by Kristen Bagwell

How many times have you heard someone say "oh, I'd break out in hives if I had to do that." (Maybe this is more common in an office environment...public speaking, meetings with top executives, and so on. Anyway.) I myself have said this, but I have to admit that I've never actually broken out in hives. I had never even seen a hive before I had kids.

Thank you, Poopsie.  Read More

by Allison Carter

Look out everyone, mama's on a rant.  I am pretty irritated lately with my pediatrician and I need you to either talk me down or talk me out of this practice.  Let's be honest, going to the pediatrician is no fun for anyone.  And it really isn't fun when mama has to drag 2 kids under 4 with her each time.  My actual doctor is great, fantastic.  Very sweet, warm, respectful, smart, and really wonderful all around.  My issue?  The wait. Read More

by Allison Carter

This past weekend I was blessed to go on a road trip...by myself.  I went to visit a bunch of friends in the great city I lived in for years and love (and miss): Washington, D.C.  I had 2 blissful nights away.  That's right, 2 nights at friends' houses in big, comfortable beds and no kid-alarm clocks.  And guess what: I slept terribly.  I was up 2 to 3 times a night and at 7:00 am every day.  What is going ON!? Read More

By Dara Garner-Edwards, MSW, LCSW, Family Counselor, Brenner Children’s Hospital

Despite how perfect your child is to you, she might develop concerns about weight at some point—particularly in her tween and teen years. And while you can't control the messages your child receives from peers and pop culture, there are things you as a parent can do to help her develop a healthy attitude toward her appearance:

1. Listen to your child's concerns. Allow your child to bring up appearance-related worries when she's ready. If, for example, your child is overweight, it's something she's probably already very sensitive about. Pointing it out can end up doing more damage to her self-esteem. So, while it's important to be aware of what's going on in your child's life, it's helpful to let her address her body concerns in her own time.  Read More

By Guest Blogger Katie Boles, Registered Dietitian with Brenner FIT (part of Brenner Children's Hospital/Wake Forest Baptist Health )

You may know what your family likes to eat, but do you question if it is the best choice? Knowing what to choose and what to look for at the grocery store can be challenging. Don’t let it overwhelm you!

Registered dietitians work with families to plan meals ahead of time and prepare for their grocery shopping trip. Meal planning & being prepared at the grocery store helps to save time and money and allows parents to offer more balanced meals focusing on health and variety.  Read More

by guest blogger Amber O'Neal

It is hard to believe this journey began almost a year ago. In April of 2012 I took my son to Medicap Pharmacy for a test I knew nothing about, hopeful that it would shed some light on my son Bryant’s health concerns. Last week, we returned for a follow-up with some interesting results.

Bryant is now 15 years old and a freshman in high school, playing soccer year round for his school and club. He is very active, healthy and overall happy! For those that did not read last year’s piece on his situation I will bring you up to speed: Bryant had suffered from severe acid reflux since infancy but strongly over the last three years. His pediatrician was not able to guide us towards a reasonable solution, and his symptoms and reactions to foods were becoming alarming.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Those of you who've been reading TMOM for a while may remember my dilemma, which started with this post about "the girls" and continued with a "I really might have breast augmentation surgery" debate. After much mental ado, the fix(es) are in, and I wanted to write while it's still fresh in my mind. Honestly, this is not a tell-all as much as a "things I wish I'd known" post, so if you're bored, I sincerely apologize. (The photo to your left is not me, in case you wondered.)

At our last check, I'd had most of my questions answered and was on the way to my final consultation with the doctor. At this last appointment, we started talking reality, and the doctor actually drew right on me with dry erase pens. (Brace yourselves...if you get to this step in the process, you may find it's a little odd. Also, reminder: audition several doctors, and obtain the costs up front. This will help you decide with whom you're most comfortable, and will also help in financial planning.) Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that this week is Congenital Heart Defect awareness week? According to The Congenital Heart Information Network, CHD Awareness week is an annual effort to help educate the public about congenital heart defects. Participants include individuals, local support groups, national and local organizations and congenital cardiology centers throughout the world. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that January is Cervical Health Awareness month? We don't generally go below the belt here, but this is an important topic for woman, and as they say, education is prevention. Let's start at the beginning:

