baby alabama
Jan/Feb/March 2013
contents www.albabymag.com
& child
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Cecilia Pearson
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EDITOR AT LARGE LaTanya Bayles DESIGN Amy Heise Murphree EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Kim Hildenbrand Jane Longshore Sherrel Wheeler Stewart CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Elle Danielle AD DESIGN Terry Gamble Karyn Hallman OFFICE MANAGER Francine Pearson EVENT TEAM DeAnne Benedict Rebecca Haynie Carter Powers Pine
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Bringing Home Zoe Inside the RNICU at UAB Women & Infants Center
departments 06 09 14 34
Child Safety: Car Safety News & Notes Nursery Design: Cribology Books: Children are Reading
in every issue 04 37 40
Editor’s Letter Shopping Guide Birth Announcement
INTERNS Hope Harrell Sarah Waller Lifestages Publishing Inc., Copyright 2004-2012. 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 unsolicited art, photographs, manuscripts, or other material.
On the Cover Chapman Mills born October 2012 Parents: Matthew & Taylor Morrison of Alabaster. Photographed by Elle Danielle Photography.
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 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
contact us
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.
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 THERE IS NO BETTER WAY for us to start of a new year than with a newborn issue. We have some
great articles inside for you. We also wanted to introduce you to the Welcome Baby Kit. Made possible by Legacy Community Federal Credit Union the Welcome Baby Kit includes a complimentary issue of Alabama Baby & Child magazine, an invitation to visit Legacy Community Federal Credit Union to learn about the many financial resources they provide, and great offers from our wonderful local boutiques. If you are currently expecting or have recently had or adopted a child please register for a free kit to be mailed to your home at www.WelcomeBabyKit.com. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for you in 2013! Until next time,
Cecilia “CC� Pearson
24/7 @ albabymag.com
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child safety
car safety basics Provided by Childcare Resources and Children’s Trust Fund ALL TOO OFTEN , ESPECIALLY DURING the
summer, we hear news stories or read headlines of the tragic death of an infant or toddler who suffered heat stroke due to being left behind in an automobile or van. While the car seat is designed to protect the child in the event of an accident, the child is not able to release themselves from this protection in the event of being left behind in a vehicle. During winter, this same caution is needed as children can also suffer from hypothermia if left inside a car during cold temperatures.
3. Always check the rear door. Make it a habit to open the back door of your car when you stop at each destination during your travels. Then make sure to safely remove your child and place them in a safe place before you unload the car.
Children left alone in or around a car are also at risk of abduction, injury or dehydration.
4. Save time and avoid risks. Use drivethru services where available.
Never, not even for a minute leave your child alone in a car. Keep these helpful car safety tips in mind to protect your young child year round:
5. Call 911! Get involved. If you see a child left alone in a car, call and get help immediately. It just might save a life.
1. Keep your car locked at all times even when
parked in your garage. This can avoid having an inquisitive child wander into a car without anyone knowing. This can happen even during play such as hide and seek.
Childcare Resources, a non-profit 501(c)(3) Child Care Resource and Referral Agency based in Birmingham, AL. 205-252-1991 800-822-2734 Toll Free www.ccr-bhm.org
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2. If you have a missing child, check vehicles immediately! And remember the trunk. Kids don’t always realize the danger they have gotten themselves into.
6. Look before you lock! Is everyone out of the vehicle? Are you sure? It only takes a minute to double check before you hit the lock button.
Childcare Resources helps families locate child care, trains child care professionals, provides parent education services, and offers child care financial assistance to low-income, working families. A nonprofit organization and United Way partner agency since 1984, Childcare Resources provides services to help make quality child care available and affordable in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties.
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news & notes
news and notes 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
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BOOKS-A-MILLION
Introduces Kids-A-Million In November, Books-A-Million, Inc. introduced a completely re-designed Kids-A-Million specialty department at the Books-A-Million at Colonial Brookwood Village. The entire second floor of the approximately 23,000-square-foot Brookwood Village store has been restructured as a dedicated kids-only retail destination, with space to accommodate approximately 12,000 children’s books as well as an expansive inventory of toys, games, gifts, and tech. Bright, kid-friendly fixtures, paint accents, and kid-sized seating fill the new space as well as special displays for popular brands such as LEGO, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, American Girl, Skip Hop, Star Wars, The Elf on a Shelf, Disney Junior, Angry Birds, Thomas & Friends, and Dr. Seuss, among others. The new Kids-A-Million also boasts an increased inventory of learning tools and educational resources from LeapFrog, Brain Quest, Spectrum Workbooks, and NatGeo journals and literature. For more information, visit www.booksamillion.com.
