people today are choosing packed lunches. When it comes to kids, lunch time calls for a little creativity. For a few kid-tested tips, we challenged students at Kiss Z Cook cooking school in Carmel, Ind., and Kiss Z Cook chef Dwight Simmons to create a few new takes on classic lunchbox favorites. Simmons and his crew came up with several easy-to-fix options that go way beyond bologna and a bag of chips. To show the kids how it’s done, Simmons took a tried-andtrue favorite — pepperoni pizza — and tweaked it for a more healthful and packable lunch. Nine-year-old Kiss Z Cook student Liam Pierson has plenty of lunch-making experience. “I make my own lunch,” he says. “I just do what I like and what my mom says is OK.” Here are a few kid-tested recipes for easy-to-make lunchbox options.

1 package all-beef hot dogs 1 package 10-inch wholewheat tortillas 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (save remaining half for another use) 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded Hot sauce, to taste Cook the hot dogs by lining a microwave-safe plate with a piece of paper towel; place hot dogs on plate and cover with another piece of paper towel. Cook in the microwave on high for 50 seconds. To assemble, place a tortilla on a clean workspace, and top with 1 ounce shredded cheddar; add lettuce, then place one cooked dog on top. Drizzle with hot sauce and carefully roll into a cylinder. Repeat with remaining hot dogs. Serves 8.

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Pepperoni pizza melts

Asian pasta salad with chicken

4 slices thin sandwich bread (English muffins can also be used) Olive oil, as needed 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 large tomato, ends trimmed, then cut into 4 slices 8 ounces shredded mozzarella 3 ounces sliced pepperoni Place bread on a plate large enough to hold 4 slices. Drizzle each slice very lightly with olive oil. Divide the basil evenly among the slices of bread and top each slice with a slice of tomato. Top each tomato with 2 ounces of mozzarella and 4 slices of pepperoni. Microwave for 1 minute 15 seconds or until cheese melts. Allow to cool before packing in plastic bags for lunches. Serves 4.

3 cups spiral pasta 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 1 orange bell pepper, diced 1 cup snow peas 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/3 cup honey 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 chicken breasts from a rotisserie chicken 1/2 cup cucumber, diced Boil 6 cups water; add pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat sesame oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, and saute just until soft. Add bell pepper and snow peas, and sautĂŠ for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle mixture with flour and stir until flour is thoroughly combined. Add chicken stock, honey, sugar and soy sauce. Simmer until sauce thickens. Meanwhile, shred cooked chicken. Add chicken and pasta to sauce and vegetable mixture; toss to coat. Can be served hot or cold. Serves 4 to 6.

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growing together

Strive for the simple life and ‘do without’ By Chris Worthy WNC Parent columnist Visitors to my house probably think I don’t have a lot of kitchen gadgets. They soon find out that I really just have an aversion to cluttered counters. In fact, I love gadgets. Want to grind some flax seed, freeze homemade ice cream in 20 minutes or process some jam? I can do that. But you won’t see how unless you open the cabinets. The same used to be true for the rest of my house, but I think I am, as they say, working for the stuff instead of having it work for me. I clean out home-schooling supplies, only to have more come in for the new school year. Toys and books breed in the night, leaving their progeny all over the house.

In everything, I try to reuse or repurpose to avoid the need for more but the progress on that front is slower than I would like. Really, the clutter extends beyond my four walls. In less than five minutes, I can get to three grocery stores, four drugstores and 11 restaurants. I counted. Many days I am thankful for and spoiled by the ease of access, but more often I find myself asking my husband to find us a little house in the big woods — but with high-speed Internet access and guaranteed FedEx delivery. (Just think of what Ma Ingalls could have done with a stand mixer. It boggles the mind.) The struggle to simplify didn’t start at my house, but I feel it whenever I try to live and buy intentionally. I find myself putting a lot of things back on the store shelves these days as I think more critically about my own consumerism. Do I need that next thing? Probably not. I can

use what I have, make it myself or just move on. Doing so is not only environmentally and financially responsible, it saves me the trouble of donating that must-have thing in six months when it’s in the way. And it has the great by-product of modeling that responsibility for my children. Quilters — who seem to have a penchant for the best of their foremothers’ ways — have a saying, “Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do or do without.” I’ve decided I can de-clutter now, while the items are still in my shopping cart, or later, when they are in my house. If I choose wisely, maybe I won’t have so much to pack when I finally make it to the prairie. Chris Worthy is an attorney who took down her single to be a stay-at-home mom. Contact her at growingtogether@chrisworthy.com.

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AREA STORY TIMES Buncombe County Public Libraries For more information visit buncombecounty.org/ governing/depts/Library/default.asp Mother Goose Time (ages 4-18 months) 11 a.m. Mondays: West Asheville 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Fairview 11 a.m. Wednesdays: Swannanoa, Weaverville 11 a.m. Thursdays: Oakley Toddler Time (ages 18-36 months) 10 a.m. Wednesdays: North Asheville 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Fairview, Skyland/South Buncombe 11 a.m. Wednesdays: West Asheville 10 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Black Mountain, Enka-Candler 11 a.m. Thursdays: Weaverville (first Thursday only) Story time (ages 3-5) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Oakley 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Black Mountain, EnkaCandler, Leicester 11 a.m. Wednesdays: East Asheville, North Asheville 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Fairview, Skyland/South Buncombe 11 a.m. Thursdays: Swannanoa, West Asheville 11 a.m. Saturdays: East Asheville School-age story time (ages 5-7) 3:15 p.m. Thursdays: North Asheville Family story time 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Weaverville Storyline Call 251-5437 for a story anytime.

Henderson County Public Library For more information, visit henderson.lib.nc.us. Bouncing Babies (ages 0-18 months) 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays: Etowah 11 a.m. Wednesdays: Main Library 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher Toddler time (ages 18 months-3 years) 10 a.m. Tuesdays: Etowah 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Main Library Preschool story time (ages 3-5) 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays: Main Library, Etowah 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays: Fletcher 10:30 a.m. Thursdays: Main Library Family story time (all ages) 10 a.m. Mondays: Edneyville 10 a.m. Thursdays: Green River 10:30 a.m. Saturdays: Main Library Stories Alive 10:30 a.m. Saturdays: Main Library 4 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock Craft Club 4 p.m. Thursdays: Main Library

Barnes & Noble Asheville Mall, 3 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 2967335 Story time: 11 a.m. Mondays (toddlers) and 2 p.m. Saturdays (young readers). American Girl Club: 4 p.m. third Saturday. Magic Tree House Club: 4 p.m. fourth Sunday.

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Support groups The Western North Carolina area offers many resources, from La Leche meetings to ongoing breast-feeding classes to a community warm line (a phone line dedicated to nursing questions). Prenatal breast-feeding classes build confidence and help women know what to expect. At the Women’s Wellness and Education Center, they are offered monthly. Pregnant women and their partners are both encouraged to come and learn about how they will feed and comfort their newborn. “The class is fun, and filled with visual tools to help couples remember the hallmarks of a good latch, the signs that things are going well and the signs that help is needed,” said Mason. The Breastfeeding Center at Mission provides an extensive line of nursing bras, pump rental and sales for working moms and advice on juggling going back to work. La Leche offers monthly meetings with other moms, conferences, workshops and a lending library.

