Riding horses with my daughter, doing science experiments with my son, surfing the forums and adding advice where I see fit, reading the wonderful advice women are giving, gardening, swimming........

Narnia rocks! Oldies like Diner, Somewhere in Time, Office Space, Jeckel and Hyde Together Again....
The Incredibles, Spiderwick, Pooh Bear, Kipper and Wallace and Grommit.

Pretty much any kind of rock (Christian,Country, Hard Rock or Smooth). Hopefully you didn't see any Youtube pic's of me at the VanHalen Concert this tour....ha ha.

Max Lucado's Books, especially: A Love Worth Giving.
Twila Paris. Dr. James Dobson's Bring Up Boys.
The Yellow Wall Paper. Gullivers Travels. Love You Forever

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This website, supportive women, all kinds of animals especially horses, music, Kuii waterfalls, Navarre Beach, sunshine, snow, thunderstorms, birds singing,
swimming, encouragement.......

I choose not to go there.

Personally, I am much like the Mazda 3 I drive: smooth but kick ass when I need to be. I am also much like the Arabian horse I ride, sweet and gentle but driven, high spirited yet cautious with a dry sense of humor (you horse lovers know what I'm talkin about). I am a mother of two beautiful breastfed children (my son was born 11lbs.6oz and nursed for almost 3 years). I know no greater human love than the love my children and I share. I find it is the greatest gift I have been given on this earth.

Professionally, I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1990 and have been a mother-baby nurse since 1992, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 1996, a Certified Childbirth Educator since 1998, a private practice Lactation Consultant since 2007 and a birth support nurse and postpartum home care nurse since 2007. I have also been a charge nurse, clinical instructor for nursing students, a program developer for a "Cuddler" program where volunteers can hold needy nursery babies, and a CPR instructor.

I currently work as a hospital lactation consultant where I work with healthy newborns and mothers as well as babies in the Intensive Care Nursery and Pediatric Unit. I also help mothers readmitted with a variety of medical illness.

I also currently work at a free standing birth center (Special Beginnings in Md) where I help mothers and midwives birth babies, make newborn/postpartum home visits, assist in the operation of a Breastfeeding Boutique and pump rental station (offering a wide variety of hand picked bras, pumps and accessories) and operate a private lactation practice with the support of the birth center. Through these lactation services I provide private and group breastfeeding education, private prenatal consults, private office consults, home consults, free 10 minute breastfeeding screenings, free baby weight checks and certified bra fittings to any mom no matter where she delivers. It is the area's complete lactation resource.

My motto is that while breastfeeding is natural it does not always come naturally. In my practice, I try to meet the mother and family at their level in the nursing process. I encourage babies to feed at the breast but recognize other combinations may exist depending on the family's needs. I always approach the family with patience, compassion and kindness.

I am also a wife and best friend to my high school sweetheart and rescuer of many spoiled animals including 2 horses, 2 dogs, three cats, two bunnies, two hamsters, and one Hermit Crab.

I am very happy and proud to be part of the Breastfeeding.com community on "Ask an LC" and enjoy volunteering time to help breastfeeding moms! I am an LC because successful breastfeeding is so important to the health and well being of moms, babies and society. Thanks for having me here.