Features

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep gives parents precious gift

2009-10-28T16:41:00Z

Photographers provide memories for grieving families

Story by Chelsey Engel

After a year of trying to have a baby, Teryn and her husband were ecstatic when they discovered their wish would come true. For almost twenty-two weeks, Teryn had a normal and healthy pregnancy. However, after a night of suffering severe contractions, she rushed to the hospital where she unexpectedly gave birth to her stillborn daughter, Analynn. At that hospital, a photographer provided Teryn and her family with amazing images that will last a lifetime.

Hundreds of thousands of babies are born every day, bringing endless joy and happiness to families around the globe. There are many families like Teryn’s, however, who are faced with immeasurable grief and shock when their newborns do not survive or are not expected to live long after birth. Over three billion babies are stillborn every year and more than 400 million never reach twenty-eight days of life, according to the World Health Organization. Comfort can be brought to these parents in many ways, but one method may be often ignored- taking photographs of their lost children.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is an organization of volunteer photographers based in Colorado. They donate their time and talent to families who have suffered great losses with either the death of a newborn or the discovery that their child has a terminal illness and will not survive. These photographers provide a visual memory, as they did for Teryn, that the families can keep for the rest of their lives even when their child is no longer physically with them.

Ginger Hites, one of the 7,000 volunteers worldwide working for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, is the area coordinator for Pittsburgh and began to participate in the organization after a close friend lost two of her children.

“One of her biggest regrets was only having six pictures of her son that the nurses thought to take,” Hites said. “That seemed like something I could make sure didn’t happen again.”

It was in those lost childrens’ honor that Hites joined the organization in which she takes great pride.

“All of our photographers that I’ve had the pleasure of working with are just fabulous individuals who are willing to give so much of themselves,” Hites said. “It says so much about the world we live in that there are still people willing to give because they want to.”

Kathleen Miller, the executive director of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, also has a great appreciation for her volunteers.

“I’m in awe of each one of them,” Miller said. “They donate considerable time and their talents to these families and provide them with a beautiful gift, free of charge.”

Hites became the area coordinator in February of 2008 and has noticed much growth in the Pittsburgh branch of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep over the past year and a half. After her own son spent time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) in May 2008, Hites saw it as an opportunity to expand the organization’s reach by handing out brochures to the staff while she was in the hospital to spread the word.

“Things started to move more quickly shortly after that,” Hites said. “Now we have serviced families in every major hospital in Pittsburgh.”

Hites’ experience while in the hospital with her son also gave her a completely different perspective on the organization.

“His lungs were not quite mature yet, and he was diagnosed with pneumonia and spent eight long, agonizing days in Magee’s NICU,” Hites said. “While he was there, I saw other babies come and go, and it brought a new meaning to my involvement with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.”

This past summer has been busy for Hites with one hospital alone losing twelve newborns in the month of June. More recently, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep came to the aid of local news anchor, Kelly Frey, who gave birth to her son, Bennett, on Sept. 22, 2009. Bennett was diagnosed early on in the pregnancy with a major brain formation defect, holoprosencephaly, which yields a low survival rate.

Due to the number of families in need, Hites relies on the help of other volunteers. One of these photographers who Hites believes really stepped up over the past few months to help is Robin Pesa.

Pesa, a retired engineer, is the owner of Busy Bee Boutique Photography in Sewickley, where she and Hites got together to speak about their own experiences working with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Pesa, along with Hites, believes the work they do provides a sense of comfort for the families and helps with the grieving process.

“To be able to come home and see the pictures, they can at least celebrate the life and not only mourn the death,” Pesa said.

Pesa and Hites both agree that photographing the newborns can be extremely difficult at times because they feel like they are intruding. However, they are always reassured by the families that they are more than welcome.

“You’re the stranger, but it’s like they trust you the most in the situation,” Hites said. “Often times, I spend hours in the hospital with the families.”

The sessions also provide happy moments for both Pesa and Hites, many involving the siblings of the newborns.

During one photography session, Hites watched a young girl playing with her newborn brother for his first and last moments, slipping a lollipop into his mouth and giggling while the mother looked on with a smile.

“The siblings get to me a lot because it reminds me of my own children,” Hites said. “To watch their little faces and the connections they’ve already formed and the very tender way that even the siblings take care of the babies is just beautiful.”

Hites also learns a lot about people through her work and through the families she has met.

“I had a session today with a teenage girl who was wise beyond her years just from the situation she’d been dealt,” Hites said. “It’s breathtaking sometimes.”

As area coordinator, Hites often encounters many of these same experiences in dealing with the emotional aspect of the job.

“I do a lot of parent coordinating, especially for those who know ahead of time about their child’s situation,” Hites said. “It gets emotional because I will walk through the last moments with them. You have to try to remove yourself, though you can’t fully.”

Other duties as area coordinator include connecting the parents to other families who have experienced the death of a child or who will be experiencing it in the future. Hites also sends them to the forum on the organization’s Web site to speak with other families and also medical professionals.

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep offers many other services to the families. For example, the photographers provide them with a CD including the images they take of their child. These images include photographs of the child alone as well as with the families either in the hospital room or at home. Additionally, there are DVD slide shows available and, more recently, charms and pins are sent along with the images for the parents.

“It’s just something to let them know we were thinking of them,” Hites said. “Plus, when they see another parent out in public wearing the charms,
they instantly know them.”

Hites and Pesa both strive to provide the best possible experience for the families. They go above and beyond to make certain they have high quality images that truly reflect what the child looks like and to show every detail of the newborn.

“You remember the child, but you forget what they look like,” Pesa said.
Hites also commented on the importance of the vividness in their photographs.

“The fine details get lost over time,” Hites said. “I try to get as many details as possible. I think that helps with the healing process.”

As Hites and Pesa share their experiences and personal thoughts, their faces light up, reflecting the passion they both possess for their work.
To them, it is not just a job, but a rare opportunity to provide even a little comfort and happiness to families.

“We take this commitment very seriously,” Hites said. “This is the only chance these babies have.”

For more information on Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, visit nowilaymedowntosleep.org

Photos by Ginger Hites. Pictured are Brittney Monroe and Mark McCaa with their Baby "J".

More parents admit to smoking pot to help deal with stress

2009-10-08T19:40:00Z

Parents give the term "Going Green" a whole new meaning

By Amanda Gillooly

Move over prescription sedatives, Mary Jane is mother’s newest little helper.

Call them what you will – stiletto stoners, marijuana mamas, or pot parents, but national surveys overwhelmingly agree: Whatever the nickname, plenty of American parents are going green.

A recent nation-wide survey conducted by Web site Chikii.com asked women between the ages of 25 and 60 about their toking habits. More than half those women said they used pot at least 10 times per year, while 27 percent indicated they smoked up between once and seven times a week.

Almost 80 percent of those women said they know other women who get high regularly.

And Pittsburgh parents are no different. Plenty of moms and dads in the Golden Triangle admit they still enjoy rocking the proverbial ganja.

Take Mark and Pearl of Forrest Hills. (last names have been omitted to protect privacy)

Mark, 28, is an administrator in the higher education sector, while his wife, 32, manages a prominent retail store. Both say they smoke marijuana to help quell the stresses of work and life – which includes rearing three kids under the age of 10.

Admittedly, Pearl is the less frequent pot smoker. More of a social drinker, she never even tried the leafy green stuff until she married Mark more than six years ago. These days Pearl takes a puff or two when migraine pain strikes. In their household, Mark mostly controls the cannabis. He buys it and keeps it under lock and key somewhere the kids don’t have access. And he is the one who mostly sneaks out to the garage to take a puff or two to help him better deal with the stresses of being dad.

“It helps shut out some of the other noise,” Mark said. “I find that I am more relaxed and less self-conscious.”

That calmer state of mind, he said, leads to long games of "Chutes and Ladders", complete with silly voices that make the kids laugh those Saturdays when the quartet are home while Pearl drives the family car to work.

And plenty of his friends are fine with his relationship with Mary Jane. Not only do the majority of his friends still smoke, but he and Pearl have smoked with their oldest daughter’s schoolmates’ parents.

“I have imbibed with other parents at their houses,” he said. “Most people I know either smoke, have smoked and are cool with it or have a spouse that smokes.”

Tara, 24, of Sturgeon, agreed.

The proud mother of a dusty blonde-haired baby girl said she smokes almost every day – and knows plenty of her friends who also like to puff, puff then pass.

Like Mark, Tara said she has been getting high since she was in her mid-teens and considers marijuana use as more of a lifestyle than stress reliever.

Although she doesn’t deny that smoking a bowl on the porch while her daughter naps contently inside does help take the edge off.

Like when the two-year-old tyke makes a mess. Or embarks on a teething-related tantrum.

“It helps me relax and get into ‘mommy mode’ more easily,” Tara, a stay-at-home mom, said.

None of this is shocking to Dr. John Massella, regional program director at Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a substance abuse treatment provider based in Beaver County. He said it seems like cannabis is going the way of bell bottoms and other ‘60s-chic trends: It is regaining its popularity.

Massella said Gateway has experienced somewhat of an influx of people who meet criteria for cannabis dependence – and that the stories he has heard from the out-patient clients seeking its services might surprise mainstream America. He attributes some of the increase to the fact that today’s young parents “grew up” with marijuana and don’t see its use as a problem.

“It’s like they are turning back to an old friend they used to know in high school,” Massella said.

Many of these parents consider marijuana a way of life. And it often isn’t long before they start smoking in front of their kids. And a few years after that, the camaraderie often advances a step further.

“Sooner or later…the kids will come home from college and before you know it mom and dad will be rolling a fatty with them,” he said.

Massella said other clients have confided that they purchase weed for their kids, and even let them smoke in the house.

“I have parents who will say, ‘At least I know they are safe,’” he said.

This trend is disturbing to Massella on several levels.

“There is a perception that marijuana is a harmless drug, and that is just not the case,” he said, adding that the pot potency has increased in the past three decades.

Because the progression of cannabis dependence is less aggressive than some other drugs, Massella said it is easy for users tend to “minimize the problem.”

Aside from the inherent respiratory risks involved with smoking weed, it can also cause gross changes in personality and can impact motivation. It can also cause something known as rebound anxiety – when all the worries the smoker was trying to sedate come back even more strongly once the high wears off.

