Congratulations Renee!!!! Light in Shining Armor Award Winner 1999-2000!
Renee was voted Light in Shining Armor 1999-2000 by the members of our club to recognize all her hard work for the club throughout the past year. The award was presented at the FOMOTC 2000 Convention in Sarasota last month and an announcement also appeared in the official convention program. Renee also received a plaque and recognition during the FOMOTC general meeting. Congratulations Renee for being a shining light in our club!
Thank YOU!!
Gwen went above and beyond the call of duty to search all of South Florida for enough fabric for costumes for everyone attending convention.
Gwen also spent two evenings with a friend sewing sample skirts and preparing extra patterns. Our costumes never would have looked so good without her hard work -- thank you Gwen!
Cindy wasn't able to attend convention, but came to our costume work party anyway and sewed 5 skirts for us! Thank you so much Cindy! Hope you can come with us to convention next year.
Thanks also to Peggy for dyeing all our shirts pink and taking charge of making silver arm bands. Thanks to everyone who came to Renee's to make the costumes (Julie, Norma, Karen, Lisa B., Peggy, Gwen, Cindy, Judy & Renee).
Thank you to Lisa for convincing Wal-Mart to donate $25 to our Buy-Show-Sell project and then purchasing the picture frames and hosting the work party -- complete with a delicious breakfast! Thank you to Lori for masterminding the whole door hanger / frame project and selecting great stickers and sharing all her scrapbooking supplies -- not to mention her skill! Thank you to everyone who came to the work party to make frames and door hangers( Lisa B., Lori O., Amanda, Peggy, Karen, Renee, Judy, Gwen, and Lisa S.)
Our Ditto Editor, Jeanne , has taken on even more club jobs lately and deserves a huge thanks! Jeanne is taking the t-shirt orders for Shirts by Sheila and has begun handling all the ordering of name badges! Thanks Jeanne for picking up these loose ends and still always doing such a wonderful job on Ditto!
Kim and the Support Mom Committee (Kristen , Lauren and Cindy ) have worked so hard on establishing the Big Sister program and on compiling a thorough listing of support moms for the directory. All this while still making regular phone calls to expectant and new moms and keeping track of everyone! Thank you also to everyone who signed up to be a Big Sister. Helping each other is one of the main purposes of our club -- thanks for keeping the support flowing!
Membership Directory
The Member Directory is now available! Directories were distributed at the Oct 5th meeting to all members present. The remaining directories will be available at the Nov 2nd meeting. To hold down on mailing costs, we will not mail the directories until after Nov 2. Please see Katie at the meeting to get your directory if you didn't get one in October.
Avon Fundraiser
Don't forget to send in your Avon order. You can call or e-mail Alicia or Renee with your order information. If you did not receive a catalog, visit the Avon website at http://www.avon.com . Please do not order from the website. To ensure that we receive our discounts and profits, we need to place the order with Alicia. There will also be catalogs at the November meeting from which you will be able to place your order. This is a great way for our club to raise money enabling us to defray some of the expenses associated with the children's holiday parties.
POSITION: Mom
JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work various hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.
RESPONSIBILITIES: This is for the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs $5 to go skating. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handleassembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.
POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.
WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.
BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.
Thank You Thank you for the Light in Shining Armor award. This was such a great honor! I have enjoyed being part of the club ever since I arrived in Miami. Everyone has made my husband, children and myself feel as if we are part of a much larger family.
Again, Thank You from the bottom of my heart.
Renee .
Community Resources
- Baby's First Year: A Stress Management Group for New Moms
New moms and their babies attend sessions together. Supportive sharing is fostered among the mothers. Interactions to facilitate mother-baby bonding are encouraged. Child development education is provided.
Victor E. Clarke Center for Health Education - room varies - South Miami Hospital, second and fourth Thursday of the month, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
- New Mothers Support Group
A group open to new mothers and their babies which provides a comfortable environment for support, education and comfort from both the facilitator as well as the other mothers. Women's Health Resource Center - Baptist Medical Arts Building West, Baptist Hospital, 12:30 - 2:00 p.m., 4th Wednesday of the month . Breastfeeding Discussion Group
Provides education and support for breastfeeding mothers prior to delivery as well as after. Health Resource Center, Baptist Medical Plaza, 8750 SW 144th St. 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
- For more information on the three groups listed above, contact the Health Resource Center at Baptist Medical Plaza at King's Bay at 305-412-2930.
- New Mother's Support Group Deering Hospital.
Second Thursday of every month at 10 am classroom #100. Call Louise Reiter 305-256-5071
- Free Toddler Program at the Alper Jewish Community Center
located at 11155 SW 112th Avenue. This program is open to the public and people of all religions are welcome. Occurs on Fridays when school is in session, 10 - 11:30 am and includes arts & crafts and music. Donations are accepted. A lovely program!
