Archive for May, 2008

Gays, Anglicanism, And Faith

Recent debates among the Anglican block once again threathen the union and community of the Episcopal Church. Commonly termed as the ECUSA or Episcopal Church in the USA, the Episcopalian community again renews its debates whether to admit or discontinue acceptance of gay bishops. The Episcopal General Convention, due to start on Tuesday, thereby carries with it the burden and the decision that could unite or disband the Episcopalian community.

The Episcopal Church, once again is under pressure after Gene Robinson, an openly gay candidate with a male lover, was elevated as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. This move delighted gender liberation groups worldwide but caused tension among the members of the Church. Pro-gay members insisted that the move serves as an equalizing factor among people while conservatives declared the move as un-Biblical since the Bible specifically states that gay sexual relations is forbidden. David Steinmetz, an expert Christian historiographer from Duke University, says that there is a possibility of two camps under the same faith, or the camps might decide to separate. Strong pressure is particularly felt from the Anglican community though the ECUSA strives mightily to lay it off.

In particular, it is the predominantly conservative opinion and beliefs that cause the rift inside Anglicanism. The Episcopal Church conservatives refuse to open their minds and widen their views to accommodate the rapidly changing world views about gender, sex, and sexual identity. Homosexuality has outgrown the stigma it once carried, it is no longer a reason to be ashamed or ostracized. There is a large number of successful gay professionals that span many trades and industries. Though some still experience hostility, these are usually from seedier communities which lack proper education and instruction and are relatively rare and isolated cases. It is therefore ironic that the educated Church members that preach equality, freedom, love, and sharing remain deaf to the call of the times, and refuse to acknowledge people of different sexual orientation.

Shouldn’t the Episcopal Church and Anglicanism be at the forefront of acceptance and love since the Bible specifically portrays Jesus, and God as forgiving and accepting entities? Or do they merely accept and welcome people who are strictly men and women? If this is the case, then, they are not truly accepting and loving. They do not welcome everybody but only those that they want. They even go as far as to refuse others entrance to the proverbial kingdom. This should frighten Anglicans more than the acceptance and elevation of gay members to the Bishops’ College because this kind of action signifies a false love for community. A faith based on falsity and shallow, literal interpretations of the Scriptures is bound to crumble without genuine love, and eagerness to instruct and accept.

For more valuable information on Episcopal Church, please visit http://www.christchurchgreenville.org

Insurance Credentialing For New Healthcare Practices

Time and again new practices invest countless hours and money focused on office space, equipment, software and staffing only to open their doors for business and find significant delays in getting adequate insurance reimbursements. More often than not, the problem could’ve be allayed by addressing the insurance credentialing process early and thoroughly - creating the necessary relationships with insurance carriers. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind as you address the insurance credentialing process.

Timing - Start Early!

Plan on starting the insurance credentialing process early - at minimum allow at least six months before you see your first patient. Carriers will often take as much as 3-4 months to review documents and make a determination, even if everything is in order. If there are errors, missing information or a question about submitted documentation, several more weeks or even months can be added to the process. This six month allowance, starting from the time credentials are submitted, usually gives enough time to address problems should they arise. If too little time is granted before the practice opens, and you begin seeing patients before insurance credentialing is complete, you are open to the risk of getting an “out of network” rate, reimbursements might be sent to the patient, or, worst case scenario, you may not get paid at all.

Identify Target Carriers

To define which insurances you might credential with, consider your practice location and patient demographics. Will a significant percentage have Medicare or Medicaid? Is there a particular company or business in the area that employs a large portion of the surrounding population? A quick call to their human resources office to inquire what insurances they currently offer employees (as well as possible changes the near future) can be a good indicator of the carriers you’ll want to consider.

Also, check with colleagues, other providers, clinics and even larger hospitals in the area and ask who their most common payors are. Inquire about which payors are best to work with - who reimburses in a timely manner, which offer the largest enrollments, and which carriers might be at capacity with other providers in your specialty.

