By: Lome Arieux Aseron

When my wife, Janine, got pregnant for the second time, we both agreed that we wanted a daughter. We loved our son, Joaquin, but we wanted balance and the opportunity to parent a child of each gender. At least that’s what we jointly stated as our motivation. Secretly, I had my own reason.

I wanted to have a daughter to test the degree of my own sexism.

Children are great mirrors. Maybe it’s the innate knowledge that we’re consciously and unconsciously transmitting information to our kids, wide open receptacles that they are, that makes us reflect on our thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Or perhaps it’s just having another person around all the time, like the first time you lived with someone you were in a relationship with.

I consider myself a pretty good ally to women. I do my best to observe my thinking around gender and how I allow it to impact my choices. When a woman was running for mayor of the city I live in, for example, I realized that part of my resistance to voting for her was based on a mistaken belief that she wouldn’t be able to navigate the male-dominated political system as well as her male opponent would. There were other factors, but gender affected my thinking.

So a large part of my motivation for wanting a girl was to uncover any gender bias I might be carrying. Not that having a son doesn’t provide its own opportunity to work with gender roles. More people than I expected told me how lucky I was to have a son after Joaquin was born. I wondered what would they have said if he’d been a girl: there’s always next time?

Discovering my own gender bias wasn’t the only motivation for my desire for a daughter. When we were in Panama during our first pregnancy, Janine bought the cutest little baby dress. I fantasized about summer months when our future daughter could wear it to the park and be the envy of all the other parents. When a friend of mine told me how he loved to braid his daughter’s hair, I nodded knowingly. Visions of pig-tails and patent leather Mary Janes danced in my head.

The thought of having a daughter triggered questions about how I would treat a female child. Would I show affection for her in the same way as I did to Joaquin? Would I discipline her differently? Would I have the same expectations of her? Would I become the stereotypical dad who greets his daughter’s boyfriends at the door with a shotgun? As she got older, would I stifle her sexuality out of my own inability to accept her sexual development? Could I be a model of positive masculinity that would foster trust in men while at the same time instilling confidence that her worth was not dependent on male approval?

One question that kept recurring was how I would parent a girl in the context of society’s gender biases, particularly with regard to children. When Joaquin started watching TV, I noticed the imbalance between male and female characters on kids shows. Even my beloved Sesame Street, which was the subject of a piece I wrote for ColorLines Magazine, is dominated by male characters. Zoe, the most prominent female character on Sesame Street, didn’t make her appearance until 1993, nearly 25 years after the show first aired. It wasn’t until 2006 that Sesame Street introduced a leading female character, Abby Cadabby. Would I be more concerned about the impact of gender imbalance on children’s television if we had a daughter? At what age would it be appropriate to talk to her about gender identity? Should I attempt to transcend identification based on gender, as this preschool in Sweden is doing?

Like we did with Joaquin, we declined to learn the gender of our second child until the birth. When Mico was born, disappointment that he wasn’t a girl was the farthest thing from our minds. Though his entrance into the world was extremely gentle, we’ve decided that he will be the last baby that Janine births. The Panama dress, folded lovingly, remains in a storage container in our garage.

There’s always adoption.

Lome A. Aseron is father of two amazing sons and husband to a magnificent wife. He captures (hopefully with some success) the beauty and joy of fatherhood at http://NewDadforLife.com and [http://LIFEclectic.com]http://LIFEclectic.com.

1. AVOID SLEEVELESS AND STRAPLESS DRESSES

This doesn’t mean that you can’t sport a great body-hugging mini, just make sure it’s long sleeved. Long sleeved dresses are this season’s hottest trend. If you do go strapless, pair it with a great blazer and close-toed shoes. Blazers go great with sleeveless dresses because you can leave them on past the coat check (unlike a heavy coat), and by all means, leave it on! Parading around in a tiny dress in the dead of winter screams that you’re trying way too hard, not a good look.

2. TRADE IN YOUR JEANS FOR LEGGINGS

Spruce up your look by ditching the jeans and going with a hot pair of leggings. Leggings are way in this season, and go with just about any top. I love sexing up a t-shirt with leggings and a hot pair of heels, it’s a totally flattering look while remaining casual. Or do it big and pair them with a long sleeved, low-cut top. Go for a pair with cut outs or a cool design to add extra flavor to your get up.