BREAST-FEEDING SUPPORT La Leche League of Asheville Meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m., First Congregational Church, 20 Oak St., Asheville. Contact a leader: Susan (628-4438) Falan (683-1999) or Tamara (505-1379). Also meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., Awakening Heart Chiropractic, 260 Merrimon Ave., Suite 101, Asheville. Contact Jen (713-3707) or Yvette (254-5591). La Leche League of Brevard Meets at 4 p.m. the last Thursday of each month (except November and December), Unitarian Universalist Congregation, South Broad and Varsity streets. Call Cheri at 243-0464. La Leche League of Hendersonville Meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road. Contact a leader for current meeting information. Visit lllofnc.org or call Katie (808-1490), M.C. (693-9899) or Andrea (676-6047). WNC Breastfeeding Center at Mission ◆ Breastfeeding Basics: Taught by a certified lactation educator, this class provides basic information for preparing to breast-feed. This is a one-time class, 2 1/2 hours. Cost: $20. Call 2132222. ◆ Beyond Breastfeeding Basics: This two-hour class, taught by a certified lactation educator, covers breast-feeding during the first year, pumping and storing milk and weaning. Cost: $15. At Mission Hospital or the Wellness Resource Center at Reuter YMCA, Asheville. Call 213-2222. ◆ Warm Line: 213-1103 The Women’s Wellness and Education Center Breast-feeding classes offered monthly, 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Upcoming dates are: Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2. Cost is $25. At 24 Arlington St., Asheville. Call 505-7505 or visit AshevilleWomensWellness.com.

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Coloring

Kids page Maze

Connect the dots Word search: Ice cream flavors almond banana blueberry butter pecan cherry cinnamon cookie dough hazelnut maple walnut neopolitan peach pistachio pumpkin rocky road strawberry vanilla

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puzzles for parents Across 1. What a garden bed should do to vegetables 6. Ostrich-like bird 9. One thousandth of a kilogram 13. Prefix for "between" 14. Where yoga’s done 15. Space exploration mission 16. Express contempt 17. Anger 18. Cowboy movie 19. Homemade plant food 21. Blue or green bins’ use 23. ___ Lanka 24. Strategic board game 25. Pine covering 28. Withered 30. Non-stick 35. Most frequent complaint about compost piles 37. Flower holder 39. Donald Duck’s girlfriend 40. Famous song by "The Kinks" 41. Make corrections 43. Cuzco valley empire 44. Bottomless pit 46. Done to a road 47. Not counterfeit 48. Advice on shampoo bottle 50. Fictional city-dwelling crocodile 52. DNA transmitter 53. Gapes wide open 55. Shack or shanty 57. Cow emission that creates greenhouse gas 61. Popular homemade cleaning ingredient 65. Kitchen tear-jerker 66. A solution of sodium hydroxide 68. Accepted or habitual practice 69. Shrek and Fiona, e.g. 70. "Game, ___, match!" 71. Provided with clues 72. Stepped 73. Owns 74. World of the dead

22. New York time 24. Seals again 25. *A renewable energy 26. Acrobat maker 27. A growth on a mucous membrane 29. It’s in multi-level parking garages 31. Socially responsible type of trade 32. Inside a jacket 33. Ancient Italic language 34. African antelope 36. Tear down 38. One turns green with it? 42. New _____, India 45. American Indian people of Yucatan 49. With hole in ozone layer, would-be sun-lovers fear

it 51. Harem guardian 54. Natives of Wales 56. Electric motor inventor Nikola 57. Type of point or question 58. Short for engineer 59. Beginner 60. Tilled the garden 61. VA patients 62. Cheap trinket 63. "A Death in the Family" author 64. Cincinnati ballplayers 67. Affirmative response

Solutions on Page 56

Down 1. Reduced Instruction Set Computer 2. The A in A.D. 3. Individual unit 4. Oozes 5. They’re frowned upon in America’s pastime 6. What most cars do with pollutants 7. Sea in Spain 8. Embryo cradles 9. Between black and white 10. Officer training program 11. Cain’s unfortunate brother 12. Frenchman’s mother 15. Marked by smallpox 20. A strainer

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calendar of events

Things to do Starts in September Spanish classes Chiquitin Bilingual Academy is a bilingual program offering weekly, 45-minute classes for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers. Learn a new set of English and Spanish vocabulary in each class while singing songs, playing games, dancing and reading. Classes are held in North Asheville and start the first week of September. Cost is $125 for 12 classes. Register in advance. Scholarships available. Call 581-4463, e-mail chiquitin@charter.net or visit chiquitin.info for more information or to register.

Clogging classes Children ages 3 and older can learn to clog with The Asheville Clogging Company. Beginner through advanced classes offered at Hahn’s Gymnastics, 18 Legend Drive, Arden. For more information, visit ashevillecloggingcompany.com or e-mail ashley@ashevillecloggingcompany.com or call 3293856.

Science clubs The Colburn Earth Science Museum is registering children for its Junior Rockhounds and Science Sisters clubs. The groups each meet once a month in the museum from 4-4:45 p.m., September-May. Cost is $45 for museum members and $60 for nonmembers. For details or to register, call 254-7162 or stop by the museum in the lower level of Pack Place. ◆ Junior Rockhounds Club is for children ages 6-10 who are interested in rocks and minerals. Learn about minerals with games and crafts. There are two Rockhounds sessions: the third Tuesday and third Wednesday of the month. ◆ Science Sisters is only for girls in third to fifth grades. It meets the second Thursday of each month to learn more about women in science. Each meeting features a different scientist explaining her career and leading the girls in a hands-on experiment.

Sept. 1 Free Kindermusik session Sing, move, listen and play at this free session of Kindermusik for parents and children, ages newborn to 7. At Asheville Arts Center’s North location, underneath Atlanta Bread Co. on Merrimon Avenue, and South location, on Summit Avenue off Hendersonville Road north of Long Shoals. Reservations requested. Call 253-4000.

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calendar of events

Sept. 1 and 8 Childbirth 101 A two-session class for expectant parents covering the labor and delivery process, relaxation, breathing patterns, birth options, positioning and comfort measures. Bring two pillows and a blanket. Two Tuesdays, Sept. 1 and 8, 6:30-9 p.m. Cost is $90, or free with Medicaid. Registration required. At Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600.

Sept. 2 Skyland Library Knitters A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels at 6 p.m. at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.

Swannanoa Library Knitters A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels meets at 5 p.m. at the Swannanoa Library, 101 W. Charleston St. Call 250-6486.

Sept. 3 Preschool Play Date The Health Adventure’s Preschool Play Date series provides children ages 3-6 with a safe venue to play and a chance for parents and caregivers to socialize. It includes hands-on take-away activities led by an educator from the museum for children ages 3-6. Free for members or with museum admission. Runs 10:30-11:30 a.m. every first Thursday of the month. No registration in required. Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Soccer registration deadline Register for Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association’s U5 and U6 divisions by Sept. 3. Deadline for U7 and older was June 25; those players can register with a $10 late fee. Visit abysa.org.

Sept. 3 and 10 Parenting Sensitive Children A free monthly session led by parenting author Maureen Healy on how to effectively parent the highly creative, sensitive and intelligent child. At 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at Earth Fare in West Asheville and Sept. 10 at Earth Fare in South Asheville. For more information, visit growinghappykids.com.

Sept. 4 Weaverville Library Teen Advisory Group The Weaverville Library Teen Advisory Group will begin meeting the first Friday of each month at 4 p.m. Speak out about what you want from the library. Snacks and drinks. Talk about Fall Open Mic Night and Teen Writer’s Circle. At 41 N. Main St. Call 2506482.