As you identify which insurance carriers might be most popular in the area, make a list of the top 10 or 15. Then, think about what other providers are saying and pare that list down to the top 7 or 8. This will be your short list of where to go next. Don’t go overboard and choose too many from the start - if nothing else, you’ll run yourself ragged in keeping up with the submissions.

Contact Insurance Carriers

With your list of 7 or 8, prepare to spend at least an afternoon (or more) on the phone with the provider services offices of each of your target carriers.

One of your first questions might be to ask if they are accepting new practices in your specialty in your area. More often than not there’s no problem here, but don’t be discouraged if they say no - just keep moving down the list and prepare to check back with them later for an opening. (Just remember, if several carriers on your list indicate they are closed to new providers, you might want to reassess your location before moving forward - finding multiple carriers closed to new practices in the same area is a strong indicator that there’s a lot of competition in the neighborhood.)

If the carrier is receptive to new providers, make sure you get all pertinent information about the process - i.e. names, addresses, phone numbers, timing, required forms, and so on. Don’t forget to ask about online submission too, as many carriers today allow you to provide all information online and mail in the supporting documentation.

**Remember that carriers won’t start the insurance credentialing process until you’ve established a practice phone number and address (a PO Boxes are not acceptable). If you’ve established a practice address but haven’t moved in yet, carriers can usually send the forms to an alternate address, but you’ll still have to identify the location to get things going.

Submitting Credentials

Now that you’ve completed your research and identified which insurance carriers you’re going to file with, you’ll need to compile and submit all of your information. Most will generally require you provide the following:

  • Updated resume
  • Personal demographic information
  • Practice and business information
  • State and federal DEA numbers
  • State licensing and registration information
  • Evidence of education - i.e. Diploma or ECFMG certificate
  • Malpractice insurance information
  • Information on any disciplinary actions
  • While this can be a lot, there is some good news - since most carriers ask for the same information, once the first submission is complete, you can just transcribe all the details from one form to the next. You will also benefit enormously in the future by storing copies of these documents in a safe place. As your practice matures and you seek to credential with other insurances, you’ll have this same repository of information readily available.

    Once you’ve completed the application, don’t forget to double check everything. In fact triple check it and have someone else look over it as well. Don’t expect carriers to correct an obvious mistake for you - it’s not their responsibility, and, frankly, they just won’t. The importance of double and triple checking cannot be stressed enough as the entire process can be help up by a month or more from the slightest mistake.

    Finally, after your information has been submitted, allow an appropriate amount of time (1-2 weeks for mailed submissions) and follow up with the provider services office to confirm receipt. If you were able to obtain a contact name in your early research call them directly. Once receipt is confirmed don’t hesitate to follow up again in say, 3-4 weeks to see if they’ve reviewed it yet or if they found any problems. If everything’s on track, plan on checking back in another 3-4 weeks until the process is complete. This can save a lot of turnaround time if you can learn over the phone there was some sort of hold up. As alluded to above, expect this part of the process to take several months - credentialing offices are often centralized and may be reviewing hundreds of submissions for many different areas at any given time. If there’s no movement after several months, you consider stepping up your calls to a weekly basis.

    Hopefully your hard work and phone calls has paid off and you’ve made it through the insurance credentialing process in just a few short months with your original list of 7 or 8 carriers. If you’re up for the challenge yet again, consider going back to your longer list of 10-15 and start the process all over again with the remaining carriers.

    A few shortcuts

    Here are a couple of shortcuts to credentialing not mentioned above.

    Hire professional assistance: There are many different organizations that can help with the insurance credentialing process. If you’ve contracted with a practice management company this process is often covered already. If you’re considering a medical billing company to manage your insurance and patient billing they certainly should have the experience with carriers to provide at least some guidance, if not manage the process for you. Also, there are a few professional insurance credentialing companies that specialize in this process for new practices but they can often come at a high price.

