Cutting Edge Marketing Tips

The third trimester of your pregnancy really becomes exciting. As your due date gets closer, your anticipation and anxiety levels rise considerably. You may even be a bit scared. This is all perfectly normal.

When you get to week twenty-nine of your pregnancy, your baby’s head will be in proportion with the rest of the body. Also, the brain can now control the baby’s temperature as well as primitive breathing. During the next few weeks, the infant will change positions so that the head is at the bottom. This is to prepare for birth!

As you get to week thirty, your baby will weigh almost three pounds! During this time, the baby will spend lots of time practicing closing and opening their eyelids and can even produce tears! The brain is growing larger and larger so be sure you talk to your baby as well as expose them to music and literature.

When you get to week thirty-one, the physical growth rate of your baby will slow down. However, he will still gain a lot of weight as the pregnancy goes on. Studies have shown that babies during this period will often move to the rhythm of music and actually prefer certain types of music already. The average baby is 16.2 inches long now and weighs 3.3 pounds.

When you get to week thirty-two, you might notice that your baby isn’t moving around as much as before. This is perfectly normal. It’s just that there isn’t much room left in the womb to move around. All five of your baby’s senses will now be working which will be very fascinating to the infant. The average baby weighs 3.75 pounds now and is 16.7 inches long.

During week thirty-three, your amniotic fluid will be at the highest level of your entire pregnancy. Your baby will now start to take intermittent breaths of water! This will exercise the muscles and get the infant ready to breathe air. If you have a boy, his testicles will drop into his scrotum now. The average baby now weighs 4.23 pounds and is 17.2 inches long.

As you get to week thirty-four, your baby will start to have a more regular sleep pattern and will also have their eyes open when awake and closed when sleeping. Your baby has also learned to blink and can see more clearly. Most babies are about 17.7 inches long now and weigh about 4.7 pounds.

When you get to week thirty-five, your baby’s hearing will be completely developed. Talk to your baby as much as you can. Some studies show that babies like higher pitched voices better. This may be why people seem to automatically talk to young children in higher voices. Most babies weigh about 5.3 pounds now and are 18.2 inches long.

As you get to week thirty-six, the only organ left to mature in the baby is the lungs. Your baby may drop down in to the birth canal now. This will make it easier to breathe for the mom. The average size of a baby is 5.78 pounds and 18.66 inches long.

Week thirty-seven is when your baby is officially considered to be full term. However, every day the baby stays in the womb makes him healthier. Your baby will develop a definite daily activity cycle. You will also want to get yourself on a regular schedule to get your baby used to this. If you don’t do things on a schedule, your baby may get his days and nights mixed up after he is born.

When you get to week thirty-eight you may notice that your baby is hiccupping a lot. Because they are breathing water, fluid gets into the windpipe causing these hiccups. Your baby might have a full head of hair now. It can even be over an inch long! The average baby weighs about 6.8 pounds now and is 19.6 inches long.

As you get to week thirty-nine, your baby’s lungs will be maturing and preparing for birth. You infant weighs about 7.25 pounds and is about 19.9 inches long.

Week forty is when you are due to deliver. Any day you will be meeting your son or daughter for the first time. Your baby continues to grow and develop each day. This is one of the most exciting moments of your life. Be sure you cherish it.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Pregnancy

Today the little red school house is not what it use to be, and along with changes in how our schools are funded, how they are governed, how teachers teach and how children learn, it’s no surprise that many large urban school districts and smaller rural ones are undergoing major modifications. Parents are bombarded with advice from every media venue telling them to look at private education, consider a religious environment, and reminding them that “choice” or charter schools are the way to go. The only real way to know what educational institution is best for your child is to become a School Scene Investigator (SSI), because today education is serious business.

No amount of research can replace the most reliable evaluation known to parent kind. Parents are going to have to take time and participate in a good old fashion school visit, and look at the school visit the same way you would the purchase a car. Do investigative work to see who will give you the most for your investment, and remember your most precious possession will benefit from your in-depth analysis.

