We broke down fetus development by week for you. Read on to learn about the amazing changes your baby goes through before birth. 2 Week Zygote The beginning of pregnancy is about two weeks after your last period, but this is actually right when sperm meets egg. The egg and sperm meet in the ampulla, the second segment of the fallopian tube. The egg contains half of the genetic material your baby will receive and the sperm contains the other half....

Many people fondly remember an influential adult from their teen years—not a parent—who was concerned and involved. Friendships between adolescents and adults can be highly valuable to both, as they each gain new perspectives. Adolescents are ripe for adult input (and I’m not talking about the stuff that comes from you). Developmentally, they seek role models to show them how to “be” in the world. (They’re also prone to hero worship, which can make them quite vulnerable to betrayal....

Seizures Come in Many Sizes and Shapes There are more than 20 types of seizures, which are distinguished by determining where the electrical signaling in the brain misfired and how far the “brainstorm” spreads. If the misfiring occurs in the area of the brain that governs the movement of a particular limb, only that limb will jerk spasmodically. If the misfiring occurs in the area of the brain that controls vision or hearing, a person might suffer from hallucinations....

Effort: Sewing required Materials: Dress, in any color Fringe Stretchy headband Feather Long beaded necklace Boa Fishnet stockings Fancy shoes Scissors, needle, and thread Instructions: Attach the fringe to the hem of the dress. Take the stretchy headband and attach the feather to it for the headpiece. Add the stockings, the long necklace, and the boa. More Costume Ideas

Benefits of Learning About Patterns Encouraging a child’s understanding of patterns contributes to the development of mathematical thinking, including counting, problem-solving, drawing inferences about number combinations, and even algebra. Patterns are also essential to music education. Cultivating pattern awareness can develop a sense of rhythm and compositional awareness that sets the stage for music appreciation and participation. Additionally, some scientific studies suggest that the inherent relationship between math and music can be fostered at a very young age, as infants have been known to respond to aural and somatic patterns as much as older children respond to visual patterns....

Materials Gift-wrap in a variety of patterns and colors 3-inch by 5-inch index cards Glue Scissors Clear contact paper Clothespins (optional) Directions

Important note: Not all possible side effects and risks are listed below. If you are experiencing severe side effects, unusual symptoms, or are concerned for any reason, contact your doctor. The information in this article does not replace consultation with a medical professional. What Medications Are Considered Gonadotropins? Gonadotropins are fertility drugs containing FSH, LH, or a combination of the two (which is called human menopausal gonadotropins, or hMG). They also include the hormone hCG, which is biochemically similar to LH....

Effort: Quick and easy – no sewing required Materials: Housecoat (a dress that looks old) Knee highs A pair of slippers Rollers Glasses Bright lipstick Big purse Fake teeth (optional) Instructions: Dress your child in the items listed above. Roll the knee-highs down to her ankles. Put the rollers in her hair in a slapdash kind of way. Apply lipstick and have her put on the glasses. She can use the big purse to collect candy....

This piece puts a gentle pressure at the base of your nipple. It shouldn’t be painful. A second dome-shaped piece fits over the bottom ring to protect your nipple and collect any breast milk that may leak from your breasts while you’re wearing the breast shells. When Breast Shells Are Helpful Breast shells are worn to help correct flat nipples, retracted nipples, or inverted nipples. If you wear breast shells between feedings, they may help to draw out your nipples and make it easier for your baby to latch on well....

Eventually this storm of hormones evens out and the intense emotions you may have experienced, like whiplash-inducing mood swings, pure elation, and sudden crying spells begin to even out, too. But if you think that means you’re done with the extreme highs and lows of breastfeeding, think again: you still have to wean your baby at some point, and that’s not without its hormonal challenges. What Changes With Weaning? Two things start dropping the minute you begin the weaning process: prolactin and oxytocin....

Take the Elf on the Shelf, for example. A staple in the homes of many families who celebrate Christmas, this little red-suited elf moves around the house during the holiday season and provides kids with a tangible connection to the mythical story of Santa Claus and his elves. Traditions like this one that use elements of fun and surprise can help teach children valuable skills, plus tie them to the holiday and the special time of year....

What this amounts to is very little awake time and lots of total sleep time, broken up by frequent feedings around the clock. And because newborn sleep patterns vary drastically from older children and adults, it’s natural to have questions. In one survey, 40 percent of parents of young babies indicated that they were concerned about their infant’s sleep. To help you make sense of your baby’s sleep patterns and needs, we have put together some expert-approved guidelines on infant sleep....

Clearly, there also is an uncomfortable cause-and-effect to the bullying experienced by kids with obesity. In some cases, bullying can even contribute to childhood obesity, as food often becomes a comforting distraction from the abuse they are forced to endure. Vulnerability to Bullying While there are many reasons why bullies target certain individuals for abuse, overweight kids are a particularly easy mark given that society tends to disapprove of and mock obesity, both actively and discreetly....