For him, the bottom line is simple: “Its impact on the brain is still in question,” Massella said. “It is still someone turning to something outside themselves on their own. We would never do back surgery or pull a tooth on our own. It’s the same thing.”

He said parents who smoke to help relieve stress should seek more appropriate means of release, and he suggests turning toward a family doctor or licensed therapist. And for those who consider marijuana part of their lifestyle, he said he “can’t ignore” that these parents are breaking the law when they buy, sell and smoke weed.

That reality is becoming clearer to Catherine, a 25-year-old wife and mother who lives in Robinson Township. While she has smoked for several years – both out of pleasure and to deal with parenting stress – she sees marijuana-less days in her future.

“These days I am all about my family,” Catherine, a waitress and mom to a 3-year-old son said. “When we have our second baby, I think I’m not going to do it at all.”

She admits that she enjoys how smoking “helps calm her nerves” but said it is a risk she is more reticent to take these days. And she is growing tired of the “lazy mode” she said weed puts her in. But most of all, she said she doesn’t want her son to ever see her smoking or even understand what it is.

“I’m getting to the point where I don’t even want to do it anymore.”

Amanda Gillooly is a freelance writer in the Pittsburgh region. She can be reached at amandabgillooly@gmail.com

A tip for busy moms - Read "Take Care Tips"

2009-05-27T20:36:00Z

Book Review - Take Care Tips: How to Care for Yourself While You're Taking Caring of Others

When she was just a child, Jennifer Antkowiak's mother suffered from post-partum depression. Antkowiak found herself taking care of her parents as well as her three younger sisters. Then she grew up and had five children of her own to care for. And in 2004, her mother-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Suddenly juggling a busy career as a television anchor for KDKA-TV, raising five kids and caring for her mother-in-law, Antkowiak let herself go.

She wasn't sleeping well, eating well or exercising. Taking care of others had taken a toll on her- she ended up in the hospital with chest pains. Her doctor gave her a stern warning - take care of yourself before it's too late.

It was then that Antkowiak set out to take better care of herself. She took a few minutes each day to do something just for her.

"I realized that I was waiting for the perfect storm. I always said when everything calmed down I'd take care of myself. But that perfect storm never came, there's always something to be done. If I don't take care of myself now, I never will" Antkowiak said, remembering those days after her hospital scare.

Spending the last few years gathering tips to take care of herself, Antkowiak was inspired to share these tips with the world. It's just her nature, to take care of others. Her latest effort in her desire to "take care of everyone" comes in her new book, "Take Care Tips: How to Care for Yourself While You're Taking Care of Others", released in April. (Available from Amazon and in local bookstores for $14.95)

"Take Care Tips" is a great handbook for anyone that spends a majority of their time caregiving. I know the book was originally intended for caregivers of the sick or elderly, but it's an easy jump to the life of a caregiver and the life of a mother. What do mothers do? They spend their days taking care of others, often not stopping long enough to spend even a minute taking care of themselves.

This is where "Take Care Tips" can help. Each of the 101 tips is something that can be done in 10 minutes. No matter how busy we get, we can certainly carve out ten minutes of the day to take care of ourselves, right? "Take Care Tips" can help you do just that. It's an easy read, light and humorous and just small enough to fit in your purse or diaper bag. It's a perfect fix for those fleeting free moments we might have at the park while the kids are playing. No plot line to remember, no chapter to finish, just simple, easy tips that we can read in a moment or two and then implement later on in the day or when the kids go to bed. If you can't remember the last time you had your hair done or take a long hot bath, you need to read this book.

Some of the tips involve a little bit of physical activity (Tip #13 - Work it off and Tip #22 - Just Walk) but some are pure and simple relaxation (Tip #10-Make Time for Tea and Tip #59 -The Multitasking Bath). There are even tips for eating right and some simple recipes for busy moms (Tip #37 Easy Yogurt Fruit Snack and Tip #38 - Multitasking Salsa). Each tip is nicely laid out on a two-page spread with coordinating graphics.

This book struck close to home for me personally. Not only do I try and take care of my family and work two jobs, but my husband and I are also handling the care of his father who suffers from dementia. This has proven to be an extremely difficult time for us emotionally and this book has been our little guide to making sure we're ok. Both of us have made a serious effort to do some little things at the end of each day to help take care of ourselves (baths or reading for me, exercise or staring at the lava lamp for a few minutes for hubby) and it's really made a big difference.

I was really struck at how caring Antkowiak was in our interview. I expected to be asking all of the questions, but she turned the tables on me and started asking about my father-in-law and how I'm doing. I have no idea how she does all that she does and still maintains such a positive attitude and manages to make everyone around her feel so comfortable and cared for, but she has a real gift. And that gift clearly shines through in her writing of this book.

In this day and age, with so many aging baby boomers and people our age trying to multitask and do too much, this book is especially timely. Whether you're taking care of an elderly parent or grandparent, or just stretching yourself thin with your own family commitments, now is the time to start taking care of yourself. And the first step should be reading "Take Care Tips".

My favorite tip? #16 by far. What is it? Go read the book and see. :)

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About the Author

Jennifer Antkowiak is a wife, mother of five young children, and a caregiver to her father-in-law and step-daughter. Jennifer learned about caregiving at a young age when her mother died suddenly after a heart attack at age 50. The oldest of four girls, Jennifer stepped in to help her dad take care of her sisters. More recently, Jennifer worked with hospice to take care of her mother-in-law who died of cancer.

An award-winning TV News Anchor, Reporter, and Talk Show Host, Jennifer is now founder and CEO of jennifer Productions, a multimedia company on a passionate mission to make life easier for busy women and families, with a special focus on the world’s caregivers.

Jennifer is now founder and CEO of jennifer Productions, a multimedia company on a passionate mission to make life easier for busy women and families, with a special focus on the world’s caregivers.

Jennifer is Executive Producer and Host of jennifer, a weekly TV talk show that strives to empower women and families with information they need to live happier, healthier lives. Jennifer is Executive Producer of jenniferTVshow.com - a web site that connects people around the world with Real Life. Real Easy. tips and ideas.

Jennifer is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines, is developing lines of make life easier products, and is in development for nationally-syndicated television, and radio shows for caregivers. Jennifer is also a sought after motivational speaker.

For 18-years, TV viewers have trusted Jennifer and bonded with her, saying they admire her warmth, wit, and wisdom. Those qualities shine through in Jennifer's first book, Take Care Tips, making it feel more like a friend than a book.

Experts share tips for Summer safety

2009-05-06T02:36:00Z

Experts share tips for Summer safety

By Bryan Lawver

As Summer approaches, Pittsburgh parents may be left wondering how best to care for their kids. Health experts weighed in about the best ways to keep kids safe this Summer.

One of the most common and potentially serious Summer health hazards is the threat of traumatic injuries resulting from falls. Accidental falls are the cause of the most non-fatal injuries in children, and the problem is worse in the Summer months, according to Meri-K Appy, President and CEO of the Home Safety Council (http://www.homesafetycouncil.org), headquartered in Washington, D.C.

“Sometimes emergency room doctors refer to Summer as trauma season because so many accidents result in trips to the ER,” Appy said.

Bike Safety

Bicycling is a popular Summer activity for both kids and adults, but for all its benefits, it also has risks. Bicycle-related injuries result in more than 500,000 hospital visits annually, with just over half of those treated being under 15 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Health care professionals and experts agree that the most important concern when bicycling is protecting the head from injury. They also agree that the best way to do this is by simply wearing a helmet.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of wearing a helmet. Head injuries are the most preventable injury,” Dr. John Tucker of Pittsburgh said.

Head injuries make up a relatively low percentage of total bicycling injuries, but account for many more severe injuries than the most commonly injured areas, the wrist and ankle.

Still, a study by Dr. Gregory Rodgers published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission showed that only 18 percent of bicyclists reported wearing a helmet all or most of the time while riding.

“I think people don't wear helmets because they lack real understanding of how bad things can be if they go wrong,” Appy said.

Appy related the story of her older brother, who she described as “a very serious biker.” Her brother once fell off a trail during a race, hitting his head on a rock. His helmet cracked, but still protected his head. Appy said that it was the only thing that kept him from being paralyzed.

Such a vivid demonstration is not required to convince children to wear helmets. Often, all that is necessary is for children to see their parents practicing proper safety.

“The number one predictor of whether a child will wear a helmet later in life is whether the child's parents wear helmets,” Appy said.

Dr. Tucker recommended that, while wearing a helmet is important, parents should take care to ensure that bicycles and any other equipment is also in good shape.

“Life-threatening injuries are minimized by using equipment safely,” Tucker said.

Both Appy and Dr. Tucker also advised parents to instruct their children about observing road rules while riding in the city.

Playgrounds

Falls can also occur when children are playing on unsafe playground equipment, or using even well-made equipment unsafely. The nature of playgrounds makes it highly likely that children will fall at some point, but that does not mean that injuries are inevitable, according to Barbara Butler, designer and builder of children's play structures.

“You want kids to try things like climbing a wall and if they fall, you want them to be able to get up, brush themselves off and get back up there,” Butler said.

Butler stressed the importance of building playgrounds with proper materials to prevent injuries.

“Redwood and cedar are perfect. They're strong, but soft enough to reduce injuries if kids fall on them,” Butler said.

She said that she prefers wood to plastic and metal because wooden equipment is easier to replace if broken, and safer for kids.

“I think we should keep natural material next to kids, especially since they're always putting hands on things and then near their mouths,” Butler said.

As with bicycles, the most important safety concern when dealing with playground equipment is to protect the head from injury.

“A fall off climbing equipment can really be much more serious than people realize,” Appy said. “It can result not only in broken bones but in head trauma.”

To minimize the risk of injury, Butler and Appy suggested that parents consider the ground under and around playground equipment, called the “use zone” or “soft surfacing.”

Both said that rubber mulch and pea gravel are the best choices for surfacing.

“Rubber mulch is made from recycled tires. It's really springy so you can use less of it, but it's more expensive,” Butler said.

Whatever material is used, Butler and Appy suggested that it should be eight to 12 inches thick.

How far the mulch should be spread is determined by what types of equipment is being used. Swings, for instance, required a larger use zone than monkey bars.

“You want to make sure that if kids jump off swings, they don't land on something hard,” Butler said.