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calendar of events

6-10 p.m. the first Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. Friday cost is $12 for members ($24 nonmembers); Saturday cost is $15 for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts for everyone. For information or to register, call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

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Sept. 4-7 N.C. Apple Festival Street fair, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities, parade, food and more on Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Kiddie Carnival and Teen Challenge within the festival is in the Wachovia parking lot, Main and Barnwell streets, and runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 5-6 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 7. For more information, visit ncapplefestival.org. ◆ Pancakes With The King: The Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville will kick off the festival with a pancake breakfast 7-10 a.m. Sept. 4 at First Baptist Church, at Fourth Avenue and Church Street. Enjoy pancakes, grits, cooked apple slices, and drinks. Cost is $6 per person. An Elvis Presley impersonator will make a guest appearance at the breakfast. Tickets may be purchased at the door, at the Visitors Center, or from any Kiwanis member. For information call 693-1515.

Sept. 5 AshevilleMommies Birthday Bash AshevilleMommies celebrates its first birthday with a bash at the Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Free food and games, raffles and more. For details, contact

Sept. 6 Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival PHOTO BY STEPHEN MILLER

Rylee Becher, right, and his brother Ethan eat apples at the North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville. This year’s event is Sept. 4-7.

Three blocks of Lexington Avenue showcase local art, food, street performers, music and more. Runs 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Visit arts2people.org/laaff.html.

Ends Sept. 6 ‘Arthur’ at The Health Adventure

sheri@ashevillemommies.com. Open to the public.

Meet Cosmo the Dog Author Suzanne Kline and Cosmo, star of a new book series, will read their first book and meet fans, with a book signing to follow. Free. All ages welcome. At 1 p.m. at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop, 19 Wall St., downtown Asheville. Call 232-2228.

An exhibit based on Marc Brown’s popular books and the Emmy award-winning PBS show. Arthur promotes reading, handling emotions that kids face every day, creative problem solving, being a good friend, connecting to your family, appreciating what makes us all different and having fun. At The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place, Asheville. For more information, visit thehealthadventure.org or call 254-6373.

Sept. 7 Labor Day

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available at the museum store or bring your own. Cost is museum admission. From 4-5 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place. Call 254-6373 or visit thehealthadventure.org.

Ends Sept. 7 Beauty of Butterflies exhibit Come face to face with native butterflies and moths at the WNC Nature Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s butterfly exhibit. The Nature Center is at 75 Gashes Creek Road. Call 298-5600 or visit wildwnc.org.

Sept. 10 Knitty Gritty Knitting Night A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels meets at 6:30 p.m. at the East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road. Call 250-4738.

Sept. 8 Art Museum home-school program Program for students in first to fifth grades that meets 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Tour Asheville Art Museum and participate in a hands-on activity. Cost is $4. To register, call 253-3227, ext. 121 or 122, or e-mail eshope@ashevilleart.org. For information, visit ashevilleart.org.

Sept. 9 Breast-feeding and Calming a Fussy Baby class Class that teaches tips and tricks to feed, calm and soothe a baby meets 6-9 p.m. at The Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. Cost is $25. For information, call Holly at 250-0226 or visit AshevilleWomensWellness.com.

Holistic Parenting Forum The Holistic Parenting Forum is a free group that

Sept. 11-13 Book sale PHOTO BY JOHN COUTLAKIS

The Mountain State Fair is Sept. 11-20 at the WNC Ag Center in Fletcher. meets monthly to provide an opportunity for a diverse community of parents committed to natural living to gather. The group provides support, education and resources. All meetings take place 6-8 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Earth Fare in West Asheville. Children welcome. For details, call 230-4850 or e-mail shantisunshine@gmail.com.

Origami Folding Frenzy Learn new folds, share favorites, and meet fellow origami enthusiasts. All levels welcome. Paper is

Friends of Henderson County Public Library hosts its annual book sale at 1940 Spartanburg Highway. Books in more than 50 categories, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, books on tape, vinyl records and more. Members-only sale is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 11. Public sale is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 12 and 1-5 p.m. Sept. 13 (10 percent off prices). For information, visit Henderson.lib.nc.us/hcpl_friends.html.

Sept. 11-20 N.C. Mountain State Fair Exhibits, contests, rides, food and more at the fair at Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, off Airport

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Carolina Mountain Literary Festival Celebrate literacy with storytelling, crafts and workshops from 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. in Burnsville. Arts Matters and Penland School of Crafts will offer hands-on children’s art activities, 9 a.m.-noon at First Baptist Church. From 1:15-2:15 p.m. at the Yancey County Courthouse, author Karen Miller will share strategies for making any child a book lover. Kids can meet Miller at 2:30 p.m. in a kids-only session. Karen wants kids ages 8-12 to be an editor for selected chapters of her upcoming book “Bogeyman 101.” And hear stories from Daniel Barron at the courthouse at 3:30 p.m. For more information about the festival, visit CMLitfest.com.

Continued from Page 45 Road in Fletcher. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 6-12 and seniors 65 and older, with advance purchase discounts. Visit mountainfair.org.

Sept. 11 Free movie night See “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” at Bicentennial Park in Sylva at 9 p.m., weather permitting. Light refreshments available for purchase. For more information, call 586-2155 or 800-962-1911.

Charity golf tournament Help North Asheville Christian School’s scholarship program by golfing at 8 a.m. at Broadmoor Golf Links in Fletcher. Cost is $125 per golfer, with awards and giveaways. Call 645-8053 for more information.

Parents Night Out Drop the kids off at Fired Up! for an evening of pottery painting and fun. For children ages 5-12. They will paint a bisque piece, have pizza and play games. Cost is $25 per child, reservations required. Fired Up! is at 26 Wall St., Asheville. Call 253-8181.

Conscious Discipline workshop

Sept. 12 Asheville Citizen-Times Half-Marathon and 5K The Asheville Citizen-Times celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Half-Marathon and 5K. For information and to register, visit CITIZEN-TIMES.com/race.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN MILLER

Benjamin Wagner joins his mother Carrie for the finish of the Asheville Citizen-Times Half Marathon. This year’s race is Sept. 12.

Workshop for parents, teachers and caregivers. Learn how to resolve conflict through loving communication led by Mindy Becker of Auntie M’s Grow With Us (growwithusmiami.com). Runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville. Cost is $125 per person, $225 per couple; $25 per person fee to reserve a spot. Register by calling Julie at 216-2123 or e-mail joolsveg@charter.net.

Family Fun Event Anointed Word Church in Arden hosts games, crafts, a puppet show and Bible message, face painting and more, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Kate’s Park in Fletcher (next to the Fletcher Library on Hendersonville Road). Free hot dogs noon-12:45 p.m. Free. All ages welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Kate’s Park does not allow pets. For more information, call Rebecca at 242-8781.

Historic Tea Party The Smith-McDowell House Museum hosts a Historic Tea Party for boys and girls ages 7 and older. The party will feature a Civil War theme. Enjoy treats from the era. Dress code is casual. Cost is $25 for adults and $20 for children. Starts at 11 a.m. A second party at 3 p.m. may be added. For reservations, call 253-9231. Smith-McDowell House is at 283 Victoria Road, on the campus of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Kidfest at Grandfather Mountain Visit Grandfather Mountain and enjoy hikes, crafts, storytelling and more. For information, visit grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.

