NWI Healthy Start Summer 2009 Mommie, Me & More Inside this issue: Project Director’s Message Director’s Message 1 Happy spring! I guess it’s safe to say that. saving money by growing their own food. Healthy Start friends, let’s go Healthy Start Conference It seems as if winter’s icy grip just didn’t There is a renewed sense of pride and self GREEN! It is time we all did our want to let us go. Well, we will just put reliance by turning back to a method that part to preserve our earth. Every all of that behind us and look forward to was once the only way our ancestors effort, no matter how small, counts. Motherhood 2 the warm, bright sunny days that the survived. The best thing is that you don’t I am far from perfect but I place Summer Fun spring and summer season bring. This is need a lot of space to get started. So, plastics and cans in the recycle bin, Memorial Day always a season of growth and change. even if you live in an apartment you can most of my light bulbs at home are Even as old as I am, I still marvel at how still be a gardener. I’m told that you can energy efficient and I take my own Expenses 3 the flowers and trees know just when to grow just about anything in pots and reusable bags to the grocery store Event Calendar show off their radiant beauty. It is a other containers. Those plastic milk with me. The one thing I can’t seem Recall List magnificent display of color and smell, a containers that most people probably just to shake is the use of plastic water combination that tells us that the land is pitch in the garbage, can be used to grow bottles. I still buy bottled water but Bedtime Habits 4 being refreshed! Speaking of the land, something. Just cut off the top, throw in even at work I put the bottle in the Baby Store have you thought about planting a gar- some dirt and you have a great place to bin. Hey, I try but seriously, let’s all F.Y.I. den? I had my first gardening experience grow. Low cost, easy and a wonderful try and do better. We owe it to all last year and it was really a lot of fun! I lesson for kids. I plan to try a little con- who come behind us. probably went a little too far with tomato tainer gardening myself in addition to the Agency Highlight 5 Have a wonderful spring and sum- plants because I had way too many. But little space I use in the yard. Try it, and Recipe mer. Be sure to read about some of even with that, I was still happy with my let me know how things went at the end Baby Bucks the fun things we have planned for accomplishment and was proud to share of the season! my homegrown vegetables with friends. our Healthy Start communities for Mission & Philosophy 6 I want to mention one other thing. You Our First Lady is leading the way by the rest of the year, meet our partici- know that plastic milk container I talked Project Staff planting a garden at the White House. pants, some of our partners , and about for planting? Well another benefit Now, all over the country we are starting learn a new recipe. of using it is that it is being recycled. Yes, to hear more and more about families Easter Egg Hunt 7 Cinco de Mayo Event National Healthy Start 10th Annual Spring Conference March 1st-4th marked the 10th perience of visiting the Senate helped them personally. As an Annual National Healthy Start House and meeting with Peter added bonus the participants Conference in Washington, Visclosky, our Indiana Repre- got an opportunity to see our D.C. Northwest Indiana Heal- sentative. Both participants newly elected Vice President, hty Start had the opportunity got a chance to talk to the Rep- Joseph to take two of our participants, resentative about how impor- Biden. Marquita Jackson & Suzanna tant it is for continued funding Jimenez and their children. for the Healthy Start Program Both participants had the ex- and how the program has P a g e 2 Mommie, Me & More How Has Motherhood Changed You? Whether you have one child or six children, a soul. To give to one who is unable to return happiness of having 3 girls. I prayed for a baby and new baby in the house changes things! In the anything. I’m thrilled to share with my child God gave me three. My husband and I love them a spirit of Mother’s day, we asked several of our the love that I have received!” –Sarah Rader lot. We also have a lot of patience for them. I’m so Healthy Start Consortium Members…”How has (Hammond) happy in the program. Healthy Start is a little like my motherhood changed you?” Here were some of “I was very glad to become a mommy mother telling me how to rear my children.”