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news & notes
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INFINITY AUTO INSURANCE
Wins 2012 Communitas Award Infinity Auto Insurance, sponsor of the Read Conmigo bilingual literacy program for families, was recently named one of the recipients of the 2012 Communitas Award in the category of Making a Difference. The Communitas Award recognizes exceptional businesses and organizations that give of themselves and their resources to transform how they conduct business and benefit the communities they serve. Read Conmigo, sponsored by Infinity Auto Insurance, is the parentfocused bilingual literacy campaign that provides parents with free books and resources to support reading with their children at home. The campaign launched in March 2011 and has already distributed more than 300,000 free books to classrooms and families. “Our judges found that Infinity Auto Insurance clearly exhibits the spirit of communitas, a Latin word that means ‘people coming together for the good of the community,’” said Ed Dalheim, director of Communitas Awards. “Infinity Auto Insurance joins other esteemed Communitas winners recognized for programs that highlight volunteerism and philanthropy.” Learn more at www.communitasawards.com.
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NEW MOTHER CONCIERGE SERVICE
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Opens in Birmingham Designed to work with moms from pre- through postnatal, Latch Love, a breastfeeding and new mother concierge service, opened in September 2012. According to owner Stephanie Donegan, “We’ve been very fortunate because several local pediatricians including Greenvale Pediatric refer their patients to us for new baby support services. Our concierge staff consists of nurses, La Leche leaders, and moms so we are able to not only offer clinical advice but advice from first-hand experience.”
Latch Love provides breastfeeding, child safety, car seat
selection and installation, and infant CPR classes. As a concierge service they will shop for and deliver items such as car seats, strollers, breast pumps, nursing pads, and more. Latch Love offers several packages, from the Basic, which includes prenatal breastfeeding classes, the Latch Love Nursing Blueprint, in-hospital breastfeeding assistance, and at-home assistance for seven days, to the “I Want It All” package, which includes everything in the Basic plus a breast pump, nursing pads, a cover-up, milk storage bags, and lanolin. Postnatal packages include extended breastfeeding assistance, latching and baby positioning, and a baby essentials shop-anddeliver service (diapers, nursing pads, lanolin refills, baby lotion, shampoo) for six weeks. Find more information at www.latch-love.com.
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news & notes
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Register to Win The Jackson 5ive:
The Complete Animated Series For the first-time ever, the complete animated TV series “The Jackson 5ive” is being made available on DVD. The set includes 23 full-length episodes and 46 original “Jackson 5ive” songs. “The Jackson 5ive” was a Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Rankin/Bass and Motown Productions that aired on ABC from September 11, 1971, until October 14, 1972. The show depicted the fictionalized portrait of the careers of the hit Motown act The Jackson 5. Go to www.albabymag.com to register to win a copy.
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section name
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Princeton Baptist Medical Center Unveils Newly Renovated Women And Infants Unit
In September 2012, at the same time Princeton Baptist Medical Center was putting the ďŹ nishing touches on a $57 million expansion, the hospital unveiled a $1.4 million renovation of its Women and Infants Unit. It also marked the beginning of Princeton BMC’s “personalized pregnancy experienceâ€? campaign. The six labor and delivery suites and 12 private, post-delivery rooms on Four North have been completely upgraded to feel more like a ďŹ ne hotel than a hospital. The renovations to the post-delivery rooms include new head walls with sconce lighting, new wood oors, at-screen televisions, new wall art, wall cabinets with mini fridges, and new furniture including full-sized sleeper sofas in each room. The unit also features a lactation room for mothers whose babies are in the NICU, as well as a renovated waiting area with new furniture, window treatments, and lighting. Princeton’s “personalized pregnancy experienceâ€? is designed the make the birthing experience unique, special, and all about mom and baby. As part of the campaign new mothers receive: t " QFSTPOBMJ[FE QSFHOBODZ DPBDI UP HVJEF NPUIFST through the birth process at Princeton t " DPQZ PG UIF CPPL 8IBU UP &YQFDU 8IFO :PVS #BCZ Comes Home t " GSFF DBS TFBU XJUI DPNQMFUJPO PG QSF OBUBM DMBTTFT BOE car organizer t 'SFF MBDUBUJPO TFSWJDFT t "O JO SPPN iCJSUIEBZ QBSUZw UP DFMFCSBUF UIF CBCZ T CJSUI t " GSFF POMJOF OVSTFSZ TP MPWFE POFT DBO DIFDL JO PO UIF new arrival from anywhere in the world t " GSFF HPJOH IPNF LJU To learn more, call 877-222-7847 or visit www.bhsala.com. www.albabymag.com 13
nursery design
cribology Hot for 2013 are convertible cribs.
