10/24/07 ULTRASOUND, CHICKEN RECIPES, TEEN TIPS, TATTLING, RECALL
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN DISHES TO PREPARE AHEAD AND FREEZE
A LISTENING EAR
TEEN BEDROOM DECORATING
DRAWING THE LINE ON TATTLING
WET PANTS
A JOYFUL WELCOME TO NEW BABIES!
LIKE A PUMPKIN
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
RECALL NOTICE
Question:
I am 32 weeks pregnant with my first child. I had a sonogram at my checkup two days ago because the doctor thought my baby felt a little small. It turned out that his size is fine (about four pounds)--he is just positioned very low in the womb. However, it did look like my amniotic fluid is a little low, and the doctor wants me to have another sonogram next week to confirm if it is truly low or if it is just that the baby's bladder was full. I have not gotten a clear answer from the doctor, though, as to what would be done if my fluid is in fact low (perhaps due to the fact that we live overseas, and communication / expectations are sometimes different here). I do not want to do routine sonograms if they are just for the sake of knowing something that I can do nothing about at this point. I am trying to rest more and drink plenty of fluids. Do you have any further suggestions? Do you think frequent sonograms are necessary to monitor the fluid level?
Answer:
Because of the inconsistencies of measuring growth with the tape measure on the belly and also via ultrasounds, my rule of thumb is not to bother with an ultrasound unless the uterus measures under or over size at least 2 visits in a row and it is getting worse at each visit. Sonograms can be 1-2 lbs off depending on the machine and skill of the person performing the test and how your baby is positioned. Therefore one ultrasound does not really tell much about a babys growth. Nor does it tell much about amniotic fluid level since you could have been a little dehydrated that day or the baby could be in front of a big pocket of fluid so it could not be seen for example.
At 32 weeks gestation most women would measure about 32 cm from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. It is very easy to get slightly different measurements depending on the babys position and the mothers position. The woman must be lying in exactly the same angle each time and measured from the same spot. Some women always measure 1 or 2 cm less or more than expected but it remains fairly consistent throughout the pregnancy. If your baby is not growing well you could expect each week for it to be getting further and further off the normal range. Thats when I usually advise an ultrasound with a biophysical profile to see how the baby is doing. If your body is producing too much or too little amniotic fluid, you usually get measurements further and further off as each week goes by.
If the fluid is low it can mean you are not drinking enough, you have a leak in the amniotic sac, or the placenta is wearing out. The latter two problems will probably need medical intervention. Placental problems are more common in women with high blood pressure and smokers. That is why the doctor feels compelled to look at the amniotic fluid level again to make sure that it was just a one time thing and is not getting worse. Just keep doing what you are doing - drinking, getting good rest, and living healthy. If the next sono is good, then you probably dont need to worry.
Should all women receive routine ultrasounds?
Many midwives do not recommend any ultrasound unless there are other signs that the pregnancy is not progressing normally just because of the false readings that come back on ultrasounds and scare parents as well as lead to additional medical interventions. Other midwives recommend one scan around 16-18 weeks to confirm no major abnormalities that would require a specialized facility at time of birth or may allow the baby to get in on experimental treatments like correction of spinal defects before birth, currently under research. Some concern has also been voiced over the rising number of cases of autism which some relate to our increasing use of ultrasound. I encourage people to do the research before any medical treatment so that you are aware of the benefits and risks of common obstetrical procedures and practices. Our website has one mothers account of her experiences with ultrasounds: http://www.newlifebirthcenter.net/documents/JCsfamilytestimony.doc
69,000 BABIES' LIVES SAVED - THAT IS 69 THOUSAND!
Information from Focus on the Family - http://www.family.org - Used by permission
Thanks to a friend, Joyce Shelley, at Focus on the Family, who steered me to the right person for this topic, as she has done many other times!
The Option Ultrasound Program (OUP), a ministry of Focus on the Family, places ultrasound machines in Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country, in order to save the lives of precious unborn babies whose mothers are contemplating abortion. Focus on the Family knows that once a mother sees life in her womb on a screen, she will often change her mind to abort her baby, and will instead carry her baby to term and will give life to her child.
Betsy Powell, Manager of Sanctity of Human Life at Focus on the Family, was so kind to send me detailed information today, when I asked about the number of babies whose lives have already been saved because of the Option Ultrasound Program.
