DIRECT DEPOSIT
Based on the last two digit of your Social Security Number, Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 - May 2nd, 2008
21 through 75 - May 9th, 2008
76 through 99 - May 16th, 2008

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16. A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.

PAPER CHECK
Based on the last two digit of your Social Security Number,  Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 - May 16th, 2008
10 through 18 - May 23rd, 2008
19 through 25 - May 30th, 2008
26 through 38 - June 6th, 2008
39 through 51 - June 13th, 2008
52 through 63 - June 20th, 2008
64 through 75 - June 27th, 2008
76 through 87 - July 4th, 2008
88 through 99 - July 11th, 2008

Please follow the link below for more information regarding the conditions and terms of the Federally approved Stimulus Package. Call their toll free number (1-800-829-1040) for questions not answered on their website.

Sited Links;
IRS | Stimulus Payment Schedule for Tax Returns Processed by 04/15

   

When you book a flight to New York City and you are planning to have the kids in tow, consider how you are going to get the family and the whole “kit” (all that luggage and so forth) from the airport to your final destination whether it is family in Brooklyn or a hotel in Mid-town. Locals know to call ahead for a car service so they’ll be there waiting for you.

Sure you can hail a cab but the car services are a better solution when traveling with the kids. A lot of the area car services have a number of different kinds of vehicles in their fleet, so if you are used to a mini-van or require a passenger van, you can request one up front.

Yes, you may spend an extra buck or two, but my feeling is it will be well worth it. The key thing when traveling with the kids is to call ahead for the reservation so there is a smooth transition from leaving the plane, to gathering your luggage right to the car - at least that’s the goal. There are many car services to choose from whether you need one from Newark, JFK or LGA car service; dare I say hundreds to choose from. One company that springs to mind is Dial 7 they have a decent website with pictures of their fleet, rates and reservation page.

   

I have had the special pleasure of talking briefly with Dr. Glade Curtis of the famed series, Your Pregnancy Week By Week. This being the penultimate primer for both first time Moms and Dads. Dr. Curtis and co-author Judith Schuler provide detailed information about the current development of your baby and describes in detail all the changes happening in mother right up until birth as well as important health issues (for both mother and baby) to be aware of during the course of the pregnancy.

meta-DAD: First I would love to find out how long this week-by-week book series has been going on? And what led you to create the first one?

Dr. Curtis: Your Pregnancy Week By Week was first published in 1989. Looking at pregnancy a week at a time makes sense to me, and it is the way I was taught as a medical resident and resident. As a practicing OB/GYN I found that my patients wanted to follow their progress through pregnancy this way as well. I came across a book with photographs of fetuses and developing babies beginning very early in pregnancy. I thought patients could benefit from understanding the changes taking place in their growing baby. The first edition came out my desire to share this information with pregnant couples.

mD: With technology and medical practices changing as quickly as they do, does it affect how you approach each new edition?

Dr. Curtis: People looking for medical information want it to be current and up to date. This has been important to me and is the reason that this is the “Sixth Edition” of Your Pregnancy Week By Week I am constantly looking at many resources for new developments and advancements in technology and information. I believe it is important to look carefully at advances making sure they are proven, safe and effective. This is an important responsibility that I take very seriously.

mD: Can you give me an example of one of these changes or advancements in the recent past?

Dr. Curtis: Until recently, the standard of care dictated that women age 35 or older at the time of delivery were offered ultrasound guided amniocentesis. This age was picked years ago because the risk of delivering a baby with Down syndrome at this age (1 in 350) was about the same as the risk of miscarrying as a complication of the (more…)

   

The thing I am trying to do this Mother’s Day is get away from buying at all the big franchise stores and try to support the small local retailer who are either making unique and beautiful stuff.

Now that I am a full fledged dad with a couple kids and another on the way, it has me thinking of keepsakes. I never really thought about them before but the thought of have a few cherished heirlooms to add to the family tree, sounds - well it sounds nice.

A piece that I’ve been drawn too was recently highlighted in Life & Style Magazine on the original Material Girl, Madonna. It’s the Nashelle Cherished Engraved Necklace from an Indie Jewelry retailer, Penelope Poet. This piece is designed by Heather Beeson, the creative mind behind Nashelle Jewelry. From her studio on the gorgeous Oregon Coast, Heather and her team of talented artists create exceptional jewelry by hand. Penelope Poet makes an effort to support female artists and moms. So I guess if you buy from them you’re building positive karma points, too.

I recently got it for my wife (don’t tell her) with the two boys names engraved on it and with the third on the way, I was assured I can call in a few months or a few years and add more charms to it. What more can you ask for - a keepsake that grows with the family.