- Story Hour - Tuesdays and Thursday at 11 am at the Zany Brainy store across from the Falls Mall on 136 Street near US 1. A great store to browse in too!
- Club Falls - sign your kids up at the information booth at the Shops at the Falls to join this free kids club which includes freebies and mailings with coupons and information regarding upcoming events. Fun!
- Eckerd Baby Club-
sign up for this free program at the pharmacy and you will receive coupons and a newsletter.
- Publix Baby Club
- (program for birth to age 2) get an entry form in the baby products isle for coupons for free products and money off baby and general food items. You will also receive a free book caring for your Baby and Young Child - birth to age five and a quarterly newsletter with more coupons. A great money saver!
I heard it through the TWINLINE
Congratulations! Lila's family has a new addition coming along in February. Lila is 19 weeks along, over the shock of it all and now very excited about baby #3. Their plan is to hire someone now to exclusively take care of the boys in our home and then obviously baby #3. The nanny would have the three kids for about 6 months until she enrolls the boys in a toddler program part-time. Lila has had good candidates, but unfortunately they don't have transportation or they don't have much experience with children. Twins are a handful and adding an infant to that requires a special skill - I'm sure you agree! Lila lives near Katie B's home in Serena Lakes. If you know of any one who may be interested or have a reference for a nanny contact Lila
New member Malaika W's son Christopher participated in a heart study run by Dr. Swaminatani at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The assessment of systolic and diastolic function in normal healthy children through echocardiography with tissue doplar is a procedure which took 30 - 60 minutes and normally costs around $1500, but is free through the study. Dr. Swaminatani's office number.
Aurolina O's 9 month fraternal twin boys have been diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis. It affects the muscles in the neck on one side and Aurolina was told by their doctor that the condition was caused in utero through crowding during her twin pregnancy. Andres' condition is more severe than his brother Diego's, whose is mild. Both children are undergoing physical therapy at Miami Children's Hospital which should correct the condition. Andres will be fitted with a neck positioning collar this week to augment the physical therapy. Aurolina would like to hear from other parents whose children have had this condition. Please contact her if you have information or helpful advice .
To my child... Just for the morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to Mc Donald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys. Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day.
South Dade Parents of Multiples Club
October 2000 General Meeting Minutes
- The meeting was held on Thursday, October 5, 2000 at Miami Children's Hospital and was called to order at 7:45PM. All officers were present. There were 18 members, 4 prospective members and 3 children present to share each one's blessings for the month.
- This month's guest speaker was Pampered Chef consultant, Maria Smith. She showed our members tools and techniques for making delicious recipes. A 10% profit of all Pampered Chef items sold as a result of this presentation goes to SDPOMC.
- The minutes of the September 7, 2000 meeting were approved.
- Membership- Judy reported that the state and national dues were paid. Directories were distributed to members present. Membership dues should be temporarily sent to Judy instead of Katie .
- Treasurer's Report- Renee reported that the September financial report was printed in the Ditto and clarified some items on that report.
- Renee reported that the club made a profit of $228.85 from the garage sale, which was close to the budgeted amount of $225. Due to the deadline for the Ditto publishing, future financial statements printed in the Ditto will be reporting income and expenses from the 15th of the month to the 15th of the month.
- Secret Santa Program- Peggy reported that members interested in participating in the Secret Santa program would purchase 1 gift for $15 -$20, for mothers only, to be given at the December 7th general meeting. Peggy discussed the form that participants would complete. The forms will be available at the October and November meetings. Peggy will coordinate the drawing of names at the November meeting.
- Website- Kim reported that there was nothing new to report.
- Big Sister/Support Moms- Kim reported that the committee has only three new members that need to be matched up with a big sister.
- Playgroup- No report.
- Ditto- Jeanne asked that all articles for the November Ditto to be submitted by October 17th.
- National News- Judy reported that the next convention for the NOMOTC will be in Greenville, S.C. in summer, 2001. Anyone looking to participate in research projects or in need of research information from NOMOTC should see Judy. Judy also has information on placement of multiples in school and lists of books that contain twins and triplets.
- Halloween Party- The party will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 10:30-1:00 at Flavia 's house. Gwen reported that the charge would be $5 per family for the main course and members to bring appetizers or desserts. Those members interested in attending the party should sign up at this meeting and indicate what food they are bringing to the party. The deadline to RSVP to Gwen is October 17th. Gwen will collect the fee at tonight's meeting or checks can be mailed to her.
- Fundraiser #1 of Holiday gift wrapping- Renee reported that one fundraiser this year will be the holiday gift wrapping of books at Barnes & Noble's, Kendall and Sunset Place stores.