What is Cervical Health Awareness Month? According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), the United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month to highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

The past week has been a little loose as far as dinner planning goes. (Said differently – I have not planned or cooked any dinners since last Wednesday.) Normally, I am on top of these things because my family loves to eat. Left to our own devices, though, we’re not so good. Example? My toddler refused to eat anything last night besides fruit/cereal bars. I offered chicken and rice, pb&j, fruits, veggies, cheese and crackers…all of the favorites. No dice. Read More

By Donna Joyner, RN, BSN, Trauma/Burn Outreach Coordinator, Wake Forest Baptist Health

For teens, getting a driver’s license means more freedom and fun, but few have the maturity to understand the risk and responsibility of driving. For parents, this is a time of anxiety. As a parent, you are given the task of “teaching” your teen to drive safely, but do you have the knowledge and tools to do so?

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens, taking approximately 3,000 young lives (ages 15 to 19) each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). North Carolina Department of Transportation data for 2010 shows that in Forsyth County there were 384 injuries and 4 deaths in the 15 to 19 age group. Inexperience is the leading risk factor, with most crashes occurring within the first six months after a teen receives their license.  Read More

by guest blogger Carey Fitzmaurice

How much thought do you give to your nail polish color, or notice what color others are wearing? We hope that in September, you will polish with a purpose.

Teal is the color of ovarian cancer awareness and September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. We hope you will join the Teal Toes campaign, paint your toes teal and, when folks ask, tell them why you did it!

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012, about 22,280 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed and 15,500 women will die of ovarian cancer in the United States. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
You know how some days you're just not 100%? Whether it's lack of sleep, stress, or something else, it's hard to get everything done when you're dragging. Below are five ideas to help you get the energy you need to continue your day (or night).  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Is there anything that tugs more at your heartstrings than a sick child? Fortunately, we have not had to deal with any major illnesses in our childs' lives thus far. Unfortunately, there is a mean bug that will not get out of our house, and this week, the baby's got it.

When my daughter had this bug last week, she had "the barbies" twice - once at school and once on the way home (in her dad's car, not mine...yessss!!). That was as bad as it got: high fever for a few hours, couple of barfs, and then some quality time with the tylenol, tv remote, and a cold rag on her head. A short 24 hours later and she was bouncing off the walls...and for once, I was happy to see her do it.

This week, it's my son's turn with the virus and he is much smaller. It's scary to see a high fever in a baby, and while I have a decent amount of experience under my belt, there's always the moment when I am holding my sick child and I just well up with tears. It's this moment that I feel 100% parental; I'd do anything to take the hurt away. It's the best and worst feeling in the world, and it always rattles me.  Read More

By Rachel Hoeing

I loved the commentary on last week's "Whatcha Think" blog where we discussed Fifty Shades of Grey!  Thanks to everyone who offered up opinions on the book and gave TMoM readers things to consider when deciding whether or not to read this best-seller.  For those who had already read it, we loved getting your feedback!

Today's topic is not as light-hearted and may hit home for some of you.  A loyal reader shared this article with us from Gallup.  She thought it was an interesting study and would be an excellent topic for TMoM.  We agreed and would encourage you to take a read here.   Read More

By Guest Blogger Sarah Scott, author of Great Scott Blog and organizer of Safe Space Playgroup

What is a developmental delay? A developmental delay is when a child does not reach their developmental milestones at the expected times. Sometimes it can be an ongoing or major delay and sometime it is minor, yet still significant. However, if your child has a temporary lag in development, this is not typically called a developmental delay. Delays can occur in one or several areas of development: including, physical (gross or fine motor skills), language, social, or cognitive.

I have a background in teaching Special Education, a Masters in Special Education from The University of Virginia, and several years of teaching experience working with children with developmental delays in public and private schools. So for our situation, I almost knew too much. I knew right away that our son may be facing some challenges. He was born prematurely due to my complications with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. For the first six months of his life I was on watch for any signs of delay. He was quick to roll over and matched most of his peers with this milestone; however had difficulty learning to crawl and pull up. I began to notice that whenever he was in an upright position he was extremely anxious. He would cry, scream, and shake in fear. When David reached fifteen months and still preferred crawling and showed no interest in walking, I knew we would need to look into this a bit further.  Read More

By Daniel Krowchuk, M.D., Pediatrician and Co-Director of Pediatric Dermatology, Brenner Children’s Hospital

One of the more vexing skin problems affecting children is molluscum contagiosum. What is it and what can be done about it?