(Via Penelope Poet)

   

We all know that parents who give their kids fast food are going to hell in a hand-basket, right? Sometimes you just don’t feel like making them lunch - again. Maybe, you’re craving one of those $6 burgers, yourself. There are many reasons we use to convince ourselves that it’s okay to splurge every once and awhile and get your kids one of those little kid’s meals.

Fast food restaurants do a good job straddling the line when it comes to proper disclosure of nutritional information for their menu items, some don’t disclose the amount of trans-fats in their menu items, others don’t break-out the nutritional value of their beverages or condiments. Yes, condiments - check out the nutritional value of the condiments at Carl’s Jr. - mind-boggling numbers [House Dressing 320 calories, 34g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 25g cholesterol, 480g sodium, 2g sugar].

Here’s a snapshot of what your kid is consuming when he or she gets a kid’s meal compared to the recommended daily allowance as dictated by the USDA. I will base this on a four year old boy (will call him “Timmy”), weighing thirty nine pounds and is forty two inches high and is expected to have an average of sixty minutes of exercise activity a day (follow the link below for a daily nutrition calculator based on age). Based on this profile, this kid should eat 1,400 calories a day - basically a bit more than half of what I eat (average adult male; between 2400-2700 calories/day). That means Timmy should have the following per day;

• 1,150mg sodium (about half a teaspoon)
• 150mg cholesterol (Keep total fat intake between 30 to 35 percent of calories for children 2 to 3 years of age and between 25 to 35 percent of calories for children and adolescents 4 to 18 years of age, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.)
• Kids this age should be eating 1.5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day. This will account for proper amounts of natural fiber, carbohydrates and sugar (as well as important vitamins and minerals)

I could go on here with a daily nutritional breakdown but, this sets the stage for the whole kid’s meal breakdown. Here are the nutritional numbers for some of the more popular kid’s meals out there (numbers based on information attained from company websites);

• McDonald’s Happy Meal [Chicken McNuggets (4pc). Small French Fries, 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz)] - 520 calories, 25g fat, 6g saturated fat, 4.5g trans-fat, 35g cholesterol, 720g sodium, 12g sugar
• McDonald’s Happy Meal [Cheeseburger, Small French Fries, 1% Low Fat White Milk Jug (8 fl oz)] - 710 calories, 28g fat, 10g saturated fat, 4g trans-fat, 50g cholesterol, 1050g sodium, 26g sugar
• Carl’s Jr. [3-piece Chicken Breast Strip, Kid's French Fries, (** does not list info for any beverages, approximation based on found standards)] - 780 calories, 37g fat, 6g saturated fat, 50g cholesterol, (no listing of trans-fat), 1360g sodium, 31g sugar
• Carl’s Jr. [Kid's Hamburger, Kid's French Fries, Small Coke (** does not list info for any beverages, approximation based on found standards)] - 820 calories, 29g. fat, 8.5 saurated fat, 60g. cholesterol, (no listing for trans-fat), 1210g. sodium, 43g sugar
• Burger King [Chicken Tenders (4pc), Small Fry, Small Coke) - 530 calories, 24g fat, 6g saturated fat, 4.5g trans-fat, 820g. sodium, 31g sugar
• El Pollo Loco [Popcorn Chicken, Small Fries, Small Coke (** does not list info for any beverages, approximation based on found standards)] - 551 calories, 23g fat, 4g saturated fat, 0g trans-fat, 1039g. sodium, 30g sugar

Lots of fat, lots of sodium and lots of sugar. I think in this post Fast-Food Nation age of enlightenment, this information comes as no surprise. But as a parent when you let these numbers soak in a bit, it’s kind of staggering. Much like their grown up counter-parts, these kid’s meals give our precious ones a full day’s supply of fat, cholesterol, sugar and sodium all in one sitting. And if your a family on the go or the kind of family that does drive-through on a regular basis, you can start to see the impact these meals are making on your kids.

Play around with some of the nutritional calculators and see what it will take to reverse the calorie count on some of these kids meals. I found that with the calculator listed (below), Timmy would have to exercise a full two hours a day to reverse a mere 400 calories, but it doesn’t reverse the long-term impact of taking in all those trans-fats, sodium and so forth.

Something to think about the next time you’re waiting in line at the drive-thru.

Sited Links;
McDonalds | Nutritional Info for Happy Meals
Carl’s Jr. | Nutrition
Burger King | Nutritional Brochure
El Pollo Loco | Nutritional Guide

Related Links;
USDA | Dietary Guidelines For Americans
Baylor College of Medicine | Healthy Eating Calculator

   

They were made in China, Shanghai to be exact. There have been twelve reports to the CSPC about small parts coming lose and posing a potential choking hazard. In short, they were either poorly designed (thus the fault of the Designer) or poorly manufactured (thus the fault of the Maker).