Barnes & Noble will provide all the supplies. There will be 4-hour shifts with 8 people needed for each shift. The dates and times are as follows: Kendall store - Friday, November 24th from 9:00AM- 1:00PM and Saturday, November 25th from 9:00AM-1:00PM; Sunset Place store - Friday, December 22nd from 6:00PM-10:00PM. A sign- up sheet is available at this meeting and the November meeting. All proceeds will be donated to the next state philanthropic organization, which will be decided at the state convention this month.
- Fundraiser #2 of T-shirt Sales- Jeanne is taking orders for t-shirts made by Sheila Ambra. All proceeds from the sale of t-shirts will go to the club. Pre-paid orders will be taken at the October and November meetings with the deadline of November 10th for all orders and money. Jeanne will deliver the orders at the December meeting.
- Fundraiser #3 of Avon Holiday Sale- Alicia and Renee are taking Avon orders. A 40% profit of all sales goes to SDPOMC. Avon books are available and all orders and money should be returned to Alicia or Renee by the November meeting. Orders will be delivered at the December meeting.
- The October Board meeting will take place on October 17th at 7:30PM at Renee's home.
- A question and answer session was held for prospective members.
- A total of $12.00 was collected for the 50/50 raffle drawing, which was won by Cindy .
- The meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.
Highlights of October 2000 Board Meeting
- Ideas for the Halloween party were discussed with the committee to make final decisions.
- Subjects for the November speaker were finalized.
- There were discussions of possible activities and speakers for future meetings such safety meetings, blood drive, reunion meeting of old members, pediatric dentist and veterinarian.
- The fundraising project of holiday gift wrapping at Barnes & Noble was discussed with people still needed to help. Dates and hosts for the Christmas parties for the adults and children were discussed.
- Since the playgroup coordinator is moving, the possibility of a new playgroup coordinator to fill the position was discussed. Last minute details for convention were arranged. The board decided to try to get 12 sponsors for the next fiscal year to help with the cost of printing and mailing the Ditto.
Gift Wrapping Fundraiser
There are just a few slots left for volunteers for the Barnes and Noble Giftwrap Fundraiser. We need two more volunteers for each of the following dates: Kendall Drive & SW 122 Ave Friday, November 24 9am-1pm Saturday, November 25 9am-1pm Sunset Place US1 & 57 Ave Friday, December 22 6pm-10pm
This fundraiser is a great opportunity for our club to make money as we have a fun time helping others during the holiday season. Correction: The funds made at Barnes & Noble Gift-wrapping will not be for Twin to Twin Transfusion as collections for this charity ended August 1, 2000. At the Nov general meeting, club members may vote to put the funds into the new state charity (to be decided at FOMOTC convention Oct 21) -- or to keep them in our club funds.
Pampered Chef Fundraiser
Thanks to everyone who attended the Pampered Chef party! We all enjoyed great food and an informative presentation by Maria Smith, our Pampered Chef consultant. For those who ordered from Pampered Chef that night or later from their website, Renee will be contacting you in November to make arrangements for delivery of your products.
PARENT TO PARENT
This is YOUR page to pass along info, tips and warnings to all our other readers. This is one of the main functions of our club. Please use this page. Call Jeanne if you have a submission.
Heads Up!!
I took my car in for service recently and was appalled to discover that the mechanics had unfastened my car seats. Even worse -- they did not tell me and left the seat belt threaded through the car seat, but unlatched. I had already strapped in Ros and was buckling Marc and about to dash off when Marc's seat slid forward and I realized it was unbuckled. Check your seats whenever you have left your car with a mechanic or even after a car wash!! That was a scare I don't wish to have again!!! (Judy)
SDPOMC Agenda
General Meeting
November 2, 2000
- Introductions & Share a Blessing
- Guest Speaker: Cardiologist Dr. Vogt-Lowell
- Approval of Minutes of Sep 7, 2000
- Officers' Reports
A. Membership: Katie & Judy
B. Treasurer: Renée
- Committee Reports
A. FOMOTC Convention Report (Lisa )
B. Secret Holiday Pal (Peggy ) draw names tonight
C. Playgroup (Lauren )
D. Ditto Editor (Jeanne )
- Unfinished Business
A. Gift-wrapping Fund-raiser (Renée )
B. T-shirts by Sheila available to order (Jeanne )
C. Avon Fund-raiser/Holiday Sale (Alicia & Renée )
- New Business
Holiday Parties Dec 9 & 16 - committee needed for family party
- Help! (pose your questions/problems to the group)
- . Announcements
Board Meeting 11/13 at Lisa S's home - all welcome!