Odyssey Community School open house and pool party Come for a swim, meet the directors, and tour Odyssey’s campus from 1-5 p.m. Odyssey Community School, 90 Zillicoa St., Asheville. For more information, call 259-3654 or visit odysseycommunity.org.

WNC Guatemala Group picnic The WNC Guatemala Group is a network of more than 30 families in the region who have adopted children from Guatemala. The group hosts an annual get together. New families are welcome. This year’s picnic will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the pavilion in Lake Louise Park, Weaverville. Family games, food and fun are on the program including Spanish kid’s songs led by Morgen Yeakley, hula hoop contests, piñatas, field

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calendar of events games, Guatemala trivia and more. Open to the public. Meats, beverages and place settings are provided. Families are asked to bring a dish to pass and a $10 donation is requested. For more information, call 514-2160.

Your Health Matters health fair S.O.S. Mission and St. Paul’s Church sponsor a health fair from 8 a.m.-noon. The W.O.W. Bus from Park Ridge Hospital will provide free screenings. Child care provided. At 32 Rosscraggon Road, Asheville. Call Ramona Hovey at 684-0591 or e-mail rchovey@sos.spc-asheville.org.

on how to parent a highly intelligent, creative and sensitive child. The program will be led by Maureen Healy and offered at Horse Farm, Equinection in Green Mountain. For information, visit growinghappykids.com or call 505-0383.

Book Making Workshop

Starts Sept. 13 Parenting class Anointed Word Church in Arden will start a four-week parenting class taught by Bishop Darrell Ellis from 9-10 a.m. Child care will be provided. Please call Pastor Barry at 242-0810 to register for the class no later than Sept. 12.

Food allergy group

Learn how to make four books from one paper grocery bag at 1 p.m. at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop, 19 Wall St. Free, but call ahead. All materials provided. For ages 5 and older. Call 232-2228 or visit spellboundchildrensbookshop.com.

COCOA—Caring for Children with food Allergies—is a free group for parents of food-allergic children. It meets at 6:45 p.m. in the deli seating area of the South Asheville Earth Fare on Hendersonville Road. For more information, e-mail Kristie at cocoa_in_asheville@yahoo.com.

Organic Fest

Nature Journaling 101

Celebrate everything organic from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Battery Park Avenue in downtown Asheville. Includes live music, organic food, vendors, arts and crafts, kids garden parade and more. For information, visit organicfest.org or call 253-2267.

Tao of Parenting workshop An innovative workshop to deepen and refine skills

Sept. 14-17 Super Sale consignment drop-off

Sept. 14

Sept. 13

for Annual Passholder parents). Visit chimneyrockpark.com. Call 800-277-9611 to register.

Keeping a nature journal helps kids of all ages take a more objective look at their surroundings. Homeschooled participants in Chimney Rock Park’s program will create their own journals and develop the first entry while in the park by putting their senses to the test. Runs 10:30 a.m.-noon. Cost is $14 per student, $11.50 for parents ($7 for students and free

The Junior Women’s Club of Hendersonville will host its 18th annual Fall Super Sale on Sept. 19-20 at the National Guard Armory on Spartanburg Highway in East Flat Rock. Drop-off is 8-11 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. Sept. 14-16 and 8-11 a.m. Sept. 17. For details, visit jwchendersonville.org.

Sept. 15 Bilingual Bedtime Story Time All ages are welcome at the Weaverville Library’s monthly Bilingual Bedtime Story Time. Read stories, learn rhymes and sing songs that incorporate both English and Spanish languages. At 6:30 p.m. at 41 N. Main St. Call 250-6482.

Breast-feeding class Learn the art of breast-feeding. Class covers breastfeeding basics to help give moms a good start. From 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600. Class is free; registration is not required.

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Skate park fundraiser meeting The Waynesville Parks and Recreation Department will host a fundraiser meeting for the new skate park at 5:30 p.m. at Waynesville Recreation Center. Open to all ages. The new skate park will be at the old horse ring on Vance Street in Waynesville. For information call 456-2030 or e-mail recdirector@townofwaynesville.org.

Sept. 16 Skyland Library Knitters A casual knitting group for knitters of all skill levels at 3 p.m. at the Skyland/South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road. Call 250-6488.

Starts Sept. 16 Empowered Birthing childbirth education classes Four interactive classes focus on natural childbirth, positions for comfort and hands-on massage techniques for labor. VBACs welcome. Tips for breastfeeding and soothing a fussy baby are incorporated. Classes run 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St. Cost is $175 for the series. Taught by Laura Beagle, LMBT, and Trish Beckman, CNM. For more information or to register, call 231-9227 or visit ashevillewomenswellness.com.

Sept. 17 Twilight Jamboree Join East Asheville Library, 902 Tunnel Road, for bedtime stories, songs and fun at 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome; ideal for ages 3-6. Call 250-4738.

Sept. 17–Oct. 22 Spanish for Kids An enjoyable and effective way to learn Spanish by exposing children ages 3-5 to the language sounds. Classes offered 4:15-5 p.m. Thursdays for six weeks at the North Asheville Library. Call Mónica at 3352021 or e-mail monicav.bastin@gmail.com for more information.

Sept. 18 Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year holiday, begins at sundown.

YMCA parents night out The YMCA in downtown Asheville offers a parents night out for children ages 2-12. Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, snacks and a movie. Register online or in person (at least 24 hours before scheduled program). Offered 6-10 p.m. the first Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month. Friday cost is $12 for members ($24 nonmembers); Saturday cost is $15

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calendar of events for members ($30 for nonmembers), with $2 sibling discounts. Call 210-5622 or visit ymcawnc.org.

Sept. 19 Domo Day for teens Join the teens of the East Asheville Library for an afternoon of Japanese art and pop culture. Bring your favorite manga to share (or come to learn what manga is), and learn about origami, sushi and other cool things from our friends on the other side of the world. For middle and high school students, ages 11-18. Runs 3-4:30 p.m. The library is at 902 Tunnel Road. Call 250-4738.

Girl Scout Day at Grandfather Mountain Girl Scouts are invited to learn more about nature and the Blue Ridge Mountains at Grandfather Mountain’s 39th annual Girl Scout Day, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership. Visit grandfather.com.

The Lord’s Acre potluck The Lord’s Acre Community Garden will be holding its second Square Dance and Potluck Fundraiser 510:30 p.m. at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The Lord’s Acre is a community faith garden in Fairview to answer the need for fresh, organic produce for local food banks. The event will include square dancing, a potluck dinner, tours of Sherrill’s Inn, pony rides and more. Bring a dish to share; drinks will be provided. Suggested donation is $10 a person or $20 a family. Visit thelordsacre.org or e-mail nmckeon@msn.com. To volunteer at the garden, call Nicole McKeon at 628-2329.

WNC Run/Walk for Autism A 5K competitive race, 5K run/walk and one-mile fun run/walk at Carrier Park. Starts at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society of North Carolina. Kids 6 and younger can participate in any of the events for free if accompanied by a parent/guardian registered in the event. For information, call 800-442-2762 or visit autismsociety-nc.org/.

Weaverville’s Art in Autumn festival The third-annual arts and crafts festival runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Main Street in Weaverville. Enjoy art, live music, food and more.

Sept. 19-20 Book sale Friends of Henderson County Public Library offers books half price or less at its annual book sale at 1940 Spartanburg Highway. Sale is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 19 and 1-5 p.m. Sept. 20. Clearance day ($4 per bag) is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26. For information, visit Henderson.lib.nc.us/hcpl_friends.html.