When incorporating swings into a playground, Butler also said that parents should make sure that enough space is provided to keep kids from running into one another.

Butler also recommended that children do not wear bicycle helmets or clothing with drawstrings on playgrounds.

“Drawstrings can get caught and potentially choke or trip a child,” Butler said. “And playgrounds weren't designed for kids wearing helmets so there is a possibility of getting your head stuck somewhere with a helmet.”

Swimming

A less common, but more serious health concern is the risk of drowning.

“When you see someone drowning on TV there is a lot of splashing and noise, but that's just not how it happens,” Appy said. “A drowning is very fast and totally silent.”

The best way to prevent drowning is with close supervision. Appy said that while supervising children swimming, a parent should have nothing to distract them. She also recommended that parents work together to take turns watching children.

“Kids get into trouble during lapses of supervision,” Appy said. “It's that classic 'the moment my back was turned' incident.”

Though supervision is the most important precaution, Appy also recommended that parents install fences around pools to prevent small children from swimming unattended and covers on drains to help keep hair or bathing suits from getting stuck.
The Price of Preparedness

With so much to look out for, parents often pass their own fear onto their children, which can lead to major anxiety problems, according to Tamar Chansky, Founder and Director of the Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety (http://www.worrywisekids.org).

“Parents can create stress inadvertently by focusing just on the danger of a situation and not the solution,” Chanky said.

Anxiety disorders occur in 13 to 20 percent of children, according to Chansky, author of “Freeing Your Child From Anxiety,” so any adult looking after a large group of children is likely to encounter children with anxiety problems.

These children tend to focus on only the negative parts of a safety warning, taking advice to an unhealthy extreme.

“I see kids who go through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and are now afraid to touch cleaners in their house because they're afraid they might inhale them,” Chansky said.

Chansky advised parents to ask their children what they should do to remain safe, instead of constantly reiterating dangers. Allowing children to answer questions will give children “a sense of competency and control,” according to Chansky.

Appy also said that parents should take a more participatory role when warning children of danger.

“The Home Safety Council's approach is that your actions are going to speak more loudly than words anyway,” Appy said.

Parents should always practice proper safety procedures and encourage children to do the same, according to Appy.

“If you make this a common practice, it just becomes natural so it's not a doom and gloom sort of thing,” Appy said.

Chansky agreed that safety should be a regular part of life, rather than something for which time must be set aside to lecture. Teaching children about safety in a calm, familiar way can reduce the stress of being given too many warning at once, according to Chansky.

“It's better to have a couple talks than to just blurt everything out at once,” Chansky said. “Safety is like anything else. You wouldn't try to teach your kids math in one day.”

Bryan Lawver is a photojournalism student at Point Park University. He can be reached at belawve@pointpark.edu

Local cord blood program saves lives

2009-05-01T16:01:00Z

By Jessica LaDow

Joshua Marshall was born on June 30, 2001, a healthy baby boy as far his parents and doctors knew. But when Joshua was just five months old, he developed a rare form of pneumonia, and his parents were faced with tragic news.

Joshua suffered from a rare disorder; he was born without an immune system, a condition known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease.

“He was turning blue and greying out. We thought it was a reaction to one of his shots, but it was worse,” his mother, Deborah, said. “It was terrifying.”

Deborah and her husband Mark were given one solution: he needed a stem cell transplant.

Stem cells have traditionally been transplanted via bone marrow transplants, but finding a match can be timely, and the procedure is invasive and painful. His family would have to relocate from their home in Portersville in Butler County to North Carolina for at least six months to complete the procedure. There was, however, another option: a cord blood transplant.

Cord blood is the blood leftover in the umbilical cord after the birth of a child. The blood is rich in stem cells, but is usually disposed of shortly after birth. Cord blood banks, like the local Dan Berger Cord Blood Program, store cord blood in both private and public banks to provide access to the life-saving cells, said Andrea Romo, spokeswoman for the program.

On New Years Eve, just one month after his diagnosis, Joshua received his transplant.

“It wasn’t surgery or anything invasive at all,” Deborah said. “It was so easy, it was over in 10 minutes.”

The donor cord blood, which the Marshall’s only know came from the birth of a female baby, was injected into Joshua’s body. The procedure, Deborah said, was relatively painless.

Doctors noticed improvement just two weeks later, she said. His body started producing T cells.

Joshua is now a healthy 7-year-old boy. He runs, jumps and goes to school with his peers without the fear of simple childhood illnesses. The only disruption to his childhood routine is a quick visit to Children’s Hospital every six weeks for antibody treatments.

“I wish mothers knew what one simple ‘yes’ could do for a life,” Deborah said. “It’s no harm to them or their baby, and it could save the life of somebody like my son.”

Don’t let your baby’s cord blood go to waste:

Cord blood is used to save lives. It can be used to help cure 40 different diseases in both children and adults. The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program encourages all expectant mothers to consider either storing cord blood for personal use or donating it, free of charge, for use by those in need.
The donation process is simple and occurs right after birth with no harm to either mother or child. By signing up for the program, mothers are potentially saving lives by simply saving stem-cell rich blood that would normally be discarded as medical waste.
Expectant mothers can either ask their doctors for information or visit www.dangbergercordblood.com. For more information about cord blood donation, expectant mothers may also contact Mary Wiegel at 412-209-7479 or mwiegel@itxm.org.

Cord blood details:

Cord blood can be collected for storage for personal use, storage for public donation or storage for medical research.

Regardless of the reason for collection, expectant mothers must:

- Be at least 18 years old
- Know who the father of the child is
- Not have had any new tattoos or piercing in the last year
- Reveal any recent foreign travel

Collection happens just after birth, Romo said. The same nurses and doctors who assist in delivery remove the blood from the umbilical cord while the mother recovers and meets her newborn. Since the procedure is done after the baby and placenta are delivered, she said, there is no pain or danger to either the mother or the child.

Romo recommends that expectant mothers research the program early in their pregnancy to accommodate testing and paperwork.

- Through the Dan Berger Cord Blood Program, donation to a public bank or medical research is free, but a yearly charge is applied for private storage.

- Cord blood stem cells are NOT the same as embryonic stem cells, which involve the destruction of an embryo. Collection causes no harm to the baby or mother, as it is done after the baby is delivered and the placenta is delivered.

- Donated cord blood does not have to match a recipient’s blood as closely as in bone marrow does, because of their infantile state. This means faster matching, Romo said, and less graph-host infection and rejection.

-The fee for private storage is $100-$150 per year.

-Mothers of multiples (twins, triplets) may not be eligible to donate.

About the Dan Berger Cord Blood Program:

The Dan Berger Cord Blood Program was established in October 2007 in the name of Dan Berger, a Pittsburgh attorney who underwent a stem cell transplant to successfully overcome leukemia and lymphoma. He died in July of 2006 of heart failure. His wife, Carol, approached Magee Women's Foundation with the idea of starting a cord blood bank in Pittsburgh to further the use and research of stem cell transplants.

Hospitals operating in partner with the Dan Berger Cord Blood Program are UPMC hospitals including Magee-Womens ,Horizon - Shenango Valley, Mercy, and Northwest. Other outlying hospitals are working to start their own programs and include St. Vincent Health Center in Erie, St. Clair Hospital and Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana, Pa.

- To date, the Dan Berger Cord Blood Program has performed over 1,300 cord blood collections.

- The program is the only in the country to offer three different collection approaches: collection to be stored for private use, collection to be donated to a public bank and collection to be used for medical research.

- Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC leads the nation with a 35 percent public collection-to-storage rate. The national public collection-to-storage rate is between 20 and 25 percent.

To learn more about the Dan Berger Cord Blood Program, contact Andrea Romo, Communications Specialist, Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation
412-641-8934 www.mwrif.org

Jessica LaDow is a freelance journalist in the Pittsburgh Region. She can be reached at jmladow@pointpark.edu

Pittsburgh's best indoor family-friendly activities

2009-01-05T18:18:00Z

Come in from the cold!

Now that the weather is miserably cold, you might find yourself going stir-crazy and your kids bouncing off the walls. I've compiled a list of some indoor activities to keep our kids occupied this winter, and let them run off some steam. If you have any other suggestions to add to the list, please post with a comment and I'll add them in!

General ideas

-Library storytime or general browsing
-Barnes-n-Noble train table and/or storytimes
-Local mall playgrounds (North Park, South Hills Village, Robinson, Monroeville and Pittsburgh Mills all have children's play areas)
-A trip to the pet store to see the cats and doggies
-A trip to Giant Eagle to the Eagle's Nest (if your child is over 3)
-A trip to a kids movie at a local theater. If the kids aren't ready and it doesn't work out, most theaters will refund your money if you've been in the theater less than 30 minutes
-Throw your diet out the window and hit a fast food restaurant with an indoor playground. All Chick-fil-A's have small indoor play areas, and several McDonald's and Burger King's do as well (off the top of my head, McDonalds on McKnight Road, on Route 8, on 286 in Plum, and out by the Robinson Mall have indoor play areas. Burger King in Cranberry and in Wexford on McKnight road also have indoor play spaces)

General Play areas- The climing tunnels, toys, arcade...these places have them all. Most have lots of room to run and get the energy out.

North

BounceU - Click here for Pittsburgh Mom review
65 Warrendale-Bane Road
Warrendale, PA
724-935-8555
Preschool playdate: (reservations are recommended, they can only take 70 people) - Monday and Wednesday mornings 9:30-10:45 $8 per child
All ages open bounce: Tuesday and Thursdays 1-2:30 p.m. $8.50 per person
Family bounce night: Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. $8.95 per child

Chuck E. Cheese
Pittsburgh, PA
412-364-7762
Free admission. Small kids play area, lots of arcade games. Click here for coupons

Fun Fest Bowling Center
2525 Freeport Rd
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
412-828-1100
Free admission. A sprawling facility with 40 lanes, a spacious game area, a lounge, and a snack bar.
Click here for coupons. Additional coupons can always be found in the Clipper Magazine.

Fun Fore All
8 Progress Ave
Cranberry Twp, PA 16066
724-779-2270
summer hours: 9am-11pm. September-May: 10-10
Free admission. While the outdoor activities are quite popular, Fun Fore All does have a (free) indoor climbing gym and large arcade. Click here for specials/coupons

Giggles & Smiles
516 Pittsburgh Mills Circle
Tarentum, PA 15084
724-275-7529
10-9:15 Monday through Saturday. 11-5:45 Sunday.
Single kids under 3 are free a paying sibling. Single kids under 3 are $6/hour. Kids over 3 free pay by the 1/4 hour at about $11/hour.