3. VAMP UP THE MAKEUP

Winter is our time to play up the makeup! Unlike over the summer, it won’t melt off. Plus, since the cold temperature causes you to cover up more, you won’t run the risk of looking cheap like you would over the summer in your barely there outfits. So go for the smoky eyes, bright liners and red lips! Which brings me to my next point…

4. GO RED

Switch up the blacks and browns and go for seductive, sexy red. The change of pace is a great way to stand out in the winter. Instead of the Little Black Dress, go for the Little Red Dress and pair it with a form-fitting black jacket. Just don’t overdo it. If your main piece is red, leave it out of the accessories. I usually tie in a couple of red accessories with an all black outfit, like a red shoe and red lip, or a red purse and red shoe. Or I’ll wear a sultry red dress with black accessories and warm makeup.

5. GET A PAIR OF THIGH HIGH BOOTS

Thigh high boots are the epitome of hot! They sex up turtlenecks, sweaters, jackets and just about any piece of bulky, warm winter clothing. Pair them with a loose sweater dress or casual long sleeved shirt and jeans. Trust me, they will not disappoint! When I wear thigh high boots, I get approached by about 3 times as many people–men and women alike–on the basis of complimenting my boots! Great conversation starter.

I hope this helps! The keys to dressing for winter are playing up makeup and accessories, and sticking with form-fitting clothing that doesn’t show off too much of the goods. Just make sure that when you’re showing off your legs to cover your arms!

Aside from working in the fashion industry, I have been a lover of all things fashion since birth! I own an online boutique featuring designer clothing labels worn by trendsetters and Hollywood’s favorite celebrities.

Check out my boutique at http://www.shopelizabethlauren.com for hot new winter fashion.

By: Annabelle R Charbit

I know all the baby books wax on about how the second trimester is the most amazing, because you’re high on estrogen and so horny that you’re likely to sexually assault strangers in the street. That your husband can expect a lot of sex at this time and that you’re simply a joy to be around. Yes that’s what the baby books say.

And perhaps that is the case for many women, but right now I would like to give credence to a group of women for whom the second trimester is not a three month long rave party. Rather, for these women the third trimester is where they finally come into their own, find inner peace and start to truly relax and enjoy their pregnancies.

If you are among this group then you will know just what I mean. Your ankles may be the size of fish tanks and you can’t stand upright for more than a few minutes at a time, but you are rewarded with advantages that far outweigh the physical discomfort. Advantages such as these:

1) First and most important of all, you can finally relax and not worry about baby’s health, as baby may be born at any time now and have a full chance of survival. No amount of second trimester hornyness can trump that.

2) The regular kicking serves as a constant reminder that your baby is alive. Now you are truly aware of being pregnant, rather than just looking pregnant and feeling fat.

3) You have long given up trying to figure out what portion of your new weight gain is you and what is baby and are most likely just enjoying those deserts and shelving your guilt until after the birth.

4) It doesn’t matter if you’ve had a heavy meal and feel bloated because you don’t look any different than you did before the meal. So there really isn’t any point in allowing bloatedness to ruin the rest of your evening, as it might have done previously.

5) Everyone smiles at you and offers congratulations. Random strangers start up conversations and some even confide their life stories. So what if you can’t see your feet, you wouldn’t want to anyway. The world is smiling at you, smile back!

6) Finally and best of all, there are no expectations of you, you don’t even have to lift a finger. Now come on ladies, don’t tell me you don’t quickly get used to taking cabs everywhere, to being invited to the front of every line and of course to having first dibs on the last empty chair. We all yearn to feel special, and the third trimester finally gives you a taste of how sweet life is when you actually can be special.

After forty lengthy weeks of carrying your bundle of joy, your baby has arrived and now you’ve brought him home. You are likely eager to fill those empty baby-themed picture frames that you’ve collected over the last nine months or so, or perhaps that your friends and your loved ones have given you as gifts. Actually, you are probably hoping to fill several picture frames with photos of that adorable baby, proudly exhibiting every moment of his or her life, waking or sleeping.