A school visit is an invaluable way to learn about whether a particular school is the right place for your child. Below is a step-by-step guide to planning a very effective school visit.

1.Do your homework before visiting the school. Obtain all the vital statistics:

- Name of School

- Name of Principal and other Administrators, Assistant
Principal, School Secretary, School Counselor/Social Worker

- Does the school have a website? Visit it and if you can, locate the last time it was updated

- Perform a drive-by; visit the school several times without going into the building. Visit during the morning and observe how the children line up and enter the building. Is there adult supervision outside or volunteers keeping things orderly? Visit at lunch time, at recess and at the end of the school day. Make a note of anything that raises an eyebrow.

- Drive through the neighborhood. Even if you live in a beautiful suburban area, drive the neighborhood. You want to know where there are tall fences, dogs, wooded areas etc., particularly if your child will be walking to and from school.

2. Schedule your school visit. Call the school and ask to speak with the secretary, this will give you a feeling of how welcoming and accommodating school staff is toward a potential customer. Remember with your child comes the several thousand dollars that pays for his or her schooling.

3. Ask lots of questions and pay attention to everything.
This is one time when it is alright to bring a note pad with questions and don’t be shy or intimidated. Is the Principal so busy he or she does not have time to answer questions and give you a tour? Does the Principal delegate the responsibility to someone else? Are you allowed to visit classrooms? Will the Principal allow you to purchase a lunch from the cafeteria? What was the most recent Health Department Food Inspection Score for the Cafeteria? Does the Principal introduce you to any teachers or other administrators at the school? Does the Principal invite you to come and visit again? What materials are provided at the end of your tour?

4. Does the school have a particular educational philosophy?
Ask the Principal about the following items:

- Student Code of Conduct - What currently governs student behavior?

- How often to students receive report cards and/or progress reports?

- What kind of resources are available to students i.e. computers, library, sports activities, academic games or competitions.

- Ask to see a copy of the School Improvement Plan (a document that shows how the school is working to meet state requirements)

The Principal should be able to tell you if the school is receiving additional funding from special grants or if it is receiving Title 1 funding for improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged. If your school is a Title 1 school you will want to know the following:

- Amount of funds allocated for Title 1 service
Number of Teachers and other staff funded by Title 1 funds

- View the school Parent Involvement Policy required for all schools receiving Title 1 Funding and asks if parents took part in drafting the document (by law they are required to do so)

- Ask the Principal about how the minimum 1% of Parent Involvement Funds is being spent and what programs are available promoting parent education. Request a copy of the school compact

- Ask the Principal about parent education workshops and Title 1 conferences parent may attend using Title 1 funding and ask who is President or Chair of the Title 1 Parent Organization at the school

- If you would like to learn more about Title 1 No Child Left requirements visit: www.ncela.gwu.edu

5. Parents who have children with academic, social or emotional difficulties should ask the Principal about the types of services provided to address those issues.
Does the school have a Psychologist/Social Work team on staff or available on a rotating basis? Who at the school is responsible for giving a child medication?

It is the responsibility of the parent to ask the tough questions now so you won’t have to deal with problematic issues later. Every parent wants their child’s educational experience to be a positive one and it is your job as the parent to make sure that occurs. We all lead busy stressful lives but when it comes to the education of our children we must make an effort to leave no stone unturned in seeking the best educational opportunity possible for their academic achievement.

D. Davis is a writer with over 20 years of experience, and has produced a series of e-Books that support parents in creating a good life for their family. Dee may be reached at detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com, or by mail at J. Davis & Associates Publishing, P. O. Box 44782, Detroit, MI 48244-0782, Attention: D. Davis. To learn more visit: http://www.supportingourchildren.com

There is still interest, even fascination, with that dirty would-be-monk, Rasputin of Siberia, who captivated the grand-daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, Alexandra, who happened to be the bride of Nicholas, the Tsar of Russia.

Read about Rasputin at http://www.worsleyschool.net/socialarts/rasputin/page.html That is a compilation from Internet and other sources.

The blue-eyed creature from the north held a mystical captivation over Alexandra.