Ice Cream World
3458 Harts Run Rd
Glenshaw, PA 15116
412-767-4320
Winter hours: Wed-Sun: 11-8
Small indoor climing gym and arcade. Free admission, nice way to spend an hour and have lunch.

Lilliput Play Homes

20804 Route 19

Cranberry Twp, PA

724-778-3322

Children can climb on the gigantic rainbow play set, pretend in the neighborhood market or firehouse, play in a train station, doctor's office, library, gas station or movie theater! Kids can play for $8 from M-F 10-3pm.

Jumpin Castle
901 Warrandale Village Drive (corner of Route 19 & Warrandale-Bayne Road)
Warrandale, PA 15086
724-933-5272
Hours: M-Th 9:30-9:00 Fri & Sat 9:30-9:30 Sunday 11-5
Admission $12 per child 3-11. $6 for kids 1-2 Under 1 is free
Indoor interactive play center, complete with huge castle-themed climing structure, bounce house, climing wall, air hockey and more

Wildwood Highlands
2330 Wildwood Rd
Wildwood, PA 15091
412-487-5517
Sun-Thurs: 11-10. Fri & Sat: 11-11.
Multi-level soft play area for kids with two ball pits, plus large indoor arcade and laser tag. Admission to soft play area $4 for kids 2-3, $5 for kids over 3. Preschool special weekdays for kids under 5. $6:95 for admission to soft play, a kids meal and four gameroom tokens.

South

Chuck E. Cheese
Bridgeville, PA
412-364-7762
Free admission. Small kids play area, lots of arcade games. Click here for coupons

E2 Toys2 Try - Click here for Pittsburgh Mom review
2101 Greentree Road - Scott Town Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
412-276-TOYS
Toy store and indoor playground featuring big climing ship and a variety of toys for the kids to play with.
Admission: $7 for kids over 6 months, maximum of $12 for family
Hours: M-F 9-7 Weekends are posed each week by email or you can call to check weekend hours

Gymsport
98 Vanadium Rd, Building C
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-220-1195
Preschool playtime Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 10-3 $5 per hour

Lilliput Play Homes

4125 Washington Road
Peters Township
724-942-3022

Children can play on the trolly and slide or pretend in the fire department, doctors office, ice cream shop, beauty salon, market and post office!! Kids can play for $8 from M-F 10-3pm.

Seesaw Center
935 Pine Avenue
Castle Shannon, PA
Mon, Wed, Thur, Friday: 9:30-3. Tues: 9:30-8. Sat: 9:30-12:30.
The Seesaw Center is a nonprofit indoor play center for children of all abilities, from infancy through kindergarten age. A wide variety of unique toys provide a wonderful stimulation for all children.

Recreation Station - Click here for Pittsburgh Mom Review *Recreation station will be closing its doors as of February 20. If you want to visit, go now!!
289 North Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
724-223-7805
Admission: Under 1 is free, Children 2-12 $7 Adults $3. Includes in and out priveledges
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:30-6 p.m. Saturday 11-4. Closed Monday, Wednesday and Sunday
Indoor play area with various rooms for art, trains, music and a large center area with puppet theater, reading area, kitchen, balls, cars, etc. Outside area is open weather permitting.

East

Seabase Family Fun
770 East Pittsburgh St
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-838-8887
$7.25 kids ages 1-13 Adults Free
Monday-Thursday 10-9 Friday/Saturday 10-10:30 Sunday 11-8
Multi-level soft playground, huge bouncy ship/slide and mini golf all included with admission. Also offers a train ride and a small arcade.
Click here for discount admission and food coupons

Chuck E. Cheese
Greensburg, PA
412-364-7762
Free admission. Small kids play area, lots of arcade games. Click here for coupons

Chuck E. Cheese
Monroeville, PA
412-364-7762
Free admission. Small kids play area, lots of arcade games. Click here for coupons

Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library -Click here for Pittsburgh Mom review
5401 Centre Ave
Pittsburgh, PA
412-682-4430
Admission: First visit is free! nonmember: $5, maximum $10 per family.

West

Giggles & Smiles
2050 Robinson Centre Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-787-7529
10-9:15 Monday through Saturday. 11-5:45 Sunday.
Single kids under 3 are free a paying sibling. Single kids under 3 are $6/hour. Kids over 3 free pay by the 1/4 hour at about $11/hour.

Museums - Plan to spend the day here at one of Pittsburgh's fine museums.

Carnegie Science Center & UPMC Sports Works
333 Allegheny Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-237-3400
$17.95 for Adults, $9:95 for children and seniors.
Hours: Sunday-Friday: 10-5, Saturday: 10-7

Pittsburgh Children's Museum
10 Childrens Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-322-5058
Enjoy many exciting, hands-on exhibits and programs for the young at heart. Climb out two story climber, silkscreen and paint in our studio, play with puppets and much more.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5
Admission: Adults: $11 Children 2-18: $10 Children under 2: Free

Senator John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-454-6000
Open daily 10-5
Admission $9 for adults, 5 for children 4-17, free for children 3 and under

National Aviary - Click here for Pittsburgh Mom review
Allegheny Commons W
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-323-7235
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 12-5
Admission $9 for adults, $5 for children 2-12, Children under 2 are free
Little Peepers event each Tuesday at 10:30: Storytime,crafts, and live bird encounters for kids under 5.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-622-3131
Tuesday-Saturday: 10-5, Thursday: 10-8, Sunday: 12-5, Monday: closed.
Admission: Adults $15, Children 3-18 $11, Children 2 and under are Free (includes both Museum of Natural History and Museum of Art)

Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-622-3131
Tuesday-Saturday: 10-5, Thursday: 10-8, Sunday: 12-5, Monday: closed.
See this link for info on family oriented programs
Admission: Adults $15, Children 3-18 $11, Children 2 and under are Free (includes both Museum of Natural History and Museum of Art)

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1 Schenley Park
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-622-6914
Open Daily 9:30-5, and until 10 pm on Fridays.
Admission: Adults $12, Children 2-19 $9 Children under 2 are free

A little something different - Whether it's painting pottery or indoor mini-golf, these are a little off the beaten path but great for a cold winter day!

Lilliput Play Homes
0804 Route 19
Cranberry Twp, PA
724-778-3322
Children can climb on the gigantic rainbow play set, pretend in the neighborhood market or firehouse, play in a train station, doctor's office, library, gas station or movie theater! Kids can play for $8 from M-F 11-3pm.

Glow In the Dark Mini Golf
500 Pittsburgh Mills Mall
Tarentum, PA 15084
Summer Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-10, Sun:10-7.
$6 for adults, $5 for kids (kids under 5 are free with paying adult)

Monster Mini Golf (glow in the dark)
3813 William Penn Highway
Monroeville, PA 15146
412-372-GOLF
Closed Monday, Tues-Thurs 2-9, Friday 2-10, Saturday 12-10, Sunday 12-8

Romp & Roll Skating Rink
661 E. Sutter Road
Glenshaw, PA
412-486-4117
Tiny Tot Tuesday from 1-3 for kids 9 and under and their parents. Admission is $5 per guest (includes roller skate or blade rental, one slice of pizza and a small drink). Also includes skate lessons and games.
Saturday 2-5 General public skate

Color Me Mine
5887 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-2909
Paint your own pottery studio

Mud Pie
20455 Route 19 North
Cranberry Twp, PA 16066
724-742-0444
Paint your own pottery studio

The Clay Cottage
10913 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090(behind Zeibart and Valhalla)724-935-2530
Paint yoru own pottery studio
724-935-2530
Children 12 & under $4.00 - includes 4 colors of paint, glazing, and firingAdults $6.00 - includes 5 colors of paint, glazing, and firing
Hours:Mon-Fri: 11am-8pm Sat: 10am-5pm Sunday: CLOSED

Beginning with Books recommends winter reads

2009-01-05T16:16:00Z

Nothing makes a more lasting gift than the time you spend reading with your child. During this busy season, remember to create special memories by reading together. Check out the booklist compiled by Beginning with Books for some great new books. Some of them are just plain good fun, some are informative, some are stunning in their beauty, and some might even make you cry. All of them will help create cherished memories. If you purchase any of them as gifts, they will be opened repeatedly.

Ape by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White. A non-fiction book about the five varieties of great ape: Chimp, Orangutan, Bonobo, Gorilla, and You. (ages 5 and up)

The Apple-Pip Princess by Jane Ray Beautiful! For all the young princesses in your life. (ages 5 and up)

Before John Was a Jazz Giant: A Song of John Coltrane by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Sean Qualls. Spare text and collage combined with acrylic paints tell the tale of a young John Coltrane and the sounds he heard all around him. (ages 4 and up)

The Cow That Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill, illustrated by Russell Ayto. Marjorie, the cow, doesn’t feel special until she lays an egg. The rest of the herd is skeptical of her achievement. Did Marjorie really lay an egg or are the chickens hatching tricks? (ages 3 and up)

Harvest of Light by Allison Ofanansky, photographs by Eliyahu Alpern (ages 4 and up). Follow the production of olive oil from tree to press to the lighting of the menorah. The narrative and photographs combine to create and illuminating and intimate look at a contemporary Israeli family as they work and celebrate.

Hen Hears Gossip by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Joung Un Kim: Greenwillow. Parents will be familiar with the storyline of the book. Children will simply delight in the playful language. (ages 3 and up)

Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Matt Tavares. This is the story of the Statue of Liberty told from a variety of viewpoints including that of a newly arrived immigrant, a poet, a newspaperman writing in support of her creation, and a young farm girl who responds to the newspaperman’s pleas. (ages 6 and up)

An Orange in January by Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Julie Maren. Hard to go wrong with a first line that reads, "In a land that glowed with a spring light, an orange blossomed." The vibrant language continues from blossoms to fruit, from picking to delivering, until two small hands share segments from a perfect orange in January. (ages 3 and up)

Penina Levine Is a Potato Pancake by Rebecca O’Connell, illustrated by Majella Lue Sue (ages 8 and up). Award-winning author, Rebecca O’Connell, returns with another Penina adventure. Penina Levine is not looking forward to Hanukkah. Her favorite teacher is taking a leave of absence. Her best friend is leaving her in the snow to spend winter break in Aruba. Worst of all, her mother announces that all she wants for Hanukkah is for Penina to be nice to her little sister, Mimsy. Penina manages to adjust to change, celebrate in her own way, and yes, have a few nice moments with her sister.

Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (Poems) by Linda Sue Park, illustrated by Istvan Banyai. Sijo is a form of Korean structured poetry. Each sijo has a prescribed number of syllables. The first line introduces a topic, the second line develops the topic, and the third line always includes a twist. (ages 4 and up)

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson. Told from the point of view of a bench player, Nelson’s debut as an author is a winner. His illustrations are as realistic and strong as ever. Baseball fans of all ages will enjoy learning about the league, its players, its owners, and its fans. (ages 6 and up).

If you have any questions, please contact Tess Riesmeyer at (412)361-8560 or

riesmeyert@mybwb.org

Beginning with Books is the region's premier early literacy champion, serving the needs of children, parents, and educators throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our core services include reading aloud to children, parent education workshops and clubs, professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, mobile library services, book distributions, and a community-wide literacy awareness and advocacy campaign. For more information give us a call at (412)361-8560 or visit our website at www.beginningwithbooks.org

Interview with a doula

2008-12-14T03:10:00Z

Interview with a doula

A study published in the online medical journal, Birth, found that women who had a doula present during labor had a 12 precent lower Caesarean delivery rate than those without a doula. These women also had a 12 percent lower rate of receiving an epidural. But what exactly is a doula? Amy Farr, a local Pittsburgh doula and volunterr for Operation Special Delivery offers some insight into the life of a doula.

First of all, can you explain what a doula is?
The word "doula" comes from the ancient greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the post-partum period. There have been many studies that show that doula support leads to less interventions and better bonding and breastfeeding rates.

What are a doula's primary responsibilities?
The doula's primary responsibilities are to provide physical, emotional and informational support to the laboring mother and her other support people. She helps to facilitate communication between the mother, partner and medical staff. She does not make decisions for them but assists them in making informed decisions. A doula does not give advice but does provide information to the mother. The doula respects the mother's birth plan and helps to preserve her memory of the birth. The doula also assists post-partum with bonding and establishing breastfeeding.

Does a doula need to be certified?
A doula does not have to certify. There are several organizations that do doula trainings and certifying. The most well known is DONA (Doulas of North America). If one chooses to certify through DONA they must meet the following criteria: attendance at a birth doula training that is a minimum of 16 hours, observation of a childbirth eduaction course as a non-pregnant woman (minimum 12 hours), completion of required reading list, completion of a basic breastfeeding course, completion of a detailed resourse list, attendance at a minimum of three births which also have their own list of criteria they must meet, and completion of several essays. By whom? I will be certified by DONA anyday as I turned in my paperwork more than two months ago so I should be getting a call anyday now that I am officially certified.

How does a woman go about finding a doula in her area?
I think the most common way that women find doulas is through the internet you can google your area and doula, dona's website has doula listings as do the other training organizations, some of the hospitals and childbirth educators know doulas that they refer to.

What is the husband's role if a doula is present?
Having a doula present should enhance the partner's role. We are never present to step on anyone's toes. Some partners want to do nothing more than hold the mom's hand and be there in the moment with them. Having a doula allows the partner to do that. Dad's go to childbirth education classes and try hard to remember all of the things that they were told about providing comfort but it is alot of information for them to try to remember when they are put on the spot as the main support person. A doua takes that pressure off of the partner and she can offer suggestions of things the he/she can do to provide comfort to the laboring mom. DONA has a great paper called Dads and Doulas and it can be seen on their website dona.org. The partner is still the one who can provide the love that the mom needs but the doula cannot provide. Also if a mom is committed to having an unmedicated birth it is very difficult for a partner to see his/her loved one in pain and they may have a harder time staying committed to the plan. The doula will be able to help the partner understand the natural process of labor.

Does a doula have any medical training?
Some doulas may have a medical background but as a doula they are there only as a support person and they do not do anything clinical during the labor. The doula does not do any blood pressure checks, vaginal exams or anything of the sort.

Do all hospitals and birthing centers welcome doulas?
So far I have felt welcomed at all the hospitals I have been to. I know there are some areas where doulas have felt very unwelcome but that doesn't seem to be the case in Pittsburgh. Do they need to be "preapproved?" I try if possible to go to an appointment with a client so her care provider has a chance to meet me just so they know I will be present with the client.

How much does a doula cost?
The average rates in the Pittsburgh area are around $500. Sometimes if you hire a doula who has just taken training is a little cheaper and sometimes you will also find doulas who charge a little more. My current rate is $400/birth.

What other alternative options are there for birth?
In addition to the obvious medicated hospital birth one can have a natural unmedicated birth in the hospital. There is also an out of hospital birth center in the strip district. The Midwife Center offers an out of hospital birth experience for low risk pregnancies.

Can you explain your thoughts on what a midwife is, a water birth, home birth etc?
A midwife is a fantastic option for low risk pregnancy. Midwives are trained to see birth as a natural event. Certified Nurse Midwives attend hospital births as well as birth center births. There are several midwife practices in the Pittsburgh area as well as many OB practices that also utilize CNM's. I personally used CNM's for both of my births and I would never do it any other way. I would have loved to do a water birth but no one in this area does them. I think home birth is a fine option for many women with a healthy, normal low-risk pregnancy. I had a post-partum hemorrhage after the birth of my first so I think I would have been very afraid to try a home birth after that but I think it is a safe option for many women. I do know there are home birth midwives around but I personally don't know any of them. Pennsylvania is not really home birth friendly.

How did you decide to become a doula?
My sister actually became a doula first. She was my doula for the birth of my daughter in September 2005. I had such a wonderful birth experience and thought what my sister did was so awesome that I decided to take the training in April 2006. I wanted to be able to help other women to feel empowered by birth and to help them be less fearful of it. I think to often nowadays with all of the technology surrounding birth women end up feeling like birth is something that was done to them and not like they were an active participant in the process.

How long did it take you to become a doula?
Once a doula attends a training she can call herself a doula and begin attending births. The training was a 3 day training. It took me just over two years to finish my certification births. I could have finished them sooner but I was still working another job for part of that time so didn't take a lot of births and then I had another baby of my own so I was out of the loop for awhile.

What was the process like?
I looked up the certification requirements on DONA's site before I even attended training so I had my required reading done before I even attended my workshop. Then I just worked on things as I was able to.

What is your personal birth story?
My first birth was a totally unmedicated, natural hospital birth with a CNM. I went into labor at about 4 pm on a Sunday afternoon two days after my due date. We had been to a Pirates game so we stopped at Pittsburgh Mills and walked around the mall for awhile to see if my contractions got closer and stronger. We got home around 6 pm and I rested on my bed for about an hour timing contractions. During that time my sister came over and my husband began getting things ready to go. We arrived at the hospital at about 9 pm and I was 4 cms and 90 % effaced. They monitored me for awhile and then I walked around the floor and out in the waiting area which was empty. At 11 pm I was 6 cms and 100% effaced. My husband and I then spent awhile hanging out in the shower which felt great. I couldn't even feel the contractions while I was in the shower. I got out after awhile to be monitored and then went for another walk. While I was walking my water broke and when they checked my I was 9 cms. I spent about 15 more minutes in the shower before feeling the urge to push. I pushed for 2 hours and 40 minutes before my daughter was born at 3:21 am. It was the hardest work I've ever done but certainly the most rewarding.

My second child decided he wanted to be my more complicated one. I was planning to have him at the birth center in the strip district but he had other plans. I went into labor exactly a week before my due date at 4 am. I woke up to go to the bathroom and realized I was having contractions so I turned on my tv and sat on my birth ball which is just a big exercise ball. It didn't take long for my contractions to get to 5 minutes apart. I called the midwife center at about 7 am and finished getting ready to go in. My worst fear my entire pregnancy was going into labor and having to fight rush hour traffic on 28. Guess what happened? Left the house at 7 am on a Monday morning. By the time I got there it was about 9-9:30. I was 3 cms. We went and walked around in the strip and got something to eat. When we returned to the center I was 5 cms. I chose to get in the jacuzzi tub for awhile. We thought it was going to go fast. We did several things over the next 8 hours to try to get past 5 cms. We walked, rested, tried natural ways of getting oxytocin flowing, tried exercises that would get my baby into a better position to put pressure on my cervix. After 8 hours I was still at 5 cms. I was now 13 hours into labor on 4 hours sleep. I was disappointed and discouraged and opted to go to AGH and get an epidural and some pitocin. We discussed alot of options but I was so tired and upset that I felt this was the best option for me. We left the center and headed to AGH. Once there I got an epidural and some rest. I was finally complete at around 9:30. I started pushing at 10:02 and my son was born at 10:32. I certainly did not have the birth experience I wanted or expected the second time around but that has just made me more committed to helping other women get the birth experience that they are looking for.

What is your favorite part about being a doula?
I feel blessed each and every time that a couple allows me to be part of such an intimate part of their lives. I love seeing the look on mom's face as she looks at her baby for the first time.

Least favorite part?
I love being a doula. I can't really say that I can pinpoint anything that I "like" the least. The hardest part sometimes is being on call and never knowing when the phone will ring and sometime I get into some very long hours but I still love it. No matter how long I have been up I am on a hig when I leave the hospital after a birth so I usually have no problem driving home.

What would you tell other women who are interested in becoming doulas or using a doula?
To someone who wants to be a doula I would say that it is a wonderful experience to attend births and it is very fulfilling and I have made some great friends.

To women considering using a doula I would say it is something you will not regret. The doula is the only person in the room who is there only for the mother. The doctor, nurses and partner are all there for mom and baby. While we are concerned about the baby we are there to provide comfort to mom. Once the baby is there the doula will still remain with the mom and the partner can feel free to go to the baby. During the labor the partner does not have to worry about leaving the mom to go and eat because the doula will stay with the mom. Most women think that they have to be planning to have an unmedicated birth to utilize a doula and/or midwife. This is not true. I think with all of the technology and all of the machines that make noise it can be very overwhelming to the mother and her partner. I think having a doula who will help them understand and will support them throughout the process is very beneficial. I have been to births where the doula was the only constant because sometimes it is a long process and we have gone through shift changes with nurses and even doctors/midwives change shifts and in those cases the doula was the only constant for the mom and partner. I think that is also beneficial to them.

