Mississippi Baby Bump Winter 2018 by Mississippi Baby Bump Magazine

EAST MISSISSIPPI EDITION | WINTER 2018

mississippi

baby bump

NURTURING THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF MISSISSIPPIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWEST GENERATION MSBABYBUMP.COM msbabybump.com | 1

Immerse yourself in the world of the Muppets creator, Mississippian Jim Henson. Imagination Unlimited explores Jim Henson’s groundbreaking work in film and television and his transformative impact on popular culture. A broad range of artifacts related to Henson’s unparalleled career, including more than 20 puppets, character sketches, storyboards, scripts, photographs, film and television clips, behind-the-scenes footage, iconic costumes and interactive experiences are on display at The MAX January 12–May 4. ON VIEW

For more information visit

JAN 12–MAY 4, 2019

MSARTS.ORG/JIMHENSON

2155 FRONT ST. | MERIDIAN, MS 39301 | 601-581-1550

JH_BabyBump_7.5x4.875.indd 1

AN EXHIBITION ORGANIZED BY

TOURED WORLDWIDE BY

11/14/18 2:36 PM

Your Local Headquarters for Distinctive, Personalized Baby Gifts

Unique Clothing and Accessories Newborn to 3T Hospital Deliveries Baby Gift Registry

Jubilee Keepsakes • Reed and Barton • Salisbury • Kiddie Kraft Children’s Jewelry Baby Gift Registry • Complimentary Engraving • Gift Wrapping • Mother’s Day Gifts Push Presents • Big Sister Gifts • Engagement Rings • Wedding bands and more!

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Skin-to-Skin immediately after birth.

Rooming In — Let your baby’s first sleepover be with you.

Breastfeeding — The best nutrition for your baby.

Learn more at AndersonRegional.org msbabybump.com |

from the editor

Let It Go, Let It Go, Let It Go!

‘T

is the season – for EVERYTHING to happen at once! I don’t know about you, but I always feel extra stretched at this time of year. It feels like holiday stress has become a Christmas tradition – a tradition that I have vowed not to bring back this year. The pressure to make the holiday season magical is a little overwhelming, especially because it comes down to Mama making the magic. Here is my mantra for the season. Are you ready? “Let it go, let it goooooo!!!” Sing it with me!! How many times have you said, “This will be the best Christmas ... Ever!”? I have many times, and each time I say this I am setting the stage for disappointment by setting unrealistic expectations for myself and others around me. My advice, how about, “This will be the best Christmas this year!” This year pick a few things and do them well! Seriously!! Think about what the most special traditions for your family are. Ours are getting the Christmas tree, having a huge Christmas dinner where everyone gets their favorite thing, and a New Years movie fest. Sounds simple and maybe a little deflated, but I know if I concentrate on just a few activities rather than getting caught up in all of the holiday frenzy, my entire family will enjoy it, not to mention my budget! In the grand scheme of things, who really cares if only half of the house

Temple Theatre for the Performing Arts

uilt in Moorish Revival style in 1928, this

historic downtown theater began its heyday during

the silent film era. These days, silent films are

still shown on the silver

screen, accompanied by a rare Robert Morton

pipe organ. Greats such

as Elvis Presley, Roy Clark

and Waylon Jennings have graced the stage. Modern day shows range from the internationally acclaimed

Wilco to Mocow’s Russian Ballet. The theater is also the site of numerous

is decorated instead of the entire house? If I miss a holiday party, my friends and family will still know that I love them! I found a statistic which really won’t be surprising, but the American Psychological Association has found that more women than men feel stressed during the holidays and have a harder time relaxing and enjoying the season, which to me really defeats the purpose! Don’t be that mamma!! Once you realize that you are not responsible for making the magic happen for everyone around you, you will go from Merry Stress-mas to Merry Christmas! Sing with me one more time! “Let it GOOOOO, let it GoooooOOOOOO!” I wish you and yours a very merry, stress-free and blessed Holiday Season!! Leslie Lee with son Jude

With Much Mama love, Leslie Lee Editor-in Chief & Mama

WHAT

COLOR

ARE YOUR

BRACES?

dance and acting troupes. Filled with antiquated

and eclectic collector’s

items, the theater offers

daily group history tours. An adjoining ballroom

Group Tours – Theater Rental – Ballroom Rental – Events & Shows

hosts community events,

weddings and receptions.