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Good food, bad food Watching what you eat is key when pregnant and nursing By Barbara Blake Staff writer Everything changes when a woman is pregnant or breast-feeding, including the foods she should and shouldn’t eat — both for her own comfort and her baby’s health. While some foods will always be healthy and nutritious, others that are normally at the top of the nutrition list might suddenly become the enemy — such as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage that can make mom gassy and pass the discomfort onto her newborn through her milk. A universal no-no for pregnant women is alcohol, health experts say. That means none. Zero. Not even a small glass of wine. “In terms of the lasting impact on your baby, it is even more dangerous than cocaine, and it is permanent,” said Mission Hospital spokesman Merrell Gregory. “It is now known that even babies who do not have the full effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

may still be affected. No liquor, including wine, is safe, and no amount is safe.” To help unravel the mysteries of good and bad food choices, we asked the following experts for some tips: Marianne Reinert, an international board certified lactation consultant at Mission Hospital; Sharon Carter, nutrition program assistant with the N.C. Cooperative Extension; and Laura Tolle, clinical nutrition educator at Mission Hospital.

Great foods for pregnant women “Water — at least 8-10 cups each day — can prevent pre-term labor and constipation,” Tolle said. “Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins (folic acid) and minerals (calcium) for mommy and baby’s health, and these foods also contain fiber, which is so important in pregnancy,” she said. Reinert recommends taking a good food from each of the food groups, especially mixed greens like spinach and different types of dark leaf lettuce. “Low-fat yogurt is great because it has protein and calcium,” Reinert said. “A fruit packed with nutrients, especially A and C, is cantaloupe, and it’s rela-

tively low in calories.” Tolle said protein can be found in beans, like lentils and soybeans, which also have fiber, potassium, magnesium and folic acid. “Fish, especially oily fish, contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help in brain development,” she said. “But limit highmercury fish such as tilefish, swordfish, shark and king mackerel. And if you don’t eat fish, you can also get omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts, ground flax seed and canola oil.”

Foods pregnant women should avoid Tolle says stay away from soft cheeses like blue, feta, brie and soft Mexican cheeses because of possible food borne illness such as listeria. “The same for deli and processed meats, because of listeria, high sodium content and nitrates,” she said. Carter’s no-no list includes raw or undercooked meat, poultry and fish like raw oysters, and raw vegetable sprouts. “And stay away from raw or undercooked eggs, such as in cookie dough,” she said. Reinert says to hold off on sweet rolls or doughnuts, which contain little nutrition for the caloric value. Same with iceberg lettuce. “And stay away from high-mercury fishes like swordfish and albacore tuna, which is a little deeper-water fish and tends to feed more on fish that can accumulate mercury,” she said. They all agree that soda — both sugary and artificially sweetened, should be strictly limited.

Great foods for breast-feeding moms “In grains, oatmeal is one of the great foods,” Reinert said. “In Hispanic cultures, they make a special oatmeal every morning and they believe that helps the milk.” All kinds of fruits and vegetables are good, unless they don’t agree with mom.

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Heritage Weekend A two-day celebration of traditional craft, music, dancing and storytelling at the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Enjoy live music and clogging. The 29th annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle competition is 2-3 p.m. Sept. 19. Runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. For information, call 298-7928 or visit southernhighlandguild.org.

Junior Women’s Club Super Sale The Junior Women’s Club of Hendersonville will host its 18th annual Fall Super Sale Sept. 19-20 at the National Guard Armory on Spartanburg Highway in East Flat Rock. Sale hours are 9-4 p.m. Sept. 19 and 1-3 p.m. Sept. 20. Items are half price on second day. Consignor presale is 7-8 p.m. Sept. 18. For details, visit jwchendersonville.org or call 698-1618.

Sept. 20 Becky Stone as Rosa Parks at the Fairview Library PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

Corbin Gates readies for the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle contest at Heritage Weekend at the Folk Art Center, which is Sept. 19-20.

Come to the Fairview Library at 2 p.m. to watch actress Becky Stone bring to life Rosa Parks, one of the most important figures of the American civil rights movement. Appropriate for school-age children. Sponsored by the Friends of the Fairview Library. Free. Call 250-6484. The library is at 1 Taylor Road.

Run for the Horses 5K Run, Fun Walk and Dog Parade The third-annual Run for the Horses 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk and Dog Parade is at 2 p.m. starting at the Buncombe County Health Department parking lot at 25 Woodfin St., across from the YMCA. The race has expanded this year to include a whimsical dog parade along with the one-mile fun walk. Proceeds benefit Hope for Horses, a nonprofit organization providing rehabilitation and adoption services to the community for neglected, abused and unwanted horses. For details, visit hopeforhorses.org/events.

Sept. 21 Grandparent class Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place offers a class on how grandparents can help parents, how childbirth has changed, gift ideas, safety and a tour of the OB unit. At 7 p.m. Cost is $25. Held in the Duke Room at the hospital. Call Sheri Gregg at 681-BABY for information or to register.

Mommy and Me luncheon The Baby Place at Park Ridge Hospital in Hendersonville welcomes new moms to its Mommy and Me luncheon, noon-1 p.m. the third Monday of each month. Bring your new baby, visit with other new moms and enjoy a short presentation. This luncheon is in the hospital’s Private Dining Room, ground floor by the café. Please call 681-2229 to RSVP.

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Starts Sept. 21 SAT prep class Registration is open for the SAT prep class offered by UNC Asheville’s Professional Education Programs. Classes meet 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at UNCA for three consecutive weeks. Cost is $275. Contact Nancy Williams at 250-2353 or nwilliams@unca.edu or visit unca.edu/distedu/ce.

Sept. 22 BirthNetwork of WNC A nonprofit advocacy for mother-friendly maternity care offers a free discussion on birth options and infant CPR from 7-8 p.m. at Pardee Education Center, Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Seasons Blvd, Hendersonville. For more information, e-mail birthnetorkofwnc@gmail.com.

Black Mountain Library Knitters A causal knitting group for knitters of all skill levels at 7 p.m. at Black Mountain Library, 105 Dougherty St. Call 250-4756.

Pardee parenting classes Classes at Pardee Health Education Center in Blue Ridge Mall, Four Seasons Boulevard, Hendersonville. Call 692-4600 for information. Classes are free. Registration is not required. ◆ Infant care class: Learn the basics of infant care, 6:30-8 p.m.

◆ Prime-time with a pediatrician: Learn from a local pediatrician what to expect with a newborn in your home, 8-9 p.m.

Sept. 25

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Visit The Hop at 6 p.m. to hear the music of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. The Hop Ice Cream Shop is at 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville.

Enjoy a family movie, popcorn and drinks for free at 7 p.m. at Cummings Memorial United Methodist Church, 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe. Call ahead for movie being shown, 891-9413.

Sept. 22-Oct. 27

Opens Sept. 25

After-School Art Adventure

Family movie night

Eliada’s Castle in the Corn Maze

A six-week session at Asheville Art Museum for students in sixth to eighth grades. Students explore a range of media from drawing to sculpture to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Runs 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $60. To register, call 253-3227, ext. 121 or 122, or e-mail eshope@ashevilleart.org. For information, visit ashevilleart.org.

Venture through a 10-acre maze, Castle in the Corn, at Eliada through Oct. 31. The maze is open 4-9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children younger than 12 and free for children younger than 5. The maze is looking for volunteers. Work a three-hour shift and receive two free maze admission tickets. Visit castleinthecorn.com for information.

Sept. 24

‘Grossology’

Labor support forums Learn how to support a woman in labor so that everyone in the room is prepared. Each month, the Peaceful Beginning forum follows a specific article. All are invited to attend who support women in labor: family members and friends about to attend a birth, labor and delivery nurses, doulas, midwives, social workers. There is no charge (donations are welcome to help pay for the space). At 7 p.m. at Asheville Women’s Wellness Center, 24 Arlington St. For more information, visit peacefulbeginning.org.

The Health Adventure’s new traveling exhibit explores all the gross stuff adults don’t like to talk about in polite company. “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” is a science-in-disguise exhibition where kids get the answers to many of the slimy, oozy, crusty, stinky questions they absolutely love to ask about the human body. At The Health Adventure, 2 S. Pack Place, downtown Asheville. For more information, visit thehealthadventure.org.

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Sept. 25-27 Flat Rock Music Festival Enjoy music and camping at Camp Ton-A-Wandah for the three-day 14th annual Flat Rock Music Festival. Children’s entertainers include N8 the Great, Melanie MacNeil with Asheville Hoops, Randall Thompson with Mountain Circus Arts, Frank Bloom with Thunderdrums, Scary Stories and Marshmallow Roasts with Leslie and Vickie, and Becky the Balloon Lady. Other activities this year include an expanded Kids Village with a Kids Vending Market, face painting and hair wraps by Jenny and Katie, and the Kids Parade on Saturday afternoon. Festival-goers receive a free camping pass with the purchase of a three day ticket. Children 10 and younger are free. For ticket information, visit flatrockmusicfestival.com.

Sept. 26 Book sale Friends of Henderson County Public Library offers books for $4 per bag on clearance day at its annual book sale at 1940 Spartanburg Highway. Runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26. For information, visit Henderson.lib.nc.us/hcpl_friends.html.

Family Fun Day An event designed for persons with disabilities and their families, featuring entertainment, family activities, music, inflatables, games, food and more. Free and open to the public. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Carrier Park on Amboy Road. To volunteer, contact Amy Richards at froggyhop19@yahoo.com.

Garden Science Investigation Learn why plants are important at Garden Science Investigation, a program for kids ages 5-11 at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Kids will learn how plants are a valuable source of food, medicine and dyes. Class will talk about seed dispersal, use a microscope to view plant parts and use plant leaves and flowers to make Boo Boo Goo. Cost is $7. Runs 9:30-11:30 a.m. To register, call 252-5190. For more information, visit ashevillebotanicalgardens.org.

Michaelmas Fall Festival Asheville Waldorf Initiative hosts its second annual fall festival from 4-6:30 p.m. at Groce Methodist Church, 954 Tunnel Road in East Asheville. Activities include puppet show, children’s crafts, apple cider press, canned goods “harvest” for food bank and community potluck social. First puppet show begins 4:15 and potluck begins at 5:30. Cost is $5 per family activity. Potluck social is free. All welcome. For more information, contact Elizabeth at 296-8323 or solas9@earlthink.net or visit AshevilleWaldorf.org.

Mother & Son Rodeo Round-Up Fletcher Parks and Recreation hosts the fourth annual Mother & Son Rodeo Round-Up, 4-6 p.m. at the Steelcase Shelter at Fletcher Community Park. The afternoon will include games/contests, live music by The Rhinehart Family, snacks, hay rides, scarecrow building and more. Tickets are $15 ($5 for additional child) for residents and $18 ($7 for additional child) for nonresidents and must be purchased ahead of

MOMS GROUPS A sampling of support groups for moms in WNC. Biltmore Baptist MOPS: MOPS is a place designed specifically for mothers of children from infancy to kindergarten. Experience authentic community, mothering support, personal growth and spiritual hope. MOPS of Biltmore Baptist Church welcomes and invites any and all mothers to attend. Meetings are 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first, third and fifth Wednesday of each month at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden. For more information, call 687-1111, e-mail mopsofbbc@yahoo.com or visit mopsofbbc.com. La Leche League of Asheville: Pregnant moms, babies and toddlers welcome at all meetings. Monday morning group meets at 10 a.m. the second Monday of the month at First Congregational Church on Oak Street. Contact a leader: Susan at 628-4438, Falan at 683-1999 or Tamara at 505-1379. Monday evening group meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month at Awakening Heart on Merrimon Avenue. Contact a leader: Jen at 713-3707 or Yvette at 2545591. La Leche League of Hendersonville: Offers information and support for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hendersonville, 2021 Kanuga Road. Babies and toddlers are welcome. For more information, contact a leader: Andrea 676-6047, Katie 808-1490, or MC 693-9899. Mom2mom: Christian moms group meets at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at St. Paul’s Church, 1095 Hendersonville Road, South Asheville. Moms with any age children are welcome. For information, call 388-3598. Mommy and Me: Park Ridge Hospital offers a support group for moms at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month. At Lelia Patterson Center, Fletcher. Contact Amy Roach at 253-2804 or Angie Collins at (231) 838-4853 for more information. Moms with Multiples: Group for moms with multiples meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Women’s Resource Center on Doctors Drive, behind Mission Hospital. Meetings are an opportunity to share experiences and offer support in a social setting. For information, call 444-AMOM or visit ashevillemom.com. Montreat MOPS: Join other moms for fun, laughter and friendship. Group meets the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8 p.m., fourth floor of the Henry Building at Geneva Place in Montreat. Free child care is available. Call 669-8012, ext. 4001, to reserve a spot. North Asheville MOPS: Meets 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first Monday of each month (September meeting will be Sept. 14 because of Labor Day) at Maranatha Baptist Church, 1040 Lower Flat Creek Road, Weaverville. For information, contact Jennifer Warner at 423-6180 or Liban Morris at lmorris_cid@hotmail.com. time at Fletcher Town Hall. For more information, contact Cheyenne Youell at 687-0751 or c.youell@fletchernc.org.

N.C. Symphony auditions The North Carolina Symphony is holding auditions for its North Carolina Symphony Young All-Stars, an exclusive new chamber orchestra for advanced high school musicians, led by Music Director Grant Llewellyn in partnership with the Triangle’s Philharmonic Association and its Music Director Hugh Partridge. North Carolina high school students ages 14-19 can audition at Meymandi Concert Hall at downtown Raleigh’s Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Audition requirements, application and further details can be found at ncsymphony.org/education.

Storytelling around the Campfire Historic Johnson Farm hosts its fourth-annual storytelling event from 7-9 p.m., featuring six seasoned storytellers. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Please bring chairs and flashlights. Please no pets, coolers, alcohol or tobacco. Children can roast marshmal-

lows. Hot dog supper and beverages will be available for purchase. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for students K-12. Preschoolers free. The farm is at 3346 Haywood Road, Hendersonville. For information, cal 891-6585 or visit historicjohnsonfarm.org.

Sept. 26-27 Children’s Clothing Exchange Buy gently used clothing — newborn to juniors — shoes, toys, books, games and baby equipment at Children’s Clothing Exchange. Sale runs 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 26 and 12:30-3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the National Guard Armory on Shelburne Road (just off Brevard Road). Items are 40 percent off on Sunday. A portion of the proceeds and all donations go to ABCCM. For more information, call Kristie at 6670703 or e-mail roswechs@charter.net.

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Sept. 27 Monarch butterfly presentation The Orchard at Altapass offers its annual monarch butterfly presentation with naturalist Elizabeth Hunter describing the fall migration of monarch butterflies to the overwintering grounds in the mountains of central Mexico. The orchard is at Milepost 328 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For information, visit altapassorchard.com.

Spellbound story time Children ages 3-6 can join in a story time at Spellbound Children’s Bookshop featuring stories and activities about conservation and recycling, with special guest Alexandra from Asheville Greenworks. Free. At 19 Wall St. Call 232-2228 or visit spellboundchildrensbookshop.com.

Yom Kippur Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown.

Sept. 29 Electro-pollution presentation If you have headaches, hot ears, high stress or low energy, your cell phone and computer could be the culprit. This presentation is designed to inform you about the growing problem of electro-pollution. Learn solutions that effectively counteract this toxin’s effect on plants, pets and peoples’ well-being. At 7 p.m. at Earth Fare in West Asheville. For more information, contact Beth Hockman at 299-9844 or bioprobeth@gmail.com.

Leicester Library Knitters and Crocheters A knitting and crocheting group for people of all skill levels at 6:30 p.m. at Leicester Library, 1561 Alexander Road. Call 250-6480.

Sept. 30 Breast-feeding class Learn the basics of breast-feeding through Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place. Class is at 7 p.m. in the Duke Room at the hospital, 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Cost is $25. For information or to register, call Sheri Gregg at 681-2229.

Oct. 1 YWCA Black & White Gala The YWCA of Asheville’s fifth annual Black & White Gala will be at 7 p.m. at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. The evening will include silent and live auctions, food from local restaurants and dance music by Westsound. All event proceeds will go to support the programs of the YWCA of Asheville. Tickets are $40 each or two for $75. Festive black and white attire is encouraged. To reserve tickets, call Tami Ruckman 254-7206, ext. 206, or visit ywcaofasheville.org.

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calendar of events

Starts Oct. 2 The Great Pumpkin Patch Express Join the Peanuts gang and ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Meet Charlie Brown, Lucy and Snoopy. Children will get to pick out a pumpkin. Enjoy hayrides, live music, storytelling, hay bale maze, bounce house and more. Departs at 3 p.m. Fridays and 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Tickets are $53 for adults, $31 for children 2 and older. For reservations and information, call 800-872-4681 or visit gsmr.com.

creativity, listening skills, self-esteem, problem solving, vision and focus, language and literacy, hand-eye coordination, emotional and social skills, balance and coordination — all the while providing a joyful introduction to music. Classes for newborns through 7-year-olds. Call Lora Scott (Biltmore Village), 649-2320, allsoulscathedral.org/musicchoirs/kindermusik; Beth Magill (downtown Asheville), 298-9350, magills.net; Yvette Odell (North and South Asheville), 253-4000, ashevilleartscenter.com; Debra Huff (Madison County), 206-3145 or 6891128; Sonja Gorsline (Brevard), 883-8538.

Park Ridge Hospital’s Baby Place childbirth classes Choose from weekly Wednesday night classes for six weeks or a one-day class, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Monday of the month. Held in the Duke Room at Park Ridge Hospital, 100 Hospital Drive, Hendersonville. Cost is $90 total for the series. Start at any point in

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Oct. 3 Mill Around the Village Festival The third-annual Swannanoa festival includes children’s events, music, crafts, food, Beacon Mill history, trolley tours and more. This year includes a 5K and one-mile run.

Through Oct. 15 KidPower ENERGIZE! Park Ridge Hospital offers a free, multidisciplinary community outreach program that is designed for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. During the 12-week, 36-session program, participants and their families are given comprehensive nutrition education, instruction in behavior modification and exercise training by a staff of medical specialists. Now accepting physician referrals, which are required. Call Ellen Seagle at 650-6960 for more information.

Ongoing NIA classes Cummings Memorial United Methodist Church offers classes in NIA: The Joy of Movement at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $8 per class; first class is free. The church is at 3 Banner Farm Road, Horse Shoe. Call 891-9433 for information.

Trinity Presbyterian Church Mothers Morning Out The Mothers Morning Out program is enrolling children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old for care/preschool for the school year (September-May). Offered 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Classes start Sept. 8. Learning, dance, music and more. Registration fee and forms are necessary to hold the spot. Call Tina Robinson at 299-3433, ext. 308, or visit trinityasheville.com.

YWCA swim lessons Learn to swim at the YWCA of Asheville. Red Cross certified swim lessons are now in session and can be joined at any point in the session. Current session runs through Sept. 27. Classes are offered for babies, preschoolers, youth, teens and adults. Call 254-7206, ext. 110, for more information or sign up at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave. Visit ywcaofasheville.org.

Kindermusik registration Make a musical play date every week. Fall program registration is open now. Four curriculums promote

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calendar of events Continued from Page 55 the class cycle. Please call Sheri Gregg at 681-2229 for information or to register.

Women’s Wellness and Education Center classes All classes are at the Women’s Wellness and Education Center, 24 Arlington St., Asheville. For information, call 505-7505 or visit ashevillewomenswellness.com. ◆ Mamatime mother baby classes: Mamatime is a facilitated group of 10 moms and 10 babies who meet weekly for support and community. The group is open to all in a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore early parenting skills. Cost $100-150 sliding fee. Meets noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays. Call Shelley at 5824653 for more information and to register. ◆ Prenatal yoga classes are available 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays. Cost is $10 per class, $45 for five-class series.

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MORE INFORMATION Learn more about nutrition during pregnancy and breast-feeding at kellymom.com. “We don’t tell mom to avoid onions or broccoli unless it disagrees with her,” Reinert said. “And even then, she doesn’t have to avoid them, just eat them in smaller amounts at one time.” Legumes, especially chickpeas, are great, she said. “Put them in salads, have them as hummus. Chickpeas are one of the legumes that is not as well advertised and known, but it’s so good and one of the legumes that’s easier to digest.” Carter recommends fruits like apples, vegetables like spinach, whole grain breads and cereal, and low-fat dairy products. And nursing moms should even indulge in a chocolate treat on occasion, Reinert said.

Food nursing moms should avoid As in pregnancy, stay away from highmercury fish, Carter says. “And avoid ‘extras’ in foods that would add sugar and fat to your diet, such as soft drinks, desserts, biscuits and fried foods,” she added. She reiterated that nursing moms should be cautious about alcohol. “Any alcohol that is in a mother’s bloodstream can pass into her breast milk within 30-90 minutes of consumption,” she said. Reinert advises having no more than one soda per day, both diet and sugary. “Eat fruits, but in normal helpings,” she said. “If mom was to eat, say, three or four plums at one sitting, and later in the day eat a whole bowl of strawberries, she’s overloading. Always think in terms of moderation; even good fruits can be a little hard on baby’s digestion.”

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Baby smarts PHOTO SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT

One of the best toys for baby is a set of blocks, which integrate math and language skills.

Simple ways to teach during a child’s first year And good nutrition keeps baby’s brain healthy, both before and after birth. Consider breast-feeding, experts advise.

By Pam J. Hecht WNC Parent contributor During the first year, your baby’s brain is developing at warp speed, setting the neurological stage for lifelong learning. But take heart: When it comes to boosting your baby’s brainpower, you’re probably already doing it. What a baby needs most during the first year of life is to have consistent, reliable caregivers, says Dr. Melissa Thingvoll, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Asheville’s Mission Hospital and mother of 22-month-old twins. “Feeling safe sets the foundation to explore the world and develop skills.” “Stick to a schedule — kids feel more comfortable (and learn better) when they know what’s coming,” she said.

Talk it up Talking, interacting and playing accelerate brain development, says Thingvoll. But don’t lapse into “goo goo” talk, advises Carole Kurtines-Becker, Ph.D., assistant professor of education and Birth-Kindergarten program coordinator at UNC Asheville. Talk in conversation mode and narrate what’s going on, she says, so baby will learn intonation and relate words to things and actions — a precursor to reading. Alternate your pitch, use a sing-song voice and respond to baby’s nonverbal communication like gestures, sounds and facial expressions, says Kathryn

Burleson, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Warren Wilson College who teaches infant/child development courses. Expose baby to multiple languages — evidence suggests lifelong cognitive benefits, she adds.

Read and sing At six months or earlier, read to your child every day, says Thingvoll. Create positive experiences with books by talking about what you’re reading, exploring the characters or storyline by singing songs about the book, and building memory of the story by referring to it later, Burleson adds. Books with simple images, repetition and contrasting colors are best. To your baby, your voice is the most beautiful one around, says Molly Rouse

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of Asheville, a post-partum doula whose son is 2 1/2. Musical diversity builds strong neural pathways, says Beth Magill, Asheville Kindermusik educator. “Music is a language all its own, with sounds and silence and emotion.” “To a baby, it’s not just music,” Rouse says. “It’s comfort and meaning.”

tive for babies who aren’t yet sitting up.

Ditch the fancy toys

Turn off the tube

“Don’t break the bank on toys — there are 8 billion toys out there and no particular ones that baby must have,” says Thingvoll. “The most important toy is you.” One of the best toys is a set of blocks, which integrate math and language skills, says Kurtines-Becker. Toys that require stacking, snapping or building in convergent (one way to do it) or divergent (different ways to do it) forms help foster creative thinking, problem solving and motor skills, she adds. Baby-safe household items like cups, pots and pans provide a variety of new textures, sizes and weights. An exersaucer or jumper gives a different perspec-

Regular TV exposure wires a baby’s brain differently, says Kurtines-Becker, so avoid excessive viewing and when watching, be there to discuss content. While Baby Einstein and other videos geared toward infants may be better than what’s on TV, they’re not as beneficial as quality time with caregivers, Burleson says. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for those younger than 2.)

ONLINE RESOURCES zerotothree.org babycenter.com babyweekly.com (weekly e-mails tracking your baby’s development)

And take your play outside. A park trail is a good place to explore different tactile surfaces, says Kate Donaldson, of Asheville, whose daughter is 1.

Just relax

Color their world

“Many parents feel they always need to entertain a baby, but it’s important to give opportunities to play and explore independently,” says Thingvoll. “If they’re frustrated with a toy, let them try to figure it out on their own first – that’s how they learn.” Infants can easily become over-stimulated, says Burleson. Keep it light and be patient. Recognize signs of fatigue like fussing or turning away — baby’s brain needs time to process information. When it comes to development, there’s a wide range of normalcy, and “there’s no one right way to do things,” says Thingvoll. “If your child is happy and healthy and you have a connection, you’re doing it right.”

“Stimulate with a lively, colorful surrounding,” says Kurtines-Becker. “Photographs and pictures prompt discussion.”

Pam J. Hecht is a freelance writer and editor based in Asheville. E-mail her at pamjh8@gmail.com.

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Getting kids ready for a new baby By Katie Wadington Staff writer There’s plenty to do before a new baby’s arrival. Painting the nursery and washing baby clothes are easy tasks to complete. Preparing a child for the arrival of a sibling is a bit more complicated. Tara McDaris, of Weaverville, has been reading books and talking about the baby with her son Logan, who is 5. Logan will be starting school around the time the baby arrives, which has her concerned. But her most pressing worry? “The big thing is trying to juggle two instead of one,” she said. Chandra Holcombe, of Asheville, is also worried about “who to put attention on” when her new baby arrives. But she said she hopes the age difference between the baby and 7-year-old daughter Aviana will be helpful “because I’ve had so much time to focus on her.”

Preparation is key Dr. Mark Jackson, a pediatrician at Mountain Area Pediatrics in Asheville, says children benefit by getting involved in preparing for a new sibling. He suggested trying the following: ◆ Role playing before baby arrives. ◆ Help get baby’s room together. ◆ Have play dates with other families with infants to help normalize the experience. ◆ Give the child a doll to play with and take care of before and after baby’s arrival. He suggested parents tell the child the doll is his or hers to take care of at the same time mommy or daddy tend to the baby. “No matter how much preparation parents have given, expect and predict regression,” Jackson said. Parents and caregivers may see slips in potty training, more clingy behavior and more childish behaviors once a new baby arrives at home.

Tips from moms Area moms have taken those suggestions to heart and have found other ways to get children excited about a new sibling. Anna Groome brought home her third child last month. To help her son Davis and daughter Lillian get ready this summer, the Arden mom had the kids build a teddy bear at the mall for baby Evan. Davis, 4 1/2, and Lillian, 19 months, each tucked a fabric heart inside before the bear was sewn up. Prentice Hardin said she got baby dolls for sons Wildt, 4 1/2, and Paite, 3 1/2, to help them with toilet training, and they’ve

PHOTO BY ERIN BRETHAUER

Anna Groome spends time with son, Davis, 4, before the birth of his baby brother. Groome also has a daughter, Lillian, 19 months. been playing with them to get ready for their new sibling. The Charlotte mom — who is having her baby at Mission — also brought the boys with her for ultrasounds and lets them feel the baby kick.

Sibling class The Health Adventure offers parents another way to prepare children for a sibling with the “My Mom’s Having a Baby” class. The museum has collaborated with Mission Hospital for 25 years on the program. Peggy Tobin, a pediatric nurse practitioner and Health Adventure volunteer who conducts the class twice a month, said the goal is “to help prepare kids for an easier transition with having a new baby in the house.” As part of the class, kids see fetal models to learn how the baby has been growing inside mommy, make a toy for the baby and tour Mission’s maternity unit. Tobin has been involved with the program for six years and

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PHOTO BY BILL SANDERS

The Health Adventure runs a program with Mission Hospital called "My Mom’s Having a Baby" to get children ready for a new sibling. Jean Van’t Hul brought daughter Maia Tsomides, 3, to the class. says that while parents don’t ask a lot of questions, she “always gets interesting comments” from the children. At a recent class, 3-year-old Maia Tsomides listened as Tobin described the mother-baby unit. “Is it special?” Maia asked of the place where her mom, Jean Van’t Hul, of Asheville, will give birth. Tobin assured her it was.

Seek advice Ahead of her younger son’s birth, Groome said she got advice from her mother, who has three children. “My mom … tells me when the third one comes it’s a little easier because you know what to expect,” she says. “But at the same time you have to get used to balancing each of them and what their needs are.” Or, more simply, she said, “When the third one comes you just love them and throw ’em in the mix.”

‘MY MOM’S HAVING A BABY’ The Health Adventure offers a free program to help children prepare for a sibling’s arrival. The class is offered 4-5 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month at Mission Hospital. Visit thehealthadventure.org. To register, call 254-6373, ext. 316.

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