A little bit of sunshine......(this one is for Susan)

The week before Susan passed we met to talk about all of the possibilities...... One of the things she said to me that day and for so many weeks before was to "write that blog!" I made every excuse in the book as to why I did not have time to compose something worth reading. We even joked about the possibility of her writing for me but concluded that when a blog from "Amaya Papaya's mom" was writen it should be from me indeed. So here I am.

I'll start where I should have last week (that was my self given blog deadline) by wishing all of the moms a Happy Mothers Day (everyday) and by telling you the story of the Amaya Papaya Logo as written back in 2009 in my first blog......

As we take time to reflect on the importance of Mothering, I would like to share with you my inspiration for the Amaya Papaya name and logo. AMAYA PAPAYA is a TERM OF ENDEARMENT FOR MY DEAREST DAUGHTER (and best business partner ever) Amaya.

When I was pregnant with Amaya I dreaded the thought of getting STRETCH MARKS!! It was not until 2 days before I gave birth that the first stretch mark appeared, from that moment on they spread like wild fire! I was devastated (or so I thought, vain I know).

Once Amaya was born my favorite song to sing to her was MY GIRL by the Temptations. The first line was so true..."I got SUNSHINE on a cloudy day".... Amaya was truly my SUNSHINE in the mist of anything that I was going through as a new mom.

When Amaya began to speak she would ask me about the boo boo's on my belly. I would tell her that they where not boo boo's at all. I began telling her that the stretch marks where SUN RAYS that I was blessed with when she was inside my belly.

As I began to think of a logo for Amaya Papaya, I thought that nothing would be more fitting than the SUNSHINE to represent Amaya and every other child that a parent has been blessed with.

Ask Amaya....she will tell you how she put the SUNSHINE on mommy's belly..............

So fitting...........that post about the sunshine. Reminds of Susan ;) as well as all of the mommies that I see walk into the door at AP daily. As Susan so gently reminded me the week before she passed that she was my friend and not only my customer, I am reminded daily of the impact that each of you make here at AP. Amaya Papaya would not be what it is without you and I pray that you will continue to be a part of the AP community for years to come (yes, even after your child ages out of AP)

Continue...YES!....But where?......HERE!...Yep thats right I have decided to stay put at our current location for a few more years. My vision for AP is grand and in order to see them come to life I've decided to stay put and grow from here, in more ways that one ;) Over the next few months you will see some changes at AP with new Play Specialist and a New Manager with even more customer interaction and customer service than ever! I have great hopes for the future of AP and pray that you will continue to be a part of them.

Yolonda,

Amaya's mom

The Amaya Papaya Play Zone @ the Zora Festival of the Arts and Humanities

Amaya Papaya is sponsoring the PLAY ZONE for children 0-4 years old at the Zora Festival of the Arts and Humanities in Eatonville, FL, on Friday January 27, 2012 - Sunday January 29, 2012. The Zora Festival honors the life and achievements of Zora Neal Hurston, renowned 20th century writer, folklorist and anthologist. The Zora Festival is entering its 23nd year and the expected three-day attendance is 75,000 attendees. About forty percent of the visitors to the festival will come from outside the Orlando metro area.

This past January, Amaya Papaya - Play Lounge was honored to be one of the Zora Festival’s collaborative sponsors. As a sponsor, we provided the festival with it’s first Play Zone especially designed for kids 0-4 years old. We had the opportunity to meet a multitude children and families, serve our community by giving back and have tons of fun!! The Amaya Papaya- Play Zone was such a huge success that we have been asked to come back again next year!

I would like to invite you and your company to join Amaya Papaya for this awesome event by sponsoring an activity or an interactive booth for children and their families to play and explore. Your partnership would be an added bonus to the event and would provide great exposure for your business as well. The Amaya Papaya Play Zone will be located in the Hungerford Prepartory School gymnasium on Kennedy Blvd. The Amaya Papaya Play zone will be especially designed for kids 0-4 years old. The PLAY Zone will be divided into different stations for children to explore and play with their parents assistance.

I am requesting the assistance of local vendors and volunteers in the community to come out and be a part of this special event by volunteering your time at the various stations or for you to do a workshop, performance or interactive showcase at your own table provided by your business.
Examples of activities would be:
music performances(interactive musical performances with the kids)
entertainment (character greetings, magic shows, provide music, circle time leaders etc.)
craft/game tables
story time readers
mini workshops (computer, crafts, etiquette, etc.)

This festival is a great opportunity for your business or organization to give back to the community and market yourself as a community partner of an established event that has been happening in our backyard for 22 years! Your businesses is projected to be seen by 75,000 people over the 3 day event. You will have access to an audience of educated professionals who have an earned income of $50,000 or more; who are family-oriented and who are brand-loyal to ZORA! Festival sponsors.

If you would like to be a part of this opportunity by either volunteering at one of our play areas or by sponsoring your own play area/table please contact Yolonda at Amaya Papaya!


Thank you for your support of the Amaya Papaya Play Zone and the Zora Festival of the Arts and Humanities (ZORA! Festival)


Sincerely,

Yolonda Tyler
President - Amaya Papaya
Amaya Papaya - Play Zone

What is a Doula?

Blog subject: The Importance of Doulas during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post partum.
GUEST Blogger name: Stacy Back
GUEST BLOGGER Title: Birth and Post Partum Doula
Company website: www.back2basicsbirth.com

A doula, quite simply, is a labor support person. Typically, they are women who have given birth before (but not all) and want to be able to give support to the laboring woman prenatally, during labor and delivery, and post partum. In the Greek language, doula literally translates “female servant.” Women who desire a natural birth without medication typically hire doulas but many women who desire a medicated birth will hire a doula also.

