Guest Post By Missy David, Honeybee Mama - Improving Birth Rally.

I'm pleased to have Missy David, local DONA trained Birth Doula and blogger at Honeybee Mama, providing the amazing guest post below about tomorrow's Improving Birth Rally!

Visit Missy's blog, Honeybee Mama and her Facebook page to follow her posts about motherhood, family life, local businesses in Tulsa, pregnancy & childbirth

Thousands of men, women and children will gather tomorrow, September 2, 2013 as part of an International movement to improve birth for women all over the world.  Supporters of the Improving Birth movement are rallying to bring awareness to a problem and a solution. So many people are unaware of just how much room for improvement there is in our maternity care system. So many women are unaware that respect and compassion in childbirth aren’t just luxuries; they’re a human right.

Did you know maternity care in the U.S. is in crisis? We spend the most money (98 Million) and have some of the worst outcomes among developed countries. According to Amnesty International, “Women in the USA have a higher risk of dying of pregnancy-related complications than those in 49 other countries, including Kuwait, Bulgaria, and South Korea.”

Here are some statistics for you:

·         In Oklahoma our average rate of cesarean births is 32.4% which is well above the 15% suggested by the World Health Organization.

·         Nationally the average is about 33%, so more than half a million C-sections a year may have been preventable.

·         9 out of 10 of those women will give birth by a repeat C-section, which adds significant risk for further health complications even though vaginal birth  after cesarean (VBAC) has been deemed safe and more desirable for most of those women.

·         2 out of 3 women will have their labor forced before they go into labor on their own or have their labors intensified with drugs without a sufficient medical need to do so, which isn’t supported by evidence and is proven to increase complications.

·         6 out of 10 women are prevented from eating and drinking during labor and are also confined to a bed, which also is not based on evidence and is proven to increase risks and complications.

·         Many women feel bullied or that they weren’t given adequate information with which to give informed consent for various procedures and interventions and end up feeling disappointed by their birth experience.

·         What we want to do is increase awareness for Evidence Based Birth Care and empower women to have ownership over their birth experiences.

·         The Improving Birth Rally is not natural vs. medicated birth or hospital vs. home birth or birth center births. It’s about respect for women and their decisions in childbirth, including how, where, and with whom they give birth; and the right to be treated with dignity and compassion.  

Improving Birth seeks to change these statistics and is holding their 2nd annual Rally for Change on Labor Day 2013.

 

 

For those of you in the Tulsa area, join with other local families and childbirth professionals on September 2, 2013 at Green Acres Market in Jenks, Oklahoma for the Improving Birth Rally for Change.  From 10am - 12:00pm, there will be a rally with local speakers and people holding signs to raise awareness for the change we want to see in maternity care. From 12:00pm - 3:00pm there will be a maternity fair with local birth professionals, healthcare providers and other vendors available for expectant parents to meet and get information about their births. Join us to make your voice heard and to learn about your choices in childbirth and help us improve birth in Tulsa!

 

To search for an Improving Birth Rally near you, visit www.ImprovingBirth.org.

Bunny Prints Giveaway!

Blog with Mom and Mommy's Favorite Things are super excited to bring your this wonderful giveaway!

 

I love to entertain and host get-togethers, so I love finding fun invitations for those events!

 

Bunny Prints is a wonderful site that offers items like Baby Shower invitations, Birthday invitations, Return Address Labels, Thank you cards and so much more. 

 

Themes on the site cover many events- baby showers, birthdays, baptisms and more. Add that unique touch to your party planning with matching invitations and thank you cards. Themed parties are easy to plan-just pick a theme that matches the honoree.

They also carry Personalized Party Favors to round out your chosen theme. Use these favors not only as gifts for your guests, but also as part of your tablescapes. Round stickers can be used as napkin wrapper seals. Mini-candy wrappers can be used as fillings for centerpiece pots, etc. The large candy wrappers can be hung in a variety of ways to enhance your decor. Guests will be thrilled to take home their Personalized Candy Wrappers so make sure you order enough for everyone. They are certain to leave a yummy impression. 

This football theme will prove to be a true winner. If your mom-to-be is expecting a future grid iron star, her bridal shower will be a snap to plan and a real kick for all those who attend. With football season upon us, this theme is perfect for a fall boy baby shower. 

 

My favorite invitation from is the Owl Baby Shower Invitation!

Giveaway Rules:

• Giveaway will run from 9/2-9/23
• Opened to entrants 18 and older in the U.S.
• All entries must be in the form below and all mandatory entries must be completed.
• Winner will be chosen through Giveaway Tools and will be contacted via email. Winner must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE VERIFIED.