    Universal Credentialing DataSource: The Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare has developed an online service intended to eliminate the need for multiple insurance credentialing submissions. In short, you complete one form for all of their participating insurance carriers and you authorize who will receive your information. The CAQH Universal Credentialing DataSource is located at: http://www.caqh.org/

    Summary

    The insurance credentialing process is critical to getting your practice off to a good start - and ensuring a quicker transition to profitability. While it can be time consuming, an early start will give you the chance to address problems should they arise. Just be patient and keep these tips in mind and you’ll get through it:

  • Start early - expect the process to take up to 6 months
  • Choose a target list - don’t try for every carrier out there
  • Double check your work before you send it in
  • Follow up regularly and keep the process moving
  • Don’t be overwhelmed - it’s just paperwork.
  • For more information on medical billing and medical billing companies, visit Diversity Medical Billng Services. Diversity is a full service medical billing company offering customized medical billing solutions to practices across the US. You can also find more Medical Billing Articles and Information in our Medical Billing Knowledge Center.

    Phentermine Side Effects

    When you’re taking Phentermine, you should go to the emergency room if you experience any of the side effects listed below:

    I) Allergic Reaction:

    a. difficulty breathing

    b. partial closing of the throat

    c. lips, face, or tongue swell

    d. hives (rash of red blotches)

    e. abnormal heartbeat

    f. extremely high blood pressure

    g. extremely painful headache

    h. abnormally blurry vision

    i. hallucination

    j. strange behavior

    k. confusion

    If you notice any of these less dangerous side effects of Phentermine, it is still alright to keep using your Phentermine prescription. However, you must make sure to let your doctor know about them:

    II) Less serious possible side effects of Phentermine:

    a. restlessness

    b. shaking/tremors

    c. nervousness

    d. unusual levels of stress/anxiety

    e. mild headache

    f. dizziness

    g. insomnia (trouble getting to sleep)

    h. dry mouth

    i. bad taste in your mouth

    j. constipation

    k. diarrhea

    l. impotence

    m. changes in sex drive

    You should know that Phentermine can be addictive. This is probably due to the fact that your body gets used to the levels of neurotransmitters in the nervous system that are adjusted by Phentermine. I’m not sure about it though, since I’m no expert. That’s just what amateur (and brief, I must say) research has led me to believe. Anyway, you might grow to depend on it in both
    body and mind.

    As with any medication that you’ve become even slightly addicted to, you could experience unpleasant side effects when withdrawing yourself from Phentermine use during at least several weeks. Before you stop taking your Phentermine prescription, please have a talk with your physician/doctor to see what the plan should be for gradual withdrawal.

    In addition to the notes above, you should keep in mind that other side effects of Phentermine could occur, which have not been listed on this site. If you notice anything strange happening, please alert your doctor.

    EzineArticles Expert Author Ian Mason

    Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for health news and information on Phentermine side effects.

    Ian studies health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

    Contact Ian Mason by e-mail at ian@shoppe.md

    Human Hair Extensions Create Beautiful Long Hair Styles Instantly

    As you glance across virtually every print medium such as newspapers, magazines and catalogs, there seems to be one thing in common as far as hair cut styles is concerned. The long hair cut style is everywhere. So what are you supposed to do if you don’t have long hair and you really want the long hair cut style? Well, let’s see, human hair grows about ” per
    month, so if your hair is at ear level, that would be almost two years to wait for that ‘hair cascading down your back’ look. And of course by the time you grow your hair out, the short hair cut style will be in.

    “Don’t limit yourself to just adding length to your hair. Hair extensions offer a simple solution to fine hair and can add a little pizzazz to thick, curly or wavy hair in any color or style.”

    Rod Sickler
    Owner
    Images by Rod & Company
    Rantoul, Illinois

    In today’s society, two-year waits are OUT and immediate results are IN. The beauty industry recognized the demand for instant long natural looking hair and thus today’s hottest trend was bornHuman Hair Extensions. Hair extensions are not only for lengthening your hair, according to Rod Sickler, owner of Images by Rod & Company and Sexy Hair Concepts Artistic Team Member.

