PCOS Awareness

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders in women. PCOS has been recognized and diagnosed for seventy-five years but has not gotten the awareness it deserves, even in the medical community. It is believed that 5-10% of women of childbearing age are affected by PCOS, with less than 50% of women diagnosed. Studies have found that if a mother has PCOS, there is a 50% chance that her daughter will have it as well. So with much education to be done, we are doing our part to raise awareness this month during September 2013 PCOS awareness month!

What are some of the warning signs of PCOS?

Want to Be a M.o.M. that’s Fit?! You Can Do It!

 

Jennifer M. Burgess meets Shaun T at the 'Beachbody Summit'

Jennifer Morgan Burgess didn’t always love to exercise. It took a trip to study abroad in college, and coming home with an extra 15-20 lbs., for her to realize that she was suffering from some minor health issues due to weight gain and from her low self esteem.

“Growing up I always hated exercise and wasn’t into sports, or dance, or anything you would consider overly physical.”

It wasn’t until six years later, that she decided to pursue a career in the fitness field, and to study for her personal training certification.

What’s in Your First Aid Kit?

Accidents happen every day. Most of them are small and only require a kiss to make them better. But sometimes, first aid is required. Being prepared is the key when these events happen so we can remain calm and take care of our child, or whoever needs our loving care. Having a stocked and up-to-date first aid kit is important in these instances. Do you have one in your home? Do you know what’s in it? Do you know how to use the items? Is anything expired? If you are building a new kit or updating one you already have, here are some tips to know how to be prepared.

Where should you store a first aid kit? It should be stored in a cool, dry place and be readily available to adults, but out of reach from children. Do not store it in the bathroom where it can get moist. Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is, including anyone who comes to care for your children while you are away. A first aid kit should also be kept in your vehicle. You never know when a fall at the park may require some bandaging or a sudden allergic reaction needs to be addressed.

Swimming Lessons Learned :: Why We Should Never Let Them Out of Sight

As appeared in Multiplicity Magazine, Summer 2013 issue

Written By: Nellie Harden

“There were more colors than I had ever seen before and it was so beautiful! I heard music and I was warm and happy”. These are the words of my, now five year old, daughter when she described to me her point of view of my worst nightmare.

July 11, 2010 was a pool-side reunion at my in-laws’ home with around 50 in attendance. The sun was out, the laughter was flowing and reminiscent talk was echoing from one conversation to the next. My husband and I were in the pool talking and intermittently playing with our four year old and twin two year old daughters, while holding our newest addition as she discovered this larger-than-life bathtub.

The veil of serenity was suddenly pierced with a few short words muttered by a man I had never met before sitting on the balcony above. “Is she okay down there?”

NEW ISSUE! Multiplicity Summer 2013!

You’ve waited so patiently. Here’s our latest issue of Multiplicity, with some amazing tips and tricks for any season, not just summer!

GREAT NEWS!!! YOU CAN PRINT YOUR OWN COPY TODAY!!!

Ready to see what we have for you in this issue:

Time to Get Sunscreen Savvy! Pg. 6

Picnic Party Planning: How to Take Your Summer Meals Outdoors Pg. 8

Delivery Room Drama Pg. 10

Are You Ready for the Birds and the Bees? Pg. 13

A Summer to Remember: Holding On to Innocence Pg. 19

Taboo: AKA Bottle-feeding Your Babies Pg. 20

The Popular Twin Pg. 24

Texting & Your Twin Tweens: Why You Should Be In On the Conversation Pg. 26

Fashion Finds Pg. 29

Preschool to College: They’ll Be There Before You Know It! Pg. 32

Swimming Lesson Learned: Why We Should Never Let Them Out of Our Sight Pg. 34

The Buzz: The Scoop on Things Worth Giving A Try Pg. 36

Childcare Options for Working Moms Pg. 38

Appy Summer! Pg. 41

Happy Birthday! Party Ideas for You and Your Multiples Pg. 42

Plan Family Photos by Using Pinterest Pg. 49

Book Review Pg. 50

Sports and Your Kids: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Many Risks Involved? Pg. 54

How To Raise a Music Snob Pg. 56

Do Gooders Pg. 58

Summer Pregnancy Without the Meltdown Pg. 60

Five Minute Fix: Pop of Color Pg. 62

Ask Joan: About Being On Edge… Pg. 63

The Dr. Is In: 5 Facts on Bug Safety Pg. 64

Running in Circles: Maintaining Control When Out & About With Your Twins Pg. 65

Healthy Snacks for Families on the Go

As seen in the Spring 2013 issue of Multiplicity Magazine.