Molluscum contagiosum (“molluscum”) is a viral infection of the skin. For reasons that are not known, molluscum is becoming more common. It is spread by close physical contact (skin-to-skin) or by contaminated objects, like a towel or wash cloth. Although very controversial, there is some evidence that molluscum may be spread via swimming pools. Any child may get molluscum but those who have eczema seem to be particularly prone.  Read More

by Leigh M., special-needs mom and author of Flappiness Is 

World Autism Day was Monday, April 2. Have you ever wondered about autism, or thought your child could be autistic or have a spectrum disorder? Leigh M. has been in your shoes, and shares some important tips and advice for all parents. The blog below is an excerpt of the full post - head over to her website and read the rest! ~ Kristen

What does autism look like in a young child?  Well, the important thing to remember is that, just like everyone else on the planet, every autistic child is a unique person.  There are common behaviors that they share, but a child can still be autistic and not share every common autistic behavior.  Remember that.  Because getting hung up on that can make you fool yourself.  Autism spectrum behaviors do not exist in isolation.  Just one of them won’t make a child autistic.  But you put several of them together and you’re possibly looking at an autism spectrum disorder of some kind. Read More

By Guest Blogger Julee Nunley

A few weeks ago, Katie at Triad MOM wrote a post on wrinkles and asked in the comments section if someone who had tried Botox would share her experience.  I have done it a few times and although I didn't do it for cosmetic reasons, I did get some cosmetic benefit. So, my experience may not be the typical one for someone who just wants to get rid of wrinkles, but I do think I can give you some idea of what it would be like.

You may be wondering why someone would get Botox if not for cosmetic reasons.  There are a few medical uses for it, including treatment of migraines.  In my case, it was to treat a facial twitch that I have as the result of having Bell's Palsy during my first pregnancy.   Read More

by guest blogger Joye Mullis, author of Signs of Life

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Before March 8th, 2009, February 14th didn’t hold any huge significance in my life.  Sure, I enjoyed my hubby’s extra tokens of love, but they were far from necessary.  Since our son’s birth, however, this day for hearts has become a family-centered holiday!

I touched on a bit of our experience last week, and now - on the last day of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week - I give you the rest of the story… Read More

by guest blogger Joye Mullis

Quick! What’s the most common birth defect?

Cleft lip? No.  Down Syndrome? Nope.  Spina Bifida? Not quite.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) names Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) THE most common type of birth defect in America.

Are you surprised? Read More

By Guest Blogger Shayne Bates, M.D. FAAP, Pediatrician, Wake Forest Baptist Health – Brenner Children’s Hospital Pediatrics – Westgate

The new year is here, and with it is the promise of exciting milestones. For parents with babies, it will mean first steps. Parents of young children may have plans to remove the training wheels this year. And for some parents, 2012 may be the year they find themselves gripping the dashboard with their teens behind the wheelas they navigate the roads for the very first time.

If these exciting milestones are also making you a little nervous, here is a “2012 Child Safety Checklist” that will help keep your kids out of harm’s way: Read More

content provided by WakeMed Families First

I realize that it's not exactly gotten cold yet, but it will very shortly...did you see the forecast for next week? A big thank you to Wake Med for providing the information in this post. To view the info in a handy printable format, click here.   ~ Kristen

Wintertime brings along fun, cold weather and the holidays. It also brings some potential dangers. Here are a few safety tips to help you weather the winter months safely. Read More

By Guest Blogger Ann Dixon Coppage, MAEd, LPCS, Director of Client Services at Trinity Center, Inc

“It’s dark and cold and this season is supposed to be joyous?!? Instead I feel tired and cranky and like I can’t get enough sleep!” Sound familiar? Are you struggling to keep your head above water? Feeling less enthusiastic, less social, more irritable and fatigued, more inclined to stay indoors, working less effectively, and eating more? For many of us, feelings like these last for an hour or two, or maybe a day. For those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), these symptoms recur about the same time every year, last for several months, and make daily living very difficult.  Read More

by Takashi Hirata, M.D., Medical Associates of Davie at Hillsdale and Forsyth Medical Center

When someone says "body image," most of us probably think of a teenage girl looking in the mirror and not liking what she sees. The word "anorexia" may then come to mind. But body image doesn't have as much of a gender divide as you might think. Boys feel the pressure to look good, too, and the feeling that they don't quite measure up to their peers or celebrities can take a big toll in the form of depression, eating disorders and other problems.