Rasputin, who was a charming but filthy pig, was a healer having learned the “healing arts” in Greece and the Middle East.

Alexandra was captivated by Rasputin for one reason. He seemed to be able to help her young son who had inherited hemophilia from his Royal Line. When ever the boy suffered from uncontrolled bleeding, Rasputin was there with his hypnotic blue eyes.

Rasputin gained political influence. That angered Tsar Nicholas.

Could you blame the Tsar?

This dirty old man is hanging around his wife staring at her with those piercing eyes.

When Nicholas went off to fight his cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, he dreaded leaving Alexandra home with Rasputin. Things went into motion and Rasputin was murdered with cyanide, with bullets, by drowning, or all of the above.

The autopsy reported he died by drowning according to the first source. For more details on Rasputin’s death from those who lived at his time go to http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSrasputin.htm

That rat, Rasputin, had a wife and kids of his own. I heard that Roscov the Hermit was looking after her. Just kidding!

To learn about Rasputin’s early life go to http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/r/Rasputin.html This is an excellent article and a fascinating read.

His father was a horse thief who was sent to Siberia.

A funny thing happened on the way to the river: His sister, Maria, possibly an epileptic, drowned in a river and his brother, Dmitri, died from pneumonia after being rescued from a river (along with Rasputin who was trying to save him).

Rivers were not healthy for that family.

No wonder that Rasputin hated water.

Could anyone blame him?

Rasputin had two children. Can you guess what their names were?

copyright©2006 John T. Jones, Ph.D.

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He is Executive Representative of IWS sellers of Tyler Hicks wealth-success books and kits. He also sells TopFlight flagpoles. He calls himself “Taylor Jones, the hack writer.”

More info: http://www.tjbooks.com

Business web site: http://www.aaaflagpoles.com

Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference for parents when their children’s behaviour worries them. This point was evident recently when I was involved in a minor disagreement with one of my daughters.

I was annoyed that she dug her heels in and refused to give me any ground while we discussing the issue of bed-time. As she went off to her room with a victorious look on her face I said through gritted teeth, “She can be so pig-headed sometimes. I just wish that she would give in occasionally. She is so determined.”

My wife reminded me that my daughter’s determination was the same quality that I had been admiring on the basketball court about an hour earlier. She was right. I was nearly hoarse cheering my daughter as she ran up and down the court like a terrier. She was involved in every contest, burrowing in, determined to get the ball and do the best for her team. She continually encouraged her team-mates when the game wasn’t going their way. Giving up is not in her nature. As a parent I was so proud of her tremendous tenacity and will-to-win.

Yet here I was little more than an hour later cursing the same quality that I admired in a different arena. Her never-say-die attitude in sport had become never-give-in at home and I wasn’t comfortable with that.

I can’t have it both ways - a daughter who is tiger in sport but a pussy cat at home. The strong-willed girl that I cheer in basketball is not going to become a quiet, acquiescent little thing at home just to appease her father. So I shrugged my shoulders, thankful that my daughter knows what she wants and has the determination to achieve it.

This same determination has been an asset in many areas of her life. It has helped her overcome earlier reading difficulties and is being put to good use as she tries to improve in other areas at school.

My challenge as a parent is to channel her behaviours rather than change her or snuff out her determination to get what she wants. My daughter will learn in time that she cannot always treat every situation head-on and that to get her own way sometimes it is essential to give a little ground. In the meantime I will have to change my own way of dealing with her if we are to avoid unnecessary conflict. It will make for interesting times when she enters adolescence!

As a parent it is easy to see only the negative side of children’s behaviours. At times we are so close to our children or tired and fatigued that we lose our objectivity and our sense of proportion goes out the window. When they fail to meet our expectations it is often hard to look for a positive side.

Often it takes another person, a neutral observer to paint a brighter picture. A friend told me of her surprise when her son’s teacher commented on his “creative, artistic streak”. She informed the teacher that she found the assessment strange as the only creativity she ever saw from her son was “the endless chaos of an untidy bedroom.” She admits that she sees the mess in a different light since then.

