Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Beanies, Caps, Hats & Visors - A Wide Range of Baby Headwear Options

The sky is the limit, when you are dressing your child in a punk rock fashion. This of course isn't limited by shirts, pants, and shoes. On the contrary, many retailers offer a wide selection of accessories, such as belts, pins, and even hats and beanies. Whether you are looking for your traditional baseball cap, or the more mainstream beanies you are sure to find something that will suit your needs. Many of your traditional style punk rock beanies, and caps can be found available in infant and toddler sizes. From band logos, all the way to your more political styles.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Baby Strollers and Baby Travel Systems

Baby strollers come in many different configurations and depending on your need the choices vary from the convenient light weight stroller, doubles and triples for multiple kids, stand on tandem strollers with rear seats for older siblings and travel systems for parents on the move between car and stroller. The all terrain jogging strollers complete the selection with sleek profiles and large wheels for the physically active parent. Stroller accessories are a necessary addition for carrying extra baby gear while traveling or strolling. The convenience of stroller accessories will be apparent when they are acquired, especially cup holders and weather shields.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Lullaby Mobiles to Help Your Little One Drift Off

The idea of having a mobile hanging above a crib, cot or child's bed has been around for a very long time, and there have been many different variations, from shiny silver or crystal affairs that reflect the light in beautiful rainbow patterns of light, to those that have a ring of cartoon characters or teddy bears prancing about in an unending circle chasing each other. Many parents have constructed their own, and there have been plenty of blue print suggestions in the past on how to do this, with a couple of coat hangers, some coloured paper and some tape.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Baby Eczema - Some of the Things You May Notice

When you look at the entire eczema picture you will notice that eczema is outgrown in different people at different stages. There are a group that outgrow it by age 2 (50%), another group that outgrows it by age 5 (85%), and still another group that outgrows it after passing through the teen years. These results upon interpretation reveal that the majority of eczema sufferers are babies and children. The incidence of baby eczema is very high, with as many as 20%-25% of all babies worldwide being affected by the condition. Here are some of the things that you will want to look out for.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Luxury Baby Bedding and Baby Furniture to Match Your Baby's Style

Many parents only have a vague idea of all of the baby gear they'll need for their baby. The basics include a car seat (assuming you have a vehicle), a stroller (unless you plan to wear your baby in a wrap, and even then most babies are too heavy to wear by the time they are a year old), an infant seat or high chair (somewhere to place your baby for feeding time and snack time), and a place to sleep. Depending on the parent you speak with, you'll find that there are many different options for what a baby should sleep in.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Silly Slogan Onesies and Tees For Infants

If you are looking to bring a little light into your life, it isn't too hard these days. Several retailers, whether they be online or at your local wholesale shop. Will offer silly onesies, and tee shirts that are fit just right for your infant, or toddler. Not only will passers by be smiling at your child's cute antics, but snickering at the funny slogans on your child's shirt or onesie. While placing your child into a silly shirt is alright, I would suggest steering clear of anything that is blatantly lewd. However, if that is what you are going for- go for it.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Showing Your Baby How to Crawl May Teach Them How to Do It

This Memorial Day weekend was a great week. We had a parade which I took my beautiful baby girl to see. We weren't there that long because we woke up a bit late but she did see some of it. Along with that her uncle was with her and he was teaching her how to crawl. She didn't exactly get it because she kept falling down and couldn't get the coordination of it but that didn't last too long. He would crawl around her very slowly and show her exactly how to do it. Then he would try and get her to do it.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Searching High and Low For the Best in Designer Baby Clothes

If you want your darling bundle of joy, or the darling bundle of joy that belongs to a relative or friend to look super chic and fashionable, then you'll need to dress him or her in designer baby clothes. The only question is, where do you buy them at? The fact of the matter is, you won't find anything that would resemble designer children's clothes in your local Walmart, Target or even Kohl's or Boscov's. So if you would like your sweet princess or pampered prince making the rounds in their stroller while dressed to the nines, you'll need to know exactly where to shop.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Selecting Unique Baby Gifts

It is a difficult thing to do when it comes to finding unique baby gifts. There is relatively little choice of gifts that can be brought which are not going to be owned by another baby in a circle of friends. When you walk down a street you can often see children dressed with identical clothes and with identical toys. It is though not unusual to find these items on more than one child, they are normally mass produced items, so it is no surprise. There is nothing wrong with more than one child having similar clothing or other items, but most people like the uniqueness factor.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Baby Eczema - 3 More Reasons Why You Should Treat it With Bath Salts Good For Eczema