As a primary care physician with primary focus on adolescents, I see the effects of negative body image among girls much more often than in boys. In fact, girls and young women account for the majority of eating disorders. But the 10-15 percent represented by boys and young men should still give us pause. It says that boys are getting the same message that girls are: You're not ok as you are. Read More

by guest blogger Karen Todd, MD
Cornerstone Pediatrics, Cary NC

As a practicing pediatrician at Cornerstone Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine in Cary, I encourage my patients, their families, and our staff at the office to get their flu vaccine every year. Did you know that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends that EVERYONE ages 6 months to 19 years get the flu vaccine?   Read More

by guest blogger Jessica Sheedy

What Mom doesn’t want the best for her kids and family? We all strive to lead healthier lives, and recent news of dangerous chemicals and irritants in products we use every day has become more prominent. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there about what choices we should be making regarding cleaning products, food storage, and even personal care products like makeup and baby shampoos/soaps.

My sister was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32, which made me really think about a lot of things, but especially how my family lives and the future I want for my two boys, Evan (7) and Alex (5). To be clear, I am not the most ardent environmentalist by any means, but I do know that making these changes will have a positive affect on my family and our health. With innovation and popularity of convenience, we’ve lost a lot regarding personal safety and responsibility for our planet. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of small changes that can have a dramatic impact on your family’s health:  Read More

by Triad MOM guest blogger Christine Pomper

A few months after I announced my pregnancy, my mother surprised me with an early mommy gift – a subscription to Parents Magazine.  I remember spending the last weeks of my pregnancy skimming a variety of useful articles.  One article that I remember seeing in my first issue was boldly entitled something like PEANUT ALLERGY – A GROWING PROBLEM.  I purposefully skipped over that article while thinking, “There are no food allergies in this family –  does not apply to my baby!”  If only I had known then what I know now! Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

The other day, I came across an article in Outside magazine about gluten sensitivity in athletes. Evidently, many non-pro athletes are cutting gluten from their diets while training and reaping the benefits. Outside surveyed triathletes, mountain climbers, extreme athletes, and more, and learned that many had moved from traditional carb-loading (pasta, grains) to gluten-free eating and were experiencing far fewer digestive issues and muscular weakness. It seems that these problems were occurring during the carb-loading pre-race phase, but it took some very smart nutritionists to guide these athletes away from gluten as the culprit.  Read More

by Heather Monackey, WakeMed Families First

If the outside temperature is 101 degrees, then inside a car the temperature can reach a scorching 140 degrees.  Exposure to this high temperature for any length of time can cause serious, irreversible brain injuries, multi-organ failure and even fatalities.

It may be hard to believe, but according to Safe Kids USA, almost 50 children died because they were left in a hot car last year.  Unfortunately, our community is not immune.  Each year our Children’s Emergency Department sees children who have been severely impacted by being left left in a hot car. Read More

by Guest Blogger Carrie Friesen, MD, Winston-Salem Healthcare Pediatrics

My two-year-old claims that her favorite food is brussel sprouts. I’m not convinced that she really likes them more than Chick-fil-A waffle fries, but she does like them. It may be the yummy way my husband cooks them (see recipe at the end of this blog), but it is also because so far she is not a picky eater. In my pediatric practice, older patients frequently turn up their noses when I ask if they eat some fruits and vegetables every day, and parents almost daily ask how to get their kids to eat more than chicken nuggets, french fries, and pizza. I believe that it is possible to prevent a picky eating habit and to change one already there. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Yesterday was one of those days when I just could not cool off.  It wasn't even (technically) that hot; I don't think the car-mometer got above 87 degrees. And maybe it was running errands all day that got me warmed up? Hard to say. At any rate, I found myself dusting off some of the old standby ideas about staying cool in the summer heat.