STORKLAND BABY FURNITURE The Spice Crib from the Everything Nice Collection by Baby’s Dream features a straight, frame headboard that can convert to a toddler bed and either a full or a queen bed. The only components needed for the conversion are mattress rails. The headboard is reversible, so no other holes are visible when converted to the adult bed size. Available in espresso, snowdrift and vintage gray. $669
1074 MONTGOMERY HIGHWAY, VESTAVIA HILLS (205) 824-1725
CLEARANCE CENTER 2205 2ND AVENUE NORTH, BIRMINGHAM (205) 324-9509 STORKLANDBABY.COM
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nursery design ONCE UPON A TIME The J'adore Crib-Cradle includes everything you need for to set it up first, as a cradle, and then later convert to a crib. Design details include hand wrought iron casting techniques and deep, detailed finishes. Available in distressed white, pewter, and Venetian gold as shown. $1,199. 201 COUNTRY CLUB PARK, MOUNTAIN BROOK (205) 870-7772 2900 18TH STREET SOUTH, HOMEWOOD (205) 870-7776 ONCEUPONATIMELLC.COM
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nursery design
TDS KID & BABY FURNITURE The grand arch of the Chelmsford crib by Baby Appleseed allows this crib to convert to a toddler bed and a full size bed. Crib includes a 2 compartment under crib drawer. Toddler rails are included however full size bed rails must be purchased. Available in espresso. $669.99 471 OLD WARRIOR ROAD, SUMITON (205) 648-3858 TDSKIDSANDBABYFURNITURE.COM
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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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Chace Lake Station 4741 Chace Circle, Hoover 205-982-4444
HOOVER gymboreeclasses.com
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Photography by Evan C ooper
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Bringing
HOME Zoe
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Life can bring wonderful and unexpected surprises. Just ask this Montgomery family. BY K I M H I L D E N B R A N D
P H OTO G R A P H Y BY E VA N C O O P E R A N D M A R I A W I G G I N S
AFTER A YEAR OF MARRIAGE, KC GODWIN WAS THRILLED TO SHARE THE NEWS WITH HER HUSBAND, JW, THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT. “WE WERE BOTH SO EXCITED TO BECOME PARENTS,” KC RECALLS. “IT WAS ALL WE HAD EVER WANTED.”
The Montgomery couple welcomed their daughter, Olivia Claire Godwin, on December 7, 2009. They were ecstatic. “Life was perfect,” KC says. “We had everything we could ask for—and we were ready to take on the world.” KC left her job to stay home with little Olivia, and the trio settled into a happy life together. Little did the couple know that that life held yet another beautiful surprise for them.
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AND BABY MAKES…FOUR?
Six months after Olivia was born, JW looked into his wife’s eyes and uttered something that surprised her: He said he felt like God was calling the couple to adopt a baby. “I looked at him and actually kind of laughed,” KC says. “I thought, ‘He has lost it. I am sitting here with a 6-month-old in my lap, and he is thinking about adopting a baby?’” Though the couple had mentioned adopting before, they had pictured it differently: perhaps when their own children were grown, when they had more time, or more money. After all, they were a singleincome household, and JW worked full time and attended law school full time. But the more they discussed it, the more they were drawn to expand their family through adoption. “It took a month of discussion, prayer, and just sitting back and allowing God to take control,” KC says. “We finally let go of our fears and insecurities and decided to trust what God had planned for us.” THE FIRST STEPS
Once the couple had decided to adopt, they immediately began researching, reading blogs, watching YouTube videos. As time passed, they both felt a strong pull toward international adoption— specifically Ethiopia—though neither can pinpoint why. “We have been asked ‘Why Ethiopia’ so many times that we laugh every time it’s asked,’” KC says. “Our answer is, ‘We have no idea.’” JW contacted Lifeline Children’s Services, a Birmingham adoption agency, to get the adoption process rolling. A “very focused and determined man,” according to his wife, he gathered all the paperwork, created checklists, and completed the entire packet of necessary information within two months. By October 2010, JW, KC, and 10-monthold Olivia, just had to wait. Thankfully, their caseworker Lesley, who had become a valued friend by this point, stayed in constant contact with the family.