Eczema is not a new problem to people. The name eczema itself is a Greek word meaning to "boil over." This can probably give you an idea of how long it has been around. It has only been just recently that medical science has been able to win people over to their methods of treating eczema. But a change is happening again. People want the old remedies back; the prescribed medicants were able to work, but not without the possibility of strong side effects. To put it mildly, you do not want to treat your baby with their medicants if you do not absolutely, absolutely, absolutely have to.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Avoid the 5 Most Common Nursery Decorating Pitfalls

Important Decorating Considerations: Most parents have the room all cute, perhaps a fresh coat of paint and some decoration theme. However, you should make sure that you choose the proper colors and designs so that your new baby will be more comfortable with their surroundings. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid... DO focus on a variety of simple and complex shapes for the wall. DON'T spend your budget on expensive bedding. DO focus on big, bold, & colorful wall accent pieces. DON'T go over-the-top on wall color or drastic changes that can't easily be undone. DO remember to have fun and think like a child when decorating their room.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Easing the Toddler Bedtime Woes

We've all been there, it is eleven o'clock and the fight is on. You have placed your sweet toddler down for bed at eight thirty, but the time that was set aside for chores. Was now being sunk into constantly coddling your child, and the back and forth movement from your living room, to your child's room. It goes on for hours, until your child finally nods off. You are tired, the dishes are piled up, the bills won't pay themselves, and the dog is whining for food. This is a familiar scene for a lot of parents, long weary nights. Remember, bedtime can be rough for a toddler.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Baby Eczema - Comfort Your Baby & Control Infant Eczema With Eczema Treatments That Work - Part 1

It is unlikely that your baby's eczema is caused by a certain food. However, in up to 30% of the children whose eczema can be affected by food, only 10% of the time is it the food that is actually responsible for setting off an eczematic reaction that already lies within your child. The more common foods that act as a factor of flare ups in baby eczema have been cow's milk, chicken eggs, soy, peanuts, wheat and fish. If you are breastfeeding, you will want to take these items out of your diet. If you are not breastfeeding, you will want to consider a milk formula made from something other than cow's milk.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hospitals Get Failing Grade on Breastfeeding Support

It is a sad fact that many of our nation's hospitals and birth centers are neglecting to provide adequate breastfeeding instruction and support for new mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians suggest that after birth, new mothers should breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first six months of their life and continue to do so with baby food as a supplement until at least their first birthday. However, a survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that while health experts encourage women to breastfeed their infants, hospitals do not appear to help when it comes to promoting breastfeeding among new mothers.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Preschool Story Time Reading Activities

It does not matter if you are a home school educator or a preschool teacher, story time is an important part of any preschool student's educational experience. Story time can be as simple as reviewing popular nursery rhymes or as extensive as a story soap opera. Depending on the preschool student's leveled abilities and/or interests, story time can include the ever popular Humpty Dumpty or the divisional break down of popular books such as The Three Little Pigs. The reading item should be chosen based on attention span and actual interest of the preschool student. Preschool leveled students have limited attention spans and the love of reading can be encouraged via fun activities.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Edgy Baby Clothing and Gifts

Throughout the last couple of years, it has become increasingly popular to dress your child in a more edgy fashion. However, this isn't easily done when your shopping is done at a wholesale store or mass marketing chain. Most of the trends in baby clothing still reign supreme; such as pastel colors and sweet wording, but this isn't always what someone wants to dress their child in. You have two options the first is to purchase your child's clothing at an extremely marked up price, from a specialty shop within the mall; or to take your search online, which often times holds the possibility to save you a lot of time and money within the comfort of your own home.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The Hunt For Black Baby Booties in a Sea of Pinks and Pastels

Much like their elusive cousins, the black onesies. The black baby booty is inherently more difficult to find, on a day to day basis. Most retailers offer baby booties in what they deem the "fashionable" colors, such as pastel pinks, purples, blues, greens, and yellows. However, this doesn't always fit the parent's or the child's personality. In cases like these, you will need to take your searches in a slightly skewed direction, if you wish to obtain these items. Much like any other hard to find item, your search should start at your local alternative stores, or online. However, you may also be able to obtain a pair at your local high end shoe store as they keep up on the trends, much more than wholesale mass marketing stores.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Breaking Societies Parenting Expectations - Dressing Your Baby How You Want

You are hard core, your child's mother is hard core. So why isn't your child hard core? Well, that simple you probably haven't been able to find anything, that would make your child dress as if they were hard core, right? Well, there is hope around the horizon as you can now dress your alternative child in any means you would like. With a little bit of know how and an internet search ahead, you will surely be able to obtain clothing that will fit your life, and your social status as an alternative parent. Although there are many styles that are defined as "hard core" in societies view. However, that would be up to you to determine what is hard core to you, whether it be the Gothic fashion, punk rock, or the newest trend of emo.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Product Recall: Red metal wagons