Newborns can be tough to photograph since their attention span is undeveloped and their moods may change very quickly. The infant that is happy and smiling one moment may be squirming and crying the next. However, you don’t need to worry. You’ll find plenty of chances to take some great photos in the weeks (and months and years) that are to come. The suggestions that follow will help you to capture picture frame worthy moments (but aren’t they all?) with your baby with ease:

� Get used to your equipment. New mothers often buy a brand new camera right before their baby arrives. Be sure to read the handbook for your camera and get familiar with its settings even if it is not a recent purchase. Try out the camera, paying particular attention to the zoom and the wide angle. Be sure that your camera’s battery pack is charged to the max, and that you have a nice big sized memory card installed.

� Make your baby nice and cheerful. This should not be too difficult for just about any baby if it has had enough sleep, has a full tummy, and also has a dry diaper. Make sure that wherever you are taking the pictures is warm and comfy since a baby this young may get cold easily. It is important that you find some props to aid you with keeping the baby up like pillows, blankets, and other things that are nice and baby friendly and soft. If you have got another pair of hands to enable you to pose baby and keep him safe while you snap his picture, that’s all the better!

� Pick a location that is nice and bright for your baby’s photo session. Natural light is best! Try turning off the flash for best results, if there is enough natural lighting, your pictures will not require the often harsh and reflective flash lighting. Keep all background or props on the simple side, like a solid colored blanket. Clothe baby in simple clothing, because any bright colors or patterns can take the focus away from the true focus of the photo.

� Make the most of the ability to take many, many shots. The nicest thing about your digital camera is that you are able to take as many photos as you would like to and then take out the ones you want to, without having to be sparing with the photos you take. Always take the original pictures in color, and then if you want to change them to an antique tint or black and white afterwards then you can.

� Take plenty of candid shots without planning the shot. Who says a baby with fresh tears on his face and a sad mouth can’t make a pretty picture, worth displaying in a picture frame set on your desk? The most candid photographs oftentimes wind up being the best!

So keep these suggestions in mind during your newborn photoshoot and you’ll be sure to have some really great results.

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames. Our colorful baby picture frames are perfect for highlighting your favorite infant and toddler photographs. Browse through our selection of cute picture frames or give us a call at 800-780-0699.

By: C. Bach

Making candles out of crayons can be a fun activity for the family. Children will enjoy the fact you’re using their used-up or broken crayons to create something new. Just make sure that an adult is doing the wax melting part since we don’t want anyone getting burned.

First you will want to get all your materials ready ahead of time.

• Crayons – you may want to separate into dark and light colors or individual colors.

• Wick – you can buy these at craft store, use common packing string, or use a long thin candle. Avoid wicks made with lead, as the wick burns it can emit lead into the air.

• Mold or glass vase – you can cut a milk or juice carton about 6 or 7″ from the bottom, use a jar, or purchase a mold at a craft shop.

• To melt the wax you will need a sauce pan and coffee can (double boiler), or you can purchase plastic bags for wax melting at a craft store which you place in boiling water.

• Paraffin wax – optional.

Now that we have everything we will need, let’s do a little prep work before we begin melting the wax. Take your wick (string) and cut it 2 or 3 inches longer than your mold. Tie one end to a button, nut, washer or something to add some weight so it doesn’t float in the liquid wax. Tie the other end to the middle of a pencil. You’re going to center this over your milk carton or whatever else you chose to use as a mold. Another option is to place a long thin candle in the center of the carton to use as the wick.

Now we need to melt the wax. You can do this in a plastic wax melting bag or by boiling water in a sauce pan and placing a coffee can in the center. Put the can in the water before you start boiling just to make sure you don’t overflow the pan. After the water is boiling you can reduce the heat.

If you are only using crayons place them in the can and begin melting.

If you are using paraffin wax along with some crayons. Melt the paraffin wax first and then add the crayons.

Take the melted wax/crayons and carefully pour it into your mold. You have to let the wax cool completely (it’s best to let it sit overnight) then cut and peel your carton away and you now have a candle. As an alternative, pouring wax into a glass vase will create a layered look to your candle if you use different colors, and will create a fun decorative candle.

If you want to get creative there are several things you can do.

You can put ice cubes or crushed ice in your mold before you add the melted wax, or add ice cubes as you’re pouring in the wax. This will give you some neat Swiss cheese type designs but you have to be careful since they can be a little fragile. Also watch that you don’t use ice pieces that are too large or your candle may fall apart when you try and take it out of the mold.

You can pour melted paraffin wax a little at a time into your mold. Alternate the adding of wax and crayons. Since the wax is hot, the crayons melt slowly and can make some interesting designs.