—Silvia the responses: with all of my babies. I love them and hope Vieyra, (Hammond) “My life changed while I was pregnant be- the best for their future.”—Beth Bline cause this baby gave me the blues. I kept run- (Hammond) ning back and forth to the hospital because I “I am glad to say that I have a baby and was sick. This baby made me feel happy be- expecting another baby. All my attention cause me and my soon to be husband are closer goes to my daughter. My money goes to her. that ever and our family will almost be complete I barely buy myself anything... just for her. I th when our baby is born on May 11 . I am so love my babies with all my heart. They are happy because I will have two girls and two my everything.”—Dora Juarez boys at home!” –LaTasha Dodds (East Chi- (Hammond) cago) “My life did a huge change in every aspect “Since my child was born, I’ve learned a new since I had Victoria. I haven’t been able to appreciation for my Mama and Daddy. A new lose the weight that I gained. But it is the understanding of the word love has filled my Summer Fun Summer is almost here and school will be out Oct.12-16 www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org FREE before you know it! Now is the time to plan year round. Chicago Children Museum – 700 E. Grand, activities for the family! Living here in North (312)527-1000, Adler Planetarium – 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, West Indiana sure has its benefits! Chicago is www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org FREE for (312)922-7827, www.adlerplanetarium.org FREE just a short train ride away. Here is a list of free everyone on Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm. May 12, 19, and 26, June 7-12, Sept.1, Sept.8, 14- activities that your family may enjoy! FREE the first Monday of every month for 18 Field Museum -1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, children 15 and under ($10.00 for adults). DuSable Museum – 740 East 56th Place, (312)922-9410, www.fieldmuseum.org FREE Shedd Aquarium- 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, (773)947-0600, www.dusablemuseum.org FREE the second Monday of each month (June 8, July (312)939-2438, www.sheddaquarium.org FREE for children under 6 and Sundays are FREE to all. 13, Aug. 10, Sept.14) June 14-19, Mondays and Tuesdays in Septem- The South Shore train fare is $4.75-$5.50 per Museum of Science and Industry-5700 S. ber, Oct.2-10 person one way. For directions, train schedules Lake Shore Drive, (773)684-1414, Mexican Fine Arts Museum- 1852 W. 19th and fares call 1(800)356-2079 or go to www.msichicago.org FREE June 1-5, June 19, Street, (312)738-1503, www.nictd.com Memorial Day Some holidays find their begin- who gave their lives defending many towns and communities nings in religion, others cele- the nation. Although the holi- were dedicating time to deco- brate an important historical day was officially proclaimed in rate the graves of American person, and still others cele- 1868 by General John Logan, soldiers and arranging gather- brate a particular day or world the official recognition does ings in remembrance of our culture. Memorial Day stands not mark the holiday’s true nation’s heroes well before alone as a holiday that arose beginning. No one person or Memorial Day was officially out of appreciation for and place can be credited with declared. remembrance of every person starting Memorial Day because Mommie, Me & More P a g e 3 Babies Can Be Expensive Having a baby is one of the most incredible Toiletries (shampoo, etc.)= $21 per month plies, such as towel, bathtub, etc. =$49, experiences in the world. There are no x 12 months, Toys/Books/Media = $35 per Breastfeeding pump and accessories= words to describe the moment that you hold month x 12 months, SUB TOTAL= $4,632 $177, SUBTOTAL=$ 460 your baby in your arms for the first time or One Time Costs Childproofing supplies=$43, 2 Safety the first time that you look in their eyes. gates= $120, Pacifiers= $8, SUBTO- While these memories are priceless, having a Infant Car Seat=$100, Convertible Car TAL=$171 child is very costly. Seat= $139, Basic Stroller= $129, Front Carrier = $159, Diaper Bag =$50, Swing = TOTAL FIRST YEAR= $6,742 According to Baby Center, typical costs in $100, Bouncy Seat = $40, Play Mat = $50, the first year alone include: These are just the basic costs for the Doorway Jumper= $40, SUBTOTAL= $786 Disposable diapers=$72 per month x 12 first year of life and are estimates.