Pregnancy, Parenthood & Playtime

All around the country we are starting to hear stories just like the one of Joy Szabo, threatened by a court order for a cesarean section if she was to show up at her local hospital Page Hospital of Lake Powell, AZ. in labor attempting to have a VBAC.
Now, lets get into the history of Joy’s pregnancies. She had a healthy vaginal birth with her first child, and then with her second child she had an emergency cesarean section for a placental eruption, which was followed by a healthy and safe VBAC with her third child. For those not familiar with the term VBAC it means Vaginal Birth after a Cesarean Section.
So what is the problem with Page Hospital?
Recently in June, the hospital decided they would no longer allow VBAC, because of staffing problems they are having. Stating that they would not be able to urgently deliver a baby if there is a problem with a VBAC. But then comes the question about other moms who may need an emergency cesarean section who have not had a previous cesarean section. How are they able to deliver those babies under an emergent situation, but not a mother who is having a VBAC?
Sorry but if you can’t handle one emergency, you can’t handle any and shouldn’t be delivering babies at all.
It is a cheap cop out.

Unfortunately we are seeing this trend across the country. Women being denied VBAC for the same reasons stated above, or because Doctors simply do not do them.

For more information on VBAC bans across the country visit http://ican-online.org/vbac-ban-info

To speak out against this human rights violation, contact Page Hospital President and CEO Peter Fine at peter.fine@bannerhealth.com
Or visit their Facebook page and inform them of your outrage.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/BannerHealth?ref=ts

With such a rainy day upon us today, I am going to post a great recipe that is not only super yummy, but is fun for you and your children to make and decorate! I will probably end up making it by the end of the day myself. I am by no means a domestic goddess. I am honestly surprised that I haven’t burnt my house down trying to make something yet. But with time I am getting better.

Chocolate Graveyard

Halloween Graveyard :

Ingredients :

• 2 packages of chocolate pudding (equal to 8 servings)
• 3 1/2 cups of milk (for mixing the pudding)
• 2 8oz containers of cool whip
• 1 package of oreos (or cookie alternative)
• 1 package of milano cookies
• Gummy Worms
• Candy Corn Pumpkin
• Decorating Icing for cookies

Mix the pudding, and layer the bottom of the pan or tray with it.
Then layer the cool whip on top of the pudding.
Crush the cookies and layer the top of the cool whip.
Decorate the cookies before putting them into the into pudding mixture.
Then decorate as you would like.

I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine did last year! It was a huge hit!

Everywhere you look today, whether it is television or advertisements in magazines, we are all getting the same message. Breastfeeding is best for children. There is really no arguing it. But not all women are able to be stay at home mothers in this current economy, so knowing the breastfeeding laws for Connecticut is even more important for many women. Today, I dedicate my post to the laws regarding nursing mothers.

Starting with your employer being required by law to give you enough time to pump milk for her infant in a private area where she will not be distrubed.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-40w (2001) requires employers to provide a reasonable amount of time each day to an employee who needs to express breast milk for her infant child and to provide accommodations where an employee can express her milk in private. (HF 5656)

Next, any mother, may breastfeed her child in any type of public place without restriction. Meaning the mall, the beach, the grocery store, anyplace.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-64 (1997) prohibits places of public accommodation, resort or amusement from restricting or limiting the right of a mother to breastfeed her child. (1997 Conn. Acts, P.A. 210)

Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53-34b provides that no person may restrict or limit the right of a mother to breastfeed her child.

Basically if someone asks you to leave, or cover up, or tells you to stop feeding your child where ever you are, they are breaking the law.
It is so important for mothers to know that the law is on your side when it comes to feeding your child and doing what is the healthiest option for your baby.

Bravo to the working mothers who pump and work to give your babies this amazing gift.

This time of the year, a great family activity is going apple picking!
New England also has some of the most beautiful foliage this time of year, so it makes for a great family activity!

My husband and I have agreed that we should make it a family activity that we take part in every year, so if you are looking for something to do as a family, there are plenty of Apple Orchards in our area that are in full bloom right now!

A couple of the local orchards are :

Silverman’s Family Farm – Easton, CT – Now picking Empire and Courtland apples from 9:30am till 4:30pm
Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, CT – Now picking over 28 different varities of apples. For hours, call the hotline open 24 hours a day at 860-349-6015
Bishop’s Orchards – Guilford, CT – Now picking a variety of different apples. For hours and current picks, call 203-458-PICK

Now with that being said, I would like to share an awesome Apple Crisp recipe I made Monday evening for my husband. Who loved it mind you!

Ingredients

• 3 pounds tart apples
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans  (I am use both. LOL)

Preperation

1. Peel and core the apples; toss into a bowl with the lemon juice.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg.
3. Add to the apples and toss to combine.
4. In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and oats.
5. Cut the butter into 8 small pieces, and cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly.
6. Stir in the chopped nuts.
7. Butter a 9 inch square baking dish
8. Spread apple mixture in bottom of the baking dish, then sprinkle with flour mixture.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with some vanilla ice cream or a little heavy cream if desired.

Delish!!!!

Enjoy!