If nothing else, summertime brings a great excuse to be leisurely - playing by the pool...hiding out in a cold, dark movie theater (watching $1 movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - see the Events calendar for more details!)...even sitting in the shade eating a popsicle is more fun on a hot day. Summer is also a good time for shopping and redecorating, depending on who you ask. Read on and find out some "cool" tips for body, spirit, and home! Read More

by guest blogger Kevin Hedley

Everyone has heard the stories about the best clothes hangers in the world: the exercise equipment never used in the house.  Unfortunately this is all too true as eager exercisers spend excessively on items which seem like a good idea but become dust gathering artwork before long.  With the advancements in home entertainment exercise DVD’s have gained tremendously in popularity and use.   Read More

by Heather Monackey, WakeMed Health & Hospitals

Since 80 percent of kids ages 8 through 18 today regularly use computers, I thought it might be helpful to expand on our Watch Your Posture post and provide a few additional resources to help encourage healthy computing and offer resources for individuals who have already been impacted by monitor misery. Read More

by Karen Chilton, MD

Before you dismiss your baby’s sniffles as merely a common cold, consider this: What often appears to be a common cold may in fact be a very common virus called RSV in disguise. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older, healthy children. Unfortunately, RSV can be more serious in young babies, especially to those in certain high-risk groups, and it spreads easily by physical contact. Read More

Today's blog content was provided by Eco-Smart Parent

A new documentary film being embraced by parents and teachers alike may explain why we have a generation of kids so totally disconnected from nature. Race to Nowhere, being shown in hundreds of theaters, schools and to organizations nationwide highlights how kids are being pushed too far to become Super kids, creating unhealthy, disengaged, unprepared, stressed-out and often depressed youth. Read More

by Shannon Ford

It was the Thursday before Memorial Day of 2010, the day of the “end all, be all” test of determining if something was wrong with my son’s head. We had completed an ultrasound and x-rays, and we were so thankful when the test results showed that everything was normal. Doctor after doctor at our pediatrician’s office had always been somewhat concerned with the shape of Luke’s head. It was an odd shape with a very prominent soft spot. The last doctor had seen Luke when he went in with an ear infection, checked his head again, and recommended an MRI just to be sure.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
As our special needs series winds down, I wanted to cover a topic that is familiar to many of us: Down Syndrome. While this diagnosis has been around for more than 100 years, great strides have been made in the past 10 years as far as research and treatment options. Let's begin with the facts.   Read More

by Shannon Ford
I can hardly believe it is that time of year again.  I have so many mixed feelings this time of year…I know most of you are thinking…Valentine’s Day.  Not me…or at least not just yet.  It was three years ago when my sweet cousin’s precious daughter passed away, just five days past her eighth birthday.  Olivia – or to most people, Princess O – was diagnosed with a congenital, but not genetic, brain malformation called Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) before her first birthday.  In her short, yet powerful life, Olivia experienced more testing and surgeries than most of us can imagine.  She did so with such grace and courage.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Did you know that this week is Congenital Heart Defect awareness week? According to The Congenital Heart Information Network, CHD Awareness week is an annual effort to help educate the public about congenital heart defects. Participants include individuals, local support groups, national and local organizations and congenital cardiology centers throughout the world. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

It's always amazing to listen to a group of children talking to each other. Some are so articulate, while others are quiet; some don't have any trouble finding words while others have to think, or stutter over their sentences. Some of this may be due to speech or language impairments, one of the most common special needs in our schools today. Though usually found in younger children, speech disorders can linger into late elementary and middle school years depending on the cause.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell
"Seventeen." That is the first thought I had yesterday when an old, dear friend called to tell me she is expecting a baby in June. "I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed, yet in my head, I was thinking "seventeen." You see, she is the seventeenth person who has had a successful pregnancy since I had a miscarriage last August. Seventeen! It's like a joke. It was especially ironic since I'd just been to the doctor that morning to discuss my fertility options. Deep breath... Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