- ** 50/50 Raffle Drawing**
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Twin & Triplet T-shirts for Sale We will be taking orders for T-shirts by Sheila Ambra at the November general meeting. She has several designs for children and adults which would make perfect Christmas gifts. All shirts can be personalized with names for no extra charge. A complete price list will be available at the meeting along with illustrations of the designs available, some of which are pictured below. Prices are $6 for Infant T-shirts sizes (newborn, 6m, 12m, 18m), $7 for children's (2-4, 6-8, 10-12, 14-16) T-shirts, $8 for Adult (S, M, L, XL) T-shirts, and $9.5 for Adult XXL. Polo Shirts are also available for adults at $14. Please Note: These prices are lower than the prices indicated in the October newsletter. All shirts are available in white or ash. A portion of these sales will go to our club. Please contact Jeanne if you cannot attend the meeting. Deadline is November 9th.
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Convention ReportThe Florida Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs held their annual convention in Sarasota Oct 19-22. Our club sent nine delegates plus seven other attendees. At the business meeting, all clubs voted to have the Boggy Creek Gang as the state philanthropy for 2000-01. Boggy Creek is a not-for-profit medical camping center specifically designed and equipped for children ages 7-16 who have chronic or life-threatening diseases. The camp is located 45 miles north of Orlando and offers week-long and weekend sessions for children and their families. It was also announced that over $11,000 was raised for last year's philanthropy, Twin-to-Twin Transfusion.
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Name TagsAre you tired of coming to meetings and having to wear paper nametags with scruffy writing or, even worse, NO nametag at all? Then now is your chance to smarten yourself up! We all need name tags to cover up the spit-up or leftover lunch. Oh and of course to help our visitors and new members know who we are! Why not make it a shiny new one??? If you are interested in having an official SDPOMC name tag, please call Jeanne. The cost is $5.00. If you want to add bars that include your multiples names and birth date, and/or any awards or offices held within the club the cost is an additional $2.00 each. If you have already paid but haven't yet received one, please contact Jeanne also.
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SWAP SHOPUsed children -related items may be advertised here for free by members and for $3 per month by non-members. Other items may be advertised by members only for $5 for two months. Ads will run for two months unless you request longer. Call Jeanne to place an ad or to let her know when you have sold something .
- 2 white combination crib/toddler beds, $50 each. Call Tami.
- 2 Oshkosh denim baby bouncers $10 each, 2 infant sleep positioners $3 each, 1 plaid infant car seat carrier $20. Call Carmen.
- Winnie the Pooh Classic yellow/blue crib bedding set $80, Combi front/back twin stroller $75, twin nursing pillow $8, Diaper Genie $10, baby bjorn carrier $25. Call Kim
- Toddler Playland - colorful, like new $35 orig. $80 perfect playpen for twins or triplets; foam puzzle mat for playpen $25. Call Petra.
- 2 Graco 3 speed swings, barely used $40 each, 1 animal print bouncing vibrator chair $10, 1 Graco double stroller, side by side $50, 2 Safety First bouncers $20 each, 1 Century single stroller $20. Call Malaika
- 2 Cherry Sleigh Cribs with mattresses $150 each, Classic Winnie the Pooh crib bedding set $80, blue denim crib bedding set $80. Call Susan
- 2 Century SmartFIT infant car seats with adjustable bases $15.00 each. Call Jackie
- 2 Child Craft Honey Oak wood cribs with mattresses in excellent condition for $150 each. Call Gwen
- Medela "Pump in Style" electric breastpump $ 150.00, 2 Century Infant Car Seats with base $20.00 each, 5 cans of Alsoy Formula Powder $ 5.00 each , 1 Cosco front/back double stroller w/ reversible front seat $ 50,00, 1 twin shoulder carrier $ 40.00. Call Bettina
- Front & back Graco stroller and a side by side J. Mason stroller for sale Call Lila
- Wanted: Bike trailer for two, small play yard with slide-call Melody
- Wanted: Highchair. Call Carmen
- Wanted: Twin Jogging Stroller. Call Lauren
- Wanted: 2 Life vest for 35 pound boys. Call Patti
- Wanted: Mothers Helper for twins, mornings or afternoons for a few hours, flexible hours and days. Please call Sheila
- Wanted: to buy or borrow - 2 walkers, 1 exersaucer, twin baby jogger. Call Kim .
- Wanted: experienced person for infant care needed evenings or days with references. Call Debbie .
- Wanted: Jungle Gym with slide, swings, etc..Call Amanda.
- Cleaning: Contact Luz
- Nanny Available: Spanish speaking nanny from Costa Rica looking for live-in employment. Contact SDPOMC member Janice.
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What a child doesn't receive he can seldom later give.P.D. James, Time to be in Ernest
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