Chasing Fireflies Yup I Am That Kind Of Oma!

Chasing Fireflies Package Arrives!

Oma received her Chasing Fireflies (http://www.chasing-fireflies.com/) order and was thrilled with the wonderful personalize Christmas goodies. Just as promised, the matching personalized P.J.’s and Santa Hats were cute as could be.

What Oma was not expecting, however, was how comfortable the “Personalized Christmas Candy PJ's” were! In fact, Oma is still wearing them while creating this post. 

Merry Christmas 2013 from Reef & Oma

Reef Indy appeared to agree with his Oma in regards to the comfort of his new Christmas PJ’s and a new family tradition was created! The improvised photo shoot produced priceless keepsakes.

Reef Indy Waiting for Santa

Be sure to check out the Chasing Fireflies Website. Not only is their merchandise high quality; it was also packaged well and arrive in both a timely manner and in perfect condition! Reef and Oma were very happy with their new Personalized Christmas Candy PJ's and Santa Hats. 

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Thank You to Chasing Fireflies for these wonderful Christmas outfits

As a blogger, integrity is one of the most valuable things Oma possesses. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising). However, it should be noted that Oma was given free product from Chasing Fireflies to use and review.

Reef Indy - Opa's Mini-Me

We have been trying to figure out if Reef Indy looks more like his mom or dad.

Anne Matthews, director of the graduate program in genetic counseling at Case Western University in Cleveland, likens the process of passing down facial traits to baking a cake.

And genes aren't the only ingredients. In the "oven" — a mother's womb — a wide variety of non-genetic environmental factors can have a potentially major effect on a fetus that scientists are still trying to understand.

However after looking at this old baby photo of Opa, my vote goes for him. What do you think; doesn’t Reef Indy look a lot like his Opa!?!

Reef Indy at the Valley CenterSkate Park Fundraiser

A beautiful SoCal Saturday - Skateboarding at the Park

Skateboarding is a 2.5-billion dollar industry and has become a vital part of urban communities. A skatepark can attract skateboarding tourists and with national health issues looming for today’s youth, it’s time to offer a greater number of healthy, athletic choices.

Healthy fun for kids of all ages!

In 2006, 42 people riding skateboards died. Of those, 40 of them were not in a skatepark and 27 of those involved a motor vehicle. In other words, of these 42 deaths, 40 of them might have been prevented had the person been skating in a skatepark instead of the streets.

Activism and change come in a variety of venues. To truly create social change, activism must happen locally as well as nationally. It can happen in small, everyday actions as well as creative ways using large-scale or far reaching venues like the media or social networking. 

Opa With Reef Indy

It is never too early to instill a sense of community awareness and activism in a child.

Reef Indy came out to ‘Support our Youth and Help Make Change Happen’ at 28246 Lilac Road Valley Center CA 92082.

Why does Reef cry?

 

Seven Reasons Babies Cry 

1. I'm hungry
2. I just feel like crying
3. I need to be held
4. I'm tired and need a rest
5. I'm too cold or too hot
6. I need my diaper changing
7. I don’t feel good

 

 

What Can You Do 

1. Find a constant sound
2. Rock-a-bye baby
3. Try a massage or a tummy rub
4. Try a different feeding position
5. Don't demand too much of yourself

Sometimes, babies just cry. Relax, as Reef grows, he will learn new ways of communicating his needs.

Free Children's E-Book by Spencer Cluff

Newt Newsberry Black Ops Campaign

Free Children's E-Book - Short description

An average kid, with average friends, takes on the extraordinary goal in becoming America's FIRST kid senator but he must first get through the evil and powerful mayor, Mort Axes, a man who has never lost a fight and will win at all costs. But Newt gets some help from some unlikely friends. Meet them all, starting with Hu Flung Pu, "T-Bone", Alistair Crumpet, and Brooke McVitty.