She replied about the Option Ultrasound Program (OUP) "The GREAT news is that the estimated number of babies that potentially have been saved by Option Ultrasound clinics through a combination of counseling and ultrasound services will be 69,000 at the end of October 2007!"
Betsy sent a chart showing the estimated projection for months to come, up to the end of 2008, according to past records. The projected number by the end of 2007 is 75,000! By the end of 2008 it is 111,000! Ladies, this is certainly wonderful news - a reason to thank and praise the Lord - and to pray for this ministry!
Betsy added, "You can go to http://www.heartlink.org to see many, many stories of lives saved through the work of Pregnancy Resource Centers that have received OUP grants."
I received so much encouraging information from Betsy about this life-saving program today. That is why I'd like to continue with more good news on this subject in the next newsletter, so please be watching for that.
This soup is absolutely delicious for anyone, and can even be frozen for later! ~ Lois
1 lb. carrots, about 7-8 large, peeled and chopped 5 c. low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger nutmeg and ground pepper
1 tbsp. canola oil
Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
Add carrots and ginger and sauté another 5 minutes.
Add chicken broth and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer about 20 minutes, until carrots are tender and pierce easily with fork.
Using hand-held immersion blender, blend soup in pan until mixture is pureed/smooth. If an immersion blender is not available, transfer the contents of the pot in batches to a blender and puree, then return to pot to warm.
Garnish with sprinkle of nutmeg and ground pepper.
Makes: 4 servings Serving size: about 1½ c.
Nutritional analysis (per serving):
125 calories; 5 g protein; 5 g fat; 1 g sat. fat; 15 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 5 mg cholesterol; 789 mg sodium; 67 mg calcium; 2 mg iron; 35 mcg folic acid
Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.
Why this recipe is good for pregnant or breastfeeding women:
This recipe is an excellent source of vitamin A, and a rich source of protein, fiber, niacin, and vitamins K, B6, and C, all of which are essential during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
QUICK AND EASY CHICKEN DISHES TO PREPARE AHEAD AND FREEZE
By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]
Shredder Mozzarella Cheese, optional
Creamy Beefy Chicken
8 chicken breasts
(Smaller portions: slice each breast in half, lengthwise, and use same ingredients on top)
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (or equivalent)
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. chopped dried parsley, dill weed, tarragon, rosemary or basil
1 jar dried beef, chopped fine or in long slivers
Preheat oven to 300° F. Place chicken on greased pan. Mix soup and sour cream together with your choice of herb, and spread over chicken pieces. Sprinkle dried beef evenly over the chicken breasts. Cover and bake slowly for 2 hours.
A LISTENING EAR
ensued was a barrage of questions or requests that had to be spoken this very minute.
of knowing I was the center of my little girls world. Call me grandiose, but I liked the feeling, however short-lived.
Anything. The slightest peep out of my girls mouth and I would be slobbering at her feet, hungry for more.
Adolescence Isn't Terminal - Audiobook on Cassette, Kevin Leman
Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of Teenagers:
A Comprehensive Guide to Parenting with Grace and Truth
Why Christian Kids Rebel, Tim Kimmel/Thomas Nelson/2004
The Five Love Languages of Teenagers - Audiobook on CD by Gary Chapman/Moody/2005
TEEN BEDROOM DECORATING
By Kathy Wilson - Five tricks that'll make your teens happy with their space - Used by permission
Decorating a teen's room is one of the most sought after pieces of advice from home decorators, but it doesn't have to be as hard as some make it seem. Teens are just looking for a way to express their own sense of style and creativity, and parents are just looking for a way to save a few dollars while doing it. Here are my top five tricks for making your teens happy with their space.
1. Add color. Use color in a teen's room with much more abandon than you would in a public area. Teens respond to color and pattern. Paint each wall a different color with the most dramatic color directly behind the bed for drama. (They are teens, after all!) Don't forget the ceiling. Remember, warm colors like red and orange energize a space, while cool colors such as blue and purple bring calm. Match your color scheme to your teens needs and personality.
2. Add pattern. Pattern adds energy to a room, and no one thrives off an energetic atmosphere better than a teen. To keep the look from being too busy, try pairing a print with a geometric, and temper the look with a solid. Keep the room's colors in the patterns to tie them together.