2320 8th Street Meridian, Mississippi 601.693.5353

www.meridiantempletheater.com

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DOUGLAS ORTHODONTICS

1603 23rd Ave. Meridian, Mississippi

(601) 483-4522 @DouglasOrthodontics

in this issue

From Prenatal to Preschool ... Mississippi Baby Bump is created and distributed by MoonPie Publishing, 2209 5th Street, Meridian, MS.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION Spinach Quiche Muffins ... Delicious Anytime! ......................................5 Leslie Lee, Editor

Editor & Publisher Leslie Lee

Best Exercises for “Mommy Tummy” ........................................................6

Contributing Editor John Paul Dove

Is Invisalign® Right for Your Child? ..........................................................8

Creative Director Adrienne Dison

Nourish Your Body During Pregnancy . ..................................................10

Contributing Writers Diana Tate, MD Lauren Hill, MS, RDN, LDN Erin Richardson Kevin Douglas, DMD, MS Virginia Carney Nelson, DO ABOUT THE COVER

Photo by Hannah Grace Photography Meridian, MS

Hannah Grace Photography captured this rare quiet moment with two-year-old Jude and his pup Bleu. For more info on the photographer, visit hannahgracephoto.com.

Erin Richardson

Kevin Douglas, DMD, MS

Lauren Hill, MS, RDN, LDN

Life is Like the Weather ... Sunglasses or Rain Boots? .........................11 Virginia Carney-Nelson, DO PARENTING ADVICE

Pediatrician’s Corner: What if my Child has a Cold? .............................4 Diana Tate, MD JUST FOR FUN

Our Favorites: Mom Picks...........................................................................12

Virginia Carney-Nelson, D.O. Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hannah L. Gray, DNP, FNP-C Family Nurse Practitioner

1702 14th St. • Meridian, MS 39301 • 601.703.1481 • thenelsoncenterforwomen.com msbabybump.com |

pediatricians corner

What if my Child has a Cold? I think my child has a cold. What can I do to help her symptoms? Signs of the common cold include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, sore throat, mild fever (less than 102 degrees Fahrenheit) and decreased appetite. This is a self-limiting viral infection Diana Tate, MD of the upper respiratory tract, and there is no cure. There are, however, things you can do at home to alleviate symptoms.

I’ve tried all the at home remedies for the common cold but my child STILL has congestion and cough. His nasal mucous is now green! Doesn’t he need an antibiotic? Probably not. There is no role for antibiotics in the treatment of the common cold, as they DO NOT KILL VIRUSES. They do not prevent complications and are actually more likely to cause significant side effects, as well as contributing to bacterial antibiotic resistance. The use of antibiotics should be reserved for secondary bacterial infections, such as otitis media (middle ear infection), sinusitis and pneumonia.

For nasal congestion, thin the mucous with over-the-counter saline nose spray (or drops). If you are able, use a suction bulb to clear the nasal secretions. First, squeeze the bulb and hold it. Then, gently insert the rubber tip into the nostril and slowly release the bulb. This will suck the clogged mucous out of the nose.

Seek evaluation from your physician if your child has fever for more than 5 days, worsening cold symptoms after one week, trouble breathing or drinking, ear pain, coughing for more than two weeks or if he acts very sleepy or very fussy.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be used for fever. Ibuprofen should ONLY be used in infants age six months and up and you should NEVER give your child aspirin. Be sure to follow label directions carefully. If you have a question about dosing, contact your child’s physician.

There is no special way to prevent colds, but there are many common sense precautions to take.