    “Any hair type can support hair extensions”, says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hair styles for his clients. Some examples include sleek and straight hair, vivacious ringlets and striking color enhancements with the use of different highlighted and lowlighted hair extensions. He describes the hair extension process as very painstaking and challenging as it requires many hours and various techniques to complete. The rewards are many as he is able to re-invent hair, tweak techniques and fulfill his clients’ needs.

    One of Sicklers’ hair extension clients, Holly Leach of Rantoul, Illinois, says she wanted to get hair extensions because she was ready for a change and wanted Sickler to re-invent her look by adding thickness and length to her thinning hair with European Hair Extensions. She was absolutely amazed at the results. “I came into the salon (Images by Rod & Company) looking one way, and came out looking totally different”, says, Leach. Leach has had her hair extensions for about 5 months now, with absolutely no issues and no complaints. She maintains the hair extensions with non-soy based conditioning shampoo and moisturizers from Sexy Hair Concepts, and uses hair dryers and curling irons with no problems. Leach concludes,”Hair Extensions are worth the time and money, when you can get fabulous-looking long hair instantly”.

    “Hair extensions are a huge self-esteem booster because they give women the opportunity to get the long hair style look without the wait”
    Guinevere Werr

    Manager, The Spa East Bank Club, Chicago, Ill

    Some women are concerned or have heard that hair extensions can cause damage to their natural hair, or even loss of hair. Guinevere Werr, Manager of The Spa at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Ill, says the fusion application method Sickler uses from So.Cap., an Italian company, does not create any damage to the natural hair since it is applied ” from the scalp and not directly on the scalp. Werr assisted Sickler with applying brown hair extensions with some highlight extensions to her sisters’ hair. She adds that Sicklers hair extension clients have lost almost no hair extensions and have had very little maintenance issues.

    So where do you start if you are thinking of getting hair extensions? You must research the different types of hair used for hair extensions, the different types of attachment methods, the hair stylists’ education and training, any maintenance schedules and of course the cost.

    There are a lot of different types of hair that are used for hair extensions. There is human hair and synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is used to add the high fashion colors, such as pinks and blues. Generally speaking, if you are going for the natural, it grew out of my head, look you should go with human hair. Human hair comes in many different textures and grades. The human hair must be strong and healthy to produce extensions that will last and wear without tangling or drying. European human hair is well- known as quality human hair used for extensions.

    There are three basic techniques to attach the hair. They are fusion or strand by strand, weaving and bonding. There are many variations to these techniques and they are sometimes called by different names.

    Fusion/strand by strand: This process is done strand by strand in small sections using heated adhesive sticks or glue specifically made for hair extensions. Extension hair is added directly to your own hair. Sickler uses the fusion method from the Italian company So.Cap. Hair is attached about “from your scalp and looks totally natural. Sickler comments, “No one can visually see that you have hair extensions. It’s up to you if you want everyone to know”.

    Weaving is a process where a corn row or track is created around the head and close to the scalp. Extension hair is sewn on the tracks. Your own hair lies over the tracks for a natural look. Bonding is a process where bonding glue is applied onto the weft of the extension hair and then applied at the root of your hair. A weft is horizontal hair strands attached together at the top of vertically flowing hair strands. Wefts can be machine-made or handmade.

    There are some disadvantages to each of these methods. Sometimes if the hair extension application method is not done properly, the hair extensions will simply fall out, or cause damage to your natural hair. Also, with additional pressure to your scalp from the weight of the heavy extensions, there could be some thinning of your natural hair and/or headaches as you adapt to the new weight. There have been some reports of allergies to the chemicals that are used. You should discuss the disadvantages of hair extensions thoroughly with your hair stylist so that there are no surprises.