3. Organize. Offer your teen a way to keep the clutter and mess to a minimum, and they will find their space much more enjoyable. Plastic bins or baskets can go a long way to corralling school papers, makeup and jewelry, and knick knacks. Use drawstring bags, hooks attached to the walls or inside closets, or boxes under the bed for hobby items. Make sure they have plenty of hangars so they never have that excuse. If they absolutely cannot find it in their hearts to
hang up their own clothes, consider installing a closet system with shelves to place their folded clothes on. It's better than the floor!
4. Make the bed a star. The bed is the primary piece of furniture in a teen's room, and their usual hang out spot. So make it important in the room. Make throw pillows for it, pick up a couple of yards of fleece in a funky print to make a blanket throw, paint a headboard panel behind it in a contrasting color. Paint the bed frame itself one of the brighter accent colors in the room. For girls, pick up an inexpensive netting canopy, or hang your own fabric from the ceiling with small hooks. In a boy's room, remember that less is more. Solid colors, fewer pillows, and a place to set their sodas and snacks will all be appreciated.
5. Allow your teen's personality to shine through. Help them find a way to display awards, trophies, or certificates that speak of what is important to them. Don't judge whether your teen's decorating taste is boring, loud, or tacky. Let them experiment with their creativity and have fun with their space!
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Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTV.com, and editor of The Budget Decorator and other popular websites. For hundreds of free budget decorating ideas, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com. Also visit her other websites at http://www.TheGardenGlove.com and http://www.Women-on-the-Net.com
"Hey Dad, just look at this old report card of yours and then look at the one I just got. Why, your grades aren't any better than mine."
"You're right, son," he said. "I guess the only fair thing to do now is give you what my Dad gave me."
Just enter your zip code in the site below. It tells you which gas stations have the least expensive gas prices as well as the highest in any zip code area. It's updated each evening. If you plan a move to another area, this would be a good indication of the cost of living.
A Real Virus to Be Aware of - You've Received a Postcard from a Family Member!
http://snopes.com/computer/virus/postcard.asp
Online educational games and activities created by teachers for children.
Kindergarten and first grade activities have audio instructions
10/18/2007 http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000005728.cfm
A Nativity scene will return this Christmas to the Washington state Capitol, thanks to a lawsuit filed last year by the Alliance Defense Fund. State officials had banned a local man from displaying a Nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda, but approved a menorah and a "holiday tree."
DRAWING THE LINE ON TATTLING
Copyright 2007 Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller - All rights reserved - Used with permission. http://effectiveparenting.org/ - For free e-mail parenting tips sign up: http://www.biblicalparenting.org
Tattling is one way that children point out problems rather than trying to make things better. It's important to teach children what offenses they should report to a parent and what they should try to resolve on their own or just ignore. Parents need to know when property or people are in danger, but much of the daily infractions or mistakes made fall into a gray area requiring discernment on the part of a parent and child. You don't want to remove all reporting of offenses because sometimes you'll rely on one child to help you know when another is in danger or in trouble.
Author unknown - A touching story sent by Carol Miller in Pennsylvania! Thanks, Carol!
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie!
She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!'
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'
May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.
Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff, including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face J and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see. J
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES
Ladies, please send your own kids' quotes to be included in Heart to Heart - with or without your name and state. Just let me know if you want to be anonymous. Kids' quotes are a favorite of mine and many others! These first four quotes came from the mouth of our son, Jeff, as a toddler. They are included in the notebook I'll soon be giving to Jeff and Rachael as a baby gift - sometime before April when they are expecting their first child!
When Jeff was 2, I told him, "I like your little pumpkin head!" But Jeff corrected me quickly with "It's not a pumpkin head! It's a Jeffrey head!"
When Jeff was 2, his little playgroup buddy gave him a cross that glowed in the dark. A couple weeks later Jeff made a cross out of Tinker Toys, then promptly got in the family room closet with it, and closed the door to see if it would glow in the dark too.
Jeff's dad told him to just put his gum in his glass of water at mealtime. Jeff, 2, said the gum made his mouth burn. Dad said, "Throw it into the commode then." To which Jeff quickly replied, "That will keep it fresh!"
At 2, Jeff pointed to his two big toes and said, "This mom and dad have lots of little children!"
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Subsequential Internal Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
Some other symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion
The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component.
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control
Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will need to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention!
GOD
The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at <a title=mailto:[email protected] href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.
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