Some tips for making candles out of crayons:

• Washable crayons don’t work well for making candles!

• Unlike actual candle wax, crayon wax does not evaporate. Make sure that you burn the crayon candle in a deep dish to catch all of the melting wax.

• If you make the candle entirely out of crayons it may not burn very well. The pigment in the colors can clog the wick. This is where using a thin candle as a wick comes in handy or if your just making them as a decoration then you’ll be fine.

Sad news for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar today. During a routine prenatal appointment to learn the gender of the Duggar’s 20th child, the doctor could not detect a heartbeat and informed Jim Bob and Michelle that they had lost their baby.

“Earlier today at a routine doctor’s appointment, Michelle and I received the sad news that we lost the baby,” Jim Bob told Us magazine. “Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

“After the appointment, we came back home and told the children,” says Michelle, 45.

Michelle went on to say that the whole family has been discussing baby names and anxiously waiting to hear if the 20th Duggar would be a boy or a girl. Michelle said it has been a “read sad disappointment” and the family plans to select a name and plan a funeral service.

“I feel like my heart broke telling my children,” says Michelle. “They have all been so excited about this baby and looking forward to April coming around and having a new little one in our arms. That was the most difficult. The Lord is the giver of life and he can choose when that life is ready to go on and be with Him.”

This is the second pregnancy loss the couple has experienced, they experienced a miscarriage of their second pregnancy when Michelle was using oral contraceptives and didn’t realize she was pregnant. After that miscarriage, the Duggars decided to let God decide the size of their family and to refrain from using birth control. The couple’s last child, a girl named Josie, was born severely premature and experienced many complications as a result.

Jim Bob and Michelle, in addition to having 19 children, also have two grandchildren. Jim Bob and Michelle’s oldest son Josh has two children with his wife Anna.

I didn’t name the cake, but it’s sure a treat from my past. My first memory of Crazy Cake was in grade school. We had to do a presentation in front of our class, demonstrating how to cook. I taught the students how to make icing and spread it on graham crackers. Immediately following me was Tanya B. who make a fun looking cake that remained one of the best things I had ever eaten during my childhood.

This rich, deep chocolate cake is dead simple to make, and a no fuss clean up. You literally mix the batter, and bake the cake in the same pan you serve it from. This is a fun recipe to make with your children, there’s even science involved. The leavening is achieved by the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. Remember making volcanoes in science class? And best of all, they can lick the spoons guilt free as there are no raw eggs to worry about.

Use any icing you please with this cake. I prefer a simple vanilla glaze. It’s just that good.

Do you have an inkling that you might be carrying more than one baby?  Many mothers claim to have known that they were carrying twins early in pregnancy because of various symptoms and signs.  There are quite a few common indications.

A “Very Positive” Or Early Home Pregnancy Result

What do I mean by “very positive”? Well, it’s when you take a home pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period and you get a distinctive, dark, second line or plus sign. Most women experience a faint line when testing this early. Pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). It is believed that a woman carrying twins would have higher levels of this hormone and therefore a stronger positive or earlier result. In my own experience, I decided to get some of those expensive home pregnancy tests that claim to show a positive result (if you are indeed pregnant) slightly before your missed period. Now that I have my twins, I think it kind of funny that I never got a positive result until the day of my missed period (I took several tests during the week before my period was to arrive…All negative!). And although I did get the distinctive second line on the day of my missed period, you would have thought me the perfect candidate for an early result. Keep in mind, a blood test at your doctor’s office will yield a more accurate result.

Early Weight Gain

Due to increased blood volume and a growing uterus, twin mothers usually experience a slightly higher weight gain than mothers of singletons. Approximately five pounds, give or take, more than a singleton mother by their second trimester. But this can still vary greatly due to many other factors including the mother’s pre-pregnancy weight. So think of it as a general guideline.

Measuring Large For Gestational Age

Even though measuring large for gestational age may be a sign of a twin pregnancy, it can also happen during subsequent pregnancies of singletons. It is widely accepted that a second pregnancy shows sooner than a first pregnancy. So, it does not always indicate twins. If this is a first pregnancy it may be harder to determine by yourself without prior experience or your doctor’s advice. Also, your pre-pregnancy size will be a factor. A smaller framed, slim woman will almost always start showing any pregnancy sooner than a larger or heavier woman as a general rule. Coupling a large gestational age measurement with some of the other factors mentioned here would be a stronger indication of a twin pregnancy.