Another friend who was so tired of her son continually asking her questions that she dubbed him “the walking question mark” was heartened when a friend congratulated her for having such an inquisitive son. “You are lucky to have a child who asks you questions. I just wish my children showed the same attitude to learning,” said the hapless mother who was frustrated by the lack of curiosity of her off-spring. One child’s vice is another child’s virtue. It just depends on the perspective that you take.

No matter how infuriating our kids can be if we look hard enough or even change our perspective we can see a positive side. The same qualities that may annoy parents can be an asset in the schoolyard, classroom or even the workplace a few years down the track. Stubbornness is a short step away from assertiveness which is an admirable quality for both sexes. Attention-seekers while draining for parents can be very gregarious and have a stack of friends. Bossy kids who love to give orders can make good leaders provided you show them how.

Effective teachers look for opportunities to turn children’s more dubious behaviours into assets. Talkative kids are given opportunities to use their verbal skills legitimately through oral reports and other classroom activities. Strong-willed children are encouraged to be independent, take more responsibility for their own learning and be involved in decisions that affect them. Those children who have difficulty sitting still often excel in activities like sport, art or drama when given the chance.

The way that adults see children’s behaviour affects how they treat them. Trying to find a positive side even when children are getting up our nose is not only a sanity-saver but helps us enjoy rather than simply endure our kids.

Michael Grose is The Parent Coach. For seventeen years he has been helping parents deal with the rigours of raising kids and survive!! For information about Michael’s Parent Coaching programs or just some fine advice and ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient teenagers visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au

The method know as three dimensional ultrasound is used during early pregnancy, providing 3 d pictures of the fetus. Most of the time these pictures are rapidly captured and joined together and made into a movie to created a 4d ultrasound scan.

Three dimensional scans works in a similar way to the usual ultrasound methods except that the ultrasound scanning pulses can be sent from multiple directions. The ultrasound pulses are redirected back and captured and provide information to construct a 3-dimensional picture in in the same way as 3d pictures. 3 dimesional ultrasound was devised in the usa.

It’s important to understand that sonologists around the world always conjured 3d pictures of the body in their minds while doing 2d scans. However, until recently it was almost impossibel to do this kind of reconstruction on on patient information using ultasound scanning. The advent of 4d scans for the first time allowed us a view into the thinking of a sonologist and allowing us to reconstruct the images on the ultrasound machine.

The 3d/4d ultrasound image should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. There is no data to suggest harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in non-medical situations needs to be undertaken with the understanding of the risks.

The method know as three dimensional ultrasound is that can be used during early pregnancy, it can provide 3d pictures of the fetus. Most times the ultrasound pictures are collected and joined together to make a 4d ultrasound scan.

Three dimensional scanning works in a similar manner to the normal ultrasound scanning methods except that the ultrasound scanning pulses are directed from multiple directions. The ultrasound waves can be reflected back then captured to provide info to construct a 3 d image in in a similar manner to 3d pictures. 3d ultasound scanning was devised by olaf ramm and stephen smith.

It is important to understand that sonologists everywhere have always pictured 3d images of the body in their minds while doing their 2d scans. However, until recently it was very difficult to do this type of reconstruction on on information using ultasound scanning. With the advent of 4d baby scans for the first time allowed us a peek into the brain of a sonologist and hence letting us see the images on the ultrasound machine.

The 3d/4d ultrasound image should utilize ultrasound energy following the same limits as conventional 2d ultrasound to create the 3d images. While there is no information of harm due to 3d ultrasound, its use in none essential situations needs to be undertaken with the understanding that a risk may exist.

When you first bring home your Bouncing New Baby, you will surely feel you want to watch over her and be with her much of the time, especially if you are a first time parent. Newborn babies are fascinating even if they are not yours; when they are your own, that special feeling takes off into the stratosphere. You may feel tempted to hold them, watch them and chat to them the whole time; even when they are asleep you will enjoy standing silently over them and observe them in their slumbers.