Author Spencer Cluff

Having a middle grade son that blows through the Wimpy Kid, Big Nate books I felt the market needed more books in that style. Those other books come out annually and a few books for an entire year just does not fill that need of even an average reader. My books are longer than the others currently out there (8-10,000 more words) and I also use a secret code throughout that the kids can use to see the messages between the characters not written in the book. I thought it would be fun to bring back the top secret decoder of the old days and makes the book unique.

Click Here to Get Your Free Children’s E-Book

 Use coupon code AF55C at the checkout to get it free

 

 

 

Grandparent Plays Critical Role

Reef enjoys his homemade quilt

In this day of frequent job transfers and a global business economy, many families are forced to maintain long-distance family relationships. However, one cannot discount the value of a Oma – Kleinkind (Grandmother-Grandchild) Relationship.

Reef - 2 Weeks Old

Grandparents have come to be known as “secondary attachment figures.” According to the article “Back to the Future: How Early Attachments Shape Your Relationships” in the Summer 2007 issue of Attachment Parenting: The Journal of Attachment Parenting International, all attachments whether parent-child or grandparent-grandchild play a crucial role in shaping what a child’s perspective of what “normal” relationships are like.

But even grandparents whose grandchildren do not live with them can have a critical role in supporting their grandchildren’s parents. Grandparents can be great sources of parenting tips and affordable childcare to their grandchildren’s parents.

What Determines a Strong Grandparent-Grandchild Bond?

These elements prove to be crucial in developing a strong grandparent-grandchild relationship:

1. The child feeling a sense of emotional closeness to his grandparent;
2. The child having regular contact with his grandparent;
3. The child viewing his grandparent as a source of social support.

Oma and Reef - Bonding Time

Oma is blessed to have Baby Reef close by. Since his birth, Reef, my first grandchild, (two weeks old) has made me more peaceful and appreciative each day. What a joy. Oma looks forward to nurturing that special Oma – Kleinzoon relationship. 

Opa gets Reef to smille

Check your mood - Keep Smiling

I absolutely love and live by this piece of child rearing advice:

Cranky Baby?  Check Your Mood:

Children take many emotional cues from their parents. That’s why cheerfulness is one of the best ways to respond to a cranky child (newborn), and why a big smile is often the easiest way to sweeten a sour face. But it’s difficult to provide the emotional sunshine your child may need when you’re in a bad mood or when the pressures of the day are making you cranky and short-tempered yourself. If your child seems persistently unhappy, do a quick assessment to see if you may be part of the problem, and then take a few moments to calm your mind and reset your attitude.

When grand-baby Reef Indy gets fussy and cries, Oma first makes sure his needs are met (dry diaper . . . correct temperature . . .); then Oma just relaxes and talks to the newborn.  

It is important to remember that a crying baby who can't easily be soothed can put a lot of stress on the adult caretaker.  You need to remember that crying is normal and take the time to take a few good deep breathes before soothing the child.

 Hello Oma - I am two weeks old today!

The more calm and confident you are in the situation, the easier it will be for your charge to return to his/her happy state.

Source

Reef's First Halloween Outfit

With a name like Reef - what could be more appropriate.

chasing fireflies Catalog Photo

If you have a little guppy at home, here's a costume you could have lots of "fin" with. Our delightfully plush hooded bunting has a full front closure and soft teeth around the face. Polyester, polyester-cotton. Imported. One size fits 0/6m. (text from the chasing fireflies catalog)

U Can Find It Here

****WARNING:  Oma ordered Reef Indy's outfit today because she received a free shipping offer in the mail.  I was going to buy it anyway, but the free shipping offer got me on it!

However, forgetting that you always have to read the small print and even though the online shopping cart reported that my "Free Shipping Code" had been accepted - I was charged the full price.   My order did not total $50.00 or more.

*Free ground shipping on orders of $50 or more that are placed by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, September 16, 2013. Enter promo code BOOFREE in step 2 of the checkout process

 

After calling their customer service center, the nice lady who answered the phone stated that there was nothing that they could do for me.  

Oma will let you know about the quality of this product as soon as it arrives.