Severe Morning Sickness And/Or Fatigue

As if feeling sick and tired isn’t bad enough, many mothers of twins can experience this twofold. But don’t get discouraged just yet. I do know at least a few moms of twins that had neither the fatigue or morning sickness. Both morning sickness and fatigue have to be among the most common complaints of any pregnancy. Some women experience one, both, or none. The best way to gauge if your symptoms are due to twins would most likely be your experience with a prior pregnancy. But not all of us will have twins our second time around. For many, a twin pregnancy is the first pregnancy. Now what? Well, if this is in fact your first pregnancy and you are also experiencing one or more of the other twin pregnancy symptoms and/or signs mentioned, you may have a better indication. Also, keep in mind that some of the worst fatigue will come towards the end of your twin pregnancy.

Feeling Fetal Movement Early In Pregnancy

Most pregnant women don’t feel fetal movement until about 18 to 22 weeks. It is arguable that you would feel movement earlier than this if you are pregnant with twins. Although many women expecting twins claim to, there are a few factors to consider here. If this is a first pregnancy it may be difficult to determine if what you are feeling is indeed fetal movement. Also, a single fetus may be more active than usual causing stronger sensations in the womb. If this is a subsequent pregnancy you might have a sneaking suspicion or strong indication that that something is different with what you are feeling. I know one mother who, in her first pregnancy, did not feel her twin babies move at all until the 23rd week!

Confirmation Via Ultrasound

There is no better tried and true method of determining a twin pregnancy than having an ultrasound (also called a sonogram). On the ultrasound monitor your doctor or other professional can usually distinguish two fetuses and/or two heartbeats with ease. Indeed, many obstetricians perform an ultrasound as a definite confirmation of pregnancy at your first appointment.

Kellie is the proud mother of identical twin boys and a daughter. She is the founder and author of http://www.twin-pregnancy-and-beyond.com, a wonderful resource for parents and families who have or are expecting twins. She also owns Trends In Twos – http://www.trendsintwos.com, a chic boutique specializing in clothing and gifts for twins and their families.

By: Diana S. Allard

Summer is the season for fun in the sun, flexible schedules and extra free time and opportunities for making memories as a family. Add a little organization to the mix, and you — and your kids — are more likely to enjoy all the opportunities summer can offer.

Keep kids active at day camps.

Sign-up for most camps has already occurred, or you’re registering now. From there, you want to make sure everyone’s on the same page regarding who goes where.

• Organize paperwork – Create a folder (file folder, envelope style or small binder) for each child (a different color for each is ideal) or if they’re attending the same camps, use a separate folder for each session. Keep all paperwork (registration info, location details, contact info) in that folder and store the folder in your family’s “hub” of the house (such as in the kitchen, on a bulletin board, in mudroom, or entryway).
• Get calendars in sync - Make sure all parents and caregivers are aware of the camp calendar – who goes where and who is in charge of pick-ups and drop-offs. Include important contact info in your calendar so you don’t need to find paperwork in a rush if needed.
• Make sure there’s downtime too. For every scheduled activity, there should be some “unscheduled” playtime too. If you find every week of the summer is booked with “something” to do, you may find yourself with an exhausted child (and parent) by summer’s end. Use your calendar to plan in advance those days when kids can just stay home and enjoy unstructured play.

Stress less before and during vacations.

• Create a Packing List for each family member: This can be typed up and stored on your computer. Note different quantities of clothes for different lengths of stay (weekend vs. one week) and location (cabin up north vs. hotel stay in another state). Save the document on your computer and print out as needed for each trip. This helps kids get involved in packing and learn from the experience too! The older the child, the more they can pack for themselves with oversight from you, the parent.
• Bring along Boredom Busters - Consider having some new, borrowed or forgotten toys on hand for road trips or long plane flights. Keep them packed away until the whining starts, then voila, bring out one toy at a time to keep kids occupied and less anxious.

Ensure safe and easy swimming opportunities.