As a Consumer and concerned parent, accountability is paramount with these companies but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. I am starting to feel that ultimately the financial ramifications to the company shareholders’ (in this case, Toys ‘R’ Us) will determine swifter justice. By the looks of the their Safety FAQ’s, it seems they’re becoming keenly aware of the true impact of all the recalls that have hit the toy industry in the past year.

These two recalls affect 16,400 units of two Imaginarium-branded wooden activity centers due to potential choking hazards, the company recommends bringing the TRU’s Imaginarium Multi-Sided Activity Centers (manufactured by Taizhou Orient Toys Company Ltd.) and Jungle Activity Centers (Shanghai Cosmos Gift Industry Company Ltd.) back to a local Toys ‘R’ Us store for a full refund or credit.

Related Links:
CPSC | Imaginarium Activity Centers Recalled
Toys ‘R’ Us Safety FAQs

   

These custom rings engraved with your children’s name on it are all hand fabricated by Artist, Christen Largent. This ring can be finished in many different ways — smooth finish (pictured), hammered finish, rough-sanded finish, oxidized, oxidized lightly and tumbled for a shine, distressed.

It’s a classy, clean, simple band made of very thick and durable sterling silver stock. It’s sanded smooth, even shine and then an added satin finish for a more rugged look.

If you’re like me, this is an excellent (and stylish) solution to that aged-old problem of remembering your kid’s name. Yes, “Daddy-Brain” exists.

(BD Designs @ Etsy.Com)

   

Who’s Your Daddy?

No really, I want to know, who is your father, kid?

DNA Paternity Test.

3-5 Business Days. 99.99%.

(Via IdentiGene)

   

The folks over at Blue Ant Studio have a wonderful design for a cool mid-century modern inspired wood baby safety gate that can be fashion from an armful of 1×2 slats and some common hardware. As one of the Commenters on the post mention, you may consider adding a slice of clear/frosted plastic on the facing side of the gate to thwart any attempts to scale it.

(Via Blue Ant Studio)

   

Have you ever had one of those moments in the grocery store where you’re holding an apple with and “organic” sticker on it and thought, “organic? of course it’s organic, it’s an apple.” But then you glance sideways at all the other stuff getting misted, and you start thinking about what’s going on with all that produce that doesn’t have an “organic” sticker on it, and by the way, what the hell is that incredibly waxing coating on all my fruit? Unfortunately, it’s all just a slippery slope from there for us - the consumer.

When you buy organic foods, it is advised to look for the “USDA Organic” Seal but it is important to know that labeling is voluntary on the part of the farmer or manufacturer. Only foods in the categories “100% organic” and “organic” may display the USDA Organic Seal. Other foods with varying levels of organic ingredients may be labeled as follows:

• “100% organic” - single ingredient such as a fruit, vegetable, meat, milk and cheese (excludes water and salt).
• “Organic” - multiple ingredient foods which are 95 to 100% organic.
• “Made with organic ingredients” - 70% of the ingredients are organic. Can appear on the front of package, naming the specific ingredients.
• “Contains organic ingredients” - contains less than 70% organic ingredients.

Notice the use of words, but will you remember this the next time you strolling down the isles at the supermarket. The USDA Organic seal also tells you that a product is at least 95 percent organic. Now what I want to know is, what is it about how food is grown, cared for, processed and/or manufactured that allows it to have the “organic” seal?

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.” ~ National Organic Program

Just reading the definition of what organic food is makes my hair stand on end. Sewage Sludge? Bioengineering? Ionizing radiation? This stuff is being used with the food that I eat? This is stuff I’m feeding my toddler and my baby? Is that the waxy coating on my fruit? It is fascinating to me that the F.D.A. goes out of their way to say that they do not claim that organic food is better for you or more nutritious. Really, Mr. Government-Man it’s not?

Furthermore, I am getting mixed signals from different sources on how these laws are upheld.

The USDA now uses private and state agencies to inspect and certify food companies that market organic foods. Small farmers with less than $5,000 in organic sales, such as those selling at small farmers’ markets, are exempt from the certification process but they still must be truthful in their label claims and comply with the new government standards. Individuals or companies who sell or label a product as organic when they know it does not meet USDA standards, can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.” ~ N.C. State University’s Success Family Extension

This sleuthing doesn’t really simplify things for me but it does put some key things into focus:

• If it doesn’t have the USDA Organics Seal on it, it isn’t organic (remember it’s voluntary, but if it is fraudulently used it is against the law) or it’s not completely organic.
• Packaging that claims a food is “Natural,” “Free-Range,” or “Hormone-Free” is not organic.
• Stuff I get from the weekend Farmer’s Market may not be organic
• Starting a patch garden in the side-yard is sounding more and more worth the effort, these days

Sited Links:
United States Department of Agriculture | Organic Foods
National Organic Program

Related Links:
Business Week | States Move to Label Cloned Foods