Disney Characters FREE Autographed Pictures

Oma read that you can send a letter to Disney asking for autographs and they will send them to you!  What a great idea for Reef Indy's Christmas Stocking.  Oma is going to send off her request this weekend because it will probably take four to six weeks for them to respond.

Below are the addresses to send the letters to Disney World and/or Disney Land:

Walt Disney World Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Walt Disney Company
Attn: Fan Mail Department
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521

Oma will follow up on this post as soon as she gets a response.

Get your FREE Autographed Picture of
Your Favorite Disney Character !!!

Source

Babysitting - Mission Accomplished!

Last Night's Oma / Reef babysitting session did not go off without a hitch. The baby was with us less than three hours. Reef went through four diapers - two outfits – and believe it or not, a blanket! That is not to say that our time together was in anyway a fail!

Quite the contrary; our time together was enlightening and very bonding. 

Reef’s life is pretty simple at the moment: eat, pee, poop, and sleep. Let us not forget crying and crying a lot! Oma knows that for Reef, crying is the best and only way to communicate his needs. Oma and Opa’s challenge was to learn how to decode Reef’s cries so that we could tell the difference between "I'm hungry" and "I'm uncomfortable."

By the time Mom and Dad had returned for their bundle of joy, Baby Reef was sleeping quietly and comfortable. Mission Accomplished!

Reef Indy - Age 1 Week

FREE Snicker-Bites

If you are on Facebook and like Snickers; be sure to check this out.

Not sure how long it will last, but Oma was successful in snagging a  free bag! 

 

Click here for FREE Offer

A Newborn - Six-Week Survival Guide

It has been a long time since Oma has taken care of a brand new baby. Therefore this article from fitpregnancy prove very useful!

This postpartum survival guide culls our favorite experts' tried-and-true tips about how to make the best of this challenging rite of passage. Here's what you'll need to know:

Baby Reef Indy at Home

Brace Yourself

At the hospital, your baby is examined by the pediatrician, who will explain to you any obvious curiosities (for example, birthmarks or a pointy head shape). After you get home, however, your baby may produce some unexpected sights and sounds; most are normal.

The umbilical cord

The stump of the cord may seem very black and unwieldy for such a tiny infant. This is OK; it will disengage within three weeks. Until then, keep it clean (fold diapers down clear of it), dry (give sponge baths only until it falls off), and dab the base with alcohol twice a day.

Daddy is a big help

The spit up

Not to worry, just keep lots of cloth diapers at the ready. Two effective ways to diminish returns, offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (Bantam Books, 1994) are to burp your baby every three to five minutes during feedings, and to place the baby in an upright position in an infant seat or stroller right after feeding her. Or just do what comes naturally: Hold her.

The color poopoo

In the very beginning, it's blackish green, and then it approximates certain shades of green, yellow or brown, and it can be runny, pasty, seedy or curdy. Unsettling as this may be, it's all normal. An early breastfeeding bonus: Baby's poop usually doesn't smell at all.

Baby's breath

You won't believe how you'll crane to hear your baby respire. Any fewer than 60 breaths per minute is normal, as are pauses of about six seconds, according to Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., in Your Child's Health (Bantam Books). Take note of any wheezing or rapid breathing, since this could indicate a respiratory problem.

Bathing

Bathing a newborn can be a challenge. You can either do this by holding her in a big bowl or plastic tub or by wetting a washcloth and washing her on her changing table. Here are some other tips: Baby needs a full bath only about once or twice a week, but she needs to be "topped and tailed" (a Penelope Leach term) every day. This means washing the baby's head, face and bottom.

Make sure she's been fed (but not right before the bath), that the room is warm and that you have everything at the ready (you can't leave her for even a nanosecond to retrieve something you've forgotten).

Shampoo the scalp first (only once or twice a week), shielding the water from Baby's eyes. Supporting her head, start washing Baby from the top down, using soft cloth and tap water or mild baby soap. Moving down, be sure to get in all those nooks and crannies. Be sure to wash her face well. Left around the mouth, milk and spit-up may cause a rash. Wash eyelids and under the chin. Rinse baby well and pat her dry with a towel.