“I am a mother of two amazing gifts from God. Both were given to me in different ways, but each has the same amount of my heart.” A few months later, on January 17, 2011, the Godwins received their referral. “We called Lesley and she couldn’t hold back the news anymore,” KC relates. “She screamed out, ‘You have a baby!’” Lesley then forwarded the couple an e-mail with an attached photo of their new baby girl. “We got to see the face of our daughter for the first time,” KC says, “and she was absolutely beautiful.” The couple named her Zoe Grace Godwin. Born on November 14, 2010, baby Zoe was exactly 11 months, 1 week younger than new big sister Olivia. GETTING READY
The Godwins drew comfort in the fact that Zoe was happy, healthy, and cared for in Ethiopia, while across the world they were busily preparing for her arrival. They were fundraising to assist in adoption expenses, preparing the house for two babies (“It’s almost like having twins!” KC says), and talking to 1-year-old Olivia about the family’s new addition. “We told Olivia how God loves her so much and how he brought her to mommy and daddy and that she was in mommy’s tummy,” KC says. “We then told her that God loves her little sister just as much and how he is going to bring her from all the way around the world to live with us.” MEETING ZOE
In June 2010, KC and JW left Olivia with JW’s parents and boarded a flight for Ethopia. “It was a long and tiring flight,” KC remembers, “but when
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Photogr aphy by Evan Cooper
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UAB &
Maternal and Infant care at WOMEN
NURSING MANAGER DONNA PURVIS CAN LOOK UP AT EVERY CORNER IN THE REGIONAL NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT THE UAB WOMEN & INFANTS CENTER and see monitor
readings for all of the patients in that section. Around her neck, Purvis and other nurses wear an electronic communication device that virtually links them to communication systems that signal when a baby needs extra help. There are more than 100 private rooms on two floors comprising the RNICU in the medical facility, dedicated to the best and most advanced care for women and infants. For babies and families of babies facing risks, the RNICU and the special nurses and doctors who work in the UAB Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine are often that bridge that helps them navigate the challenges.
INFANTS CENTER BY S H E R R E L W H E E L E R S T E W A R T
P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y C AYA N N E C R E A T I V E
Each year, about 1,500 babies are cared for in UAB’s RNICU, including babies transferred from other hospitals with critical-care needs. Transport is available through UAB Critical Care Transport, which provides ground or air transportation 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Susan Jernigan of Midland City, Alabama, near Dothan and Ozark, was referred to UAB as she and her husband prepared for the arrival of their first child, Emma Kate. They had been trying to have children for five years and Jernigan said she was considered high risk for delivery. Emma Kate arrived at 27 weeks in August, after Jernigan had been in the hospital about a week. Jernigan spends most days now right at her baby’s side during the day—sometimes sitting in a big recliner and using her laptop while the baby sleeps. www.albabymag.com 29
“Our experience here has been wonderful,” Jernigan says. “The nurses, the doctors and the therapist have all been great. They are so supportive.” There are no set times for babies to go home from RNICU, Purvis said. That all depends on the doctors’ assessment of a baby’s progress. When Emma Kate was born, Jernigan said she realized they would be at the hospital for a while. She has beads of hope to help chronicle her baby’s journey at UAB. “Beads of hope are necklaces given to parents for their babies to mark their different milestones throughout the day,” said Sandra Milstead, family nurse liaison. “We like to focus on daily triumphs. It may be that they are weaning off oxygen, or maybe they made progress in feeding. We give beads for the necklace and the parents can recall all that their baby has accomplished.” In mid-December, Jernigan said she had four necklaces for Emma Kate and was looking forward to her fifth. Milstead said nurses, doctors and staff look for the best practices in medical care and support for the total family. “The rooms are family-friendly, and parents can be here at any time,” she said. In addition to the large, private rooms, the RNICU has family lounges with small kitchens, flat-screen televisions and comfortable sofas and chairs. There are even special play rooms for young siblings. Throughout the week, there is an ongoing schedule of classes and activities. And there are
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also family movie nights in the lounges. Mothers and fathers can be in RNICU around the clock, if they choose. Many spend the day in the unit and go to the Ronald MacDonald House for the night. Siblings can visit on the unit every day from 8 a.m. to midnight, Purvis said. Milstead and Purvis said families are important in the birth of newborn, and it’s important for them to be a constant presence. Mothers and fathers take part in feeding their baby when it is possible. And mothers play a special role in keeping the babies warm. “We do what is called Kangaroo Care,” says Milstead. “We tuck the baby in a blanket, snuggled against the mom’s skin. If your baby needs more heat, the mother’s body naturally warms to supply what is needed. It’s an amazing way for the body to function.” MATERNAL AND INFANT CARE
A majority of the children born at UAB arrive without complications, medical professionals say. They experience a typical birth and go home within a few days of arrival. For the small percentage of infants and their families who face challenges – the UAB Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine guides them through difficult pregnancies, multiple births, genetic abnormalities, advanced age, diabetes, complicated pregnancy history and much more. “In recent years, we’ve seen more women who have delayed the start of child bearing. Sometimes
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FROM OUR DOCTORS: (Left to Right) Dr. Luisa Wetta Dr. Debora Kimberlin
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in that population you will see the development of more coexistent issues,” says Dr. Debora Kimberlin, professor in maternal and fetal medicine at UAB. Advances in medicine and in technology, Kimberlin said, allows doctors to better diagnose and monitor potential challenges for mothers and their babies. “We’ve had quite a few favorable outcomes,” she said. It is important for mothers to follow the advice of healthcare professionals and to keep their regular appointments, Kimberlin said. “In cases where multiple babies are expected, it is usually a strongly desired pregnancy, so they are really interested and compliant with prenatal visits,” Kimberlin said. Doctors work with women facing complicated child birth as early as the first trimester screening, and sometimes sooner if there is a history of complications, said Dr. Luisa Wetta, assistant professor – maternal fetal medicine. “Most women will get a general dating ultra sound at six to 10 weeks and they have an anatomical ultra sound at 18 to 20 weeks,” she said. Medical professionals can use ultra sounds to detect problems and monitor progress of the baby and mother. In the case of Susan Jernigan, doctors noticed that her baby was small,” Jernigan said. “They were also able to detect a problem with the amniotic fluid.” Jernigan was referred to UAB and observed by specialists for about a week.“They determined that our baby would do best if I went ahead and delivered,” she said. Jernigan doesn’t know how long they will be at UAB, but she said the doctors, nurses and staff has done everything possible to make Emma Kate’s stay great.
books
sibling rivalry from a dogs perspective Will You Still Love Me? And Other New Baby Questions from an Older Sibling
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Author Kimberly Sentek's new book, Oh Brother! A Nico and Tugger Tale, tells a tail-wagging story of sibling rivalry from new brothers Nico and Tugger – who must learn how to sit, stay, and play nice with each other. The tale is told twice - once from each dog’s perspective - showing children how to adapt to the arrival of a new sibling, learn sympathy and respect, and comprehend other people's often different points of view.
“I don’t mean to be mean, but no one asks me how I feel. They just brought him home— I didn’t choose this deal! I want Mommy and Daddy to love only me, but with Tugger close by that just won’t be. There were days it wasn’t bad to have him around. Tugger made me laugh when he acted like a clown. But other days he was such a big pest! With some of his puppy pranks, I wasn’t impressed. But after a while Tugger finally stopped chasing my tail. He also stopped chewing my favorite stuffed whale. Instead of stealing my red ball, he has started to roll it my way, and he no longer hides our bones from me every day. He only comes to my bowl now after I eat, and when friends come over it’s me first that they greet. He licks my ears and cuddles with me, and when I have bad dreams he wakes me from sleep. It really is OK having Tugger here; it is having a friend who is always near. Tugger has been my brother now for ninety-nine days, and I, the former only dog, like it this way.” ~Excerpted from “Nico’s Tale” in Oh Brother! A Nico and Tugger Tale.
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alabama baby
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shopping
celebrations
alabama child
2830 18th Street Homewood, AL (205) 879-3986
Speciality Toys Learning Games Trains Dolls And More
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Baby D AT E
December 29, 2012 TIME
11:56 p.m.
Baby Baby WEIGHT
7 pounds, 9ounces PA R E N T S
Russell & Valerie Tyler
Baby
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Baby
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