There are birth Doulas who help the mother and father and even siblings prepare for the upcoming birth through education and preparation. The birth Doula typically provides this through a few prenatal visits and then will be in attendance during the labor and delivery. During labor a doula will support you by giving lots of verbal affirmations that you are doing a great job, remind you that you’ll soon be holding your baby, offer recommendations on positions to labor in, help your breathe appropriately through contractions, offer a massage, remind you to hydrate or eat if you are allowed food, walk with you, play music, dim the lights, etc.. There are so many different things a Doula can do for you during labor and the main thing they are focused on is you, as the laboring mother. After delivery your doula can help you initiate breastfeeding, stay with you until you are settled into your room, and just be there to help support you and share in the joy of your new baby. If a problem arises and the baby needs to be immediately transferred to the NICU and the father goes with the baby, your doula can stay with you so you are not alone. Typically, your Doula will stay with you 1-2 hours after delivery. Typically, a birth Doula will charge a flat rate which includes 1-2 prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and 1 post partum follow up visit. Many Doulas offer different packages so depending on what your needs are you may pay less or more.

A post partum Doula is someone who helps out once you are home with your new baby. She may help you when you breastfeed or bottle feed, do light housework, meal preparation and overall, support you as you embark on this journey with your new little one. If there is a sibling she may entertain him/her while you tend to the baby. Typically, a post partum Doula charges by the hour.

Overall, a Doula is a wonderful gift to the laboring and post partum woman and her family. Many times the Doula becomes like a close friend or family member. As a Doula I always see it as a privilege to attend a birth and to serve a family post partum. Birth is truly a miracle and to be a part of that is the best job in the world!

For more information please log onto our website @ www.back2basicsbirth.com

Hey Mom & Dad - Do you need a break?

Blog subject: Loving Arms Nanny & Domestic Placement Agency expands to Central Florida
Guest Blogger name: Marcia Van de Kieft
Guest Blogger title: Loving Arms, LLC - Orlando Regional Manager

Loving Arms, Sarasota’s largest and most established Nanny and Domestic Placement Agency, announced their expansion to the Orlando area in January. Marcia Van de Kieft, Regional Manager of the Orlando area office, is the founder of the Central Florida Nannies group, 2010 Nannypalooza Orlando Conference Organizer and worked as a professional Nanny in the Central Florida area for over ten years.

“I’m thrilled to be able to bring this service to my community and to traveling families who visit the Orlando area," said Van de Kieft. “Loving Arms has a wonderful reputation, and I’m excited to represent an organization with such high standards.” The Orlando location provides Nanny and Housekeeper Placements, Babysitting Services for Central Florida families, Vacation Babysitting Services for area Hotels and Resorts, Corporate Back-up Babysitting and Wedding & Event Babysitting Services; to name a few.

The founder and owner of Loving Arms, Casey Smith, started the Agency in Sarasota in 2001 and has overseen tremendous growth in the past 10 years. “Since our expansion to Tampa in 2010, we have eagerly awaited our expansion to the Orlando area. My family and I travel to the area often, so I was elated to find such a knowledgeable, professional person like Marcia to lead our Orlando office.”

In January 2001, Marcia launched the Orlando office. She has been busy interviewing new sitters, nannies and housekeepers using the rigorous Loving Arms screening process. One of the many reasons Van de Kieft signed on with Loving Arms as area Regional Manager is because only about 10% of caregiver applicants make it through the extensive screening process, earning the company an impeccable reputation. The screening steps include a detailed application, in-person interview, reference checks, CPR training, and a criminal background check. “This ensures that families can feel safe and secure when they utilize the agency’s sitters, nannies, and household staff.” Says Van de Kieft, “We truly provide Loving Arms for every family.”

About Loving Arms, LLC
Loving Arms, LLC is the leading household staffing provider for selective families throughout Florida. Since it was founded in 2001, Loving Arms has been referring the highest quality nannies, sitters and household staff to area families. Only about 10% of applicants make it through a detailed application process, including an extensive in-person interview, reference checks, CPR training, a criminal background screening, and more.

For more information contact us at 407.490.4236 or visit our website at www.OurLovingArms.com.
Find us at www.Facebook.com/LovingArmsOrlando.

Baby Sign Laguage guest blog

Little people love to play! And something they love just as much as playing is learning. At www.babysignlanguage.com, we know that signing for babies is a fun way to bond with baby, and we love to encourage parents and children to get playful in their teaching methods.

While diaper, eat and sleep are practical and useful signs, the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding fun and even silly words to sign and entertain your pre-verbal baby. From flash cards to a game of sign that vegetable in the produce section of the grocery store, learning to sign is a special and fun way for parents and caregivers to connect and communicate with children.

One of our favorite ways to incorporate play is by allowing toddlers to create their own songs with signs they have learned to master. Give it a try with your little one we are certain it will be a hit.

Babysignlanguage.com loves nurturing the desire to learn, and as you know, play is a great way to do so. In addition to the more traditional methods for teaching baby sign language such as flashcards, our website also features a baby signing video dictionary, and our facebook community and blog offers tons of suggestions on how to make signing for baby a family affair that is tons of fun!

All the tools you need to get started are online, FREE and more is added all the time. Come grow with us, learn with us and above all – have fun playing with your little one!

We are incredibly grateful to the www.amayapapaya.com family for giving us the opportunity to share a little about baby signing with you.

submited by:

Mey Lau
www.babysignlanguage.com

If you are interested in signing your child up for Baby Sign Language classes at Amaya Papaya we will be offering a new sign Language series at Amaya Papaya in January 2012.

The Class will be a 4 week session offered by Althea Maloy a certified Wee Hands sign language instructor. For more information and to sign up check out www.amayapapaya.com when you get there click on the classes and workshops page.