    The hair extension training and education your hair stylist has received is very important to the success of their work. Sickler received his hair extension training from renowned expert, Joseph Accola, and he keeps up-do-date on techniques by attending beauty shows across Europe where hair extensions are more popular than in the U.S. “Hair extension education and training are paramount to successful hair extensions for any hair stylist”, says Sickler. If you are looking for a hair stylist to do hair extensions and they don’t have the proper training, you could be very disappointed with the results.

    After you have your hair extensions in place, you will need to schedule regular maintenance visits to check your extensions. How often you need to go back will depend on the type of hair and the method of attachment that was used. As your hair grows out, some of the hair extensions will need to be removed and replaced or touched up.

    On a day-to-day basis you should treat your human hair extensions as you would long hair. Brush, shampoo, condition and moisturize on a regular basis. Some hair stylists will recommend specific high-quality hair care products to use with your extensions. You can also use hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons on most types of human hair extensions. Color treatments can be done on the hair extensions, but you should consult with your hair stylist before considering this. Monthly color touch-ups to your roots will not be a problem, as the hair extensions will not be touched.

    Although it doesn’t hurt physically to get hair extensions, it may hurt you financially. There really is no way around this factor. To get good hair extensions on your whole head, you will need quality human hair, an experienced hair stylist, at least one assistant and about 6-8 hours of time. The ticket price can vary from $150-$2000 depending on what you are having done. Adding a few highlights or lowlight hair extensions can be quite less as the time and amount of hair needed is less.

    In short, here are ten tips to follow after you have decided you want to get hair extensions and have selected a beauty salon. To find beauty salons that do hair extensions, you can look in the yellow pages or search online. The beauty salon directory at www.hairresources.com will allow you to search for ‘hair extensions in your City, State.

    1.After selecting a salon, schedule an initial consultation to discuss what you would like to have done and any concerns that you have.
    2. Ask about what hair extension experience your hair stylist has and where they received their training.

    3. Make sure the hair stylist listens and understands your needs and concerns. Does he/she communicate well with you?

    4. The hair stylist should ask you about your lifestyle, health, hobbies and your normal hair routine

    5. An analysis of your scalp and hair should be done at the initial consultation to make sure your hair is in a condition for successful hair extensions.

    6. Ask to see before and after photos of hair extension clients

    7. Ask for references and be sure to call them

    8. Ask how often the average client needs to replace the hair. This is very important for anticipating future costs

    9. Get a written estimate for your hair extensions with an itemized list of the services required to achieve your new look

    10.Get a written maintenance plan. Plan should include recommendations for products, grooming tools, follow-up appointments and any special instructions.

    Hair extensions have many advantages and several disadvantages that should be addressed, but if you want to create an instant long hair style, human hair extensions are the way to go

    Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net She is listed in the 2004 Who’s Who of Business and Marketing Professionals and U.S. Registry of American Writers. She is the author of the Ebook: 2005’s Most Popular Hair Extensions, available at http://www.hairresources.net, and over 100 feature articles.

    Witness the Superb Hampton Court Palace

    Hampton Court Palace is located to the south-west of the City, on the edge of the River Thames, bounded by wood & spectacular private gardens. Hampton Court Palace, Henry eights startling river shore dwelling is positioned in over 500 acres of woods & grounds.

    Inciting the sensations of more than four hundred and fifty years of legacy, costumed performers can be observed throughout Henry VIII?s and King William 3’s spectacular personal dwellings. The sights, sounds & reek of the excellent Tudor kitchens where royal banquets were set up for Henry?s court of over five-hundred folks can also be viewed.

    Hampton Court Palace has been divided into six individual routes or journeys. The Maze at Hampton Court Palace which is situated on the Thames to the west of the City is maybe the most famous hedge maze on this earth.