Filed under: Recalls, Outdoor PlayThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the recall of about 15,000 red metal toy wagons due to excessive levels of lead in the surface paint. The recall involves wagons imported by Tricam Industries and sold at Tractor Supply Company stores nationwide from September 2002 through November 2007 for about $30. These wagons are made from red steel and have a black handle, black steel axle support, and black tires. The recall involves only model number MH1250.If you have one of these wagons, you are advised to immediately stop using it and contact Tricam Industries for instructions on returning the wagon for a refund. Contact them at (800) 867-6763 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit their Web site.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Thursday, September 11, 2008

An honest response

Filed under: ParentDish Laughs, Dads, 3 years, Preschooler, Indoor PlayI was in the shower when I heard someone outside the bathroom at the top of the stairs. It sounded like someone playing with the still-in-the-box presents put there to be opened in due time. I looked out (our bathroom has a glass door) and, sure enough, someone was holding one of the boxes. I opened the door and there was Sara, sitting in a laundry basket like Number Two and playing with a doll, still in the box. Our conversation went like this:Me: What are you doing?Sara: Blocking the way.Me: Huh?Sara: Blocking the way!Me: Oh. Okay.And so I closed the door and finished my shower. At least she was honest about what she was doing.Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The first thing I learned in 2008

Filed under: Health and Safety, Toddler, Adventures in ParentingLife would be much easier if family members could deal with sickness at the SAME TIME. Really, who created the time line of toddler sickness? I would like to have a hoarse word with that person.Specifically, why is the germy incubation period just long enough that once your child is back to his quasi-normal, hyperactive self, YOU come down with the World's Most Horrible Cold? Complete with Heavy Head and Sinus Blow? Couldn't we have contracted this simultaneously, thus lying in our misery together? Of course not! I now have to appease my Californian jumping bean with a nocturnal barking problem while toting a box of Kleenex around the house. Good times in 2008!Speaking of nocturnal barking, any croup remedies/wisdom would be greatly appreciated!Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Funny Feeding - Silly Slogans For Bibs and Burp Cloths

Much like anything else in a new parent's life, feeding your child can be quite the task. However, why not make this stressful time into a fun time; by obtaining a couple sassy bibs as a drop cloth for the flinging food? There are several options to choose from, depending on your alternative lifestyle; but chances are that you will be able to find a silly bib or burp cloth to keep you chuckling through the entire ordeal. Below I have compiled a small list of some of the options that you may have available to you, but remember if you aren't able to find something that suits your needs; it may be fairly easy to make your own by using some fabric paint and a blank burp cloth or bib. However it is important to remember, if you are creating your own bibs or burp cloths that you should use non toxic dyes and paints for use around children.

Monday, September 08, 2008

Birth control post-baby: considering an IUC

Filed under: Pregnancy and Birth, Moms, C-sectionWhen I was at a prenatal appointment earlier in the week, my OB talked to me about my post-baby birth control options. We had already discussed the option of having a tubal ligation during my scheduled C-section, and I had declined-not that I plan on having any more kids, but I just didn't like the idea of such a permanent choice. This time she mentioned the possibility of having the Mirena IUC (intrauterine contraceptive) inserted at the time of my surgery, which seems like a handy "hey, as long as you're in there" add-on. She explained some of the potential side effects and downsides (one of which is shorter, lighter periods-wait, that's a downside?) and I'm still thinking about it, but it's sounding pretty good to me.So, who wants to sound off on their personal experience with an IUC? Any horror stories, glowing reviews, or otherwise?Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Pub crawlers uncover baby after crash

Filed under: Grandparents, Newborn, 3-6 months, Infant / First year, Making a DifferenceHaving apparently eaten their Mentos, a group of drinking buddies saved the life of a four-month-old baby by lifting a Ford Fiesta into the air, after an accident had trapped the child underneath the car. Jackie Stephens was pushing her grandson Luke along the sidewalk in front of the pub in his baby buggy when the car crashed into them.Jackie Stephens ended up with injuries that put her in intensive care and little Luke ended up beneath the vehicle. The men heard the crash and, realizing that the child was trapped, they set to work. Six men picked up the car while a seventh pulled the child to safety. "The people in that pub are real heroes," said Jackie's husband Roger. "They saved my grandson's life."If you ask me, someone should buy those lads a pint. Well done!Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Janet Jackson and her 'baby making' music

Filed under: Moms, Dads, Music, Parental relationshipsYou knew Janet Jackson made music, but did you know she's also responsible for the making of countless babies? It's not her high-tempo dance music but her slow and sexy baby-making songs that have provided fans with intimate inspiration."You don't know how many people come up to me and say, 'This child was conceived listening to you,' " Jackson, 41, tells Extra. This got me to thinking about the role music has played in my own relationships. My husband and I don't have a particular song that we consider 'ours' and we certainly aren't planning to make any babies. But put on the soundtrack to the 1998 movie Hope Floats and we are both instantly transported back to the romantic early days of our relationship. What about you? Do you have your own special 'mood music' and did that music have anything to do with you becoming a parent?Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Friday, September 05, 2008

Granny panties save the day!