Getting Through the Night

Since their tiny tummies cannot hold much milk, newborns must be fed often, which is one reason they wake so frequently. Still, you can begin the process of getting the whole household on the same schedule.

• Establish a routine early on: Bathe, dress, play and stroll around the block at about the same time every day.
• Place your baby in the crib while drowsy. This way he learns to fall asleep on his own and associates the crib with bedtime.
• Swaddle him. An unswaddled baby's own movements may startle and awaken him. In Your Baby & Child (Knopf, 1984), Penelope Leach writes: "At night you want him so securely wrapped that he will not wake even during the normal periods of light sleep." Keep him face-up to reduce risk of SIDS.
• "Keep night feedings as sleepy and brief as possible," Leach also suggests. "When he cries, go to him immediately so he has no time to get into a wakeful misery. Don't play or talk while you feed him." Bring him to bed with you if you want to fall back to sleep quickly.

Expect Reef to sleep alot

Newborns often sleep for four hours at a stretch and a total of 16 hours or more a day. As for how quiet the house should be while Baby sleeps, Leach says the following: "A sleeping baby need not mean a hushed household. Ordinary sounds and activities will not disturb him at this early age. However, if everybody creeps about and talks in whispers while he is asleep, there may come a time when he cannot sleep unless they do. It is therefore important to let him sleep through whatever sound level is normal for your household so that he does not come to expect a quietness that will make all your lives misery."

Calming a Crying Baby

Crying is the only means an infant has to communicate. Your quandary: What is she telling you? Check her out. Is she hungry? Too cold or hot? Is her bedding or clothing tangled? Is her diaper dirty? Are the lights too bright, noises too loud? Is a burping in order? Is she ill? If you've run this gauntlet and put things right and she's still inconsolable:

Experiment to discover the most comforting way for her to be rocked (side to side, back and forth), spoken and sung to.

• Pat or rub her back.
• Walk the floor with her.
• Offer a finger, breast or a pacifier to suck on.
• Swaddle her.

All babies have their fussy period during the day (for many it's between 6 and 10 p.m.); at a certain point there is nothing you can do. Although trying to calm a distressed infant can be exasperating, always respond to the cry. "You cannot spoil a young baby by giving him attention; and if you answer his calls for help, he'll cry less overall," suggests the AAP.

Remember to let others help

What to Do for Yourself

The physical recovery from giving birth along with sleep deprivation can conspire to make big dents in your maternal self-esteem. Particularly for a new mother who has previously spent years being independent, the realization that you are responsible for another human so dependent on you can throw you for a loop. To help you get through this period, you owe it to yourself to...

• Get enough sleep. Yeah, right, you're probably thinking. However, "the way to avoid sleep deprivation," proposes Schmitt, "is to know the total amount of sleep you need per day and to get that sleep in bits and pieces. Go to bed earlier in the evening. When your baby naps, you must also nap."
• Take breaks. Take a walk, no matter how short; run your own errands, to get away. Of course, this involves asking your spouse, other family members or friends for help. If you have to, hire someone. Consider it money well-spent.
• Get Dad into the picture. Allow him to care for the baby so that you get time alone. (You might even be able to enlist him, another relative or a friend to prepare a meal for you.)
• Continue to eat properly, and keep taking your vitamins. accept that progress now is incremental. Break projects into smaller tasks. Wash a couple of dishes at a time if you have to.
• Wear a snug-fitting, nonpendulous front baby carrier so you can work while holding Baby. Being close to you is familiar; she'll love the sounds and sensations and maybe even nap.
  
  
• Delegate more. Enlist any and all visitors. Remember what they say: It takes a whole village to raise a child.

You may be vulnerable to uninvited advice as well as the most well-intentioned misguided comments of friends and family. If someone doesn't approve of your mothering techniques, Leach suggests lending him or her a parenting book that supports your philosophy (then soliciting a discussion about the differences in your opinions).

Hang in There

The first six weeks can be a real trial. You and your baby are getting to know each other, and you and your partner are adjusting to your new roles. Hold on to the thought that right around that six-week mark you will be rewarded with one of the most gratifying milestones in your entire parental career--your baby will beam a genuine smile at you. Yes!