An interview with "The Gift Therapist"

2008-11-03T20:08:00Z

The Gift Therapist

Jennifer Melnick Carota has become an expert source on smart shopping and charitable giving. Best known for her role as the Gift Therapist, Jennifer is famous for her gift giving advice, new product reviews, and annual holiday gift guide. Products and services that meet her high standards for quality, affordability and creativity receive her endorsement in the form of the Gift Therapist’s Seal of Approval.

Her website, www.thegifttherapist.com, offers great advice for moms on holiday shopping. I met Jennifer recently and asked if she'd give us some advice.

Can you give our users some general advice for smart shopping? My best advice for consumers this year is to plan first, spend later. Take the time before you hit the stores to establish a realistic cash budget, prepare your gift list accordingly and begin researching the best deals as early as possible. If you are not sure what to buy, indulge in a window shopping spree to jumpstart your creativity. Always shop the discount department stores first and vow never to pay full price for anything. If shopping online, be sure to search for coupon codes that provide significant discounts when checking out. My favorite site that helps me search for these secret sales is www.ratherbeshopping.com. With a little research, you'll be amazed at how much you can save.

What are your favorite stores to shop? I absolutely adore Gabriel Brothers, Ollies Bargain Outlet, and Big Lots but each for different reasons. They are all discount department stores with great prices, but each store has certain favorites that the other does not. Gabriel Brothers is a fantastic resource for upscale home decor, designer clothing, shoes, and jewelry. Ollies Bargain Outlet boasts prices on books, DVD's, and toys can not be beat! And Big Lots has the best selection of gourmet food items that you can't even find at your favorite grocery store.

What about kids gifts and toys? Any good hints? Toys and gadgets for the little ones can quickly add up to big bucks if you are not careful. To avoid spending upwards of $25 (or more) per child, why not consider giving a group gift that the entire family can enjoy together. Choose a theme for the gift and find two or three items that will tie the theme together. For example, a "Family Fun Basket" may contain a family friendly DVD, classic board game, scrapbooking supplies, or museum passes. Get creative based on the lifestyle of the family!

What’s your favorite “sanity saver”?

As an expert Giveologist, my mantra is "focus on the giving, rather than on the gift." Forget about price-tags and obligatory spending! Give the best you can with what you've got and feel great about it. If you take the time to put together a meaningful gift that reflects your cherished relationship with that person, you will hit a home run every time...even if you only spent $10.

What about a gift for the dad that has everything? That's a tough question, but it can also be applied to just about anyone on your list who wants for nothing! My best advice for this gift giving quandry is asking yourself "what does mom/dad value most?" and give a gift that reflects their character and values. For example, if you know your dad loves to go bowling with the guys, why not give him a gift certificate to his favorite bowling center along with a snazzy bowling shirt complete with his name embroidered breast on the breast pocket. Jazz up a gift card by adding a small gift that reinforces the theme to make it extra special and extra thoughtful.

What time of year is best to shop? The best time is to shop off-season, after any holiday, and only when you can afford to shop! Think opposites. When it's hot outside, look for steals on cold winter weather gear and vice versa. This goes for every item that you can think of including furniture. Who wants to think of buying furniture when it's 80 degrees and sunny? You won't be inside much to even think about it! Hence, look for major furniture and appliance sales in late spring and throughout the summer season.

What’s your best advice for getting a great deal? The key to finding the best deals is to always shop the clearance sections of your favorite stores first. Don't be blinded by all the new and shiny merchandise tempting you in the front of the store. Head directly to where they often hide the best deals, usually near the back of the store, on bottom shelves, or little cubbies that you have to sniff out with skill and experience. Save yourself the hassle and just the clerk where the clearance sections are located. They are usually very happy to oblige.

Do you have a “standard gift” that you like to give for a friend’s birthday? Housewarming? Mothers day? Fathers day? I take great effort to individualize every gift that I give, but when in doubt I usually give the gift of food. Who doesn't like food? The key is give what they like rather than what you like! I usually add a little extra "WOW" to the gift by making the container part of the gift as well. For example, one year I bought a football shaped crockpot for $12 at Big Lots, made my famous spinach dip and took it as a hostess gift to a Superbowl party. Everyone loved the dip and the hostess now has a functional gift for future parties...SCORE!

You have $25 to spend on a Secret Santa gift for a ladies' Christmas party? What would you give? I love Secret Santa gifts! This is when I really get to show off! Normally I devise a theme around the likes or values of the recipient. If I don't know him or her very well, I put some time into covert research by talking to mutual friends, visiting her profile at online social media sites, or when all else fails, going with a practical gift card and adding a few small items that I've collected in my gift closet to compliment the theme. For example, a $20 gas card, gourmet coffee or tea, a stainless travel mug that I found on clearance, and a batch of homemade trail mix in a decorative tin. In the card I may write, "Think of me on your way to work tomorrow morning!"

What’s your favorite give you’ve ever received? I have received so many wonderful gifts over the years. My husband is such a wonderful gift giver that it is so hard to choose! Just having his unconditional love and support every day is more than a girl could ask for, not to mention he is the technical genius behind everything the Gift Therapist has ever done :) His love is definitely the best gift ever!

What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever given? Every gift that I give is my favorite at the time because I try really hard to make the gift reflect my connection with that person. Last Christmas, my husband and I bought an antique train for our Dad. We bought it after we found out that the train that had been in his family was lost over the years and he really missed having one. Because my husband and I had shopped smart, we had plenty left in our gift budget to buy the train. Yes, it was a high ticket item, but it meant the world to our Dad and he now cherishes that train. You can't put a price on memories.

Now that you've read Jen's advice, come back to our message boards and offer your best shopping tip and be entered to win one of The Gift Therapist "shopping package" including a shopping planner/calendar and copy of Jen's book, "Shop Smart, Give More"

Are we there yet? - Columbus

2008-10-09T02:57:00Z

Are we there yet? - Columbus

By Heather Starr Fiedler

Welcome to the first installment of "Are we there yet?" "Are we there yet" will be a travel-related feature focusing on various road trip locations for families from a first-person "been there, done that" perspective. In this first feature we'll focus on Columbus, Ohio.

At 185 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, just over a three-hour drive, Columbus, Oh serves as a fantastic weekend getaway for families, especially in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Our family of four traveled there this past weekend. Everyone agreed that it was a perfect weekend road trip.

We took Friday off and headed out around 11 a.m. from our home east of the city. Columbus is an easy, if boring, drive down Interstate 79 and over Interstate 70. St. Clairesville, Ohio marks the almost halfway point and was a perfect place to stop for lunch and bathroom breaks. There is a very busy dining and retail area in St. Clairesvlle that counts a Burger King (with indoor playplace for the kids to run out some energy), Red Lobster, Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebees, Outback, Dennys and Bob Evans among the many choices in addition to the small indoor mall.

Further on Interstate 70, in Cumberland, Oh, is a great first stop on a kid-friendly weekend trip; The Wilds. Located on 10,000 acres of conservation land, the Wilds offers guided tours on a safari vehicle where visitors will experience rhinos, giraffes and many other rare and endangered animals roaming in large, natural settings. Tours are offered May through October. The $18 adult admission ($13 for kids 4-12, free for kids under 4) is half-off with a Pittsburgh Zoo membership.

Columbus is the Capital and largest city in Ohio. With a thriving Downtown and many new developments north of the city, we found Columbus to very clean and accessible. Our favorite area of the city, and the one with the most kid-friendly activities, seems to be the northern side of the area, around I-270, which runs in a large circle around the city of Columbus. We usually stay in the Easton/Powell/Polaris/Dublin area. There are many affordable family-friendly hotels here that are newer and clean, most offering free breakfast and indoor pools. We've stayed at both the Wingate and the Comfort Inn and been happy.

Day 1 - COSI
The Center of Science and Industry opened in Columbus in 1964. Now located in the heart of downtown at 333 West Broad Street, COSI has been voted the number one science center in the country by Parent's Magazine. For nearly 45 years, COSI has focused on early childhood education and become the place to go for hands-on exhibitions and learning in Columbus. We visited COSI on a Friday in October, and it was relatively empty, allowing us the opportunity to get up close and personal with the exhibits. Many parents with young children might find science centers too advanced for their kids, but COSI really works hard to ensure a fun experience at any age. Among the exhibits that my kids (three-year-old Matthew and 21 month-old-Ben) loved were the Ocean, Gadgets and the KidSpace room.

The Ocean room really transports you to what feels like an underground lair of Poseidon, with shooting water (controlled by the visitors), a wave tank and plenty of opportunity to get wet, a sure crowd pleaser for the under five set. I'd recommend this exhibit as one of the last things you do, or else bring a change of clothes. It's almost impossible to avoid letting the kids get soaked.

The Gadgets room was possibly scientifically "above their heads' but my kids love it anyway. They especially enjoyed the ball popper maze. Older kids would enjoy the interactive workshops they do in the Gadgets Cafe. My husband looked like a kid in a candy store in this "Mr. Fix It" room.

We honestly skipped much of the Life exhibit, as most of it was a little too advanced for our boys, but make sure to at least stop in and watch the Rat Basketball show - fascinating! I personally love this room and would spend hours learning about the human body if I'd had a babysitter.

In that same vein, my husband and I were just fascinated with the Progress exhibit. I absolutely love learning about other times in our nations history. Progress focuses on two moments in time; 1898 and 1962. I could have spent much more time here, reading, learning and enjoying the feeling of really being transported back in time. One thing I love about COSI is the absolute attention to detail in the exhibits. It is reminiscent of something out of either Disney World or a LasVegas hotel. You really feel like you're in another time and place, not in a room at a Science Center.

Make sure you save at least an hour or two for the KidSpace area. Designed by early education experts, this area offers a place to play, pretend, slide and even get wet. It's hard to descibe this space in a few sentences. Think of the best play places you've ever been and put them all in one room. There is an area for kids to play doctor, dolls, pretend to drive a helicopter or ambulance. There are slides, building toys, puppets, construction play, an electricity room and even a large water table with special seats for the littlest visitors. We could have spent all day in this room alone.