Mommy's Favorite Things is acting as an advertisement for the sponsor and is not responsible for the prize. Prize will be given by BunnyPrints.com. This event is brought to you by Mommy's Favorite Things and Blog with Mom through Advertising with Bloggers! If you are interested in sponsoring an event like this, please contact Advertise with Bloggers. 

Enter here: Entry-Form

 

 

Toni The Chic Momma

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network lovin'! **



Green Your School Year Giveaway!

Welcome to the Green Your School Year Giveaway Hop, hosted by Happy Mothering and Brittleby's Corner together with the Green Moms Network!  We are excited to bring you awesome prizes to help your children get ready for a green school year!  After entering my giveaway, be sure to visit the other blogs listed under the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win more great giveaways. And don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaways!  Happy Mothering is featuring an awesome prize package for girls and Brittleby's Corner is featuring a prize package for boys!  Both packages are generously sponsored by Mighty Nest, Planet Shoes, Kickee Pants, TruKid and TreeSmart!

So, school starts for my pre-schooler next week and I just can't believe it.  The summer has seemed to go by way too fast.  Like many of you, I've completed my back-to-school shopping.  Some of my back-to-school purchases included new clothes, new shoes and new school supplies.  To help have a "greener" back-to-school, we're reusing last year's back pack, lunch box and some pocket folders. 

This year my pre-schooler will be attending a full day of school and that will include having lunch in his class room.  While school lunches are available for purchase, I'll be packing my little ones lunch each day and will be purchasing some eco-friendly lunch containers for my son's lunches.  That said, my giveaway will help you keep your school-aged kiddo's lunch safe and eco-friendly!  A favorite company of mine is Wean Green.  Wean Green is a Canadian company dedicated to providing parents with safe and environmental baby products that fit into every parent's diaper bag or lunch box!  Wean Green's goal is to ensure that your eco-footprint does not grow faster than your baby's sweet little feet.  My giveaway will include some of Wean Green awesome food storage options!

 

To enter this awesome Green Your School Year Giveaway, simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway will run August 13th - August 28th. The winner will be randomly chosen via Rafflecopter.  The winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm their prize, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!  Open to US and Canada only. 



Happy Back To School!

Toni The Chic Momma

 

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network lovin'! **

 

 

 

 

 

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Breastfeeding Awareness Month Giveaway!

 

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month!  Twenty years ago the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) launched the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) campaign to focus and facilitate actions to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.  The campaign theme was "Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative."  World Breastfeeding Week is now officially celebrated annually from August 1st - 7th.  To celebrate, I'll be having some fun giveaways in August. 

 

The first giveaway is amazing!  For this wonderful prize, a lucky momma will receive Earth Mama Angel Baby's Nipple Butter Earth Mama Angel Baby's Booby Tubes!  As if those prizes weren't amazing enough, the lucky momma will also receive a 14-day supply of Milkin' Cookies!  A BIG thank you so much for Earth Mama Angel Baby and Milkin' Cookies for the generosity to my readers!

 

While I haven't tried Earth Mama Angel Baby's Booby Tubes, I have tried Earth Mama Angel Baby's Nipple Butter and it's such an awesome product. 

 

Earth Mama Angel Baby is one of my absolute favorite brands.  I love their products because they're re 100% free of toxins, cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and free from all artificial preservatives, fragrances and dyes.  I actually included some Earth Mama Angel Baby products in a New Momma Essentials goodie bag for a friend!

I have used Earth Mama's Nipple Butter for over two years now on my face, cuticles and other dried, cracked skin.  Made with soothing organic Calendula and non-sticky natural plant butters to comfort and protect.  It's safe for baby too - no need to wash it off before nursing! Apply as needed, and after each feeding.  What I love about Natural Nipple Butter is that it will be useful way beyond your nursing days.  My favorite use for Natural Nipple Butter is on the skin around my nose.  With fall and winter soon approaching, the air can become quite dry causing delicate skin to become irritated and dry.  Natural Nipple Butter is the perfect remedy for any dry, cracked skin! 

 

 

Earth Mama Angel Baby's Booby Tubes were created to help ease the discomfort that breastfeeding mommas can sometimes have from time to time.  Booby Tubes are natural, safe, gel-free breast packs made with a 100% organic cotton shell and filled with all-natural flax seed. Use warm or cold, depending on your nursing needs.

 

Every momma deserves a yummy, sweet treat.  How about a delicious cookie that not only satisfies your sweet tooth, but also boosts your milk supply?  Milkin' Cookies is a yummy cookie that is made without preservatives and also helps boost your milk supply!  In fact, 98% of mommas polled in 2011 reported that they saw a significant increase in their breast milk production after eating one of Milkin' Cookies delicious cookies.  The current Milkin' Cookies flavors are Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Cranberry Almond Oatmeal and Dairy-Free Cranberry Almond Oatmeal.  I have personally tried the Oatmeal Chocolate Chip and my verdict was YUMMY. 