"Win" a Free E-Book

Oma found a Sweepstakes where everyone is a winner!  Yup you read that correctly. 

Kite Readers is hosting a Tablet Accessories Giveaway with more than 20 kid-friendly prizes! Plus, every entrant gets a FREE E-BOOK!

Oma entered yesterday and downloaded "Julio Bunny and the Foreign Lion" for her Kindle.  Oma can not wait until she can read this cute story to Reef Indy.  It has awesome colorful illustrations too!

If you want to "win" your own FREE E-Book, just click here to go to the Kite Reader Website.   Enter the contest and you will receive a link to your free "Julio Bunny and the Foreign Lion" download.

Oma downloaded the Kindle version and is thrilled with its quality. 

Kid Friendly Prizes That You Could Win

  

Remember - Ebooks save trees.
That is one of the many environmental benefits
of digital publishing and reading!

“Sweeping” Is No Longer What Your Crazy Grandmother Does

BOOK REVIEW:  Sweepstakes MILLIONAIRE:
How to Win a Life of Luxury through Sweepstakes

“Sweeping” is no longer what that crazy grandmother down the street does. With the advent of online sweepstakes, the participants of this lucrative “hobby” have averaged out much younger in the last 10 years.

Point in fact, this Oma started her hobby as a sweeper in 2008 at the age of 53*. As my participation in the hobby grew, Oma has noticed that a lot of her sweeps friends and acquaintances are forty years of age or younger! It is Oma’s personal belief that the emergence of Mommy Blogs** has propagated this trend.

This weekend Oma had the opportunity to read a paperback book entitled “Sweepstakes Millionaire” by Johnathan Wyka-Warzecha.

Opa and Oma pose in front of Buckingham Palace
Enjoying Their Free Vacation (August 2009).

Oma considers herself an accomplished “sweeper.” I have won many trips, including a vacation to England. My biggest win was from Sears. They outfitted Oma’s kitchen with Energy Saving Appliances: a refrigerator, double oven, cook top AND dishwasher! (ARV $10,000).

If you do not know what ARV stands for, you need to purchase this book. It closes with a handy “Glossary of Terms” (ARV = Approximate Retail Value).

Although not a newcomer to Sweepstakes, Oma found this fun paperback book chocked full of useful information. It is the perfect gift for a Sweepstakes Newbie or that Sweepstakes Expert. The book was easy to read and organized so that the reader can easily locate the section most pertinent to the task they were attempting.

My favorite part of the book was the interesting testimonials from actual sweepstakes winners. Oma wished that there were more such stories and that the accounts contained more details to motivate people to this exciting and rewarding hobby. A few photos would have really enhanced the testimonial experience as well.

Another must read chapter if you wish to experience the thrill of winning a sweepstakes is Chapter 3 – How to increase your chances of winning sweepstakes. It offered priceless advice which covered Online Sweepstakes, Video Sweepstakes, Instant Win Sweepstakes, Mail-In Sweepstakes, In-Store Sweepstakes, and Computer Game Contests. Who would have thought that there were so many different types of sweepstakes and that each had its own strategy.

If you have ever thought of investing your time to enter and win sweepstakes, Oma urges you to read this book. It will provide you with the information needed to start winning quickly. It took Oma years to gather this insight!

You can find this book by clicking here.

*Click here to read about the win that started Oma on her sweepstaking career.

**Mommy Blog: Family-and-homemaking blogs are weblogs which feature commentary and discussions especially about home, family, and parenting. Appellations in media reports of "mom blog," "dad blog," "parenting blog" and "family blog" refer to blogs of this type.

As a blogger, my integrity is one of the most valuable things Oma owns. Therefore, reviews will contain both positive and negative aspects as is appropriate. To put it in a simpler manner, this review is meant to help my readers (editorial) more than to help a brand (advertising).

However, it should be noted that Oma was given a copy of Sweepstakes MILLIONAIRE: How to Win a Life of Luxury through Sweepstakes to read and review.