Filed under: Family togetherness, Weird but True, In the NewsYou know those super huge, ugly (but oh-so-comfy) underpants otherwise known as "granny panties"? Well, while they might kill your sex drive, a powder blue pair of granny panties and a quick thinking boy saved a woman's kitchen. When a pair of British cousins tried to make a bite for supper, their meal went up in flames that threatened to torch the kitchen. One boy quickly grabbed an item from the nearby laundry basket: a pair of XL powder blue woman's underpants. Running the undies under water and throwing it on the flames successful averted disaster, although the unmentionables were destroyed. "It could have been a lot worse," the woman said. "My family could have been in hospital but the knickers saved the day. I'm just grateful to the boys. Three cheers for the granny panty, a thong in this situation would have been disastrous! Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Thursday, September 04, 2008

What does your kid eat for breakfast?

Filed under: Feeding & Nutrition, Lifestyle, Eating, Likes and dislikesSince Bean started eating solid foods, gasp, a year and a half ago, we've gone through many, many favorite foods. He's not a picky eater, but a light one, and getting a good breakfast in the boy is as crucial every day as just about anything else. If he's had a good breakfast, he's an easy going kid for the rest of the morning. If not, well, it's anyone's game. On a whim , after reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears several times, I asked him if he'd like to have porridge for breakfast. He liked the idea, and has eaten rolled oats cooked until creamy and served with maple syrup and butter almost every morning since. It's a faster option than eggs--which he loves (especially soft boiled and served in the shell with a tiny spoon--very European, I know) but I'm still on the lookout for some other easy and nutritious breakfast options for my son. What does your kid eat for breakfast? Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Diane Keaton on the joy of embarrassing your kids

Filed under: Adoption, Moms, Celebrity kids, Celebrity parentsAlthough she never felt the irresistible urge to have children, actress Diane Keaton says that the idea of becoming a parent was always in her thoughts. After realizing that the "strong and substantive" domestic partnership she was waiting for wasn't going to happen, she "plunged in" at the age of 55. In 1996, she adopted her daughter Dexter, now 12 and in 2001, she adopted her son Duke, now 7.After "years of selfishness", the 62-year-old actress says that nothing beats the joy of being a mother, even though she is going it alone. "You can't sit there and go, poor me," she tells Ladies Home Journal in the February issue. Her kids, however, might have a reason to feel sorry for themselves. Like most of us, Keaton manages to embarrass her children like only a parent can. "I like to take them to school in my bare feet," she says, leading them to beg, "Can't you be normal, lady?"No, I don't think "normal" describes the quirkiness that is Diane Keaton.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Nicole Kidman pregnant?

Filed under: Pregnant celebrities, RumorsAfter the UK's Daily Mail posted a story claiming Nicole Kidman was pregnant, the Internet rumor mill went a little crazy. However, Kidman's rep says the pregnancy story is nothing more than "another rumor out of London" and par for the course during this "silly season.""It is incorrect. She must have had about 30 babies by now," says her rep.Of course, that doesn't mean it isn't true. The denial may just mean that it is none of our business if Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are expecting a child. Having suffered the pain of miscarriage already, I wouldn't blame Kidman for wanting to keep things quiet for a while. If she is trying to keep a lid on things, she might want to have a talk with her friends. One of them apparently told the press that the rumors might well be true. "She did have a small baby bump a month ago, so it would be reasonable that she'd now be three months and telling her friends and family," says the unidentified friend.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Monday, September 01, 2008

Suri Cruise: Face of an angel, voice of a polar bear?!

Filed under: Celebrity babies, Celebrity kids, Movies, Rumors, SpeechA production company has offered the Berlin Zoo five million dollars for the rights to the story of the zoo's uber-cute polar bear born in captivity, Knut. Knut was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and raised by zookeeper, Thomas Doerflein and celebrated his first birthday last month. And the producer of the proposed animated feature has someone famous already in mind to do the voice of young Knut: Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. "I see the heartwarming relationship between Knut and his caretaker, Thomas Doerflein at the center of the movie ... Suri [Cruise] could speak the English voice of Knut." said producer Ash R. Shah. Obviously if they are just discussing rights, the movie is still years away and Suri will have a large enough vocabulary (perhaps even reading skills!) by then, but has Shah even heard Suri speak? Not all little kids voices are adorable (ask me how I know!) Also, Knut lives in Berlin. Shouldn't his accent be German rather than Scientologist? %Gallery-12519%Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments