There’s only one way to decide where to have your baby: Ask a mother. There are certain things only a mother can know. Like why kisses are the best medicine for boo-boos. Or how a tiny pair of socks can break your heart in the best way. Or most of all, how it feels to carry a life inside you—then welcome it into the world. That’s why, if you’re deciding where to have your baby, there’s only one recommendation you should trust: a mother’s. So don’t take our word for it. Ask your friends.
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baby alabama
April/May/June 2013
contents www.albabymag.com
& child
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Cecilia Pearson EDITOR AT LARGE LaTanya Bayles DESIGN Amy Heise Murphree EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Hope Harrell Kim Hildenbrand Jane Longshore CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Becky Abernathy Bonnie Goodman AD DESIGN Terry Gamble Karyn Hallman BABYPALOOZA EVENT DIRECTOR Kassady Gibson INTERNS Neli Arabova Naomi Jones Sarah Waller
features 16 22 26
Parents’ Choice Awards: The Lili Pad & GiGi’s The Parenting Assistance Line Medical West Women’s Center
departments 09 14 20 30
News & Notes Children’s Health: Child Abuse Prevention Natural Parenting: Going Green with Baby On Location: MCAC Imagination Festival
in every issue 04 06 34 39
Editor’s Letter Kassady’s Note Family Event Picks Shopping Guide
Lifestages Publishing Inc., Copyright 2004-2013. Lifestages Publishing Inc. publishes Alabama Baby & Child quarterly. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Publisher assumes no liability for
On the Cover
unsolicited art, photographs, manuscripts, or other material. Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in Alabama Baby & Child are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lifestages Publishing Inc. Information provided should not be interpreted as medical instructions; editorial
Amiyah Renee Daughter of Bernard & Mallory Pearson. Photographed at Shell B Acres. by Bonnie “The Blink Lady” Goodman.
content is not intended as medical advice. Consult appropriate healthcare professionals prior to taking any action. Although great care has been taken in compiling and checking the information given in this publication to ensure accuracy, the authors, Lifestages Publishing Inc., and its servants or agents shall not be responsible or in any way liable for the continued currency of the information or for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this magazine, whether arising from negligence or otherwise or for any consequences arising therefrom. The appearance of an ad in Alabama Baby & Child does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service.
contact us LifeStages Media 130 Wildwood Pkwy. Suite 108-204 Birmingham, AL 35209 t. (205) 445-1345 www.albabymag.com www.babypaloozatour.com www.albabymag.com 1
from the editor THE BEAUTIFUL ANGEL on the cover is my cousin Amiyah Renee. I hadn’t met her before the
photo shoot. Her grandfather Bernard, my first cousin, posted her picture on Facebook one day with the caption, “I never thought I’d see my mom again until my granddaughter came. Thanks BJ and Mallory. Happy Birthday Momma. Here’s your great-granddaughter.” It was a moving post and a reminder of how wonderful it is that we get to see not only ourselves but also our loved ones in our children. This cover is dedicated to Janie May Russell. She left us more than a decade ago after a battle with cancer but she lives on through her children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. Happy Mother’s Day Aunt May. And Happy Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to all of you. We have more content than we can squeeze into this issue so please make sure to visit us at www.AlBabyMag.com for our Mother’s and Father’s Day Gift Guides and more new articles that are posted weekly.
Until next time,
Cecilia “CC” Pearson
24/7 @ albabymag.com
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news & notes
hot off the press C O M P I L E D BY A L A B A M A B A BY & C H I L D S TA F F
1
Nit Wits Nips Lice for Birmingham Families
It’s a fact of life that some children will develop head lice. Eliminating the pests can be complicated and time-consuming for the whole family. Nit Wits, Alabama’s first lice treatment and awareness center, has opened in the Vestavia Hills/Hoover area of Birmingham to provide safe, nontoxic lice treatment and post-treatment monitoring. Following the trademarked Shepherd Method of nit removal, Nit Wits’ certified technicians perform an initial head check to identify evidence of an infestation. If evidence is found, it is recommended that every member of the household be examined. Treatment begins with a safe product being applied to the entire head, followed by a thorough comb-out, which typically removes 85 percent of nits and lice. The hair is then sectioned off and examined thoroughly in thin strands to manually remove all nits and lice, a vital element of successful treatment. After the hair is blown dry, a final re-check is performed to ensure all nits and lice have been removed. Product is applied and the hair is combed thoroughly until a clean comb-out is achieved. Follow-up re-checks are built into the treatment price, with the first re-check typically scheduled for one week after treatment, and a second re-check scheduled for two weeks after treatment to ensure the patient is lice- and nit-free. To learn more, call 205-979-3273 or visit www.nitwitsalabama.com.
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news & notes
2
IRONDALE SHOPPING CENTER TO FEATURE
VINTAGE TRAIN, ZIP LINE, DOGPARK Irondale’s Grants Mill Station shopping center, former home of the Irondale Wal-Mart location, is getting a major facelift, including the addition of a vintage train converted into retail space. New owner Mark Gold plans to install a 1,200-foot long zip line, a ropes course, a bungee dome, and a 3.5-acre dog park at the shopping center, which will be renamed The Station at Grants Mill. The five-car vintage train, which will be the centerpiece of the redevelopment, includes a locomotive, a baggage car, a dining car, a sleeper car, and a caboose, all built between 1922 and 1957. The shopping center will also provide office space for the Irondale Police, Water, and Building Departments. The addition of a police substation means the shopping center will have a police presence 24-hours a day. The redevelopment is expected to be complete this summer.
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NORWOOD LEARNING GARDENS
BREAK GROUND
3
The first of four community gardens planned for Birmingham’s Norwood neighborhood broke ground on February 23 when around 50 volunteers gathered to construct eight raised beds at Norwood Elementary School. Three additional gardens are planned for vacant lots throughout the Norwood area. An education component for children and adults will include classes and
neighborhood events. The mission of the Norwood Learning Gardens is to promote health, nutrition, and exercise as well as to strengthen community bonds. Each of the Norwood Learning Gardens will be supervised by neighborhood volunteers, all graduates of the master gardener course from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. People will be able to sign up on a first-come-first-served basis to plant and harvest each 20-by-fivefoot garden bed using supplies provided by the project. To learn more, visit the Norwood Learning Gardens Facebook page.
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news & notes
4
Children’s of Alabama Offers
Healthy Summer Camps for Kids
Children’s of Alabama will offer area kids the opportunity to experience new adventures this summer while making new friends and learning more about their health. Camp Shine (Support, Help, Instruction for Nutrition and Exercise) is part of Children’s Healthier Weigh program, which educates at-risk or obese children about healthy lifestyle habits and helps jump-start weight loss through fun activities and a healthy diet. The camp is also designed to serve as a resource to parents who want to help their children maintain a healthier lifestyle. Camp SHINE will include cooking lessons, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, field trips, canoeing, dancing, hiking, and other kid-friendly activities. Open to teens and tweens ages 12-15; space is limited. Some scholarships are available. Dates: June 2-8 Location: YMCA Camp Hargis (Chelsea) Cost: $650 per person Deadline: application packet and $100 deposit due by May 15 Details: 205-638-5750 or www.childrensal.org/teamteen
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children’s health
april is child abuse and neglect prevention month In an effort to help prevent child abuse and neglect of young children, parents can focus on several things to strengthen and support their families. BY A L L I S O N S T R A I N , PA R E N T E D U C AT I O N S P E C I A L I S T C H I L D C A R E R E S O U R C E S
1 2
NURTURE YOURSELF!
It’s hard to care for young children when you aren’t feeling your best. Your physical, social and emotional well-being is important and needs to be nurtured. Have a support system, take time for yourself and find positive ways to relieve daily stress.
We are all responsible for providing safe, loving and nurturing homes and environments where children can thrive to be their best! Nurturing parenting is critical to strengthening families and raising happy, healthy children. Children are our future and they deserve our very best!
EDUCATE YOURSELF!
Learning the appropriate ages and stages of child development help you have appropriate expectations for your child. It’s normal for infants to cry, for a two-year old to have a tantrum and for a preschooler to ask lots of questions. We need to be able to cope with each stage and support our child’s growth and development.
3
COMMUNICATE IN A HEALTHY WAY!
Express feelings, problem solve and compromise. Praise children for who they are and the things they do. This helps to build a positive self-worth and mutual respect. Each child is unique and special!
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For additional information on how to make a difference in the life of a child visit Childcare Resources http://www.ccr-bhm.org/community/ and Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama http://ctf.alabama.gov/Awareness.htm
parents’ choice
the lili pad and gigi’s Best Baby Clothing, 2012 Best Boy Clothing, 2012 Best Girl Clothing, 2012 Best Tween/Teen Clothing, 2012
The Lili Pad and Gigi’s 3138 Heights Village Cahaba Heights, AL 35243 205.298.1811
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FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING, THE LILI PAD/GIGI’S IN CAHABA HEIGHTS HAS SWEPT ALABAMA BABY & CHILD MAGAZINE’S PARENTS’ CHOICE AWARDS.
As in 2011, the stores won in four categories for 2012: Best Baby Clothing, Best Boy Clothing, Best Girl Clothing, and Best Tween/Teen Clothing. Specializing in boutique clothing for infants, toddlers, and children, The Lili Pad carries more than 75 lines, including Sara’s Prints, Mulberribush, Mis-T-Vee-Us, Secret Wishes, Kissy Kissy, and Magnolia Baby, while GiGi’s features clothing from Miss Me Jeans, Joe Jeans, Rag Doll and Rockets, Roxy, Neige, Hudson Threads, KC Parker, and others. Owners and sisters Susan Day and Katherine McRee drew on the experience and expertise of their mother before opening The Lili Pad in February 2004. “Our mom owned Town & Country, a women’s clothing store in Crestline Village, for about 15 years before she passed away from pancreatic cancer. We talked with her often about opening a store. She knew how much blood, sweat, and tears it took and encouraged us to wait until our children were older—at the time they were just babies. About two years after she died we opened The Lili Pad. We both loved shopping for our children and figured if Mom could do it so could we.” The success of The Lili Pad encouraged the sisters to venture into clothing
parents’ choice
for older kids. “GiGi’s came along in 2007. We kept having Lili Pad customers asking for more tween clothes and we were running out of room. Also, some of our own children were hitting the tween years and it just made sense. So we decided to expand our space and make GiGi’s its own little store just for teens, tweens, and drama queens.” The tween clothing has become a particular favorite for Day. “The baby clothes are just so darn cute,” she says. “But I do love all the tween stuff, too. It’s fashion forward and always so exciting to open those UPS boxes.” As for running a business with a sibling, the two say they couldn’t be happier with the arrangement, and both feel that each sister brings unique skills and talents to the collaboration. “We couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else. Susan had been a banker and then stay-at-home mom, and Katherine had worked at Parisian and then was a stay-at-home mom, too.” Susan and her husband John Day are the parents of four children, Katie (18), Drew (15), Ford
(15), and Kendall (13), while Katherine and her husband William McRee are the parents of two children, Harrison (15) and Hayes (13). Both families live in Vestavia Hills. The shop owners say that understanding the demands placed on mothers is a big part of why they do what they do. “We hope that we’ve made their lives just a little bit easier. We’re moms, too, and we know how hectic it can be. Sometimes you don’t have time to drive all over town looking for something, so if we don’t have something we call around town trying to find it for our customers. The ladies we work with are like family and we hope people can feel that when they walk in the door. We just want to make shopping for your children’s clothes easy and pleasant. We gift-wrap for free, we monogram, we give multiples discounts, and we’re located next to a children’s shoe store and a toy store. It doesn’t get much easier than that.”
Chace Lake Station 4741 Chace Circle, Hoover 205-982-4444
HOOVER gymboreeclasses.com www.albabymag.com 17
natural natur al par parenting en nting
going go ing gre green een wit with th babyy Welcoming a new Welcoming new bab baby y into the e family family is an exciting exciting tim time—and me—and an amazing opportunity opport un nity to reduce your your family’s family’s carbon footprint, footprint, save save mone money, y, and raise children chiildren who care e about the planet. Check Check out our top fiv five e tips for for eco-conscious parenting. paren nting. BY K I M H I L D E N B R A N D
USE US SE CL CLOTH OTH DIAPER DIAPERS S
BREASTFEED BREA STFEED
Thanks to milkk that is already the right temperature and an nd available straight from the source, breastfeeding breeastfeeding has virtually no environmental environmen ntal impact. Nursing reduces energyy consumption and packaging waste, wastte, along with saving parents hundreds hundreeds of dollars in formula cost. Breastfeeding Breastfeedding moms can take eco-conscious feeding f a step further by using cloth breast b pads and natural n ipple ccream. ream. IIff you bottle-feed, you can nipple carefully research researrch your formula brand and consider glass glass bottles rather than plastic, which can contain chemicals.
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Want W ant to reduce landfill waste and an nd cut cu ut your monthly diaper bill? Cloth Cloth diapering di apering offers more options than than ever be before. efore. Choose from three basic types: prefolds pr refolds or fitted diapers with covers coovers fastened fas stened over them; pocket diapers, diapers, which wh hich contain a pocket to insertt an absorbent ab bsorbent piece of cloth; or all-i all-in-one/ n-one/ all-in-two all l-in-two diapers, which are all one piece pi ece and ready to use. Many pa parents rents ch hoose eco-friendly materials suc ch as choose such ba amboo, wool, and organic cotto on. For bamboo, cotton. ad dded ease, you can use flushablee liners added orr consider employing a cloth di iaper diaper se rvice to avoid laundry piling up. u service Not N ot sold on cloth? Consider green greeen di sposable diaper options that contain coontain disposable few wer chemicals and natural mat terials. fewer materials. FEED FE EED GREEN
Coommercial baby food Commercial food can be pricey, prricey, and an nd all those tiny containers andd packages pa ackages add up. Many parents find fi that th hat making their own baby food food is a great g option. Whether you decide deccide on n homemade purees frozen in small small portions po ortions or take a baby-led weaning wean ning approach ap pproach (in which babies simply simplly learn le arn to eat the foods foods the rest off your family fam mily enjoys), homemade baby food food
is a simple, l affordable, affffordable, ff d bl andd delicious d l option. You You o can c make your own food food easily and affordably. afffordably. If you do choose to buy commercial comm mercial baby food, food, consider organic options optioons in containers that are either biodegradable biodeggradable or can be recycled or reused. Those Th hose tiny jars are handy for craft storage, storaage, planting seeds, and holding nails and screws. (Note: Be sure to consult your your pediatrician regarding which foods foods to t introduce introduce and when.) RECYCLE REC CYC CLE AND D REUSE
Exersaucers and a play gyms and rompers—oh h my! Babies come with lots of stuff, and a much of it is outgrown before it’s it’s ever worn out. Save the planet and an nd save money by keeping gently used baby baby gear and clothing out of landfills. landfillls. You You can attend or host clothing and gear swaps, buy and sell outgrown items item ms at consignment shops and garage sales, saales, pass hand-me-downs to friends, or donate them to help
ffamilies l in need. d You You can still ll splurge o special items, but you’ll enjoy on en k knowing your little one’s one’s beloved belo b belongings are being put to good go use l long after she’s she’s finished with them. t BATHE B BA AT THE SPARINGLY SP PARINGL A LY
Babies need a bath every night B nigh before b right? Wrong. bed, Wrong. Infants who wh aren’t m mobile don’t don don’t really get dirty and a can be b bathed a couple of times a week we or even l less, especially if you are quick with a f fresh diaper or a burp rag. Too-frequent Tooo--frequent b baths can actually cause rashess or dry s skin. Forgoing this nightly ritual rituual saves a great deal of hot water and eliminates eliminates t stress of comforting a wet, shivering the n newborn. Once baby is old enough enoough for f frequent baths, consider fillingg a small t rather than a large one to further tub f r reduce water and energy consumption. consuumption. See more green parenting tips and ideas on AlBabyMag.com AlBabyMag.com
www.albabymag.com 21
a PAL for parents
i
IT’S BECOME A CLICHÉ, BUT IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD. For most of human
history, children were raised by not only their parents but also by other relatives within the household as well as a close-knit community of friends and neighbors. It’s only since the dawn of the industrial age that a child’s parents, and them alone, have been expected to assume the sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing. Without an easily accessible support network, parenting can often be a lonely and overwhelming undertaking in today’s frenetically paced world. Fortunately, parents in Alabama have a resource to help them through the rough patches of, to borrow another cliché, the toughest job they’ll ever love. On March 1, 2007, Child Development Resources (CDR), a community service initiative of the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Alabama, launched a statewide parenting assistance phone line (PAL) to provide free information, support, and tools to parents across the state. The service is confidential and anonymous. Former Alabama First Lady Patsy Riley first conceived of PAL as a way to provide parents across the state with the kind of support they need to become more confident and successful parents.
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The Parenting Assistance Line offers help for parents in crisis
A variety of state agencies, corporations, and the University of Alabama have provided support and assistance to reach out to families through PAL. Calls are fielded by Parent Resource Specialists who hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in human development and family studies, and have received specialized training in relating to families via the telephone. When calls come in, the Parent Resource Specialist listens and assists parents by providing developmental information or by helping them develop and utilize appropriate parenting strategies. Because parents often just need to know they are heard and call PAL when they are frustrated or angry, Parent Resource Specialists practice active listening, validation, concern, and compassion. They help parents “talk it out” rather than “taking it out” on their children. According to CDR Assistant Director Valerie Thorington, “We currently have three regular staff answering the phones, and six on-call staff who can substitute on the line as needed when other staff are out. Training is offered for all staff on a regular basis on topics and issues that are relevant to the callers’ concerns as well as issues related to working on the line (‘compassion fatigue’ for example). Besides the training, they are all parents themselves, some
in need
more ‘seasoned’ than others, and have a deep compassion for parents and children.” If appropriate, information regarding resources in each Alabama county are available so that referrals may also be made. In addition, callers can request free literature about their specific parenting concerns. The Parenting Assistance Line is currently available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A website (www.pal.ua.edu) has also been developed that provides information about parenting issues and developmental concerns, as well as an opportunity to contact a Parent Resource Specialist with specific questions. CDR views the Parenting Assistance Line as a viable child abuse and neglect prevention technique in that families benefit when parents understand typical child development and the skills needed for effective parenting. As parents anticipate their child’s milestones, they can help guide them through the developmental stage more confidently and successfully. Parents feel less stressed, more confident, less isolated, and better able to cope when they have the opportunity to talk through their specific parenting situation or concern. Anyone who’s spent any amount of time around children can imagine the multitude of reasons a
parent might call the Parenting Assistance Line. The vast majority of calls come from mothers who want to discuss parental stress and support issues like divorce, single-parenting, family crisis, blended families, overseas military spouses, and referral requests for local community services like mental health counseling for their children and/or themselves, as well as discipline and guidance issues. Calls also have been received from grandparents, other relatives, friends, neighbors, and professionals. Overall, the ages of children discussed during the calls are a majority of preschoolers (three to six years old) and school-age children (six to 12 years old), followed closely by infants (birth to 18 months), adolescents (12-18 years), and toddlers (18 months to three years). Calls have been received from virtually every county in Alabama as well as 35 other states and Canada. The PAL website has logged more than 80,000 visits from 173 countries on six continents, and more than 200 contacts have been made to the PAL website from parents with parenting questions. According to Thorington, “there are no ‘common’ or ‘normal days’ on the line—every situation is unique and varies greatly. Parents or grandparents may call to discuss some of the more
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section name
typical concerns of raising children like feeding issues, sleeping issues, back-talk, discipline, school issues, teen rebellion, and children’s growing independence, or they may call to talk through more serious issues.” A sampling of caller testimonials offers a glimpse into how the PAL offers a lifeline to struggling parents at just the right time:
especially mothers, need a break sometimes, some validation, and a kind word. We can offer that grounded in sound child development principles.” A sampling of comments from other PAL staffers about the personal benefits they receive from working with callers confirms that kindness and validation at the right time can make all the difference for a stressed out parent.
“Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I feel better and think I have a plan of action now. I just felt
“[There is an] overwhelming desire for parents to
so lost and did not know where to turn. This is not
receive validation they are doing something right.
something I could talk to family or friends about. It
There are so many critics willing to tell what you’re
means a lot that you didn’t make feel like a bad mother.
doing wrong and few that recognize the value of
I felt bad enough already.—Mother of 13 year old
positive affirmation.”
“I’m at my wit’s end and out of ideas. Having
“The feedback we receive letting us know that
someone to talk to helped me clear my mind and
what we do, even if it seems to be such a small
think of some new ideas.”—Mother of 10 year old
thing in comparison, really can make a difference in someone’s life.”
“I admitted stuff to you that I would never have said to anyone. That helped me get all of this off my chest!
“Working with PAL has really increased my
This conversation has helped me see things more
awareness and recognition that parents are struggling
clearly. I am going to try to do better.”
with a lot of the same issues when it comes to raising
—Single father of a six year old
their kids. They just want to be good parents and some do not know how to start--these babies don’t come
“I just feel some days that I don’t know what to do. I
with instructions! It is very rewarding to be able to
feel so helpless. It is nice to have someone to talk to
provide parents with a listening ear, information, and
and to finally feel like maybe I am doing a good job.”
support that can be helpful in raising their children,
—Grandmother who is raising teen grandchildren
and can make for a happier home.”
Working with parents through the Parenting Assistance Line has also brought surprising blessings to the staff. According to Thorington, the determination of parents to work through the crisis they’re facing and do what is best for their children continues to inspire her. “I do not have opportunity to answer the phone line but meet frequently with the staff and review call records,” she says. “No matter who they are, their socioeconomic status, where they live, and the support system they may or may not have, parents really do want to do what is best for their children. Why else would they call? They may at the time be experiencing frustration, doubt, shame, confusion— whatever their feelings may be—but they want to know they can handle this, there may be some hope at the end of the tunnel, and maybe something they have done is right. There is this general myth of the perfect parent—and we all seem to strive to be that—but it is just impossible. Parents,
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Parenting has traditionally been a group activity, but with the pressures of modern society, plus the added stress of economic instability, it can more often feel like a solo slog. Thanks to the Parenting Assistance Line, parents and caregivers know there’s always someone willing to listen without judgment and offer empathy and practical advice for the problem at hand. This alone is often enough to fuel a parent’s confidence that they can weather the next crisis with love, determination, and a little bit of extra know-how.
ALABAMA’S PARENTING ASSISTANCE LINE
866-962-3030 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) www.pal.ua.edu Calls are free, confidential, and anonymous.
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MEDICAL WEST
Women’s Center
r
Major renovation enhances care and comfort for expectant moms BY J A N E L O N G S H O R E
RESIDENTS WEST OF BIRMINGHAM DON’T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES. BABIES BORN AT BESSEMER’S MEDICAL WEST, AN AFFILIATE OF UAB HEALTH SYSTEM, NOW HAVE AN EVEN BRIGHTER START THANKS TO MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO THE WOMEN’S CENTER THAT WERE COMPLETED LAST YEAR.
The purpose of the renovations, which include cheerfully redecorated patient rooms with new, comfortable furniture and quiet-step flooring, was to make each delivery even more comfortable and secure for moms and families. The nurses’ stations and nursery have been completely remodeled, new paint and wall decor adorn the halls, and new wood flooring
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stretches across the entire unit. The wait995 Ninth Avenue SW ing room has also been Bessemer, AL 35022 restructured according to a more open and Hospital Main Number: 205-481-7000 inviting floor plan and Physician Referral: 205-996-WEST (9378) has been enhanced Women’s Center: 205-481-7180 with new seating and www.medicalwesthospital.org décor. Combined with Medical West’s specially trained nurses, board-certified physicians, an enhanced infant security and safety system, and leading-edge medical technology, families can rest assured their delivery will be handled with professionalism and dedication. The Women’s Center, located on the fourth floor of the hospital, offers care for newborns; laboring and post-partum patients; patients requiring antenatal testing, observation, and treatment; and post-operative patients. Spacious and private mother/ baby rooms are fully equipped and designed for the entire birthing process, from labor through delivery and recovery. Each room now features a deluxe chair that reclines to a sleeper and a flatscreen TV to help provide fathers or other family members with a comfortable overnight stay. The Medical West Women’s Center also offers parents-to-be a slew of special, family-centered benefits. Expectant parents can take advantage of complimentary pre-natal courses to educate, equip, and prepare them for the parenting journey. Each inpatient mother receives a “mini-spa treatment” gift bag complete with shampoo, conditioner, stress-relieving body lotion, and more for pampering MEDICAL WEST
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and relaxation, as well as baby gifts including a hat and T-shirt. Fathers get some pampering, too—new parents receive a special steak dinner and sparkling juice served in champagne glasses the evening of their baby’s delivery. Medical West employs an array of multimedia tools to help new parents navigate the delivery process and prepare to bring their new baby home. Each patient room offers the Newborn Channel, featuring 24/7 infant care programming on 30 topics that include breastfeeding, bathing, immunizations, adjusting to fatherhood, and car seat safety. Friends and family can log on to Medical West’s Growing Family WebNursery to view pictures of the new arrival. The care doesn’t stop when the delivery is complete. Medical West Women’s Center offers access to lactation consultations (inpatient and outpatient) by certified specialists to help coach new moms on breastfeeding techniques. Medical West, a 300-bed acute care hospital, joined UAB Health System in April 2002. Since then, the hospital has added neurological services, a new state-of-the-art fixed base MRI, and a second CT scanner. In addition to the Women’s Center, other units located within Medical West include an intensive care unit; a telemetry nursing unit; an oncology unit; a gastrointestinal unit; an adult mental health unit; medical/surgical units; a wound center; a sleep center; and an acute rehabilitation unit primarily for orthopedic and stroke patients. To sign up for Medical West Women’s Center’s complimentary pre-natal courses or to schedule a tour of the Women’s Center, call 205-996-WEST (9378). For more information, visit www.medicalwesthospital.org.
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magic city art connection Imagination Parade celebrates the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement FIFTY YEARS AGO CHILDREN CRUSADED THROUGH THE STREETS OF BIRMINGHAM TO PROTEST SOCIAL INJUSTICE AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. THIS APRIL THEY WILL BE MARCHING THROUGH THOSE SAME STREETS TO CELEBRATE THEIR HOMETOWN AND ITS HISTORY.
As Birmingham commemorates the 50th anniversary of the historic events that took place in 1963 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Imagination Festival, the student outreach portion of the annual Magic City Art Connection (MCAC) art festival, will celebrate the black artists and creators who helped to change
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marches to the future MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION April 26-28 Linn Park 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission www.MagicCityArt.com
the world through their art, music, architecture, stories, poetry, film, dance, design, and achievements in science and engineering. Each parading class will learn about these important figures and will create their own works of art based on what they’ve learned. In addition to the parades the Imagination Festival will feature more than 30 free interactive workshops for children in art, music, theatre, dance, and movement to unlock the creativity inside each child. For more details and a complete list of workshops visit our website at www.AlBabymag.com. While at MCAC and the Imagination Festival, be sure to drop by our Kid Zone/ Mom Lounge tent. We will have a diaper changing station, games and activities, and a comfortable place in which to take a break.
On May 3 there will be a Children’s Crusade Celebration and Reenactment Parade sponsored by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the NAACP and SCLC with Councilor Jay Roberson. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Celebration will be in the afternoon. For more details on this and other events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement visit www.50yearsforward.com/events/
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You know the value of saving. Pass it on to your kids by enrolling them in the
America’s First Kids 1st Club.
The Kids 1st Club makes learning to save easy and fun! All children ages 0-18 that hold a minor share (savings) account are eligible for membership in the Kids 1st Club. As a Kids 1st Club member your child will receive a membership card, a Kids Club membership packet, and best of all, the ability to earn Honor Dollars.
For more information on the Kids 1st Club call 1.800.633.8431 Federally Insured By NCUA.
Available to qualifying members only. Certain restrictions apply.
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FREE
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*F*Featuring eaturing OUR OUR NEW NEW Birth Birth Suites, Suites, ggiveaways, iveaways ys, SCREENINGS, SCREENINGS, SSEMINARS, EMINARS, PPHYSICIANS, HYSICIANS, REFRESHMENTS AND MORE!
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Family Event Picks
{April, May C O M P I L E D BY H O P E H A R R E L L
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APRIL 13 TEMPO CHILDCARE RESOURCES FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL RAILROAD PARK 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION
The Family Fun Festival is Childcare Resource’s new free event featuring a day of fun, fitness and entertainment for all ages. FREE bike helmets are available for the first 500 children. Activities include family bike rides, local bands, cooking demos, trike races, drumming circles, sack races, hopscotch and more fitness fun.
1 APRIL 6
TUSCALOOSA BABYPALOOZA BABY & MATERNITY EXPO BRYANT CONFERENCE CENTER 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. FREE
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APRIL 12-21 DAY OUT WITH THOMAS THE GO GO TOUR HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM WWW.HODRRM.ORG
All little engineers are invited to take a train ride with Thomas! Event experience includes photos with Sir TophamHatt, putt-putt golf, jump station, petting zoo, bubble station, temporary tattoos, maze, storytelling, videos, live music and hands-on fun in the Imagination Station! The 25-minute train ride will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 9:45 am through 3:45 pm on Friday and Sundays, and 9:00 am through 4:30 pm on Saturdays. Admission is $19 for ages 2 + and includes train ride with Thomas and all activities.
Family Calendar brought to you 34 www.albabymag.com
& June} 4
APRIL 20 A NIGHT IN NEVERLAND BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S THEATRE 5:30 P.M.
The 5th annual gala, A Night In Neverland, benefits the Birmingham Children’s Theatre, providing children the opportunity to experience the educational benefits of live theatre, who would not otherwise have the ability. The gala will have music, silent auction, show-inspired food, art activities, and interactions with costumed characters, all culminating with a performance showcasing BCT productions.
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APRIL 20 BIRMINGHAM READS AND BROOKWOOD CELEBRATES COLONIAL BROOKWOOD VILLAGE 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. FREE ADMISSION
The final celebration for Birmingham Reads week will take place at Colonial Brookwood Village, there will be music, characters, entertainment on the streetscape outside. The event includes a book drive for the Better Basics Program. Books A Million is collecting new and gently used children’s books for Birmingham city school children. You may bring a book or buy a book.
Find over 400 more local family-friendly events at AlBabyMag.com. Login from your iPhone or iPad and the calendar becomes an App to help you find events on the go!
by Birmingham Coca-Cola www.albabymag.com 35
Family Event Picks
{April, May C O M P I L E D BY H O P E H A R R E L L
{April, May & June}
8
MAY 18 DO DAH DAY
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APRIL 26 MARCH FOR BABIES UAB MINI PARK REGISTRATION 8:00 A.M
More than 7 million people will join their family, friends and colleagues in 900 communities across the nation for the annual March of Dimes fundraising effort. Funds raised from the fun 2.5mile walk around downtown Birmingham supports programs that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies.
CALDWELL PARK 11:00 A.M. FREE ADMISSION
The South’s craziest parade kicks off at 11:01 a.m. on the streets of Highland Avenue in Birmingham’s Southside. Then, spend the day in Caldwell and Rhodes Parks with friends, pets, arts & crafts, kid’s activities, and a lineup of great bands. Oh yes, we have plenty of food and beverages, and collectible Do Dah Day t-shirts.All proceeds benefit local animal charities.
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JUNE 1
Make a donation or join the Alabama Baby team to walk at www.ALBabyMag.com. We’ll be onsite event day with our diaper changing station !!
7
APRIL 25-27 IMAGINATION FESTIVAL
JUNETEENTH CULTURE FEST BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE
Dating back to June 19, 1865, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. BCRI’s celebration not only focuses on African American freedom, but also celebrates liberty and justice for all cultures with live music, food vendors, contests and free admission to BCRI’s permanent exhibitions.
MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION
Total art immersion awaits children and their families at the Imagination Festival, where 30 interactive workshops in art, music, theatre, dance and movement will unlock the creativity of every child. Children can participate in FREE workshops and create their own works of art. For a complete list of workshops and their descriptions, visit MagicCityArt.com
Family Calendar brought to you by Birmingham Coca-Cola 36 www.albabymag.com
& June} KID ZONE / MOM LOUNGE
Visit the Alabama Baby & Child Kids’ Zone / Mom Lounge tent sponsored by America’s First Federal Credit Union at the Magic City Art Connection and other great events this spring. Fun and games for the kids and relaxation area for mom and dad! Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to find out where we’ll be next.
www.albabymag.com 37
38 www.albabymag.com
www.albabymag.com 39
alabama baby
shopping
2830 18th Street Homewood, AL (205) 879-3986
Speciality Toys Learning Games Trains Dolls And More
40 www.albabymag.com
215 juried artists Live Music • Corks & Chefs 35 kids workshops 40 Cultural Tents 2013 SPONSORS TITANIUM City of Birmingham Platinum Kinetic Communications • Regions Bank • Magic 96.5 AL.com | The Birmingham News • Birmingham Magazine GOLD Joe Piper, Inc. • Protective Life Corporation SILVER Motion Mobs • Royal Cup Coffee BRONZE Alabama Power • BlueCross and BlueShield of Alabama Full Moon Bar-b-que • Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio, Inc. HealthSouth Corporation • Miller Communications Publix Super Markets Charities • University of Montevallo Alabama Baby & Child Magazine • The Scout Guide Birmingham • Tannehill Trader
www.magiccityart.com Image: "Boxer", Christopher Davis, Birmingham, AL
STEEL Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency Birmingham Coca Cola Bottling Company • Borland Benefield Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP • New Latitude Special Occasions • B-Metro • CityVision - The Visitor’s Channel H-Life • Over the Mountain Journal • Shelby Living WBHM • Weld for Birmingham
Linn Park, downtown Birmingham, Alabama April 26-28, 2013 10-6 Fri. & Sat. 10-5 Sun.
#MCAC30
Call 800.822.8816 for an appointment
5
Here are little points about a very big decision. This is suite! The entire birthing center is packed with perks for your comfort and convenience, including beautiful, oversized, private rooms with space for an overnight support person, made-to-order room service, wireless Internet access, a refrigerator, and flat-screen TV with DVD player.
Hospitals don’t deliver babies. People deliver babies. We’ll surround you with an entire team of people who are so good at what they do, you’ll know you made the right decision for you and your baby the moment you arrive.
Family Centered Care Having a baby is a family experience, and we make sure it’s a great one! We involve you and your family in decisions about your care, and our units are designed to maximize your time for bonding with the newest member of your family.
Physicians on whom other doctors depend. Who better to oversee the care of you and your baby than a team of doctors known around the country for their knowledge and the quality of care they provide?
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Here, you don’t have to choose among comfort, convenience and quality of care. UABMedicine.org/women
2012 Parent’s Choice Award Winner, Alabama Baby & Child and Birmingham magazines.