Enough To Clog The Pipes

What a mess!!!! Still kinda cute tho!!

The diaper says there is enough to clog the pipes. (Really funny when you remember that this sweet baby's father is a plumber). And at 2:50 am this morning, this is the diaper Daddy grabs. Thanks Auntie Sierra!!

Reef was full of poo and right when Daddy was finished cleaning up, Baby Reef  he went again !!!! 

411 On Baby PooP

A newborn can have as many as eight to ten bowel movements a day, but as long as he is having at least one, he's probably all right.

One day without a bowel movement is usually no cause for concern. As long as your baby is feeding well and wetting his diaper five or six times a day, then he's most likely getting enough to eat. If he starts to become uncomfortable or has a persistently swollen abdomen, then he may need some help with pooping, and you should speak to your pediatrician about how to facilitate this.

In the early days, a newborn's bowel movements are thick and dark green in color. This is due to a substance called meconium that has been building up in his intestines during pregnancy. As the baby starts to feed and have bowel movements, he will finish expelling the meconium and his stools will start to turn yellowish. It is not uncommon for an infant's bowel movements to vary in color from day to day. The color of the stools can depend on a variety of things, including what a breastfeeding mom is eating, how hydrated the baby is, and the type and frequency of formula the infant is being fed, if applicable.

Source

88-Year-Old Grandmother Celebrates Her Birthday Driving a Racecar

Frances Anderson, left, jokes with her grandson Jim Boucher
before her on-track adventure. (ANDREA MORALES / Monitor staff)

On September 1, 2013 spectators in the infield of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway may have noticed a peculiar occurrence involving car No. 8 as it sped past the pit area along the eastern straightaway: a petite, wrinkled left hand performing a parade wave out of the driver’s side window.

Frances Anderson, who lives in Belmont and turns 88 years old today, seemed less enthralled with accelerating than with checking off one of the last items on an extensive bucket list, which has included trips to 45 states and more than 20 countries. There was the rafting vacation in Canada, the twin-engine flight over Alaskan glaciers, the Blarney Stone she kissed in Ireland, and the hilltop fortress she hiked to in Israel.

“This is just another thing,” she said yesterday, shrugging. Anderson has 11 grandchildren, and two on the way.

The plan, conceived by Anderson and organized with help from her five children, was this: eight laps around the track alone in a professional stock car, ideally topping out around 88 miles per hour, to commemorate her impending special occasion.

Anderson, who has two artificial hips and a pacemaker, had arrived at the infield about 11 a.m., and was still waiting for a vehicle by quarter to one. She wore a jumpsuit and sat in a folding chair in the pit area, an entourage of a dozen family members and close friends standing around her.

“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. An employee had mentioned earlier two minor crashes that had occurred on the track in the morning.

Jon Haney, a driving instructor who had coached Anderson – when to accelerate, when to brake, how to maneuver on the track – said he wasn’t too worried.

“I’m more concerned with these young guys who play X-Box and come out thinking they know what they’re doing,” he said.

Haney said Anderson was the oldest woman to race the track.

Just before 1 p.m., her car arrived at the pit stop. It was red and blue and had the name “Budweiser” emblazoned on the side. A young man with cut-off sleeves and a Chevy emblem tattooed on his arm helped Anderson into the vehicle. He fastened several straps across her body, and she glanced over at her support group.

“You know where my papers are,” she said, joking.

The ride itself was perhaps less exciting than her family had expected.

“I think she’s actually slowing down,” her son Fred Anderson said as she passed the pit area for the fourth or so time. A handful of other cars on the high side of the track whizzed past her.

Afterward, when Anderson emerged from her car, a crowd of mostly strangers waiting to drive themselves or witness others do so gave her an ovation. She hoisted a detachable steering wheel into the air and beamed. Then she found her old folding chair and unzipped the top of her jumpsuit. Her cheeks were flush and someone handed her a bottled water.

“I didn’t chicken out, did I?” she said, looking at a few friends.