Cough is oftentimes the most disruptive symptom, as well as most difficult to control. Be aware, though, that cough helps to clear secretions from the respiratory tract. Too much cough suppression may cause retention of secretions and airway obstruction. Oral hydration and warm fluids may help with airway irritation contributing to cough. Honey may also be used in children older than one year and cough lozenges may be used in older children who are not at risk for choking.

Other things to do include using a tissue to cough or sneeze into (or your elbow). Do not share utensils with someone who is ill. Avoid cigarette smoke. And lastly, keep your child away from anyone who has a cold, fever or runny nose – especially if under the age of two months.

What can I do to help prevent my child getting sick?

Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! This is the number one way to prevent the spread of germs.

Dr. Diana Tate practices Pediatrics at Newton Family Medical Associates.

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healthy eating

Spinach Quiche Muffins ... Delicious Anytime! M ost all of the lactation recipes that I find are all sweets! Why is this? I know we moms need a treat every now and then, but too many, and we will begin to pack on the pounds!! So with this in mind, I have tried to find an out-of-the-box lactation recipe for this edition that will get the mammary glands producing!! Unsurprisingly, what you eat has a big impact on the quantity and quality of the milk you produce!

Before we get started on the recipe, there are a couple of key ingredients that you should have in your pantry, not only for these recipes, but add them to any of your cooking for an added boost! Milk supply issues are fairly common throughout the first year of motherhood, so it’s a good idea to stock up on these items now. Key ingredients for lactation recipes: • • • •

Ground Flaxseed Brewers Yeast Ground Fenugreek Almond Milk

Brewer’s yeast is, more or less, the bi-product made from fermenting beer (don’t worry, no alcoholic content!). It’s high in chromium, selenium, and vitamin B. Pair that with the gratuitous amounts of Vitamin E, fiber, and Omega 3, and you’ll be producing more milk in no time! Flaxseed has phytoestrogens that can naturally influence breast milk production, plus it has good fats and enzymes. Fenugreek is an amazing galactogue that typically works within 24 to 48 hours!! Spinach Quiche Muffins These are delicious for anytime of the day!! Bonus – they make a bunch and are freezable! Pop one in the microwave whenever you have a craving – mine didn’t make it to the freezer because my entire family inhales them!! Ingredients • 1 TBSP coconut oil

• 2 cups of fresh baby spinach

• 1 TSP flax or chia seed (both are great for digestion!)

• 7 eggs or 1 3/4 cup of egg whites or egg substitute • 8 oz package of mushrooms sliced or diced small • 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper, optional • 1/4 cup finely diced onion, optional

• 1/4 cup shredded cheese of your choice, optional (less calories in parmesan)

• Pepper to taste

• You can really add whatever you’d like to these!!

Asparagus, broccoli, bacon, sausage, etc. Be creative!

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet on medium heat. 3. Sauté the mushrooms (and onions and peppers if using) for about 5-6 minutes 4. Then add the spinach and cook for about 4 more minutes or until tender. 5. Drain the excess liquid. 6. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. Add the cooked mushrooms, spinach, onion, red pepper and cheeses and mix well. 7. Divide the mixture evenly between the muffin tins. 8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. 9. Store in the refrigerator or freeze. Just pop them in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them. – Leslie Lee, Editor

msbabybump.com |

health and fitness

The Best Exercises for “Mommy Tummy”

t’s called many things ... Diastasis Rectus Abdominus or DRA, Diastasis recti, ab separation, and the most dreaded term of them all, the mommy tummy. But no matter what it’s called, one-third of all postnatal women have some degree of this condition, and it jumps to almost two-thirds after their second child. While most women find this condition aesthetically unpleasing, it can also cause greater and more concerning health problems such as a weaker core, a weaker pelvic floor, lower back pain, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse if left untreated.

So what is Diastasis Rectus Abdominus? Diastasis Rectus Abdominus naturally occurs in pregnancy and is when the connective tissue associated with rectus abdominals called the linea alba become stretched allowing the rectus abdominals to separate. This allows our bodies to safely carry our babies during pregnancy. When DRA becomes a concern is when we are postpartum, when the Linea alba are unable to contract to their prepregnancy length allowing the separation of the rectus abdominals to remain. Most women with this type of ab separation find that no matter how much weight they lose or how much time they spend working out, there stomach still seems to appear pregnant or extended. This separation and extension can also become worse over time depending on nutrition, posture and the types of exercises they have been doing.

Is DRA treatable? YES! Using the proper exercises, nutrition and posture, 95% of women with DRA are able to treat it without surgery.

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What can I do to help repair my DRA? Posture – One of the simplest ways to help heal DRA is to use proper posture. Slouching puts pressure on the separation, pushing down into the abdominal walls and Erin Richardson maintaining the elongation of the linea alba, sometimes even causing it to further elongate making the separation greater. Start by drawing the top of your head up like your being pulled by string from the top of your head, engage your core by bringing your belly button to your spine, drawing your pelvic floor up and your rib cage together. You’ll feel as if you have created a corset with your muscles. Try to hold this corset whether you are standing talking to a friend, sitting on a couch, at your desk or taking a walk. The goal is to do this as much as possible and practice proper posture so that it becomes a habit. Nutrition – With DRA we are trying to heal and build muscle, so just as athletes would use nutrition to build muscle and to heal and prevent injuries, we need to do the same. Focus the majority of your meals on protein, complex carbs mostly from fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. All of these will help build the muscles needed to support the core and heal the separation. Diets high in sugar and saturated fats will only deter the healing process. Exercise – The best exercise for women with DRA are those that engage and build the inner core (transverse abdominus), glutes, hips and back muscles without putting pressure on the separation. Examples of exercise to

be avoided are any form of crunches from a lying position and any form of planks. Three exercises that I recommend for DRA are heel slides, 90-degree toe drops and bridges: Heel Slides – Lying on your back, bring both heels as close to your glutes as possible. Flex your feet and draw your belly button into your spine, engaging your core. Slowly slide one heel down across the floor until the leg completely extends, keeping the foot flexed and the core engaged the entire time. Once at full extension, slide the foot back to its starting position and do the same on the other leg until each side has completed 10 reps. 90-Degree Toe Drops – Lying on your back, bring your legs up bending your knees at a 90-degree angle and point your toes. Engage your core and slowly drop one leg down, gently tapping the toe to the ground. Keeping your core engaged and toe pointed, slowly raise the bent leg back to its starting position. Continue dropping each toe, alternating legs, until you have completed 10 reps on each side. Bridges - Lying on your back, bring both heels close to your glutes. Engaging your core, bring your hips up

as high possible, then lower your hips down to tap the ground without placing your full weight down. Continue bringing your hips up and down until you have completed 20 reps. Do these exercises three times a day, morning/afternoon/ evening, for 2 to 4 weeks depending on the degree of the separation (think of it as physical therapy for your core). As your core becomes stronger and your separation heals, you can start adding in more challenging exercises.

When should you consider surgery? If you have actively tried to heal your separation for more than 12 months, you should consider seeing your ob/gyn or a women’s health physiotherapist. They will be able to ultrasound the linea alba and see if it has stretched beyond healing it through proper exercise, posture and nutrition. And last, be kind and generous to your body, which has carried, cared for and delivered a child into this world. Treat your body with the love that it deserves. Erin Richardson is a certified fitness instructor.

msbabybump.com |

healthy smiles

Is Invisalign® Right for Your Child? A

film, load the camera, take a picture, bring the film back to the store, wait two weeks, then pick up your paper photographs in order to finally view them, with no way to share them.

lot has changed with children’s orthodontic treatment options in recent years. For the past few decades, this specialty has remained at a standstill in terms of the customary options offered to parents for their children who needed early (also called “Phase 1”) treatment. With few exceptions, parent’s options have been braces or … braces.

Well, times are changing. Orthodontics for children is seeing a paradigm shift with Invisalign® that is very similar to what happened to Blockbuster when Netflix arrived on the scene. Remember Blockbuster? It’s funny – we all do, but our kids have no clue even about the concept of this store that was such a big part of our lives. Blockbuster was the “analog” way of obtaining movies – we had to drive to a location each time, spend 30 minutes walking through it, hope that the movie we’d chosen had a copy available, and only use the stores during regular store hours. With Netflix (and Hulu, iTunes, Amazon Prime, etc.), we discovered “digital.” No waiting in line – instant movie delivery over the internet, no worrying about if there was a copy available of your movie, no driving to a store, & no store hours to observe (especially nice for those late-night viewing cravings). Almost overnight, Blockbuster quite literally vanished into thin air. Once the concept of digital was embraced, the DVD rental business almost ceased to exist. Nine thousand brick and mortar Blockbuster stores ... all gone. And if this analogy seems too hard to follow, just think about analog (film) cameras. Just very recently, every camera on this planet was analog. Nowadays it’s extremely hard to even find a camera that’s not digital. More than 3.28 billion digital photos A DAY are taken! Every single day – that’s 1.2 trillion photos just in 2017. Here’s another way to think about it: every two minutes, humans take more photos than have ever existed in total 150 years ago. All due to the change from analog to digital. Invisalign® is digital. It’s Netflix. It’s the camera on your iPhone. Braces are analog. They are Blockbuster. They are the camera that requires you to go to a store, purchase

8 | mississippi baby bump winter 2018

Kevin Douglas, DMD, MS

Here are some solid reasons why you should consider this treatment modality for your child:

Food: Invisalign trays allow your child to eat whatever in the world they want to eat. Braces do not – they have very strict guidelines about what can and cannot be eaten, and all the good stuff is on the no-no list. This is a very big deal for a pre-adolescent. ®

Brushing: Invisalign® trays allow your child to brush his/her teeth the exact same way they have always been brushing them. Braces require the child (and more often the parent!) to take over and completely change the way the child brushes. And suddenly, at an age when hygiene is extremely hard to demand and to monitor, we are expecting the child to be hyper-hygienic. This can be a recipe for disaster with some children. Cavities and white spots: Because Invisalign® trays are removable, there is basically no risk for cavities or decalcification (white spots) of the teeth. Braces can not give this guarantee – because they are cemented on the teeth, it is sometimes only when they are taken off two years later that white spots or cavities are discovered. This is a constant fear of the orthodontist – that he/she has straightened the teeth perfectly, only to find out that every tooth is damaged and in need of restoration. Orthodontists hate this. Parents hate this. Emergencies: Invisalign® trays have no emergencies – no broken brackets, no poking wires, no broken wires, no expander that falls out or embeds itself in the roof of the mouth, no colored elastics that fall off, no metal bands coming off the back teeth, no spacers (separators) that come out, no lips or cheeks that get stuck to the brackets, no swallowed braces, and no bleeding lips or cheeks from rubbing against the stainless steel hardware.

leanliness: Invisalign® trays C are worn for only one week, and then replaced with a brand new one as the patient moves on to the next tray in the series. This means that each aligner does not have enough time to get dirty and yellowed and smelly. Braces, on the other hand, are kept for the entirety of treatment (on average – about 2 to 2.5 years). This gives them a lot of time to be punished by the bacteria and anaerobic conditions in the oral cavity. I am constantly reminded of this when I remove brackets at the end of treatment – the smell can sometimes be at a biohazard level! So what type of clear aligner is right for your preadolescent child who has been recommended for early treatment? Well Invisalign’s new Invisalign First product is specifically designed for growing children who still have most of their baby teeth. • Has an expander been recommended? The plastic trays can do that (instead of the expander that is glued in and resides over the roof of the mouth). • Do they need tooth alignment? The trays can do that. • Are their front teeth stuck out (overjet)? The trays can correct that. • Do they have an openbite from a thumb or finger-sucking habit? The trays can resolve this issue. • Is the majority of your child’s teeth still baby teeth? No problem, the trays attach to baby teeth as well as permanent teeth. • Are the baby teeth loose and falling out, with adult teeth coming in right behind them? No problem – Invisalign First’s software algorithm has predictive technology that holds the appropriate amount of space open for the new adult tooth that is coming in. All of this is not to say that braces are not needed. But what is becoming more and more obvious is that suggesting braces as the recommended best choice is happening less and less. Invisalign® has shown itself to be fully functional and a better choice for more and more types of cases that we used to only recommend braces for.

The proof of this fact is that some orthodontists have already stopped doing braces altogether and have practices that are 100% “Invisalign® only.” I still use braces – every single day. And so do all my colleagues. It’s the format I was trained in, and change takes time and is always uncomfortable. But I’m not too old to see the writing on the wall. Every day, Invisalign® makes 280,000 more clear aligners – every single day of the year. That is over 377 million aligners shipped out to over 5.2 million patients so far. They are producing more each and every month, and you may have noticed that they are in almost every magazine and on every TV channel out there. This phenomenon is definitely not going away, and it would not be a crazy belief to think that one day in the future, we will look back on braces just like we did the dvd. Author’s Note: This week my third child is coming in to start treatment, and (unlike the older two) we will be using Invisalign® to treat her case. Dr. Kevin Douglas practices orthodontics in Meridian.

msbabybump.com |

healthy eating

Nourish your body during pregnancy

ou’ve heard it said multiple times before. There is an old saying passed down through the years that during pregnancy a woman is “eating for two.” Unless you are carrying multiples, this old saying just doesn’t apply during pregnancy. However, it is important to broaden your mindset when considering how you nourish your body during pregnancy. Simply put, the role of carrying a child is vital and what you feed yourself can in turn greatly impact your baby. Consider it a privilege to be able to carry and nourish a life. With that being said, let’s cover specific food categories and considerations during pregnancy. The first food group is carbohydrates, which include but are not limited to sweet potatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and jasmine rice. Some women may have adopted a Paleo or lower carbohydrate way of eating prior to pregnancy, which is fine to continue throughout pregnancy. In fact, one may receive adequate phytonutrients through colorful vegetables and fruits like leafy greens, purple yams, blueberries and strawberries, and avocados while on a lower carbohydrate eating plan. The next food group is protein, which are the building block for brain and fetus growth. In addition, protein is beneficial for preventing swelling as well as maintaining blood sugar balance and satiety. Protein sources to consider are salmon, eggs, bacon, beef, liver, chicken, tuna, almond butter and cheese. Moreover, the last but not least food category is fat. Fat is important for enhancing mineral absorption and satiety. By design, a woman’s body during pregnancy raises cholesterol to support development of the baby and

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the accompanying surge of hormones. Decades ago the general public was advised to avoid and fear fat in the diet. However, we now know this simply isn’t true. Fat is a great addition to your plate in smaller portions. Fat free foods in fact are not as healthful due to the added sugar in them therefore making them less helpful for blood sugar stabilization and satiety. Fats to consider adding to your plate include avocados, nuts, full fat butter, almond butter, olives and coconut oil. Lastly, the type of fat to avoid is trans fat in food items such as cakes, cookies, pies and shortening to name a few. Often times, women are concerned about their intake of caffeine during pregnancy. The recommended daily amount of caffeine is 12 ounces of coffee per day or 200 mg of caffeine daily unless otherwise advised by your doctor. In terms of food safety with soft cheese, the risk of bacteria exposure with semi soft cheese like feta cheese is extremely low. If you are going to add deli meats to your meals, ensure that is has been kept cold in the refrigerator adequately and check the expiration date before eating. If possible, purchase nitrite-free deli meats. Eating during pregnancy should be something to enjoy in balance. As with many seasons of life, you can nourish your body well from the inside out. It is important to educate yourself during this season of life. You can always ask your doctor or a Registered Dietitian for additional pregnancy related questions. Be Well! – Lauren Hill, MS, RDN, LDN

healthy living

Life is Like the Weather ... Sunglasses or Rain Boots?

“O

h My Gosh!! I hate my life!”and other ridiculous things I have said and heard muttered along the way. I have never understood what that really says about me or my negativity and how truly unappreciative and sad it is. In my clinic days, I see what my mom describes as “the Whitman’s Sampler of Humanity,”as you never know what’s inside a person with their struggles and hopes and fears. I hear crying, laughter, fatigue, happiness and utter sadness – sometimes all in the same person! The one thing that I always hear in every sad and desperate story is the need for a dramatically different outlook. Kind of like when you pull up the ten-day forecast and it’s raining but there is sunshine a few days over. Here is what we forget though, YOU have control of YOU. How you react is up to you. Is it currently raining on your life? Get out your cute rain boots and a bright umbrella and dance in the rain! Years ago, I knew a great woman, a friend, a very gifted doctor – truly an amazing person! She was a Yale and Harvard graduate, and somehow we landed her here in Mississippi where she saved countless of lives. On our many walks around Bonita, we took on the task of solving the health-care crisis and the world in general, one lap at a time. Throughout the years, she began to take on a gloomy outlook, who would take care of her when she got older? Would she be alone? Would we get sicker with sicker patients? Would we have to have other jobs instead of medicine? Would the world implode?! Her questions began to spiral from there. I found myself worrying about all of these things and wondering if I should prepare for the worst or just enjoy life and hanging out with my kids? Should I do more to help the world or enjoy the sunsets

from my back porch. Then I received the news that my friend passed away. Just like that, she was gone. She was never alone like she had feared. At that moment, I realized that I had learned so much more from her in her ENTIRE life, even her dying and after her death. I learned Virginia Carney-Nelson, DO that we aren’t promised tomorrow, so invest in the people that matter in your life, like my friend did. Enjoy the little moments and take pictures of everyday! We aren’t promised tomorrow – or even the rest of today, only this moment. What you are feeling at this time will never come again. This day of its variables and dynamics that makes this day different than any other. Whatever sadness that was in this day will be different tomorrow. Tomorrow will have a different sunshine, you will have a different perspective. Tomorrow will have given you more time to gain strength and healing. You will be different today and if not, there will be another tomorrow. Don’t worry about the small stresses, nothing lasts forever, good or bad. Everything is in a cycle – when bad things come around again, and they will, you will be stronger and stronger. Also, when good things come around, you will appreciate and love even more. You have learned from THIS day in your life. You are one day older and wiser. Life is beautiful even when it rains, learn how to make your own sunshine. Dr. Virginia Carney-Nelson is a Mom to two boys and has her own practice, The Nelson Center for Women, where she is passionate about changing lives for the better health of all generations.

mom picks

Our Favorite Things ... Here’s where we share our favorite Mom Go-Tos ... Little things to help make your life easier and more fun with your little one!

KIND CULTURE Love the Doll Kind! For each doll sold another will be donated to a child less fortunate. They also come with coins that have special phrases to show gratitude, kindness and love – plus they are all gorgeous! Available at MoonPie.

BEAR FOOTIE We can’t get enough of these organic bamboo sleepers by Kate Quinn. You’ll want them in every color for your little one and in adult jammies for you! Absolutely the softest material that you have ever touched, and it gets better with each wash! Available at MoonPie.

DAY TRIPPING Just two hours away in Birmingham, Ala., is the McWane Science Center! Spark wonder and curiosity in children of all ages! Admission starts at $12 and it’s a perfect activity for chilly days! TAKE IT TO THE MAX If you haven’t been to one of the classes at The Max for their Mini-makers, put it on your to-do list! Check out the complete line of classes starting in January, including Mommy and Me fitness classes, yoga and barre classes, and children’s art classes at msarts.org.

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WOW! Spice up a pair of jeans and a sweater with these leopard print high tops from Coconuts. Available at Blue Girl.

mi r a cl ein am anger.c om

2209 5th Street • Meridian

appointments

601.453.2176

monday - friday 9 am to 6:30 pm saturdays 9 am to 4 pm

haircuts • colors • highlights • facials • full body waxing manicures • pedicures • walk - ins welcome • kids play area 2626 north hills street, suite a

• meridian, ms • meridianhoh.com