 

To enter this amazing breastfeeding essentials giveaway, simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below.  This giveaway will run Friday, August 2nd, 2013 until Friday, August 16, 2013 at 12:01AM EST. The winner will be randomly chosen via Rafflecopter.  The winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 48 hours to respond and confirm their prize, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. Good luck!  Open to US only.  Thank you again to Earth Mama Angel Baby and Milkin' Cookies for their generosity and their unwavering support of breastfeeding mommas!



 

 

Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Month!

Toni The Chic Momma

 

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network lovin'! **

 

 

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New Momma Essentials

Last month, a friend of mine welcomed her first baby boy into the world!  While she was in the hospital, I popped in for a visit and brought along some treats.  My mantra is to never visit a new momma without some sort of treat(s) in hand! 

 

Earlier that day, I had asked some mommas on Facebook what were some awesome items and/or treats that they received while in the hospital.  I decided to use some of the suggestions and treat my friend to a goodie bag of New Momma Essentials.

 

Lip Balm was one of the top recommendations, so I picked up some Burt's Bees Lip Balm for my friend's New Momma Essentials goodie bag.  I, too, remember how dry the hospital air seemed to be on my skin, especially my lips.  I also included Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towlettes in my friend's goodie bag.   Some other moisturizing goodies to help with dry, cracked skin might be Earth Mama Angel Baby's Body Butter or some Avocado Cuticle Balm.   What new momma doesn't like to be pampered?

 

 

Breastfeeding products were also high on the recommendation list, so I picked up some nursing goodies.  Earth Mama Angel Baby's Natural Nipple Butter is a must-have for any breastfeeding momma.  Natural Nipple Butter is made with soothing organic Calendula and non-sticky natural plant butters to comfort and protect.  It's also safe for baby, too, as it's lanolin-free, toxin-free and there's no need to wash it off before nursing.  I also included Earth Mama Angel Baby's Organic Milk Maid Tea.  Some other great suggestions were Lacation Cookies!  Order some delicious lactation cookies from Milkin' Cookies or try your hand at baking some.

Baby Care items were also suggested as most hospitals, unfortunately, don't use toxin-free baby wash or baby lotion.  When I delivered my youngest, I made sure to have my own baby care products and also made sure to include a diaper cream/ointment.  So, I included BALM Baby's Diaper Balm in my New Momma Essentials goodie bag for my friend.  BALM Baby's Diaper Balm is an excellent diaper ointment choice and is made of all organic ingredients in Hawaii.  Some other great baby care products to consider including would be Sweet Knee Skin Care's On The Spot Moisturizing Stick as well as Sweet Knee Skin Care's Oatmeal Cookie Bath, both perfect for a newborn's delicate and sensitive skin.

 

 

Chocolate was mentioned and really what else is there to say?

 

 

So, what are some other must-have items you would include in a New Momma Essentials goodie bag?

 

Toni The Chic Momma

 

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network loving' **

Shower of Hope Oklahoma Diaper Distribution For Oklahoma Families

 

 

After the May 19th and May 20th Oklahoma tornadoes and storms, I desired to help the families affected, especially after my husband was in the May 20th Moore, Oklahoma tornado.

 

My charitable group, Shower of Hope Oklahoma, hosted a Diaper Drive for families who were affected by those Oklahoma tornadoes.  I endeavored to collect cloth diapers, disposable diapers, wipes, diaper creams and other baby and toddler items (pacifiers, teethers, baby food, toddler snacks, infant formula).

 

From May 21st - June 14th, Shower of Hope Oklahoma received donations from individuals, families and wonderful companies from all across the United States.  My desire was to bless those families who were in need.  It may have been a simple box of diapers and wipes, but to someone who lost everything, this care package would be the glimmer of hope for them in knowing things would get better and that were many others in Oklahoma and beyond who were thinking and praying for them. 

 

June 15th was Diaper Distribution Day at The Changing Table in Oklahoma City.  We had a wonderful distribution and had 8,000+ diapers and 5,000+ wipes to distribute to families affected by the May 2013 Oklahoma storms and tornadoes.  We also helped families with baby food, infant formula, breastfeeding essentials for mommas, baby care items, toys and clothes.  As a Christian, it was a huge blessing to me to see so many families being helped.  My desire is to always be His hands and feet on earth and the distribution day was wonderful.