    Hampton Court palace has an unpleasant tradition & is supposed to be controlled by lots of phantoms, including two of Henry eight’s past wives and a nurse to his offspring. Hampton Court Palace stewards & workers will be close by to assist people to their booked state accommodation for a cava and canap?s reception. Uniformed personnel will declare the evening meal & guests will be requested to go to their designated seats for a splendid two course meal with selected fine red wines. Visit Hampton Court Palace today with Enjoy England for a great day out.

    Hampton Court Palace has 60 acres of official private gardens on-top-of the five-hundred acres of royal plants. The royal gardens date back to the 16th Century, when the original Privy Garden was fitted between 1530 and fifteen-thirty eight for King Henry the 8th.

    Personal Loan With Bad Credit and Personal Loans

    Personal loans with bad credit are easier to come by than most people would think. These days many people fall victim to their own overspending, and this becomes apparent on their credit report. Thus, lenders have made a business out of personal loans with bad credit so that these people have another means of borrowing. The Internet is the best source for a personal loan with bad credit, but it can also be the biggest trap. Borrowers need to learn all that they can about personal loans with bad credit so they can avoid scams.

    You can apply for personal loans with bad credit both online and directly with a lender. Most people appreciate the convenience of applying online. This can be great if you use caution. Don’t apply with just any online lender for a personal loan with bad credit. Take the time to make sure the lender is federally insured and nationally known. Look for contact information about the lender such as an address, phone number and an “About Us” link. If the lender doesn’t provide such information on their website, take that as a sign that they may not be legit.

    Before providing sensitive information on a lender’s site to get a personal loan with bad credit, be sure that the site is secure. You will typically have to provide your Social Security Number for personal loans with bad credit. Any chance of that information falling into the wrong hands isn’t worth taking. If you don’t feel comfortable giving out this information online, you may want to contact the lender by phone or use a local lender to apply for a personal loan with bad credit.

    If you don’t know where to start when you want to apply for personal loans with bad credit, talk to your bank. They know you and may be willing to work around your bad credit. Keep in mind, though, that they will most likely require some collateral such as a car title or some personal property. They may also or instead require a down payment for the personal loan with bad credit. Some lenders won’t require any collateral or down payment, especially online lenders. This is most likely because they charge considerably high interest rates on personal loans with bad credit.

    Before you commit to a personal loan with bad credit, look over the interest rates, prepayment penalties and fees. Even though you are applying for personal loans with bad credit, it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a bad loan. Talk to a financial counselor about the best way to pursue a personal loan with bad credit. Typically, they will advise you to improve your credit before you even apply. Don’t get discouraged. Taking the time to work on your credit will improve your chances at a better personal loan and save you lots of money in the long run.

    Earn your degree in Graphic Design

    Graduate, associate, bachelor’s degree and certificate programs programs in Graphic Design, are several types of educational programs available in the field of graphic design. There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these programs. You should choose the one that will allow you to achieve your career aspirations. Following, we will compare associate and bachelor’s degree programs to help you choose which is right for you.
    Professional status: The fact of the matter is that, unfortunately, there is an unjust stigma of inferiority attached to the associate degree. Some employers are under the impression that a person who did not attend a four year school is not among the most talented and brightest of their peers. This evaluation is not accurate, nor fair, but it is the reality of the professional world. If you were to be compared one-on-one with a candidate who holds a bachelor’s degree, while only holding an associate degree, the job would likely go to the other candidate. With everything else being identical, the level of education will likely always be the deciding factor.
    Career path: With an associate degree, you are able to quickly jump into your new career, and you will be able to apply for the same jobs that a bachelor’s degree holder is qualified for.
    Cost: A bachelor’s degree program costs more than an associate degree program. Simply put - less time in school means less cost.
    Which ever degree program you choose, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree will help you start out on the journey to an enticing and stimulating new career in the field of graphic design where you will continually see new technologies evolve.

    How to Create a Splash Page for Your Website?

    These splash designs prove to be quite popular, especially among the designers as they allow the designer to show their skills in flash and any other technology on a single page. The splash page design involved in the splash page will be one that is very attractive to the eye of the viewer. Its main intention lies in captivating the viewer the moment he looks at it. It can be a stationary design or an animated design, which in turn makes it more interesting to look at!