By: Petit Organics :: pure baby food

Now that spring has finally arrived, my two-year old twins are chomping at the bit to get outside for some fun in the sun. With lots of upcoming outings, it is imperative to have plenty of healthy, grab-and-go snacks on hand. As the co-founder of Petit Organics Baby Food and a busy mom of twins, I also know that time is of the essence. Here are three of my little ones’ favorite snacks that are super simple to prepare ahead of time and can easily be grabbed as you head out the door!

Protect Your Hearing This Fourth of July

From the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association:

Americans enjoy fireworks displays as part of their Fourth of July festivities, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) reminds everyone that they can take a few simple steps to prevent potentially lifelong consequences of unsafe hearing behaviors.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 26 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have high-frequency hearing loss from overexposure to loud noises at work or during leisure activities. Hearing loss can occur gradually over time, but can also result from a single exposure to an intense sound. Children and others may be particularly vulnerable to this risk. While hearing loss can often be prevented, there is no way to reverse hearing loss.
To prevent noise-induced hearing loss this holiday, keep in mind a few simple tips:

‘Sand’sational Solutions for Little Beach Bums

June & Jasmine playing in the sand, Pass-a-Grille Beach, FL

What would summer be like without a little sand between your toes? Whether you’re heading to the beach this summer or just hanging out with your multiples, in their sandbox, trying to eliminate the sand afterwards, can be a little tricky with twins. However, something that raising my twins in Florida has taught me, is that there are a few tips that really make the process a little easier.

iTwinsDay: Ella’s Kitchen!

When was the last time you felt completely safe about offering your child a prepackaged food? What with GMOs, issues with big companies like Monsanto, and chickens being fed things like arsenic, it’s really hit that point where you have to read the labels of everything you buy and make sure that whatever you and your kids are eating wasn’t eating anything nasty itself.

That said, we’re really happy that we’re friends with the people at Ella’s Kitchen. As a member of the Organic Trade Board, all of their food is certified organic, with no harmful chemicals or pesticides added. The food, in addition to meals like “Chicken Casserole” and “Beef Medley”, also comes in packages with labels like “Gluten Free”, “Lactose Free” and “Vegetarian”, so if your little ones are on any special diet, you know which products are suitable for them. Ella’s Kitchen doesn’t use additives, extra salt or sugar, GMOs, or fruits and veggies from concentrate, and their food options come step-by-step with your children as they grow, with products for 4+ months to 10+ months. And the packaging is BPA free! They recycle everything, and you can too.

So for this iTwinsDay, we’re giving away a MONTH’S WORTH of Ella’s Kitchen products! You heard me, ONE MONTH’S WORTH of delicious, nutritious, adorable-looking baby-safe food for your kids. You know what to do: fill out the form!

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iTwinsDay: Mosquitno

It’s JUNE! The summer is upon you! It is hot, humid, and you are barbecuing! Your kidlings are running around and spilling lemonade and sugary drinks everywhere! The ants are crawling, the butterflies are flying, the bees are stinging, and most importantly, the mosquitoes are biting. If you are like us here at Twiniversity, you’d much rather your children not contract a deadly disease just from playing outside with you and their sibling.

Onto preventative measures, then!

Mosquitno, as you must know by now, is a favorite product of your friends here at Twiniversity. In addition to focusing on creating products made from nature’s best mosquito repellent (naturally effective citronella oil, of course), Mosquitno also has a goal of supporting organizations that promotes the education and appreciation of the outdoors. They even give UNICEF 10 percent of all their profits!

This iTwinsDay, we’re giving away SIX sets of Mosquitno products! Fill out the form below and let us know what you’d like, Mosquitno™ Wrist Bands or Mosquitno™ SpotZzz Stickers, for a chance to win!

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