COSI is open Wednesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm and Sunday 12pm - 6 pm. The base price is $12.50 for adults, $7.50 for kids 2-12 and free for kids under 2. The price goes up if you add movies and extra exhibits. Parking is $3. Admission is FREE with a Carnegie Museums membership!

Day 1 - Evening
After a tiring day at COSI you might want to hit one of the local mall for some playtime and dinner. Our favorite area in the summer is Easton. It's much like the Waterfront area of Pittsburgh, but with an indoor mall in the center of two outdoor shopping and dining areas. The possibilities for dinner here are endless, and my kids love to splash in the outdoor fountains perfect for little ones.
If you're traveling to Columbus in the colder months, there are two great indoor malls that also have good kid play areas. Polaris Fashion Place is one of Central Ohio's newest and largest malls, featuring typical mall stores and upscale shopping, as well as restaurants including a California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory and TGIFridays(with a plethora of choices just outside the mall as well).Favorites of ours are O'Charley's or Champps (American Fare, kid friendly) .

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, also in the northern suburbs of Columbus is anchored by Macy's, Sears and JCPenney, and welcomes shoppers with more than 130 specialty stores, as well as a great kids' play area and a Ruby Tuesday and a TGIFriday's.

Day 2 - Columbus Zoo
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Oh my is right. More like, Oh my god what a great zoo! Jack Hanna, the Zoo's director from 1978 to 1993, brought the Columbus Zoo to national attention with his television appearances, books, and videos. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is home to over 6000 animals, including the very rare "Manatee Coast", one of only three manatee facilities outside of Florida. What we love about the zoo is that the animals are all housed in these amazing habitats that really transport you to Africa, Asia, Australia and more. The "Southeast Asia" exhibit,for instance, weaves visitors through tree-filled paths with architecture native to the region and a wonderful boat ride that provides a new perspective on the exhibits. While there we saw playful monkeys swinging from the tops of trees, much to the boys' delight.

I seemed to be the only one that really loved the Bird Sanctuary. One dollar will buy you a cup of nectar that helps provide an up close experience. Hungry birds will land on your arms, head and just about anywhere else they can fit two tiny feet. I found them delightful, the rest of my family was not so crazy about the very loud, unpredictable, yet beautiful birds.

I just can't say enough about this zoo. Plan to spend an entire day there. There's plenty to keep the whole family busy for hours on end. In addition to the zoo itself, they've added two new seasonal areas this year; Zoombezi Bay, a large waterpark, and Jungle Jacks Landing, a small amusement area featuring family-friendly rides. Reloadable ride cards are available.

The Zoo is open year-round. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, the Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm; the rest of the year, the Zoo is open from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $10 for adults,$6 for kids 2-11, and free for children under 2. Parking is $3. Admission is half price with a Pittsburgh Zoo membership.

Columbus really is a wonderful city, near enough with for an easy weekend trip, and with a plethoroa of family-friendly activities. If you happen to plan a trip in the summer, be sure to check out some of the great community pools and playgrounds (North Orange is our favorite). Our family gives Columbus eight thumbs up!

As the leaves start to fall, consider these family-friendly options

2008-09-23T03:28:00Z

Fall is in the air (and on the calendar) and PittsburghMom.com users have weighed in on their favorite fall activities. Topping the list are local farms that cater to the seasonal pumpkin-seeking crowds. Many users also recommended various fall festivals that are surely worth a visit. Read on to find some great ideas for family-friendly Fall activities for you to partake in this year before the snow flies.

FARM MARKETS

The most mentioned farm market on the PittsburghMom.com message boards is Soergels Orchard in Wexford, Pa, about a thirty minute drive north of the city. Be sure to plan a visit with the family this fall to one of these great farm markets.

Soergels Orchard- 2573 Brandt School Road Wexford, PA 15090
Every Weekend in October, Fall Festival activities include (from 11:00-5:00): Hayrides to the pumpkin patch, paint-your-own pumpkin, face painting, pick-your-own pumpkins, corn stalk maze, straw tunnel, balloon bounces, duck pond game, pony rides (1-3:00 only), horse-drawn wagon rides (2-4:00 only), and much more. Stop by the food booths for great sandwiches, drinks, and desserts all day long!

Shenot Farm - 3754 Wexford Run Road, Wexford, PA 15090
Shenot Farm in Wexford offers 100 acres of cropland dedicated strictly to fruits and vegetables including corn, apple cider, pumpkins and decorative gourds. Come on a Free Hayride to our pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin for your front porch. Jack-O-Lanterns are available from late September through November.

Trax Farms – 528 Trax Road Finleyville, PA 15332
Possibly the largest farm market in the area, located 12 miles south of the city on Route 88, Trax Farms Fall Festival runs every weekend from through October.
Activities Include: Barnyard Petting Zoo & Pony Rides, Rainbow Express Train, Boomerang Entertainment (moonwalk, spin art), Juggleseed Balloon Artisit, Giant Slide, Face Painting/Air Brush Tatooos, Caricatures, Trike Track, Paint a Pumpkin, Harides, Corn Maze and so much more.

Janoskis Farm and Greenhouse – 1714 State Route 30, Clinton, PA
Janoskis is located east of the city, off of Route 30 in Clinton, PA. Each fall, Janoski’s offers “Pumpkinland”. Every Weekend in October. Pumpkinland is a separate area located to the left and rear of Farm Market , please drive under the big Pumpkinland sign and park in the designated area. You can pick your own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, or enjoy the petting zoo, straw play area, corn maze and haunted house.

Schramm Farms - 1002 Blank Rd. Jeannette,PA 15644
The annual Fall Festival runs thru the end of October, Schramm Farms has plenty of fall decorations and pumpkins to choose from. Activities include play hay, and a corn stalk maze free of charge. For two dollars they offer pony rides and hay rides around the pumpkin patch.
The market customers offers customers seasonal favorites including fall decorations, several varieties of pasteurized apple cider (made with their own apples) and huge selection of homegrown apple varieties which include; Jonathan, Macintosh, Ida Red, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, Empire, and Royal Gala.

Harvest Valley Farms - 125 Ida Lane Valencia, PA 16059
Harvest Valley Farms invites the public to come experience a real working family farm! Pennsylvania is know for its great variety of trees, and because of this, in October, the farm's valley is the most beautiful scenery around! You can take the hayride up on the hill to get a full view of the "harvest" valley, take a walk through the great pumpkin patch, and much more!
Harvest Valley Farms offers FREE admission and great activities including Hayrides - Cornstalk Maze - Farm Animals -Concession Stand - Straw Maze - Corn Play Box - Country Pavilion - Education Room - Face Painting - Pumpkin Patch
Open every Sat & Sun in October 10am - 5pm

Simmons Farms - 170 Simmons Road, McMurray, PA 15317
Every Saturday in October your friends and family can come to Simmons Farm for a night time hayride. Walk-ins will be welcome on a first come first serve basis, however for a guaranteed spot call ahead for reservations. Wagons will shuttle to and from the fire every hour on the hour, with the last ride going to the field at 9pm. We will provide apples, marshmallow, roasting sticks and crates to sit on. You are welcome to bring any additional food or drinks (no alcohol). However no tables will be supplied at the fires. Also there will be a story teller at 7:30 and 8:45 (scary stories at the 8:45 time slot). Besides the over five acres of pumpkins, Simmons Farm offers multiple field activities for Children and Adults. A Field Pass (see below) includes access to the following: a free Apple sample, a cup of cider, admittance to the hay maze, corn maze, play area, petting zoo, nature trail, and our 100ft slide, and smaller Fire Truck slide! On the weekends, extra activities include: Food, Balloons, Pumpkin Carving, Pony Rides, Pumpkin Typhoon, Apple Sling Shot, and music by Fiddlin' Mike and the Fiddlin Around Band!

Reilly's Summer Seat Farm & Gardens
Fall Festival every weekend in October
Wagons depart every 15-20 minutes for the pumpkin patch between 10am and 4pm. Market closes at 6pm.

The day’s activities include a hayride to the Pumpkin Patch to pick your own pumpkin, and then back on the wagon for a trip over the hill and down to the barn. Once through the weigh station, wheelbarrows are available to transport your pumpkins while you enjoy the many available fun activities. Above is an example of the admission ticket that is purchased upon arrival. The cost of admission on weekends is $6.50 per person. Children under 1 are not charged. Reservations are not necessary.

FESTIVALS

In addition to the local farm markets, Pittsburgh has a rich tradition of family friendly festivals that take place in the fall months. Whether you want to pick pumpkins or dress buy some local crafts, you’ll be sure to find a festival to your liking.

Autumn Fest at Seven Springs – 777 Water Wheel Drive, Seven Springs, PA 15622
Every weekend in October, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
With the background of the gorgeous fall foliage in the Laurel Highlands, Autumn Fest serves up a good old-fashioned folk festival, music, entertainers and great food for the whole family. There are activities for the entire family including novelty acts, musical entertainment, a craft show, pumpkin patch, scenic chairlift rides and a myriad of delectable food from kielbassi to the outdoor buffet. Special room rates are available.

Houston Pumpkin Festival – Houston PA 15342
October 9,10,11, 2009
There will be over 175 unique craft and food booths as well as a children's area with hayride, bouncers, pumpkin decorating, petting zoo, train ride and much more!!

Pittsburgh Zoo Zoo Boo - 7340 Butler Street, Pittsburgh PA 15206
October 17 & 24 and October 24 & 25 - 11-4 each day.
Calling all ghosts, goblins, witches, and super heroes to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium's KDKA ZooBoo for Kids' Sake. Come and enjoy spooktacular activities like the Haunted House, not-so-spooky Train Ride, costume parade and contest, special animal activities, and of course, trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treat bags will be provided to all children ages 12 years and under. Bags will be distributed until 3 p.m. All activities included with general admission ($12 adults, $10 kids under 12, kids under 2 free)

Fort Ligonier Days - Route 30 at the junction of Routes 30 and 711, Ligonier, PA
October 9-11, 2009 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily. Free outdoor entertainment, food booths, 150 crafts booths and sidewalk sales. Fort Ligonier Days is a 3-day festival, commemorating the Battle of Fort Ligonier, a key engagement of the French and Indian War, fought on October 12, 1758. 2008 is the 250th anniversary of that event and the founding of Ligonier!