“No, you didn’t,” they replied.

Source

 

Side Note:

December 3, 2011 – NASCAR Race Mom (Oma) participated in the Richard Petty Driving Experience (RPE) at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

To report that NASCAR Race Mom was anxious would be an understatement. I was downright scared. However, I was the oldest of the group and wanted to represent my generation well! I was determined not to chicken out as well. 

The Richard Petty Staff informed us that our No. 17 Matt Kenseth Crown Royal racecars were capable of driving about 170 miles per hour. However, we would be limited to the 130-135 range. I remained petrified while I struggled through the window to get into the racecar; then a strange kind of calm settled over me. 

Lap after lap, the Richard Petty Experience became more and more fun and exciting. Before I knew it we were pulling into the pits. I was not the fastest on the track, but to my surprise, NASCAR Race Mom was not the slowest either! 

The experience really supplied me with an altered and more cognizant perspective as to what a real racer faces in each race. I cannot imagine the difficulty of doing what I did with forty-two other drivers trying to pass you. 

Oma would recommend the Richard Petty Driving experience to all NASCAR fans! It was the funniest off-season activity I had and I would love to tackle the challenge again. I bet I could go even faster!

Congratulations Diana NyadNever Give Up

Not sure if Diana Nyad is a grandmother, however at age 64 she is an inspiration to this Oma. 

Endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, right, and her trainer Bonnie Stoll hug
after Nyad walks ashore in Key West, Fla. after swimming from Cuba.
(J. Pat Carter / Associated Press / September 2, 2013)

The #1 Google search in the world on September 23-24, 2011 was the then 62-year-old Diana Nyad's valiant attempt to swim the seemingly impossible 103 miles between Cuba and Florida, without a shark cage. 1.3 million Twitter fans followed Diana as she lived out the message of living life large and chasing our dreams, no matter our age. Despite potentially deadly Box Jellyfish stings, Diana courageously continued toward the other shore for 41 long hours, eventually compromised by the physical effects of the stings.

Diana is not one to quit. August 2012, a year later, she again faced the seemingly impossible, this time with a secret weapon: a jellyfish suit, a thin nylon covering that prevents stings. But again, Diana's Xtreme Dream was not to be. She swam 51 hours, 5 minutes, much of the country following her every stroke. Again the jellyfish attacked, striking her repeatedly on the lips, where the nylon suit opens to allow her to breathe. There were life-threatening lightning storms. Large sharks circled below her. The powerful Gulf Stream current literally spun the Teams fleet compasses in circles, shoving Diana on a winding route of nearly 100 miles through the water!

However, never giving up, last Monday the 64-year old athlete made her extreme dream come true!

Two miles from the end of the swim Monday morning, Nyad stopped to address her support crew.

"This is a lifelong dream of mine and I'm very very glad to be with you," she told her team, according to an update on her website. "Some on the team are the most intimate friends of my life and some of you I've just met. But I'll tell you something, you're a special group. You pulled through; you are pros and have a great heart. So let's get going so we can have a whopping party."

In the end, emerging from the great big ocean wearing a blue swimming cap and goggles -- and having swum roughly 110 miles in 52 hours and 54 minutes -- Diana Nyad still had enough strength to walk ashore Monday.

Upon reaching shore at Smathers Beach in Key West, Fla., Nyad had three things to tell the mob of onlookers who had watched her achieve a lifelong dream.

“One is, we should never ever give up,” said a slightly dazed Nyad, whose slurred remarks were received with a roar by the crowd. “Two is, you’re never too old to chase your dreams.

“Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it’s a team," Nyad concluded and then was taken away on a stretcher for medical examination.

Congratulations Ms. Nyad! Oma thinks of you often as she swims her laps.

Membrane Sweep

You are never too old to learn! Oma had never heard of a Membrane Sweep. Nevertheless, they are a common option when a baby is over his/her due date.

A membrane sweep is a way of bringing on labor when you're overdue. During an internal examination, the doctor sweeps a finger around the cervix (neck of the womb). This action should separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding your baby from the cervix. This separation releases hormones (prostaglandins) which may kick-start labor.