    There are quite a few advantages and disadvantages to a splash page. The main advantage of a splash page is that through a splash page, one can get all the information required on the first page of the website without much scrolling as splash pages are fast loading. And just think, after all that effort put into the making of that animation or flash splash page design, you can be confident that through a splash page, the visitors of the site at least see the splash design at least once. Splash pages are a great way to show off the best work you can produce, and thus also act as a portfolio of your work and work capacity for potential employers. As the splash page states the technical requirements required for their particular website, it allows the reader to choose, prior to visiting the site, the technology that best fits them and their computers. It is also a great means of using your server logs to get the complete breakdown of the actual number of customers to the website.

    The cons to splash pages are not that many or major. It is only that some readers do not like splash pages as it prevents them from entering the website immediately, and thus may leave the site upon seeing the splash page. Splash pages also tend to break search engines as most splash pages have a redirect. It should be remembered that splash pages cannot be used for sending emails to a third party. As it can be seen, the pros of a splash page heavily outweigh the cons of a splash page. It all lies down on how one accepts a splash page on seeing it! Remember, splash pages are fun to build. They are very creative and allow the user to play around with animation and sound, to get the desired splash page design they need!

    This article was written by Thomson Chemmanoor a Website optimization expert and webmaster who operates a website design company www.digitallabz.com www.articlenetworks.com and www.logodesignexpert.com. If you want to read more about this splash page and Splash Web page articles visit our website You can republish the articles without changing the content and the bio box.

    Developmental Stages - Is Your Baby On Track

    When you’re a first time Mother, you’re always worried about your baby’s development. Sometimes, we get downright obsessed with knowing when our child will sit up, crawl, walk and talk. And, if they’re one week later than we think they should be, we’re concerned that something’s wrong. Well, here’s the scoop on approximately when the big milestones take place. Remember, each baby is different. If you think your baby is not progressing as he should, speak with your pediatrician.

    First Smile - The first real smile (meaning in response to your smile or some other external social stimulation) usually happens around four to six weeks. Babies do smile earlier than this, though. They often smile as they are falling asleep, and yes, when they have gas.

    First Tooth- Timing of that first tooth can vary widely. If you can find out when you and your husband first popped a pearly white, you’ll have a better idea as to when to expect your baby’s, as it is largely hereditary. Teeth can show up as early as three months, and as late as after the first birthday, but the average is about seven months.

    Sitting Up - This one can happen as early as four months, though for most babies about six months is average. If your baby has not accomplished this milestone by seven or eight months, you might mention it to your doctor.

    Standing Unsupported. Your baby will be able to bear weight on his legs with you holding his arms by age five or six months, usually. But standing unsupported may not happen until nearly a year old, though some babies accomplish this at around nine months. It takes a while for those legs to get strong, and for the balance to be there.

    Saying Mama or Dada - By this I mean actually using Mama to refer to you or Dada to refer to his father - not just making the sound. This can happen as early as 10 months, but happens most often at around a year old. Get used to it, he’s probably going to say Dada first - it’s just easier for babies to say.

    Crawling - Some babies never crawl, which, by the way, is completely normal. But most babies who crawl do so between seven and nine months, with some starting as early as six months. Time to plug up those electrical outlets!

    Walking - Most babies walk between the ages of 13 and 15 months, though many start as early as nine months. Don’t be in too much of a hurry for this one, as your whole life changes once that baby starts to walk!

    Again, all of the times I mentioned above are estimates about when these milestones occur. If your baby is attending regular well baby checkups, your pediatrician will be monitoring his progress, and will alert you if there is any need to be concerned.

    Sarah is a 41 year old wife and mother of two boys and one girl. She spent many years as a manager in the corporate world, and gave it up to be a stay at home mom. www.infantresources.com“> Click here now and get her incredible baby minicourse - absolutely free.