On the grounds of the Fort you will find a living history encampment showing frontier life, military tactics, drills, cannon firing, ceremonies, Highlanders, redcoats, French troops, frontier men and women, Indians and music from 1758. Visit Fort Ligonier's official web site for Fort information.
A favorite at the fort is the re-enactment of the Battle of Fort Ligonier at 2 & 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
A community parade winds its way down Main Street around Ligonier's picturesque Diamond at 11:00 AM on Saturday. The parade will include historic units, floats, costumed characters, the shrine units and special guests, including local TV personalities, the Penn State Blue Band, The United States Army's Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps, the U.S. Marine Corps Band, from Quantico, Va., and the internationally famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Christmas in the Woods - 1101 Timberline Dr. Columbiana, OH 44408
October 10 & 11 and October 17 & 18
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. General Admission for adults is $6.50 per day (children under 12 are free.) Parking is free.
Christmas in the Woods at Shaker Woods in Columbiana, Ohio is a yearly event celebrating local craftsmen. The woods will be transformed into a holiday wonderland with each booth beautifully decorated in an old-fashioned holiday theme. Each craftsperson will be demonstrating his/her unique skills and fashioning those precious gift items right before your eyes.

Craftspeople include woodworkers, floral designers, blacksmiths, potters, tole painters, basket weavers and many others.
Visitors will also find great food and live entertainment at the festival.

Idlewild HalloBoo! - Rt. 30 East, Ligonier, PA 15658
Weekends through October
Attractions: 12:00 Noon - 6:00p.m.
(Park Gates Open: 11:30am. Story Book Forest closes at 5:30 p.m.)
Admission: $21.99 (2 & under are free)
Enjoy beautiful fall foliage plus...

TRICK OR TREATING through Story Book Forest
Specially themed rides and attractions in Olde Idlewild, Raccoon Lagoon, Jumpin' Jungle, Hootin' Holler, and Trick or Treating through Story Book Forest
Hay Bale Maze and Hedge Maze.
Concessions including many fall favorites
Halloween/Fall decorations throughout the park (plenty of pumpkins, cornstalks and scarecrows)
Ricky Raccoon and other costumed characters
Family Entertainment

HAUNTED HOUSES

(Courtesy of About.com)

Creatures of the Night
A unique Halloween treat for the entire family! Delight in this non-scary experience along the trails of Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, where you will encounter some of nature's nocturnal creatures. Snacks and drinks will be provided and Halloween costumes are welcome.
October 23-24, 2009

Gateway Clipper Halloween Cruises
Gateway Clipper celebrates Halloween with a Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise, several Halloween Dance Cruises for the adults, and fun Halloween Monster Party Cruises for the kids.

Haunted Hills Hayride
Two attrations exist in this North Versailles attraction - a haunted hayride and a Haunted Walking Trail. Fridays & Saturdays, 7-11pm; Sundays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7pm-10pm
Cost: $10 for each attraction or $15 for both

Haunted Mine at TourEd - Tarentum
$10 per person, visit the haunted mine where workers have "gone missing, never to be heard from again".

Halloween Happenings at Phipps
Visit Phipps Conservatory in Oakland for a different Halloween experience this year. Come in costume on October 26th for a festive evening of Halloween activities, surprises and trick-or-treat, plus a visit to the Fall Flower Show.

Hundred Acres Manor Haunted House
This large haunted house attraction in South Park, located at the former home of Phantoms in the Park, benefits the Homeless Children's Education Fund and Animal Friends. Great fun for a great cause!

Phantom Fright Nights
Open Friday and Saturday evenings in October, Kennywood Amusement Park welcomes you to an experience like you've never had before. Enjoy three haunted mazes, plus Kennyville Cemetery and Gory Park. You can even enjoy some of your favorite Kennywood rides, with a haunted twist of course. Remember, you've been warned!

ScareHouse
The ScareHouse, which dwells within the former Etna Elks Lodge, near the intersection of Route 8 and 28 north of Pittsburgh, offers three terrifying haunts - The Hall of Nightmares, ScreamAtorium and Delirium 3D (new for 2008). Rated the #5 best haunted attraction in America by Hauntworld Magazine

Temple of Terror
The Temple of Terror Haunted House & Attraction, designed by Chilly Billy Cardille, operates in the Syria Shrine Center in Harmar Township. If that's not enough scare for you, they also have Chiller Theater.

OUTSIDE ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Allen's Haunted Hayrides
Fayette County
Now in its 30th year, Allen's Haunted Hayride bills itself as the oldest haunted hayride in America. Ghosts and ghouls await you in the dark woods and fields, and haunted barn. Campfire sites, carnival rides and concessions invite you to make an evening of it.
October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 and 30-31, 2009

Castle Blood
Washington County
The MacCabre Family is back for their 17th year at this award-winning haunt located in Bealsville, south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, includes thrills, chills, awesome special effects, and a very interactive experience. The 2009 theme is "Night of the Vampire: The Dark is Calling." Daytime "no scare" tours also available on Sunday October 18 & 25.
October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 and 30-31, 2009

Cheeseman's Fright Farm
Butler County
Face your greatest fears at this haunted hayride, haunted trail and haunted house at Cheeseman's Farm in Portersville, Butler County (20 minutes north of Cranberry). Not recommended for small children or wimpy adults.
September 18-20 and 25-27; October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 and 30-31, 2009

Demon House
Washington County
The gorgeous old 17-room McCue Mansion in Monongahela, PA, is completely revamped and transformed as a Halloween haunt. This is not your typical haunted house full of gimmicks, however. Owner Billy McCue says there won't be a "guy with a chainsaw running after you." Instead he calls Demon House a "haunted experience."
September 25-27; October 2-4, 9-11, 15-18, 22-25 and 28-31, 2009

Festival of Fear
Butler County
Are you daring enough to visit "Nightmare Manor" and experience the "Curse of the Mine?" Test your courage this fall at the Festival of Fear at Family Bowlaway in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Freddy's Haunts
Beaver County
Half-mile, all-enclosed spooky walking trail is located deep in the woods of Independence Township, Aliquippa, Beaver County. Over 40 actors bring your fears to life.

Halloween Ghost Tours of Nemacolin Castle
Washington County
Tour historic Nemacolin Castle by candlelight while hearing stories of ghostly experiences that are said to have happened in the castle.

Haunted Hills Estate
Fayette County
Scare yourself silly on this interactive, one hour journey through the Haunted Hills Estate Trail in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. You must be in good enough shape to walk or be dragged 1 mile. Recommended for children ages 7 and up.

Haunted History Hayride & Candlelight Walk
Westmoreland County
Take a hayride or candlelit walk through the perils of the American frontier at Bushy Run Battlefield in Jeannette, PA (Westmoreland County). Reservations required and these book up early!

Haunted Weekend at West Overton Village
Westmoreland County
Tours include the Haunting of the Homestead House, the Out Buildings, the Stock Barn of Mystery and the Village Ghosts. Enjoy free refreshments and stories after the lantern-light tour. Plus a haunted homestead hayride (new for 2008!) and an Old Fashioned Monster Ball with a costume contest and Halloween games for all ages.

Hobgoblin Hikes
Westmoreland County
Take the kids on a guided walk through haunted woods in two Westmoreland County parks - Northmoreland Park and Mammoth Park. Expect to experience mazes, cemeteries, and more than 100 ghouls, goblins and monsters. Recommended for ages 8 and older.

Hotel Beacon Haunted House & Maze
Butler County
Head out to Renfrew in Butler County for this popular haunted attraction and maze. Fridays and Saturdays in October, plus Sunday "scare free" matinees with a scavenger hunt, pony rides and a petting zoo. "The Darker the Night, the Scarier the Fright" is their motto.

Lonesome Valley Farms Haunted Hayride & Walk-Thru
Westmoreland County
Located beside the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Lonesome Valley Farms offers a "nerve-shattering and bone-chilling" haunted hayride that you won't soon forget, followed by a spooky haunted maze.

Northern Nightmares
Butler County
Family-friendly Halloween events in Zelienople include The Nightmare Bus Tour of spooky places between Zelienople and Harmony, with tales of ghost sightings and hauntings, as well as free monster movies at Chiller Theater and free Halloween dance performances by North Hills dance schools.

FAMILY FUN

If a road trip is not in your sights this fall, you can make the most of the season right at home. Many PittsburghMom.com users had suggestions for things to do with the kids right in your own backyard.

Make your own Halloween costumes – Get the whole family involved! Let the kids pick their ideas, or take advantage of the Post-Gazette’s Halloween Costume Contest and make a costume out of old newspapers and household items. User “Anna” says “We insist on making Halloween costumes - which mostly falls on my lap/sewing machine. The kids finalize their decisions by October 1st and we work on it for the next few weeks. It's fun and great to do something that not everyone else is doing.”
Make a Fall craft – User “Lisa Q” suggests a famil- friendly craft, “A favorite is "stained glass leaves". Pick fallen leaves from the yard. Make crayon shavings. Place the leaves and crayon shavings between 2 pieces of wax paper. Place a paper bag on top of the wax paper. Iron on top of the paper bag to melt the crayons and make the wax papers stick together. Hang in the window for a colorful decoration.”
Decorate the house and yard – “Lisa Q” again suggested a fun way to get some decorations. “I get my kids to help me clean up the yard and decorate for Halloween a bit by filling those orange jack-o-lantern leaf bags and putting them in the front yard.” “Nicky2222USA” also decorates uses her family to decorate the yard. “[We like to] Pick out just the right pumpkin and go on a hayride! Then [we] come home to place our pumpkins on a haybale for a decoration. Then it's picture time of course!”
Host a neighborhood festival – “ScullyPA” tell us “I love Halloween, and my neighbor throws a big party for the kids. She sets up "stations" around her house, with different activities. Last year, I dressed up as a mad scientist and they made drinkable green slime at my station. There was also bowling, using a pumpkin as the bowling ball. This year, I may do edible play dough. They do a little parade up the street, and one of the older neighbors judges the costumes”
Cook some favorite fall treats – “Linda Loo” says she’ll “make Halloween sugar cookies later in October” and “ScullyPA” suggests “pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. It is a recipe I pull out every year, and I like to have my boys help me.”

Whether you choose to stay close to home or venture out to a festival or farm market, fall certainly is a wonderful time for families. Promise yourself to make a new tradition this year, spend some quality family time and make some great memories. And don’t forget the camera!