 

I want to give special thanks to all of the individuals and families who helped make this charitable endeavor such a huge success.  Huge thanks to Kelly Wels, Julie from Cloth Diaper Geek and the entire Green Team Enterprises Distribution staff for helping spread the word and for their generous cloth diaper donation!  Also, thanks to Balm Baby, Snappi, Munchkin,  Fat Bottom Babies,  KickSprout, Green Cheeks,  Earth Mama Angel Baby, Rockin' Green Soap, Bumkins Finer Baby Products, Wish Baby Registry and Gifts, Joovy, Graco Children's Products, Baby Steals and Hygeia Breastfeeding for their generous donations. 

 

Here are some pictures from the Diaper Distribution:

 

 

 

 

Blessings!

Toni The Chic Momma

 

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network loving' **

ViaParenting Review and Giveaway - From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years.

Let's face it, parenting can be, well, chaotic.  Sometimes our family life can be hectic, chaotic and tranquility seems like an unattainable goal.  There have been times where I have felt lost.  There have been instances where I have felt lost in a sea of toddler tantrums, meltdowns, power struggles and utter chaos.  Those times have been overwhelming, stressful and I felt like a failure as a parent.  A stressful environment isn't a happy one nor is it a healthy habitat for our families.  Sometimes it was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

From my own personal experience, parenting can be chaotic when you have a child with language delays and/or other developmental delays.  My oldest has a speech delay and for quite some time, it was frustrating for the entire family.  My oldest couldn't communicate his needs and I wasn't able to interpret his needs.  There were many tears shed.  The frustration led to horrible tantrums.  I was stuck between a rock and a hard spot.  I felt I needed to discipline my child, but also felt torn because the tantrum wasn't my child just having a tantrum.  There was a reason behind.  I hate to say that it was a "purposeful" tantrum, but there truly was a sincere reason behind it.  There were some pretty difficult times, but as we began speech therapy and sought help and support from other professionals, I began to look at my toddler differently and look at our situation differently.  Hope was in my reach.

So, let's fast forward.  Recently, I've had the wonderful opportunity to go through ViaParenting's program, From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years.  I have two little boys, one toddler and one pre-schooler, so I was very excited to go through the program.  My hopes were to gain some perspective, learn new parenting techniques and simply become a better parent, a better mom. 
 
So, what is the From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years program?  From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years program will walk you through four stages and offers more than just tips and techniques.  Rather, it teaches you how to create sustainable, long term results that are unique to YOUR family.  And unlike many parenting programs, From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years was designed with the busy parent in mind.  The program is super convenient and is designed for you go through at your own pace online.  Even better, you can actually download the program to your favorite device.  So, listen on your laptop during your little one's nap, listen while you're working out, listen while doing the dishes... listen whenever and wherever is convenient for you!

As I first sat down to listen to the From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years program, I had several AHA moment in the first 30 minutes of the program.  Many quotes from Rachel Sklar, the creator of the program, truly resonated with me and really made an impact.  Her words were changing my way of thinking and giving me some fresh perspective.
 

"We're better at problem solving when we start from a place of strength and hope, not despair and frustration."

 

"Be the change you wish to see in your child."

 

"Are you trying control things that aren't really controllable?"

 

Rachel continued to mention, that we shouldn't relate to at our children as a problem.  She also stressed that as parents, we must also remember to be careful how we relate to problems versus people. 

As I continued through the program, I felt that listening to Rachel's professional insight and listening to her personal stories, was truly enlightening and worthwhile information to add to my parenting tool belt.  You see, just as a carpenter has a tool belt of hammers and other carpentry tools to help complete his jobs, parents also have a tool belt.  Our tool belt consists of tips, tricks and other parenting techniques that we've picked up along our parenting journey.  While each child and each family situation is different, we pick and choose which tools will work for us at that particular time.  I have to say that the From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years program is definitely something that is remaining in my parent tool belt and I'm sure once you experience  From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years, you'll agree!

I'm thrilled to give one Toni The Chic Momma reader an opportunity to try the entire From Chaos to Tranquility in the Pre-school Years program!  The program will leave you feeling refreshed and equipped to skillfully handle the trying times of parenting.  If you are ready to change your family life from chaos to a tranquil, peaceful one, then this giveaway is for you!  To enter, simply follow the easy Rafflecopter instructions below!  GOOD LUCK!

Be sure to visit http://viaparenting.com, where you can sign up for a FREE download of the 10 "Rock Your Inner Mama" mantras from ViaParenting!

Wishing you tranquility!

Toni The Chic Momma

 

** If you enjoy reading Toni The Chic Momma's musings, please like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter! Oh, and how about checking out the Networked Blogs? Thanks for the social network loving' **

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