    How to Choose a Hosting Company

    There are hundreds, if not thousands, of hosting companies out there. They come in all price ranges, and with all kinds of bells and whistles. Here are some things you may want to look for in a hosting company, especially if your website is part of your overall marketing plan to sell products or services.

    • Money Back Guarantee - I put this first, because if you are unhappy with your hosting site, you’ll want assurances that you’ll get your money back.

    • 24/7 Customer Technical Support - This is critical. Find out if they mean “there’s voicemail or email 24-hours-a-day” or if they mean, “we will answer the phone and help you 24-hours-a-day.”

    • Control Panel - The Control Panel where you control all aspects of your account, such as managing email accounts, reading statistics, and configuring autoresponders. Make sure your hosting company has a centralized control panel for your management needs.

    • Website Statistics - From a marketing perspective, it’s important to know who is visiting your site and what pages they read. Your hosting company should keep track of all of this information for you, and present it in an easy to read format. Make sure your statistics are updated on a daily basis, and that you can configure the display to show you by day, by week, by month or by year. You can learn more about how to read and interpret your statistics here:
    http://www.passionforbusiness.com/articles.htm

    • CGI - CGI stands for the “Common Gateway Interface” and is a protocol through which web pages interact with scripts on a server. Your hosting company should allow you to install and run CGI scripts your account. They may also offer you some pre-installed CGI scripts for free as part of your hosting package, such as a message board or email forms.

    • POP Email Accounts - A POP (Post Office Protocol) Email Account is an email account hosted on your site. Your hosting company should allow you to have more than one POP account, so that you can set up email addresses for all your needs. For example, clients requesting information about a workshop can send email to workshop@mydomain.com, while clients can send their homework to homework@mydomain.com. Also make sure your hosting company support email forwarding.

    • Autoresponders - Autoresponders allow a visitor to send an email to a specific email address and automatically receive a reply. For example, if you have a FAQ, people can send an email to faq@mydomain.com and automatically receive the FAQ list in their email inbox.

    • SSL Secure Server - SSL stands for “Secure Socket Layer”. This is a protocol that allows for encrypted transmissions on the web, and is especially useful if you are collecting private information from visitors, such as credit card information.

    • Shopping Cart - If you plan on having a catalog on the web, like selling your ebooks or audio tapes, a shopping cart is a must. It lets people browse through your “store” and pick the items that they plan to purchase. When they are done, they proceed to the checkout where they can review their order and pay by credit card. If your hosting company does not offer a shopping cart system, there are plenty of stand-alone shopping cart systems you can use with your website.

    • Password Protected Areas - If you want to create a “members only” or “students only” section of your site, you will need to make sure that your hosting company supports password protected areas (folders or sub-webs).

    • FrontPage Extensions - Microsoft FrontPage is a web development tool that’s easy to use. In order for this package to be completely functional, it requires that there be special software installed on the server called “FrontPage Extensions.” Beware the hosting company who wants to charge you for using FrontPage Extensions; most hosting companies offer them for free.

    • Mailing List Software - Keep your users informed by offering to put them on the mailing list. Make sure your hosting company supports double-opt-in mailing lists, where the person signs up and receives a confirmation email that instructs them how to officially sign up for your mailing list.

    • Streaming Media - If you’d like to add multimedia streaming to your site, you’ll need to find out if your hosting company supports the use of streaming media such as RealAudio or Windows Media files. Some hosting companies will charge you extra for this service.

    As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider. Remember, while some of these may not be important to you now, you’ll also want a hosting company that can grow and support you as your business grows.

    Karyn Greenstreet - EzineArticles Expert Author

    Karyn Greenstreet is a Self Employment expert and small
    business coach. She shares tips, techniques and strategies
    with self-employed people to boost clarity and focus, create
    sustainable motivation, and increase sales and profits.
    Visit her website at http://www.PassionForBusiness.com

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