Those first few days are a magical time, but then a transformation may take place. For the first few nights, the night feed may be a novelty, and you may even feel “great, she’s awake, I can see her again”. But then sleep interruption may start to irritate you rather than be a signal for pleasure; tiredness begins to take a hold as your sleep is disturbed so often. Night feeds, cholic, bringing up her milk; all can contribute to an interrupted night. Insufficient sleep mixed with aggravation can start to eat away at that feeling of wonder you had when your baby first came home.

Your baby has not changed; but you have. She is the same gorgeous baby you brought home from hospital. Her simple life is evolving only very slowly to her; it is yours that is changing most rapidly. Those rapid changes, maybe mixed with a new level of tiredness you have not felt before, represent the first exertion of pressure on that very special relationship - you and your baby.

Then there is day time. The old day to day pressures are still there; the need to rush around to the shops, worrying about money, wondering how to deal with work, job and baby; the car not starting, the leak in the pipe under the sink, the washing machine seizing up under the constant use. The days spent wishing you could get a good night’s sleep, wishing you were back at work earning more money, and being with your work colleagues. The time you spend thinking: “where’s my life gone? I have no control anymore. That baby is my jailer in the day time and tormentor at night.”

Stop! That is a train of thought you must either not board, or at least get off at the first station. It is a train fuelled by self pity, and heading down the track to unhappiness for you, your partner, and your baby. You are the only one who controls your life; you choose between the track to contentment and joy, or to discontent and misery.

Remember, that baby loves you more than anyone else ever has, unless you have had a baby before. Her devotion, her admiration, and her dependence are total. It is for you to decide whether that is something to cause resentment in you, or the overwhelming joy that it should. That little miracle of a baby is the biggest responsibility you have ever had, but she can also be the source of the greatest pleasure and joy.

Compare your baby’s devotion with your work colleagues you miss; in 10 years time you will probably have lost contact with most or all of them. Your workplace is like a busy junction where people cross over. Your work? If you are employed, your bosses will ditch you as soon as they need to if they see a “better” alternative. Your car, your washing machine, your leaking pipe; do you really think they are important compared to that unique and potentially wonderful relationship that is in your arms, the relationship with your baby?

You make the choices; you take the actions. You have experienced in the first few days with baby at home that there can be sheer joy and excitement; wonderment and appreciation. The baby loves you to bits; you can love her to bits too, and put the exterior trivia in their rightful place. Or, the baby loves you to bits and you can wallow in resentment because she’s interrupting your life, demanding attention when you have a leaking pipe or a car that won’t start.

In black and white, on paper, it’s a simple choice; but how can you make that choice and achieve the right balance in your life? Think about it quietly for a while; somewhere on your own. Think of the pleasure the baby gives you in those precious moments when you do not feel stressed. Then, make a conscious decision to perpetuate those moments; to make each moment you have with your baby, infant and child a moment when you and she are there simply for each other.

As your baby grows, there will be countless moments of development that can bring you a lot of pleasure and pride; learning to walk, getting out of her crib, her kisses and cuddles, her first word and every new word thereafter; her expressions, mimicry, her laughter and her first attempt to dance to the music on the radio; her attempts to control and manipulate you, and learning to use her charm to get her own way. All can be moments of intense pleasure, if you allow them to be.

Such developments you can allow to merge into the noisy background of life’s trivia, and miss the joy they can bring you. In so doing you are increasing the chances of an unhappy baby, and an unhappy you. Or, you can make each moment you spend with your baby one for you to enjoy to the full, shutting out life’s trivia for those times you are sharing with your offspring. In so doing you would increase the chances of a happy baby and a happy you.

You make the choices; you take the actions. For your own sake and the baby’s, spend as much time with your baby as you can, and set out to enjoy it to the full. Shut out the trivia that are trying to spoil your unique relationship, and your life will be considerably better for it.

It is not always possible, but try to organise the trivia around your time with baby. The more you give her precedence, and willingly, the more happy you will both be. Enjoy every single moment of watching her development. It is something that cannot be repeated.

This baby care article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Bouncing New Baby website. Ably assisted by his baby daughter, he is also responsible for the Baby Blog