• Whether you frequently go to the local beach or a pool, summer is the season for swimming. Rather than hunting for must-haves each and every time, pack a beach bag now, and include key items, such as beach towels, swimsuits, and sunscreen and cover-ups.
• As you use these items, remember to return them to the bag after washing – and not your child’s room.
• You’ll want the beach bag to be easily accessed at a moment’s notice, so store it near an exit door, e.g. an entryway closet, mudroom or other central location. Also be sure the area is free of winter gear, which should be stored out of the way (top shelves, etc.) or elsewhere (basement, bedrooms).

Let kids help themselves to snacks.

Kids will be running in and out of the house wanting snacks for themselves and friends. To make it easier for them to be self-sufficient:

• Create a snack drawer or shelf in both your refrigerator and pantry to hold nutritious options that kids can get to themselves. The less-healthy options can be stored out of reach and serve as “permission” treats.
• Drink glasses might accumulate and it’s hard to know whose is whose. Consider buying a set of plastic cups in various colors and let each child pick a color of the day or week as their water cup.
• If you use water bottles, label them with a Sharpie. Better yet, buy every family member a BPA-free water bottle and filtered tap water, rather than using disposable bottles of water.

Make the library a summer destination.

• Keep reading skills sharp with frequent trips to the library. To make sure books are returned on time, store a book bag near the entryway door to hold books just about to be due.
• Get kids involved by marking the family calendar with due dates of their newest book finds and/or sign up for electronic email reminders from the library.
• Be sure to limit the number of books per child to ensure all books are actually read (and not lost) before the due date.

Keep outdoor gear where it belongs… outside!

• Sports gear & yard toys should be stored in the garage or shed or on the deck or porch if possible and not inside the house.
• Arrange sports gear according to sport and/or child, and hold the child responsible for clean-up of toys before coming in for the day.
• To keep smaller toys (trucks, cars, buckets) from dirtying up the house, establish some toys as “outside” toys and others as inside only.
• To wipe off messy feet from dirt-digging or sandbox adventures, keep a tub of baby wipes near the door for quick clean-up.

Diana Allard is a professional organizer in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and owner of Efficient Spaces Organizing Services, LLC. She helps clients maximize space, minimize clutter and turn their “I’ll do it later” projects into “I like how it’s done!” accomplishments. In addition to providing hands-on help for local clients, Diana provides daily tips on her facebook fan page: http://www.Facebook.com/EfficientSpaces and also has a blog on her web site: http://www.EfficientSpaces.com.

This post is brought to you by my daughter’s right elbow and bum cheek, both of which will undoubtedly be sporting some bruising in the morning.

Sometimes, as parents, my husband and I miss the boat when it comes to very obvious safety-related things. Thankfully we remember things like bike helmets and booster seats, and we will probably still be cutting grapes in half when our kids are in high school, but somehow safety rails for beds have not blipped on our radars.

A little while ago, my husband and I heard a loud BUMP BOOM over our heads, and rushed upstairs to find our almost 5-year-old daughter sitting on the  floor of her bedroom, dazed and quietly crying next to her new “big girl bed.” A quick assessment revealed she was more stunned than hurt, and some kisses and cuddles comforted her enough to go back to sleep. My husband placed a crib mattress on the floor next to her bed in case she rolled out of bed again, and I started eating the huge helping of Mommy Guilt I served myself.

How did we overlook the need for a bed rail?

My daughter recently transitioned from a toddler bed into a twin bed in her own new girly bedroom. The floors are hardwood, and since we have yet to find the perfect girly area rug to match her new decor, the floors are bare. So the BUMP BOOM we heard was her elbow and bum, hitting the bare wood floor. I can only thank my lucky stars it wasn’t her head!

I don’t know why I assumed she would transition into a different and bigger bed without incident. A quick Google search revealed numerous bed rails within the $20-$30 range at all the major stores. That’s a small price to pay for my daughter’s safety.

And speaking of safety:

• Even though injuries sustained by a child falling out of bed are usually minor, fractures including skull fractures are possible and have been reported in the past.
• Symptoms of a concussion aren’t always easily discernible, especially in the middle of the night when the child is sleepy. Also, symptoms usually do not appear right away.
• Other possible injuries may include cerebral edema, retinal hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and/or epidural hemorrhage.

I’m hoping we can survive the rest of the night without further mishap, but I plan to be knocking on Target’s door first thing tomorrow morning, and I’m not coming home without bed rails. I hope my daughter likes them, because I will probably insist she use them until college.