When I was in 4th grade, a child in our class was classified ADD/ADHD. It was a relatively new diagnosis at the time, and seemed to be a very negative thing. “He needs drugs to keep him calm,” said a classmate, which didn’t make this poor child any new friends. However, the class learned to accept his behavior rather than ostracize him for it, despite the fact that there were some subtle differences in his behavior. Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Seeing Claire Danes win a Golden Globe Sunday night reminded me how much I loved the movie Temple Grandin. What a great segue to this week's special needs topic, autism. Let's start with a simple definition and go from there: Autism is a neurological disorder that affects communication, social interaction skills and behavior. The symptoms usually become evident before a child's third birthday.  Read More

by Kristen Bagwell

Our blog about day trips got me thinking yesterday...I am a big fan of a series. We'll do a day trip series when it gets a little warmer, but several of you who responded to our holiday giveaway asked for special needs children's topics. What better way to begin 2011 than with a series focused on your exceptional children?  Read More

By Meggan Goodpasture, M.D.
Pediatrician at Brenner Children’s Hospital and member of the Child Abuse Team

Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect is far more common than we would all like to imagine. In 2007 there were over 3.2 million reports made involving over 5.8 million children. It is estimated that a report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in this country. Even though we frequently hear about child abuse on the news or read about it in the newspaper, we may falsely regard child abuse as a problem that exists in "other communities." However, it is important to remember that child abuse crosses ethnic and cultural lines, occurs at all socioeconomic levels and within all religions. It is critical that we are all able to recognize the signs of child abuse as well as know the appropriate steps to take if we suspect that a child is being mistreated.  Read More

By Rachel H

Although you will hope to never stay in this house, if fate determines that you do so, it is a place that will quickly feel like home. I had the pleasure of touring the Ronald McDonald House in Winston-Salem this past weekend. An addition was recently put on the existing house and it is nothing short of gorgeous.

If you are unfamiliar with the Ronald McDonald House, it is a home where out-of-town families can stay if and when they have a sick child who is receiving services in the hospital. It is a place that it filled with so much love, it is amazing. Everyone who works there is so proud of the House and all it offers to families who need support. Why shouldn't they be? With the new addition to the House, it now has 35 bedrooms to offer to these families. There is always a waiting list, but after this expansion, our local RMH can help twice as many families as they have been able to assist in years past. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Guest Blogger Emily Halsey

I would like to introduce you to our Guest Blogger today, Emily Halsey. Emily graduated with a BS in Communication Disorders and a minor in Psychology from ASU, and then went on to receive her MS in Speech-Language Pathology at James Madison University. She has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist for the past 12 years in three different cities - Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Fayetteville, Arkansas - in school systems as well as with private speech and language centers - and with patients of all ages from children to seniors. She has also provided evaluation and remediation services for clients who had a wide variety of speech-language disorders, additionally patients whose diagnoses included autism, cerebral palsy, pervasive developmental delay, and legally blind.
 Read More

By Guest Blogger, Amy Takacs

“Just pee in the cup and we’ll go get ice cream as soon as we leave here.” I find myself negotiating with my five-year-old daughter, Claire, who is refusing to provide a specimen at the pediatrician’s office. “This won’t take long. We just need to see if you have an infection.” She finally cooperated, through her tears. She was a bit out of sorts, not her usual bubbly, cooperative self. Read More

By Guest Blogger Jamie Southern

If you have children, then your life has been touched by the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is all about babies – those born healthy and those that need help to survive and grow. It’s an organization that advocates for the needs of moms and babies. This organization is trying to make sure that all babies are born healthy by preventing birth defects and prematurity and eliminating infant mortality. The March of Dimes’ largest fundraiser each year is the March for Babies walk. The 2010 Winston-Salem walk will be held April 17th at Bolton Park. Read More

By Rachel Hoeing and Guest Blogger Monica McGuire

I honestly believe that some people are put on this earth to inspire and help others. After hearing Monica’s story and the optimism she exudes, I believe she is one of these people. Monica McGuire lives in High Point with her husband of 5 years, James, and her adorable 3 year-old son, Connor. James is an occupational therapist and Monica formerly worked as a registered nurse, but is now enjoying her role as a stay-at-home Mom where she gets paid in hugs, kisses, and smiles. We are happy to have her as a guest blogger today to share her story. Monica has encouraged any parent who may be facing a situation similar to hers, to reach out to her. A link to her blog is at the end of this post, and we encourage you to take a peek and follow along their journey. ... Rachel  Read More