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labor will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if the cervix is already softening and preparing for labor. It doesn't increase the risk of infection for mommy or baby.

Source

Baby Pastrana

Travis Pastrana and his wife, Lyn-z Adams Hawkins Pastrana, became the proud parents of a baby girl on September 2, 2013. The news broke on social media after Pastrana posted a photo of his new family with hashtags “#199andAhalf” and “#babyPastrana.”

The family hasn’t released the name of their new daughter yet, but they plan to spend the remaining months of 2013 spending time with family before heading out for a Nitro Circus Live Tour, which starts January 2014. 

Reef’s Dad follows the Pastranas because Travis and Lyn-z are well-known skateboarders. Reef’s Uncle Moses raced against Travis Pastrana in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West a few years back. Oma got to meet him at a few races; Travis Pastrana was a gentlemen.

It will be interesting for Oma to watch Baby Reef and Baby Pastrana as they grow.  Maybe these two will meet at an X-Game sometime in the future.

#199andAhalf #babyPastrana

Baby Enhancing Oma’s House

Thanks to friends and Family, Oma and Opa’s house is ready for Baby Reef. Oma received all the necessities for infant care.

Graco Travel Lite Crib

 

Graco is a Newell Rubbermaid company, continuing to build on over a half-century of success in the childcare and baby care industry. Graco is committed to designing and manufacturing top-quality products that are inspired by the needs of both parents and babies.

Graco Travel Lite Crib with Stages Features:

• 2-level bassinet that adjusts as your baby grows
• Quilted mattress pad
• Canopy with soft toys
• Space saving design
• Compact fold

Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Travel System

 

Built to tackle the rugged terrain of hiking trails or European cobblestones with ease, these strollers gracefully navigate the urban landscape and country roads with equal aplomb. It’s easy to pack for all sorts of adventures with cup holders and storage baskets ready to stow snacks and supplies.

All-weather features keep you prepared and baby protected for whatever Mother Nature dishes out. With all-wheel suspension for a super smooth ride and one-hand steering maneuverability, it's hard for fussy babies to stay awake.

• Multi-position "Memory Recline" seat
• 3-position leg rest and flat recline
• Linked one touch rear brakes and all-wheel suspension
• Reversible laminated canopy
• Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging

Fisher Price Ocean Wonders™ Cradle ’n Swing

 

With a turn of the seat, you can soothe baby with two different ways to swing: side-to-side cradle-like motion or head-to-toe swinging motion! Six swing speeds, eight songs (soothing and playful) and nature sounds offer baby more variety. And the motorized mobile and water globe with changing lights and swimming friends inside entertain baby from overhead. The toy tray with sliding beads is removable. The seat reclines to two positions and the seat pad easily removes for machine washing. Sturdy steel frame folds for storage.

Use from birth until a child becomes active and can climb out of the seat – up to 25 pounds.

Fisher Price Rainforest Infant Bath Tub

 

It makes bath time more comfortable for baby and Oma, and grows with your child from newborn to toddler. The Rainforest theme coordinates with your other Fisher-Price babygear, and a drain with plug makes emptying and cleaning easy. Approx. 32” L x 19” Width x 10” Height.



Infantino Whale Tummy Time Mat

This unique playmat offers baby a whale of fun. Soft and plush, it features several activities to amuse baby, including a mini-aquarium with three floating sea creatures, various textures and detachable plush toys. The arrangement of the activities allows baby to development arm and neck strength as Reef reaches and plays.

• Plush prop-up play mat for tummy-time fun
• Helps baby develop arm and neck strength
• Mini-aquarium with three floating sea creatures
• Growth chart for measuring baby
• Detachable play pals
• Comfy prop-up pillow
• Measures 19" x 36"

As you can see Reef, Oma and Opa are ready for you. Oma has not used all these wonderful gadgets yet. However as soon as Oma does she will let you know how well they work.

Again many thanks to Reef’s Aunt Jennifer and Aunt Mary Sherry for their generosity.