**Check back throughout the day, as I update this post with my notes.**
I had such a hard time getting up this morning… Uggh! I didn’t get to bad until way too late, because I had an “issue” with which to deal (I’ll talk about that later), so I didn’t get much sleep. Made it to breakfast with no time to spare. Everything was great, but I need more coffee.
9:00 am — The Mystery of Sleep
Speaking of sleep, we have Dr. Jodi Mindell – Professor of Psychology and author of Sleep Deprived No more here with us. She is discussing normal sleep behavior in children. Toddlers sleep an average 12- 14 hours a day. All children wake 2-6 times per night. In fact, all people do…. It’s all about self-soothing back to sleep.
We mommies know that transitioning from crib to bed is one of the most difficult times forgo tp a toddler – May have to wait until Ben is three.
She’s talking about bedtime stallers – Is she talking about Josh??? I need to set up a bedtime chart with stickers, as rewards… I think he will respond well to this. He stays in bed, he gets a sticker. Hmmm…
Tips for a good night sleep:
Set Sleep Schedule – Good sleepers are in bed before 9pm
Bedtime Routine – Same 3-4 quiet activities
Fall Asleep Independently – Children who fall asleep independently fall asleep quicker and sleep better.
Aw, Noah gets a “dream feed” at 11pm each night! I’m doing something right!
Asked her about night terrors… It’s genetic, they’ll grow out of it, leave them alone – do not touch them or talk to them during the terror, just watch to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. Night terrors are not harmful.
Check out Johnsonsbaby.com/sleep
9:30 am — The Science of Baby Skin – Best in Daily Care for Babies
Dr. Ellen Kurtz, head of clinical research with Johnson’s Baby, is up now. She is talking about baby’s skin and Johnson’s baby products… How they are safe for babies eyes, skin, and emotional needs.
J&J’s motto: “Responsible to the communities in which we live & work & to world community, as well.”
9:40 am — Sustainability
Dr. Susan Nettesheim is talking about how believes in environmental stewardship and global ingredients policies.
9:50 am — Open Panel
“Parabins are bad – We don’t use them. Some parabins are good choices…” Go to www.cosmeticsinfo.org for more information about what is safe and what is not.
Aveeno products are unscented. More unscented J&J baby products to come.
Lots of tough questions are being asked… Questions about pthalates, animal testing, endocrine disrupters, parabens. The panel answered them all very intelligently! Impressive.
11:00 am — Off to Starbucks! Be back soon!
11:30 am — Children’s Vision Care
Dr. Scott Jens is chair of InfantSEE at the Vision Care Institute, a J&J company, and is speaking to us about infant and children eye care. InfantSEE is a public health program for infants, during their first year of life, at no cost, regardless of income level or health coverage. He recommends we visit APHA and check back often.
Dr. Jens says that infants should be examined… 1 in 9 babies show a need for concern. Children should again have eye examinations at age 3, and then in 1st grade… Most problems can not be fixed after age 8. Note to self – I need to check my kiddos’ eyes checked.
Fun fact – Babies are born with their eyes at 75% of their adult size.
Showing video – Mother learned of InfantSee on Today show, during her pregnancy. She brought baby in for an eye exam for no particular reason, and they found a tumor on her retina… Heartbreaking story! Dr. Jens can not stress enough how important it is to get preventative care for your babies’ eyes!
Now for questions and answers…
Saying goodbyes — He was excellent!! Go visit the sites and get more info…
11:00 am — The Dirt on Germs
Dr. Charles Gerba, aka Dr. Germs is talking about fomites (an inanimate object used as a vehicle to transmit organisms). I think this session may gross me out!
Fun fact – Viruses live for up to 3 days. Eeew!
Recent study found that 80% of the flu viruses, in a home, were found on the phone receiver, the computer only 40%. The germiest area is the kitchen… Sinks and taps, cleaning tools, refrigerator and handles, and kitchen countertops. When you are “cleaning” you may be just spreading the germs around.
The clothes washer is also a big germ catcher – Wash everything in hot water to kill the germs (or use bleach), and dry for 1 hour.
Other household items that show huge amounts of active germs and live viruses: TV remote, computer keyboard, doorknobs
You can try, but you can not possibly sanitize every fomite that your family touches, whether in the home or in public.
Oh, this session is grossing us all out!! YUCK!! I wonder if they have some Purell for us all?
11:40 am — Sassy and Sexy Mom Trends
Tina Sharkey, from BabyCenter.com, says we’re “cool, and hip, and happening!”
Trend Watch
- Self-expression – People are more comfortable with their bodies now, ie mommy tattoos
- Mommies online – 8 out of 10 US moms go online at least once a month and 61% go online every day
- Environmentally aware
- Bento Mamas – making food fun
Who creates the trends? The world listens to bloggers… “We are at the top of the food chain, inciting the wisdom of crowds.”
Fun site to check out – waybackmachine.com
12:15 pm — I am so ready to eat (and take a long nap!)
1:15 pm — Feeding Your Family the Right Way
Dr. Lisa Tartamella Kimmel, is a registered dietitian, and is going to give us tips on how to have a healthy diet.
Getting back to the basics:
- Prepare food in bulk
- Don’t forget the shopping list
- Dust of the slow cooker
- Snack smart – Snacks are important. Eat whole fruits and veggies, watch the sippy cup, portion out your snacks
- Be a positive role model
- Strive to be positive, not perfect
- Redefine good and bad
- Forget the “clean plate club” – stop when you are full
- Remember that kids eat smaller portions
Sounds like I’m doing things right, honey! 
2:00 pm — We’re breaking up in to different groups.
There were three groups, each with 18 of us. All of the breakout sessions were very interesting… There was a lot of banter over twitter, and loads of dialogue.
The first session was forum style, with the hope of us providing feedback about J&J and their products. Lots of opinions flying around… Hopefully it was helpful for them.
I missed three-quarters of the next session, due to the fact that I needed to pump for fear of explosion. From trying to keep up on twitter, this was a good one – “What’s Happening Down There?” And, well, we’ll leave it at that!
Session three was just a tad boring… I’ve been braiding hair for almost 20 years, so it was nothing new. Couple that with exhaustion and you get me, trying not to fall asleep!
It is now 6pm, Joisey time, and I have exactly 1/2 hour to change and freshen up before heading back downstairs for dinner. I am excited… The Frog and Peach should be fun!
I’ll post pictures tonight. That is, if I can still keep my head up when we return!
Dinner at The Frog and Peach was incredible! If you are ever in New Jersey, you just have to go there. I had a delicious bowl of bean soup to start, followed by a to-die-for seared ahi salad. (Ray, you would have loved it!), and then a superb dessert… Fruit sorbet on a crispy waffle cookie. MmmmMmm! (I even had a girlie drink for you, babe!)
I met some wonderful 
